Greater Rome Area Christian Educators
By-Laws
[…let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably with
reverence in Godly fear. Hebrews 12:28 (KJV)]
Greater Rome Area Christian
Educators is a non-profit organization, which offers service to
Northwest Georgia Christian home educators under the umbrella of
protection of Grace Bible Church. G.R.A.C.E. consists of volunteer
families who are committed to the belief that God’s truths are
essential in the development of the spiritual character and
intellectual abilities of our children. Since parents are the
God-given authority over their children’s overall growth and
development, it is the general purpose of G.R.A.C.E. to offer
Christian Home Educators of the Rome area mutual encouragement,
support and assistance for the Christ centered teaching in which our
members believe.
PURPOSE
The purpose of G.R.A.C.E. is to
provide the following services to member families:
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Encourage mutual support and
fellowship for home educators
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Expand educational
opportunities
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Promote curriculum review and
exchange of resources and ideas
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Encourage social and
educational group activities to develop the interpersonal skills of
our children
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Provide new home educators
with information and encouragement
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Coordinate
Association-sponsored activities
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Promote the concept of home
education and encourage a good reputation within the community
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Provide legislative review
and organize cooperative action on the local, state and national
levels with regard to issues that affect the family.
(Information provided in any
publication produced by G.R.A.C.E. or presented by any member of
G.R.A.C.E., is not given as legal advice and should not take the
place of legal counsel from a qualified and informed attorney.)
STATEMENT OF BELIEFS
We believe:
-
That the Bible, consisting of
the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inerrant
and complete word of God, the final authority in all matters of
faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Jude 3)
-
That all authority is from
God. (Romans 13:1-2)
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That there is one God,
eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
(Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Luke 3:21-22)
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That the Lord Jesus Christ is
the only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of
the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man. (Luke 1:30-35; John
1:18; 3:16; Phil. 2:5-11)
-
That man was created in the
image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical
death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and
that, as a consequence, all mankind is declared by God to be
totally depraved. (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:16-17; 3:6-19; Rom. 3:10-23;
6:23; 7:18; 11:32; Gal. 3:22)
-
That the Lord Jesus Christ
died as a substitutionary and complete sacrifice for the sins of
the whole world and that only those who believe in Him are saved.
(Rom. 3:24-28; 5:8-10; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; 1 John 2:1-2)
-
That the Lord Jesus Christ
arose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which he
was crucified; that he ascended into Heaven and is now exalted at
the right hand of the Father as Head of the Church. (John 20:1-29;
Acts 1:9-11; Eph. 1:20-23; Heb. 1:3)
-
That on the sole condition of
personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, men are born again by the
Holy Spirit; that at regeneration, all believers are indwelt by the
Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, and
sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. (Rom.
3:24-28; 3:9-11; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:30)
-
That the Word of God teaches
that it is the parents who are responsible for the educating of
their children. (according to Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
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That marriage is an ordained
union of God, consisting of one man and one woman. This union is a
blessing from God. All other sexual relations are forbidden by God.
(Leviticus 18: 6-30)
DISTINCTIVES
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We believe God’s truths
should be integrated into the intellectual development of our
children in such a way that they learn the authority as well as the
superiority of God’s Word over the accumulation of human knowledge.
We believe this teaching will not only build Godly character within
our children, but could be the very thing to put within society a
generation of Godly men and women who could be responsible for
bringing this nation back to its biblical foundation. (Deut. 6:6-7
and 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
-
We believe all authority is
from God, (Romans 13:1-2), and advocate government compliance
concerning Georgia home schooling law as long as scriptural
principles are not violated. We, therefore, encourage all active
participants of G.R.A.C.E. to comply with the home schooling laws
of our state (i.e. reporting monthly attendance, periodic testing,
etc.). We also believe this can be used as a favorable testimony
concerning home education. “Let not then your good be evil spoken
of.” Romans 14:6 (KJV)
-
We believe that if G.R.A.C.E.
is to fulfill its purpose, as stated above, every member needs to
be actively involved. As opportunities and activities are made
known, individuals and families are encouraged to volunteer in
areas of interest and talents. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15)
MEMBERSHIP
Application for membership will
be made annually to the treasurer. Upon payment of dues, a family
will then become active members of the Association for field trips,
newsletters and other purposes. Non-members may attend one
Association-sponsored function and receive one newsletter. Dues must
then be paid in order to enjoy full membership privileges.
RULES OF CONDUCT
All members of G.R.A.C.E. agree
to follow the rules listed below. These guidelines are to ensure that
our purposes listed are the focus and intent of all members. All
members shall:
-
Pay annual dues by the
deadline as determined by the Executive Committee. Dues will not be
prorated or refunded.
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Promote unity within the
group through words and conduct.
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Cheerfully help in all
preparation and cleanup in group activities.
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Serve as a resource for other
home educators.
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Encourage a learning
atmosphere.
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Promote a high standard of
home education both within the Association and the community at
large.
-
Obey rules for field trips as
listed in the Field Trip Guidelines.
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Incur reimbursable expenses
for Association related activities only with Coordinators’
approval.
-
Use our organizations name
G.R.A.C.E. only when approved by the Coordinator.
-
G.R.A.C.E. endeavors to make
all activities Christ-centered. Therefore, our group gatherings
should be characterized by:
a. Modest dress.
b. Discernment in musical preferences (no rock music, including
Christian Rock);
c. Parental control of their children; and
d. No tobacco or partaking of alcoholic beverages.
-
Keep the membership listings
(e.g. Directory and Phone Tree) confidential; they are for members
only.
All members of G.R.A.C.E. Home
Education Association must adhere to the Rules of Conduct. Membership
may be revoked for behavior inconsistent with that behavior described
within the Rules of Conduct. Revocation of membership will require
the following steps:
-
Agreement of the Officers
that the offending conduct was in violation of the Rules of
Conduct.
-
Failure to correct conduct
after Biblical counseling.
FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES
Because we represent home
education to the public, it is important we portray a responsible,
moral, and positive group. It is our responsibility, not that of
others, to guide our children in respect for the property and
feelings of others. Guidelines for Association sponsored events are:
-
Be on time (10 – 15 minutes
early.)
-
If you cannot attend a field
trip after you have made a reservation, contact the person in
charge.
-
Act respectful to speakers,
tour guides, etc.
-
Use correct and polite
language.
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Keep your children under
control and within sight at all times. Be positive and pleasant
when disciplining children.
-
Respect restrictions placed
on the group by the sponsoring facility concerning the age of
children, handling of objects/equipment, staying in designated
areas, and eating or drinking.
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If you are unable to
accompany your child, you must make specific arrangements with
another home schooling parent to be responsible for your child.
-
Express appreciation for the
activity in an appropriate manner. (Thank you notes from children
are a good teaching opportunity.)
-
Parents are solely
responsible for their own safety and that of their children when
attending Association activities.
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE—DESCRIPTION
The officers are the
Coordinator, Associate Coordinator, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Coordinator – responsible for
calling and chairing all meetings, for coordinating official contact
with other organizations on matters of general interest to the
membership, and for setting the basic agenda for the Association.
Associate Coordinator – to work
with the Coordinator in leading the Association and to act in the
Coordinators absence.
Secretary – to maintain the
official minutes of all Business meetings and to handle
correspondence at the request of the Coordinator and send a record of
all meetings to the Pastor of Grace Bible Church.
Treasurer – to maintain a
record of income and expenses as agreed by the Executive Committee
and to maintain a current membership roster as dues are paid.
Ex-Officio – the pastor or
representative of Grace Bible Church will be an ex-officio member of
the Executive Committee.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE –
ELECTIONS
On a convenient date in June,
G.R.A.C.E. will have its annual meeting for the purpose of electing
each of its officers for its Executive Committee to serve a one-year
term. Each member present at the meeting may cast one ballot per
office. Office holders may be re-elected for successive terms.
The Executive Committee may
call a special meeting of the active membership to fill any vacancies
with thirty (30) days written notice.
AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Any amendments to the By-Laws
will be proposed by a resolution of the Officers and passed by a
two-thirds vote of a quorum (51% of the active membership) of members
present. Notice must be presented in writing at least ten days prior
to any vote on an amendment.
APPROVAL
These By-Laws and any future
amendments are subject to the approval of the Board of Elders of
Grace Bible Church.
DISSOLVING THE ASSOCIATION
Should it become necessary to
dissolve G.R.A.C.E., all assets will be sold. The balance in the
treasury will then be donated to the Home School Legal Defense
Association.
Last Amendment: 08/15/06
