Membership Policy

The purpose of this policy is to promote and maintain the disncvely Chrisan character of the school, as outlined in the Foundaonal Statement, and to encourage a high level of community involvement in the programs and goals of the school.

Purpose of Membership

1. Hamilton District Chrisan High (HDCH) was established, and is maintained, by Members of the Hamilton Society for Chrisan Educaon (the Corporaon).

2. Chrisan Educaon, at HDCH, is a communal endeavour: the mission is a shared effort, accomplished in community. The parcipaon and support of membership is vital for the sustainability and accomplishment of the school’s mission. Volunteers from the membership are needed to contribute their unique talents and experse for the benefit of the whole community.

3. Membership is encouraged for all eligible parents/guardians. Membership stretches beyond the current parent/guardian community to include adult alumni, former parents, grandparents, and community supporters, thus sustaining the heritage and purpose of Chrisan educaon across the generaons.

4. The Board of Directors is drawn from and elected by the membership, and membership holds the Board accountable for their work of governance. The Board needs the engagement of the members to consider and affirm certain acts of the Board and decisions that are made on the Corporaon’s behalf.

Membership Rights and Responsibilies

1. Membership Eligibility

Society membership shall consist of members who agree with the Foundaonal Statement (Appendix A) and By-law #1 of the Corporaon, who are at least eighteen (18) years old, are members in good standing of, or regularly aend, a Chrisan church, and who agree to pay the annual fees as determined by the Board of Directors. The qualificaons for membership are defined by the Board and approved by the membership, and in the case of changes to the qualificaons of membership, a special resoluon by the Members.

2. Suspension or Revocaon of Membership for Cause

Pursuant to Arcle 2.8 of the Corporaon’s by-law #2, the Board of Directors reserves the right to suspend or revoke membership for cause as a result of membership fees or other amounts owing to the Corporaon or for conduct unbecoming of a member, or conduct prejudicial to the objects of the Corporaon in the sole discreon of the Board.

To ensure that any suspension contemplated in arcle 2.8 is rendered in good faith and in a fair and reasonable manner, the Board will provide the Member with:

- At least fieen (15) days’ Noce of a disciplinary acon with reasons; and,

- An opportunity to be heard in a format determined by the Board not less than five (5) days before the disciplinary acon becomes effecve, by a quorum of the Board.

A further appeal may be made to the membership as per Arcle 2.10 of the Corporaon’s by-laws.

3. Vong

Each member in good standing shall be entled to one vote on each queson arising at any duly called meeng of the members. Every queson,unless otherwise specifically provided for by the Act or by the Corporaon’s by-laws, shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast by the members present in person by a show of hands or a duly authorized proxy. A vote by ballot may occur as outlined in the by-laws.

4. Annual Dues

The annual dues shall be set in accordance with the budget presented by the Board. A member who resigns, is suspended, or has their Membership revoked remains liable for all membership fees due to the Corporaon.

5. Annual Meeng and Other Meengs of Members

The Annual Meeng of the Corporaon shall be held each year at a date set in accordance with the Corporaon’s by-laws. Each member is entled to aend and parcipate at all meengs duly called by the Board.

6. Quorum

Pursuant to Arcle 3.4 of the Corporaon’s by-laws, a quorum for the transacon of business at any properly constuted meeng of Members shall consist of a minimum of 20 Members in aendance at the meeng.

Membership Approval, Retenon and Renewal

1. New Membership Applicaon Process

The following process is to be followed for becoming a member of the Corporaon:

● Parents/Guardians of newly enrolled students are informed of the opportunity of membership at the me of enrolment.

● All applicants shall complete a membership applicaon and sign it confirming that they meet the requirements of membership.

● A designated staff member shall review membership applicaons to ensure full compleon and forward the completed applicaons to the Board for approval. A follow up meeng with representaves of the Board may be requested.

● The Board will review and approve membership applicaons twice a year at their regularly scheduled February and September meengs.

● The applicant(s) will be nofied of membership approval. If an applicaon is denied, a raonale will be provided.

2. Membership Renewal Process

Membership must be renewed on an annual basis as follows:

● For current parents and guardians, membership is automacally renewed on receipt of September's tuion payment, which includes membership dues.

● For members without a child enrolled at the school, noce of renewal will be sent between 30 and 60 days prior to the renewal date. Renewal is conngent on receipt of membership dues no later than the renewal date.

● Memberships that are not renewed within one year of expiry will be considered lapsed. Renewing a lapsed membership will require subming a new Membership Applicaon.

● The school office will maintain the membership list on behalf of the Board; however, it is the responsibility of the Board to ensure that the membership list is current and accurate

Hamilton District Chrisan High

Membership Applicaon Form

Our Mission – to culvate character through learning for a life of service to God.

Our Vision – to see all HDCH students become a faithful presence in the communies that they serve.

Core Values – Care ❘ Connecon ❘ Growth

Please indicate your relaonship to HDCH:

◻ Parent/Guardian ◻ Future Parent/Guardian ◻ Alumni ◻ Grandparent

◻ Current/Former Staff ◻ Other

If “Other,” please explain your relaonship to HDCH and your raonale for requesng membership:

Being in agreement with the criteria for membership set down by the Board of Directors as summarized below, I hereby wish to become a member of Hamilton Associaon for Chrisan Educaon Incorporated, operang as Hamilton District Chrisan High.

(please affirm each statement below):

I am eighteen (18) years of age or older.

I am in agreement with and shall abide by the Foundaonal Statement and By-Law #1 of Hamilton District Chrisan High. (See Appendix A).

I have received and had the opportunity to review the Membership Policy.

I have been given access to/have had an opportunity to review the following documents/policies and accept that the school will operate in line with and inform their educaonal pracces based upon these policies as well as other policies of the school as may be amended from me to me in the sole discreon of the Board:

HDCH Community Covenant *

Living in Community at HDCH * Gender & Sexuality at HDCH *

I am a sincere aendee/member at a Chrisan Church and have provided the required Pastoral Reference Form (See Appendix B) and I have provided a wrien statement of Chrisan faith that clearly demonstrates my genuine interest in the objecves of the corporaon as outlined in By-Law #1 and the Foundaonal Statement (Appendix C).

I understand my financial commitment as a member and agree to pay the annual membership dues as set by the Board of Directors. The membership dues are currently set at $300 per year and are subject to change on an annual basis.

I understand that membership entails a commitment to support the school with my me and commit to seeking out volunteer opportunies.

I understand that I may not transfer my membership to another person and that upon resignaon, my membership automacally terminates.

* Links for these policies are available upon request. Contact Tina VanDyk (tvandyk@hdch.org, 905-648-6655 x 110)

HDCH Membership Applicaon

Appendix B - Pastoral Reference Form

This form is an appendix to the HDCH Membership Applicaon Form. The Membership Policy requires that the applicant confirm that they “are a sincere aendee/member at a Chrisan Church.” In this case, a “Chrisan Church '' is understood to subscribe to and adhere to similar beliefs to that of HDCH. The Board of HDCH kindly asks you to respond to the quesons/statements below. Please return the completed form to the school by mail or email.

Name of Applicants: _______________________

Name of Pastoral Reference: _____________________

Church Name: ____________________________ Church Address: ______________________________

Does your Church affirm the following teachings and beliefs?

● We believe that the Holy Bible is God's inspired and infallible word.

● We believe that God's word alone is a sufficient rule of faith and pracce.

● We believe Christ Jesus died once for all to atone for our sins.

● We believe we are saved by grace alone, apart from works, through faith in Christ Jesus.

● We believe in all the statements contained in the Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed.

Please complete the following reference quesons:

1.How long have you known the family?

2.Are the parents current aendees/members, in good standing, of your church?

3.Are they faithful in church aendance?

4.As far as you know, is their lifestyle consistent with belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour?

5.Other comments you may wish to add:

Name:

Email:

HDCH Membership Applicaon

Appendix C - Statement of Chrisan Faith

This form is an appendix to the HDCH Membership Applicaon Form. The Membership Policy requires that the applicant provide a “wrien statement of Chrisan faith that clearly demonstrates my genuine interest in the objecves of the corporaon as outlined in By-Law #1 and the Foundaonal Statement.” The Board of HDCH kindly asks that you provide this statement below as supporng informaon to your membership applicaon. Please return the completed form to the school by mail or email along with the completed applicaon form.

Name:

Signature:

Date: