BY-LAWS

These By-laws were adopted April 6, 1999.

                    Article I NAME/AFFILIATION

                               Section 1 The name shall be Chesapeake Home Educators (CHE).

Section 2 CHE is not affiliated with any other local, state or national organization.

Section 3 CHE is a not-for-profit organization

                    Article II OBJECTIVES

Section 1 We are an organization offering information, support and encouragement to parents who choose to educate their children outside of the public/private school system, and to those who are interested in any aspect of homeschooling.

Section 2 We offer a variety of recreational/educational/enrichment activities for homeschoolers.

                    Article III MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 Membership is open to all who homeschool or who are interested in homeschooling.

Section 2 Membership is on a per family basis, with each family paying one set of dues and receiving one vote.

Section 3 Membership shall be for a period of one year, from July 1 – June 30.

Section 4 To be considered a member in good standing, dues must be current.

                    Article IV DUES

Section 1 Annual dues for the CHE shall be recommended by the Executive Board, and then approved by the membership by a vote. Any increases in annual dues must be sent to the general membership 30 days prior to a vote.

Section 2 A member must be in good standing in order to enter students in CHE student activities.

Section 3 Dues are to be paid to Treasurer each year and are non-refundable.

                    Article V OFFICERS

Section 1 President: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings and perform all duties usually pertaining to this office, to be a member ex-officio of all committees, and a voting member of CHE Executive Board. If unable to preside the Vice-President will then preside.

Section 2 Vice President: It shall be the duty of the Vice President to assume the duties of the President in the case of absence or incapacity of the President and to perform such other duties as the President may direct.

Section 3 Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a record of attendance and the minutes of all business meetings and to forward all relevant information to the Newsletter Coordinator.

Section 4 Treasurer: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to perform all duties pertaining to the finances of the SMHSA.

Section 5 If a vacancy occurs in the position of Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, the President will appoint a replacement.

Article VI EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1 Composition: There shall be an Executive Board consisting of elected officers and committee chairpersons appointed by the President.

Section 2 Meetings: Meetings of the Executive Board shall be called at the discretion of the President.

Section 3 Duties: Primary duties will be to guide the affairs of CHE.

Article VII COMMITTEES

Section 1 The Chairperson of each committee will be appointed by the President.

Section 2 Standing Committee Chairpersons shall be as follows:

Membership

Newsletter

Student Activities

Section 3 Ad hoc Committees Chairpersons may be appointed by the President as needed.

                    Article VIII MEETINGS

Section 1 CHE shall meet monthly from August to May, unless otherwise directed by the President.

                                Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the
                                President at any time.

                    Article IX ELECTIONS

Section 1 Nominations of officers will be made to the Secretary on or before the March meeting.

Section 2 Nominations may be accepted after the March meeting only for positions for which no nominees have been identified.

Section 3 Nominations and ballots will be mailed to membership after March meeting.

                                Section 4 Election of officers will be
                                made on or before the April  meeting.

Section 5 Installation of officers will be made on or before the last meeting of the year.

Section 6 All officers shall hold office for two years, or until their successors are elected.

Article X QUORUM

Section 1 Ten percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present, the transaction of business may be referred to the Executive Board.

Section 2 The membership may be polled by mail or telephone at the direction of the Executive Board.

                    Article XI AMENDMENTS

Section 1 Any amendment to the by-laws of CHE which are not in conflict with our stated objectives may be proposed in writing by two members at any regular meeting of CHE. Every member shall receive notification of the proposed amendment prior to the time it is to be voted upon. Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority of members present at a meeting, proxy votes will be accepted.

Article XII ADDENDA

Section 1 Addenda to these by-laws may be proposed by any member at a regular meeting and may be brought to a vote at that meeting, and passed by a simple majority.

Section 2 Amendments to any addenda item of these by-laws may be proposed by any member at a regular meeting and may be brought to a vote at that meeting, and passed by a simple majority.