Attention: Homeschool Leaders

Please pass along the following information to your group. If your group has an announcement of educational events, activities, or performances which homeschool families would be interested in knowing about this summer, please email SCHEA by May 25 so the information can be sent out on the e-chain for June and July. We want to hear from ALL regions of South Carolina. Thank you.

E-chain contact: supportgroups@schomeeducatorsassociation.org 

Parents have you wished your homeschooled teens could attend a worldview conference, but just couldn't afford it or fit it in with your teenager's busy summer schedules? If you answered "Yes" to one or both of those questions, this June in Sumter, you CAN make it happen!

This year's Teen Conference at the Annual State Home School Convention June 20-21 at University of SC, Sumter campus under the direction of Rick Velilla has the theme:

My Worldview: Find It, Get It, Keep It

This 2-day, seven-session teen conference features nationally known speakers who inspire teens to put their Christian faith into action.

Sessions #1 & #2: Christian Worldview Thinking: First Step - Clear Away the Obstacles presented by Joe Wirtz of Cultural Commission

Session #3: The Power of the Media in an Entertainment Society presented by Paul Downer of Discipleship Network of America, Tennessee

Session #4: I Wonder What Jesus Thinks presented by Rick Velilla

Session #5: Break-Out Workshops - Special 3-hour workshops on Speaking or Writing (teens choose one to attend)

SCHEA could use YOUR help at the convention! Convention volunteers are an integral part of the success and effective ministry of the state homeschool convention. Your participation will make a difference in the lives of all who attend, and hopefully, will be a blessing to you in the process.

Please consider volunteering during the convention. It's easy! Simply fill out and mail in the Convention Pre-registration Form checking the box for volunteers. You will be contacted to choose an available job and timeslot.

As a "thank you," volunteers receive free admission if they are SCHEA members OR discounted admission if non-SCHEA members. Four (4) hours of volunteer work is required for the discount.

Volunteer Q’s & A’s

Q: What do I have to know to volunteer?
A: No prior experience is necessary for most volunteer positions. Below are the volunteer jobs that need to be filled.

• Workshop Monitors
• Workshop Hospitality Helpers
• Volunteer/Information Table Monitors
• Vendor Hospitality Helpers
• Donated Curriculum Helpers (experienced homeschoolers)
• Booth Watchers
• Vendor Hall Door Monitors
• Book Signing Assistant
• Vendor Food Runners
• Keynote Escorts (may be more than 4 hours required)
• Nursing Mothers’ Lounge Monitor
• Teen Conference Snack Servers
• Teen Conference Workshop Helpers
• Registration Table Helpers (hand-picked in advance)
• Other positions as needed

Q: Who may volunteer?
A: Any registered adult attendee of the convention may volunteer.

Q: My young adult or teen wants to volunteer. Do I have to pay to register him/her?
A: Yes. All volunteers must be registered to attend the convention. Young adults and teens are welcomed to volunteer, but they must be registered for the convention with a parent, and their volunteer time does not satisfy the requirement for free/discounted convention admission. Their participation is service/ministry only. Set-up and breakdown helpers are an example of this much needed service/ministry. We will be happy to sign any forms for community service hours.

Q: When should I offer to volunteer?
A: It's never too early OR too late! The convention coordinator would GREATLY appreciate knowing as early as possible for scheduling purposes, and you have more choices available if you volunteer sooner rather than later. However, if you register at the door and desire to volunteer for the discount, we will probably be able to accommodate you, but your choices for jobs will be limited based on need.

Q: How many volunteers do you really need?
A: Usually we need 70-80 volunteers at the convention! About 40 people work the required 4 hours for the free/discounted admission; others are teens/young adults or parents who are offering ministry/service hours before, during and after the convention. Still others help provide food or set-up for special events during the convention and work directly under those special event coordinators.

Q: Can I get a discount on my registration by volunteering at the convention?
A: Yes! Registered, adult attendees who are SCHEA members receive FREE convention admission for 4 hours volunteer work. Registered, adult attendees who are not SCHEA members receive $15 discount off convention admission for 4 hours volunteer work.

Q: Do I have to miss a workshop session to volunteer?
A: Maybe. Probably. We need volunteers during each workshop session to help the speakers and monitor the vendor hall when it is open, in addition to many other jobs. More than likely that will mean that you will miss one or two workshop sessions. However, the earlier you pre-register for the convention and indicate your desire to volunteer, the more choices you have for available timeslots. Also, most workshop sessions will be available for purchase on CD.   

Q: Can I volunteer for more than four hours (or less than four hours)?
A: Absolutely! We ask for at least four hours of service in order to receive free/discounted convention admission, but you may volunteer as much time as you like. We appreciate all of our volunteers!

NOTE: Please remember that the SCHEA Board of Directors are ALL volunteers, not just during the actual convention, but all year long! They log in thousands of volunteer hours each year to benefit homeschooling families in South Carolina.