The COVID-19 pandemic and the requirements to practice social distancing has meant that many homeschool groups can no longer meet face-to-face. How can homeschool groups stay connected during this time?

Carol Topp, the HomechoolCPA is joined on today’s podcast by Doreen Browning, co-moderator of the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group and Jamie Buckland, Classical Program Consultant.

Listen as Carol, Doreen and Jamie discuss:

• How we can enjoy and redeem this time of isolation and refocus on homeschooling and our families.
• How to encourage interactive communication, not just one-way communication.
• Tools to use to stay connected: some new and some very old school (mail and phones!)
• While we are having a health emergency, there is no educational emergency.
• Are we too dependent on our co-op classes and tutors?
• Encourage parents that they are equipped to homeschool their children without your wonderful group!

Join the Facebook group for homeschool leaders: I am a Homeschool Group Leader. 1200+ homeschool leaders offer ideas, encouragement and respectful exchange of ideas. https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

Webinar: Starting an Academic Homeschool Program

Are you interested in starting a homeschool program with a classical and academic focus? Jamie Buckland started Appalachian Classical Academy (ACA) after running a for-profit classical community. Now she is the Executive Director of ACA. She explains how ACA is set up with not one but two boards to run the Academy as a nonprofit organization!

Jaime and Carol teamed up to present a webinar on the ABCs of Starting an Academic Homeschool Program. You can benefit from their combined knowledge in this webinar (and you’ll get several helpful resources as well). http://homeschoolcpa.com/how-to-start-an-academic-homeschool-program/

Jamie Buckland, the Classical Program Consultant is available for phone consultations regarding starting and running a classical homeschool group. Contact her at https://jamiebuckland.net/

COVID-19 probably means your homeschool group has cancelled meeting for several week.

It gets lonely without our regular homeschool groups, doesn’t it?

Well, now might be the time to meet other homeschool group leaders who know how you feel.

I moderate a Facebook group called

I am a Homeschool Group Leader

Come join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

We are about 1200 homeschool leaders from across the USA (and a few foreign countries) who share tips, information, and offer encouragement and support.

We talk about all kinds of things from problem parents, finding volunteers, managing activities, and cancelling groups because of the corona virus.

Now more than ever, we need each other and technology can help us get through this very difficult time.

Thanks for all you do in running your organizations! You’re my heroes!
See you on Facebook!

Carol Topp, CPA
HomeschoolCPA.com

A homeschool leader asks if the way her group pays volunteer teacher is legal.

Holly, a homeschool group leader emailed HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp this situation:

“I need guidance on the method with which our organization’s volunteers are paid teacher fees. We are collecting cash from all the members for their children’s class fees, and redistributing it to the teachers for their class payment.

Apparently this is being done to simply the process and so members do not have to write checks. I am concerned this is an illegal practice.”

Listen as Carol explains:

• Whether this is legal
• Are these teachers really volunteers?
• Should the teachers be employees or Independent Contractors?
• What Holly’s organization needs to do regarding paying teachers
• A simpler option

Featured Product

In the podcast I mentioned my book

Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization

Are you paying workers in your homeschool organization?

• Can a volunteer be paid?
• Should a worker be treated as an employee or independent contractor?
• Do you know the difference?

Homeschool leader and CPA, Carol Topp, has the answers to your questions in her book Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization.

This 130 page book covers paying workers as employees or independent contractors. There are also chapters on paying volunteers and board members. It includes sample forms, tips and advice to help you pay workers in accordance with the IRS laws to help your organization pay their workers correctly. Written specifically for homeschool organizations.

I’m excited to visit south Texas in February 2020 and get to meet and speak to homeschool leaders in San Antonio, Austin and Houston!

San Antonio: Tuesday February 25, 2020
from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
on the lovely grounds of
Family Educators Alliance of South Texas (FEAST)
7735 Mockingbird Lane • San Antonio, TX • 78229
Register here for San Antonio

Austin: Wednesday February 26, 2020
from 6:30-9:15 pm
at
Calvary Worship Center (North Austin, close to TX 45 & N Mopac Expy)
14901 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78728 
More information and to RSVP for Austin

Houston: Thursday February 27, 2020
from 6:30-9:15 pm
at
University Baptist Church  (Chapel area)
16106 Middlebrook Dr
Houston, TX 77059  
More information and to RSVP for Houston

The San Antonio event is sponsored by Family Educators Alliance of South Texas and the Austin and Houston events are sponsored by Texas Homeschool Coalition with much appreciation!

Each event will have:

• A brief session presented by Carol Topp, CPA, the HomeschoolCPA on “Topp Tips for Running a Homeschool Organization”
• A Town Hall session for you to ask question and get advice from other homeschool leaders
• Q&A time with Carol Topp, CPA
• A chance to look at HomeschoolCPA’s books
• An opportunity to be encouraged by other leaders who understand you!
• A shot in the arm much needed at this point in the year
• Professional advice on finances, legal structures, taxes, employees, insurance, etc.

I hope to see you in San Antonio, Austin or Houston!

Carol Topp, CPA
HomeschoolCPA.com
Helping Homeschool Leaders