Chapters serve to further the mission, vision, and work of Founding Forward. As the leader in immersive civic education, Founding Forward is creating an informed and engaged citizenry and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
This work is rooted in the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. We invite you to learn more about our educational opportunities, our heritage, and how you can help us to ensure a future rooted in liberty.
In 1967 a group of influential San Diego women applied to Founding Forward to form a chapter. A few years later, due to the large military presence in the area, many military officers were added as advisors and became a permanent part of the membership. The chapter originally met and held all its activities in the old USO building on the San Diego waterfront. Recently, meetings have been held at the corporate headquarters of Postal Annex or a board member’s home. They continue to work toward accomplishing their chapter goals and furthering Founding Forward’s mission.
Joyce Truett – President
Becky Reid – Secretary
Paula Day – Treasurer and VP Membership
Sally Syren – VP Programs and Editor of The Forge
Monica Gutierrez – VP Youth
Jo Liddell – Parliamentarian
Becky Reid – Immediate Past President
We take students beyond the textbook and classroom to immerse them in the places and events where history happened. We instill insights and leadership skills to last a lifetime and give students a personal understanding of our country’s founding principles and their responsibilities as citizens.
Founding Forward’s volunteer chapters have helped recruit thousands of students from across the country who have obtained a greater understanding and appreciation of American history and civic responsibility through Founding Forward’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership Program. Through Spirit of America, students learn about democracy, the judiciary, the political process, founding documents, and the free enterprise system through innovative workshops and historical site visits that allow you to encounter our nation’s past, present and future. During their residential stay, students will also build leadership skills, engage in civil discourse, and identify how they can positively impact their community.
The San Diego Chapter sponsors high school juniors to attend the Spirit of America Youth Leadership. Students are selected through an application process.
Congratulations to the 2026 Student Representatives. They will be attending the Spirit of America Youth Leadership program on April 16-19, 2026. If you would like more information on how to be selected for 2027, please contact the San Diego Chapter by clicking here.
Our accredited and critically acclaimed professional development seminars and workshops enrich educators’ knowledge of history and provide inspiration to bring back to their classrooms. More than 14,000 diverse educators have deepened their understanding of America’s founding principles through courses and seminars taught by extraordinary scholars and thinkers.
Through our Speaker Series, scholars, policymakers, experts, and thought leaders share their perspectives on current events, public policy, the Constitution, the American Civil War, arts and culture, and other timely and intriguing topics.
The extensive Civil War-based historic collections of the Union League and related organizations, along with exhibits in the Heritage Center, serve to educate, inspire, and inform our program participants.
Every year, Founding Forward and its volunteer chapters recognize exemplary civic achievements through its National Awards Program. Guided by an independent panel of expert jurists, the National Awards Program honors the exceptional efforts of individuals, organizations, and schools that promote or personify the ideals of responsible citizenship.
Read the latest news and updates from our chapter.
If you want to make a difference in the San Diego community, become a member of the San Diego Chapter of Founding Forward. For nearly 60 years, our chapter, as part of Founding Forward’s nationwide network of volunteer chapters, has brought the message of engaged citizenship and leadership to hundreds of thousands of Americans, students, teachers, and ordinary citizens. We encourage you to join us to help promote the ideals of our national heritage.
Your support of the San Diego Chapter will help us ensure a future rooted in liberty by inspiring current and future leaders to carry on our country’s founding principles.
Please send all donations made out to:
Founding Forward San Diego Chapter
4717 Corte Mariposa
Bonita, CA 91902
