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Membership & Chapters

Affiliation, Local Engagement, and National Stewardship

The Membership & Chapters page provides clear pathways for individuals, schools, organizations, and communities to formally affiliate with the Military Child World Expo Foundation (MCWEF).

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Affiliation through membership or chapters allows participants to engage with MCWEF’s national work while operating within shared standards, governance, and stewardship.

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Stewardship & Transition Statement

The Military Child World Expo was originally created by the Military Children’s Six Foundation (MC6) and is now governed and operated by the Military Child World Expo Foundation (MCWEF) as a permanent national institution.

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Founding Membership Period & Equity Commitment

The Military Child World Expo Foundation (MCWEF) is currently in its founding membership period, established to ensure broad access, trust, and inclusion as the National Association for Military-Connected Children.

 

During this founding period:

  • No membership fees are required for individuals or organizations

  • Youth are never charged membership fees

  • Participation, recognition, and service documentation are never tied to payment

 

This approach reflects MCWEF’s commitment to equity, transparency, and responsible stewardship. Any future changes to membership structures will be communicated clearly and will never apply to youth participation.

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Membership

Membership provides individuals and organizations an opportunity to align with MCWEF’s mission and participate in national efforts supporting military-connected children.

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Membership engagement may include:

  • Participation in national initiatives and convenings

  • Access to organizational updates and guidance

  • Alignment with MCWEF values and standards

  • Opportunities to support recognition and belonging efforts

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Membership pathways are structured to ensure integrity, consistency, and responsible representation of MCWEF.

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Chapters

MCWEF chapters serve as local extensions of the national mission, supporting military-connected children and families within communities across the country.

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Chapters operate under MCWEF governance and may engage in:

  • Youth recognition and engagement activities

  • Participation in national initiatives, including Teen Caregiver Community Service Hours (TCCSH) and Arts & Humanities for the Military Child

  • Community-based cultural and educational programming

  • Local outreach aligned with national standards

 

Chapters are not independent or unaffiliated entities and must receive formal approval from MCWEF.

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Start a Chapter

Communities interested in establishing an official MCWEF chapter may include:

  • Schools or school districts

  • Community-based organizations

  • Faith-based organizations

  • Youth-serving nonprofits

  • Military-connected community groups

 

All prospective chapters must demonstrate alignment with MCWEF’s mission and capacity to meet youth safety, accessibility, and governance requirements.

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Chapter approval follows a structured review and onboarding process to ensure sustainability and accountability.

Type of Chapters

Community Chapters

Community-based Chapters bring together families, schools, faith institutions, VSOs, and local partners to support military-connected children at the local level.

 

Institutional Chapters

Institutional Chapters may be formed by:

  • School districts or networks

  • Faith organizations or denominations

  • VSOs or national nonprofits

  • Cultural or arts organizations

 

These Chapters integrate MCWEF principles into existing structures rather than creating parallel programs.

 

Youth & Caregiver-Centered Chapters

Some Chapters may focus specifically on:

  • Teen caregivers

  • Youth leadership and voice

  • Cultural identity and storytelling

 

These Chapters prioritize low-demand, protective engagement, recognizing that many youth cannot participate consistently.

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What Chapters Do

  • Operate under MCWEF’s national framework and values

  • Identify and support military-connected children locally

  • Coordinate with schools, institutions, and community partners

  • Serve as points of recognition, referral, and cultural belonging

What Chapters Do Not

  • Function as independent nonprofits

  • Fundraise independently without authorization

  • Require youth to perform service or leadership

  • Operate as clubs or attendance-based programs

  • Chapters exist to support children, not extract labor from them.

Relationship Between Chapters and MCWEF

All Chapters operate under the stewardship of MCWEF and are accountable to national standards, principles, and ethical guidelines.

 

MCWEF provides:

  • Oversight

  • Frameworks

  • Recognition standards

  • Institutional legitimacy

 

Chapters provide:

  • Local presence

  • Community insight

  • Direct connection to families and youth

 

This ensures consistency without centralization and flexibility without fragmentation.

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Governance & Standards

All members and chapters:

  • Operate under MCWEF’s national charter, policies, and ethical standards

  • Adhere to youth safety and accessibility requirements

  • Use MCWEF branding responsibly and with authorization

  • Participate in required reporting and oversight processes

 

MCWEF does not permit informal, unauthorized, or independent use of its name, programs, or identity.

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Getting Involved

MCWEF welcomes responsible, mission-aligned engagement from individuals and communities interested in supporting military-connected children through recognized national pathways.

 

Contact MCWEF to discuss membership or chapter engagement

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