The History of the Network of Home Education
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(taken from the Anniversary Edition of the Net, May 2003) |
Since NHE is celebrating its 2nd anniversary this month, we thought it would be a good time to give a little history of how and why the organization was started. The most important thing for you to know is that all along the way, each step and decision that has been made was done so after much prayerful consideration and searching for guidance from our Father in heaven. He has blessed our efforts more than we could have ever imagined!
As we move into the future we want you to know that it is our ongoing practice to continually pray for wisdom, strength, understanding and guidance in making decisions for and leading this organization into the future. We ask that you pray for each of us and for NHE as we try to do what's right!
That's the perspective from which we come....now here's the story:
Debbie P. and I were both new to homeschooling. We would sit together day after day while our children were in karate class together and we would lament the fact that as new homeschoolers we seemed to have NO HELP!!! We would hear about workshops and support groups that were active in other areas of the state and would ask ourselves, "Why can't we have that here? Why can't things be more organized here, more connected?". Finally, one day we decided that instead of just sitting around complaining about what we didn't have, we would DO SOMETHING about it.
We were both in the Spirit Builders support group which was a group of homeschooling moms who would get together once a month for Mom's night out as well as planning field trips for the kids, etc. Spirit Builders was great for doing things on a small scale but for larger projects, we just didn't have enough families. Another member of Spirit Builders was Brenda Keeton, and although we didn't know a lot of specifics, we did know that she had some past experience in the administration end of running a homeschool organization. So, since we were new at this and had no idea where to begin, we decided to contact Brenda and see if she would help us. At that time we were simply 2 homeschooling moms who needed help, and thought we could also help others along the way.
We did call Brenda and set up a meeting. I had jotted down a list of the goals that I had in mind for the group and brought them to the meeting, just so that when we came together we would be able to tell if we were all thinking alike. Amazingly enough, this list of goals was accepted unanimously and eventually became the basis for our mission statement.
The next decision to be made was how and when to kick-off this new organization. I had talked about how awesome it would be to have Steve and Jane Lambert from Five In A Row to come and speak. I had several of their conference tapes and they were such an encouragement to me. However, I stated to the others at the meeting that I was sure there would be NO WAY that the Lamberts could come. I was sure that it was just a "pie in the sky" idea. However, Debbie's husband encouraged me to give it a try and make that phone call to the Lamberts. You never know until you ask, right?
Well, I sent an email to Steve Lambert the next day and within just a few hours he called me on the telephone to say that although they "never do this type of thing any more" they would be able to come!!! It "just so happened" that they would be passing through the area in May on their way to a huge homeschool convention in Orlando, Fl. Mr. Lambert said that they normally fly to these things (in which case they wouldn't be able to stop) but this time they were actually going to be driving. Needless to say, we were THRILLED!
Our next step was to start planning this event and try to get the word out. I knew Phyllis Broadus through another funny series of events (which is a whole other story!). I knew that she was a huge Five In A Row fan and VERY GOOD at putting a newsletter together. I thought she just might want to get in on this thing and help us. Brenda, Debbie and I voted to see if Phyllis B. (a.k.a. Phyllis1) would be interested in helping us with the event AND the organization. Well, she was available, and willing to help.
That was our beginning. Now, 2 years later, we have accomplished almost every goal that we had written down at that very first meeting. We have an organization in place that is really helping people, whether it's helping them get started with homeschooling, supporting them once they are up and running, getting the relevant information out there to everyone or keeping folks connected to each other, etc. It's been wonderful!
We still have big plans for the future....goals that we plan on reaching during the upcoming fiscal year....exciting goals! As the organization grows and our membership matures (we have LOTS of new homeschoolers!!) we have more and more people who are willing and able to devote a portion of their time and energy to help other homeschoolers. NHE is the vehicle for that. That's what we're all about.
This organization is now a lot bigger than the four of us who were in on the "ground floor" of its beginning. I see it taking on a life of its own. I see a caring, active, vital membership. It's so exciting! I am so proud to be a part of it! I hope that you are proud to be a part of it too.
I hope that this little "history lesson" has helped you to have a better understanding of NHE, it's origin and it's purpose. I hope that you feel ownership of this organization and that you feel that you are an important part of it....you are.
Speaking on behalf of the NHE Council I want to thank you for your membership, your friendship, your acts of kindness, and the time and effort that you put into this organization. You are appreciated....you are valued! We look forward to continuing a long and fruitful partnership with you!
Blessings,
Phyllis Lerro
(a.k.a. Phyllis2)
(former Membership Coordinator)
(History of NHE - Link)
updated 7/086/07
