Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The Aspire Group By-Laws 
 
www.aspirehomeschool.org 
 
August 2019 
 
Article I. NAME, PURPOSE, MISSION AND VALUES, LOCATION A. Name:  The name of this organization shall be The Aspire Group, Inc. B. Purpose:  The Purpose of The Aspire Group (referred to as “Group” or “Aspire” throughout this document) is to provide like-minded support to families who educate some or all of their children at home in a Christ-centered, parent-driven manner.   Such support will include classes, field trips, educational activities, service projects, social events, and community programs to promote fellowship among the families of Group members and to enhance our children’s home education. Other purposes of the Group may include: providing information and encouragement to prospective homeschool parents; assisting other likeminded homeschool support groups; joining with other homeschool support groups by sponsoring speakers, field trips, and educational activities; etc. C. Mission:   i. Support - to provide social, educational, and spiritual support to Christian families who educate some or all of their children at home. ii. Community - to create a grace-filled community of Christian families with a strong passion to raise world-changers in the next generation. iii. Empower - to change the cultural perceptions of home education and empower all families to follow the Lord’s Will in educational choices for their students. D. Values & Objectives:   i. To support families in the home education of their children. ii. To unite homeschool families and students, enhancing their homeschooling experience with affordable, quality, fun-filled learning through group classes, activities, community, and participation. iii. To develop and strengthen the community of homeschool families, leading to the cultivation of community by serving each other and coming alongside one another to face life’s challenges and grow in faith. iv. To equip homeschool families with information and resources. v. To develop the God-given talents, abilities, creativity, and leadership among homeschool families and students, as well as, provide a forum for sharing ideas and gifts to strengthen the Tulsa area homeschooling community. vi. To promote homeschooling through community service projects and with the support of local church communities and businesses. 

 Article II. STATEMENT OF FAITH A. We believe there is only one true God, and He exists eternally.  He was not created. He always has been and always will be God.  B. We believe God exists in 3 persons - Father, Son, and Spirit.  All are equal.  All are God.   C. We believe all things were created by God.  There is nothing, which exists, that was not created by God.  D. We believe all people were created in the image of God.  People of all origins, nations, and backgrounds are loved by their creator and should be treated with dignity and respect.   E. We believe the Biblical definition of marriage is one man and one woman (see Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). F. We believe the Bible was written by men who were inspired by God; therefore, the Bible is God’s very words and 100% truth.  G. We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God - one of three equal persons making up the one true God.  He is fully God and fully man.  H. We believe the following core truths about Jesus documented in the scriptures: He was Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life, He suffered and died on the cross, He rose from the grave in bodily form, He ascended to Heaven where He sits at God's right hand, and He will return one day and reign forever as the rightful King of all people and creation.  I. We believe that due to the fall of man (see Genesis 3), people are sinful by nature causing all to have sinned.  And, we believe that God has justly condemned all people because of their sin. J. We believe that Jesus was without sin and yet was punished with death on a cross.  Therefore, according to scripture, all who put their faith in Jesus are no longer condemned because Jesus' death is seen by God as a substitute for the death they deserve.  K. We believe God desires that ALL people, through faith in His Son, be reconciled to Him and dwell in His love and care forever.  L. We believe that when a person comes to Jesus for salvation, they are forgiven of their sins, reconciled to God, and given the gift of eternal life.  All who come to Jesus in faith will live forever in His kingdom. M. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells all people who put their faith in Jesus and empowers them to overcome sin, demonstrate God’s love by living sacrificially for others, and to participate in Jesus' mission to make disciples. 
 
Article III. MEMBERSHIP A. The organization will not have voting members.  All decisions will be made by the Board of Directors and/or the Operational Leadership Team consisting of the Executive Director and all Program Directors.  Participating Members can nominate Officers for the Board of Directors as detailed in the below requirements. B. Membership Requirements for Participation i. The membership of the Group shall consist of families who educate one or more of their children at home, as described previously, and who meet the following requirements:  Agree to abide by the By-laws and all policies of Aspire. 
 Agree to be a visible member during the current school year and sign all Aspire Volunteer Commitment agreements.  Agree to review the Aspire Student Commitment agreement with your children and have each student sign the acknowledgement form.  7th through 12th grade students must review and sign a commitment to abide by the Aspire JH & SH Rules of Conduct for older students.  Agree to complete the membership information forms and sign a Waiver of Liability form for the Group and all partner churches.  Agree to follow all requirements listed for the different Aspire Programs.  Agree to have a background check and search acquired on all adults living in the member family home and/or volunteering at Aspire events.  Paid all required fees for the Aspire Programs for family participation. C. Revoking Membership i. Misuse of the Roster, personal information, E-mail, or any other Group lists may result in membership being revoked or other disciplinary action as determined by leadership and/or BARC. ii. If any “red flags” or issues are found during the background check and search, they will be presented to leadership and/or BARC for discussion and a voting process.  Based on this vote, Aspire reserves the right to deny or revoke membership to any family. iii. Abuse of the Attendance and Late Arrival Policy may result in membership being revoked or other disciplinary action as determined by leadership and/or BARC. iv. Any serious behavior issues with a child or adult may result in membership being revoked or other disciplinary action determined by leadership and/or BARC. v. Not paying the semester fees of the Group by the communicated deadline may result in membership being revoked or other disciplinary action determined by leadership and/or BARC. vi. If an unresolved problem arises within the Group, and leadership and/or BARC has followed Matthew 18:15-17 (see conflict resolution process), leadership and/or BARC can vote to revoke the membership of involved members. D. Board of Directors Communications and Nominations i. Participating Aspire Members can communicate to the Chairman of the Board at any time using the Board of Director Communication Form on the Group website in the Parent Portal.  ii. Participating Aspire Members will have the option to nominate new Officers for the Board of Directors each Spring Semester through the Nominating Committee. iii. The Board of Directors reserves the right to present any matter to the Aspire Participating Members for a voting decision. 
 
Article IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS A. The date of the regular annual meeting for members with the Board of Directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors who will also set the time and place. B. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such place and time as shall be designated by the standing resolution of the Board. C. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Board. 
D. Members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as members participating in such meeting can hear one another.  Members of the Board may vote by e-mail, text, or other electronic means that provide identification evidence. E. Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting will be posted in the Parent Portal of the Group website in a timely manner. Some sensitive information may be redacted. 
 
Article V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS A. The business of the Group shall be managed by a Board of Directors comprised of at least 3 Board members.  The Board is responsible for maintaining the overall policy and direction of the organization.  The Board shall delegate responsibility of day-today operations to the Executive Director and appropriate committees.  Board members shall receive no compensation (other than approved reimbursed expenses) for their service on the Board. B. The Board shall meet at least 4 times per year at an agreed upon time and location.  Board members shall not miss more than 1 meeting per year. C. All Board members shall serve for 1 year or 2 year terms, that will be purposefully staggered, and can be eligible for re-election indefinitely. D. Any Director may be removed from office without assigning any cause by a unanimous vote of the Board at any meeting of the Board. E. Any Director may resign at any time by giving notice to the organization. F. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating Committee will present nominees to fill the vacant spot.  Nominees will be voted on by the Board. G. A quorum must be attended by at least 51% of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed. H. The Board of Directors shall hire and fix the compensation of any and all employees which they in their discretion may determine to be necessary for the conduct of the business of the Group. 
 
Article VI. OFFICERS A. The Officers of the Group Board shall be the Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall appoint each of these Officers.  The Board may also appoint other Officers it deems necessary. B. The Board of Directors shall appoint Officers for a term established by the Board. C. Any Officer may be removed from office without assigning any cause by the unanimous vote of the Board at any meeting of the Board. D. Officers of the Board will not be compensated via salary or other benefits for their service as an Officer of the Board. E. Chairman – The Chairman shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings and shall preside or arrange for other members of the Board to preside at each meeting in the following order: Vice Chair and Secretary. F. Vice Chair – The Vice Chair will chair committees on special subjects as designated by the Board.  In addition, the Vice Chair will facilitate meetings in the absence of the Board Chairman. G. Secretary – The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all Board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained. 
H. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting.  The Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fund raising plans, and make financial information available to Board members, operational staff/volunteers, and the participating members. 
 
Article VII. CONFLICT OF INTEREST A. Whenever a Director or Officer has a financial or personal interest in any matter coming before the Board of Directors, the affected person shall (1) fully disclose the nature of the interest and (2) withdraw from discussion, lobbying, and voting on the matter.  Any transaction or vote involving a potential conflict of interest shall be approved only when a majority of disinterested Directors determine that it is in the best interest of the Group to do so.  The minutes of meetings at which such votes are taken shall record such disclosure, abstention and rationale for approval. 
 
Article VIII. COMMITTEES A. The Board may create committees as needed, such as public relations or other program committees.  The Board Chairman shall appoint all committee chairs. B. No committee shall have any power to: fill vacancies on the Board, adopt, amend, or repeal the by-laws, amend or repeal any resolution of the Board, or act on matters committed by the by-laws or resolution of the Board to another committee of the Board. C. Finance Committee – The Treasurer shall be the chair of the Finance Committee.  The Finance Committee shall be composed of at least 2 Board members.  The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and reviewing fiscal procedures, overseeing the annual audit, and reviewing and explaining the annual budget to the full Board.  The budget is approved by the vote of the full Board.  Financial reports and updates shall be provided by the Finance Committee to the Board at least quarterly. 
 
Article IX. INDEMNIFICATION A. The Group shall indemnify any agent of the Group including Directors, Officers, Staff, Contractors, Volunteers, and Members who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding, administrative or investigative, as such a person was or is an authorized representative of the Group.  This indemnification against expenses, judgements, fines, and amount paid in settlements actually or reasonably incurred by such a representative of the organization is contingent upon the determination that such person acted in good faith and in a manner he/she believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Group.  With respect to any criminal proceeding, indemnified persons shall have had no cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. B. To satisfy indemnification obligations the organization may maintain insurance, obtain a letter of credit, act as a self-insurer, create a reserve trust, cash collateral, enter into indemnification agreements, or use any other arrangement whatsoever in such amounts, at such costs and upon other terms and conditions that the Board shall deem appropriate.  The Group does carry Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance and covered agents under this policy will be informed of the Group’s indemnification policy and what it covers. C. This indemnification shall be made only if the organization shall be advised by its 
Board of Directors acting (1) by a quorum consisting of Directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding upon a finding that, or (2) if a quorum under is not obtainable with due diligence, upon the opinion in writing of legal counsel that, the Director or Officer has met the foregoing applicable standard of conduct.  If the foregoing determination is to be made by the Board of Directors, it may rely as to all questions of law, on the advice of independent legal counsel. 
 
Article X. AMENDMENTS A. These By-laws may be amended when deemed necessary by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.  Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Chairman of the Board. 
 
Article XI. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS A. These provisions are required by the IRS for 501(c)(3) charitable tax exempt organizations. i. Upon the dissolution of The Aspire Group, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for public purpose. ii. The Aspire Group is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, Directors, Officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. iii. No substantial part of the activities of The Aspire Group shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) and political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. iv. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (1) by an organization exempt for federal income tax code, or (2) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 
 
Article XII. FEES A. Each member shall pay required fees before the semester begins or communicate to Administration for a monthly payment options.  The amount of the fees will vary based on the cost of running the Group Programs.  These fees will be determined by the Board of Directors and/or Executive Director and/or Program Directors each year.  The purpose of the fees is to cover the expenses associated with each individual Aspire Program.  Please see the Program Director for each area for budget and expense details.  There are items that fees do not cover, including, but not limited to, the cost of field trips, special classes with additional fees, curriculum costs, and other special events.  The fees are not refundable.  The Group does offer scholarships for 
families in need of assistance, as well as many fundraising options.  Please contact the responsible Program Director for more information. 
 
 
Article XIII. ATTENDANCE & LATE ARRIVAL A. For Aspire Elective Cooperative classes, only 2 absences will be allowed each semester for parent volunteers.  The Elective class day is a cooperative run by volunteers and the Group cannot conduct classes in a safe manner without all members present on class days.  Each member family will be notified when the allowed 2 absences have been taken.  If a parent volunteer misses more than the allowed 2 absences, the Leadership Team and/or BARC will meet and discuss the reasons for the absences and the overall participation level of the member family.   The Leadership Team and/or BARC will take a vote and may revoke Program participation.  If Elective Cooperative Program participation is revoked at any time during the calendar school year, the member family will also lose all member privileges for any future enrollment in Aspire Elective Cooperative class day and will be added to the end of the current wait list for Aspire Elective Cooperative classes. B. For Aspire Academic Support classes, each student is required to attend all classes. If absences are necessary, the parent must work with the Tutor to arrange a private tutoring session (at parent’s additional cost) to catch student up on missed class content.  Aspire reserves the right to revoke participation in any Academic Support class if a student has excessive absences and does not make an effort to stay caught up on class work and content.  Any fees paid will not be refundable. C. Each member family should make every effort to arrive on time for all class days, meetings, and any event or activity.  If consistent late arrival seems to cause issues and disruptions for the Group, the Leadership Team and/or BARC may revoke Program participation or take other disciplinary action.   D. On an Elective Cooperative class day, if a parent volunteer arrives at least one class hour late, or leaves at least one class hour early, a half-day absence will be recorded. 
 
Article XIV. CLASSES, MEETINGS & OTHER EVENTS A. The Group will follow the Aspire calendar of classes, meetings, and other events approved by the Leadership Team each semester.   All members should make every effort to attend classes, meetings and other events associated to the Programs member committed to be a part of for the school year. 
 
Article XV. E-MAIL LIST A. The Group will have an e-mail list for communication. Only members are entitled to have their names on this list. The Leadership Team must approve non-Aspire related e-mail messages prior to being sent to the entire Group.  The e-mail list is not our primary method of communication, but only used occasionally. 
 
Article XVI. FACEBOOK PAGE, WORKPLACE, AND PRIVATE GROUPS A. Aspire will have a Facebook page (The Aspire Group) that will be the Group’s Facebook presence for non-members.  Non-Members may “Like” this page to get information about our Group.  Any events that non-members are invited to, or other pertinent information the Group would like to make available to non-members will be 
posted on this Facebook page. The Executive Director and Back Office Program Director and Leads will monitor and approve all posts to this public Group Facebook page.  Please keep in mind that this page will be public, and be careful not to share any Group member personal information while commenting or posting on this public page. B. Aspire will also have many private WorkPlace Groups to share information about Aspire Programs and general Aspire information. Only members will be allowed as WorkPlace Group members. The Leadership Team and/or BARC reserves the right to revoke WorkPlace Group membership if it is used for business solicitations or other personal gain (except for member groups created specifically for this purpose).  The Leadership Team will also only allow members who practice common courtesy and Christian grace when posting to the Group.  Severe misuse of WorkPlace Group membership may result in Group membership being revoked or other disciplinary action as determined by the Leadership Team and/or BARC. C. Aspire requires all member families to have a WorkPlace account in order to facilitate communication in the Group.  No special arrangements will be made to communicate via other means. A Member Family may create an alias account with no personal information to join our FB Groups for communication.  The Aspire Group is not liable for any personal information provided to Facebook. D. After the enrollment deadline for each semester, any WorkPlace Group members that are not current members of the Group, or related to current members of the Group, will be removed from the WorkPlace Group.  This is to ensure safety and privacy for all current Group members. E. These Facebook rules and guidelines apply to ALL Aspire WorkPlace Groups and Pages.   
 
Article XVII. PROTECTION OF PRIVACY A. Roster, personal information, and the e-mail list are for The Aspire Group members only. For reasons of privacy they need to be protected and should not be shared outside our Group. These lists may not be used for business solicitations or other personal gain. Misuse of these lists may result in membership being revoked or other disciplinary action as determined by leadership and/or BARC. 
 
Article XVIII. FIELD TRIPS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES A. Only members of the Group will be allowed to participate in classes, events, activities, and field trips. Local non-members may participate in up to two activities/events (does not include class days) before joining Aspire. An exception to this would be friends/family visiting from out of town. If there is room on the field trip and the responsible Program Director has approved it, the friends/family may participate.  B. It is expected that the following guidelines will be followed when participating in any kind of Group activity. i. If the activity requires a sign-up, do so on time with the person coordinating and pay money that is required ahead of time. ii. Age guidelines of the public school will be followed when a facility requests that children be in a specific grade or older. For example, if a field trip requires being in 3rd grade or older, your child must be 8 years old by the 1st of September. Even if your child is doing 3rd grade work but is younger, we must respect the guidelines of the facility as they assume the children will be the age appropriate 
for that grade. Some facilities are very strict on their age requirements and we don’t want to take advantage of them by bringing younger children. iii. If a member signs up to participate in an activity, it is expected that participation will occur. If unable to attend, the contact person must be given a minimum of twenty-four hours notice in order to allow another member the opportunity to participate. If an unexpected illness occurs on the morning of the activity, the contact person must be called immediately. No-shows not only leave a negative impression of the Group, but are also an inconvenience to the facility we are visiting.  In the event that an activity requires a fee, any member who signed–up but could not attend and a replacement was not found, will be expected to meet the financial obligation. iv. Make sure that babies and toddlers are welcome beforehand. If not, make other arrangements for childcare for the younger children or arrange with another mother to be responsible for the other children attending the function. No children will be allowed to participate without being under the supervision of an Aspire member! v. Be on time for all field trips! Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the field trip. Be respectful of other’s time! vi. All children must behave in a courteous and controlled manner, be able to follow directions, and remain silent for short periods of time. Each participating student and adult is expected to respect and follow the leader’s directions. While we recognize that kids will be kids and none of them are perfect, as a Group we should strive to behave in a non-disruptive manner as we represent Christ, homeschooling and Aspire. vii. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their own children to ensure safety and avoid accidents. If arrangements have been made for another parent to supervise a child, every effort needs to be made by that parent to prevent any accidents from occurring. However, in no way will another parent, the leader, or the Group as a whole be held liable for any accidents that might occur. Each member must have signed a “release of liability” form when joining the Group or if not a member, prior to participating in any activity with children. 
 
Article XIX. DRESS CODE A. Because we are representing Christ and The Aspire Group, let us strive for children and adults to wear modest attire that is appropriate for the activity.  If obviously immodest attire becomes a consistent issue with a member family, the Leadership Team and/or BARC will discuss the issue with the member family and reserves the right to revoke Program participation or Group membership, or take other disciplinary action. B. The length of shorts and/or skirts for adults (parents, teachers, etc.) as well as children (students and siblings) must be appropriate at all Aspire campuses, events, and activities.  The inseam of the shorts must be at least half the length of the distance between the crotch and the top of the knee cap. For example, if it is 6 inches between Sally’s crotch and the top of her knee cap then the inseam (distance between the crotch and the bottom of the shorts or skirt) must be no less than 3 inches.  In addition, clothing (such as shorts or skirts) must cover undergarments when one is sitting, standing, or bending. C. Shirts for adults and children must be long enough to ensure that when one raises 
their hands straight above their head no portion of the stomach/abdomen can be seen. D. For any activity requiring swimming attire, girls must wear a one-piece swimsuit or a two-piece if the midriff is covered (tankini).  T-shirts or cover-ups must be worn outside of the pool/lake/etc. for boys and girls.  E. For events such as formals, proms, and/or dances please see the dress code specific for that event. 
 
Article XX. STUDENT BEHAVIOR A. Appropriate behavior is defined as a cooperative spirit on the part of the student.   B. Inappropriate behavior is defined as any action that disrupts the learning process or is an act of willful disrespect.  Inappropriate behavior will be addressed first by the teacher/helper in the class, or adult in charge if not in class; and then, if it continues, a leadership member and/or BARC will be brought in to handle the behavior situation.  Any discipline will be handled in a manner as outlined below:   i. 1st occurrence in class = Verbal Warning.  The child will be made verbally aware of the inappropriate behavior.  The teacher/helper/adult in charge will clearly define to the child how to alter the behavior so that it is acceptable.   ii. 2nd occurrence in class = Removal from Class or Activity.  The teacher/helper/adult in charge will separate the child from the class/activity and take them to the Admin Office or other open area with other adults present.  The teacher/helper/adult in charge will remind the child of the inappropriate behavior and remind the child that his/her parents will be notified.  The teacher/helper/adult in charge will complete an incident report that will be used to communicate the situation to BARC and to the child’s parent.  The child will then be required to sit separate from the rest of the class/activity, but in full view of an Aspire member in charge, for the rest of the class/activity timeframe.  Based on the situation, a leadership member may try to further discuss the behavior issue with the child, help them to write an apology note to the teacher/helper/adult in charge, etc.  The leadership member will ensure that BARC receives an incident report.  The child will be allowed to return to the class/activity when deemed ready by his/her parent or leadership member.    iii. BARC will receive the incident report and take action within 48 hours.  BARC will assess the situation and contact the parties involved in order to obtain resolution.  All actions taken by BARC will be documented and made available to the Leadership Team and/or the Board of Directors.   iv. If bullying occurs at any level it is mandatory that an incident report be completed and submitted to BARC.  Any and all bullying reports will be taken seriously.  BARC will review the incident report and contact all parties within 48 hours.  Regardless of the age of student(s) and/or adult(s) involved a meeting via phone or in person will take place in order to obtain resolution. If BARC and the parties involved are unable to come to a resolution then the matter may be addressed with the Leadership Team and/or Board of Directors.  Failure to comply with the agreed upon resolution may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal of ability to participate in activities and classes with the Group. 
 
Article XXI. CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESS A. Recognizing that the Aspire membership represents a diverse collection of 
denominations/doctrinal viewpoints and accordingly a wide range of expectations, members shall be required to endure these differences in a Spirit of tolerance and consideration (Romans 14:12-13, 2 Cor. 6:3) B. In expressing “Tolerance”, Aspire members shall be required to follow the following process for resolving any and all conflicts and/or offenses that may occur among the membership (Matt.18: 15-17). i. Any member who is offended by another member (or their children) shall be required to discuss the matter with that member (parent) in a manner consistent with the Love Christ expects us to bestow upon each other. This should be done (when possible) at the time of the offense or the earliest convenience (Matt. 18:15). a. Discussing the matter with any other member will be viewed as “gossip” and shall not be tolerated. ii. Having completed the previous step, the offended member shall be required to  complete an incident report which will be submitted to BARC. a. Describe the incident. b. Indicate in the incident report the nature of the conversation (whether you were well received or not, if you believe they will be considerate of you in avoiding this offense in the future). iii. If the offense was resolved, then “Praise the Lord”. Should the offense be repeated, the offended member should be required to complete an incident report and have a BARC member present when they discuss the matter with the offending member the second time (Matt. 18:16). BARC shall report on said discussion to the Leadership Team. iv. Should the conflict persist, BARC shall meet with each member to seek resolution (Matt. 18:17). a. BARC should interview each member privately. b. BARC shall determine fault (i.e. lack of tolerance on the part of the offended member or lack of consideration on the part of the offender). v. BARC shall determine a course of action in private session. C. Members found by BARC to be incapable and/or unwilling to maintain an acceptable level of tolerance and/or consideration for other members will be referred to the Board of Directors and may lose their membership in The Aspire Group.  
 
Article XXII. GOSSIP A. It is our policy at Aspire to never participate in any dialogue (verbal or written) regarding a student, parent, volunteer, or family that is derogatory, defamatory, or malicious in nature. If someone has confided in you, please do not share information that is deemed sensitive or private with another person.  If this information could bring harm, please use discernment when bringing it to the attention of leadership and/or BARC. It is imperative to act and speak with Christ-like character at all times in order to uphold our standards of excellence and integrity and to be a Godly example to our children & students. B. Any person(s) found participating in any form of harmful gossip or breach of confidentiality may lose their membership in The Aspire Group. This will be at the Leadership Team and/or BARC’s discretion.  In general, the safe place to take concerning information is to BARC or the Executive Director. 
C. Gossip kills organizations, and we will stand firmly against it to protect The Aspire Group! 
 
Article XXIII. SAFETY POLICIES & PROCEDURES Any adult who will be present during an Aspire class day (even if they will not be helping in classes or interacting with children), must have a background check and search completed, and will be required to sign a document stating that they have read these safety policies & procedures and are willing to abide by these requirements.  There will be a separate copy of these Safety Policies and Procedures kept at each campus for visiting adults that are not Aspire members. A. Any adult working with children, whether as a teacher, helper, hall monitor, etc., will be required to submit to a background check and search (as mentioned in membership requirements section III). B. Any adult living in the home of a Aspire member family, whether he/she volunteers at Aspire or not, will be required to submit to a background check and search (as mentioned in membership requirements section). C. Each child is required to have a responsible adult (age 18 or older) present at all times.  If the volunteering adult family member is not able to attend a Group activity with their child, he/she will need to make arrangements for another adult to be the responsible person for your child/children.  If this adult is not a current and approved Aspire member, they will need to submit to the appropriate background check and search, and sign all liability waivers. D. If another adult will be the responsible person for your child, please notify the appropriate Program Director prior to the Group activity or class day.  This visiting adult will not be able to work in any class settings unless a background check has been completed, liability waivers signed, and the agreement to the Safety Policies & Procedures has been signed.  This visiting adult will need to sign in at the check-in desk and leave both their contact information, and the contact information of the regular volunteering adult that is absent. E. Children must be under the supervision (within view of) of a parent member, teacher, or teacher helper at all times.  Please make sure that at least one adult has a cell phone with them while students are outside the facility with a class, or on an activity or field trip. F. During Aspire class days, all teachers, parents, visitors and students need to wear their nametags for the duration of the class day. G. Rule of 3 - At any time during a Group activity or class day, no adult should ever be alone with a child unless the adult is that child’s parent or legal guardian. The “Rule of 3” means that there will always be one adult with two children or two adults with one child, never one adult with one child.   If an adult has to accompany a child to the restroom, he/she must make sure there are at least two children (or another adult) with the group.  If there is a need to separate one child from the group for any reason, make sure another adult assists, and get the parent or legal guardian if needed.   H. Restroom Procedures i. Ages P3 through 2nd grade:  A teacher or parent helper must accompany children in this age group. If you accompany a child to the restroom, make sure you remember the Rule of 3 and have another adult or another child with you. ii. Ages 3rd grade through 4th grade:  Any child who needs to use the restroom needs to take a buddy of the same gender.   An adult also may accompany two or more children of different gender. I. Campus Security & Safety – Each semester there will be one or more volunteering 
adults that will serve as our Campus Security and Safety Officer(s).  This person(s) role will include the following: i. To determine fire and tornado safety plans and communicate these plans to the Campus Lead for review with all teachers and students.   ii. Responsible for monitoring the perimeter of the building and being alert for any unfamiliar visitors. iii. To make sure all building entrances are locked from the outside during class time. iv. To watch over any class activities that take place outside the facility. 
 
Article XXIV. ILLNESS & MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS A. ILLNESS i. Students must be well to attend any Group class, event or activity.  Any member of a family with a child exhibiting the following symptoms are asked not to attend: signs of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rash, chronic cough or runny nose.  Any member of a family with a child who has any of these symptoms should not attend any Group class, event or activity unless that child is symptom free for AT LEAST 48 hours.  This includes being fever free WITHOUT medication for at least 48 hours.  Just to clarify – no one in the family can attend a Group class or event until everyone in the family has been symptom free for 48 hours. B. MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS i. Medications – If your child has need of any medications or medical equipment while in class, please both note on your enrollment form and notify the student’s teachers, so that a plan may be in place for the use of necessary medical support. (For Example:  an inhaler during PE class) ii. Allergies – Please do not bring food to share with your child’s class or with your students without prior approval from the Campus Lead or responsible Program Director.  All birthday celebrations, holiday treats, prizes, rewards or edible experiments must be pre-approved due to food allergies.  If your child has a food allergy, please both note on your enrollment form and notify the student’s teachers, so that precautions can be taken. iii. First Aid – Aspire has a first aid kit in the supply room.  If a child has a minor injury, he/she should report it to their teacher, who will then ask a Hall Monitor to help care for the injury and notify the child’s parent.  A Medical Incident Form should be completed, a photo copy made, and a copy given to the child’s parent. iv. Medical Emergency – In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 for EMS support.  Notify the Campus Lead or a leadership member immediately.  Locate the signed Medical Release forms for the student in the Supply Room in the Admin file cabinet.  
 
Article XXV. INCLEMENT WEATHER A. Aspire will be closed if the weather does not allow safe travel to our facility.  Aspire will be closed if either Tulsa Public Schools OR Broken Arrow Public Schools OR Bixby Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather.  Please check with your local news station, Group website, and our private WorkPlace Group for closure notifications. 
 
Article XXVI. GROUP STATUS A. The Aspire Group is a non-profit, tax exempt organization.   
B. Any monies paid for goods or services are not tax deductible; for example, goods sold through a fundraiser or fees for an Aspire class or program.  Including these monies paid for goods and service as tax deductible on your Annual Income Tax return is unethical and will not be collaborated by The Aspire Group.  C. Donations to The Aspire Group not associated to goods or services are tax deductible; for example, monies donated to a fundraiser such as a walk-a-thon where no goods and services are exchanging hands, or a charitable donation to the Group. 
 
Article XXVII. MEMBER FAMILY STUDENTS NOT HOMESCHOOLED A. Group membership requirements state that each member family must educate one or more of their children at home.  Aspire does welcome families that not only homeschool, but also have children in a public or private school setting.  Because of this, the Group has a few rules regarding member family children that are not homeschooled.  A non-homeschooled member family student: i. May attend any field trips, holiday parties or family events, but must remain under the supervision of the volunteering family member. ii. May occasionally visit during an Elective Cooperative class day if student’s school is not in session.  Advanced arrangements must be made with the responsible Campus Lead or Program Director. iii. May NOT regularly attend Elective Cooperative class days as a student member. iv. May NOT be consistently involved in student programs such as other educational activities, student social events, etc.  B. The Board of Directors reserves the right to review special family situations and make rare exceptions to this policy.  Please contact the Executive Director if you would like to apply for Group membership with an exemption from this policy. 

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