The Junior American Citizens (JAC) program has announced changes for 2013-2014. For the first time, electronic submission of contest entries will be accepted. The following information has been received from Southwest Division Vice Chairman Joan Bogaty, and should be shared with your JAC chapter chairman as soon as possible.
New Requirements for Submitting Entries: In an effort to reduce postal expenses, chapter chairmen will submit first place entries for all contests to the state chairmen via email, CD, and/or color photograph. All new requirements can be seen on the DAR Members’ website. Please note contest guidelines for students remain the same.
Top Ten Hints for the Chapter Chairmen
- Distribute the appropriate JAC pages of the National Information Packet (NIP) to teachers and club sponsors early in the school year. Providing assistance and encouraging students and their teachers/leaders makes a huge difference in the success of JAC programs.
- Collect original student work.
- Judge all entries according to the contest category guidelines.
- Send first place winners in each category to the State Chairman by February 1, 2014.
- Do NOT MAIL original entry. Submit first place entries via e-mail, CD, and/or color photograph. If you are technically challenged, ask one of your fellow tech-savvy members for help.
- Each entry must have a contest entry form legibly printed, fully completed and attached to each entry.
- Chapter chairman should retain the original first place submissions until notified.
- Present JAC Certificate of Award to first place chapter winners. Consider acknowledging second, third, and honorable mention winners. Present bookmarks, available free from The DAR Store, to every child who enters.
Visit the Members’ Website for a wealth of JAC information. Contact the State or National chairman with questions or concerns. Have fun and enjoy working with America’s youth in “Honoring Our Heritage.”
Billie Spence, State Chairman
Junior American Citizens Committee
bspence1776@mac.com