Mission Statement

The Sociable Homeschoolers is a support group for all homeschoolers!

Everyone is welcome! All types, sizes, and faiths; nothing is judged or forced upon.

Description

The Sociable Homeschoolers of San Antonio are here to provide ample fun and educational opportunities for our children to explore,

using the world as our classroom; searching in and around our city for group activities.

We offer Classes, Celebrations, Field Trips, Playdates @ the Park, AKA, fun for everyone and for all ages.

Organizing Team

The Organizing Team consists of members who have agreed to take on a specific role within SHSA.

The Organizing Team is guided by the Head Organizer, Kei Denevan.

All Organizers must be active SHSA members; must have at least one child currently being homeschooled;

and, must strive to maintain quality of leadership, the vision of the group, and harmony among the leaders.

Citizenship

SHSA does not function as a substitute for the parent-teacher role or responsibility in any of the subject areas assigned by

Texas Law (reading, grammar, math, spelling, and a course in good citizenship).

Individual families will govern themselves with respect to the Texas laws.

Membership Requirements

A)  SHSA is open to all families who are actively engaged in homeschooling of at least one child.

B)  All families must agree to abide by SHSA Policies and Procedures.

C)  Membership becomes active upon:

1.  Review of Policies and Procedures,

2.  Signing of all waiver forms; and

3.  Attending an event on our Calendar

Membership Rights and Privileges

A)  Members shall be entitled to involvement and participation in all SHSA activities.

B)  All SHSA members may invite guests to SHSA activities, with the permission of the Event's Organizer.

Members are fully responsible for the actions of their guests.

All guests must fill out our Membership Form, as well.

C)  Membership are automatically renewed each year, in accordance with the SHSA Policies and Procedures,

unless spoken to otherwise.

Membership Duties and Responsibilities

A)  All members must abide by SHSA Policies and Procedures and decisions as established by the Organizing Team.

These Policies and Procedures have been developed to provide organization, familiarity and socialization within the group.

B)  All members are encouraged to communicate openly with SHSA Organizing Team and other members regarding questions, concerns, ideas, etc.

Effective communication is necessary to help protect socialization within our group,

encourage positive relationships, provide for positive growth and share resources.

C)  Parents are responsible for their children at any and all event locations.

If a parent is unable to attend an activity with their child,

prior arrangements must be made with the Event's Organizer to ensure the child has adequate supervision.

If damages occur, the parents will be financial responsible for any and all damages that occur.

D)  All members must pay all fees by the given deadlines.

Failure to pay by the given deadlines may disrupt involvement in activities,

and repeated occurrences could result in termination of membership.

E)  Official SHSA communication will be through Facebook (Page & Group), and Messenger.

To help ensure there is no lapse in communication, members must participate in both means of communication.

Wellness/Illness

If you or your children are experiencing symptoms of illness,

we ask that you carefully consider whether the symptoms could be the result of a contagious illness or of allergies. 

Please DO NOT attend an event if you or your child:

* has yellow or green nasal secretions

* has diarrhea

* has vomited within 48 hours

* has fever within 24 hours

* has sore throat

* has a rash in conjunction with low-grade fever

* has been on antibiotics for less than 48 hours.

If in doubt, we ask that you please do not attend any SHSA activities to prevent exposing the group to the illness.

Use your best judgment.

This is for the protection and comfort of you, your child and the other members of the group.

If you knowingly bring your child to an event while they are sick,

your membership may be terminated, for the safety of others.

If supplies can be saved, they will so, and you can collect them at the next class, to complete the activities on your own time.

Supplies will be saved for 30 days, then recycled into the group's supplies if one does not make arrangement to pick them up.

Code of Conduct

In order to protect the socialization of the group, all members are required to be familiar with and abide by the Code of Conduct.

As a parent-led group, it is the parents' responsibility to inform and enforce all SHSA Policies and Procedures with their children.

Please be advised that there may be additional rules as required by facility or activity.

Conflict Resolution

The goal is for any situation that may arise to be worked out for the greater good.

Please avoid gossip and non-productive discussion which may bring discord among our members.

In the event that a conflict does arise, we ask that the following steps be pursued:

* Go directly to the individual with whom the conflict has arisen. If the individual is a child, go to the child's parent or responsible adult.

* If the problem continues or you are unable to come to a mutually amenable resolution,

we ask that you seek a member of the Organizing Team who will go with you to speak with the other person.

* If the members involved are still unable to come to a resolution,

the members involved will sit with the Organizing Team who will listen to all sides of the conflict for the purposes of mediating and arbitrating.

All members agree that they will walk away in unity.

Consequences

To maintain the socialization of the group,

should any situation arise where the SHSA Policies and Procedures are breached or discord is being sown among our group,

the Organizing Team will determine appropriate consequences.

This may include anything from a warning to termination of membership.

All such incidents will be documented by the Organizing Team and kept on file with SHSA.

Loss of Membership

SHSA reserves the right to terminate membership of any member for failure to adhere to these Policies and Procedures as determined by the Organizing Team. 

Families meeting the membership requirements may register to become a member of SHSA with the following steps:

* Review whole website.

* Submit completed, signed waiver forms at your first event.

* Attend and event in your first 30 days.

If at any time you decide homeschooling is not going to be a part of your child's education,

we expect you to notify the Organizing Team and remove yourself from the group.

There will be no refund of fees paid. If at any time, while a member of SHSA,

you find you can no longer peacefully abide by the SHSA Policies and Procedures,

please discontinue your membership for the sake of the group.

The Organizing Team reserves the right to enforce or make exceptions to any established SHSA Policies and Procedures.

Registering for an Event

After RSVP'ing for an event, an invoice with the date the payment is due will be sent via a text message to the phone number you provide.

If you have not made your payment or responded with an alternative payment method by the due date,

your RSVP will be removed from the event,

and you will not be expected at that particular class,

unless prior arrangements have been made.

Payments

A)  Square Invoices will be text to the number you use for registering for an event.

We also accept cash if prepaid by payment due date.

Please notify our Head Organizer, Kei Denevan, with a comment when RSVP'ing that you want to pay with cash;

making arrangements to prepay by the payment due date.

B) SHSA DOES NOT PROVIDE REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON.

C) WE DO NOT ACCEPT ECHECKS OR PAPER CHECKS!!!

Event Attendance

A)  Please be sure to check each event at least 24 hours & 2 hours prior to when it starts.

If there is a change in the event, it will be posted at least 2 hours before the event starts.

If the location changes to a different pavilion at the park,

an update will be made on our Facebook Page.

There are about 6 pavilions at McAllister Park.

Because we do not reserve them, the order of which we try to claim them is Pavilion #1, then #4, #2, and lastly #3.

B)  When you RSVP for an event, please be sure that you do plan on attending at the scheduled time.

If we are able to wait, after 10 minutes, people will proceed with the event.

If you are going to be LATER than 10 minutes, please text Kei Denevan to let her know.

The 15 Minute Rule applies here.

If no one has contacted Kei about being late,

class may be canceled, without credits,

after the first 15 minutes of class if no one shows up.

Communication is extremely important in order to keep everything running smoothly.

C)  Our goal is to maintain an active and committed group of families.

We also understand that homeschooling our children can keep us really busy and that there are periods of time where meeting up is inconvenient.

We want to be more than just an online reference point, though.

We want to develop relationships, for our children and for ourselves.

We require that you attend and event at least ONCE A MONTH.

Only if  you leave the Event Organizer a reason why you are not able to attend an event during a particular time period,

may such reasons be taken into consideration.

You may rejoin once you've committed to this policy.

D)  NO SHOWS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

What is a No Show?

It is when you RSVP for an event, and you do not show up,

and you did not let anyone know that you were not going to attend the event.

This is rude.

Our organizers put a lot of time, energy, & their own money into planning these events.

We consider ourselves to be like a family, and a group of friends.

You wouldn't No Show your friends and family.

Please do not do it to ours, or you will be removed.

If you are deleted due to No Shows, you are more than welcome to rejoin once you've committed to SHSA's Policies and Procedures.

E)  Of course, "home/life" takes precedent over "school" in homeschool, and it is constantly changing.

The calendar is constantly changing too: dates are being changed & events are being added/removed for many reasons. 

IF AN EVENT'S DATE/TIME IS CHANGED TO WHERE YOU ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO ATTEND THE EVENT, LET KEI DENEVAN KNOW RIGHT AWAY. CHOOSE WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE THE CREDIT TO GO TOWARDS THE NEXT PARTICULAR CLASS, OR UPON APPROVAL, IT MAY BE ABLE TO USE TOWARDS ANOTHER CLASS. ANOTHER OPTION MAY BE TO NOT COLLECT THE CREDIT, BUT INSTEAD TO COLLECT THE SUPPLIES TO DO THE LESSON AT HOME, IF SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED. 

IF YOU DO NOT CONTACT KEI DENEVAN , IT WILL BE ASSUMED THAT YOU CAN ATTEND THE EVENT AT THE NEWLY SCHEDULED DATE & TIME. 

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND AN EVENT THAT HAS NOT CHANGED, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A CREDIT, AS SUPPLIES WILL HAVE BEEN PURCHASED FOR YOUR STUDENT. ANY SUPPLIES THAT WERE NOT PARISHABLE, OR ABLE TO BE SPLIT AND SAVED WITHOUT ADDING AN ADDITIONAL COST TO DO SO, WILL BE GATHERED AND WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU AT THE NEXT PARTICULAR CLASS. IF, YOU DO NOT SCHEDULE ANOTHER CLASS WITHIN 30 DAYS, YOUR SUPPLIES WILL THEN BE RECYCLED BACK INTO THE GROUP'S SUPPLIES.

Photography

By joining our group, you authorize that photographs, including video and sound recordings,

may be taken of you and your family.

You are authorizing the right for the Sociable Homeschoolers to use where they see fit; both online and in print.

Personal Liability

Please note that by applying for membership to this group,

you are agreeing to bear the sole responsibility for you and your children's safety and comfort at all events.

Regardless of the presence of other adults, it is imperative that you watch your own children.

In addition, event postings are not venue endorsements. 

You are the only one who knows your children's abilities and/or limitations.

It is your duty to take these things into consideration before attending an event.

Once you have decided to attend an event, you assume full responsibility for any & all associated risks, foreseeable or not.

Following are general guidelines of what is expected from each SHSA member attending any SHSA activity.

Not every situation can be covered.

Your Organizing Team and/or Event Organizer will inform you of any needed revisions.

* We expect all members to be encouraging and accepting of one another.

* All members and their guests will refrain from gossip and/or conversations that speak ill of or put down another member of SHSA.

Any form of bulling will not be tolerated.

* All members will refrain from: coarse language, destruction of property; name calling; excessive teasing;

rough and tumble horseplay, including hitting, kicking, slapping or pushing, etc.

* Do everything without complaining or arguing.

* Think of others and the impact your actions will have on others in the group.

Always act in love toward each other.

* Every person is responsible for helping to clean up after each activity.

* Remember the Golden Rule - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

* All members will be polite.

* All members will be kind.

* All members will be respectful of others, courteous and cheerful. 

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Situations.

* No lingering hugs

* No kissing

* Discussing preferences

This is a classroom. Let's keep it that way please.

Participation

Members are required to actively participate in planned activities when attending a SHSA activity unless excused by the Event's Organizer.

Participation includes keeping your attention on the people around you and on the planned activities.

Please refrain from using electronic devices unless it is a benefit to the group.

Teens Driving to SHSA Activities

Any teen who has permission to drive themselves to a SHSA activity may do so under the following conditions:

* The parent must contact the Event's Organizer and notify him/her of the designated responsible adult.

* The teen will be required to arrive on-time and remain at the activity until the scheduled ending time.

* The teen will not be allowed to leave an activity early unless arrangements have been made between the parent and the Event's Organizer.

Social Media

All members, please be aware of how texts, emails, and social media affect other members of SHSA and govern yourselves accordingly.

Our goal is a group that uplifts and encourages friendly, supportive interaction for our families.

Supervision

Never 1:

All activities must be supervised by a minimum of one adult.

Some activities will require additional supervision based on age and group size.

For the safety of all of our members, adults should never be in a one to one setting.

If possible, it is preferred to always have two adults present, however,

at a minimum, an Event Organizer should always be with at least two children,

never alone with a child that is not his/her own child.

* Determine SHSA long-term operating goals

* Oversee the carrying out of the mission statement

* Manage and monitor SHSA activities verifying the coherence with established goals

* Responsible for development and implementation of all SHSA Policies and Procedures

*Make strategic decisions to optimize the functioning of the group

* Plan the calendar for the year

* Handle parent concerns

* Be open to member input

* Serve as liaison with the public

* Transact business and enter into agreements on behalf of SHSA

* Maintain financial records necessary for good governance

* Oversee and plan parent meetings

* Record meeting notes and post on the website

* Maintain contact information for all participating members

* Create “working groups” and choose experts, with whom SHSA will work to realize the goals of the group

* Create Coordinator positions as deemed necessary

* Attend Organizer Team meetings

* Approve membership (Head Organizer)* When a Organizing Team position becomes vacant, existing Organizing Team members evaluate and appoint a volunteer to fill the position.

Event Organizer(s)

You are the Event Organizer, you are in charge of the Field Trip.

There must be one particular Event Organizer per event.

* Obtain relevant information and create event on members-only website calendar:

- Date, time and location for the field trip

- Is a tour guide, instructor, or class provided, or will the group be self-guided?

- What special highlights or other information will help families be better prepared for their visit?

- Is there a school or group rate?

What is the price for preschoolers and parents (adult chaperones)?

- Is there a minimum and/or maximum group size limit?

- What ages are allowed to participate?

Are strollers/nursing moms accommodated?

- Are there eating facilities on site or nearby?

Are there bathroom facilities?

- When do they need a final count and payment?

What should payment be made?

What is the refund policy?

- Are parking facilities available?

Is there a parking fee?

- Set deadlines for commitment by members

* Set up Group reservation

* Serve as main contact and collect payment if required

* Coordinate field trip day details, ie meeting point, lunch plans, transportation, etc.

* Disseminate pertinent information to participating members, including your phone number

* Arrive early and check-in at field trip venue

* Bring list of attendees

* Post photos on websites after the activity

All Organizers are responsible for submitting their receipts to the Head Organizer within one week of purchase.

Each purchase MUST be pre-approved by the Head Organizer BEFORE purchases are made,

to receive reimbursement for purchases.