Rules and Code of Character

I am a Crosby Explorer

I understand that:

We are an inclusive group. While we have many women who are Christian, we accept all types of home school families. We do not discriminate based on gender, religion, financial status, etc. We truly try to make every member feel as though they have a place to belong. Because we have such a diverse group of home-schoolers, who include believers and non-believers alike, we do not require the signing of a statement of faith. We do however require all members to act within our code of character.

Timing/Scheduling: The majority of our meetings are held on Wednesdays from 11am-1pm. Times may vary. Events may be required to be held on another day, (due to venues, etc) but every effort is taken to keep events on Wednesday during that time slot. Events rotate similarly on a yearly basis. (Ie: parties are always about the same, charities are pretty similar) 

Costs: Currently, there is a no fee to participate in Crosby Explorers events. Each month will have an event, a field trip and a park day or two. We attempt to keep most field trips, free or cheap. You only pay your way to field trips. We try to stay below $30 per semester/per child to attend all field trips in our schedule during the year. We plan one monthly field trip. (Events over summer, on the weekends or mom trips are not counted in this total.) Our parties are usually pot luck style. Spring/Fall Pictures usually cost about $10 per family. We understand that we have large families in Crosby Explorers, and so, we take every effort to keep our events affordable. Fairs, Promotions and parties are always free as long as we have a free venue. We try to offer a fair in the fall and only sometimes in the spring. Fairs in the past have been science, history, literature, art, culture, entrepreneur, inventor etc. We do several charities throughout the year. None of which take more than a trip to the dollar store to participate in. We try to be thoughtful that homeschool families at usually on one income. If a job is lost or something changes, we want you to be able to attend and not feel left out!

Code of Character

Conflict: We are a group primarily made up of women. This means that as much as we all love one another, there will be conflict. Crosby Explorers treat one another with respect and kindness. You do not have to agree with every member or every decision made by the administration, but acts of bullying, cyber-bullying, trolling, blocking the administrators or moderators, acts of dissension will not be tolerated, especially in front of our children. Members who act in this manner will be removed and blocked from the group indefinitely and will not be allowed to return, no questions asked. Any problem that arises can be resolved peacefully and should be done so in a private manner. “Resolved” doesn’t always mean that all the members will be happy, but there is no reason to leave this group with negative feelings. We have a zero tolerance policy for drama. Any drama in front of our children is neither allowed nor welcome at Crosby Explorers. Please conduct yourselves with class and dignity. Communication is key. If you have tried to resolve a conflict with another member and it is going unresolved, please contact an administrator. Conflict resolution at that point will result in the revocation of someone’s membership at Crosby Explorers. In an attempt to be fair, this will usually be with the member that is not communicating. These decisions will be deliberated and decided by the administrator. If you choose to not communicate to resolve an issue, the Administrator will take this to mean you are relinquishing your membership at Crosby Explorers.

Serving: If you feel passionate about serving at Crosby Explorers, please let administrator know. Anyone who volunteers or leads at Crosby Explorers is asked to only lead or volunteer with this homeschool group. If it is found that you are leading in two homeschool groups, you will be asked to step down. The reason for this is so that there are no conflicts of interest. We want what is for Crosby explorers to be separate and different than what is for other groups. Please be all in here! You don't have to be exclusive to Crosby explorers to attend. Only if you would like to lead or volunteer. If we are all the same then what would be the purpose of that? Leaders and volunteers are asked to work as a team with other leaders/volunteers and listen to concerns and suggestions of the members of Crosby Explorers. Please know that at any time, responsibilities of leaders and volunteers can change or be omitted. Placement of leaders and volunteers is the sole responsibility of the administrator. Parties, park day activities, fair planning, charity event planning, youth event planning, field day planning, yearbook planning, dance planning etc. are all Crosby Explorers events that require a volunteer or leader. Volunteers and leaders are not paid, and soliciting during our events is not allowed. (Curriculum sales may sometimes be approved by admin.)  

Other Events:  If you have a service, class, event, etc. That you lead as a separate entity (ie: classes, music, art, etc) you would like to see offered as a field trip or event at Crosby Explorers, contact the administrator and we would love to help you to begin your journey offering something you are passionate about. These organizations (Photography for spring/fall pictures, crafting classes, art classes, nature studies, bible studies or any activity outside of Explorers activities etc) are usually lead by members of the group but these members are not considered group leadership. These events may be free or they may cost as these organizations are governed in and of themselves. Pricing is up to the leaders of these organizations. Crosby Explorers may stop using these organizations at any time and go another route if we feel it is not cost effective/beneficial/within the codes and guidelines of the group. Administrators will attempt to utilize what we can, but we cannot utilize or implement every idea or support every person as much as we would like to. Best judgment will be used. All suggestions or concerns will be taken seriously. If you do not want to lead something but would like to see it offered, and administrators/moderators decided it would benefit the group, we will try to find a way/time to offer it if schedule allows. Your input is always accepted.

Photo Liability: Any photos taken by Crosby Explorers members at Crosby Explorers events may be used on the Crosby Explorers Facebook group, website or in the yearly yearbook, and the personal social media pages of our members. I understand that if I do not wish for my children to be in a photo or video, then it is my responsibility to ensure they are out of view of the camera before the photo or video is taken.

Behavior: Please remember that when we are at venues and events, our behavior at these places says a lot about us as a group, especially if we have members wearing Crosby Explorers T Shirts. Please leave areas cleaner than we found them and be respectful of any employees at any venue or field trip we may attend.

Playground Behavior: Children are expected to be respectful, responsible and safe. Conflict between children will inevitably happen and is sometimes a daily happening on the playground. However, serious issues, like cursing, hitting, continued violence and speaking about drugs, alcohol, sex or other morbid issues are not allowed at Crosby Explorers. Grace will be given the first and second time, but if the behaviors continue, the child’s parent will be asked to remove the child from events. Parents are to be responsible for their children at all times.

One Accord: The members of Crosby Explorers will tell you one thing. We love on everyone. You can’t come and not feel like you are a part of our family, we won’t let that happen. We can have unity in our diversity. We can all be working toward the same goals. If we are all of one accord we can do anything we imagine or dream of. Let’s not limit ourselves. Let’s be unified in love. A true family is what we are. We don’t always have to agree, but we must always be tenderhearted toward one another.

I am a Crosby Explorer Leader or Volunteer

I understand that:

We are an inclusive group. While we have many women who are Christian, we accept all types of home school families. We do not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, religion, financial status, etc. We try to make every member feel as though they have a place to belong. Because we have such a diverse group of women, who include believers and non-believers alike, we do not require the signing of a statement of faith. We do however require all members to act within our code of character and as a leader, I am not only held to this and the above code of character, I should be a role model for others in our group.

I promise to:

-show all members love and respect. I will include new members and not be exclusive. It is important that every member feels at home, not just my friends. 

-plan collectively and as a team. I will work toward upholding our ideals of being of one accord and working as a team. We can truly have unity in our diversity if that is the goal of every leader.

-do my best to listen to the concerns and suggestions of others in the group. Before implementing these or any ideas, I will make sure that these are within the guidelines set for the group and if I have any questions as to whether they are, I will consult with the rest of the team and make sure that it is what works best for the others in the organization. I will not seek to push forth plans solely to benefit a few members of the group. Surely we can never please everyone, but the majority should be taken into account at all times when planning always. 

-remember that a zero drama tolerance policy exists within Crosby Explorers. I will seek to immediately help to resolve conflict between members if it is seen, rather than to choose sides and feed into the drama if there is any at hand. This is not to say that opinions will not be had, but that acting with integrity and dignity is always my first goal. If a situation is angry and not leading to a solution, I will keep my eyes forward and not partake in drama.

- lead or plan only for Crosby explorers events. In this way I guard my integrity and loyalty. I will not take ideas for events or activities for Crosby explorers to other groups or suggest their implementation of them in other groups as this would be considered rude at the very least. We want other groups to thrive doing what God has for them. And we want Crosby Explorers to thrive doing what God has for us. Crosby Explorers asks for loyalty in leadership.