WHAT WE BELIEVE

●  We believe that parents have the fundamental right and primary and God-given responsibility to educate their children.

●  We believe that parents can best understand the needs and abilities of their children.

●  We believe that the home provides the most natural environment for learning.
[We also recognize that in the rare instance that a parent abuses the power or responsibility entrusted to him, outside intervention may be necessary to protect a child, with due process and least restriction.] 

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OUR PURPOSE

●  To inform, equip, and encourage homeschool families from a biblical worldview

●  To provide educational, recreational, and social activities for like-minded families
 

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

●  Open to anyone actively engaged in home education, considering homeschooling a child not yet compulsory attendance age, or who has completed home education (veteran homeschooler)

●  Completion of an annual membership form

●  Support the goals of ECHO by using your God-given gifts to serve others in the group

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BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
●  Available to members who have completed a membership form
●  Members-only access to our social media Facebook page (where we schedule events)
●  Membership directory, participation in field trips, and additional activities are for members only

 

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
●  Members are encouraged to use their skills and talents to aid, encourage, and inspire others
●  Members are expected to be responsible in the carrying out of their duties. 

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 FINANCES 

At this time, we have no bank account and require no dues. 

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STRUCTURE
●  The group is guided by a leadership team and a non-voting advisory board (coordinators of long-term activities, plus a few other invited members).
●  The leadership team evaluates the framework and policies annually, appealing to the Lord for His direction and wisdom, and considering input from members.

●  The general framework may change and policies be added or improved as needs in the group warrant.
●  All members are welcome to provide input to the leadership team regarding ECHO matters. 

 

 

MONTHLY MEETINGS
●  Open to the public, on the regular date announced (recurring schedule)
●  Usually held in a home, unless otherwise announced
●  If children are welcome at the meetings, parents are responsible for their children and should help their children be respectful of the hospitality of the host home or facility, along the same guidelines as those used on field trips.

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OTHER MEETINGS

●  Discussion groups for parents centered around a specific topic relating to home education
●  Workshops and other events as interest is noted 

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FIELD TRIPS
●  Field trips are initiated and planned by volunteer field trip organizers. We can offer what parents are willing to plan/help with.
●  Field trip rules are published and enforced. 

●  Any guests of ECHO members who attend a field trip are expected to observe regular field trip guidelines as required by members.

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS
●  We will consider announcements to have been made to the general membership if they have been sent through the ECHO Members-Only Facebook page, which was the voted-upon preferred method of communication.
●  E-mail and Facebook are considered to be electronic “post-it” notes, to be used for basic information or discussion.

●  In case of personal conflict, or the potential for personal conflict, communication should be made on a more personal level.  In the case of conflict, we will seek to resolve the conflict in accordance with Matthew 18. A member might discuss the issue with the executive board of ECHO for the purpose of seeking counsel, but should limit all other discussion to spouse and the person(s) directly involved in the conflict.

●  We ascribe to reconciliation and peacemaking processes, and ECHO reserves the right to terminate membership if it is deemed by the board to be in the best interest of the group. 

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LEADERSHIP

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REQUIREMENTS OF LEADERSHIP

●  Active member of ECHO 

●  Appointed by the present leadership team 

●  Signed the statement of faith

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DUTIES OF LEADERSHIP

●  Oversee the carrying out of the purpose statement

●  Oversee functioning of group

●  Set up annual calendar

●  Each leader has a specific service opportunity that may vary each year

●  The leaders strive to maintain quality of leadership, the vision of the group, and harmony among the leaders 

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ECHO Leadership Team Statement of Faith

I believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and constitutes His completed and final written revelation to man. I believe that God exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, being fully God and fully man, yet committed no sin. I believe that all have sinned and come short of God’s glory, and the central purpose of the incarnation of Jesus Christ was to pay the penalty for man’s sin through His substitutionary death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead in triumph over death and Satan. I believe that salvation is a free gift offered to us by God to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that salvation is received by faith and personal acceptance of the gift, not earned by works.
While this is the statement of faith to which the members of the executive and advisory boards ascribe, there is no statement of faith required for membership. Those in temporary positions of leadership—e.g., class teacher, field trip host, etc.—acknowledge the leaders’ statement of faith and agree, while representing ECHO, to not teach material or behave in a manner that would contradict this statement of faith.

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CURRENT ECHO LEADERS

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Ashley Enns - Activities and Operations

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Lisa Beal - Monthly Meetings and Hospitality

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Ashley Enns & Mary Steadman - Secretary (Records and Facebook)

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TBD - PEP (Parents Educating Preschoolers)

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Mary Steadman - P.E. at YMCA Contact

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