As much as we love to have folks join and support MDHSA, we want you to be sure that the Organization is right for you. Here are some important things you should know about MDHSA before joining. You do not have to agree with all the information listed below. However, these are non-negotiable items, and it is important to be aware of how MDHSA stands on certain issues.
We are a Christian Organization founded in 1986. We have a Statement of Purpose and Faith. This means that you and your children will be in contact with Christian homeschoolers in our group.
Our Statement of Purpose states that we are here to support all homeschoolers, not just Christian homeschoolers. Thus, you and your children may be in contact with non-Christians or Christians who believe differently. This is a good opportunity to teach children your values, acceptance of others and discuss the differences in your faith and that of others.
Our Associate Members may not agree with our Statement of Faith and Purpose. However, we ask them to not actively oppose our Statement of Faith and Purpose in an official manner.
We are not a church; we do not actively “evangelize” as a group. What an individual Member does in his/her interactions with other Members is between him/her and the Lord, not MDHSA.
We have prayed and said the Pledge of Allegiance since 1986 in our Co-Op classes. We may pray audibly to God and to Jesus at an activity or Co-Op. We may Pledge the Allegiance to the US flag and the Christian flag. We ask those who oppose these activities to simply remain quiet or leave the room. We will not criticize you for not engaging in these activities, and we will not force you to participate in these activities. Conversely, please do not try to force any of our Members to stop participating in these activities.
We may ask our Members to contact legislators or others to support homeschooling in PA or nationally in a limited manner that is outlined in our incorporation documents. You will not be required to do any of these things. Participation is optional for Members.
MDHSA was founded in 1986 to support homeschoolers. Charter/Cyber school students are not homeschoolers; they are public school students. MDHSA welcomes those families to become Members of MDHSA, but the main emphasis of support is to homeschoolers because MDHSA is a homeschool support group.
Any organization is made up of a variety of people with many different personalities. However, if an individual or his/her family continues to cause friction or continuously oppose MDHSA policies, that individual’s Membership may be terminated with no refund. Please be gentle when expressing your opinions, remembering that the purpose of the Organization is to provide for all of the Membership. Be prepared to compromise, or in the interest of unity, forfeit your “right” to do it your way. If possible, try to avoid “one upping”. (eg. my curriculum choices/methods are better than yours, my problem is worse than yours).
The Organization is made up of volunteers who are all homeschooling their own children. Do not expect more from these volunteers than you are willing to give of yourself. Do not expect to be accommodated for your particular needs continuously. If you are going through a difficult time in your life that leaves no room to volunteer, then it would be better if you did not volunteer than to be unable to make good on that commitment.