The articles below are the Constitution and By-Laws of CHEF of Louisiana, our state support group. As a member of CHEF of LA, CHEF of St. Charles/FHE must abide by these by-laws. For this reason, we include them for your perusal. For more information about CHEF, please go to their web site:
CHEFCHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS FELLOWSHIP
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be Christian Home Educators Fellowship of Louisiana,
hereafter, referred to as CHEF of Louisiana, a not for profit organization.
ARTICLE II - DEFINITION
CHEF of Louisiana is a Christian organization, the members of which are like-minded
Christian home education support groups made up of families dedicated to observing the
Biblical commands of Deuteronomy 6:4-10, Proverbs 22:6, and Ephesians 6:4, We promote home
education as the Scriptural design for education whereas institutional education is the
alternative to the home. We believe that every family has the God-given legal and
constitutional right to home educate in the State of Louisiana, regardless of their
philosophy of education or religious affiliation. CHEF of Louisiana is not a church nor is
this organization meant to replace the ministry of the local church to the home education
family.
ARTICLE III - PURPOSE
CHEF of Louisiana is organized exclusively for the purpose of providing service and
support to Christian home education support groups within the State of Louisiana including
but not limited to the following ways:
1. By aiding in the creation and growth of Christian home education support groups
throughout Louisiana.
2. By providing information regarding the political and legal climate of home education in
Louisiana and in our nation.
2.1 By encouraging home education families to seek appropriate counsel.
2.2 By monitoring and advising the State Department of Education and other appropriate
officials.
2.3 By monitoring cases before family, state and federal court in this regard.
3. By doing whatever is necessary to protect the future freedoms of home education in the
State of Louisiana and in our nation.
4. By promoting the advantages of home education to the general public.
5. By promoting sound, high-quality home education programs by parents or legal guardians
for the purpose of developing Christ-like character, and which will satisfy the spiritual,
intellectual, physical and emotional growth needs of their children.
6. By reviewing and disseminating home education materials and information considered
vital to home educators, thus serving as a resource to parents desiring to educate their
children in the home.
7. By publishing a state newsletter.
8. By planning and conducting an annual state home education convention and other
educational opportunities designed to provide information and training that will help
parents and others involved with or interested in home education.
9. By supporting accurate home education research.
10. By implementing whatever other programs or services in the future as may be deemed
necessary by the membership of this organization.
ARTICLE IV - STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe: 1. The Bible to be the inspired, infallible, divinely preserved Word of
God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.
2. That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
3. In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His
miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily
resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent bodily return in power and glory.
4. That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and
only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works
whatsoever, can be saved.
5. That salvation is the free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by
personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the
penalty for man's sin.
6. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind; indwell, guide, instruct
and empower the believer for godly living and service.
7. In the spiritual unity of believers through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and that individual doctrinal differences which may exist, outside of the aforementioned
(IV: 1-6), should not hinder the unity of Christian home educators.
ARTICLE V - STATEMENT ON FAMILY AND EDUCATION
Section 1: Family We believe that the family is the basic governmental,
social, and spiritual unit created by God. In it, the child learns self-government, social
relationships, and develops a relationship to the Creator and Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, according to John 3:5 and 16, Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20. The family also
provides protection from over-extensive government and overstimulating social
involvements.
We understand "family" to mean a male and female parent, legally married,
with one or more children (Genesis 1:26-28), although we recognize the exceptions of a
single parent, adopted, foster, and step children (James 1:27).
We reject homosexual marriages or homosexual orientation because it is contrary to
Scripture and the intentions of God in creation (Romans 1: 1 8-32), and we believe that
such relationships are destructive to children and the very idea of family. Further, we
reject transitory, co-habitational relationships as being equally in violation of God's
laws and incapable of providing the long-term nurture and instruction needed by children
and commanded by God (Proverbs 1:8 and 9, 2: 1 -1 1; Colossians 3:21 -1 and Ephesians 6:4)
In view of this, no homosexual or merely cohabiting "parents" are eligible for
membership within a member Christian home education support group.
Section 2: Education
We believe that the ultimate responsibility for the education of children belongs
to parents (Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:1-25, and 4:1-4) 'Thus, we believe this is an inalienable
right given by God which the State cannot create, destroy, or alter. Parents may allow
another to teach some of the cognitive information that children need to know, but all
education must be under the ultimate control and supervision of the parents.
We believe education in the home to be the best form of education, but we recognize
that many parents cannot educate at home for valid reasons and support the right of
parents to send their children to private Christian schools. We further recognize that
because of economic or other reasons, a member parent or guardian may have no other
alternative but to place a child in a public school. Although this is acceptable, we do
not, however, support or condone public schools because of their ostensible, humanistic
basis for teaching all subjects. We believe that the religions of secular Humanism and
Christianity are mutually exclusive.
We believe that all education is religious in nature since one's view of the world
and life is inevitably involved in teaching (Proverbs 2:1-8 and 3:1-2, with 6:20-23; and
Matthew 28:18-20). Every discipline of knowledge, whether it be a subject such as
mathematics, science, or history will have as its final reference point a theistic or, in
the alternative, a humanistic view of reality (Colossians 1: 15-20 and 2:8-15), and that
there is no neutral academic discipline.
ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Specifications
Membership is open to all home education support groups who are in agreement with the
statement of faith, statement of purpose and by-laws of this organization.
Section 2: Expectations
It is expected that all member groups will support CHEF of Louisiana with their annual
dues and in the work of the organization to insure that its purposes are met.
Section 3: Use of the CHEF Name
Member groups in good standing shall be authorized to use CHEF as a portion of their name
if they so desire. They may also use the CHEF insignia on any of their printed or
promotional materials.
Section 4: Applying for Membership
Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Board of Directors and accepted for
membership by a majority vote at a meeting of the organization as a whole.
Section 5: Term of Membership
Member groups will be required to make application to renew their membership on an annual
basis at the beginning of each fiscal year by re-affirming their commitment to section one
(1) of this article. At this time, updated membership rolls and any changes in leadership
will be noted.
Section 6: Revocation of Membership
If and when any member group is found to be in confessional or ethical non-compliance with
the statement of faith, statement on family and education, statement of purpose or by-laws
of this organization, then there shall be a hearing before the Board of Directors to
consider the matter, with two weeks’ prior written notice given to the party or
parties involved. If the matter remains unresolved, the Board of Directors may recommend
to a meeting of the general membership that the said member group be dropped from
membership. This shall be done by majority vote at either a regular meeting or a special
meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE VII - GOVERNMENT
Article VII. Section 1: General Powers
The affairs of CHEF of Louisiana shall be under the policy direction and implementation of
a Board of Directors. The Board shall include six (6) officers: a President,
Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, Public Relations Director, Secretary, and
Treasurer; and district representatives; one (1) representing each Louisiana zip code
region as defined by the U.S. Post Office.
Section 2: Quorum
A majority of the Board of Directors present at any quarterly meeting, as set forth in
Section 6 below, shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present, a majority of
those present may postpone the meeting to another time without prior notice. A quorum for
purposes of any special meeting as set forth in Section 8 below, shall be a majority of
those present at such meeting.
Section 3: Board Decisions
The act of majority of the Board of Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the Board, unless the act of a greater number is required by
this Constitution.
Section 4: Informal Action by the Board
Any action normally taken at meetings of the Board of Directors may be taken without a
meeting, if a consent in writing setting forth the action to be taken is signed by
two-thirds (2/3) of the Board.
Section 5: Compensation
Members of the Board shall not receive any stated salaries for services on that Board.
Nothing herein stated shall preclude any member from being reimbursed for expenses
incurred while fulfilling board duties, i.e. travel-related expenses, phone calls, etc.
Section 6: Meetings of the Board of Directors
6.1 The Board of Directors shall meet quarterly (4 times) during the year, the last of
which will be held in April to coincide with the State Convention of CHEF of Louisiana,
known as the Annual CHEF Workshop, designated the CHEF Annual Meeting.
6.2 Two months before the CHEF Annual Meeting a nominating committee consisting of three
(3) or five (5) board members appointed by the President at the third quarterly meeting
(January or February) shall meet to form a slate of proposed officers for election.
Section 7: Meetings of the Organization
7.1 The Board of Directors shall schedule semiannual meetings throughout the year at which
all leaders of the member groups or their appointed designees shall be present. These
meetings shall be held at a location to be determined by the Board of Directors.
7.2 The CHEF Annual Meeting of the organization shall include election of officers and
district representatives, adoption of the budget and determination of dues as well as any
other necessary business deemed important by the Board of Directors.
Section 8: Special Meetings
Special meetings can be held at the discretion of the president, or when called for by a
majority of the Board of Directors, or when one-fourth (1/4) of the member groups petition
the Board of Directors with a proposed agenda. A Notice of Special Meeting shall be mailed
to all member groups at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting date, When possible, and
shall include the topic(s) to be considered. Only these topic(s) shall be dealt with in
the Special Meeting. However, in the event of an emergency, the President may, in Ws sole
discretion, call a Special Meeting upon notice to the Board of Directors by telephone,
within twenty four (24) hours prior to such meeting.
ARTICLE VIII - BOARD MEMBERS
Section 1: Officers
With exception of the Immediate Past President, the officers of CHEF of Louisiana shall be
elected by the member groups' leaders at the Annual Meeting from a slate presented by a
nominating committee appointed by the President at the third quarterly meeting of the
current operating year. There shall be six (6) officers consisting of President,
Vice-President, Immediate Past President, Public Relations Director, Secretary and
Treasurer. The office of Immediate Past President shall be held by the
immediate-past-elected president of CHEF of Louisiana.
Section 2: District Representatives
District representatives shall be elected by the member groups from each of the Louisiana
zip code regions they will be representing. This shall be done at the CHEF Annual Meeting.
Section 3: Qualifications to Hold Office on Board of Directors
All Board Members:
3.1 Shall sign a statement that they agree with all parts of the Statement of Faith,
Statement on Family and Education, Statement of Purpose and By-laws of this organization.
3.2 Shall submit a brief, written personal testimony of their salvation experience.
3.3 Shall belong to a local member group.
3.4 Shall have at least two (2) years of home education experience by the time their term
of office begins.
3.5 Shall be men. The basic unit of the organization is the family over which the man is
to provide the leadership according to the Scripture. CHEF of Louisiana is an extension of
the home and should reflect the home. This does not exclude the officer (husband) and his
wife participating as a team as in the family to fulfill the duties of office.
Section 4: Duties of Board of Directors
Duties of the Board of Directors shall include:
4.1 President: Responsibility for the overall functioning of the organization;
presides over all meetings of the Board of Directors and the CHEF Annual Meeting; assigns
members to committees; shall be an exofficio member of all committees; coordinates the
dates of activities and functions sponsored by the organization; oversees the work done by
any individuals or organizations whose services are contracted by this organization.
4.2 Vice-President: Shall execute functions of the President when said officer is
unable to carry out a given responsibility and such duties as shall be assigned by the
President.
4.3 Immediate Past President: Shall contribute to stable and consistent leadership
of the Board of Directors between terms and shall execute such duties as shall be assigned
by the President.
4.4 Public Relations Director: Shall assist CHEF of Louisiana and the member
support groups in developing and implementing public relations strategies.
4.5 Secretary: Shall record all business conducted at board or general meetings and
submit such records to the President: shall prepare the minutes of the meeting in writing
to be mailed to all members; shall function as the State Editor of the newsletter.
4.6 Treasurer: Shall be responsible for maintaining financial records of this
organization, for maintaining a list of member groups for the President; for payment of
bills of the organization not exceeding budget authorization; for procurement of necessary
equipment; for providing regular financial reports; and for preparing the annual budget.
4.7 District Representatives: Shall represent and be elected by member groups of
own zip code regions of the state; shall be responsible for maintaining a phone tree for
emergencies in state legislative efforts; for encouraging the start and growth of local
CHEF support groups within their district; for hosting events in their district; for
advising the President at Board meetings; for assisting in lobbying efforts headed up by
such person as designated by the Board of Directors.
4.8 The Board of Directors shall review all applications for membership and
make recommendations at any meeting of the organization as a whole, which may then act
upon such recommendations.
4.9 The Board of Directors shall contract with any individuals or
organizations necessary to carry out its stated purposes under such conditions and votes
of payment as the Board of Directors shall determine, provided such conditions are not
inconsistent with this Constitution.
Section 5: Election and Term of Office
Board of Directors' members shall be elected at the CHEF Annual Meeting. The term of
office shall be one year, from July I through June 30. During the transition period in
which incumbent Board of Directors members are still serving, the new Board of Directors
members shall work both as the incumbents’ assistants. There is no maximum number of
terms a member of the Board of Directors shall be permitted to serve.
Section 6: Vacancy
A vacancy in any board position may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired
portion of the term.
6.1 Any member of the Board of Directors who is unable to fulfill his elected duties may
resign by submitting a written letter of resignation to the President.
6.2 Any board member elected by the organization may be removed by majority vote of the
organization, when in its judgement, such board member has been found to be in
confessional or ethical noncompliance with the statement of faith, statement on family and
education, statement of purpose or by-laws of the organization. The removal process should
take place at a quarterly board meeting or at a special meeting.
ARTICLE IX - BUDGET AND DUES STRUCTURE
Section 1: Adoption of Budget and Dues
The annual dues shall be proposed by the Board of Directors, submitted to the member
groups at least one (1) week prior to the CHEF Annual Meeting and adopted at the CHEF
Annual Meeting. The annual reports shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors at a
June/July transition meeting at which time a budget will be formed and adopted by the
board for the upcoming year.
Section 2: Determination of Annual Dues
Dues will be based on the number of individual families belonging to each member group.
Section 3: Fiscal Year
The membership and fiscal year shall be from July 1 to June 30.
Section 4: Collection of Dues
Dues will be collected by member groups and paid to the Treasurer by December 31.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the member groups present and
voting at any regular meeting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment is first
submitted in writing to the Board of Directors for a board decision (VII: 3), who will
then submit it to the member groups at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the member groups
present at a CHEF Annual Meeting, this organization may be dissolved and its activities
closed. After payment of all bills and proper claims, remaining assets shall be disposed
of in cash or in kind by transfer to a similar state or national home education
organization, as designated by the Board of Directors, seeking to achieve purposes similar
to those of CHEF of Louisiana.
VERSION 01/25/97