Most big projects are accomplished with the help of other people, and starting a homeschool group is certainly no exception. That’s why forming a board of directors is so vital—it’s a set of people to come alongside you and support you in forming and running your homeschool group.

A board of directors is also a key component of day-to-day governance. For example, when your group needs to make a decision (whether big or small), you can work as a team to research the issue and come to conclusions. You can also delegate regular responsibilities—such as keeping track of finances, filing paperwork, or updating the group directory—to other members of your board.

Typically, the board’s specific authority and responsibilities are determined by the organizational bylaws. (If you haven’t read about bylaws yet, check out this article!)  

You may be wondering whether you should establish a board of directors for your group, why a board is important, what the structure of a board looks like, and how to set one up. Keep reading to learn all about it!

Does our group need a board of directors?

Generally, any incorporated entity will be legally required to establish a board of directors, although we recommend verifying all legal requirements with a local attorney.

However, even if your group is not incorporated or is operating more informally, you may benefit from the guidance and accountability that a board of directors can provide. If you prefer, you could simply call it an advisory board.

A board of directors (or advisory board) can provide clarity for your group’s growth, wisdom in determining your group’s scope, guidance with financial decisions, and perspective for long-term success. Additionally, it can provide confidence in your group’s decisions and direction for families interested in joining! Even though a board may not always be required, we encourage you to consider these benefits.

How do we determine our board structure?

First, check your state law to determine if there are any local requirements. Some may have regulations regarding how many board members you need, the scope of your board, and responsibilities. If your group is incorporated, these requirements should be included in the board guidelines of your bylaws.

Once you have met any legal requirements, determine the scope of operations for your board.

  • Will they be exclusively responsible for your group’s financial decisions?
  • Will they handle day-to-day decisions like semester calendars, special events, and course offerings, or will those responsibilities fall to the co-op directors?
  • Will the board simply administrate things like co-op policies, regulations, and disciplinary issues?
  • Will the board be expected to engage in raising money and representing the organization to the community? In many organizations, this is expected of the board.

How do we choose a board of directors?

First, determine the number of individuals that you would like to serve on your board. (Check your state’s law in case there are regulations about board size.) We recommend selecting an odd number of directors in case of voting ties. We also recommend not exceeding seven directors on your board. This makes it easier to reach a quorum for meetings in case some people are absent and not have so many people that decisions get bogged down by too many opinions.

Identify directors who can provide knowledge and expertise that you may not have! Your board is there to support your group, but also to challenge your perspective, help you grow, and keep you accountable to your mission and vision.

Consider what would be helpful to your group: would homeschool veterans who have graduated all their children provide valuable insight? If you are a Christian group, would a pastor provide a unique perspective to help guide decision making? If possible, we recommend including both men and women as well as people from different backgrounds to increase the perspectives and wisdom to draw on.

How should our board be structured?

Though the structure of your board is somewhat determined by the number of people, here are some standard board positions:

  • Even if not legally required, we strongly recommend having a chairperson (or president—you can determine position titles that fit your organization). This individual is responsible for determining meeting agendas, facilitating meetings, and ensuring the board is fulfilling their duties. Some groups have their co-op director in this position.
  • The vice chairperson (or vice president) runs meetings in the chair’s absence and is usually the next chair.
  • The secretary takes care of paperwork, schedules meetings, keeps track of meeting minutes, and submits them to the board for approval.
  • The treasurer keeps records of the group’s finances and provides reports as needed. In small organizations, the secretary and treasurer roles are frequently combined.
  • You can also choose to appoint a sergeant-at-arms to keep people on track if you determine that keeping meetings running on time is an issue. Regardless of position, all directors can vote, bring motions forward, and provide updates to the board as needed.

Also, make sure to lay out the positional requirements of your board in your bylaws. Even if you are not incorporated, we recommend creating job descriptions so that your volunteers know what is required of them.

Wrapping it up

Be wise when selecting your board of directors! They are your strategic team. They will determine your group’s direction and provide vital support as your group operates and grows.

Keep reading this series to learn more about nonprofit status!