MEMORANDUM

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From: Chairman, Task Force to Develop Outreach Support

To: President, North Carolina Society, Sons of the American Revolution

Subject: Developing Outreach Support

Date:  August 22, 2005

            Every member of the Sons of the American Revolution is proud of his heritage. Why else would they decide to join the SAR? All of us have researched our Revolutionary War ancestors and found them to be people who sacrificed in many ways to win their freedom. We have many programs within this Society that reach out to the public with this message and the message of the benefits of good citizenship. We are concerned that many compatriots do not have a full understanding of our current outreach programs because if they did, they would support them without reservation. It is also important to foundations considering us for grants for the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage to believe that our membership supports our outreach programs. Therefore, the President General has established a task force charged with educating the members of the SAR on the functions and value of the existing programs and to gain an expression of support.

             It is very important that we obtain an expression of support for our programs from each member of your Society. We are asking every member to, please, as a minimum, respond in writing supporting our existing programs by filling out, signing, and returning the card that you have been given. We need your support to attract grants. We would also appeal to each member to make some contribution to the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage to support future outreach programs.

            Existing SAR programs are highlighted in an article in the Fall issue of the SAR Magazine. I encourage you to read this article. In it you will read about:

Youth Programs – Our youth programs include the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest, the George and Stella Knight Historical Essay Contest, the Eagle Scout of the Year Award, ROCT/JROTC awards, an American Poster Contest, and support for the Children of the American Revolution. Awards are presented at Chapter, State, and National levels.

Color Guard – Color guard activity has grown significantly since a national color guard was established in 1989. More color guards than ever now participate in public as well as SAR events throughout the country. The color guard educates the public in the dress of the armies and militia of the American Revolution and draws attention to our organization and to our message.

Historic Commemorations and Celebrations – Anniversaries of events and the existence of significant places of the American Revolution are now commemorated by the SAR with appropriate ceremony wherever they are. In places not normally associated with the American Revolution, SAR chapters have participated in historical commemorations important to the history of the area.

Education Support – These are some of our most important programs because they augment the teaching of American History that is so lacking in our schools. Many chapters and state societies have a teacher of the year program. The SAR also has a CD teaching aid with history lesson plans which is available from headquarters for free distribution. Some states sponsor a “History Fair” in which students compete with projects of various types. SAR participation ensures that subjects of the American Revolution are selected by many students. Some state societies sponsor participation by a local history teacher in an annual seminar at Valley Forge where techniques for teaching American History in a diverse society are taught. The SAR is also developing a history website for use by the general public. Finally, the SAR is now exploring the use of public radio and TV spots to get our message out. When the Center for Advancing America’s Heritage is built it will be a place in which additional educational outreach programs and materials are developed and distributed.

Veterans – The SAR has several programs to support our veterans. We have engaged in a partnership with the American Legion to jointly support veterans where appropriate. We joined them in the WWII Memorial dedication in Washington, DC and also in a “Blue Star Salute” to honor or servicemen serving overseas. Many chapters have programs to visit with veterans in hospitals and retirement homes. We also honor our own veterans where appropriate with the War Service Medal. Additionally we have an ongoing program to collect veteran’s service records for our genealogical library for use by researchers in years to come.

Community Support – We also have programs to recognize service in our communities. A law enforcement award is presented annually by many chapters and state societies. A similar award is presented for excellence in fire and emergency response. Some chapters present the SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal annually to outstanding students in local high schools.

Grave Marking – As descendents of the heroes of the American Revolution we seek to find their graves and mark them with appropriate ceremony. Many have been marked but there are many left to be marked. Some chapters have found ways to combine a grave marking with some other local commemorative event thus widening the audience for both ceremonies.   

            Presentations on SAR programs are being made at District, State, and Chapter Meetings throughout the country. I encourage you to attend one of these meetings and become familiar with the exciting programs that in which you can participate. If your chapter is not active in the program of your choice you may find that your participation is all that is needed to reinvigorate that activity. In short, your active participation in SAR programs is important to the overall effectiveness of the organization and can be a source of rewarding activity for you as well.  

            We all have a proud heritage. We hold in reverence the principles for which our ancestors fought so gallantly. I truly believe that all of you want to do all in your power to convey this message to those who may not have learned it in school or are new immigrants in our country. We have many programs that do that. With your help we can continue and expand these programs. We are confident that we can count on your support.

                                                            Yours in patriotic service,

                                                            Bruce A. Wilcox

                                                            Chairman, Task Force to Develop Outreach Support