(Committee Chairmen, if you notice any items that need to be updated, contact the
FLSSAR Secretary)
Last update 8/12/2023 by Scott Breckenridge
Report Chapter Officers
Deadline: 2 weeks following the election of chapter officers
Email the names and positions of the newly elected officers to the FLSSAR Secretary
Submission of the Chapter Annual Report and Dues
Deadline: December 15
Detailed information will be sent by the FLSSAR Secretary in mid-September. The report
accounts for the current membership listing those who have paid dues and those who
have dropped their membership. The check paying for National and State dues will
accompany the report and is sent to the FLSSAR Secretary.
Request for Credentials to the annual National Congress
Deadline: May 1
FLSSAR members wishing to serve as delegates to the Congress must indicate this to the
FLSSAR Secretary.
Late requests will not be accepted.
Patriot Medal Nominations
Deadline: Mid-January
This award is the highest award given by the State Society and honors significant service
to the local chapter and state society. The Nomination form is available on the FLSSAR
website at https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/testFLSSARForms.asp
Send to the Patriot Medal Committee chairman.
Chapter Challenge / Americanism
Deadline: March 1
This contest pits Florida chapters of similar size against each other in friendly competition
based on their activities for the calendar year. Send your form to the FLSSAR Secretary.
In addition, NSSAR sponsors the President General’s Activities Competition. To enter this
competition, send your form to the National Americanism Committee Chairman.
Both competitions use the same National form, available from the National Americanism
Committee at https://www.sar.org/committees/americanism-committee/
Stark Award: Service to Veterans
Deadline: February 1
This contest seeks to encourage and reward chapters to engage in veterans affairs
programs. Find the required form at https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/Docs/Forms/Stark.pdf
Send this form to the FLSSAR Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman.
Earl Marlin Publicity Contest
Deadline: February 1
This contest seeks to encourage and reward chapters in their efforts to gain publicity for
their chapter and the SAR. The contest is run on an annual basis, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of the
calendar year. Entries are due Feb. 1. Information can be found at
https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/Docs/Forms/EarlMarlinCriteria.pdf
NSSAR Chapter Newsletter Contest- the Carl F. Bessent Award
Deadline: December 15
To be eligible for competition, there should be a minimum of two (2) issues per year
submitted to the NSSAR Newsletters and Publications Committee Chairman by December
15. Details can be found at: https://www.sar.org/committees/newsletters-and-publications-committee/
Robert B. Vance Website Award
Deadline: April 1
This is a National award and is presented during the Annual Congress. This award has
two levels Chapter and State Society. Details of the competition are available from the
NSSAR Information Technology Committee at
https://www.sar.org/committees/information-technology-committee/
Last Naval Battle of the American Revolution
Event Date: A Saturday in early-mid March
This event commemorates the last naval battle of the American Revolution which took
place off the eastern Florida coast near Cape Canaveral. For additional details, contact
the Chairman of the Last Naval Battle Committee.
Battle of Pensacola Commemorative Celebration
Event Date: May
This event commemorates the Battle of Pensacola. For additional details, contact the
Chairman of the Battle of Pensacola Committee.
Battle of Thomas Creek Commemorative Celebration
Event Date: Last Saturday in March, unless Easter
This event commemorates the Battle of Thomas Creek. For additional details, contact the
Chairman of the Battle of Thomas Creek Committee.
Monthly Deadlines
These items are required on most months.
Chapter Newsletter
Send your chapter newsletter via post or email to FLSSAR Historian and to FLSSAR
Newsletter & Periodicals Committee Chairman. The former will allow your newsletter to be
archived with the FLSSAR History. The latter will enter your newsletter into the annual
FLSSAR Chapter Newsletter contest.
Quarterly Deadlines
These items are required to be completed prior to each Board of Management
Meeting
Public Service and Heroism Awards
After making the award at your chapter, complete the NSSAR Public Service & Heroism
Award Reporting Form (https://www.sar.org/resource-repository/) and send to the FLSSAR Public
Service and Heroism Committee chairman.
Veterans Affairs Activity
Report any chapter activity regarding veterans to the FLSSAR Veterans Affairs Committee
Chairman.
Quarterly Chapter Activities
Report all your chapter activities for the most recent period to your Regional Vice
President so that the work may be published in the Board of Management Meeting
Proceedings Book. Please be sure to include information on flag certificates presented
during the time period of your report.
Quarterly Color Guard Activities
Report all your Color Guard activities for the most recent period to the Color Guard
Commander so that they may be published in the Board of Management Meeting
Proceedings Book.
Ongoing Items and Responsibilities
The following need to be completed as needed throughout the year.
Member Change of Addresses or Phone Number
Send the changes to the FLSSAR Secretary. Please include the member’s National
number.
Deceased Members
Use https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/Docs/Forms/EnabledObituaryReport.pdf to report deceased members.
Post or email the form to the FLSSAR Secretary AND the FLSSAR Chaplain.
ETF reimbursements
Chapters may submit requests to the Endowment Trust Fund Disbursement Committee
from January 1 to November 15 for activities completed between November 1 of the
previous year and October 31. These basically include 100% reimbursement for medals
to non-SAR members and 75% reimbursement for other approved activities. Instructions
and guidelines: https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/Docs/Forms/ETF_ApplicationForm.pdf
DAR Recruiting Contest
Every year at the NSSAR National Congress the National Society presents the DAR /
SAR Award to the DAR state society that recruits the most members for SAR during the
calendar year. Please complete this form
(https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/Docs/Forms/EnabledDARFinderForm-Revised.pdf) and submit it with the
membership application that resulted from the DAR referral.
Present a Flag Certificate
Each chapter is asked to present one Flag Certificate which recognizes an individual or
group for “Exemplary Patriotism in the display of the Flag of the United States”. Report the
presentation to your Regional Vice President.
Liberty Tree
Report the dedication of a Liberty Tree to FLSSAR Historic Sites & Celebrations
Committee Chairman. Also include this in the chapter’s quarterly report to the Regional
Vice President.
NSSAR Library – Friends of the Library Program
Individuals and Chapters are encouraged to become a “Friend of the SAR Library” with a
donation of $25 per year. Please be sure to renew your membership in this program when
it comes due.
Youth Scholarship Contests and Programs
The following youth scholarship contests and programs are sponsored by the FLSSAR.
Deadlines listed here are also included in the “Deadlines for Specific Events” section
above. They are repeated here for ease in seeing the full slate of programs for our youth.
Good Citizenship Program for 5 and 6 Graders
Deadline: Spring
Chapters provide one or two Good Citizenship Certificates to 5 and 6 grade classrooms
at local elementary schools. The certificates can be obtained without cost from the
FLSSAR Good Citizenship Certificate Committee Chairman.
Americanism Elementary School Poster Contest
Deadline: April 1
Purpose: To help stimulate interest in American History in support of the Third, Fourth,
and Fifth Grade curriculum. Use the following to find the guidelines and entry form:
https://flssar.org/FLSSAR/Docs/Forms/Americanism%20Elementary%20School%20Poster%20Letter.pdf
Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
Deadline: December 15
Information about this contest can be found at:
https://www.sar.org/committees/rumbaugh-orations-contest-committee/
Included on the website are rules, judging criteria, and much more. In order to enter a
contestant from your local chapter contact FLSSAR Rumbaugh Chairman mid-December.
High School History Fairs
Deadline: Fall
Chapters are encouraged to contact their local school system to determine if a local
History Fair will be conducted. If so, the chapter is encouraged to recruit knowledgeable
members willing to serve as judges and to offer this service to the Fair organizers. The
Fairs are typically held later in the school year but arrangements must be made in the fall.
Contact FLSSAR History Fairs Chairman for more details.
George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Scholarship Contest
Deadline: January 30
Information about this contest can be found at
https://www.sar.org/committees/knight-essay-contest-committee/
Included on the website are rules, judging criteria, and much more. The FLSSAR contest
is primarily run at the state level however local chapters are welcome to conduct local
contests. If your chapter wishes to participate alter the rules found on the website
changing the section on how to submit an entry. The State Chairman needs to have the
winning essay, the names of the other participants, and the one page Chapter form for the
contest found on the NSSAR website in the Knight Essay Section.
Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Scholarship
Deadline: December 31
Scouts who are currently active in their unit and have not reached their 19 birthday
during the year of application are eligible to enter the scholarship competition. Contest
details and the applications form can be found at the National Website at:
https://www.sar.org/arthur-m-berdena-king-eagle-scout-contest/
JROTC Program
Deadline: Spring
In the JROTC program chapters present the SAR JROTC medal and certificate to an
outstanding cadet chosen by the local unit commander. Additional information can be
found at https://www.sar.org/rotc-jrotc-recognition-program-3/
Enhanced JROTC Contest
Deadline: March 31
The JROTC contest is open to cadets in their next to last year (typically juniors). The
nomination form can be found at:
https://www.sar.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Enhanced-JROTC-Program-Nomination-Form-
Instructions.pdf
Tom & Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award
Deadline: January 2
The FLSSAR is not heavily involved in this National program. However, if your chapter
knows of an exceptional middle or high school American History teacher you might
consider entering them into this contest. Specifics can be found at:
https://www.sar.org/committees/american-history-teacher-award-committee/