Northern Nevada Home Schools, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, November 23, 2004, 3:30 P.M.

Sierra View Library, Virginia & Peckham, Reno

Present:

Jim Poston, Chair

Patti Poston, Secretary

Carol Williams, Treasurer

David Pennington, Editor

Carl Lucas, Director

Jim Demuth, Director

Elizabeth Dahl, Director

Heather Mayorga, Director

Absent:

Bethany Callahan

Guests:

Gina Hawley

Carol Demuth

1. Call to order and approval of agenda

Meeting called to order at 3:38pm

Agenda approved~~Approval of agenda~~

2. Approve minutes of October 21, 2004 meeting

October minutes approved

3. Comments by members and discussion of comments

Gina Hawley said, “You guys rock!” Comment noted for the record.

Carol Demuth asked if the school district is required to give out certain information in response to inquiries or during presentations. It was generally agreed that the districts often aren’t expert in the state statutes and regulations, but usually know more than the prospective homeschooler, so the homeschooler can’t tell if what he or she is told corresponds to state law. It’s a tough situation. We can only help by publicizing as much as we can. The Home School Legal Defense Association assists individual homeschoolers in legal matters.

Reports:

a. Chair – Jim Poston

No report

b. Treasurer – Carol Williams

See attached report

Meridian Gold awarded NNHS a check in the amount of $500. See attached letter.

c. Care Committee – Bethany Callahan

Carol said Bethany has received her calling card and stamps and envelopes and other office supplies.

d. School Board watch – Carl Lucas

Carl would like to withdraw from the School Board watch. It was agreed that Jim P. will forward the contact information for northern Nevada school boards and the directors can individually decide to sign up. If anyone sees anything newsworthy, he or she will bring it to the board. There was a discussion about Washoe County’s Dual Enrollment policy being out of compliance with state law because it defines space available as “does not eliminate potential space for Washoe County School District students”. The website will be changed so that the state law is posted as well as Washoe County’s policy.

e. Conference Committee – Cheryl Cardoza

No Report. Jim P. is concerned because no date has been set, and that the number of volunteers might be too low to allow a quality conference to be held.

Old Business

4. NNHS representative to Northern Nevada Home School Advisory Council – We need a dedicated volunteer to participate in the Advisory Council. – Jim P. will contact Marita Sanders and Penny Roullier.

5. Electronic newsletter – David is able to produce PDF versions of the newsletter. The PDF version keeps the layout identical to the printed version, and also adds full color. Jim P. proposed that we ask the membership if they would like the electronic version alone, the printed version alone, or both. We can offer a discount to members who select the electronic version alone. David moved that there should be an adjusted rate for electronic vs. printed newsletters. Jim D. seconded. It was discussed that our mailing permit requires a minimum number of pieces to qualify for lower rates. It was agreed that the actual discount should reflect the costs of producing and distributing the newsletter, less any discounts for quantity. Motion passed unanimously.

6. Education Collaborative – Postponed till next meeting to answer questions about how NNHS members will be identified, whether all members would have to shop on the same day, the type of materials available, etc..

7. Volunteers – The Board previously decided to restrict access to electronic services to members, with a limited-time free access for prospective members. A proposal presented at October’s meeting had additional incentives for volunteers. – Carol Williams made a motion to provide a discount to volunteers. Elizabeth seconded and motion carried. This will be further discussed via email and a motion will be proposed at the next meeting.[JLP1]

New Business

8. Community Service – Elizabeth will research this and find some feasible things, entertain suggestions and find out what NNHS can do as a service to the community.

9. Next meeting – Patti made a motion to cancel the December meeting and have our next meeting in January. Elizabeth seconded and motion carried. Tuesday, January 18^th3:30pm. At Sierra View Library

10. Adjourn

Meeting Adjourned at 5:30pm

11. Future agenda items

a. Staggering terms of office (old) – two named officers, two at-large

b. NNHS election policy/procedure (old)

c. Visibility of NNHS in northern Nevada

d. Student competitions, entries from NNHS (spelling bee, geography bee, science fair, athletic teams, debate tournaments, Future Cities, MathCounts, etc.)