Support Group Leaders’ Conference

2009 Support Group Support …

Provided this year in conjunction with the 2009 Christian Heritage Family Discipleship & Homeschooling Conference

  • April 23-25, 2009 (Thurs. night – Saturday afternoon)
  • Overlake Christian Church, Redmond, WA
  • Sessions specifically for those interested in joining, starting, or already leading a Support Group
  • One trip & one weekend for both: 1) support for your family, and 2) support in your role as a support group leader.

Support Group Sessions . . .
For All Interested in Being Part Of, Starting, or Leading a Support Group

Rethinking Support Groups is the theme of these sessions. So let’s ask: When is a support group not a support group? When it undermines the very things the Bible teaches about family & training your children for God’s glory. Unfortunately, the mom-led, kid-centered, activities-driven support group often does just this. Join these sessions as we explore models that more closely fit God’s design for discipling His children. Open to all who are interested in these topics.

  • Friday, Workshop A: 10:45-11:45 CD #0914
    “Dads & the Home-Based Discipleship Support Group – Paradigm Shift Needed!”
    For family discipleship & home education to be most biblical & effective, fathers must be involved as much as possible in the lives of their children. But they’re often not. Join us as we explore together how Support Groups might be transformed from being mom-led, kid-centered, & activities-driven to being led by dads, providing encouragement for both parents in their God-designed roles of home-based disciplers, and routinely involving whole families in well-chosen activities that foster God-glorifying discipleship and growth.
  • Friday, Follow Up Roundtable Discussion, 12:15-1:00
    “Fathers & the Homeschool Support Group”
  • Saturday, Workshop F, 11:45-12:45 CD #0964
    “Important Issues Facing Today’s Support Groups—and Some Ways to Address Them”
    Panel Discussion • Most support groups face challenging issues that can distract them from their mission or disrupt the group entirely. Join a panel of experienced home educators as they discuss a number of common problems involving mission, leadership, membership, alternative “homeschooling options”, and more. And hear discussion on how these might be handled. Includes Q&A time.

Also consider attending the following conference workshops by CHN directors, Scott & DiAnna Brannan:

  • Washington Homeschool Law Simply Explained
    Want to be informed/updated on the homeschool law? Want to know what happened in the 09 Legislative Session? This workshop covers the basics of the homeschool law and answers many of the questions that come up to new or seasoned homeschoolers. DiAnna will attempt to cover the most common questions and give you the answers you need. The best way to protect our freedoms is to know our rights under the law!
  • Washington’s Trojan Horse ~ Plus Showing of DVD, “Exposing a Trojan Horse”
    1. Government funded programs for home educators are enticing. But what price do parents pay to participate in these programs? Is there a cost to the home education movement? Are we welcoming a Trojan Horse into our midst through participation in these programs?
    2. Scott and DiAnna Brannan have followed these programs since 1998. They have worked with the State Auditors Office and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review committee with the investigation into the programs. They have also spent many hours educating lawmakers on the difference between independent home education and government school-at-home programs. They were able to stop legislation in 1999 & 2003 which would have allowed the spread of these programs, at one point even defunding the programs. However, in 2004 they could not stop the passage of the Virtual School law, but they were able to get key legislation added to the law to protect home education.
    3. Washington State is now one of the hardest hit states-with an estimated 30%of home educators joining government school-at-home programs. The government schools are attempting to redefine homeschooling as just another model of public schooling! We cannot allow this lie to spread; we must act and we must act now! Come and get informed about the history of the programs, their agenda and what we can do in Washington state to stop the spread of these programs. Together we can preserve the home education movement for future generations!

At the Conference: see Conference Program pages 9-12 and Registration Packet Roundtable Discussion insert for more information on these sessions. And stop by Christian Heritage booth for free CD’s of sessions #0914 & #0964 and Support Group Leaders’ Manuals – as supplies last.

2008 SGL Conference:

Who, What, When, Where?

JANUARY19, 2008
Trinity Baptist Church
18652 – 116th Ave. SE
Renton, WA 98058

8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M.

  • Full day of leadership insight, sharing, ideas, Q&A, information, challenge, spiritual encouragement, & fellowship, ...
  • Sponsored by Christian Heritage & Christian Homeschool Network of Washington
  • Town Hall Discussions of Issues Vital to H/S Support Group Leaders
  • Speakers: (see bios below)
    Senator Val Stevens
    Representative Jim McCune
    Dick Karman, president of OCEANetwork, Oregon’s Christian state homeschool organization
    Scott & DiAnna Brannan, of Christian Homeschool Network of Washington
  • Buffet Luncheon Provided
  • 200+ page Leaders’ Manual available for each group
    This compilation of extremely helpful legal and practical documents and articles was collected to give you the information you need to lead your group and to share with the families you serve.
  • Be our guests! No charge for this event.

Who’s Invited?

Open to 2 leaders or perspective leaders (and their spouses) per bona fide homeschool support group, or 2 pastors/elders and wives per church.

Printable Invitation ~ in PDF format:

Directions:

(Click here ... for directions – or phone 425-228-5430)

If You Can Attend:

  • RSVP ONLINE by January 14th via: Registrations@ChristianHeritageOnline.org. Please register as soon as possible, but not later than midnight Monday, January 14th.
  • Other RSVP Options: By Phone: (360) 871-3279 or by Mail to: Christian Heritage Registrations, 4007 SE Baker Rd., Port Orchard, WA 98367
  • Include Your Contact Info: Include 1) name of your support group, 2) first & last names of those attending, 3) mailing & e-mail addresses AND phone number of those attending.
  • Send Your Town Hall Discussion Questions: By Jan. 10th, please send any questions you would like to see addressed during the Town Hall Meetings. Questions should regard issues that would be pertinent & helpful to most homeschool support group leaders. (This will allow Town Hall Meeting questions to be distributed for consideration before the conference.) See description of Town Hall Meetings below.

Conference Agenda, Purpose, and Special Features

Conference Agenda

8:30-9:00 ~ Check In & Welcome
9:00-12:30 ~ Sessions
12:30-1:30 ~ Buffet Luncheon
1:30-4:30 ~ Sessions & Closing

Purpose of Conference:

  • 1) To provide encouragement & refreshment to homeschool support group leaders and pastors/elders who are actively supporting homeschooling families in their congregations,
  • 2) To provide needed current information about WA State homeschool law, the upcoming legislative session, and other crucial issues facing WA homeschoolers,
  • 3) To provide support group leaders with information and helps necessary to better serve the families in their groups,
  • 4) To provide an opportunity for fellowship and networking among Washington homeschool leaders.

Town Hall Meetings ~ not included on SGL Conference CD’s:

  • An open forum for conference attendees to share their experiences & insight on a select list of questions submitted in advance by attendees and deemed to be significant & of common interest to all.
  • Questions/Topics to be submitted by January 10th via ContactUs@ChristianHeritageOnline.org
  • The discussions will be moderated and comments will be limited to two minutes per individual per topic.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Senator Val Stevens

  • Senator Stevens is a faithful friend and supporter of homeschooling in Washington State and a member of Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington. She and her husband, Keith, have two adult sons and five grandchildren and are lifetime Washington residents. She has served in the legislature since 1992, first as a State Representative, and then as a State Senator in Arlington’s 39th District since 1996. Currently she serves as the ranking Republican Member on the Human Services and Corrections Committee and as a member or the Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation and Rules Committees. She is a member of Calvary Baptist Church, was elected in 1991 to National Board of Directors for Concerned Women for America, is a Better Government Bureau charter member. and is a Christian Armed Services Association (CASA), ad hoc board member.

Representative Jim McCune

  • Rep. Jim McCune is the father of 3 sons. He is an ardent proponent of homeschooling. He currently lives in Graham. He was first elected to the House in 1998 and serves on the Capital Budget, Housing, Rules, Technology, and Energy and Communications Committees, as well as on the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs. A small business owner, Jim has been a provider of Copper River Salmon products for over 36 years. Amid his many civic involvements, he is an adoptive parent, active church member, and past Awana leader. He has received the following commendations: Cornerstone Award, Association of Washington Business (3 yrs.), Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Business (3 yrs.), 100% Voting Record, Farm Bureau (4 yrs.), as well as numerous basketball coaching awards.

Dick Karman of Oregon’s OCEANetwork and The Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership.

  • Dick and Dorothy Karman of Portland, OR began homeschooling in 1983. In 1984 they became leaders of a Portland-based support group, and in 1985 they founded the Oregon Christian Home Education Association Network. They’ve served in the OCEANetwork ever since. In addition, they have served for years on the board of The ALLIANCE (The National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership). Dick retired after 28 years as a Portland police and now works as an administrative analyst for the Clackamas County Sheriff’s office. Dorothy teaches biology and chemistry to homeschool students. The Karmans’ praise the Lord that their now-adult children are walking with the Lord and they have two young grandsons.

Plus sessions by Scott & DiAnna Brannan of Christian Homeschool Network (CHN)

  • “Washington Homeschool Law: What Homeschool Support Group Leaders Need to Know” + Q&A
  • “What’s All the Fuss? Independent Homeschooling versus Public School-at-Home Programs” + Q&A
  • “A 2008 Legislative Session Update” + Q&A
  • Scott and DiAnna Brannan of Kent, WA have been married twenty-two years and have two teenage children who have been homeschooled from infancy. Over the years the Brannans have served in several capacities within the homeschool community. They are founders of the Christian Homeschool Network of Washington (www.chnow.org). The CHN mission is to communicate legislative and local issues that effect homeschooling in the state of Washington. Scott works as an IT specialist for SAFECO Insurance.

Printable Invitation ~ in PDF format:

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