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On Monday Jul 18, 2022, the board of directors of AHEA unanimously made the difficult decision, after significant consideration, to accept the tendered resignation of its Executive Director, Shawna Sundal.

Shawna began her tenure with AHEA as a board member for a number of years, before agreeing to fill the position of Executive Director some 18 months ago. As a board member she brought skills and ability that helped reshape aspects of the organization, like the web site and finances to name a few, as well as serve as government liaison where she brought her professional approach and keen insight to bear. She also advocated strongly for the statement of faith, which would bring added protections and stability to the organization in the future. In her relatively short time as ED, Shawna has pioneered the position which saw her build on the role of government liaison, where she was able to work with the current government to bring about changes such as the Notification Only, No Funding option for homeschoolers, as well as advocate for special needs parents to access government programs and funding. All of this while AHEA worked hard to see its way through difficult and stressful times which kept conventions from happening and people from gathering.

The board wishes to thank Shawna for her investment in the homeschooling community at large, and the AHEA organization in particular. Shawna will be missed, and we wish her well in where the Lord would lead her next.

To our members, supporters and volunteers, please continue to keep AHEA in your prayers as we move forward from this point in the work of representing the needs of the homeschooling community in Alberta. Your support is truly appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you all at the 2023 AHEA Convention, July 6-8.

Peter Verhoog
Chair
Alberta Home Education Association

Today the AHEA Board is pleased and excited to announce it has put into place its first Executive Director. This completes the multi-year work of previous Boards started in 2018 to address the demands on the organizational structure due to its high level of activity on behalf of the home education community. The forward momentum that we have been building will continue with our inviting Shawna Sundal to accept the position of our new Executive Director.

Shawna's giftings and Board experience, coupled with a passion for all things AHEA and a tireless drive to serve, make her well suited for the position. We are confident that she will be able to continue aiding AHEA in capably advocating for the interests of the home educators in Alberta. Please join us in supporting Shawna as our new Executive Director, as AHEA continues the work that we have been doing for 35 years!

THIS IS IMPORTANT…

Your summer issue of AHEA Home Matters is now available – online only, for members only! Due to adjustments resulting from the covid situation, this will be the norm for the foreseeable future. It is still the same great magazine with all our government updates and articles that keep you informed about what is happening in Alberta on the homeschooling front. Plus, there are other great articles geared to encourage you as you continue on in the adventure of homeschooling your own children. Hear from our President, our Government Liaison, and our Editor; as they share from their hearts about their own experiences. Read about others and their insights as they seek God's best for them and their families. Hear how AHEA is striving and advocating for you in our ever shifting relativistic society.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

How to Access: You can access the Home Matters 2020 Summer issue by logging into our website as a member, and navigating to 'Home Matters Access' under the 'Membership' tab.

TO HELP US HELP YOU…

Like everyone else, the covid situation has hit our organization too. With the loss of the convention and the subsequent revenues that this generates it will be critical that we have your support as we go forward. We are already planning for our 2021 Convention, but would like to encourage you to renew your membership as soon as possible. Many renew theirs at the Convention and so this loss is also felt. Unless you have already renewed yours, your present membership expires September 30th. To vote at next year's AGM, you will need to renew before December 31, 2020. I recommend that you renew sooner, as opposed to later, so that you can continue to access our online 'Home Matters Magazine' and receive other updates that are sent out exclusively to our members.

PLEASE STAND WITH US AS WE STAND FOR YOU! 

Dear AHEA Supporter,

Today, May 5th, has been designated a special day by some, where people can show their support in their local communities, food banks, churches, non-profits, and businesses, who will be suffering due to the effects of Covid-19 on our lives.

AHEA is a non-profit organization and would love to have your support! 2020 is sure to be a challenging year for us as we have faced the loss of our annual convention, which has been a yearly event for over 35 years. Losing this will affect our ability to function over the next year, and we will be relying on donations as never before.

The work of your AHEA volunteer Board in defending and promoting home education interests to government and educating the public is a year-round job, and we work hard for you throughout. We depend on a small group of contractors to provide services that are irreplaceable, as well as the costs involved in running a society.

Would you please consider making a donation at https://www.aheaonline.com/donate? We exist to serve the needs of our members and the home education community, and cannot do it without your support. However, we know that this situation has left many with the loss of income, and other uncertainties, and only wish you to do what you can, if you can. Thank you, in advance, for considering AHEA in your giving this year.

Your AHEA Board

In light of the March 12, 2020 recommendations made by the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Government of Alberta, AHEA has no choice but to follow caution and cancel our March 26-28, 2020 Convention at the Westerner in Red Deer, Alberta. We applaud the willingness of so many to encourage the Convention's continuation, but we care deeply about the well-being of our attendees and are following Provincial guidelines in order to make their safety our first priority. We are currently considering options to provide value to those who have already purchased admission to our Convention and will update everyone within the coming days. Those involved with putting on the Convention will be contacted directly by a Convention team member.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all navigate this unexpected and unfortunate situation.

The AHEA Board