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We have found that a careful review of this statement helps potential members to decide if VHE will be a good match for your family, as it will give you a very good idea of the group culture we currently have and are striving to maintain. In addition, it will give you a clear idea of how our co-op group works and how we ask our members to contribute.
Valley Home Educators is a cooperative group that meets for the purpose of providing group opportunities for learning and developing friendships. We are an inclusive group and welcome all families of any faith or educational method. We do maintain guidelines to ensure respect and safety for all group members. If a disruptive situation occurs, we first ask that the families involved work together to find resolution. If a solution cannot be found and you feel that it involves an action that is detrimental to our group, please bring it to the attention of a member of the VHE Advisory Board.
The following behavior will not be tolerated within our group:
Bullying and non-social or cruel teasing will not be tolerated. This does not apply to friendly joking or kidding around with friends, but to the type of behavior that hurts another person’s feelings. Often this can happen by accident, in which case a simple apology is in order.
Language that is obscene, vulgar, or inappropriate for young children will not be tolerated. This includes logos on clothing and lyrics in music that may be shared during group events.
Language that is discriminatory or that creates a hostile atmosphere will not be tolerated. This does not apply to friendly conversations about differences; however one-sided conversations where the listener is made to feel belittled because of faith or skin color (for example) are not acceptable.
Violence, fighting, or being in possession of any weapon or item that would be deemed as promoting violence will not be tolerated. Children’s imaginative play that may include toy guns and knives is left to parental discretion.
Basically, we will all adopt the practice of treating others as we would like to be treated – with kindness, tolerance, and respect.
As a group we appreciate that our adult members and their children have differing styles of dress and we fully support individuality. However, our group includes children of all ages and therefore some items of clothing will be considered inappropriate when attending group activities. Please note that these guidelines apply to adults as well as children, and boys as well as girls, though primarily to tweenage and older as very young children may have some leeway. Children 11 and older must read and initial Dress Code.
Inappropriate clothing includes:
Skirts that end above mid-thigh or shorts that expose the buttocks.
Tops that show a bare midriff, or not wearing a shirt.
Strapless or one-shoulder tops, or clothing that exposes the undergarments.
Clothing inscribed with phrases, words, or images that are vulgar, obscene, violent, discriminatory, or inappropriate for young children.
We request a $20 contribution at the beginning of the year to build a group fund. This is used for supplies for group parties, group art projects, room rentals, etc. (This is prorated to $10 after January.) If this constitutes a hardship please talk to a member of the VHE Advisory Board.
As a cooperative group, VHE relies on member participation. We realize that everyone’s level of participation will vary, but we do respectfully request that our adult members be aware of what they can contribute to the group, from teaching a session of a co-op class, to signing up for cleanup duty after a party, to contributing ideas for field trips, etc.
Personal member information and information from the email list may not be shared outside the group for any reason without express permission from the member in question, and may not be used for purposes of solicitation, recruitment, or advertising. Abuses should be reported immediately. Anyone in found in violation may be subject to suspension or expulsion from VHE.
An active member in good standing may share information with the group on the following reasonable bases:
The information should be reasonably considered to be of general interest to most homeschoolers (eg, art fair, book sale, curriculum review).
Sharing information in which the member has a monetary interest is allowed on a reasonable basis; that is, an occasional, one-time notice such as a curriculum for trade, a garage sale, a sales party (eg, Pampered Chef, Creative Memories), or a class offered.
A home business may be advertised, again on a reasonable basis:
A. Two or three lines to appear under the signature, with a brief note explaining services (eg, “call me for scrapbooking supplies”), in a font no larger than the text of the email.
B. A one-page ad or “take-one” pages on the group bulletin board at park days.
C. Website listed on the Links page of the group website.
Joining the group in order to recruit, solicit, advertise, or otherwise network for business purposes will not be tolerated. As stated, sharing of information among friends, including occasional, one-time income-oriented activities, will be allowed on a reasonable basis. Complaints should be made to a member of the VHE Advisory Board, and the member’s behavior will be reviewed and appropriate actions taken.
Below “I” “MY” and “MY FAMILY” will refer to the undersigned and to any and all minor children of whom the undersigned is guardian or parent.
By my signature below, I hereby expressly agree to accept and assume all risk and responsibility involved in participation in any VHE-sponsored activity. My participation is voluntary and my family elects to participate despite any risks. I hereby voluntarily agree to release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless any and all facilitators, sponsors, owners, members, volunteers, officers, or any person acting in any capacity as a representative of VHE from any and all claims, demands, liability, or causes of action, whether direct or indirect, which are in any way connected to my participation in or my use of equipment or facilities in VHE-sponsored activities. This includes any such claims or demands which arise from negligent acts or omission of VHE or VHE members. This agreement is binding upon me, my spouse, and my heirs, assigns, dependants, representatives, attorneys, and estates; and upon my minor child or children on whose behalf it is executed and any legal guardians thereof. By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone in my family is hurt or any of my property is damaged during my family’s participation in any VHE-sponsored activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against VHE or any VHE member on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein.
We ask all our current and new members to sign a hard copy of this statement, agreeing to abide by these guidelines; therefore we respectfully request that you review this document before visiting our group on a Friday Park Day.
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