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Getting Acquainted with
Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME)
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What is HOME all
about and why does it exist?
Homeschoolers of
Maine is dedicated to furthering the
interests of the education of children by
their parents by all lawful means, including,
but not limited to, support of and assistance
to families who are educating their own
children, dissemination of legislative and
other information affecting the rights of
parents to direct the education and
upbringing of their children, participation
in and sponsorship of conventions and
educational seminars for teaching parents,
and lobbying and public relation activities
with state and federal officials, both
elected and appointed.
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How does HOME aid
in the creation and growth of support groups throughout Maine?
HOME has provided direction
and guidance to many local homeschool families
wishing to get together for mutual support and
encouragement. HOME maintains a current list of
support groups, and refers new homeschoolers to
their nearest local group. Local support group
leaders are kept up to date with periodic mailings
from HOME. These contain information on events,
activities, news, legislative alerts, etc., to share
with support group members. Support group leaders
from around the state gather at the annual
convention, held in the spring, for further updates,
sharing and fellowship. |
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What is necessary
to maintain a favorable legal climate and
protect the future freedoms of home educators
in Maine and in our nation?
Over the years we have
remained vigilant and protective of our freedom to
homeschool. Before taking any action on an issue,
counsel is sought from various organizations such as
Home School Legal Defense Association, Christian
Civic League, etc. HOME efforts include much prayer,
discussion and thought before taking action. Once a
decision is made, support groups are updated via
legislative alerts. E-mail, fax, and phone are all
utilized to keep the information flowing, so that
families can make decisions on issues that might
impact their ability to educate their children at
home. HOME strongly encourages HSLDA membership. A
15% discount toward a family’s membership dues to
HSLDA is available for families who also subscriber
to The Heart of HOME newsletter. The Christian Civic
League provides a watchful presence in Augusta and
legislative information when needed. On the Federal
level we participate in the National Center for Home
Education’s Congressional Action Program in
Washington D.C. and their annual Legislative
Briefing Day in March. |
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In what ways does
HOME promote home education over alternative
forms of education outside of the home?
HOME promotes public
awareness of home education through media
interviews, press releases, communication with the
Department of Education, civic involvement, Home
Education Week activities, support of accurate home
education research and its publication, and
interaction with other state and national
organizations. |
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How does HOME
encourage sound, high quality home education
programs by parents or legal guardians for
the purpose of developing the spiritual,
intellectual, physical, and emotional growth
needs of their children?
Through God’s grace
dedicated families and local support groups help to
meet the needs of the ever growing number of new
homeschoolers in our state. Veteran home educators
guide rookies through their first year, plan special
classes and field trips, hold science fairs,
graduation ceremonies, etc. HOME publications such
as The Heart of HOME newsletter bring education,
news, information and encouragement bi-monthly to
the home school family. The annual state home
education convention provides top-notch speakers,
workshops and a curriculum fair for the continuing
education of parent educators. |
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How does HOME
operate on a day to day basis?
Home Board of Directors
meet bi-monthly to make decisions for the annual
convention, discuss upcoming legislative issues,
etc. The daily work of the office  is shouldered by Ed and Kathy Green
as they operate HOME’s office from their
home. The Green’s spend up to 8 - 10 hours daily
taking care of phone calls, correspondence,
mailings, updating mailing lists and numerous other
jobs. The Board is in constant communication via
E-mail, phone, fax and mail between meetings. HOME
is working behind the scenes daily throughout the
year, but is especially busy in August as many new
families get ready to begin their first year of
homeschooling in September. |
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How is HOME
funded and how is the money used?
Our largest fund raiser is
the annual convention. After expenses for the
convention, HOME generates enough monies to operate
for 6-8 months, from this event. Subscriptions to The Heart of HOME
and love offerings help to carry us the rest of the
year. The money is used to pay for The Heart of HOME
to be published and mailed, pay our telephone bill
(which can run several hundred dollars during some
months), update computers, purchase office supplies,
help send our President and Board members to the
National Leadership Convention, etc. No Board member
in HOME is paid for their services to the
organization or reimbursed for lost income while attending legislative
meetings, etc. The monies are used to purchase items
that HOME needs to operate, while HOME depends on
volunteered time to provide services to the
homeschooling community. |
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How can I support
the efforts of HOME?
Pray that HOME continues to
hold true to a vision for homeschooling that brings
glory to God, who entrusted families with the care
and nurturing of their children. Join us as a
volunteer and help to serve others within the homeschool community. Make a financial donation by
subscribing to our newsletter, or become a Founding
Family. Plan now to attend our
annual convention. You will reap many benefits, and
support HOME’s biggest fund raising effort of the
year! |
If you have any questions
concerning HOME or its services, or desire to volunteer,
please contact HOME. (207)
763-2880 |