Some features of this Group Services section are available only to our Discount Groups and Affiliates. To register for log-in access, you will need your group’s name, the zip code of the organization you represent, and the access code provided in your Discount Group or Affiliate confirmation letter or email. If you do not have this information, please contact Group Services.

Practical Leadership Helps

My friend Cam Leedahl dedicated her out-of-print book on homeschool leadership (which I am hoping to convince her to revise and re-release!) as follows:

Dedicated to those home educating leaders
who are willing to go the extra mile,
to those weary of the extra mile,
and to those aspiring towards a better mile.

I can think of no better way to dedicate this section of our website.

May you find in these pages—for leaders, by leaders—renewed vision of the eternal value of your efforts, an outlet to share your leadership wisdom, encouragement to continue as the Lord leads you, and inspiration to try new ideas.

Vicki Bentley
HSLDA Group Services Director

Please pardon our “dust” as this page is under construction.

To see all items in a category, click on the topic heading.

Starting a Group

“A Checklist for New Homeschool Groups” by Carol Topp

“Media Relations” by Cam Leedahl

“Talking Tips” by HSLDA—Seven tips to help you represent home education to the media.

First Class Homeschool Ministries—How to start a church-based homeschool co-op

“10 Essential Elements of a Co-Op” by Joy Kita

Activities & Field trips

Activity Days for Homeschool Groups and Families by Marcia Washburn

Interest survey with topics and activities—sample from SCHE

Activities for Group Meetings by Vicki Bentley

“Field Trip Guidelines”—sample from Shenandoah Christian Home Educators, Virginia

Boards and Administration

By-laws and statements of faith—See Financial & Legal Issues

Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them, and Not Burn Out by Carol Topp—Pros and cons of being in a homeschool co-op. How to start a co-op, including running your first planning meeting. Ideas for classes and activities for all ages. Helpful advice on dealing with volunteers, setting policies, managing money, and handling conflict.

“Overcome Common Co-op Problems” Carol Topp (guest blogger Carren Joye)

“Making Families of Handicapped Students Welcome” by Esther Mast

Servant Leadership issue of TEACH magazine (Spring 2001)

HSLDA non-member letter sample - For families on the roster who are no longer members of your group

“Practical Aspects of Successful Leadership”—CHEA (CA)

“Preparing Homeschoolers for Conflict”—Peacemaker Ministries’ Annette Friesen talks to leaders about preparing for possible conflict. Includes conciliation clauses and more.

“Including Children with Special Needs in Co-ops”—Newsletter by HSLDA special needs consultant Faith Berens

The following articles are only available to Discount Groups. Please log in to access these articles.

Coordinator agreement—sample from SCHE, Virginia

Yahoo groups instructions - sample from SCHE, Virginia

Meeting Ideas and Topics

Interest survey with topics and activities—sample from SCHE

Activities for Group Meetings by Vicki Bentley

“Meetings In Minutes”—help us develop speaking outlines, handouts, and other tools for the exclusive use of our Discount Group leaders.

Dads: Men in the Gap (video/discussion) 90-minute DVD with study guide; Discussion by 7 dads of five major roles of a dad

Sample handout for Dads: Men in the Gap

Meetings in Minutes

“Meetings In Minutes”—help us develop speaking outlines, handouts, and other tools for the exclusive use of our Discount Group leaders.

“Lessons Learned” by Vicki Bentley. Activity for the last support group meeting of the year

“Speed Mentoring” by Elizabeth Kennedy and Vicki Bentley

Mentoring

“Fishing 101” by Vicki Bentley—Mentoring programs for homeschool groups.

“Mentoring for Groups” by Diane Kummer

Considering Homeschooling Non-profit organization assisting Christian parents with babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children with information on homeschooling.

First Class Homeschool Ministries—Church-based homeschool co-ops with a mentoring component.

Home Education 101—Mentor’s manual and parent workbook for mentoring new homeschoolers.

Smoothing the Way is a support group dedicated to serving first-year homeschooling mothers.

“Speed Mentoring” by Elizabeth Kennedy and Vicki Bentley

Speed Mentoring bio questionnaire example

“Making the Most of Your Time with Your Mentor”

“Speed Mentoring Conversation Starters”

Miscellaneous Resources

Spotlight on Support Groups

Roster Rewards Recipients (Discount Group Honor Roll!) Fall 2010
These groups all updated their rosters as requested and got prizes!

Articles, links, and examples in this section are provided for educational purposes and are not necessarily endorsed by HSLDA.