Membership

Welcome to the ESU...

The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a membership organization whose mission is carried out locally by the efforts of Branch members.  As an ESU member, you are contributing both financially and personally to programs that enrich the lives of students and educators through a diverse range of local and national programs.  Additionally, members expand their own social network by being invited to cultural and social events, speakers and book author events, regional and national events as well as invitations to international travel opportunities.

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Currently counting over 90 members, the Phoenix Branch was founded in May 1952. Its principal activities, beyond promoting a regular gathering of members in social gatherings of a friendly and educated character, promotes a number of educational programs for expanding horizons for teachers and students in our community.

Each year, the branch holds a contest open to all teachers of English in our local schools. The winner, selected by a dedicated and hard working group of branch members, offers a scholarship prize to attend Summer School at universities beyond the normal reach of our region or at the reconstructed Globe Theatre in London, England if the winner so chooses. The current program is a descendant of the scholarship idea which originated in Phoenix many years ago.

Each year, the National Headquarters of the ESU promotes a contest on a Nation wide basis to students in all schools or home-tought of grades 10/11/12, based on the study of Evergreen Texts of Shakespeare. Our first stage encourages schools in Northern Arizona to select a student to represent the school. The second stage fits, under the umbrella of the ESU in Phoenix, the school representatives perform, before professional judges, select a Phoenix representative to perform at the National level in Lincoln Center in NYC. The winner this year, John Way from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale received an all expenses paid trip to compete in the National Finals (with 57 others). John placed among the ten finalists.

Funding for the work done by Phoenix relies on the membership here, playing its part. There are several other programs run by the ESU of the US headquarters in NYC, which Phoenix branch could join if its means permitted. Details of these are covered in the annual brochure produced by the ESU of the US.

One program which, thanks to the time given and generosity of a small number of members of Phoenix branch, affects Phoenix is the "reverse" Scholarship called the Page Scholarship whereby an overseas teacher visits selected branches of ESU of the US to study and compare notes with local persons in schools and organizations dealing with education.

One final word: Phoenix branch does not rely on any paid staff, all the above functions are handled by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

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Membership dues are as follows:

Additional Contributions

You can help the Phoenix Branch execute our mission locally by donating to the General Branch Fund.  The funds provide for educational and cultural opportunities for local teachers and students.

Consider Joining as a National Patron

National Patron Membership provides higher level support to programs that enrich the lives of our members, teachers, and thousands of high school and college students nationwide.  National Patrons receive local and national recognition and invitations to exclusive events.  Up to one half of your contribution can be designated to support your branch. 

National Patron Program Description: Download PDF

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