Laura Freudig’s homeschool co-op in Maine has all the membership it can handle—and then some. So group leaders are looking to make a change.

As she explained: “A zippered cash bag stuffed with checks for co-op fees and a three-ring binder with hand-written lists are no longer sufficient to keep track of the fifty-plus students who participate, not to mention their parents and younger siblings.”

They believe the best way to proceed is by adding a board of directors and becoming a nonprofit. But this step involves details they haven’t dealt with before, from tax laws to rules covering how such a governing body must be organized.

Faced with questions about how to start this new venture, Laura did what a lot of homeschool groups leaders do: she called HSLDA.

Darren Jones, HSLDA senior counsel, spoke with Laura in April. The conversation was one of 15 hehad that week with homeschool group leaders across the country who were seeking guidance on a variety of subjects.

For more than 15 years, Jones has led HSLDA’s efforts to assist homeschool groups. We  provide practical guidance to help group leaders decide how to pursue their goals, which includes determining whether they will need specific legal advice from a private attorney.

“HSLDA makes cultivating groups a priority because we know how important it is to homeschool in community,” said Jones. “I have found that true for my own children, who have participated in everything from co-op classes (including ones that I taught), to homeschool sports, to homeschool drama clubs.”

Money Matters

The discussion Jones had with Laura touched on one of the topics he deals with most frequently—how to handle finances.

Smaller groups often operate on a completely voluntary basis. Instructors are not paid, and money never changes hands. However, once groups reach a size where they can offer a greater range of services and activities, it may make sense to start collecting fees or accepting donations.

But becoming a formal entity that accepts other people’s money places an organization in a higher category of accountability.

“As I like to say,” Jones quipped, “money is the root of all paperwork.”

For group leaders who are considering forming a nonprofit, Jones conducts a high-level review of the benefits and potential liabilities. For example, nonprofits don’t have to pay taxes, and donations they receive may be tax deductible for the donor. On the other hand, failure to properly document revenue and expenditures can provoke a hefty fine from the Internal Revenue Service.

[subhead]Continuing a Good Work

As for the specific question pertaining to her own group, Laura said speaking with Jones helped confirm that individuals who volunteer with the co-op can also be on the board. The hope is to appoint a board of directors within the next 12 months. That should allow them to structure the group in a way that would shield the leadership and members from any potential liability and codify their mission and systems for smoother leadership transitions so the co-op will continue long into the future.

“We’re at the upper limit of what we can handle,” Laura explained. “We want to be able to let new people in while being true to the culture we’ve established.”

Currently the co-op meets one day a week at a local church. Parents teach classes on topics that appeal to them. For several years Laura has taught a drama course that regularly puts on a student play. Her own daughter took part in the spring production of The Secret Garden.

“It’s extremely low-budget,” Laura said. “We make all our props out of refrigerator boxes. But it’s a great opportunity for kids to get past being shy.”

In this way, she added, the benefits of producing these plays reflect the importance of being involved in a homeschool group overall.

“It’s good to think about how I can bless other families and not just hold my kids tightly in my own little nest,” said Laura. “It also blesses my kids because they can see other families walking the same path.”

Other Issues

Other topics Jones covered during his busy week in April exemplify the wide range of information HSLDA typically provides to group leaders. For example:

  • An Oregon group asked how to partner with the state homeschool organization to expand the reach of its annual curriculum sale. The arrangement would allow the smaller group to promote its event to a broader audience while coming under the umbrella of the state organization’s nonprofit status.
  • A Florida group inquired about how to maintain robust policies for child safety. In response, Jones pointed out resources for performing background checks and establishing regular training sessions. He also explained how to find whether state laws make adults participating in any particular group mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect.
  • A Maine entrepreneur asked about issues to consider while designing an outdoor school catering to homeschooling families. Jones began by showing how to ensure such a venture conforms with state homeschool laws. He also discussed another common topic—making certain the program obtains adequate liability insurance.

“There are so many things to think about when forming or expanding a homeschool group,” noted Jones. “Some of these issues, such as how to comply with zoning laws or accommodate students with disabilities, delve into areas that really require consulting a specialist. HSLDA is happy to help, because we know how important it is for homeschooling families to come together for mutual support and encouragement.”