ByLaws

PEACH By-laws

Revised 2007

Note: PEACH By-laws are voted on by a majority of PEACH members.

ARTICLE I — Name

The name of this organization shall be PEACH - Parents Educating at Christian Homes.

ARTICLE II — Purpose

The purposes of this organization are:

1. To provide support, encouragement, and fellowship to Christian families who are home educating. Home education is defined as a parent/guardian providing annual notification of home schooling to the appropriate superintendent (Ohio code 3301-34-03) directing 50% or more of the education at home and being personally responsible for funding the education (Ohio code 3301-34-01). A second option for home education allowed by HSLDA and Ohio code 3301-35-08 is for non-chartered schools (08 school). These are allowed if the parent is the administrator. The “08″ school parent must have a bachelor’s degree and oppose government controlled education because of religious beliefs.”

2. To provide information about home education.

ARTICLE III — Membership

I. Qualifications for membership:

A. All member families must be home educating at least one of their children as defined in Article II - 1 above. A home educated child (Kindergarten through 12th grade) not of compulsory school age (6- 18) is considered qualified for PEACH membership.

B. At least one parent must sign that they agree with the PEACH statement of faith. A spouse who does not sign the statement of faith shall not hold an office, serve on committees, vote, or teach or speak at PEACH meetings.

C. Each member family agrees to waive any and all claims, actions, or rights of action, which they may have against the organization, or any of its officers, or members, which may arise from the activities of any member family of the organization by reason of the purpose and nature of this organization.

D. PEACH is a private organization and reserves the right to deny or revoke membership for any reason.

II. Types of membership shall consist of active and inactive:

A. Active:

1. Active member families will receive membership privileges when dues are paid in full, and

2. Active membership requires that member families send at least one representative to four (4) of the last eleven (11) monthly PEACH meetings, and

3. Active member families will be allowed one vote concerning PEACH business. Absentee voting arrangements may be made through the PEACH President prior to the meeting when voting will take place.

B. Inactive:

1. Inactive member families will receive membership privileges when dues are paid in full.

2. Inactive members do not have any meeting attendance required.

3. Inactive members shall not hold an office, nor have voting privileges. Inactive members may serve on committees.
III. Dues:

A. First year annual dues shall be due and payable at the time of application.

B. Returning member annual dues shall be due and payable no later than August 31 each year. A late fee of $5.00 will be charged for membership renewals received after the September PEACH meeting.

C. Annual dues shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) payable to PEACH no later than August 31, each year.

D. Any member family unable to pay dues in full by the established deadline shall make arrangements with the Membership vice president before the deadline; such a request will be considered and approved or disapproved by the President.

E. Dues and other monies received shall be used to pay expenses related to the publication and mailing of a monthly newsletter and operating expenses upon president and treasurer approval.

F. Past presidents of PEACH shall receive free membership in PEACH corresponding to the number of years they served as president. This free membership is dependent upon the family’s remaining in active member status.

G. Members who elect to receive the newsletter electronically (thus reducing expenses related to publication and mailing) are eligible for a reduced membership fee of sixteen dollars ($16.00) per year. If member is later unable to receive the newsletter electronically, a pro-rated adjustment will need to be made to the fee at that time.
IV. Non-payment of dues:

A. Non-payment of dues after August 31 shall be considered in arrears.

B. Any member family who has not paid their current dues by the September PEACH meeting will have their membership revoked and be removed immediately from the PEACH lists.

C. A member family may be reinstated upon immediate payment of arrears in full plus $5.00 late fee.

ARTICLE IV — Officers and Committees

I. There shall be the following elected offices which shall comprise the Leadership Team:

A. President

B. Three Vice Presidents: Activities, Meetings, and Membership

C. Secretary

D. Treasurer

II. An officer who does not comply with his or her responsibilities may be relieved of office by a majority vote of the leadership team. Appointment of a replacement shall be made by the president with the approval of the leadership team.
III. In the event of the departure of an officer, a replacement shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the leadership team.

IV. In the event of the departure of the president, the Meetings vice president shall function as acting president until a new president is appointed by the leadership team.

V. The chairperson of committees, newsletter editor, graduation coordinator, and librarian shall be appointed by the President.

ARTICLE V — Elections

I. Nominations:

A. A nominating committee consisting of a chairperson and no more than two other members shall be appointed by the president three months before elections.

B. Report of the nominating committee shall be made at the April meeting.

C. Nominations from the floor will be in order at the April meeting.

II. Elections:

A. An elections committee of two members shall be appointed by the president to conduct the elections.

B. Election shall be by secret ballot.

C. Election shall be held in May.

III. Term of office:

A. Officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year to serve from July 1, until June 30, of the following year.

B. Officers shall not serve more than three (3) consecutive years in the same office.

IV. Outgoing officers shall turn over all PEACH materials to incoming officers.

ARTICLE VI — Duties of Officers

I. The president shall:

A. Preside over all meetings of the leadership team and general meetings of the organization, and at any special meetings.

B. Appoint committee heads.

C. Make interim appointments as needed with the approval of the leadership team.

D. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.

E. Call special meetings when necessary.

F. Assign officer duties as needed.

II. The Membership Vice President shall:

A. Maintain a database of PEACH members.

B. Print and distribute PEACH membership directory.

C. Maintain PEACH e-mail lists.

III. The Meetings Vice President shall plan monthly PEACH meetings.

IV. The Activities Vice Presidents shall supervise or plan PEACH activities such as field trips, skating, bees, and fairs.

V. The secretary shall:

A. Keep PEACH meeting attendance records.

B. Keep minutes of all PEACH leadership meetings.

C. Maintain and distribute PEACH new member packets.

IV. The treasurer shall:

A. Have charge of all the funds of the organization.

B. Make an annual financial report to the membership.

C. Be accountable to the Membership vice president.

D. Balance the checking account monthly.

ARTICLE VII — Meetings

I. There shall be monthly meetings and/or events except July, which is optional.

II. Special meetings may be called by the president or the leadership team. Upon written notice of one-fourth (1/4) of the active membership the president shall call a meeting. Notice of special meetings shall be given to the members at least seven (7) days in advance.

III. A quorum for conducting business of a regular or special meeting of the membership shall be not less than one-third (1/3) of the members empowered to vote.

ARTICLE VIII — Discipline

I. Charges of working against the principles and purposes of PEACH, and/or injuring the standing of a member family shall be dealt with according to Matthew 18:15-17.

II. The member family may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote or expelled by a three-fourths (3/4) of the membership.

ARTICLE IX — Amendments

The bylaws may be amended or revised by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the active member families present at a regularly scheduled monthly membership meeting. Copies of proposed amendments shall be given to members in writing at least one (1) month prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE X — Dissolution

Should PEACH be dissolved, material possessions and monies shall be given to a like-minded home schooling organization after any and all bills have been paid. Recipient organization to be chosen by leadership team.