The Lambton Homeschool Support Group Protocol is a written profession of our mutual desire as interdenominational Christian homeschoolers to seek to honour the Lord in our conduct. Phil. 1:27. The Responsibilities of Membership section outlines specific guidelines for standards of behaviour, upheld by scripture , which when followed, will preserve our group’s solidarity and ensure each member’s individuality and confidentiality is respected. The Field Trip Code of Conduct provides specific guidelines for standards of behaviour, supported by scripture, which when followed, preserve the safety of all participants, and the integrity of homeschooling in our communities and elsewhere. Please encourage all family members to avoid breaches of the LHSG Protocol and hold one another accountable, always in the spirit of love. Contact an executive member if you believe counsel is required in the event of a serious and/or ongoing infraction.
If you would like to become a new member of our group or continue to be a member of our group these protocols and policies MUST be agreed to. If you agree please click the agree button below and we will begin processing your request. If you do not agree please click the disagree button and this will allow you to ask questions or address any concerns you have to the LHSG Executive Committee. Agreement to this Protocol/Policies Page is mandatory in order to gaining web and newsletter access.
Statement of Faith:
1. We believe that the Holy Bible is the infallible and complete Word of God. It was given by inspiration of God -the Holy Spirit guiding holy men of old in all that they wrote.
2. We believe in the special creation of the universe and man by God and not in evolution.
3. We believe in one God, who has revealed himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
4. We believe in the virgin birth of Christ, that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and is, therefore, God manifest in the flesh.
5. We believe Jesus Christ came into the world to save men from the guilt and condemnation of sin, offering his blood as the redemptive sacrifice, making it available to all who put their trust in Him.
6. We believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works.
Mandate:
We believe the purpose of home educating is to provide our children a Christian education and worldview. LHSG will endeavour to encourage and support all members of the group in their home schooling by providing an informational website, a homeschool resource library and a membership directory each fall. We host two planning meetings each year to meet one another and discuss suggestions and plans to facilitate fellowship and learning, through field trips/activities for the school year. The first, the Annual Meeting in September, necessitates mandatory attendance because the Executive presents a report to the group, and an Executive election may be held. The second planning meeting is held in January to plan activities for the remainder of the school year.
LHSG’s primary focus is serving interdenominational Christian home educating families but welcomes homeschooling families who agree to respect the group’s statement of faith and adhere to the responsibilities of membership.
Executive:
LHSG’s Executive will be comprised of seven Christian home educators who are LHSG members in good standing, elected by peer members of the group. Its specific purpose is to provide effective and committed consensual leadership and support to the member families.
Privileges of Membership:
The privileges of membership with LHSG include: the opportunity to attend events and activities affiliated with the group, promoted via the group website, such as meetings (e.g. HEM - Homeschool Encouragement Meetings) and pot blessings for adults; field trips, activities and events for children and/or adults; automatic membership to O.C.H.E.C. (Ontario Christian Home Educators Connection); a discount towards a separate fee to join HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association); continuous access to the group website (offering general and specific homeschool information about LHSG, a timely, up-to-date calendar of events, homeschool links and more), and access to the group's resource library. These privileges are extended to paid members of LHSG only.
Responsibilities of Membership:
All members of LHSG agree to follow the guidelines below.
All members shall:
1. Pay annual dues (cheques preferred) as determined by the Executive. Dues are currently $15 per annum and are collected for new membership or renewals. Dues are to be mailed (cheques only, not cash) before September 1st to the Registrar, or may be paid in person by cash or chq at the September Annual meeting. These dues must be paid on time to rightfully enjoy the privileges of membership, including access to the group website. When these dues remain unpaid after the Registrar makes one courtesy call, website access is cut off as of Sept. 30 for the year, and a directory will not be mailed.
2. Promote Christ-like unity within the group through words and conduct. Ps. 133:1, Col. 3:15
3. Handle conflict within the group using biblical principles outlined in Matt. 18:15-20. James 1:19, Phil. 4:29
4. Use the name "Lambton Homeschoolers Support Group" only when first approved by the Executive, particularly when dealing with media or government.
5. Keep the LHSG directory confidential, it is for our group members’ use only, not to be used for solicitation. No member is to give out another member’s information (names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, children’s names and birth dates) to anyone without the member’s prior approval. NOTE: When finished with past directories, please properly dispose of them to maintain and ensure members’ privacy. 1 Cor. 10:24
6. Show utmost respect for other parenting and homeschooling styles. No one curriculum and teaching style is to be promoted over another. Matt. 7:12
7. Understand each member is personally responsible for decisions or actions made pertaining to their own homeschool as a result of conversations at group functions. Any advice, opinion, or information shared not constitute legal advice or necessarily reflect views of LHSG. Views expressed by a spokesperson at a field trip do not necessarily reflect views of LHSG.
8. Anyone teaching children of LHSG (in group setting) must ensure at least one guest parent is present in "classroom/event area" to protect both teacher and children. (PLAN TO PROTECT)
9. Understand LHSG and operators at any facilities used by our group assume no legal liability for any accidents or injuries incurred in those facilities, or while attending group field trips. Every effort will be made to ensure the safety of all family members at all functions.
10. Understand that if registration numbers for an event listed on the group’s website and newsletter are limited, preference will be shown first to register the family’s homeschooled children, followed by the family's non-homeschooled children. Due to the nature of certain events, non-homeschooled children might have to be put on a "hold" list until total registration and availability are assessed. (e.g. pre-paid tickets for a theatre play)
Field Trip Code of Conduct:
When attending field trips, regular activities and special events, all members of LHSG will comply with LHSG Code of Conduct. By doing so, we will minimize misunderstandings, optimize each participant’s enjoyment including the coordinator’s, and will ensure that every field trip is a success, enjoyed safely by all. Please note that each guideline below is upheld by scriptures: 1 Pet. 2:12, Rom, 12: 17b-18, Gal. 5:22, 23, and Matt. 7:12
I. To respect the age guidelines given for the field trip or activity.
II. That payment for the field trip/event/activity is to be made by the specified date to the contact person.
III. When registering by e-mail and mailing payment, ensure you receive confirmation of registration from the contact person.
IV. When cancelling your registration, make voice contact with contact person. E-mails or messages left on answering machines or with a child are not reliable contact for cancellation.
V. If you register for a pre-paid event, but fail to show up, no refund will be issued.
VI. To protect our group's reputation & ensure booking future trips will be possible, be punctual. Parents/appointed guardians should be attentive and supervise children at all times. Parents, children and guests must respect the property and facilities that LHSG uses/visits. If needed, any verbal instructions/reprimands to someone else's child must be done in the presence of other adults. LHSG members who invite non-members as guests to a group-affiliated activity are responsible to inform their guests of the guidelines found in the LHSG Field Trip Code of Conduct. The guest should understand that attending a LHSG function is a courtesy, and should not happen on a recurring basis. To continue taking advantage of the activities offered to members of LHSG, a guest can be invited to follow the 2 step registration process to join LHSG: paying membership dues and accepting the Protocol via the group website.
VII. Discuss appropriate behaviour and academic expectations with your children BEFORE attending the outing.
VIII. A child’s continual inappropriate behaviour must be brought to the parent/guardian’s attention. If you are uncomfortable speaking with the parent, speak with the contact person or a member of the LHSG’s Executive. This person has the authority to address the problem on behalf of the entire group, but should be done in the presence of other adults for the safety of all.
IX. Be respectful and thankful throughout the field trip or event, being sure to thank the tour guide(s) or spokesperson(s) before and after the outing.
X. Any other specific instructions deemed appropriate for the activity should be spelled out clearly to the families attending, via the contact person. Remember we represent not only LHSG but also the entire homeschooling movement when we go places as a group.
XI. As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ; let our presence and conduct testify to this.
EXECUTIVE REFERENCE FOR UPHOLDING LHSG PROTOCOL’S RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP OR FIELD TRIP CODE OF CONDUCT
The LHSG Executive’s purpose to “aim to provide effective and committed consensual leadership” can best be achieved when we “commit to the Lord whatever we do, and our plans will succeed.”Prov. 16:3The Executive, as leadership, must uphold and defend the LHSG Protocol when infractions occur. The Executive will prayerfully consider each incident, with disciplinary action to correlate to the age and attitude of the “offender”, the seriousness of the offense, the frequency of misbehaviour, and the effect of this breach on the membership as a whole.At all times, the leadership must strive to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9).
Minor Infractions
The Field trip Code of Conduct point 8 addresses minor infractions by students, statingthe attending parent should first address the problem. If the infraction continues, the activity’s organizer, or an executive member if in attendance, should be alerted. By agreeing to the Protocol during registration, each member thus agreed to respect those in authority (activity coordinators, executive members and on-site field trip personnel). The Protocol also advises any member to bring concerns to the executive.
Serious Infractions
When the LHSG executive is alerted that a member (parent or child) is willfully not upholding the Protocol, LHSG will first ascertain what, if any, corrective action has already been attempted.As Gal. 6:1 advises us, “if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”5 of the 7 members must then come to an agreement for a course of action/response to be carried out in the spirit of “necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Eph. 4:29. In the case of a child, the parents should be advised of the situation and asked to ensure that the infraction will discontinue.The Bible clearly upholds the parental obligation to train up a child in the way he should go.Deut. 6:7 . In the case of an adult, Matt. 18:15-17is the biblical model to follow when approachinga “brother” at fault, thus the executive wouldhold a meeting with the offender to address the offense, and explain the expectation of repentance and change.It is advisable to have the offender’s guest* present.Executive member(s) will determine if further follow-up or action is required following the meeting. (*guest being one of either: spouse, pastor, or close friend)
Should a member continue to disregard the protocol and counsel of the executive, Scripture advises us to avoid divisive persons.16: 17“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”The offender will be advised that the privilege of membership in LHSG is being revoked, membership dues will be refunded in full, and membership will not be reinstated until all 7 executive members agree that the offender’s regret, and intent to uphold the Protocol,is sincere.At this time, the executive can choose to reinstate the offender on a probational basis.
NOTE: When clicking on AGREE put in the subject line whether this is "Protocol Agreement" and/or "New Signup" or if DISAGREE please put "Questions and Concerns", also if when you click on AGREE or DISAGREE it doesn't start your email program or doesn't work properly, please make sure that Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express is your default program. You can do this by clicking "Tools",at the top, then "Internet Options", then the "Programs" tabs, and make sure Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express is selected in the E-mail option.
*** Note: If you have a problem with the automated process, just simply email me with a quick note stating your name and that you agree to the LHSG Protocols, thank-you.) ***
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