Bylaws

Veritas Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME, PURPOSE, LOCATION

Section 1 – Name: The name of the organization shall be Veritas. It is created in Elon, Alamance County, North Carolina.

Section 2 – Purpose: Veritas is an unincorporated non-profit association under North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 59B, and is organized for educational purposes. The Mission of Veritas is to provide weekly tutorials from an unapologetically Christian worldview to enrich the local homeschool environment, assist parents in leading their students toward their academic goals, and encourage students to grow closer to the Lord through positive relationships with instructors and peers.

Section 3 – Location: The principle location of Veritas shall be located in Alamance County in the state of North Carolina. The organization may have any number of offices at such places as the Board may determine.

                                           ARTICLE 2 – STATEMENT OF FAITH

Board members and teachers of Veritas are required to sign the following Statement of Faith. While members are not required to sign the Statement of Faith, they should be aware that Veritas is an openly and unapologetically Christian group by design, and as such, will be mentioning God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and other mainstream Christian concepts from time to time.

Preface: Our Statement of Faith concerns the Person and Work of Jesus Christ (the Gospel) revealed in Scripture. It is the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 2, Eph. 4:5), which distinguishes believers from non-believers. There are many other precious truths taught in the Bible over which godly men have differed in understanding. Therefore, this is not a statement of all that is important to believe, but of all that is essential to believe for Christian fellowship and unity (Rom. 15:7).

* We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired and only infallible Word of God, inerrant in the autographs (II Tim. 3:16, II Peter 1:20-21).

* We believe God is one being Who eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All of the persons are equal in power and glory (Matt. 28:19, II Cor. 13:14).

* We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and man (John 1:1, 14), born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18), sinless in His life (Heb. 4:15). He died on the cross as a substitution for sinful men (Heb. 9:15). He rose bodily from the grave (John 20:1-9, 24-31, Acts 2:24) and now reigns with the Father (Acts 2:33, Heb. 10:12). He will return visibly and personally to the earth both in salvation and judgment (Acts 1:11, Heb. 9:28, Matt. 24:35).

* We believe all humans are sinful by nature (Rom. 3:23, 5:12) and can only be forgiven by repentance and confession of trust in Jesus as Savior (John 3:16), brought about by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-7).

* We believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Romans 8:1-17).

* We affirm the biblical definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:6-9).

                                            ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Qualifications for Membership: Application for participating in Veritas classes shall be open to any homeschooling family in Alamance County and surrounding areas that supports the purpose and mission statements found in Article I, Section 2. Membership is granted after the receipt of the following completed items:

  • Application for Admission
  • Registration Form
  • Registration Fee
  • Agreement to Family Guidelines
  • Release of Liability Form
  • Acceptance by the Veritas Board and Administrator

The board may deny membership to any applicant by a majority vote if they feel an applicant would compromise the mission, purpose or cohesion of Veritas.

Section 2 – Membership Definition: Each family, defined as a homeschooled child and that child’s siblings (if any) and all of their parents and guardians, will be granted a single Membership upon completion of the eligibility requirements listed in Article 3, Section 1. Veritas encourages and respectfully supports participation from homeschool households diverse in homeschool style, race, religion, and philosophy.

Section 3 – Continuing Membership: Membership to Veritas is fee-based annually. It is contingent on meeting eligibility qualifications from Article 3, Section 1 at all times. It is, also, contingent on paying the student class fees in a timely manner and completing all assigned work.

Section 4 – Termination: Membership may be terminated for cause by a majority vote of the Board. Termination does not relieve a member of unpaid dues, class fees, or drop charges.

Section 5 – Voting Privileges: Members of Veritas have no voting privileges.

ARTICLE 4 – MEETINGS

Section 1 – Regular Veritas Member meetings may be held at such place and time as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. Notice of all meetings shall be provided to each member by email at least one week prior to the meeting.

Section 2 – Regular meetings of the Board may be held at such place and time as shall be designated by the standing resolution of the Board. The meeting schedule shall be published to the Board members via mail, e-mail, or post to the appropriate online group at least one week prior to any regular or special Board Meeting.

Section 3 – Special meetings may be called by the consensus of the Board.

Section 4 – Quorum: A Board Meeting must be attended by at least three Board members for business transactions to take place and motions to pass.

ARTICLE 5 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 – Board role and size: The business of Veritas shall be managed by a Board of Directors comprised of at least three Board members. The Board is responsible for maintaining the overall policy and direction of Veritas. The Board shall delegate responsibility of day-to-day operations to the Administrator and appropriate members.

Section 2 – Board Meetings: The Board shall meet at least two times per year at an agreed upon time and location. Board members shall not miss more than 1 meeting per year.

Section 3 – Board responsibilities: It shall be the responsibility of the Board to:

  1. Take actions necessary to advance the mission of Veritas.
  2. Perform any and all duties imposed on them by the law, by these bylaws, and by other Veritas documents.
  3. Meet twice a year, or more as needed, and as called for by the Administrator or a Board member.
  4. Annually approve a budget.
  5. Annually approve the teachers and course proposals for the upcoming school year.
  6. Approve a qualified Administrator to lead Veritas when the current Administrator steps down.
  7. Approve a qualified Treasurer who will handle the finances of Veritas.

Section 4 – Board compensation: The Board receives no compensation other than the reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

Section 5 – Board Terms: All Board members shall serve for a 1-year term and can be eligible for re-appointment each year.

Section 6 – Nonliability of Board Members: The Board Members shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of Veritas.

Section 7 – Board Member qualifications: Each Board Member shall agree to the Veritas Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Family Guidelines, and be an active member of a local church. Each Board Member shall be a current or retired homeschooling parent.

Section 8 – Board Decisions: All board actions and decisions shall be made by a majority vote of the board unless otherwise specified.

Section 9 – Vacancies: When a vacancy on the Board exists, the Administrator shall receive nominations for candidates from current Board members two weeks in advance of a Board Meeting. These nominations shall be sent out to the Board with the regular Board Meeting announcement, to be voted upon at the next Board Meeting.

Section 10 – Resignation and termination: Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Board. A Board Member shall be terminated from the Board in the event that the Board member does not agree with the Statement of Faith of Veritas, or his/her lifestyle is in violation of what the Board of Directors deems to be godly. A Board member may be removed for cause by unanimous vote of the remaining Board members.

ARTICLE 6 – OFFICERS

Section 1 – Officers: The officers of Veritas shall be the Administrator, Secretary, and Treasurer.  The Board of Directors shall appoint each of these officers. The Board may also appoint other officers it deems necessary.

Section 2 – Terms and Compensation: The Board of Directors shall appoint officers for a term established by the Board. Any officer may be removed from office without assigning any cause by the vote of the Board at any meeting of the Board. Officers will not be compensated via salary for their service as an officer.

Section 3 – 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 records are maintained.

Section 4 – Treasurer: The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. The treasurer shall assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to Board members and the public. The treasurer will deposit the funds of Veritas with the financial institution designated by the Board and disburse funds under the direction of the Board in accordance with the budget. The treasurer will deposit checks within two weeks of receiving them. The treasurer will observe a fiscal year of August 1 through July 31. The treasurer will keep all financial records and will receive one free class each school year.

Section 5 – Administrator: The Administrator for Veritas will do the following:

  1. Be the “face” of Veritas. Communicate with the parents throughout the year.
  2. Collect required course proposals, applications, and references from teachers by the end of February and determine the class schedule with the Board.
  3. Collect background checks on new teachers, as necessary.
  4. Appoint moms as Assistants and train them.
  5. Update the Google calendar and website content.
  6. Hold an Open House in the Spring.
  7. Keep track of all registrations and applications for admission, responding to parents as needed. Send emails about registration to Veritas, ACCHE, Piedmont Homeschoolers, and other local homeschool organizations, as necessary.
  8. Make sure the treasurer receives income from member families.
  9. Prepare reports for Board meetings. Come to required Board meetings.
  10. Run important decisions by the Board first.
  11. Sit in on new teacher classes, as needed, to evaluate.

The Administrator will receive one free class each school year. The Board may increase his/her compensation, as they deem necessary.

ARTICLE 7 – TEACHERS AND ASSISTANTS

Section 1 – Teachers and Assistants Qualifications: Veritas teachers and assistants shall agree to the Veritas Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Family Guidelines, and be an active member of a local church. They shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and can be terminated by the Board without cause by a majority vote. Each teacher and assistant is subject to a background screening and reference letters at their own expense, if required by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 – Teachers’ Compensation: Veritas teachers are independent contractors and receive their compensation directly from their students or students’ parents. Teachers provide their own supplies and curriculum except for these items provided by Veritas: white dry erase boards, markers, erasers, copies.

Section 3 – New Teacher Training: Each new Veritas teacher is asked to come to the annual teachers’ training taught by one of our veteran teachers.

Section 4 – Assistants’ Compensation: Each Veritas Assistant receives one free class for the year in compensation for volunteering one hour every class day.

ARTICLE 8 – DISSOLUTION

Section 1 – Dissolution procedure: Any action to dissolve Veritas must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Board present at a Board Meeting called to specifically consider such action, for which written notice has been issued to all members.

Section 2 – Distribution of property: If Veritas, at its own option, shall cease to exist, all property shall be transferred to a not-for-profit homeschool support organization selected by the Board by a majority vote, given to our host location, or given to our teachers or Board members.

ARTICLE 9 – AMENDMENTS

Section 1 – These Bylaws may be amended when deemed necessary by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary and sent along with regular board meeting notices.

CERTIFICATION

These Bylaws were approved at a meeting of the Veritas Board Members by a majority vote on July 25, 2013, pending proposed edits. The effective date of these Bylaws shall be August 1, 2013.

Vic Costello

Beth Costello

J. Mark Fox

Cynthia Lawson Fox

David Morton