It is easy to be thankful when things are going well.  With gratitude we thank the Lord for the many blessings He showers upon us daily.  Some of those blessings we recognize and others we take for granted.

The Lord prepared our hearts and minds to homeschool long before we knew we would experience this joyous adventure.  He brought the right experiences and people into our lives so that we would be able to homeschool.  The early Christians left their families, homes, ways of living, and habits.  Sound familiar?  Leaving behind the cultural norms we have been steeped in as we grew up and stepping out in faith and obedience to God’s Word, we enter into a lifestyle of teaching our children at home with all the tribulations and rewards that it brings.

It is more difficult to be thankful when things aren’t going well.  Doubt and discouragement can invade our thoughts and prayers.  Well-meaning friends and acquaintances can wound our hearts (Psalm 56:8) with their misapplication of Scripture, their lack of compassion or understanding.  (Psalm 35:12)

It’s then that we need to learn to use the right tools to help support our members in their efforts to educate their children at home.

A couple of October’s ago we got two flat tires within a week.  The first one was fixed by Mike.  The other one happened the night before Mike was to leave town on business.   There wasn’t time to fix it before Mike left.  With a storm predicted, it was important that the tire get fixed soon and not wait for his return.  Feeling confident with the instruction that Paula’s father gave her before she got her license 30 years earlier, Paula set out to remove the flat tire and replace it.  The hub cap was removed.  The tire iron came out.  The lug nuts did not budge.  Even with the aid of our two teen-aged daughters, with them pulling and Paula pushing, the lug nuts would not loosen.  This was distressing and after due diligence of effort was used; finally Paula called her father-in-law, Gary.  Gary told her to use a long-handled ratchet wrench.  Paula retrieved the tool from the garage and the lug nuts came right off.  Whew!  What a relief!  The car was lifted into the air with the aid of the floor jack and the tire was removed so it could be fixed.  With the right tool, the job was so much easier and the task could be completed.  The wrong tool didn’t work no matter how much pressure was applied.

The right tools help us homeschool.  The wrong tools, no matter how we use them, do not help us.  Discerning whether something is the appropriate tool takes prayer and patience.  The best place to determine that is found within the Word of God.

When our hearts and minds are consumed with fear or sorrow and we are distracted from the ways the Lord cares for us, we can be tempted to use the wrong tool because it seems easy and we long for comfort.  Our Lord is bigger than our fears, our doubts, and our sorrows.  Even the disciples displayed their human weaknesses and they were at the feet of Jesus for three years!  Holding us in the palm of His hand, God cares enough to not leave us in a place of doubt and fear.  (Psalm 23, 1 Peter 1:2-4, 1 John 2:12-14, Galatians 1:24)  He moves us along to a different focus and eventually answers our prayers, although not always in the ways we envisioned.  He does this by bringing others into our lives who act as the hands and feet of God, administering Christian aide, love, grace, mercy and peace. (Ephesians 4:11-16)  Just as the early Christians did, we can band together, fortifying each other, and exhorting each other as we grow stronger from our association and devotion to each other.

It’s important to remember that, just as we all have not been imbibed with the same gifting and talents, our homeschools are often manifested in different ways and do not look or feel like another family’s homeschool does.  This is as it should be as our Lord has given us each children, made in His image, and therefore we honor that image by seeing to their individual needs and learning styles.  There cannot be condemnation in our community unless something is heretical.

Above all, remember that the best thing we can do is pray for one another as we are faced with the imbroglios and benefits of teaching our children at home.

Trusting in Him,

Mike and Paula

(Copyright 2008, all rights reserved)

Greetings!  As Jude so aptly put it:  “To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:  Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.”

Before us lies a new homeschooling year.  A clean slate.  The books still smell new and we haven’t yet pitched our plans for the year.  (Rev. 21:5a Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”)  Opportunity abounds to change our bad habits, to adopt new habits, to lift our focus up, and to begin afresh.  (2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.)  We are eager to implement our prayerful plans.  (2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.)

The possibilities before us seem limited only by our deficient imagination, our fears or our refusal to receive gifts freely offered.  As we plan for both our groups and our own homeschools, what will be written upon that serendipitous page?

On this precipice, we stand only because the Lord has preserved us and bestowed us with the courage and conviction to be leaders, looking forward, mindful of the past, and enjoying our companions who are walking this unfamiliar path with us.  We can glory in the incandescent joy that we find along the way, and use the bitter times to gain knowledge, discernment and wisdom.  And all of this seems so serene and attainable, until real life hits you like the proverbial bug and windshield.

A child becomes ill, a sleepless night spent rocking a restless infant or toddler, unexpected guests arrive, something disrupts your carefully crafted schedule.  Then you have to find the determination to begin – AGAIN.  And AGAIN, because it always seems there is something disrupting our harmonious schedules.  (I Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.)

Each time we are stalled from moving forward, it is important to remember that His mercies are new every day!  (Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.  Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.)  Each day we can turn to Him for the vital needs that sustain us.  (Psalm 3:5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.)  He also delights in blessing us beyond our needs!  (Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.) 

What an awesome God to care so very much for each of us!  (1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.)

Part of that caring is the way the Lord shepherds each of our homeschool groups.  As we allow Him to work through us while we serve others like we’ve been taught in scripture -- from our hearts, bolstering and heartening each other as we ultimately serve HIM, He serves us by placing others in our path from whom we can gather knowledge, encouragement and wisdom.  Essentially, we have each other to lean upon and learn from.  We pray you will reach out in times of need, uncertainty and doubt.  There are so many ways that we can nourish each other – not only in prayer, but also with gentle words of reassurance, advise, support, hugs, mentoring and friendship. 

We look forward with anticipation to where the Lord will take us this year.  We’re grateful for your companionship along the way.  May this year be filled with blessings beyond our imaginations, with an elimination of our fears, and the grateful reception of His gifts as they come to us through each other and our support groups.

 Abiding in His mercy, grace, peace and love,

Mike and Paula Anderson

Colossians 2:2, 3  “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

(Copyright 2008, all rights reserved)

This month's Memo included three parts. 

1.  The Anderson's article about the almost unanimous cry from support group leaders at the brunch in June for their need of help from members and for other leaders to join their ranks.

2,  he information sharing of the last post.

3.  And this excellent article by Treon Goossen.  Treon's dedication to the freedoms of homeschooling families and parents is evident in her passionate advocacy on their behalf each and every legislative season since the mid-80's!  Her expertise and wisdom were sought by the legislators when the homeschool law in Colorado was crafted in 1987 and she continues to be held in high esteem for her level-headed approach to these matters.

CURRENT THREATS TO HOMESCHOOL FREEDOMS

I recently had the privilege of giving a workshop at the 2008 Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC) conference on the 20^th anniversary and history of the homeschool statute here in Colorado.  As a co-author of that statute and heavily involved in its passage I always enjoy telling that particular story.  It is the story of how Colorado went from one of the ten most dangerous states in which to homeschool to one of the best in the nation. 

I am frequently asked what I consider to be the greatest dangers that homeschool families face here in Colorado and in the nation.  I would have to say that the National Education Association still ranks very high on the list.  The liberal judges and a biased judicial system, as was recently witnessed in California, are definitely factored in.  The increasing attack on parental rights and religious freedom directly impact homeschooling in America.  However, there is also a more subtle attack, which like the waves of the ocean is steadily wearing away the foundation of independent homeschooling.  It is a covert operation, steadily gaining ground in stripping parental control from homeschools.  It has been so craftily disguised and marketed to the homeschool community that many have not seen the dangers until the damage has been done.  Just ask the homeschooling community in Alaska.  I am referring to public school enrollment programs designed for homeschoolers. 

When I first became active in the homeschooling community 24 years ago, public schools wanted absolutely nothing to do with homeschools.  If they could not control them, as thankfully the law in Colorado established clearly, homeschools were left to their certain demise.  These non-public home-based educational programs would fail and return to the brick and mortar schools.  Imagine their disappointment when not only did homeschoolers experience extraordinary success but grew by leaps and bounds.  This caused much consternation in the public school community.  Funding for school districts was becoming a major issue as well as the lack of control of these homeschooled students.  Districts and educational entities knew they could not force homeschoolers back into their system so they began to think of ways to entice them voluntarily.  And so the erosion of parental control began.

Dual enrollment programs began to spring up in districts around the state.  Under the guise of “you are still homeschooling” public schools began to offer classes geared for homeschoolers to “fill in the gaps” of their education.  After all, homeschoolers are doing a “credible” job but cannot possibly supply the “well-rounded education taught by educational professionals” that is necessary for success in life.  Virtual public schools began to appear and add more to the proverbial carrot by offering free computers, curriculum, and other enticements.  Charter schools began offering homeschool programs.  The public school system has slowly but surely over time infiltrated the homeschool community and has steadily eroded parental freedom in education.  They say it is “all homeschooling.”  This blurring of the lines of independent homeschools and the public school programs at home is a dangerous slippery slope.

I have personally heard legislators in committees state that “it is all homeschooling.”  When these types of statements are reiterated over and over again, people begin to believe them.  That is why politicians come up with campaign slogans and businesses such as fast food chains have catchy little phrases and songs.  If repeated often enough anything becomes believable.  The public school system wants the public/parents to believe that “it is all homeschooling” so when they make their move to eliminate the control of parents over their independent homeschools and thrust them back under state control – it will appear to be the most natural thing to do.  “After all, so many parents have voluntarily placed themselves under state control by participating in such programs, this must be what all homeschoolers need.  Homeschooling can be simplified by being placed under state supervision where all aspects are under the same guidelines and use the same curriculum.  By this the state can be assured that quality education is taking place.” 

If this sounds far fetched to you I assure you it is not.  I have witnessed the evolution of such programs at an alarming rate.  I have seen parents voluntarily give up all or partial control over their homeschools for various reasons.  These programs which require enrollment in the public school system limit parental control, bring regulation, involve licensed teacher oversight, have mandatory testing usually involving the state test (in Colorado the CSAP), utilize either a state curriculum or curriculum approved by the state, possible home visits, and more. 

One insidious tactic used by the public schools is to infer that homeschool parents are not capable of providing an adequate education on their own.  They play on the emotions of parents and tug on the heart strings of insecurities to make the argument that homeschooled children cannot possibly succeed in life with only parental involvement.  They plant seeds of doubt and water them with their answer to this imagined dilemma – “let us help you and it won’t cost you anything.”  In actuality, there is a very high cost to pay.  It is the cost of losing the hard won freedoms for parental control over homeschools.  It is the cost of not being able to teach from a curriculum supporting personal and Biblical convictions.  It is the cost of losing all that has been gained over the past 20 years.  All of this not from a direct attack but from an implosion carefully crafted to bring about the voluntary surrender of homeschool freedoms. 

There are so many ways to supplement a homeschool program without enrolling in a public school.  Support group activities, co-ops, tutoring by other parents, computer programs and internet help are just a few.  You are limited only by your imagination.  Homeschool parents can successfully educate their children without enrollment in a public school.  The law in Colorado allows for homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular or interscholastic activities in a public school or in a private school if possible.  These types of activities do not require enrollment in a public school but one must always exert caution when involved with a public school.  I have received numerous calls from parents whose children participate in such programs and the public school is requiring more than what the law allows.  Parents must know their rights and not succumb to intrusive demands by public schools.  There are definite dangers in this option even though it is included in the law.  This option was not pursued directly by the homeschooling leadership in the state or HSLDA.  It showed up as a bill one session by a legislator who had been approached by a family or two in his district who wanted to participate in district sports programs.  It was passed into law and since then amended where families are to be allowed to participate on an equal basis but can be charged up to 150% of the required fees.  Not so equal in my opinion.  There have been conflicts over proving GPA’s and other eligibility requirements.  I believe the most inherent danger is the slippery slope of homeschool families being hardened slowly to the reasons why they chose homeschooling in the first place.  I have seen the analogy of the frogs happily in the pot who do not notice the water gradually heating up and eventually becoming the source of their demise played out in several homeschool families.  I have personally witnessed children who were no longer content at home due to the pull of “socialization” and parents who gave in to a system that said it could do a better job educating their children. It all began with participation in extracurricular or interscholastic activities.  Parents who choose this road must be on their guard at all times.  I sometimes wonder if there was an ulterior motive by some who voted to pass this legislation.  This at times appears to be another strike against homeschool freedoms.

I am not writing this article to condemn or to cause guilt.  I am just so very alarmed at what I am seeing.  Twenty years ago I never dreamed I would see this particular threat to homeschooling – and to witness so many families embracing it.  Homeschool parents today do not know what it was like to homeschool under the threat of court and even jail.  They do not know what it was like to have truancy officers knock on your door late at night with threats and intimidation.  Or to have social services threaten to remove your children from your home because you homeschooled.  They do not know what it was like to dot every “I” and cross every “T” and still have your application to homeschool rejected by your school district.  They do not know of the fear instilled in the hearts of families who had to make and practice escape plans in case they were needed.  However, if current trends persist and the lines are persistently blurred between independent homeschools, dual enrollment programs, charter school home programs, virtual public schools and public school “cottage schools” -  these very things could come once again. 

With the stroke of a pen, homeschooling can forever be changed.  What would make that day even sadder is to realize those freedoms weren’t taken away by force but were given away.  Remember that freedom is never free.   It was the courage of many families that brought about homeschool freedom in Colorado.  I pray that we have the courage to maintain those freedoms and to not give up any hard won ground. 

Treon Goossen

Home Education Legislative Analyst/Liaison, Colorado

http://www.ro828.com

Hearth Fun http://www.hearthfund.org – Dedicated to electing Godly people to local offices that support homeschooling and parental freedoms.

Leadership Symposiums

Another aspect that was revealed from the comments from the brunch was that leaders want a leadership symposium in various parts of the state.  If you have specific topics you’d like to see covered at a symposium, please contact us as soon as possible as we are working on a format for the symposium, and hope to be able to offer two or three before the conference next year.  Email Mike or Paula at memo(at)chec(dot)org.

Brunch Folder Handouts Available

Materials included in the brunch folder handouts included:

·         Hearth Fund Brochure

·         Curriculum Comparisons

·         Colorado Independent Schools List

·         20 Elements of Success in Christian Home Education from Teaching Home Magazine © 2001

·         Checklist for Starting a School Year from Teaching Home Magazine © 2001

·         What Makes a Successful “Youth/Teen” Group by Mary Rankin, former leader and homeschool mom in Parker

·         Educational Options in Colorado (Public School, Charter School, Public School at Home, Part-time Public School, Private School, Independent Private Homeschool)

·         Generations

·         *NEW* Colorado Homeschool Law

·         Let’s Communicate Biblically by Pastor Dennis and Sharon Grimes

·         Testing by Ronnie McKay, former leader and homeschool mom in Parker

·         Testers and Evaluators List

·         How to Mentor New Leaders by Mike and Paula Anderson

·         Volunteers: How to Get Them and Encourage Them by Mike and Paula Anderson

These resources are one-page and some are two-sided.  We would be happy to provide you with any or all of them if you have need of them, for yourself, or to share with your groups.  Please email us at memo(at)chec(dot)org to make your request.

Recommended Workshops from the 2008 Family Conference

One of the questions we asked the Brunch attendees was what they were struggling with as leaders.  From those responses we’ve compiled workshops that we recommend to help you with those concerns and for the members of your groups as well.  Individual workshops available for purchase from Broad Reach on their website under “Christian Home Educators of Colorado Conference 2008” on the left-hand side under “Recent Conferences.”  http://www.BestChristianConferences.com

Discipleship Homeschooling

�œ�œ�œVoddie Baucham, Family Discipleship, How to Pass On the Faith One Generation at a Time (the best keynote address we’ve heard in over 12 years of conferences in Colorado and Arizona)

�œ�œ�œVoddie Baucham, Government Education (lays a foundation for distinctly Christian homeschooling and why we should not send our children to government schools based on the Word)

�œ�œ�œKevin Swanson, Why Homeschooling Will Change the World (relationship-based, parent-directed learning is changing the world and Kevin shares with you how it is)

How to Homeschool Through High School

�œ�œ�œMardy Freeman, Homeschooling Through High School (why and how to homeschool through high school)

�œ�œ�œDr. Jay Wile, Teaching High School at Home (quelling fears of parents who don’t believe they can adequately teach their children at home in high school particularly concerning higher end mathematics and lab oriented science classes)

�œ�œ�œVicki Lewis, The No-Panic Approach to High School (prayerfully planning and gracefully surviving the homeschool high school years)

�œ�œ�œChris Klicka, Homeschooling Teenagers: Standing Against the Culture (mastering a Biblical worldview requires teens to live righteously so that they can counter the culture which surrounds them)

Replinishing Ourselves

�œ�œ�œLorrie Flem, Encouragement and Hope for the Weary Homeschool Mom (practical advice to change your drag into joy and learn to fly high)

Beginning Support Group Structure and Continuing Successful Support Groups

�œ�œ�œNorm Wakefield, Jurisdictional Leadership: Finding Your Place in God’s Plan (this, by far, is the most popular Brunch workshop as Norm presented information and tools for new and seasoned leaders)

Another major concern raised by leaders was conflict resolution.  For that we would refer you to the hand-out above by Pastor Dennis and Sharon Grimes, and the book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande © 2004 (every leader should own this book!), and encourage you to sign up for the weekly PeaceMeal publication from http://www.Peacemaker.net.

Single Moms Dinner, September 19, 6 pm, Mountain Church in Castle Rock

CHEC desires to serve the widowed and single moms within the Colorado homeschool community.  To that end, there is an annual encouragement dinner every September.  For more information, contact Bryan Helgesen at bryan (at) chec (dot) org.

Headship in the Home, September 19-21, Colorado Springs

Come listen to speaker Norm Wakefield as he encourages men in their roles as head of their home.

Friday, September 19, 6-8:30 pm, Woodmen Valley Stone Chapel • Living With an Eternal Perspective: The Key to Wisdom (evening session) for men and their wives.  Cost: $10 per person.

Saturday, September 20, 9 am – 3 pm, Woodmen Valley Stone Chapel • God’s Blueprint for the Family: Home-based Discipleship (1st morning session) • The Calling Out of Sons: What’s a Father to Do? (2nd morning session) • How to Be God’s Forerunners for the Next Generation  (1st afternoon session) • Leading With Vision (2nd afternoon session) all for men and young men.  Cost: $5 per person, lunch included.

Sunday, September 21, 10 -11:30am, TCA Central Campus • Anchored in Christ: Building on the Solid Rock (Sunday morning sermon) for men and their families. Cost: none! (but bring something and stay for a pot-luck lunch)

Please go to http://www.hopefamilies.org/wakefield.html  for more information or to register.

Communicators for Christ, October 1 – 4, Colorado Springs

Communicators for Christ, a team of accomplished coaches, enables students to use communication to share the hope that we as Christians have.  They offer public speaking and debate conferences, workshops, and summer camps, as well as a Chapter Program, achievement competitions, leadership training, and curriculum.   Communicators for Christ helps both beginning and seasoned speakers from ages 7 to 18 more fully develop and fine tune their skills.  A dual emphasis on both the value of competition and the greater purpose of communication distinguishes Communicators for Christ.  They encourage and equip conference participants to be the best competitors they can be.  However, they also stress that competition is a means to a greater goal, and show students why and how communication skills can be implemented in community settings.  For information about the Colorado Conference, October 1^st – 4^th, and to see what’s new with CFC contact Robbie Blum, blumrl (at) msn (dot) com or go to www.communicatorsforchrist.com

Denver Area Free Days, 2008

Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele Street, Denver, 303-376-4800, http://www.denverzoo.org

Tuesday, October 7                                            Sunday, November 2

Saturday, October 18                                         Sunday, November 9

Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, 303-322-7009, http://www.dmns.org

Sunday, September 7                                         Sunday, December 7
Wednesday, October 22

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, Denver, 720-865-3500, http://www.botanicgardens.org

and Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, 303-973-3705, http://www.botanicgardens.org/

Friday, October 3                                               Friday, December 5
Friday, November 7

Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14^th Ave. Parkway, Denver, 720-865-5000, http://www.denverartmusuem.org

Saturday, September 6                                       Saturday, November 1
Saturday, October 4                                           Saturday, December 6

From http://www.scfd.org/

Homeschool Classes in Apologetics, Christian Doctrine and Survey Classes

on the Northern Front Range

James Mitchell is a former homeschool student, Bible college graduate, and current teacher at Loveland Christian High School which holds classes for the homeschool community in Loveland.  They would like to offer the following Bible classes in other communities in the northern Front Range (Longmont, Boulder, etc.).  Course descriptions below.

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS: Using a variety of materials, such as Summit Ministry’s Understanding the Times, this class looks deeply at worldviews.

BIBLE DOCTRINES: Using a variety of materials, including Abeka’s Bible Doctrines for Christian Schools, this class seeks to give a basic understanding of the Biblical teachings regarding the scripture, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, mankind, sin, salvation, Satan, angels and demons, the church, and the end times.

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY: This class seeks to give a basic knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures of the Bible.

NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY: This class seeks to give a basic knowledge of the New Testament Scriptures of the Bible.

Contact James Mitchell at llamaface24(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Geography Bee, December 6, 2008, Denver Metro and Grand Junction

This event is the first step in an annual competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society.  The winner of each CHEC Bee will take the qualifying test for the State Bee, to be held April 2009.  The State Bee winner will compete at the National Bee in Washington, D.C., in May 2009.

National Geographic rules for participation by homeschoolers are:  “Children who participate in the bee must be in grades four through eight and may not be over the age of 15 by the time of the national-level competition.  Students must be following a school schedule and academic course load comparable to the majority of the student’s grade mates and age mates.  A student may not be enrolled in more than two academic courses at the high school and/or college level during each school year of the competition.  All students must be exclusively homeschooled.  They may not attend public, private, or parochial schools.” 

Questions in the Bee will address economics, culture, natural resources, and conservation, including United States geography, World geography, and physical geography.

More information about National Geographic Society and study tips can be found at their website:  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographicbee.  At a cost of $15 per family you can register for the CHEC Bee by calling Evelyn Hess at 719-531-5651.  Registration deadline is December 1, 2008.

NEW!!  A CHEC Geography Bee will be held near Grand Junction for those of you who live on the western slope!  Contact Lyda Savoca at 970-283-5634. 

Civil War Ball, January 10, 2009

Please contact gaff.family(at)comcast(dot)net for more information.

Introductory Seminars

September 13, Denver Metro area

November 8, Denver Metro area

Visit http://www.chec.org to register and for further information.

Prepare for Life Seminar, formerly the Homeschool High School Seminar

Although the name of this seminar has changed, we haven’t changed that it encourages and equips families to homeschool their high school aged students.  What has changed is that we’ve added a tract or two about the options available specifically meant to highlight the unique opportunities that mentorship, apprenticeship and entreprenurialship offer to homeschool students as they graduate and encounter the world.  The next seminar is October 18 in the Denver Metro area.  The cost is still just $59 for a married couple and one child to attend.  Visit http://www.chec.org to register and for further information.

We Need Help NOW!

Looking back over the answers to questions posed to the brunch attendees, two large themes jump out immediately.  The first deals with an “entitlement” mentality and the second deals with the struggle that leaders have in obtaining responsible volunteers and other people to walk beside them in leadership.

Leaders’ comments reflect that groups struggle with getting people past the first stage of homeschooling and getting them to embrace the wonderful aspects of moving on from there.  When we begin homeschooling, it is a new adventure fraught with a fairly steep learning curve.  That is because for the majority of us we are stepping into completely unknown territory.  As new homeschoolers there is so much to absorb and so many decisions to make.  Naturally, people are more “needy” at that point.  But as they settle into the homeschooling lifestyle, we expect for them to move beyond being a “taker” and move into being a “giver.”  The problem is many members are not doing that.

Some leadership responses to that are to require certain commitments from their members to ensure that not just a few persons are doing the work of many.  But even with those kinds of requirements, members are failing to keep their commitments and are letting down not only themselves but others who are depending on them.  That’s an exercise in frustration!  Leaders also share that members are “shopping” around from groups in the area seeking to see what the group can do for their family, and perhaps joining several groups so that they can experience the different offerings that groups have.  That wouldn’t be a problem if these members were giving back in an essential way, but with commitments to several groups that’s not happening as people are spread too thin.

No wonder leaders are frustrated!  As we try to meet the needs of our groups, there’s only so much we can pour into them and not become depleted ourselves.  We need help and we need it now!  Perhaps it is helpful for us to remember that typically 23% of adults volunteer their time to non-profit organizations according to Barna Research.  Not finding that ratio within your group and wondering what to do now?  Let’s start with the basics.

First and foremost is to pray.  Pray for the Lord to provide the right volunteer who is a good fit with the others in leadership in your group and others who are already volunteering.  Pray for someone who is reliable, has a teachable spirit, understands authority, is forgiving and is LIKE-MINDED.  Putting the wrong person into a volunteer or leadership position can be a difficult mistake to overcome.  If you find there’s someone in your group that seems qualified to serve, perhaps they are merely waiting to be asked to serve.  Strike up conversations with that person so that you can learn more about them and begin the process of building a relationship that may lead to them becoming a volunteer or leader.

It is important to be precise and clear in your expectations of new and old volunteers or leaders.  Communication is vital and needs to be mutual – meaning you need to be willing to hear what the new volunteer is expressing as well as what you are trying to impart to them.

Developing written task lists that include the definition of the position with information that precisely expresses the expected commitment level, goals, responsibilities, resources, timeline, and accountability level and structure breeds success.  Establishing this strong foundation helps ensure satisfaction in volunteers/leaders which helps them want to continue to serve.  Providing an evaluation process at the conclusion of the task or year allows for development and growth that meets the needs of the volunteer or leader as well as those they serve.

     As leaders, we also need to know when to let something go if there is no one to coordinate it or fill the role of volunteer or leader.  This can be painful, but necessary.  Some leaders have dropped certain aspects of their groups due to a lack of volunteer or leader only to have someone rise up to assume the task after a short while because they missed that aspect of the group enough to take on the responsibilities of doing it for others.  Other leaders have learned that it was time to move on to other things and to let that aspect of their group go.

We encourage you to grow in your own leadership skills.  Here’s a short list of books we have found helpful:  The Peacemaker by Ken Sande, essential for those who lead others no matter what the setting is; Handoff: The Only Way to Win the Race of Life by Dr. Jeff Myers, how to establish and build leadership skills in yourself and others; and The Book on Leadership by John MacArthur, the essential how-to book that will vividly point out what skills you need as a leader and how to develop them in yourself and others.

Mike and Paula Anderson

Psalm 25:5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me.

Copyright August 2008 all rights reserved