PURPOSE OF PASF
PASF is a youth organization which was founded in 1927 as a national organization. Texas joined the organization in 1943. The purpose of PASF then, as now, is to offer students and teachers a better opportunity to learn more about all the Americas and the Spanish speaking world, thus fostering cordial relations among these peoples.
The Forum was sponsored by the Good Neighbor Commission of Texas from 1949 to 1987. This relationship ended when the 70th State Legislature voted to eliminate the Good Neighbor Commission. The Forum now functions as an independent organization.
The Pan American Student Forum is self supporting through nominal dues paid by its members and is self governing through its elected state officers. The objectives of PASF are to encourage a respect for all nationalities and an under-standing of them based on a more thorough knowledge and appreciation of the peoples of the Western Hemisphere; to encourage the learning of Spanish as a medium of communication; and to serve as an example of what can be accomplished by individuals of different ancestry working together.
The PASF Board of Directors is the governing body of the Pan American Student Forum. The Board is made up of seven students and seven teachers.
All qualified teachers and students are encouraged to run for state office. In order to ensure experience and continuity of the Board of Directors, teachers' terms of office are staggered. The State Director, the Contest Director, the TAMOAS Director, and the Program Director are elected in odd numbered years while the Financial Director, the Scholarship Activities Director and the Publicity Director are elected in even numbered years. Student officers are elected yearly.
Board members meet to run the affairs of the organization at least three times a year, summer, fall, and winter in addition to the Convention meeting. These meetings, except Convention, usually take place on a Saturday at a pre selected site and generally do not last more than one day.
La Cultura Hispana en los Estados Unidos
Each year the PASF Board of Directors selects a theme and a country or countries from the Americas and Spain as the main topic of study. Teacher sponsors should encourage their students to explore this year’s theme. Students should use this rich history to dream and plan for the future of Texas which includes and respects all cultures, thus, reflecting the spirit of Pan-Americanism. This could be accomplished through reading assignments, special projects, guest speakers, or audio-visual presentations.
Return to PASF.comMembership is open to groups in any middle or senior high school in Texas where there are at least eight members. These students are under the supervision of a teacher sponsor who is willing to provide the necessary leadership and create an interest in developing the ideals of Pan Americanism for the improvement of American relations. Dues are $11.00 per member per year. They are set yearly by the Board of Directors. A receipt and membership cards are issued upon receipt of membership dues. Each chapter must be enrolled by September 19, 2008. Additional membership will be accepted through February 20, 2009.
NOTE: According to the bylaws, your school is considered a chapter when you have eight paid student members. As a chapter, your members are eligible to apply and participate in all PASF events. Any chapter with 100 or more members will have the convention registration fee reduced.