Joining the Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op

Joining the Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op is a simple process which you can begin by -->clicking here<--.  However, we recommend that you first learn more about co-op membership by reading the information below.

About the Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op

Our goal is to provide a warm and enriching environment where homeschooled kids and their parents have opportunities for friendship, support and educational activities.

We call ourselves a co-op because members cooperate to provide enriching experiences for their children and themselves.  For example some members set up tours, others like to plan parties or classes, and we all help to welcome new members.  Every member shares in the benefits of our group, and every member contributes in ways that come naturally to them.

We are a diverse, inclusive group, and as such we welcome members regardless of their religious belief or non-belief, homeschooling method (boxed curriculum, eclectic, unschooling, etc), parenting style or location in the Albuquerque area.

Who can join

The criteria for joining the co-op are simply:

*  be a current resident of the greater Albuquerque area, so you can attend activities,

*  have a child between 0 and 18 years old,

*  be home schooling your child full time, or if your child is not yet compulsory school age, firmly intending to do so.

After reading these guidelines, you may decide you prefer a group that is more exclusive (for example, one for Catholics, unschoolers, or residents of Rio Rancho), or one that is more inclusive (for example, those enrolled part time in APS Family School, or those looking for summertime enrichment for their non-homeschooled children).

If  either of the above is true for you, keep in mind there are many homeschooling groups in our area. You might even decide to start you own. You can find help and support on our public homeschooling forum, which is open to everyone. The public forum can also be a helpful resource if you’re considering homeschooling but haven’t made a decision yet.

Membership benefits

In addition to the public online homeschooling forum, which is open to everyone, we also have a private forum and online calendar just for members. The members forum and calendar cannot be accessed unless you join the co-op.  Registering on the public boards is not the same thing as joining the Co-op.

Members of the co-op can look forward to many exciting activities for their children and themselves. We typically have several activities to choose from each week. For the privacy and safety of our children, the co-op calendar of events is available only to members.

In a typical month we offer park days, visits to the zoo or museums, classes such as art or history, and moms nights out. Many activities are free, some charge a small fee to cover expenses or entrance fees.

Participation Rules

Dues
There are never fees or dues associated with joining Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op. However, we do require all members to participate as described below.

User Names
All Co-op members are required to use their first name and last initial as their user name. The use of real names creates a feeling of community that can't be replicated with an alias.

Co-op Directory
All Co-op members are required to have their information listed in the Co-op directory.  This is so you can be contacted if there is a change in a scheduled event. The directory also facilitates personal friendships among members, which is what Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op is all about.

Attendance
There are no minimum attendance requirements, but we would love to see you as often as you can.  

Posting
Every three months the membership boards get pruned of members who haven’t posted within a 3 month period.  This is done in order to maintain the privacy of all active members.  In the event you are pruned due to inactivity, simply contact the Admin Team if you are able to post at least one time every three months and would like your membership re-instated.  The public portion of the boards will remain open to inactive members.  In the event you are removed from the members boards due to inactivity, you must attend a park day before your membership can be reinstated.

On-going groups and classes
Groups or classes are considered on-going when they actively meet or have scheduled activities for three month or more.  For example, a history class that meets monthly for a year could be considered on-going.  An on-going group can have its own sub-forum for the ease of all participating in the group.  If you would like to have a sub-forum, contact the Admin team and we’ll provide you with one.  There are, however, a few rules regarding sub-forums:

* An activity or class is not eligible for sub-forum status unless it has been active for at least 3 months.

* If a sub-forum becomes inactive for more than 3 months, it will be removed.

*  A sub-forum may be started by any member, whether new or veteran.

*  A sub-forum can only be open to current Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op Members.

*  A sub-forum may not have a financial chair.  Albuquerque Homeschool Co-op is neither a non-profit nor not-for-profit, and we do not handle money unless it is to cover the costs of supplies, entrance fees, or trips.  In cases where money is collected for costs or fees, the sub-forum facilitator will collect the money or ask/appoint a volunteer to collect it.

* We will not host sub-forum which falls under the umbrella of an active or inactive non-profit or not-for-profit organization.  

*  Admin. reserves the right to add or remove sub-forums on a case by case basis.

New Members

New members have the same benefits as members. A new member may host or start a class or plan an outing as soon as they join.

Regardless of how long you have been a member, the governing rule of the co-op is really the golden rule itself; treat others as you wish to be treated. All posts and in person interactions should be respectful and non-derogatory. If your opinion should vary from others, that is fine and just lends to our wonderful diversity. However, please remember that  hostility and disrespect toward any member will not be tolerated, and the Admin. Team reserves the right to remove the membership status of anyone who is consistently hostile or disrespectful.

Ready to join? -->Click here<--

Hi my child and I are interested in joining and becoming members.  Do or can we do this by attending the Thursday get togethers? Thank you. :)

Tachias,

Attending the Thursday park day is a great way to meet others in the group so that you can request to be a member.

Hi My name is Renee. I homeschool my 2 daughters, ages 12 and 13.  We just joined and will be at the park today. We look forward to meeting fellow homeschoolers

I just registered and plan to come next Thursday and may bring a friend:) I have a 4 month old and a 4 year old and look forward to meeting everyone! :)

Hi, all! I look forward to meeting everyone at the park! I can't make tomorrow, but will be able to come next week! Mother of two little girls, 2 y.o. and 6 m.o., brand new to homeschooling and looking for likeminded parents to help us on our journey!

I have been to the last 2 weeks at the park, with my 2 and 4 year olds.  Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.  I look forward to getting involved in more activities with the group! ;)

Kim

Hi,
I my name is kristen. We currently live in San Diego, but will be moving to Tijeras in Dec. I homeschool my sons (8 and 3) and daughter (5). I am originally from tijeras/albuquerque and really looking forward to coming home. Obviously we won't be able to meet any of you just yet but really looking forward to when we can!

Hi,
My name is Jane.  I'm a single parent homeschooling my 5 year old daughter.  I work on Thurs/Friday and am wondering if there is any other day that you all get together that we could meet.  Thanks.
Jane

Hi,
I am Amy.  I'm homeschooling my 11 year old son.  He has been homeschooled since three years old.  I'm hoping to find out where you all meet so we can come and meet all of you.
Amy

I'm a little confused as to where I'm supposed to be posting so I can stay active every three months. I've come to most of the park days for almost a year now, but haven't been on the forum too much. I didn't know until today I have to post things to stay part of the group.

Hi Rachel,
I'm sorry, I only just saw your post, and maybe someone has already spoken with you at park day about this requirement.  While anyone can come to park day (and I'm so glad that you do!), you're considered a "member" when you are given access to our private members-only boards.  This is a little confusing, because they only will appear visible once you are granted access to them.  To become a member, you must first come to one of our park days.  Then you can click the link above (in the top post) and request membership.  Once you are approved, you will see more boards appear.  It is on these boards that you have to post at least once every three months, as a way of making sure that our membership rolls remain current, with only actively involved members.  Let me know if you have any questions!  

[b][/b] Hello, my name is Corrin Cameron and my daughter Abigail and I are interested in joing te group. We are slightly isolated in our area and she needs to socialize with others.   8)  8)

Hi Corrin,
I would like to encourage you to stop by one of our park days to meet our co-op- we meet every Thursday at 1pm.  We've been alternating park locations by month, but you can always check the scrolling news bar at the top of the main forum page (www.abqhomeschool.com/forum) for updated location info.  I hope to see you there soon!

Hi all!  We are homeschooling family who will be spending our second semester and summer taking a giant field trip across the country.  We are looking forward to learning all about this great expansive country of ours.  Our first long stop will be in NM.  We are planning on basing out of Mountainair and taking mini-field trips/camping trips/ and adventures from there for the first three months of 2013.  We'd love to meet other families, participate (and maybe even plan) in some of your activities, and learn from you about the must-see places in NM and AZ.  My two boys will be traveling with me.  They are 8 and 11.  (My daughter is a sophomore in college.)  We will also be traveling with our au pair, a young man from Venezuela, who is (as you can imagine) very excited to be spending his year here traveling across the country.  Looking forward to meeting you all!  Lauren