Parents As Teachers in Christian Homes
P.A.T.C.H.

Preamble - Vision Statement

The objective of PATCH is to provide support for families who are dedicating themselves to provide a solid Christian based home school education.  PATCH is designed to provide member services that normally cannot be provided by the individual or small group of home schoolers.  PATCH is an organization that holds to a Christian worldview and offers activities, training, and discipling and leadership opportunities for home school parents that are specifically designed to increase their ability to teach their children and to enhance their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


Article I
Statement of Faith

Trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God; the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son; the Death of Jesus Christ for our sins; His bodily resurrection and personal return; and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.


Article II
Membership

Section 1: Definition
Membership shall be opened exclusively to persons of good moral character, those currently or formerly involved with home schooling children according to Christian principles consistent with the Bible, as well as those who are interested in providing a Christian valued home school environment for their children.  Members are those that are current in their annual dues.

Section 2: Application for membership
A written application for membership must be completed.
All applications should contain a check or money order for the amount of the annual dues.
Prospective members who cannot afford the membership dues should have their circumstances reviewed by the board to determine if they qualify as a hardship case.  The board has the authority to waive membership dues.



Section 3: Termination of membership
Resignation:  a member may resign by submitting to the Leadership Board a brief letter of resignation, signed by the member(s).
Revocation of Membership: membership can be terminated by a unanimous vote of the board for cause not in agreement with the vision statement.


Article III
Leadership Board

Section 1:  Volunteering/Elections
PATCH leadership board will be filled voluntarily.
Any volunteer for the board must be a PATCH member in good standing and have been a member for at least twelve consecutive months prior to volunteering.  Any volunteer for the board must also have at least two years home schooling experience.
Specific board positions for each year will be proposed by the leadership of the previous year and be submitted for approval by the members present at the business meeting.
If there is more than one volunteer for any board position, there will be a vote by the PATCH members in attendance.  Any necessary voting will be completed in May and new board members will begin on June 1. 
A chairman of the board will be chosen from among the board members. 

Section 2:  Responsibilities
The board members are empowered by the general membership to conduct all duties provided for in these by-laws and necessary for the general management of the affairs and interests of PATCH.  The board members shall direct the manner and purposes for which all funds of PATCH shall be expended consistent with specific events and a pre-approved budget for that activity.  The board members shall make such regulation, procedures and take such action they believe to be in the best interests of PATCH.

Section 3:  Duties
A.  The general duties of the board include but are not limited to:
1.  Hold monthly meetings
2.  Maintain website
3.  Manage PATCH funds
4.  Appoint committees
5.  Encouragement/advice
B.  The specific duties of the treasurer include but are not limited to:
1.  Submit quarterly reports to the membership
2.  Clear all disbursements above $100 (not including disbursements to
Four Rivers Center or KHEA) with the board
3.  Submit financial records for review annually

Article IV
Dues and Assessments

The annual dues for membership in PATCH are $20.  The membership year runs from August 1 through July 31.  Dues are to be paid to the treasurer by August 1 of each year.  As a general policy, there are no refunds of annual dues, since there is no reasonable way to pro-rate each members’ share of the expenses relating to individual memberships.  Payment of annual dues will provide but is not limited to:
PATCH membership card (to use for discounts at certain area businesses)
PATCH membership directory
Access to all PATCH events
Discount for any PATCH event requiring a fee
Membership to KHEA (Kentucky Home Educators Association)
$20 discount towards membership in HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)

Article V
Communications

There are currently four methods by which PATCH information is communicated to its members.
Membership Directory - listing of members’ names, addresses, e-mail, phone numbers, children’s names, and school name based on yearly membership applications
PATCH website - information on field trips, events, and activities as well as home schooling links, photos, legal requirements, etc
3 Rivers Network - yahoo group for which anyone may sign up;  any announcements can be posted and will be e-mailed to all registered users
Support group meeting 

Article VI
By-Laws Review and Amendments
Section 1:
The by-laws are designed to be a living document, providing a basic framework for the organization and responsibilities of its members.  Flexibility to alter and amend these by-laws must be maintained as situations dictate.  It is for this purpose that these by-laws be reviewed annually.  The board that would supplement the annual review if circumstances warrant can direct a special review.

Section 2: 
Any general member to the board may submit proposed changes.  A simple majority vote by the members of PATCH present in any regularly scheduled meeting is required to change the by-laws.