SAVE THE DATE!
March 6-7, 2026 | Newport News
Welcome, CHAP and MACHE Leaders!
HEAV is pleased to invite leaders from Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) and Maryland Association of Home Educators (MACHE) to LeaderLife!
SAVE THE DATE!
REGISTRATION OPENS SOON.
LeaderLife Conference
March 6 & 7, 2026
Holiday Inn, Newport News, VA
"Transformational Leadership"
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Leaders, Edupreneurs, and Founders
You can have a thriving homeschool community – co-op, microschool, learning center, hybrid school – where families participate, leaders step up, and you have more time to spend with your family.
LeaderLife Registration
$119 members/$169 non-members
Not a Member? Sign up now for $45, and save $50 on your registration!
Save an Additional $10!
Bring a friend from your support group, and you will each get $10 back.
Note: Refund is limited to $10/per person.
Leader Intensive: A Pre-Conference Event
9:30 a.m. Pre-Conference Registration
10:00 a.m. Welcome ~ Giorgio’s
10:10 a.m. What Homeschool Groups Are and How to Plan One | Giorgio’s
Classroom Management: The Rules of Engagement | Gallery A & B
10:55 a.m. Coffee Break
11:10 a.m. How to Start and Run a Co-op, Microschool, or Hybrid | Giorgio’s
How to Start and Run a Support Group or Learning Center | Gallery C
Crisis Management and Emergency Action Plans | Gallery A & B
Noon Lunch on your own
LeaderLife Conference | Rotunda Ballroom
1:00 p.m. Check-In & Registration
1:30 p.m. Welcome & Introductions
1:45 p.m. Spotlight Introductions
2:00 p.m. Mastering Conflict: Turning Confrontation Into Opportunity ~ Doug Bartsch
3:00 p.m. Coffee Break
3:30 p.m. Spotlight Introductions
4:00 p.m. Workshop Breakout Sessions
Vision & Influence: Two Faithful Companions ~ Zan Tyler | Giorgio’s
Building Culture & Developing Effective Leadership Teams ~ Ashlee & Landon Sharrett |
Gallery A & B
Leadership as a Ministry ~ Kym Kent | Gallery C
5:00 p.m. Wrap Up
6:30 p.m. Dinner | Promenade Ballroom
7:45 p.m. Dessert Reception | Promenade Ballroom
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | Rotunda Ballroom
8:30 a.m. Welcome & Prayer
8:45 a.m. Spotlight Introductions
9:00 a.m. Constructive Conflict: Turning Tension Into Transformation ~ Doug Bartsch
10:00 a.m. Coffee Break
10:30 a.m. Conflict Prevention: Turning Chaos Into a Leadership System ~ Doug Bartsch 12:00 p.m. Workshop Breakout Sessions
Rooting Your Organization: Developing Your Mission, Vision, & Core Values (Part 1) ~ Ashlee & Brandon Sharrett | Giorgio’s
Optimizing Your Co-op’s Website & Workflow for a Seamless User Experience ~ Catherine Kim | Gallery A & B
Overcoming Lies That Hinder Leadership ~ Kym Kent | Gallery C
1:00 p.m. Lunch | Promenade Ballroom
2:30 p.m. Spotlight Introductions
3:00 p.m. Workshop Breakout Sessions
Strategic Planning: Masimizing Your Organization’s Impact (Part 2) ~ Ashlee & Brandon Sharrett | Giorgio’s
To Be Determined | Gallery A & B
Keys to Avoiding Burnout ~ Kym Kent | Gallery C
3:45 p.m. Coffee Break
4:15 p.m. Homeschool Group of the Year Panel Discussion ~ Naked Apple Tribe
5:00 p.m. Give-aways, Closing Thoughts & Farewells
5:30 p.m. Prayer & Closing
Hotel
Reserve your room now at the
Holiday Inn of Newport News – Hampton Just $129*
*The discount rate of $129 is good through Wednesday, February 18, at midnight.
Holiday Inn by IHG is a gorgeous 4.5-star hotel in Newport News Hampton area. It features a fitness center, an outside terrace, a restaurant, an indoor pool, pet friendly, and room service.
$129/night
Choose a double queen OR a single king with sleeper sofa.
You can also register by phone at the local hotel (757) 223-2110 or by calling the toll-free Holiday Inn Central Reservations at 800-465-4329.
Be sure to identify yourself as HEAV and refer to the group code – HEA.
Booking Cut-off date: February 18, 2026.
Meet Your LeaderLife Speakers
Doug is a seasoned leadership coach, pastor, homeschool dad, and business professional with a passion for helping leaders reach their full potential. He is also a certified emotional intelligence coach. Doug and his wife, Kim, have two grown children, both married, and two adorable grandchildren.
Beyond his pastoral role, Doug serves as the director of training for The Ministry Institute, equipping both marketplace and ministry leaders worldwide.
As the first Certified Maximum CEO Trainer and Coach, he has been mastering and applying the Maximum CEO Leadership System since 2003 in church, nonprofit, and business settings. His deep understanding of this scripturally based system, combined with decades of real-world experience, allows him to train and coach leaders, teams, boards of directors, and marketplace executives with expertise.
LeaderLife Workshops
Mastering Conflict: Turning Confrontation into Opportunity
Too many organizations struggle with unresolved conflict, and too many leaders are sidelined because they lack the skills to navigate it effectively. But conflict isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity. When handled well, it strengthens teams, deepens trust, and drives growth. In this session, you’ll discover a proven process to defuse emotional tension, restore relationships, and build up others. Conflict resolution is a performance skill—one that can be developed with intention and practice. Join us to learn how to turn difficult conversations into powerful leadership moments.
Eliminate the Guesswork
If you’re in homeschool leadership—or thinking about it—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. HEAV’s LeaderLife Conference equips you with proven tools, practical strategies, and seasoned insight from leaders who have been there–so you can lead with confidence from day one.
Homeschooling is a great way to unleash your creativity—but we know starting from scratch can be daunting. Don’t reinvent the wheel! Learn from others who have gone before. Learn the difference between a co-op and support group and discover what you need to know to get started!
No matter how big of a team we have, leaders take on large burdens when running a group. Challenges in our private lives, complaints from our members, and simply having too big of a burden will lead to burnout in even the best leaders. We’ll help you mitigate burnout with tips on how to maximize the skills of your team members and manage your own schedule.
A cooperative can be as simple as parents working cooperatively together with little to no money changing hands, to a complex drop-off, multi-day, academic program that functions like a private school. No matter where you begin on this spectrum, there are important guiding principles that are common to all homeschool co-ops.
Support groups range from simple social media groups to large groups that offer resources, multiple events, and community. Support groups can be excellent assets to families and provide a sense of community. Craig will address the purpose and characteristics of your group, administration, parent engagement, conflict management, time management and building teams, and more.
Homeschooling is a great way to unleash your creativity—but we know starting from scratch can be daunting. Don’t reinvent the wheel! Learn from others who have gone before. Learn the difference between a co-op and support group and discover what you need to know to get started!
No matter how big of a team we have, leaders take on large burdens when running a group. Challenges in our private lives, complaints from our members, and simply having too big of a burden will lead to burnout in even the best leaders. We’ll help you mitigate burnout with tips on how to maximize the skills of your team members and manage your own schedule.
Most of us are just homeschool moms and while some of us have children with special needs, the skills to handle children with disabilities in our co-op can be beyond our expertise. We have tips on how to train our leaders and bring in people with the right skill set so we can support the growing population of homeschooled students with special needs.
A cooperative can be as simple as parents working cooperatively together with little to no money changing hands, to a complex drop-off, multi-day, academic program that functions like a private school. No matter where you begin on this spectrum, there are important guiding principles that are common to all homeschool co-ops.
Support groups range from simple social media groups to large groups that offer resources, multiple events, and community. Support groups can be excellent assets to families and provide a sense of community. Craig will address the purpose and characteristics of your group, administration, parent engagement, conflict management, time management and building teams, and more.
Do you know what to do to keep your group’s meetings and events safe and secure for all involved? Not just from outside threats, but also from internal concerns. Policies, training, risk management, and Virginia law will be discussed.
Feel like you’re flying blind in your leadership?
You’re not alone! Many of us
- stumbled into leadership by necessity, without considering our particular talents and abilities,
- focus on filling gaps and fixing weaknesses, and
- use brute strength to just “get the job done.”
Stop struggling and stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Join us at the DoubleTree by Hilton for two days of training, encouragement, and fellowship at Virginia’s conference just for homeschool leaders.
Empower Yourself and Revitalize Your Team!
Come to LeaderLife.
Jubilee Pricing!*
Come for as low as $79, thanks to our registration sponsors.
Schedule
FRIDAY, March 15, 2023
Support Group Intensive: A Pre-Conference Event
9:30 a.m. Pre-Conference Registration
10:00 a.m. Welcome
10:10 a.m. What Homeschool Groups Are and How to Plan One | Scholars Initiative Conference Room
Welcoming Families with Special Needs| Multipurpose Room
Ways to Avoid Burnout | Member Lounge
10:55 a.m. Coffee Break
11:10 a.m. How to Start and Run a Co-op | Scholars Initiative Conference Room
How to Start and Run a Support Group |Multipurpose Room
Bring Your Co-op into the Digital Age |Member Lounge
Noon Lunch on Your Own
LeaderLife Conference | Gathering Room A
1:00 p.m. Check-In & Registration
1:30 p.m. Welcome and Introduction
1:45 p.m. Support Group Spotlight
2:00 p.m. Impact Teams: Changing the Way We Value Gifts ~ Wil & Meeke Addison
3:00 p.m. Herzog Foundation Presentation | Member Lounge
3:00 p.m. Coffee Break
3:30 p.m. Protecting Our Children and Protecting Your Organization ~ Darren Jones
4:25 p.m. Hispanic Outreach Update ~ Karim Morato
5:00 p.m. Friday Night at the Museum Tour
6:30 p.m. Dinner | Gathering Room B
7:45 p.m. Dessert Reception | Promenade
An evening of good food, fun, fellowship, and encouragement.
SATURDAY, March 16, 2023 | Gathering Room A
8:30 a.m. Welcome & Prayer
8:45 a.m. Support Group Spotlight
9:00 a.m. The Most Essential Leaders ~ Wil & Meeke Addison
9:45 a.m. Convention Update & Black Outreach ~ Jessica Vasquez
10:25 a.m. Coffee Break
10:55 a.m. Financial Management and Reporting ~ Carol Topp
11:40 a.m. Seriously, Don’t Work Alone – Team Building ~ Anne Miller
12:12 a.m. Board Management ~ Chris Davidson
12:45 p.m. Lunch Buffet
2:00 p.m. Leader Panel – Ask Us Anything
2:30 p.m. Mentoring Update ~ Amy Martinez
2:40 p.m. Legislative Update ~ Callie Chaplow
2:00 p.m. MACHE Breakout Session | Scholars Initiative Conference Room
3:00 p.m. Coffee Break
3:30 p.m. Support Group Spotlight
3:55 p.m. The Fault in Our Feels: How Culture Exalts Feelings and Leaves Us Anxious ~ Wil & Meeke
Addison
4:45 p.m. Giveaways, Closing Thoughts, and Farewell
5:15 p.m. Prayer and Closing
Full Conference Registration
Thanks to our Sponsors-
Jubilee Pricing!
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Save $313 Thanks to Sponsors!
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Members Save $20
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Includes Pre-conference Support Group Intensive
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Buffet Luncheon
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Dinner and Dessert Fellowship
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All Conference Materials
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Yummy Refreshments
Support Group Intensive Only
Pre-Conference Event-
Choose from 6 Workshops
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10 am to noon
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Intensive Materials Included
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Yummy Refreshments
Prices Increase After March 5.
March 6 – March 15, 2024: $89/member; $109/non-member
HEAV member? Be sure to access your member benefits page to grab your discount code before you register.
Not a member? You can join or renew right on your convention registration! You’ll get your member discount right away and get great benefits all year long.
Eliminate the Guesswork.
- Grow in your leadership potential.
- Gain confidence as a leader.
- Create a team you can count on.
- Work more efficiently.
- End burnout.
- Connect with other leaders.
- Reach your diverse community.
Why LeaderLife Works
Relevant & Practical
Real-life examples and experiences from leaders you can trust provide skills you can apply right away to problems you face.
Life-Changing & Dynamic
Make connections and forge relationships that will forever change your leadership, your group, and your life!
Fun & Interactive
Who doesn't want to have fun? Gifts, activities, round-table discussions and leader panels bring each session to life!
Each year, we hear how this leadership conference has changed leaders’ lives and made THE difference in their leadership style, in their groups, and in their own families. Leaders sacrifice so much, and we want to support you. We’re in this together. Come find your community. Come find your tribe.
Meet Your HEAV LeaderLife Team
Anne Miller
President and Executive Director
Sheri Payne
Director of Leader Support
Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration — of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program; it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the heart of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.
Travel, Parking, and Hotel
Getting There
Driving is always an option, of course, but there are many ways to get to DC—and getting there can be half the fun! Revel in the experience. Consider creating your own adventure, or even carpooling to take advantage of express lanes.
Take the Train!
Often overlooked, train travel can be the easiest and most comfortable way to go.
Amtrak has a stop at Union Station, and the conference hotel is easily accessible, just a short Metro—or Uber or Lyft—ride away. Multiple daily train routes run from Norfolk and Roanoke, with stations along the route with parking.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Thanks to the generosity of these sponsors who have invested so highly in homeschooling families and leaders across the nation.
NEW!
Add an optional T-shirt when you register for the LeaderLife by MARCH 1st!
WOMEN’S T-SHIRTS
- Cost is $21
- 2 Color option: heather gray and black
- Women’s Size options: S, M, L, XL, 2XL
MEN’S T-SHIRTS
- Cost is $20
- 2 Color option: heather gray and black
- Men’s Size options: S, M, L, XL, 2X
