A free starting point you can copy, edit and agree on together. Plain English, no legal jargon.
Try Lumi free for 48 hours →Most co-op problems are not dramatic. They are unclear expectations: who pays what, who is on the hook to teach, what happens when a child is disruptive, and how a decision gets made. Writing it down early, while everyone is friendly, is much easier than after a disagreement. Governance guides such as Nav Education's bylaws guide note that many co-op documents say little about how a member can be suspended or removed when something goes wrong, so this template includes it.
Copy this into a document, replace the brackets and adjust it to your group.
[CO-OP NAME] RULES AND BYLAWS 1. PURPOSE [Co-op name] is a group of homeschooling families who meet to [learn together / share classes / build friendships]. Our goals this year are: [goal 1], [goal 2], [goal 3]. 2. MEMBERSHIP a) A family joins by [invitation / application] and agreement to these rules. b) A family is each household with at least one parent or guardian who takes part. c) Children stay the responsibility of their own parent or guardian at all times. d) We aim to keep the co-op to about [number] families. 3. DUES AND COSTS a) Dues are [amount] per [family / child] per [term], due by [date]. b) Dues cover [room rental, supplies, insurance, etc.]. Class fees are listed separately. c) If a family leaves, dues are handled as follows: [policy]. 4. LEADERSHIP AND DECISIONS a) The co-op has [a director, a treasurer and a secretary] chosen by [vote / rotation] for [one year]. b) Routine decisions need a majority of families present. Changes to these rules need [two-thirds] of member families. c) The director may make urgent safety decisions and must tell families as soon as possible. 5. MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE a) We meet [day, time, place] for [weeks]. b) Families tell the co-op by [time] if they cannot attend. c) Each family helps [number] times per term (teaching, setup, snacks, cleanup). 6. CONDUCT a) Everyone treats each other with respect, in person and online. b) No bullying, no mocking, no harsh discipline of another family's child. c) Parents deal with their own child's behavior first. Repeated disruption may mean the child sits out. d) Co-op chat is for co-op business and friendly talk. No spam, no selling, no sharing other families' private details. 7. SAFETY AND SUPERVISION a) A parent or guardian is on site, or has named another adult in writing. b) Families share emergency contacts and any allergies or medical needs with the director. c) Our meeting space rules (exits, parking, off-limits areas) are reviewed at the first meeting. d) [Optional: background checks for adults who teach or supervise, if your venue or insurer requires them.] 8. CONCERNS, SUSPENSION AND REMOVAL a) Raise a concern with the director first, in writing if possible. b) The director and one other officer will listen to everyone involved and reply within [number] days. c) The co-op may pause or end a membership for serious or repeated rule-breaking, or for putting a child's safety at risk. d) A removed family's dues are handled as follows: [policy]. 9. CHANGING THESE RULES These rules may be changed by the vote described in section 4. Families get [number] days' notice of any proposed change. 10. ENDING THE CO-OP If the co-op ends, remaining funds are used to pay costs and any balance is [shared equally / donated to ___]. Agreed by (parent or guardian): ______________ Date: ________
In Lumi Circles a co-op owner can write the co-op's rules and a few joining questions, so every family sees them before they are accepted. Circles is for Lumi Academy and Lumi High members.
Plans, sign-ups, parent chat and your rules, all in Lumi Circles.
Start the free 48-hour trial →Start the free 48-hour trial. No card is needed for the 48-hour trial. Circles is part of the paid Academy and High plans.
A small co-op does not have to, but written rules prevent most disagreements about money, attendance and behavior. Larger or nonprofit co-ops usually need formal bylaws and should check their state's requirements.
Purpose, who can join, dues, leadership and how decisions are made, meetings, conduct, safety and supervision, how concerns are handled, how a family can be suspended or removed, how rules change, and what happens if the co-op ends.
Your rules should say how. A common approach is to raise the concern in writing, have two officers listen to everyone involved, and allow a pause or removal for serious or repeated rule-breaking or safety risks.
No. It is a general starting point. Check your state's rules and speak to a qualified adviser if your co-op handles significant money, owns property or plans to incorporate.