We welcome new members. Please join us at the park so that we may meet you.
If, after meeting us, you decide that you would like to formally join AOHL and participate in our group
please contact the Membership Secretary at the park for information or at the e-mail address below.
Potential members must attend an AOHL Park Day in order to receive a membership application.
If you have questions or concerns, you can contact our Membership coordinator.
AOHL Mission Statement
Alameda Oakland Home Learners "AOHL" is a support group for home-learning families. Our goals are
developing friendships amongst members, organizing activities, sharing resources, creating liaisons
with other home-learning groups and providing information to those considering or new to home-learning -
all within an environment of tolerance.
How our Homeschooling Support Group Functions
AOHL is for parents and kids of all ages, from babies to teens, to get together each week and socialize.
We meet every Thursday for our “Park Day” alternating locations primarily in Oakland and Alameda parks.
Park Days start at noon (sometimes people are late) and run until late afternoon and you may drop in at any point during that time.
We require prospective new members to meet us at one of our park days before you may join our group.
Each homeschooling support group has a different social dynamic.
We advise newcomers to visit more than one local homeschooling support group and try to find one
that feels right to both you and your child(ren).
We welcome prospective new members on the 1st Thursday of every month at Lincoln Park in Alameda.
We would enjoy meeting you and your child(ren) at that time.
Our Park Days are listed with links to their locations under the heading of Calendar of Events at AOHL.net.
At Park Day, you should find people willing to answer any questions you have about homeschooling.
Feel free to initiate discussions.
Many in our group are new to homeschooling and others have been doing it for over a decade.
Bring a folding chair to sit in. That’s how you'll recognize us: we are usually sitting in a circle.
Feel free and don’t be intimidated to join us as we always expand the circle as more people arrive.
When you come, ask to speak to a greeter, who will help with introductions and any questions that you may have.
Although Park Day is our group’s main activity, members also organize classes, field trips,
camping trips, and other social events. We also chat on-line about different homeschooling topics.
We have a Yahoo group to facilitate communication between members;
however, we are strictly a volunteer-run homeschooling support group or a “social group,” not an on-line group.
We do not offer any services except what parents and kids offer on their own accord to other members in our group.
If, after meeting us you would like to join and participate in our group,
please talk with the Membership Secretary or the Treasurer at the park.
We charge membership dues of $5.00 per year.
The membership year starts on September 1st and ends on August 31st. We do not pro-rate dues.
Our Yahoo group and roster are available to members.
Members must attend an AOHL Park Day at least once annually in order to renew their membership.
If you have questions or concerns, you may contact our Outreach Coordinator, Kristin at
Background:
The
Alameda Oakland Home Learners support group was formed in the mid-nineties by a
group of parents committed to teaching their children at home. AOHL
promotes tolerance and respect toward all members, regardless of learning
style; family configuration; and racial, cultural or religious background. We
welcome diversity.
AOHL
encourages all members to contribute their time and talents to the group,
as they see fit. Members are expected to follow the Guidelines listed
below, and to ensure that their children abide by them as well.
GUIDELINES FOR ALL MEMBERS:
Members
must interact with one another respectfully, both in person and in our online
forum.
GUIDELINES FOR AOHL PARK DAYS AND EVENTS:
For
parents:
•
Parents must supervise their children at AOHL park days
and activities, or designate another adult who will do so.
•
Parents should make certain their children know and understand the Guidelines
for Kids stated below.
•
Parents are encouraged to offer assistance to any child to help resolve differences
or promote safety. If a parent intervenes with a child from
another family, please inform that child's parent of the situation.
•
For classes and field trips, parents should discuss a planned activity
with their children beforehand and be sure their child wants
to participate in the activity.
Participants are expected to treat speakers and other participants respectfully.
Parents are responsible for removing their children from an activity
if they are disruptive to the group.
For kids:
•
Try to get to know other children. Parents can help.
•
Be considerate of others and their belongings.
•
Be safe.
•
If you cannot resolve an issue with another child safely and respectfully, get an
adult to help.
•
Include everyone in games and activities (unless an activity has been
pre-designated as age-specific.) If
you need to make an exception to this rule, talk to your parent.
•
Accept guidance from any AOHL adult who offers it. If you disagree with what an
adult has said to you, talk to your parent.
•
Please, no weapon play, including sticks and foam weapons.
AOHL Service Positions
Director: Jenny at
Calls for meetings
Makes agenda
Decides how poll outcome is used
Finds facilitators for meetings
Monitors administration issues
Calls board meetings
Treasurer: Bente at
Collects membership fees
Accounts payable and receivable
Collects funds for programs
Distributes funds when asked to by the director and/or membership vote
Keeps bank account reconciled
Reports to members at every quarterly meeting
Works with Membership secretary on member intake
Renews domain name for AOHL.net web site
Membership Secretary: Carla at
Updates and distributes roster twice a year at regular intervals
Works with Treasurer on member intake (receives new member applications)
Invites new members to Yahoo list
Notifies AOHLtalk list owner of new members
Helps members resolve Yahoo problems
Posts roster on Yahoo site
Recording Secretary: Bonnie at
Takes minutes at membership and board meetings
Makes sure Yahoo administrator has minutes to post in a timely fashion
Resource/Outreach Coordinator: Kristin at
Works with members and/or prospective members or community inquiries looking for resources or special services
Deals with contacts from the press, people asking to advertise or post who are not members of AOHL
Knowledgeable about resources in the community and on internet
Updates contct information on various Homeschool sites i.e. Coalition,HSC,CHN
Web Master:Adam at
Makes changes to AOHL.net site
Updates Website
Might work with one or more secretaries to add content to the website
Makes sure all information on the website is current and correct
Yahoo List Administrator: Judith at
Puts up polls at the direction of the director or membership (must be by meeting vote,if by membership)
Can ban people from Yahoo list in conjunction with director and/or board
Posts documents to the Yahoo files
Updates calender and sets reminders
Once every quarter sends a reminder to the group of our mission statement and gidelines
Camping Director(s) (rotating job): Stefani and Denise for spring 2008
or
Determines camping dates and location
Takes reservations from members
Collects money
Organizes activities such as hikes or crafts or obtains volunteers to do so if desired
Must be present or have a delegated person to be present the entire trip
Liaison to Coalition of Bay Area Homeschool Groups: Anita at
Attends coalition meetings
Consults with AOHL members about activities to offer
Receives notices of events from coalition groups and posts them to AOHL
Advertises the "Not Back to School Picnic" to coalition groups and other Bay Area groups
Website last updated November 10, 2008 by Adam
Contact
with website-related questions.
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