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| The Broward County Chapter was chartered by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge in 1973. Since its inception, the chapter has supported the programs of the national organization — especially the youth and awards programs. In this time the chapter has sent over 2,000 Broward high school students to Valley Forge — all expenses paid — to Freedom Foundation's American Leaders Youth Summits and nominated individuals and organizations for recognition by the National Awards program. |
| Membership |
| The members of the Broward County Chapter — numbering more than 300 — come from a broad cross section of Broward citizens in addition to Florida and out of state residents. Life members constitute a large percentage of the membership, with the rest as patrons and regular members. All, however, are committed to Freedoms Foundation's mission of passing along to the next generation the knowledge and understanding of the principals upon which our country was founded. |
| The general membership meets October through June for a luncheon meeting that is part social and part business. An interesting speaker or program is usually featured. A board of directors is the governing body of the chapter. |
| Chapter Bylaws |
| Chapter Standing Rules |
| Major Activities |
| Freedom Foundation's mission is carried out mostly through its educational and awards programs. The Broward Chapter is an active sponsor of the following programs. |
| Youth Education — Through major fundraising efforts like the annual George Washington Birthday Ball and generous contributions from patriotic Americans, the chapter is able to finance the tuition and expenses for Broward students to go to Valley Forge. The chapter board has approved funds to send 54 students in 2010. In 2008 and 2009, the chapter awarded 167 scholarships. |
| Graduate Teacher Courses — Each summer, the chapter also provides tuition and expenses for two or three Broward history or social studies teachers to attend the week-long Graduate Courses for Teachers for which graduate credit is given. Each course focuses on a single aspect of American History and, in addition to classroom type activities, includes visits and or tours of the historical sites. |
| National Awards — The chapter is always excited to nominate outstanding Americans whose words and deeds promote our country's rich heritage and unique freedoms. National awards focus on themes of patriotism, responsibility, citizenship, and community involvement. In the last three years, 40 chapter nominees were selected to receive the George Washington Honor Medal by a national jury panel. |
| Leavey Award — This award recognizes educators at the elementary, junior high school, high school, and college levels for innovative and effective techniques in teaching entrepreneurship and the free enterprise education. For the first time in 2009, a Broward high school teacher was a recipient of a Leavey Award which — beyond the recognition — comes with a $7,500 grant. |
| Our Mission |
| The Broward Chapter seeks to carry out the mission defined by our national headquarters of imparting to Americans — particularly young Americans — an understanding of, and commitment to, our heritage, the basic values upon which our nation was built, the private enterprise system and responsible citizenship. |
| Our Goals |
| To facilitate our mission and to bring life to our vision, we have set goals for our chapter which are the guiding principles upon which we operate. We seek to use educational, awards, and other programs to: |
| • Preserve the ideals and principles upon which America was founded. |
| • Educate young people on the heritage and values of America. |
| • Encourage Americans to become informed, responsible, and active citizens in the social, political and economic life of our nation. |
| • Inspire each generation, through individual honors, to rededicate themselves to the American dream. |
| Purpose 0f Volunteer Chapters |
| From the national perspective, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge sets guidelines for the activities of all volunteer chapters. Each chapter shall annually plan and implement activities and programs to accomplish all of the following: |
| • To improve the devotion to, and understanding of, the American way of life as defined in the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, the Credo and Bill of Responsibilities established by the founders of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. |
| • To advance the mission and message of Freedoms Foundation across America by pursuing interests, programs, and activities to support and advertise that mission. |
| • To interest and encourage the citizens of our country to actively support their local communities as responsible citizens. |
| • To promote and recruit membership in Freedoms Foundation. |
| • To raise funds to locally advance and support the education and leadership programs, awards programs, and other activities of Freedoms Foundation |
| • To support the Foundation's fundraising efforts by identifying local and regional individuals, organizations, and foundations as prospective donors at the national level. |
| • To recommend innovative activities and programs to implement the Foundation's mission. |