How to Join the Young Americans for Freedom

Young Americans for Freedom is a national organization of conservative students. Founded in the 1960s, YAF played a significant role as a youth counterpoint to the student anti-war movement and as a proving ground where future conservative political leaders have distinguished themselves. The YAF's adult advisory board includes Vice President Dick Cheney, Trent Lott and Newt Gingrich.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check for YAF activity on your campus to see whether you can join an existing chapter or start a new one. The Dean's Office will provide a list of student organizations.

2. Research your campus's history of YAF and other youth political organizations by checking back issues of student newspapers at your college library or the Internet. Past events often weigh on current debates.

3. Listen to Ronald Reagan's "Young Americans for Freedom Address" (see Resources below). Reagan's famous 1974 speech helped launch his national political career as he was completing his tenure as California governor, and inspired YAF's growth as an ascendant Republican organization in the 1970s.

4. Check out the Young Americans for Freedom National website to see what current YAF leaders have to say about the YAF mission and activities (see Resources below).

5. Read "Strictly Right: William F. Buckley Jr. and the American Conservative Movement" to learn how YAF grew out of the 1960 Republican convention and helped launch Barry Goldwater's successful fight for the 1964 nomination (see Resources below).

6. Join YAF by attending its next meeting on your campus, declaring yourself a member and participating in chapter activities.

7. Add yourself to the national YAF mailing list and get information on how to start or revive a chapter on the official website (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Keep up with local, state and national political news, as it could give you some good ideas for future speakers to invite to address your YAF chapter or a larger campus meeting.
• Be prepared for controversy about and within Young Americans for Freedom movement. YAF proudly takes positions widely seen as "radical right." At the national level, you'll have the opportunity to join some hotly contested internal struggles between conservatives, libertarians and neo-cons.

Resources

• Young Americans for Freedom National website