CHEC History & Bylaws
History of Crossroads Home Educated Children (CHEC, Inc.)
During American colonial times, and throughout the early development and settling of the United States, the sight of children learning alongside their parents at home was commonplace. When America’s economic structure was based largely on agrarian enterprises, many communities began to financially support local schools. One room school houses, educating children of various ages in the same classroom, became the norm. After the industrial revolution, towns and cities became more populated, and government funded public schools became more and more prevalent. By the 1980’s, most children in the United States attended public schools. In the 21st century, this is still the case.
A small movement toward educating children at home began in the U.S. in the 1960’s, gaining a little momentum in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s, those who chose home education did so with little support, and in fact sometimes faced legal prosecution. These families were true pioneers, and those who homeschool in freedom today do so because of the legal battles they fought.
At this writing, individual states have their own laws pertaining to education, including the education of children at home. Texas continues to be one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the United States. However, these freedoms should never be taken for granted. Many families who began homeschooling in the 1980’s will attest to this.
The 1980’s were challenging times for Texas families who chose to school their children at home because of vague laws concerning compulsory attendance. It was during this time that a handful of like-minded families in Victoria and the crossroads area sought to organize themselves into a support group. Most home schooling took place “in the closet” to avoid confrontation with truancy officers. James and Debbie Solomon found that there were homeschoolers not only in Victoria, but almost all surrounding counties. They began inviting these families to meet together for mutual support. In the mid 1980's Crossroads Home Educated Children was born. Moms met regularly in the park, exchanging experiences and ideas while their children played together. There were a few business meetings as well. Twelve-dollar annual dues went toward the monthly newsletter that was published and sent to the twenty members. In 1987, a home school court case, Leeper vs. Arlington, clarified the law concerning home schooling in Texas, thereby allowing homeschool families to operate more freely without fear. This freedom brought more families into the group.
Along the way, CHEC bylaws were written, CHEC obtained non-profit status, and was incorporated. Membership dues were increased to support various academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities for children. Each year, volunteers served as a board of directors (officers) to ensure that the organization continued to exist. For over 30 years, CHEC has been sustained because of those who have given generously of their time and resources.
Families who make the choice for home education do so for a number of reasons: concerns about religious freedom, safety, health issues, academics, and so on. Very simply said, most parents who homeschool their children do so because they love their children, and feel it is in their best interest.
There have been changes in technology, homeschool laws, and the public perception of home education through the years, but by the grace of God, CHEC continues to equip and support the homeschool community. We hope you will join us in supporting home education.
CROSSROADS HOME EDUCATED CHILDREN
A Christian Home School Support Organization
Article I. Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the organization shall be to further the interests of home education of children by their parents by all lawful means, including, but not limited to, support of assistance to members of the organization who are educating their own children at home, dissemination of legislative and other information affecting the rights of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children, participation in and sponsorship of conventions and educational seminars for teaching parents, organization of field trips and extra-curricular activities for members of the organization, and public relation activities with state and federal officials, both elected and appointed.
Article II. Statement of Faith
Section 1. Preface
Our Statement of Faith concerns the Person and Work of Jesus Christ (the Gospel) as revealed in Scripture. It is the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 2, Eph. 4:5) which distinguishes believers from non-believers. There are many other precious truths taught in the Bible over which godly men have differed in understanding. Therefore, this is not a statement of all that important to believe, but of all that is essential to believe for Christian fellowship and unity. (Rom. 15:7)
Section 2 Statement
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, and of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
2. We believe that there is one living and true God; an infinite, intelligent Spirit, perfect in all His attributes, one in essence but eternally subsistent in three Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the Fall of man; although originally created in the image of God, through the disobedience of Adam, man fell into a sinful and spiritually impotent state, totally unable to justify himself before God.
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is the express image of the invisible God, which is to say He is God; that He became man, yet without sin, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; that He died on the cross as substitutionary sacrifice for sin; that He arose from the dead in the body in which He was crucified; that He ascended into Heaven in that body glorified, where He is now, our interceding High Priest; and that He will return again personally, visibly, and gloriously.
5. We believe that salvation is wholly of God, by grace; that God in love gave His only Son to die on the cross for sin, thus procuring the redemption of those who come to Him; that this salvation is not merited in any way by man; that God commands men everywhere to repent of sin and believe in Christ; and that this salvation is eternal in its duration and results in good works.
The organization shall have all of the statutory powers enumerated for non-profit corporations under the laws of the State of Texas.
Article IV—Board of Directors
Section 1. Governing Authority
The governing body of the organization shall be known as its Board of Directors, and it shall have plenary powers to do all things necessary and proper to operate and control the Organization.
Section 2. Composition and Qualifications
The C.H.E.C. Board of Directors shall consist of five members, four officers who will be elected by the members of the organization, and one selected at large from the active membership, by the out-going C.H.E.C. Board of Directors. Members of the C.H.E.C. board of Directors shall be home schooling parents and shall be members in good standing with the organization. Each candidate for election to the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors must affirm before the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors his concurrence with the Statement of Faith of the organization, must be a member of a local church, and must profess by credible testimony his faith in Jesus Christ.
Section 3. Term of Service
Each member of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a term of one year and their term shall begin June 1st. Each member of the Board of Directors may serve no more than three consecutive years in one given position.
Section 4. Manner of Election
1. Nominations for the election of officers to the Board of Directors shall be submitted to the Board of Directors by a nominating committee established for that purpose. Such nominations are to be submitted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors by March 1st prior to the commencement of the proposed term of service. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, nominees shall appear before the Board of Directors at a time and place set by the Board of Directors for an interview to comply with the provisions of Section 2 of this Article. The Board of Directors will submit the names of qualified nominees for the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, to the members in April. Election of a nominee to an office on the Board of Directors shall be by a simple majority vote of the members present.
2. The at large position on the C.H.E.C. board of Directors shall be selected by the out-going C.H.E.C. Board of Directors, by a simple majority vote, at the last meeting for the term of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Vacancies
Vacancies in the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors caused by the death or resignation of an officer or the at-large position shall be filled by the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors by the election of an officer or the at-large position for the unexpired term of the office.
Section 6. Delegation of Authority
The Board of Directors may delegate to one or more of its members or to any of its officers, agents, or employees, or to any of its committees, such powers and duties as it may deem appropriate and proper. In the absence of such delegation, either generally or specifically, no member of the Board of Directors shall have any authority to act for the Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have status coequal with that of each other member, and each member shall have the right to vote on any and all questions coming before the Board of Directors. A member of the board may be a husband and wife couple, however, the couple shall only have one vote as granted to the other members of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Compensation
Members of the Board of Directors may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the maintenance of their duties, when approved by the Board of Directors. Persons who serve as members and render service to the organization in some capacity other than as a member of the Board of Directors may be compensated for their services, or may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred while rendering services to the organization, when approved by the Board of Directors.
Article V. Meetings
Section 1. Quorum
The quorum for all meetings of the Board of Directors whether regular or special, shall be three-fifths (3/5) of the voting members.
Section 2. Regular Meetings
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at times and places established by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held upon three days notice to members. The Chairman of the Board of Directors may call such meetings on this own initiative but shall be obligated to call such meetings when requested to do so by at least two other members of the Board of Directors.
Article VI. Officers
Section 1. Designation
The officers of the Board of Directors of the organization shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
Section 2 Removal
Any officer may be removed by a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the organization will be served thereby.
Section 3. Vacancies
Any vacancy in any office, however occurring, shall be filled by the Board of Directors by the election of an officer for the unexpired, term of the office.
Section 4. President
The President shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise, and control all of the business and affairs of the organization. The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and he may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer there unto authorized by the Board of Directors any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or these By-Laws to some other officer or agent of the organization or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed, and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 5. Vice President
In the absence of the President or in event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Secretary
The Secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law; and (c) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors. Should the organization incorporate, then the secretary shall be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the organization and see that the seal of the organization is affixed to all documents, the execution of which on the behalf of the organization under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws or as required by law of the State of Texas.
Section 7. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the organization; (b) receive and give receipt for monies due and payable to the organization from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such monies in the name of the organization in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as shall be selected by the Board of Directors; and (c) in general to perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Article VII. Advisor to the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may select a person or a husband and wife couple, who has at least 5 years experience in home schooling children, and who may not be currently home schooling children in elementary or secondary grade level, to serve as an advisor to the Board of Directors. This advisor shall not have any voting rights on items being considered by the Board of Directors. The person or husband and wife couple shall not remain as advisor for more than three consecutive years.
Article VIII. Committees
Committees may be established from time to time as appointed by the President of the Board of Directors or by action of the Board of Directors to consider and report on matters assigned at the time of appointment or action.
Article IX. Director and Officer Indemnification
The organization shall indemnify any and all of its officers, members of the Board of Directors, or former officers or members, or any person who may have served at its request or by its election as a member or officer of the organization, against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in connection with the defense or settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which they, or any of them, are made parties, or a party, by reason of being or having been members or officers of the organization, except in relation to matters as to which any such member or officer or former director or officer or person shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable for willful misconduct in the performance of duty and to such matters as shall be settled by agreement predicted on the existence of such liability. The indemnification provided hereby shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which anyone seeking indemnification here under may be entitled under any by-law agreement or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The organization may purchase and maintain insurance of any member, officer, agent, employee or former member or officer or other person, against any liability asserted against them and incurred by him to the extent that the organization would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article and the law of the State of Texas.
Article X. Members
Section 1. Membership
Membership in the organization shall be available to home schooling parents or legal guardians residing within this state. All members must apply for membership as prescribed by the Board of Directors. Applicants for membership will be accepted upon the payment of any initial fee set by the board. The Board shall set such fee with the approval of the general active membership of the organization.
Section 2. Rights and Privileges
Members of the organization shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges of membership in the organization as established by the Board of Directors and the laws of the State of Texas. Members shall be entitled to participate in all activities of the organization and to represent the interests of the organization, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities
By submitting an application for membership in the organization, members agree to abide by all standards and policies of the organization as established by the Board of Directors. Members shall refrain from engaging in any activity, which may bring reproach on the organization or home education.
Section 4. Termination of Membership
Membership in the organization may be terminated by members at any time by providing notice of same to the President or Board of Directors. Membership of any member may be involuntarily terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the organization will be served thereby.
Article XI: Subordinate organizations
Members of the organization, upon receiving permission from the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors, may form subordinate organization, which use the name of the organization listed on these By-Laws for the purpose of organizing and promoting activities in which the entire body of members does not desire to participate. Such subordinate organizations shall adhere to these By-laws and guidance established by the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors, and shall report to the C.H.E.C. Board of Directors all activities. Subordinate organizations which are enumerated within this article have been granted permission to form a separate Board of Directors, to draft and adopt separate By-Laws, and to carry out separate functions in accordance with their By-Laws. Such permission is conditional upon the subordinate organizations incorporating Article 2 in its entirety and incorporating the following wording in its entirety, into their By-laws. “Members of the Board of Directors shall be home schooling parents and shall be members in good standing with the organization. Each candidate for election to the Board of Directors must affirm before the Board of Directors his concurrence with the Statement of Faith of the organization, must be a member of a local church, and must profess by credible testimony his faith in Jesus Christ.”
Article XII. Adoption and Amendment of By-Laws
With the exception of Article XII, which is irrevocable and not subject to amendment, these By-laws shall be adopted and thereafter amended only by a majority vote of the active members.
Revised Date: April 7, 2009