We recently attended the annual board retreat for our organization. Our board meets quarterly, but this is the only time each year we meet in person. The weekend gives us time to really contemplate our mission and plan for the future. We spent some time looking at our purpose as stated in our bylaws, and we used that as our starting point for the rest of our discussions. As we discerned the needs of our organization and the ways we want to serve you, our members, it was amazing to see how God steered our conversations and solidified our direction.
We are very privileged to have a dedicated group of servant-hearted people that we get to work with. It got us thinking about why having a state organization is so important and why families should want to be part of it.
Why did you join Homeschool New York/LEAH? Maybe it was because you were interested in being part of a local chapter. Perhaps it was to get help from PICC for your struggling learner. Maybe you wanted to participate in a graduation ceremony! These are all great reasons–and just a few of the ways that Homeschool New York/LEAH provides support for our members. But, we believe that the reasons we exist, and the reasons why families should join and support a statewide organization, are so much greater.
We hold the history of homeschooling in New York. It was our founding members that were threatened with truancy and faced the real possibility of going to jail and/or losing custody of their children (if you’re not familiar with this saga, visit our website and listen to the recording of Alice Blackwelder and Sharon Grimes at the “NYS Homeschool History” link under the “About” tab). It’s imperative that we remember where we came from, what the struggles were, and why it’s so important to keep vigilant when threats to homeschooling pop up. We can’t take our history for granted, thinking that the battle won in the ’80s is settled and done forever. There are entities today who are just as opposed to the idea of parents being completely in control of their children’s education. We’ve seen firsthand the difficulties many families have with overbearing school districts, not to mention recent fights against restrictive legislation in many other states. We have the history of pushing back, and our presence in the state means that we have the capacity to send out a call for action when needed. Your membership matters; it helps us to support our nearly 3,000 member families and have an impact for those who aren’t our members.
Certainly, local chapters are the backbone of our organization. We value what our chapters provide: the friendships that are made, the support that is given, and the encouragement at those moments when homeschool parents needs to know that they can do this and are already doing a great job! The majority of our members belong to a chapter (did you know about LEAH-Connect, our virtual chapter for those who can’t be part of a local chapter?!). Each chapter is overseen by leaders who serve under the board. Each Regional Representative couple provides those Chapter Leaders with encouragement, support, and conflict resolution when needed. Chapter Leaders meet twice a year–once virtually to vote on the budget and board positions, and once in person for fellowship and education to help them in their roles. When you support our organization with your membership, you’re supporting your leaders and helping them to do their jobs better!
We’re the only organization in New York advocating for your homeschool rights and freedoms. This happens in various ways, but keeping an eye on Albany is the biggest part. Since we homeschool under regulations, we need to keep an eye on the State Education Department and the Board of Regents, as well as on our legislators! We have a volunteer legislative team that meets regularly to discuss and plan for our interactions with elected and nonelected officials. This team coordinates our Albany Days and Homeschool Day at the Capital and also monitors problem school districts. We plan the events, but when you show up, that’s when they have an impact! We are the only in-state organization who does this work, and since it has the potential to affect all homeschoolers, we make sure to invite those who aren’t our members to work alongside us in our efforts in Albany.
Advocacy is also about promoting homeschooling: educating the public, responding to media contacts, holding homeschool information sessions, and sharing research results that show homeschool outcomes. We stay in regular communication with organizations like Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) so we can always have the latest information to share with you.
We provide membership benefits, as well. Not every family will take advantage of all of them, but there is such a variety, you’re sure to find something that will help your homeschool journey. Hopefully, we have helped you see why it’s not just what you get from the organization for your membership dollars, but what benefit there is to everyone when you join the organization. Your fellow homeschoolers depend on you to protect and promote home-based, parent-led education.
Do you know someone who is not a member? Encourage them to join! Invite them to next year’s Homeschool Day at the Capital (May 3-4, 2027). Give them an issue of our magazine when you are finished with it so they can see all there is to experience as a Homeschool New York/LEAH member, and let’s pray they will be inspired to be part of the big picture! We thank you for your support.
We welcome your feedback!
Peace in Christ,
Rob & Jen Snyder
President, Homeschool New York
