NOW is the time to begin your chapter's planning to "Teach young Americans about America" and help strengthen the leadership skills of our youth through our YLC programs. Below are five easy steps to get your youth outreach program underway:

STEP 1: Make a chapter commitment to participate in the program and send youth to a YLC! It is suggested that your chapter consider sponsoring at least one to a joint NS/MOWW regional YLC and one to the Spirit of America Youth Conference at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. This is a KEY step --- your chapter must first establish a goal to participate and do it early enough to allow time to work the details…
STEP 2: Appoint chapter chair or committee! The chairman or committee will be responsible to the chapter President to follow through on the commitment, raise the funds, identify the students and make the arrangements.
STEP 3: Raise the funds! Raising the requisite funds can be done if you start early enough. Here are some fund raising ideas: Call on the membership for a $25 donation to the chapter's youth education fund; seek Blue Lodge support for full or partial scholarships for local Masonic youth; and/or approach local civic groups and corporations for support. Note that North Carolina Chapter #97 has enjoyed great success seeking support from local retail stores for matching grants of up to a $1000 (contact your National Americanism Chairman for details).
STEP 4: Identify the students! Chapters have used many approaches to identify worthy student leaders and extend to them a YLC scholarship opportunity. Some simple look for first come first serve candidates selected from family and friends of Masons, Masonic Youth, local high school recommendations, ROTC and JR ROTC Units, Boy and Girl Scout organizations, etc. Others have used the annual National Sojourner Essay Contest to competitively select candidates. Regardless of the selection method used, there are many youth with great leadership potential worthy of our consideration!
STEP 5: Reap Master's Wages! Join with your chapter members in celebrating the successful accomplishment of that part of our purposes focused on "…supporting all patriotic aims and activities in Masonry, for developing true Patriotism and Americanism throughout the Nation…" by having reached out to young Americans and provided them an opportunity to attend our YLC programs. It is suggested that chapter sponsored students who have completed a YLC Program be invited to a chapter meeting to give a report on their experiences at the YLC.

YLC PROGRAM	DATES	TUITION
Spirit of America Youth Conference at Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge	July 17 - 20 2008	$420/student*
Regional NS/MOWW YLCs	See MOWW Website for Dates	Variable --- contact Lt. Col. Ron Sortino

* Fuel and transportation costs have resulted in a 10% increase in student tuition for 2007 --- the first increase in approximately 4 years!

The requisite forms and instructions for the YLC Programs may be downloaded from this website or may be requested from the National Office.

In summary, our YLC Programs represent wonderful opportunities to reach out to youth --- but they will only remain opportunities unless each National Sojourner chapter brings them to life! Join your National Americanism Committee in "Proudly Serving the Cause of Patriotism" by sponsoring one or more young Americans to improve their leadership skills and learn more about this great experiment in democracy that each of us has pledged our life to preserve, protect and defend. NOW is the time…

If you require additional assistance, please contact Lt. Col. Ron Sortino, at rsortino@ec.rr.com or Tel: 910-347-1660,
Cell: 910-330-5535.