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About BMAHE

Purpose

The purpose of BMAHE is to provide resources, support, and encouragement for home educators and their families; to sponsor activities in keeping with common Christian values in an atmosphere of mutual service and respect; and to relay information pertaining to home education.

Statement of Beliefs

We believe:

  • The Bible as the complete, inspired, inerrant Word of God

  • One God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

  • The vicarious death of Jesus Christ for our sins, His virgin birth, His bodily resurrection, and His personal return

  • The necessity of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration and the building of the body of Christ

  • The power of prayer

  • The sanctity of life and each child as a gift from God

  • The family, one male and one female parent with one or more children, related by the institution of marriage, is the basic governmental, social, and spiritual entity created by God and recognize the exception of single parenthood or guardianship

  • That God creates each person as male or female and that an individual's gender corresponds with his or her God-given biological gender

These truths are foundational to our purpose. However, no particular religious affiliation is required for membership in the THEA, nor is any religious affiliation implied by membership.

To participate in membership or in a THEA-sponsored activity, you need not agree with these statements, but you need to understand that this is the basis from which the THEA committee will work.

To be a member of the Board must agree to and abide by this Statement of Faith.

All THEA-sponsored activities are filtered through this Statement of Faith.

 

Organization

Romans 14:19 NIV Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Steering committee members must agree with the BMAHE statement of beliefs.

The committee is responsible for:

1. Setting policy necessary to maintain the orderly and effective function of the organization and to maintain its credibility in the community.

2. Setting a budget based on membership 

3. Coordinating various responsibilities and activities of the BMAHE group.

The Steering Committee selects its own members as vacancies occur or as the responsibilities of the group increase.

Behavioral Expectations

We seek to nurture the character of our children and to represent Christian values to others. Colossians 4:5-6 NIV state: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity, let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Consequently, both parents and children should respect the following standards while attending any BMAHE sanctioned event. If unwilling to do so, they may be asked to leave by the event coordinator or a member of the steering committee. 

Those participating in BMAHE activities are asked:

1. To respect their bodies by dressing modestly and appropriately. (Cor. 6:19-20)

2. To speak carefully, honoring the name and character of God by avoiding profane and disrespectful speech. (Eph. 4 :2 9 )

3. To act appropriately, practicing courtesy, integrity and kindness, respecting property and people. (Eph. 4:2-3, 19, 28, 32)

4. To provide adult supervision for their children, as activity coordinators are not considered child supervisors. If the meeting is for adults only, and you must bring your children, they must sit quietly beside you.

Membership

Membership in BMAHE is open to area home educators who understand the aims and expectations of the organization. The annual membership fee helps cover the cost of publications, classes, and events. These costs include expenses for speakers, facility fee and printing. Some activities, events and classes have additional fees. We have three levels of membership which you can learn about here. 

An Overview of BMAHE Framework and Policies

The leadership team evaluates the framework and policies annually, appealing to the Lord for His direction and wisdom. The general framework may change and policies be added or improved as needs in the group warrant. Members are encouraged to give input as desired at any time, as well as every spring through a written evaluation. 

I. Membership Requirements:

A. Open to anyone who is interested in or actively engaged in home education.
B. Payment annual dues.

C. Membership year is August 1 - July 31.

 


II. Leadership:

A. Requirements of leadership:

  1. Personal recommendtion by current or past leadership.
  2. Has been active member of BMAHE Community Support for at least 2 years.
  3. Professes faith in Jesus Christ and agrees to the Statement of Faith.
  4. Is actively engaged in homeschooling according to ND Law, or if a Veteran, was doing so when homeschooling.
  5. Is appointed by present leadership team.

 

B. Duties

  1. 1. Attends monthly leadership meetings and BMAHE events.
  2. Strives to maintain quality of leadership, vision of the group and harmony among the leaders.
  3. Oversee the carrying out of the purpose statement.
  4. Oversee functioning of group.
  5. Set up annual calendar.


 

III. How the Group Functions

A. Finances:

1. The annual dues cover, but are not limited to, administrative costs, group activities, access to library/media center, registration fees for activities (Spelling Bee, Science Olympiad, etc), facility rent, special speakers, and purchase of library resources.
2. Amount of dues and the coverage is set by the leadership team.

 

B. Service Opportunities:

1. Members are encouraged to use their skills and talents to aid, encourage, and inspire others.

a. Spreading the burden prevents a few from carrying the entire load.

b. "If members don't do it, it doesn't get done."

2. Contact Steering if you’d like to help. Possibilities include:

  •  
    • Teen activities
    • Group classes including PE
    • Family Activities
    • Preschool/Early Elementary Activities
    • Field Trip Planning

 

C. Teen Activities

Teen activities and events are open to BMAHE member students age 12-19.

 

D. Field Trips:

1. Field Trips are initiated and planned by volunteer Field Trip Coordinator(s).
2. The number of people allowed at each field trip is determined by the field trip sponsor location.

3. If needed, there will be an attempt to plan more than one field trip to the same location, but that cannot be guaranteed.

4. Please be responsible for the children you bring.

5. Respect any age restrictions for the field trip.

6. Be on time. This is very important. We are there at the invitation of the field trip sponsor location.

7. Advise the field trip coordinator if you cannot attend. There may be a waiting list and someone else can take your place.

8. Field trips are for BMAHE members only.

9. Be respectful of any rules regarding the field trip.

10. Enjoy! 
 

E. Newsletter:

1. Weekly updates are sent via email to Community Support members.

2. The editor publishes a newsletter three times per calendar year.

3. Newsletter is only published to BMAHE members.
 

F. State Organizations:
BMAHE networks with and supports the efforts of the North Dakota Homeschool Association, encouraging members to register with NDHSA.


G. Legal Information:

1. Legal services are not provided by BMAHE.
2. Membership in HSLDA is encouraged with a 15% discount to BMAHE members. Please contact us for the group number.
3. Signed waivers are required by BMAHE Community Support Members and at some activities.