Answers
How
will my contribution to Missouri Boys State be used
each year?
The
Missouri Boys State facilities on the campus of
the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg
(UCM) are equipped to handle nearly 1,000 participants.
Each $350 contribution will be used to sponsor one
boy to participate in the 8-day program. The sponsorship
includes all program costs. In areas where transportation
is provided to and from the UCM campus, some sponsors
elect to contribute an additional amount up to $100
to cover these expenses.
 If
the Missouri Boys State program is sponsored by
The American Legion, why do you need additional
sponsors?
Under 50 percent
of the participants are currently sponsored by The American
Legion Posts due to the decline in the number of Posts and
members across Missouri. Therefore, recruiting other organizations,
clubs, businesses, and individuals to be sponsors is essential.
How will I
know my contribution is making a difference?
You
will receive a copy of A Week to Shape a Lifetime, our annual
yearbook published each December. The yearbook includes
highlights of that year’s program and announces the
program for the following year. You will receive a cover
letter with your yearbook detailing the activities of the
citizen you sponsored for the week.
How will my
support be recognized?
A complete listing
of sponsors will be included annually in A Week to Shape
a Lifetime. The yearbook is sent to all Missouri Boys State
citizens in any given year, program funders, speakers, and
elected officials. It is also the primary recruiting tool
for the next year’s program. In addition, any promotional
materials produced to increase awareness of the program
among minority and other hard to reach student populations,
will include a listing of those providing funds for that
purpose. Sponsors also receive recognition on our website.
Is
my contribution tax-deductible?
The American Legion Boys State of
Missouri, Inc. is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. Since no goods or services are rendered
in return, most contributions are fully tax deductible.
Check with
your tax consultant for more information.
Who is eligible
to participate in Missouri Boys State?
Each candidate for
Missouri Boys State must be between the ages of 15 and 19.
He must have successfully completed his junior year in high
school and have at least one semester of high school remaining
after the close of the Boys State session he attends. He
must also receive an endorsement from the administration
of his high school.
How are students
selected for participation in Missouri Boys State?
Participation is based on eligibility and
merit. Ideally, each high school creates a nominating committee
consisting of faculty members and/or administrators and,
if possible, their Boys State citizen from the prior year.
The number of boys attending from any given school is based
on school population. It is recommended to the schools that
only young men who exhibit qualities of leadership, character,
scholarship, and citizenship be considered as candidates
for Missouri Boys State.
May I designate
the student I want to sponsor?
You may designate the school to which you
desire your sponsorship be directed. Please contact the
Missouri Boys State Headquarters to coordinate the use of
your sponsorship dollars.
What are some
of the benefits of attending Missouri Boys State?
The Missouri Boys State program provides
young men with a broad understanding of the privileges and
responsibilities of citizenship and better understanding
of and appreciation for self-government. It is expected
that each citizen will take the ideas and knowledge he has
gained and put them to use in his own high school and community.
During Boys State week, citizens participate in a wide variety
of educational and recreational activities and hear inspirational
talks from and ask questions of both state and national
leaders.
Does my sponsorship
stop at the end of the week?
Your sponsorship dollars continue to work
for the participant long after the end of the week. Because
you chose to sponsor a student, through his full participation
in and successful completion of the MBS program, he becomes
eligible for over $1,000,000 in college scholarships
from approximately 24 Missouri colleges and universities;
the Citizen of the Week Scholarship at $4,000; several American
Legion Scholarships totaling $3,750; and the Samsung/American
Legion Scholarship (multiple national-level scholarships
valued at $20,000 each). Each citizen who successfully completes
the program is also eligible for 2 hours of college credit
from CMSU. Further, two citizens are chosen to
attend Boys Nation held in Washington D.C. during July.
Citizens often list attendance at MBS and obtain letters
of recommendation from MBS staff when applying to military
academies. In addition, many citizens return the following
years to serve on the MBS as counselors or instructors.
A $1,500 scholarship is annually awarded to a staff
member.
How are Missouri
Boys State citizens supervised while on the UCM campus?
The administrative staff, counseling staff,
and athletic supervisors in charge of the individual phases
of the program are trained leaders and experienced youth
counselors donating a week of their time as a public service.
Almost all volunteer staff members are former Boys State
citizens. Each year over 17,000 hours of volunteer service
go into operating the program. Each day’s activities
begin early and end late. Dorms are fully supervised at
night by volunteer staff. Missouri Boys State citizens must
arrive to the program on time and remain on campus for the
complete duration of the session. There are NO exceptions
to this policy. The Missouri Boys State Board of Directors
reserves the right to dismiss any citizen for violation
of the rules while the program is in session. Medical/parent
consent certificates are received from all boys attending
the program, and medical attention is available in the UCM
infirmary.
How do I become
a sponsor?
All checks should be made payable to THE
AMERICAN LEGION BOYS STATE OF MISSOURI, INC. and sent to
the MBS Headquarters at P.O. Box 667, Warrensburg, MO 64093
as soon as possible. Please provide how the sponsor should
be identified (i.e., name of business or organization, individual’s
name, in honor or memory of) and the complete name, mailing
address, telephone number, and email address of the official
contact person so that we may send appropriate recognition
following the Boys State Session.
Who do I contact if
I have more questions?
Contact
Missouri Boys State Headquarters. We are
available to respond to your questions and schedule
a time for a personal visit or presentation.
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