Illinois H.O.U.S.E. Bylaws

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H.O.U.S.E. Bylaws

Preamble: Recognizing the need to support families in providing quality education for creative, joyous lives, we, the families of H.O.U.S.E. do hereby enact and adopt the following articles:

Article I:
The name of this network is Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience, a.k.a. H.O.U.S.E.

Article II:
The purpose of this network is to support families in exercising their right to homeschool regardless of age, color, creed, ethnic background, family composition, financial condition, learning disabilities, race, religion, or lack thereof, sexual preference, or special educational needs.

Article III: Organization
H.O.U.S.E. is a network of support groups which agree with the stated purpose.
1. The structure of individual H.O.U.S.E. groups will be determined by that group with the requirement that any decision making process must be inclusive of its active membership.
2. Each group will choose a contact person who will be responsible for ensuring coordination and communication within the network.
3. Each group will choose a representative to be on the coordinating council. This person may also be contact person if the group so desires.
4. Each group is expected to contribute financially to the network to defray network expenses for membership in the AD HOC Committee for Illinois Home Education Legal and Legislative Matters, the statewide newsletter and for other sporadic expenses incurred during legislative activity or other activities necessary to preserve and protect the right to homeschool.
5. Group sponsored activities must reflect H.O.U.S.E.'s inclusive policy.
6. Any group that has a newsletter shall send a copy of each issue to the state wide newsletter editor.

Article IV: The Coordinating Council
The purpose of the coordinating council is to coordinate information and activities throughout the network, establish policy, receive and disperse funds, and make decisions.
1. The council shall consist of one representative from each H.O.U.S.E. group.
2. Decisions of the council are made by consensus.
3. Quorum shall consist of those council members present at a properly convened meeting.
4. Regular council meetings shall be semiannual.
5. Official consensus from each group rests with the council member.
6. Notice of regular meetings shall be mailed to council members at least thirty days in advance.
7. Notification of regular meetings is the responsibility of the host group.
8. Location of regular meetings shall rotate geographically as much as possible, taking into account individual requirements of council members.
9. Special circumstances may require meetings which do not allow for a thirty day notice. Council members may call for such meetings by contacting each group with the special circumstances, time, and location of the meetings. Every effort must be made to give as much advance notice as is practical. Notification will be given to each council member, or failing that, the contact person.
10. Council meetings are open to all H.O.U.S.E. group members and may be opened to anyone else at the discretion of the council. Each consensus decision may be opened to those present also at the discretion of the council.
11. The council shall choose a representative to the AD HOC Committee. That representative need not be a member of the council.
12. The council shall maintain a statewide newsletter which will be sent to each contact person for further distribution. Policies and decisions of the council and financial reports shall be included.
13. The council shall designate a treasurer, who need not be a member of the council.
14. These bylaws may be amended by general consensus of two consecutive regular meetings of the coordinating council. The second meeting must consider input from every group, solicited by a designated council member.

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