City Roots Homeschool Co-operative Bylaws
-
Mission and Vision Statement-
-
Vision Statement- City Roots Homeschool Cooperative will support the communal and individual needs of learners and their families with flexibility and compassion.
-
Mission Statement- We are a welcoming group of homeschoolers embracing diversity and offering secular classes and social opportunities to build a city-based, sustainable, and supportive community. Our core values are as follows:
-
SECULAR-- We teach exclusively from a secular perspective so that we can offer a welcoming space to families of all and no faiths.
-
DIVERSE-- We celebrate diversity and the strengths of different perspectives by representing and welcoming members from various marginalized groups and identities including but not limited to country of origin, disability, gender identity, homeschooling philosophy, immigration status, neurology, race, religion, sexual orientation, sexuality, or socioeconomic status. We do not tolerate hate speech or discriminatory behavior.
-
CITY-FOCUSED-- We recognize investment in urban centers as a core component of a sustainable environmental future for our children, and we value the diverse human perspectives and opportunities available in the city of St. Louis. Our classes and activities are primarily located in the city center while welcoming members from the entire surrounding region.
-
-
-
Membership
-
Member in Good Standing- A member in good standing is one who is following all Policies and Procedures and the Rights and Responsibilities for membership.
-
Joining Process- New members must meet with a member of the Governance Committee prior to joining and adhere to Rights and Responsibilities and New Member guidelines in Policies and Procedures.
-
Member Not in Good Standing- If a member is not in good standing, the Governance Committee will follow the Policies and Procedures to make a decision about what level of response is warranted (up to and including revocation of membership). This decision must be approved by 80%. If Governance Committee has vacancies, no revocation of membership can be enacted until vacancies are filled.
-
-
Voting Procedures
-
Changes to Bylaws- Any changes to the Bylaws must be approved by a (two-thirds) vote of the full member body. Votes will be held anonymously in accordance with Policies and Procedures. In the event that suggested changes fail to accumulate required votes, existing Bylaws will stand until approved changes are passed.
-
Changes to Other Governing Documents- Any changes to other governing documents will be determined by a simple majority vote of the Governance Committee. A supermajority (two-thirds) of the full Governance Committee must be present. If Governance Committee vacancies make it impossible to have a supermajority, voting must be opened to full member body and approved by two-thirds vote.
-
Routine Document Review and Revision- Routine review and revision of governing documents will occur on an as-needed basis.
-
Official Voting- For all official votes, each family receives one vote, and the voting will be anonymous.
-
-
Governance Committee
-
Composition- The Governance Committee will be comprised of a minimum of three adult members. If there are ties in votes, they will be broken by full membership input. If supported through the creation of a Student Governance Committee, two student representatives will also serve.
-
Power Balance- The Governance Committee will be non-hierarchical and each member will have equal voting weight.
-
Meetings- The Governance Committee will meet regularly in accordance with Policies and Procedures.
-
Term Lengths and Limits- Beginning July 1, 2021, the existing Governance Committee will continue in new terms. Elections for all but two existing seats will take place in January, 2022 with existing members having the option to run again. From that point forward, positions will be held for two years with elections held each July 1 and January 1.
-
Recusal Practices- A Governance Committee member may recuse themselves from a vote or discussion if they feel it is necessary. A Governance Committee member can also be forced to recuse themselves by unanimous vote of remaining Governance Committee members in accordance with Policies and Procedures.
-
Recall Practices- A Governance Committee member may be recalled from their position by unanimous vote of remaining Governance Committee members in accordance with Policies and Procedures.
-
Vacancies- Governance Committee vacancies must be announced to the full membership body as per the communication policy in Policies and Procedures. An interim election must be announced and held within 30 days of vacancy.
-
Financial Policy- Only Governance Committee members will have the ability to make financial withdrawals and deposits. At least two Governance Committee members will have access to all accounts at all times.