WESTERN CAPE HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Tel 0881274484
NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2001
In this issue :
Lights, Camera, Action : Homeschooling in the Spotlight
Reports and information for the AGM
Invitation for adverts and articles for this newsletter
The editor of this newsletter has moved on to an exciting venture in Tanzania – we wish Christo and his family well. And this means that we need an editor – any volunteers ?? any interested teenage homeschooler ?? could be done electronically (by email) by someone not in Cape Town !!! If you’re interested – please email wchsa@e3mil.com.
An event to learn from others about various aspects of homeschooling, and to learn about your association at the AGM.
Date 17 March 2001
Venue : Rosebank Primary School, Moolenburg Rd, Rondebosch
Program :
1:30 to 2:00 Registration
2:00 to 3:00 Presentations on aspects of homeschooling :
Putting a homeschooled child through the Matric exams
Homeschooling with a Toddler
Pre-schoolers at home
3:00 to 3:30 AGM
3:30 to 4:00 Tea
4:00 to 4:30 Panel discussion : panel will comprise various members of the homeschool community, to discuss topical issues, including issues from the floor.
Vendors will be displaying their products.
It is the Annual General Meeting. A voluntary association – such as the WCHSA – has a committee to conduct its affairs, and represent its members. It is in the interests of all members to participate in the selection of the committee, so as to ensure that the association represents all members equably, and that no individual or sub-group is either enriched or disadvantaged. The AGM is an opportunity for the members to be informed of the activities of the committee, and ask questions. Note that the committee has no authority other than that conferred by its members !!! The WCHSA has a constitution (which is available to any member), and according to the constitution, a chairman, secretary and treasurer and 4 other committee members are to be elected at the AGM.
The reports for the AGM are included in this newsletter, thus the only business to conduct at the AGM will be to answer questions raised, and then elect the new committee.
The year 2000 term of office for the committee of the WCHSA was full of challenge and change. Originally comprising 7 members, the committee was down to 3 members by September due to various circumstances. Although the remaining 3 individuals were able to keep things going (with the supportive involvement and contribution of our spouses), this was not an ideal situation. In 2001 we need all members to consider their contribution to the homeschooling community, and elect a fully representative committee. We are very fortunate to have a strong and active system of networks in the greater Cape Town area, which operate entirely independently of the WCHSA.
Looking through the documents from previous committees, it is evident that the nature of the homeschooling association has changed, largely due to the evolving regulatory environment. 2000 was the first year where the association, in co-operation with the Pestalozzi trust, was actively promoting registration (but conditional) of homeschoolers with the educational department. It seems that we should expect a continuing state of flux, and to meet this challenge, a strong committee with continuity is essential.
In this past year we have reviewed the member database, and taken a decision not to carry non-contributing members. But we do need to increase our membership base, and to this end a membership drive will be initiated in 2001. As the interaction with the regulatory authority increases, it is in our interest to be an organised and committed group to stand together.
We have made increasing use of the internet and email for communication in the past year, sending newsletters electronically, rather than by snail mail, to members who have an email address. Please refer to the section in the newsletter about the use of egroups for information dissemination and community communication.
Events during this past year were successful in their execution, but not very well attended. The reasons are difficult to determine – the committee needs active feedback to improve the attendance of these events. Perhaps it is related to cultivating a culture of giving to the community rather than receiving from – if all homeschoolers see themselves as part of a community where their contribution is essential to the community – then a generous spirit will prevail.
In our modern materialistic society, most commodities are considered for what they deliver for a monetary cost, and membership of the WCHSA seems to fall in this category. Homeschooling is "unconventional" – perhaps we can challenge homeschoolers to view membership of the homeschooling association in an unconventional light ???
The prizegiving was held in December for the second year running – this event seems to be popular, but we’d like to gauge interest – please be sure to indicate on the survey included in the newsletter, or available at the AGM.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the members of the committtee, and our spouses, for their efforts in 2000. I wish the incoming committee well in what is likely to be a challenging term of office. Brian Goemans
Treasurers report - will be distributed at the AGM.
30 June Winter workshop – workshops on various issues or topics
22 September Spring fair – a day of fun, sports, and more for the whole family
1 December Prize giving
Who would like to submit an article, picture etc for this newsletter ???? Must be in electronic format, and submitted to wchsa@e3mil.com. Same deadlines as for advertising apply !!!!! Depending on response, we will schedule material. All submissions will be acknowledged.
We’ve had several requests from other resource providers for a channel to advertise their products. Anyone who would like to advertise, please email wchsa@e3mil.com before the deadlines below.
April newsletter :
1 March 2001
July newsletter :
1 June 2001
October newsletter :
1 September 2001
January newsletter :
1 December 2001
We need to increase our membership base – both to make us a stronger group, and to give us the resources (people and financial) to promote homeschooling. As an incentive, you can get a discount on your next year’s subscription – for each member you recruit, you get a R10 discount on your next membership fees payment.
To be an effective recruiter – you need to be sure in your own mind of the benefits of homeschooling !!!
*********Benefits of WCHSA membership***********
Opportunities to meet other homeschoolers where you can share and learn
Newsletters - keeping you advised of events and issues relating to homeschooling
Representation as a unified group
Putting you in touch with a support community in your area, or assistance in creating a local community if none exists
Educational, social, and cultural events for the homeschool community
And more importantly - what does your membership contribute :
Support to other homeschoolers, especially those just starting or interested in starting
Promotion of homeschooling as a viable option for education of children
And by being a member you show that :
Homeschooling is a serious committment - and we as homeschoolers are an organised group of people, fiercely independent, but prepared to stand up united for our rights.
Now - what does membership demand from you ??
Financially R120 per annum, or R10 per month, which is used for administration costs (no salaries / honorariums)
Morally your support for the WCHSA, and promotion of membership to non-members
Practically as much time as you are willing to contribute to the homeschooling community - hopefully at least one Saturday afternoon per annum to attend the AGM, find out about the affairs of the WCHSA and particpate in voting for a committee to represent you. As is the case with all voluntary groupings of people - you will find that the more you put in, the more you get out !!!
Email is one of the better features of the internet. For the cost of a local phone call, you can send messages to people all over the world (you also need a computer and a dialup account with an internet service provider, and there are many options – some "free" (xsinet), and some as and when you want them (internet café’s)). At the same time you can receive messages.
Egroups are an electronic email group system where members of a group can post messages for all to see, and potentially receive replies from all members. Practically, they are used for sharing information, and asking questions. There are several egroups for South African homeschoolers :
Tuisonderwys – general group
HSKitchenTable
The WCHSA uses an egroup to communicate important events, and send out newsletters : wchsa-info. If we have your email address, we will subscribe you.
To join a group, you can either visit the egroups web page : www.egroups.com, and then search for the page for the particular group, or you can send an email to : subscribe-groupname@egroups.com (no heading or body required – the system picks up your email address from the email you send, and subscribes you). You will receive a welcome message telling you about the group and you are free to leave the group any time. You can choose to have messages delivered, or to read them on the web site (there are also other options you can set).
You are likely to find many other homeschool groups – just search and join !!! Some groups will have moderated membership – ie you apply for membership, but most are open.
Lastly, there are many other homeschool and educational resources on the internet, but be sure to supervise your children – there are also sites you would not want your children to see !!!
We, the committee, get very little feedback from the members, which makes it very difficult to improve the association, and build the homeschool community. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE – take some time to indicate your interests and any other suggestions on the back page – and then post or email back to us. Your input will be greatly appreciated.
Please post to PO Box 175 Steenberg, 7947 or email to wchsa@e3mil.com. Please indicate your responses.
Name : (optional)
We are interested in / likely to attend the following events :
¨ 17 March : Lights, Camera Action & AGM
¨ 30 June : Winter workshop – workshops on various issues or topics
¨ 22 September : Spring fair – a day of fun, sports, and more
¨ 1 December : Prize giving
We prefer : (mark any that apply)
¨
A half day event
¨
A full day event
¨
Social events
¨
Cultural events
¨
Sports events
¨
An event that includes the whole family
¨
A camping / sleep over outing
We will participate in :
Would you be prepared to assist in organising an event : Yes / No
We are comfortable with our position regarding regulatory issues Yes / No
We need more information on our rights / obligations Yes / No
We would like the committee to be proactive, and have an ongoing dialogue with the education department Yes / No
We would like homeschooling to be promoted to the wider community Yes / No
Any suggestions of other activities / topics for lectures / workshops / discussions ????
Is your membership up to date ??? If not, your annual payment would be appreciated by return post. Membership costs just R120 per annum (that’s only R10 per month !!!), and is renewed on the anniversary of your joining. If you don’t know why you should be a member – see inside !!!!
Send your membership fees to
WCHSA
PO Box 175
Steenberg
7947
or deposit to WCHSA
Standard
Bank, Blue Route
Acc no 276306880
Branch code 02560920
(ensure
that your name is on our statement,
or send us the deposit slip)
Telephone : 0881274484
Email : wchsa@e3mil.com