Families of Homeschoolers East value, respect and enjoy diversity and the uniqueness of the individual. We acknowledge that diversity enriches our learning environment and maintain an atmosphere in which children feel that they belong to a community and share in it purpose to foster unity. We lovingly but insistently guide them because we believe that children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future.

Homeschoolers East provides an environment that helps develop four qualities:
Global understanding. Our group recognizes that the world is one of increasing interdependence among peoples and nations. We assist our children in becoming "world citizens" and promote a global perspective and understanding of issues. We encourage our children to learn to view diversity as an asset as well as love and respect for each other and to be promoters of unity.

Universal Values. Our group values virtues education as a foundation for every child’s development. Without it, education cannot be effective. Values put meaning into action and we recognize that ultimately, the strength of one's character is the essence of one's self. Character is that set of virtues that are developed in an individual. We encourage our children to develop, foremost amongst their virtues: respect, honesty, truthfulness, trustworthiness, kindness, courtesy, compassion, confidence, joyfulness and humility.  It will create a child to be emotionally and spiritually balanced individuals. Among these virtues we include tolerance, which, in this sense, is the acceptance of differences and not expecting others to think, look or act just like you.

   Service to community. Our group recognizes that much meaning and happiness comes from selfless service to others. We strive to find ways to serve others – their families, their communities, and humanity as a whole. We inspire our children to contribute to the betterment of the world and gain additional confidence and motivation that a classroom setting alone cannot provide. While serving others, children learn about themselves, others and develop their natural positive qualities.

Excellence in All Things. Excellence is a consequence of a focused education. A child who accepts the aim for excellence as a life guiding principle will be able to better develop his or her full potential and achieve extraordinarily. Involvement nurtures enthusiasm, a prerequisite for joy in learning. Recognition of academic excellence and individual encouragement stimulate positive learning patterns and result in individuals who have a self-disciplined approach to their studies. The co-op teaches "eloquence of speech" as a trait of excellence in education and children receive extra attention to nurture this.

Guidelines
The Roadmap to Unity:

Be Respectful. Treat others with respect, so they will know how
to treat you.
Be Considerate. Feel free to do anything that doesn’t cause a
problem for anyone else.
Be Responsible. If you cause a problem, work to solve it.
Be Humble. If you can’t solve a problem, or choose not to, ask for help.
Be Obedient. Accept consequences if you break the rules – then
get a fresh start.
Be Peaceful. If you feel something is unfair, courteously say, “I’m
not sure that’s fair,” and it can be talked out.


  • All members are expected to treat each other with kindness and respect
  • Participation in the group is expected.  This may include attending classes, park meets, field trips, email discussions, etc.  Although not mandatory, all members are welcome to contribute to the planning and running of the group
  • Participants should, out of courtesy, RSVP to events they plan to attend and notify the event planner if they cannot follow through
  • All fees for trips and events are due in a timely manner to the planner of the trip or event
  • We work hard to start classes on time.  Please respect the start times of all classes.  Should lateness occur, please enter all classes courteously
  • Strive to see and bring out the best in each other and all the children of the group
The “Ground” Rules (for the playground)

Homeschoolers East parents endeavor to model appropriate relationship building and friendship making skills to all the children. We promote acceptance of differences and seek to find win-win solutions to conflicts which arise. We do this with the spirit of cooperation and respect for all involved.
  • Homeschoolers East members will work together to leave places in better condition than they were found
  • Divisive play is not acceptable and will be addressed and redirected
  • All inappropriate behavior will be lovingly and insistently guided to more peaceful behavior
  • Mean-spirited play is not acceptable. We're here to be friends, not hurt each other
  • Hurtful words and name calling is not acceptable
  • In general, if it’s mean or hurts another person physically, or emotionally, it will not be allowed to continue

Consultation

Guidelines for Meetings

The Goal of consultation is to discover the best course of action to take for the well-being of all. If the individual consultants have any other goal than this – for instance, to gain power, win an argument, or increase their popularity – their ambitions will only get in the way and the consultation will not be completely successful in achieving its goal.

The Participants must have pure motives, take into account the well-being of others and serve the group. In addition, they should be patient, humble, just and open-minded. Above all, those who consult must be united. This means they
must set aside personal dislike for the sake of reaching the best decision.

The Method or procedure for consultation: These steps are preceded by reflection, meditation or prayer on the issue at hand in order to set the attitude of the group and will vary based on the person asked to prepare this part of the consultation and will come from a variety of sources.

Establishing the facts: Often groups fail at the beginning of consultation by not being able to agree on the facts. This is not because there are no solid facts to be found, but because the members, if they are only interested in having their own way, may reject the facts which do not suit their case. Therefore data gathering will ensure that correct information is available. This information must then be viewed objectively.

Principles to be applied: A pitfall in the consultation within many groups is not being able to agree on the underlying principles. Time must be spent on reaching basic agreement on the principles to be applied before consultation can properly begin. (Please refer to the Vision & Mission Statement and Roadmap to Unity guidelines.)


Homeschoolers East members joining the 'Smoothie Club'.
Discuss the matter: Consultation calls for unity of purpose – not unity of opinion. It is through the clash of differing opinions that the truth comes forth. Note: it is the opinions which clash and not the people. Everyone should express his or her opinion with the conviction that it will contribute in some way to the discussion. Each should speak frankly, but with courtesy and moderation. No-one should be too shy to offer an idea. On the other hand, after a person has stated a point of view, it should not be repeated over and over again. Everyone should search out the truth in every matter and not insist upon their own opinion, for persistence in one’s views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden.

All opinions must be listened to with an open mind and judged fairly. Shouting, sarcasm and name-calling cause feelings of hostility which obscure the truth and make proper consultation impossible. A chairperson must be elected who will ensure that everyone participates; that each opinion is listened to carefully and considered on its merits; that no-one dominates or diverts the discussion.

Each idea must be offered to the group as a gift. It should not be identified in anyone’s mind with the person who first suggests it. This means that the idea can be changed and developed, or even rejected, without anyone feeling hurt. If the participants are adopting the right approach, they will be able to see the best course of action to be taken whatever their own original opinions might have been. It happens quite frequently in consultation that a person will change his or her mind completely during the course of the consultation and even argue against an idea they originally suggested.

Make a decision
If the consultation has gone successfully through the preceding steps, making a decision will probably prove the easiest part. It is likely also that it will be a unanimous decision. But if unanimity cannot be achieved, a majority opinion must prevail. Each member should respect and carry out the decision confidently – even if he or she did not vote in favor of it.

Unity
Unity in itself brings benefits. When a decision is not followed, it is never certain whether it was wrong in itself or whether sabotage made it fail. When a decision is carried out wholeheartedly, however, it soon becomes apparent if the decision was wrong, and it can quickly be reversed. But if the decision was right, the benefits will be felt immediately. Consultation is a lamp of guidance and brings about understanding.

 

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