Upset about FPEA going Judeo-Christian ...UPDATE IN POST #73 - Page 2

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by steffanie3

If they sent it out to vote on that seems fair to me.

(Not trying to get flamed.)

Well, we have 60 homeschooling families in our secular homeschool group who have all paid their annual dues to the FPEA and yet only a small portion of them operate under the "Judeo-Christian" principles. How is it fair to me, who is not Judeo-Christian that I have paid dues to support a secular convention, that is not even the least bit secular?!? How is it fair to all the other members of my group and other secular groups in Florida, who did not sign up to be in a Judeo-Christian group? If they had wanted to make a change, wouldn't it have been more fair to do it say, in the late spring or early summer, before everyone re-enrolls?

I'm guessing they just want everyone's money and to do with it as they please. :

[steffanie3]

They should give prorated refunds to people who choose to pull out if it passes. Do they normally do that with people who would pull out for the year for any reasons (moving or whatever)?

[Cassiopeia]

Fair and right are not necessarily the same thing.

[beanandpumpkin]

Since the workshop programs are already picked, and the ones posted are not secular by any means (and they are the only children's workshops available), I don't think it is really going to matter what the majority votes. It seems as though the decision has already been made. I agree that they should have waited until the summer, or else (before changing the children's program) sent out the packets for voting now, and made the effective date Sept 1 (or whenever the new year begins with them).

I never got anything in the mail about the workshop programs... Laura, did you (or anyone else) get the schedule for the adult workshops? Our group was slow about getting out the membership dues I think.

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by Cassiopeia

Fair and right are not necessarily the same thing.

Meaning?

[Cassiopeia]

Originally Posted by RiverSky

Meaning?

That it may be "fair" to take a vote on this, but it is not necessarily the right thing to do, particularly since it means targeting and excluding religious minorities.

eta: and like a pp, I wonder about the legality of this. If they are significantly changing their focus, they may need to reincorporate or something. Non profits have a lot of regulations they have to meet.

[TheJoyfulMom]

Originally Posted by beanandpumpkin

I never got anything in the mail about the workshop programs... Laura, did you (or anyone else) get the schedule for the adult workshops? Our group was slow about getting out the membership dues I think.

The only thing I had was about the speakers but it wasn't *the* program yet. More like an announcement. They were all very Christian as well though. And I did get it back in November. It was definitely before the holidays.

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by beanandpumpkin

Since the workshop programs are already picked, and the ones posted are not secular by any means (and they are the only children's workshops available), I don't think it is really going to matter what the majority votes. It seems as though the decision has already been made.

I agree but I want to publicize the changes before anyone else who cares about this issue gives them more money.

I'm personally going to wait to see what the ballot results in, but if the changes are approved, I will be leaving the FPEA. Which causes an interesting dilemma since I am the Director of an FPEA recognized secular homeschool group.

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by Cassiopeia

That it may be "fair" to take a vote on this, but it is not necessarily the right thing to do, particularly since it means targeting and excluding religious minorities.

eta: and like a pp, I wonder about the legality of this. If they are significantly changing their focus, they may need to reincorporate or something. Non profits have a lot of regulations they have to meet.

Ah, I see. Thank you for the clarification.

Yes, I think that calling and sending letters and packets (perhaps with conference info, the latest almanac and a copy of the proposed bylaws and articles of incorporation) to the IRS to give them a nice big heads up, is an interesting way to go.

[RiverSky]

Am I reading this right?

http://www.fpea.com/Association/BYLAWS.htm

Under IX. MISCELLANEOUS

Section 2. Amendments.
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of all votes cast by mailed-in ballots that will be mailed to all members of the Association as well as at a properly called meeting of the Association, or only through mailed-in ballots if requested by the Board. Any amendment must first be passed by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors and then a description and arguments giving various viewpoints, along with the mailed-in ballot, published in the newsletter or mailed out separately.

The red, bolded part is what I am emphasizing...

Since there are no descriptions or arguments giving various viewpoints, which were sent out with the mailed-in ballot (or mail-in ballot card) and there is nothing regarding this in the Jan-Feb FPEA Almanac magazine (newsletter), then have they failed to follow the current bylaws entirely?

If so, what can be done? Can we get them to scrap this ballot entirely because they didn't go about it properly?

Advice, anyone? Please?

[Treasuremapper]

http://homeedmag.com/INF/FREE/hsinfo_far1.html

You probably already read this, it may give you some historical background.

[lilyka]

definitely contact the group and ask for the minutes of their board meeting and information relevant to this bylaw.

get the word out anyway you can. have other people ask for this information. make sure hey also noptice the changes.

I don't know about tax information but I know one way or another it is not a big deal Our homeschool group is incorperating right now. we are deciedly Christian and the only real differece c3 vs c4 makes is weather or not people can claim contributions as tax deductions (the can't claim tuition or membership dues or money spent on snacks etc) anwyay so it would just be if someone outside the group wanted to donate. which rarely happens. and when it has they haven't been interested in a reciept for a tax write off.

I am pretty neutral as to weather or not the group wants to officially change. of people want it and vote on it then more power to them. However most people will likely not catch the changes and I strongly believe in people being informed and groups not trying to be sneaky about changes (if they didn't specifically point out the change they are counting on people not reading the articles of incorperation.) They board came to this descision fair and square and it is neither right nor wrong. I am assuming this is a voted on board. perhaps the magority of the members want this. if so whatever but everyone needs to be aware of teh changes before they vote and need to have a realistic vision of how this will change the group, that it will likely cause a big split, reduce funding, give rise to a competing group, etc etc.

as for the conference it makes sense there would be a lot of Christian offerings as there ae a lto of Christian homeschoolers. but the childrens program seems over the top. unless they are offering an alternative. which it doesn't sound like they are. I am a Christian but I am very careful about who is shaping their world view (especially when it is other Christians who may have a different theology, doctrine and just a plain different worldview).

anyway your best bet is to start getting this information out there before the vote by any means nessecary. this is a big change and it is intentionally being played way down. I don't think they even fully realize the implications of making this change. right now it seems lke you have a truely inclusive group (too often inclusive sems to mean anti Christian) where everynoes needs can be met but doing things this way will likely leave no cohesive group. that sucks since it seems like thus far this has been a good group for everyone. but someone is definitely on a mission now.

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by Treasuremapper

http://homeedmag.com/INF/FREE/hsinfo_far1.html

You probably already read this, it may give you some historical background.

No, I have not and wow oh wow! I knew that there was a lot of stuff with M. Pride but I had no idea that HEM actually wrote about it! And yup, the article talks about the FPEA, too!

Thank you, this is a wonderful resource for me to forward on.

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by lilyka

definitely contact the group and ask for the minutes of their board meeting and information relevant to this bylaw.

get the word out anyway you can. have other people ask for this information. make sure hey also noptice the changes.

I don't know about tax information but I know one way or another it is not a big deal Our homeschool group is incorperating right now. we are deciedly Christian and the only real differece c3 vs c4 makes is weather or not people can claim contributions as tax deductions (the can't claim tuition or membership dues or money spent on snacks etc) anwyay so it would just be if someone outside the group wanted to donate. which rarely happens. and when it has they haven't been interested in a reciept for a tax write off.

I am pretty neutral as to weather or not the group wants to officially change. of people want it and vote on it then more power to them. However most people will likely not catch the changes and I strongly believe in people being informed and groups not trying to be sneaky about changes (if they didn't specifically point out the change they are counting on people not reading the articles of incorperation.) They board came to this descision fair and square and it is neither right nor wrong. I am assuming this is a voted on board. perhaps the magority of the members want this. if so whatever but everyone needs to be aware of teh changes before they vote and need to have a realistic vision of how this will change the group, that it will likely cause a big split, reduce funding, give rise to a competing group, etc etc.

as for the conference it makes sense there would be a lot of Christian offerings as there ae a lto of Christian homeschoolers. but the childrens program seems over the top. unless they are offering an alternative. which it doesn't sound like they are. I am a Christian but I am very careful about who is shaping their world view (especially when it is other Christians who may have a different theology, doctrine and just a plain different worldview).

anyway your best bet is to start getting this information out there before the vote by any means nessecary. this is a big change and it is intentionally being played way down. I don't think they even fully realize the implications of making this change. right now it seems lke you have a truely inclusive group (too often inclusive sems to mean anti Christian) where everynoes needs can be met but doing things this way will likely leave no cohesive group. that sucks since it seems like thus far this has been a good group for everyone. but someone is definitely on a mission now.

Thank you so much for your input and thoughts, Lilyka.

Actually, thank you to everyone who has posted here, I really appreciate it. For a moment, I was worried that I was going to be alone in my concerns, but I am finding that I am nowhere close to alone.

I spoke with my FPEA District Director and she encouraged me to have everyone that I know that has questions or concerns about the proposed bylaw and articles of incorporation changes to please quickly call their District Director and let them know of their concerns. I guess there have already been tons of calls all over the state and they are trying to set up an emergency conference call with the heads to answer the questions that the Directors and their "constituents" have.

If you are an FPEA member, please call! Or e-mail.

On this page is a list of the Directors so that you can find your own and send them an email .
http://www.fpea.com/Association/directors.htm
In the FPEA Almanac and probably on your yahoo groups, you can find your Directors' phone number.

Please call.

[TheJoyfulMom]

I recieved a forward that included an email from John Kernohan,who was a FPEA Board Member (Jan 2000 - May 2007) and FPEA Vice-Chairman (May 2003 - May 2007). He said that he felt that it was against their own bylaws as well.

I can forward this email to you if you want it RiverSky. It has a few others emails included- including one from a former district chairperson. Just PM me if you want it.

[TheJoyfulMom]

Sorry- this was a duplicate post!

[RiverSky]

Originally Posted by TheJoyfulMom

I recieved a forward that included an email from John Kernohan,who was a FPEA Board Member (Jan 2000 - May 2007) and FPEA Vice-Chairman (May 2003 - May 2007). He said that he felt that it was against their own bylaws as well.

I can forward this email to you if you want it RiverSky. It has a few others emails included- including one from a former district chairperson. Just PM me if you want it.

Oh yeah!!!!

[justwanttoteach]

FPEA Proposed Bylaws Changes

FPEA Proposed Bylaws Changes

In response to the many inquiries I am receiving regarding the below emails and the package recently sent out by the Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA), please regard the following...

The main problem, as I see it, regarding the currently proposed by-law changes from the Florida Parent-Educators Association (FPEA) is they (the proposed bylaw changes) have been presented to the FPEA membership in direct violation of the organization's established by-laws. There are certain procedures clearly stipulated by the FPEA bylaws regarding how changes can be made to said bylaws.

Unfortunately the current FPEA Board of Directors have violated these required procedures in the manner of how they have presented the proposed bylaw changes. According to the established bylaws of the FPEA, changes to the bylaws can only be made if the membership is provided "... a description and arguments giving various viewpoints, along with the mailed-in ballot, published in the newsletter or mailed out separately." You can view this legally-obligated requirement and the entire bylaws of the FPEA on-line at www.fpea.com/Association/BYLAWS.htm.

Whether one agrees or disagrees in part or with all of the proposed bylaw changes, they (the proposed bylaw changes) should be retracted by the FPEA Board of Directors because they (the FPEA Board) MUST adhere to its own bylaws they swore to uphold and the legal statutes governing non-profit corporations.

I can only assume this is an unfortunate over-sight by FPEA Chairman, Gary Weaver, and the FPEA Board... either that or they were given inappropriate counsel from a 3rd party. I am also assuming the FPEA Board will be correcting their errors in this situation.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance or if you have additional questions regarding this or any other matter.

Sincerely,

John Kernohan,
FPEA Board Member (Jan 2000 - May 2007)
FPEA Vice-Chairman (May 2003 - May 2007

-----

From: LaWanda Sutherland <[e-mail]>
To: LaWanda Sutherland <[e-mail]>
Subject: FPEA Proposed Vote
Date: Friday, February 01, 2008 1:01:02 PM [View Source]

Friends,

You recently received a package from the FPEA asking you to vote on some changes to the FPEA by-laws, as well as the FPEA's Articles of Incorporation. As a former FPEA District Director, I am very disappointed in the proposed changes.
The FPEA is a membership driven organization and I ask that as a member, you please consider carefully the changes being proposed. There are several concerns, but my main concern is the change in the way that the Chairman is elected. If all of these changes are made as a whole, not a line-by-line change, the membership will no longer be able to elect the Chairman; this will be done by the Board of Directors.

Below is an e-mail from a dear friend and homeschooling support group leader.
She sent this e-mail to her support group and I couldn't have said it any better, so with her permission, I have included her e-mail with mine.

Again, I ask that you carefully review the changes and if you feel that these changes are not beneficial to the FPEA membership, please return the postcard with a NO vote.

Thank you,
LaWanda Sutherland
former FPEA District 5 Director (2000-2005) former FPEA District 8 Director (1999-2000)

-----

Have you ever signed anything without reading it first? We shouldn't, but many of us have. This email is a caution to please table that practice at least for a little while.

If you have not already received a package from the FPEA you will very soon.
This package contains information that I encourage you to carefully and thoughtfully consider before responding. The FPEA is asking for several changes to their by-laws, including their mission statement, and their articles of incorporation. The changes are not marked in any fashion, nor does the letter that accompanies the packet make clear what these changes are. To find the proposed changes, you have to read, line by line, both the current and proposed bylaws and articles.

My eyes are burning and my head is aching from trying to do this. So far I've located several changes. First is the change in the mission statement. FPEA would like to included the phrase "Judeo-Christian principles" in their mission statement. Second, the description of membership, (section 2 of the by-laws), has been expanded from 2 paragraphs to over 3 pages. The requested changes amend everything from voting rights to notice of meetings. Other changes include adjusting the term of office held by a director from 2 to 4 and the FPEA Chairman would no longer be voted on by the membership. Instead, the FPEA Directors will vote on the Chairman. There's also an entirely new section that addresses income and specifically states "The Association shall be funded by membership dues, government grants and contracts, ..... grants from private foundations, contributions from business organizations, ....". Lastly, the section on amendments has been reworded to include some new language and excludes a primary responsibility of the board when proposed amendments are mailed, (see my second to the last paragraph for elaboration).

If you would like to read the current FPEA by-laws you may do so at this link.
http://www.fpea.com/Association/BYLAWS.htm. I may be overlooking them but I cannot find the current articles at the FPEA website.

My comments are not intended to sway anyone into any decisions. However, I would ask you to consider both sides. Look at the current by-laws and surmise what the proposed changes could mean for you and other current as well as future members to the FPEA. I would like to point out that current by-laws require proposed amendments be mailed to us with "a description and arguments giving various viewpoints". I did not receive any such material in my packet.

Lastly, the proposed changes are not being individually addressed. As the ballot is written, you must either accept or reject all proposed changes. If you like one of the changes but oppose the rest, you cannot vote for what you approve and reject what you oppose. It's an all or nothing proposal. Based solely on this, I will be voting "no" on my ballot.

Thanks for listening.

Blessings
Susan

[musicmamma]

WOW!!! I'm not a member yet, but it's part of the homeschool group membership that I'm thinking about joining.

I have to say that I personally would have no problem with it being a Christian organization . . .

BUT I have been a part of multiple non profits and am appalled that they would neglect their own bylaws!!! I hope that those of you who are members are able to effect change so that the bylaws are followed.

I would also think that if they were to change their status, through proper procedure of course, that they would help those members who are not following Judeo Christian principles with setting up another organization. That only makes sense! You don't just say, "We'll change this, oh and by the way, it sucks to be you!" Which is what it seems is being done. AHHHH!

Oh, btw Hi I'm new to this area of mothering! :

[RiverSky]

Welcome, Musicmamma!!