Customer Reviews

Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"I learned that, regretfully, we cannot be all things to all people--only Jesus can."

With this insightful refrain, Carol Topp urges leaders of homeschool co-ops to identify their purpose and define their target.

The opening chapters of Homeschool Co-ops provide a levelheaded assessment of both advantages and disadvantages of participating in a co-op. For example, Topp tackles a significant issue by admitting: "Some people are extremely reluctant to discipline another person's child. Granted, I would never lay a hand on a child, but I do let them know if they are out of line. If you do not like assisting other parents in this way, or if you are very sensitive about other parents verbally disciplining your child, then you had better think carefully about a co-op commitment."

Speaking of interpersonal matters, Topp points us to The Peacemaker by Ken Sande for conflict resolution, and summarizes the key aspects to successful peacemaking: overlooking an offense, reconciliation, and negotiation.

Topp addresses general issues including the double-edged nature of co-op distinctives, as well as specific matters including how to evaluate space and facilities. Valuable checklists, surveys, and links support the author's recommendations.

Quick references sprinkled throughout the text direct readers who seek more in-depth coverage of a topic discussed. Sometimes readers are directed to another chapter within the text, other times they are referred to an outside source, website, or book.

Detailed suggestions for co-op offerings are provided, including classes and activities based upon students' ages, topics, clubs, or curriculum. As a fellow writer, I particularly appreciate her admonishment for homeschoolers to purchase curriculum whenever photocopying violates copyright restrictions.

Fellow home-schoolers' stories and testimonies are woven throughout the book.

Although insights from others who have led or participated in co-ops are valuable, one of this book's greatest strengths comes from Carol's insight as a CPA with personal experience in home school co-op business matters.

Carol presents clear explanations regarding the various non-profit organizational structures and by-laws. She explains how to prepare a budget, bookkeeping basics, and the benefits and disadvantages of the coveted 501(c)(3) status. A more detailed treatment of these matters as well as guidelines regarding hiring teachers and other employees may be found in her eBook titled, Money Management for Homeschool Organizations (see her website for ordering details).

In the last section of her manuscript, she underscores an obvious but too often neglected reality: a co-op is not a solo venture! Fortunately, she provides concise instructions on how to avoid burn out: "Strive for a co-op that lives up to its name..."

Carol closes her counsel with the ABC's of successful homeschool co-ops: "A Board" (establish one), "Bylaws" (write them, and include a clear mission statement), and "Create a Budget."

In summary, this title brims with wise counsel and practical resources for those who lead or attend or are simply considering participating in a homeschool co-op.

This book is a must have for any one wishing to start, maintain, or save a dying co-op.

I would have loved to have had this book years ago when I joined my first co-op. Being brand new to home schooling, the other moms and I knew nothing on how to get a co-op off the ground. We forged a path through uncharted territory, figuring it out as we went. Though we gained friendships, fellowship, and a shared learning experience, we weren't without our struggles, personality conflicts, and growing pains. That's when a book like this is invaluable.

Anything you want to know about cooperation of families working together - small co-ops, large ones, mission statement and purpose, leadership and volunteer roles, handling conflict, potential class topic ideas, location, and even tax-exempt issues are explained. It's all there in this well written 170-page book.

The author writes:

It may not be problem free to start or run a home school co-op, but most homeschool parents find that co-oping is worth the commitment and expense! Homeschool co-ops are becoming more and more popular because they are meeting the needs and expectations of homeschooling families.
There is no stone left unturned! No matter what your need or group size, this book is a great help to start and keep your Co-op healthy.

While I have never been a member of a co-op, I was thinking about getting together with one or two other families to have either an art class or science class-- the two subjects that have sadly fallen by the wayside in our homeschool. Carol's book came at the perfect time!

Let me tell you some of my favorite things about her book:

-Carol's writing style is very easy to read. It didn't take extra energy (that I did not have) to just get through the book-- I actually enjoyed reading it!

-Included in her book are real life stories and situations. Not only does it make things more interesting, but you can tell the book contains her personal experience with co-op's along with the experience of other homeschoolers.

-As you would expect from a CPA, the book is very well organized. Nothing irks me more than a book with no flow and no sense in the order of chapters.

-The book is very thorough and divided into three main sections: Starting a Co-op, Running a Co-op, and How to Avoid Burnout.

-Examples of various forms, mission statements, etc. are included. She also has very pointed questions to ask yourself in each chapter. Not one to just convince you that a co-op is for everyone, Carol helps you to see the many benefits of a co-op as well as to count the cost.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that has even thought about starting a co-op! This has encouraged me greatly and I plan to pass this useful resource on to others.

This book has been invaluable. DO NOT start a co-op without it. Why reinvent the wheel, you don't have to. Mrs. Topp has done the heavey lifting for you. It has paid for it self a hundred times over!

Recently we began a homeschool support group in our area. This book has been invaluable in the process of beginning and setting our group up. The ideas are presented in a clear and organized manner, so that it was very simple to follow the steps from getting started, growing the group, moving towards tax exempt status, and avoiding burn-out. Checklists, sample documents and other resources were also included in the book. Another important section was on conflict resolution because we all know that when dealing with other people there is going to be some issues! In addition to the knowledge in the book, there are several links to sites that provide additional resources, including the author's website. I have found her information to be an excellent source for beginning homeschool groups. On a side note, after reading her book and perusing the Homeschool CPA site, I emailed Carol with several questions and she replied to them!

After serving in a leadership role for 5 years to a co-op group which was formed about 20 years ago, several aspects of the book were superfluous to my needs. However, I still found many great fresh ideas, numerous checks and balances to implement in the financial arena, and just much needed refreshment and encouragement at a time when I was suffering some "burn out". Carol also has cited other support groups and knowledge bases which were immensely helpful. I recommend highly for anyone serving in a leadership role in a home school co-op!

Are you thinking about starting a homeschool co-op? Are you involved a homeschool co-op that needs some re-structuring? Carol Topp, who is also a CPA, has written a how-to guide on how to start, run, and not burn out. As a homeschool group leader for many years, I would have benefitted from this book when our group went through a major reorganization. Growing pains are never fun, but our growing pains would have been easier with this resource. This books contains space for you to answer questions, and it gives you outlines of questions to ask when structuring your co-op. This book contains 11 chapters, and one chapter that ALL homeschool co-ops should read is the one about 501(c)(3) Tax-exempt Organizations. There is a handy checklist and list of resources. I highly recommend this book for any homeschool leader or member.

This book answers everything you ever wanted to know about homeschool co-ops. A Must READ for all homeschool groups! I personally had no idea how to start a co-op, but after reading this book, all the answers as to how, what, where, and why were answered!

Carol Topp has lovingly and prayerfully written a simple yet professional book for homeschool groups that is a valuable resource of tips, legal information, and step-by-step guidance on how to organize, set up and run a local homeschool co-op. This is a book that, as well as her other resources, can be utilized by a church with a large homeschool population thinking about starting a homeschool group, or an existing homeschool group that wants to start a co-op, or simply any Christian homeschool organization (or non-christian one) looking at incorporating and becoming a non-profit group. My organization here in southern California has used her books and ebooks since we began five years ago, including Homeschool Co-Ops: How to Start Them, Run Them, and Not Burn Out, and I can honestly say that we would not be enjoying the growth and success that we are currently seeing if it were not for her encouragement and step-by-step instructions complete with explanations, cautions, and answers to questions she is frequently asked by homeschoolers about co-ops and other types of homeschool organizations. Her book saved our Board of Directors a good amount of money when we were going through our filing process and setting up our original structure. It has also saved us probably countless hours worth of research and meetings that we would have had to spend precious time on. It is difficult for any homeschool parent to have to devote much time to anything other than homeschooling their own children, right? Also, since our group is run completely by volunteers, who freely give their time and skills, this book was a much loved tool because it was as if Carol Topp had done all the hard work for us already. Actually, we still refer back to her book and website, [...], all the time. Since Carol breaks down the info in her book into categories based on the size of a homeschool group, we started out looking at the sections that spoke to groups of about 10 to 20 families but now, three years later we started to have to study the sections on groups of over 100 families. All in all, the book is an amazing value for the price and an invaluable resource for any homeschool organization.
Sincerely,
-Lisa Vaca, SDCH Chairman
San Diego Christian Homeschools is a 501-C-3 organization serving Christian Homeschool families in San Diego County, Ca.

Ms. Topp is a WONDERFUL source for all things "homeschool co-op" related! Definitely a book not to pass over on your way to developing, working at, and KEEPING that co-op!

She gives great information. I use her book often as we have a co-op and a support group in our local area. You will find every answer for every question you could ask.

As a previous reviewer stated, there are Christian information inside the book. I don't find it a reason to NOT read the book as all the information is IMPORTANT for anyone who wants to run or KEEP RUNNING a homeschool co-op.

Thank you for the help, Ms. Topp!!! Wonderful book and great information!! I think you've saved our co-op a headache and nightmares!!