Chapter FAQ

Chapter FAQ

How do you start a chapter?

A chapter must consist of at least 3 committed organizers before becoming recognized.  Every chapter will have at least one delegated person of contact with CRHE. That person will report to the Chapter Program Coordinator at regular intervals and as needed should unforeseen circumstances arise. In order to start a chapter, you and 2 (or more) other organizers just need to fill out this form! After 3 or more people from the same state express interest, the Chapter Program Coordinator will reach out to everyone with next steps! 

What does it mean to be a CRHE Organizer? 

At CRHE we are student centered and people first, we value persistence, flexibility, pragmatism, sustainability, compassion, hopefulness, and curiosity. We approach our interactions with compassion and curiosity, we frame our advocacy with hopefulness and pragmatism, we practice selfcare because this work isn’t sustainable without it, we organize with flexibility and persistence: we adapt and don’t give up.

We are all volunteers who work remotely. It is essential for CRHE Chapter Organizers to be self-motivated and self-directed, ready to take initiative and be proactive. Chapter organizers are granted autonomy over the day-to-day efforts and are expected to check in regularly with the Chapter Coordinator.

As a CRHE Chapter Organizer you are an ambassador of the organization. All organizers are expected to agree and abide by the CRHE Code of Ethics that all CRHE volunteers and staff sign and agree. This document, along with a guide and tips will be emailed to prospective chapter organizers and volunteers.

Why 3 organizers?

A chapter must have 3 committed organizers before it can become recognized in order to keep the workload sustainable.

CRHE Chapters should become the place to go for information on homeschooling in their state, which means organizers will be fielding requests from media, homeschool families, elected officials, child welfare advocates, and people concerned about their loved ones educational future.

Chapters also need to grow in membership, create and/or connect people to resources, educate the public, and change the local conversation on homeschool accountability. This is a herculean task for one person, it’s a lot for two people, but with three or more it becomes more sustainable and easier to avoid burnout.

What does a CRHE Chapter do?

The chapter organizers are empowered to decide which methods are most effective for organizing in their state, and determine which areas to focus on. The organizers of CRHE state chapters are responsible for:

• Providing (or creating) resources and information about homeschooling in the state to the public by sharing infographics, organizing social media campaigns, tabling at community events, etc
• Tracking state legislation
• Writing and publishing press releases about state legislation as needed
• Establishing relationships with legislators, homeschool organizations, educators, and alumni
• Organizing volunteers to write or call local elected officials in support of homeschool accountability
• Providing testimony in legislative sessions, interviewing with local (or national) media 
  

Chapter Advocacy

State chapters will advocate for policy changes that are in-line with CHRE’s policy proposals that are easily found on the CRHE website. Any organizer who has suggestions for better or more effective policy proposals are welcome and encouraged to reach out to the Chapter Coordinator who will then connect the chapter organizer with CHRE’s policy analysts.

Additionally, state chapters are encouraged to engage in advocacy activities in line with CRHE’s mission by tabling at homeschool conventions, providing resources and assistance to the local homeschool community, or organizing media awareness campaigns. 

Funding

When a state chapter is formed CRHE will grant a seed stipend for the creation of resources and networking materials such as business cards, printing brochures, and stickers. This seed will be distributed as a reimbursement for the materials printed and will require a proposal with estimates (so we can make sure we have the budget for it) and receipts for verification which can be emailed or submitted online.