Membership Information

(Revised 02/01/2021)

www.HERALD5.com

 Please be sure to read all of the following information and then provide all necessary information and signatures.

A.   History: HERALD5 (H5) was founded in 1986 as a support group for home schooling families in the St. Andrews/Irmo/Chapin areas; however, residence in Lexington/Richland District 5 is not required for membership. We are a volunteer organization, comprised of members who educate, have educated, or intend to educate one or more of their children at home.

B.   Virtual Charter School Information: Because HERALD5 is a support group for homeschoolers and not public school students, Virtual Charter School families cannot be admitted to HERALD5. Know that this decision was made only after extensive research by our HERALD5 Supervisory Council as a means to insure the continued freedoms of families within our homeschooling community. For detailed information on the subtle dangers of VCSs, please see all related articles at schea.net and www.hslda.org.

C.   Membership Requirements:  

  1. Membership becomes official upon completion of a HERALD5 application and payment of dues.
  2. Participation:
    • Attendance at the fall or spring large-group event is strongly encouraged   However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may not be large group events this academic school year.  More information will be sent out about this in the near future.
    • Completion of 1 volunteer job within the HERALD5 group:  HERALD5 is a volunteer organization.  This support group would not exist without the cooperation of all of its members.  It is mandatory that each member complete a job during the school year in order to maintain active member status. Refer to HERALD5.com for a list of volunteer opportunities.
    • You are strongly encouraged to attend as many HERALD5-sponsored activities as possible.  A support group works best when each member participates!
  1. Proper Conduct/Responsibilities: As a group whose By-Laws are based on Biblical principles, we have a responsibility to protect the reputation of Christ and His church. Therefore, parents and students are expected to exhibit Christ-like behavior during any and all HERALD5 related activities.
  2. Membership may be refused for those who have not met the previous year’s membership requirements.

D.Parents of High School Seniors:If you have a student planning to participate in the spring graduation ceremony, sign up is in September/October. When names are received, the Graduation Coordinator will send a parent packet to you with pertinent information on diplomas, caps and gowns, senior photos, etc., and a helpful “checklist” so you don’t miss deadlines. Reminder emails will be sent regularly in the spring, to keep parents/seniors up to date. The graduation ceremony is generally scheduled the third Saturday in May.

E.   Communications: Communications within HERALD5 will come from the HERALD5 email (heraldfive@gmail.com). Families may also access our esite and the HERALD5 Facebook page for more information.

F.   HERALD5 Leadership Requirements: No virtual charter school, charter school, public or private school family (as defined by using more than 49 percent of their curriculum from one of these sources for any of their students) may hold leadership positions within HERALD5. HERALD5 will maintain an open membership policy while reserving the leadership positions for those who agree with, adhere to, and sign the Statement of Faith as explained in Section G below.

G.   Statement of Faith:

We believe:

  • The Bible to be the inspired, infallible, divinely preserved Word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.
  • That we serve one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent bodily return in power and glory.
  • That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, can be saved.
  • That salvation is a free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man’s sin.
  • That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind, indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
  • In the spiritual unity of the believers through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that individual doctrinal differences, which may exist outside those previously mentioned, should not hinder the unity of Christian home educators.