Co-operative: Home Options In Childhood Education

C:HOICE homeschooling group mandate and guiding principles

C:HOICE provides homeschooling support and playtime in an open, co-operative and respectful environment. Guiding principles outline the spirit in which this mandate is fulfilled, while our members' agreement provides practical details concerning how the principles are put into action.

Mandate

C:HOICE is here to provide homeschooling kids with a playgroup, homeschooling teens with a social network, and homeschoolers' parents with a support group and a pool of homeschooling resources, all in an open (i.e. inclusive), co-operative and respectful environment.

Guiding Principles: Openness, Co-operation, Respect

C:HOICE was created in response to a specific configuration of needs not met by existing groups. In order to remain true to its purpose, C:HOICE is defined by certain basic principles: openness (i.e. inclusiveness), co-operation (working together as equals and abiding by the group rules), and respect (consensus decision-making and non-adversarial conflict resolution). These guiding principles outline the spirit in which the mandate is fulfilled, while our Members' Agreement, Event-Planning Agreement, Effective Group Work handout and Online Communication Guidelines provide practical details concerning how the principles are put into action. When Members join, they're agreeing to abide by these principles as a foundation and as the context within which to make any further group decisions. The responsibility is to maintain these principles and practice these methods; the privilege is to enjoy the results: an atmosphere that is open (inclusive), co-operative, and respectful.

1. OPEN (inclusive)

C:HOICE is open to anyone interested in homeschooling, regardless of educational method or religion. All we ask is that those who join be genuinely in favour of the C:HOICE principles and practices, and be willing to abide by the Members' Agreement, Event-Planning Agreement, Effective Group Work and Online Communication guidelines, no matter what their personal level of involvement.

There are many homeschooling groups open only to one faith. C:HOICE is open to people of all beliefs who are willing to participate in the spirit of C:HOICE as defined by all of the principles described here, and in their practice as detailed in the handouts.

There is room in C:HOICE for affinity groups, in which members who share a religious or philosophical affinity can meet as a sub-group, operating under the same principles as the main group, and still connected to it.

2. CO-OPERATIVE (working as equals and abiding by the rules)

C:HOICE is a co-operative group, i.e. one run by its members working co-operatively and collaboratively together. It's not a conventional co-op, however, as it has no board of directors and is not ruled by majority vote, but is governed instead by the consensus of its members within the limits of its foundational principles and methods.

C:HOICE is a non-hierarchical group: everyone has an ongoing opportunity to become involved in the decision-making and organizing. Any role, such as that of co-ordinator of a project, is an organizational cog in the wheel, not a position of hierarchical power. All involved members have equal power and an equal voice to shape each of the group's activities, non-foundational policies, and services, within the boundaries of C:HOICE's foundational mandate and methods.

C:HOICE was created as an alternative to network-style groups in which decisions are made and implemented by individuals without consultation and consensus with all who wish to be involved. C:HOICE was created to meet the needs of those members who prefer to be kept informed, to be consulted, to share their ideas, to have the opportunity to express their concerns and have them addressed respectfully, and to share the tasks involved in organizing any gathering.

There is room in C:HOICE for individuals who prefer not to be involved in any organizing or decision-making: they're welcome to attend and participate in C:HOICE events, activities and services as members if they're willing to abide by the Members' Agreement, Event-Planning Agreement, Effective Group Work and Online Communication guidelines.

There is also room in C:HOICE for individuals with ideas, energy and organizational skills to contribute: they're welcome to participate in event organizing and in decision-making about non-foundational policies and services if they're willing to channel their efforts into groupwork with all the other involved members, engaging in good communication, consultation and consensus-building, and to abide by the Members' Agreement, Event-Planning Agreement, Effective Group Work and Online Communication guidelines.

3. RESPECTFUL (consensus and non-adversarial resolution)

C:HOICE takes the co-operative approach one step further than the conventional co-op structure, by following certain guidelines for consensus decision-making and non-adversarial problem-solving. Based on win-win conflict resolution and outlined in the Effective Group Work handout, this approach boils down to clarity and respect.

To join C:HOICE, contact us at c-hoice@rogers.com or connect with us through the playgroup.