Christian Home Educators of Tucson - South East By-laws
Article I - Statement of Purpose
Christian Home Educators of Tucson – South East (hereafter abbreviated as “CHET-SE”) is first and foremost an organization of Christians offering fellowship to encourage and equip one another in effectively training our children. CHET-SE will serve as a resource to the parents who educate their children at home using a parent-led, relationship-based education. Our intention is to promote godly living and to set a proper example before our community.
Article II - Statement of Faith
Section I – 1. Preface
Our Statement of Faith includes only those truths revealed in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Holy Bible. There are many other precious truths taught in the Bible over which godly people have differed in understanding. Therefore, this is not a statement of all that is important to believe, but is a minimum statement of what is essential to believe for Christian fellowship and unity.
Section II – 2. Statement
? We believe the Bible to be the only God-inspired, infallible, supreme, and final authority for all faith and life and conduct.
? We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
? We believe in the deity of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
? We believe that people were created in the image of God, but fell into sin and are therefore lost, and only those who are born of the Holy Spirit are saved from their sins.
? We believe that salvation is a gift of God’s grace and we do not trust in personal works, but only in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
? We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict individuals and to indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
? We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost: the saved to everlasting blessedness and joy with God, the lost to judgment and everlasting punishment.
? We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
? We believe that marriage is a divinely ordained institution between one man and one woman.
? We believe that God immutably creates each person as either male or female at conception.
? We believe that sexual intimacy is to occur exclusively within a committed marriage.
Section II – 3. Doctrinal Error
CHET-SE recognizes the following doctrines as being in conflict with orthodox translation and interpretation of the Bible and therefore erroneous. Persons subscribing to any of these doctrines cannot be considered for membership, nor shall they be part of any activity of CHET-SE as a guest of any member.
? Salvation is earned by works or good deeds.
? Additional documents considered to be equal in authority and inspiration to the Bible, or considered to be the inspired Word of God.
? There is a person with information that adds to, or supersedes, the Bible.
? Human beings may become gods.
? There is more than one God.
? Jesus Christ is a created being or is not God.
? The Holy Spirit is not God.
? The Bible is not the final authority in matters of faith and doctrine.
? Jesus Christ is not the only way to know and come to God.
? Human beings are basically good.
Article III - Powers
CHET-SE shall have the power to hold property, including money, bank accounts, and other property, in its own name and transact business, through its Board of Directors, in its own name.
The fiscal year of CHET-SE shall be from July 1 through June 30 of each year. CHET-SE’s annual expenses average $10,000. In the event that the combined financial assets in any of its checking and savings accounts exceed $10,000 at the end of any fiscal year, the overage shall be split and donated to AFHE (Arizona Families for Home Education) and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association).
Article IV - Board of Directors
Section IV – 1. Governing Authority
The governing body of CHET-SE shall be known as the Board of Directors (also named herein as the “Board”). The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to do all things necessary and proper to operate and control CHET-SE.
The Board of Directors shall have the final power, authority, and responsibility to interpret, uphold, enforce and effectuate these By-laws and the CHET-SE Statement of Faith.
Section IV - 2a. Composition and Qualifications
The Board of Directors shall consist of five CHET-SE members, ratified by the membership. Members of the Board of Directors shall be parents with at least two years of continuing experience in home schooling: CHET-SE members in good standing for at least one full year immediately prior, abiding by these By-laws, and having signed the Statement of Faith; who are currently educating all of their school age children at home in a parent-led, relationship-based education (i.e. none of their children are enrolled in primary or secondary public or private schools); who currently maintain regular fellowship with other Christian believers; and must profess by credible testimony their faith in Jesus Christ (reference Article II).
Section IV – 2b.
The five members of the Board of Directors shall be delegated duties and titles as follow: President of the Board of Directors, Membership Connections, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, and Website Administrator.
Section IV – 3. Length of Term
Each member of the Board of Directors shall serve a term of one or two years, the decision of term length to be chosen by the member, commencing the middle of May, 7 days after the last PE session, of the year in which their appointment for the position is ratified. Any member of the Board of Directors may be nominated and ratified for additional terms by CHET-SE members.
Section IV-4. Appointment Process
IV - 4a. The Board of Directors serves as the nominating committee and shall submit a ballot of qualified nominees to the general membership for ratification. Each member of the Board of Directors shall submit a list of nominees for consideration as a Board member.
IV - 4b. The Board of Directors shall ensure nominees are in compliance with the requirements of Article IV-2a, and consider qualified nominees for appointment at a regular meeting of the Board in March of each year.
IV – 4c. Following consideration, the Board of Directors shall designate a nominee for each open position on the Board. Acceptance of the selected candidates shall be two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.
IV – 4d. A roster of nominees for vacant positions on the Board of Directors shall be made public by posting the roster on the CHET-SE website approximately fourteen (14) days prior to the Online Ratification Process. The membership shall consider the qualifications of the nominees prior to the Online Ratification Process. If a member has concerns about the suitability of a nominee, they shall submit their information in writing to a member of the Board of Directors for reconsideration by the Board of Directors at least seven (7) days before the Online Ratification Process.
IV – 4e. The Board of Directors shall present designated nominees for ratification on the CHET-SE website and vote online during the Online Ratification Process. This shall be held in May of each year.
IV – 4f. Ratification of a nominee for a position on the Board of Directors shall be accomplished by the simple majority vote of all members from the Online Ratification Process.
IV – 4g. Any new nominees for an unfilled position will be listed in the mailing sent to the membership in August that announces the General Membership Meeting. The same process as described in IV- 4d above will be in effect.
Section IV – 5. Interim Vacancies
Any midterm vacancy on the Board of Directors shall be served by a person selected by the Board of Directors for the completion of the term of the vacant member. Persons selected by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies must meet all of the qualification requirements of other Board members according to Article IV, Section 2.
Section IV – 6. Removal
Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed by a simple majority vote of the Board whenever the best interests of CHET-SE shall be served thereby.
Section IV – 7. Delegation of Authority
The Board of Directors may temporarily delegate, by signature, to one or more of its members, to any of its members at large, or to any of its committees such powers and duties they 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. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have voting parity with all other members.
Section IV- 8. Advisory Board
IV – 8a. The Advisory Board of CHET-SE shall consist of the members of the Board of Directors and their spouses.
IV – 8b. The Advisory Board shall meet at least twice yearly, once each semester during the period from September until June of the following year. The Board of Directors shall set the time and place of the meetings. The subjects addressed at meetings of the Advisory Board may include, but not be limited to, matters of doctrine and planning.
IV – 8c. The quorum for Advisory Board meeting shall be four (4) couples (a member of Board of Directors and spouse).
IV – 8d. Each couple (a member of Board of Directors and spouse) shall have one vote on the Advisory Board. A couple’s vote shall not be split.
IV – 8e. Actions of the Advisory Board shall be enacted by a simple majority vote of the couples (a member of Board of Directors and spouse) in attendance at a board meeting.
Section IV – 9. Meetings of Board of Directors
IV – 9a. Four (4) members of the Board of Directors shall be the required quorum for all meetings of the Board.
IV – 9b. Actions of the Board of Directors shall be made by a simple majority vote of the members present at any meeting.
IV – 9c. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be convened monthly during each month from September until June of the following year. The time and place of meetings shall be set at the prior monthly meeting.
IV – 9d. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called as needed. Special meetings shall not be substituted for regular meetings and shall be subject to the same requirements and restrictions of regular meetings.
Article V - Committees
Committees may be established by the President of the Board of Directors, or by the action of a meeting and consensus of the Board of Directors, to consider and report on issues concerning CHET-SE. The committees shall have a set term of responsibility and shall not be empowered to act independently of the Board of Directors in any matter without the express authority of the Board.
Article VI - Members
Section VI – 1. Opportunity for Membership
All home schooling parents or guardians may join CHET-SE subject to the requirements set forth in the By-laws. All members must pay determined annual dues and affirm by signature their agreement with the CHET-SE Statement of Faith (reference Article II), the Dress Code and Conduct Guidelines, the CHET-SE membership eligibility, and the CHET-SE By-laws. CHET-SE may refuse membership to any parents or guardians by rejecting their application with a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section VI – 2. Obligation of Membership
Members of CHET-SE shall abide by the requirements of these By-laws and the Dress Code and Conduct Guidelines and conduct themselves in a manner that brings credit to themselves and honor to God. Members shall refrain from propagating any beliefs or ideas which contradict the CHET-SE Statement of Faith (reference Article II). Any member/family not abiding by this restriction or who repeatedly violates the terms of the Dress Code and Conduct Guidelines shall have their membership terminated.
Further, any member/family who acts in a manner that brings dishonor, reproach, or discredit upon the members of CHET-SE, or upon home education, shall be referred for termination of membership by the Board of Directors.
Section VI – 3. Termination of Membership
Written notice of intent to terminate membership in CHET-SE shall be given by the Board of Directors to persons considered to be in violation of the requirements of membership. Notice shall give the cause for consideration and shall be delivered to the member concerned no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the effective date of termination. The member in question may appeal their termination to the Board of Directors by contacting the President of the Board of Directors prior to termination. Terminated members shall be excluded from all CHET-SE activities and benefits. Terminated members shall receive a pro-rated refund of annual dues.
Section VI – 4. Membership rights and privileges
Members of CHET-SE shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges of membership as established by the Board of Directors, access to CHET-SE website, membership roster, use of the library, and participation in CHET-SE activities.
Students in grade 6 and higher must sign the Dress Code and Code of Conduct Guidelines to be eligible to participate in CHET-SE activities.
Section VI – 5. Visiting and Non-Members
Non-Members may visit CHET-SE sponsored functions at the invitation of and in company of any CHET-SE member in good standing. The host member shall ensure proper conduct of their guests according to the CHET-SE Statement of Faith (reference Article II) and all other obligations and standards of CHET-SE. Visitors shall be limited to three (3) visitations as guests of CHET- SE. After three (3) visits to any CHET-SE activity, visitors will be invited to apply for membership. CHET-SE members shall not continue sponsorship of non-member visitors after hosting them for any three (3) CHET-SE sponsored events. See Section II-3 Doctrinal Error.
Section VI – 6. Membership Eligibility
Families which have at least one legally homeschooled1 child are allowed to become CHET-SE members. Membership is for the whole family, not for an individual child. For a family with a mix of students, those children who are not homeschooled may participate in many of the events which CHET-SE sponsors. However, there is a subset of CHET-SE events in which only homeschooled children may participate due to the official rules. These events include but are not limited to Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, and Science Fair.
Article VII - Dissolution
In the event that it becomes necessary to dissolve CHET-SE, the Board of Directors shall convert all assets of the organization to cash by auction or sale. After all other financial responsibilities are completed; the liquefied assets of CHET-SE shall be donated to the Home School Legal Defense Association, P.O. Box 5000, Purcellville, Virginia 201234.
Article VIII - Amendments to the By-laws
These By-laws shall be adopted and thereafter amended only by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
These By-laws may be amended at any time.
1 Families that are required to file an Affidavit of Intent to Home School or sign a contract for ESA as a homeschool student (Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated 15-802. School instruction; exceptions; violations; classification; definitions ). Families that educate their children at home using a parent-led, relationship-based education.
07/20