The name of this organization is East Coast Homeschool Organization, referred to as ECHO.
ECHO is a non-profit organization.
ECHO was founded on the vision of the president, Valerie L. Cifuentes, under the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The vision of ECHO is to be a part of a growing mainstay in education that allows parents to make personal choices for their children and to uphold individual preferences in religion, curriculum and methods of instruction. As a homeschool support group, ECHO hopes to provide a place of encouragement, intimacy, fellowship and information for parents and guardians that choose to teach their children at home.
Section I- Statement
Echo is a Greek word that means "to hold." We, the parents, recognize that we are our children's primary educators. We hold to our right to educate our children at home within the guidelines of North Carolina State Law. We hold to our individual Family Identities, Christian Heritage and Values as we educate our children in Christian Spirituality; Good Citizenship and Patriotism.
Section II-Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ (the Church),
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
Our goal is to see that families are empowered for home education and to allow them to have a social structure conducive for wholesome education.
Members of ECHO must be registered with the State of North Carolina, Non-Public Education as required by law.
Section 1-Description
There shall be six offices in the Governing Body. They shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Collateral Duty Officer and Resource and Media Officer.
Section II-Meetings
The Governing Body shall meet at least four times a year. Meetings will be held in August-September, October-November, January-February, and April -May.
Section III- Eligibility
Governing Body Officers must be homeschooling for at least one year and a member of ECHO. The President is the only officer to makes exceptions.
Section IV- Tenure and Terms of the Governing Body
The President shall have Tenure.
Section V- Duties of the Governing Body
3. Treasurer- Responsible for maintaining financial records, paying approved bills of this organization, providing financial reports, and proposing an annual budget and collecting annual dues and providing reimbursements.
4. Secretary- Responsible recording all the minutes of the regular and special board meetings and must present written records of such meetings to all Governing Body members. Is responsible for collecting membership applications, maintaining a list of all members’ addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, advises Governing Body of new members and distributes information and ECHO Handbooks to all Members.
5. Collateral Duty Officer- works with the residing President. Fulfill jobs at the request of the President. Jobs such as, but not restricted to, researching ideas, run errands for the President, and at the President's request, may assist the Governing Body, as needed, for special events.
6. Resource and Media Officer-works to keep ECHO's resources such as books, magazines, pamphlets, donated media and book clubs in order, also may develop and oversee the newsletter when applicable.
1. The Treasurer shall develop a proposed budget and annual dues. The budget shall be approved by the Governing Body and adopted at an annual meeting. The proposed budget is tentative and can be changed according to the needs of the group.
8. When the Governing Body elects a member or members to attend a seminars or workshops, they shall be reimbursed for the entrance fee and gas.
9. Expenses for the benefit of ECHO must be submitted for review by the Governing Body prior to purchase.
10. All receipts must be turned in no later than 30 days of purchase.
11. An inventory of all ECHO assets will be completed in June of each fiscal year.
7. Proper attire is essential. Clothing is to be modest. No logos with lewd languages, images or anti-religious statements allowed.
8. Members shall not bring guns, knives, or other weapons to our group activities and meetings.
9. Members are to help their children with conflict resolutions within the group.
10. Children in ECHO Nursery or Pre-K activities must have fingernails clipped short.
11. Children are to be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times during ECHO activities or meetings.
12. If a member or child of a member or a guest of a member damages properties belonging to ECHO or a sponsor for ECHO, then the member is solely liable for replacement or purchase of damaged property.
13. Members that have a grievance are required to turn in Grievance Form for review.
14. All Members must sign a written waiver for MCCS Operations.
These Bylaws may be amended by 2/3 majority vote of the Governing Body.
Voting method used is "show of hands."
Articles that may not be amended are as follows: Article I- Name, Article III- Vision, Article IV- Section II Creed, Section IV, Article VII- Governing Body, Article X- Amendments and Article XI Dissolution.
This organization may be dissolved and activities closed upon the recommendation of the Founder. After all payment of bills and claims are distributed, all cash shall be donated to the Home School Legal Defense Association, which is a non-profit, incorporated organization. All supplies will be auctioned and the money will be donated to the Home School Legal Defense Association. What is not auctioned will be donated to the Stone Street Youth Pavilion, MCB Camp Lejeune, NC.
ECHO's Governing Body shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the organization. All of the before-mentioned are the liability of the East Coast Homeschool Organization itself.
We do not discriminate against race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin or any method of homeschooling. Although we welcome all religious backgrounds, please let it be known that the fundamental basis of ECHO's structure is the Christian belief. Any families that choose to become a member of this organization must acknowledge the nature of the group and in doing so, not undermine any of the principles set forth in our Creed. Summer planning meetings in June and July are open to all homeschooling families seriously considering ECHO membership. However, all other ECHO activities, trips, events and functions are open to paid ECHO members only due to liability issues. The only exception to that rule would be if a family wanted to attend a meeting to see how the group operates under the following requirements: (a) as long as the visiting family signed written waivers for MCCS Operations, ECHO and facility use plus a one-day membership form, (b) and paid the $15.00 ECHO membership fee with a check made payable to ECHO to protect the group, its’ board and members and host facility, its’ board and staff from all liability claims. If the visiting family decides not to join ECHO, a check would be issued and mailed to that family to relinquish all ties of membership and liability to ECHO (Board and members) and the host facility (its Board and staff).