What people are saying about
Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out
I am really excited to review an excellent book I just finished reading, Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out by Carol Topp.
I loved this quote from the book that I believe describes the beginning of any co-op: “All it takes is two desperate, burned out moms to start a co-op.”
It is so true. A co-op can start with only 2 families and remain only 2 families or grow to hundreds and many times a co-op is the only option that helps people continue homeschooling after they thought they couldn’t do it anymore, because suddenly they are not alone anymore and neither are their children plus “many hands make light work”.
I loved that she also mentioned the point that the parents find co-ops very fulfilling for their own needs too. She had a great idea for a “Chew and Chat room” where the parents can hang out and discuss things. That creates support and also a sharing of valuable information about curriculum, fieldtrips and activities in the community.
I felt that the book is very balanced and really prepares one for what
lies ahead in the co-op life of different sized co-ops from small to
large. I’ve been in small and medium to larger
size co-ops for years now and Carol’s descriptions of things in a co-op
of different sizes really rang true to the experiences I’ve had so far. She
gives enough detailed advice that you can use to start either a really
small, totally informal co-op or a medium or very formal, organized,
large size co-op that functions a lot like a business.
She even includes advice for co-ops that want to register as non-profits for tax purposes and creating bylaws for a co-op. I loved the samples for these rather complicated documents. It is great to read the detailed information about becoming a non-profit organization from someone who is a CPA and has helped several 501(c)(3) Tax-exempt Organizations to get set up.
The book starts by listing the advantages of being in a co-op but then also lists the disadvantages in the next chapter as well as providing solutions to some of the problems. In the following chapters she even goes into the nitty-gritty of a first planning meeting, guidelines for a name, bylaws and determining basic things that sometimes go unplanned and then later could cause lots of conflict and problems. All the things that need to be considered for starting a co-op, in my opinion, are contained in these chapters and I found it helpful that she even left some areas for someone trying to start a co-op to fill in their specific ideas or expectations in the book.
She also provides a great list of ideas for potential classes and activities to do in a co-op to inspire anyone.
I appreciated her quote that “there is not just one right way for any co-op to be run” and all the helpful tips on running it and not burning out. There is a whole chapter devoted to not burning out as well as conflict management that will most likely have to be dealt with in any size co-op.
A very helpful chapter on managing the finances of a co-op is included and again, it is great to know that Carol is also a CPA and knows what she’s talking about when it comes to the money management part of things. Being an accountant myself, I’ve been the treasurer at times for a co-op and found her advice very sound. Here is a link to her website if you have any financial questions www.homeschoolcpa.com
There are a few Christian references throughout the book, but for me it didn’t distract from any of the good information in the book, even if you are of a different persuasion. You can just skip over those parts and I really believe you will still find this book a huge help. The chapter about Conflict Management has more Christian references than the rest of the book for obvious reasons, but still has helpful ideas, even for those who aren’t Christian.
I highly recommend this book to any homeschooler, because a co-op can be started by anyone and this book is full of tried and tested ideas.
Many years ago a friend and I started a homeschool support group, and last year another friend and I started a homeschool co-op. Of the two, a co-op is much more work, and this book would have been a wonderful resource to have had. Carol has chapters in the book on the benefits and the disadvantages of co-ops. She discusses the different types of co-ops, and correctly identifies the difference between a co-op and a school for homeschoolers (a personal beef of mine is when you call hiring teachers a co-op).
There are detailed instructions covering everything: conducting preliminary planning meetings, choosing a name, deciding on the co-op’s purpose and vision, leadership, money management, conflict resolution, tax set up, non-profit how-tos, and how to identify and avoid burn out.
This is truly a comprehensive book on co-ops. One of my favorite things about the book is the inclusion of many personal stories of how different co-ops were started and what they eventually turned into. These stories alone offered much insight and encouragement.
This wonderful book came out just one year after my friend and I started our co-op. For many of you it will come just in time. I highly recommend this for each of you. In fact, I have my own copy now because the information in these pages will be invaluable to me even today with a one-year old co-op.
For those of you, who may not be familiar with the term co-op, it is not the same as a homeschool group. Where as groups meet for a variety of reasons, co-ops are designed with the focus being shared education. If you are thinking about starting a homeschool co-op or even joining an existing one, this book is certainly worth your time to read.
Topp begins the book by discussing that co-ops come in many shapes and sizes, and the advantages or disadvantages of some of them. Although there are only two chapters devoted to this topic, I am glad she included this as a foundation. I appreciated being reminded that co-ops are not one size fits all.
The bulk of the book, as the title states, has to do with the nuts and bolts of starting and running a co-op. There is a lot of information in this book, but she discusses it in a way that I found easy to follow. She encourages you to think through every step of running a co-op, beginning with the size of co-op you would like, what to call yourselves, where to meet, what the bylaws will be, having officers, a statement of faith, defining your mission, and looking into you tax statues. There are many worksheet in the book that will help you thoroughly think through these areas. The book is designed to help you work, not just read. It is interactive. (more)
-Ruth Hoskins, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, December, 2008
Carol Topp is wonderful, buy her book, it's worth 4 times the price, subscribe to her blog, download her free ebooks.
-Janet Hellerman,CHAMPS Homeschool Co-op leader
Homeschool Co-ops is bound to make the process of starting a co-op less confusing. Mrs. Topp's advice and checklists for applying for non-profit status are valuable for new and existing co-ops and even for homeschooling support groups.The book is particularly helpful in the chapters of Mrs. Topp's area of expertise, financial management. The author shares much insight into organizing the co-op's accounting, budgeting, and becoming a non profit, 501(c)3 corporation. Read the entire review here.
-Martha Robinson, HomeschoolChristian.com
Carol's expertise in accounting, coupled with her long-time acquaintance with the home-schooling movement, has proven invaluable to our organization. I only wish I had the information presented in this book years ago when we were first starting out on this adventure!
I first knew Carol Topp as a fellow homeschool mom in our local support group. I knew then that she was sharp, but my respect for her grew to a whole new level when years later she became my CPA! Carol comes with wisdom and understanding of the homeschool movement as well as expertise in the field of accounting. I’m glad to see Carol share her talents and experience.
This insightful and practical book is a must-read for every leader (and member) of a homeschool co-op or support group. The Biblically-based guide is packed with helpful advice from experienced homeschool leaders who, like good friends, warmly share their wisdom and knowledge. It is a comprehensive resource that you will surely find yourself referring to again and again over the years.
This book is a fantastic resource for every co-op. There is some wonderful advice for situations that your group may encounter. A must read for new groups or those that have been around for quite awhile!
I am halfway through our book and had to stop and tell you how much I love it!
You have done such a great job of giving information without being judgmental. I am going to tell everyone I know that homeschools to read it. We have several families at our church with young children just starting to homeschool and I know they will benefit greatly from your description of different types of co-ops.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with everyone.
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.
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:
* 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.
* 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.
-Marsha Drews, Homeschooling mother in Texas
The opening chapters of Homeschool Co-ops provide a levelheaded assessment of both advantages and disadvantages of participating in a co-op. 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.
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.
If you have reviewed Homeshcool Co-ops on your website or blog, please send the review to the author here so it can be included on this list.
If you would like to review Homeschool Co-ops for publication in your magazine or website, please contact the author here.