SAR Student Programs

Bill Dwyer (Isaac Shelby) appointed Chair of the
TNSSAR Education Outreach Committee.

According to the SAR National website, the following statement represents the Mission of the Society:

“The Sons of the American Revolution honors our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors by promoting patriotism, serving our communities, and educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of our Country."

The section in bold is, of course, the primary focus of the National and State Education Committees. Recently, National has placed increased emphasis on educational outreach and has asked the 50 State Societies to reinvigorate their state-level Educational Outreach Committees and activities. The bottom line is that, to execute the mission of educating and inspiring future generations, we will be “over the target” only to the extent that we generate relationships with the State’s American history teachers in the public, private, and homeschool arenas. We need to identify them and find out from them what ways we can be of assistance to them as they instruct their classes in the Revolutionary War era and the creation of the U.S. Constitution. It is clear that the “Patriot Chest” program is one very effective and popular way for us to supplement their instruction. We should be encouraging our chapters to develop their own “Chest” programs. Currently, there are only a few in the State.

With regard to “Chest” initiatives, the DAR national website has a link for members to identify SAR “Chest” programs. The site includes a map of the United States for which one can click on a state, and the name and contact information of an SAR “Chest” program appears.

In addition to these programs, there are other potential initiatives we should be promoting initiatives such as:

Providing class presentations on various related topics.
Encouraging involvement in the Essay, Poster, Video, and Oratory programs.
Inviting history teachers to our meetings and functions.
Holding chapter meetings with groups of teachers for round-table discussions of issues and possibilities for SAR involvement.
Encouraging teachers to apply for the Annual History Teacher award.
Encouraging, and assisting with, SAR Membership applications for teachers who may qualify.
Etc...

Bill Dwyer - Chairman:
Education Outreach Committee

We have a list of the name, location, and email address of every private middle school in Tennessee. The list already has been distributed, but if you need a copy, email Bill Dwyer, educationoutreach@tnssar.org, or call Bill at (901) 230-6661. You can also contact him for details about starting a Patriot Chest program in your chapter.

For those who may be interested, the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies will have its annual meeting this March in Gatlinburg. They encourage exhibitors and presenters.

https://www.tnsocialstudies.org/

Youth Protection Training

If you're working with a youth program or are a part of state or chapter leadership, you need to complete the Youth Protection Training (YPT). The certification lasts for three years.

Take the Training

New Awards!

Did you know there are two new awards for Compatriots participating in
SAR Education programs?

The Youth Education Medal will be awarded to a Compatriot after 15 educational presentations have been made. The presentations must be made to pre-school or school-age children.

The SAR Youth Education Medal with Lifetime Achievement Bar is awarded by state societies to recognize Compatriots who have promoted education long-term, for ten years or more.

Read the official SAR Handbook description for all official society medals.

Read the Handbook

State Education Committee members, click the Facebook icon to access the private
Education Committee Facebook group.

This downloadable brochure is provided by the National Society. It is a printable tri-fold brochure with space available on one panel where custom contact information can be added.

Youth Awards Programs Brochure
File Size:	354 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

New Educational Ideas

Here is an example of how any event can become an education outreach program, Check out this video from the James White Fort Independence Day event. Organizers provided a mock Declaration of Independence document that kids could sign in order to have active participation. Signing the Declaration gave them a chance to get just a touch of the same experience those 56 men had back in 1776. Watch the video and then see what you can come up with at your next event to give kids a hand-on experience.