The Idaho State Conference

Rhonda Kren, Idaho State Regent

Again flying to Spokane, Washington for the Idaho State Conference, Rhonda Kren, State Regent, I enjoyed a serendipitous drive across western Washington to arrive in Lewiston, Idaho, the Territorial Capital of Idaho, and the Eastern most port city of the Pacific Ocean.  This is a city rich in the history of westward expansion, and the Lewis and Clark exploration.  Presenting 100% participation in the President General’s Project to all of the Idaho chapters was a sincere pleasure.  Achieving 100 % participation is not an easy feat the first year of an administration and I thoroughly enjoyed recognizing Idaho’s accomplishment.  Thank you Idaho Daughters for your warm hospitality and your tremendous support. 

- President General Ann Dillon


The Idaho State Conference was held in Lewiston, Idaho, a city full of Idaho early history and Idaho’s only seaport where the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers meet.

We started our conference events on Thursday with the observance of the National Day of Prayer and later in the afternoon the Junior Membership Committee held a mini golf tournament.

With the Opening of the 104th Idaho State Conference, Idaho Daughters welcomed President General Ann Dillon. We received greetings from Governor C. L. Butch Otter, Mayor of Lewiston and reports from the Executive Committee and Chapter Regents.

Not being able to wait another minute, Junior Membership Committee Co-Chairman, Julie Klappenbach presented to Kathy Hilton Idaho’s 2017 Outstanding Junior award, a member of Pioneer chapter and a deserving working mother of two boys, who keep her “moving forward”.

At our “Liber-Tea” luncheon, our hosting chapter had beautiful teapot centerpieces and served tea with our meal. The proceeds collected from the “Let DAR Grow” jars were presented to Boise National Forest Ranger Stephaney Kerley for the purchase of 2000 Whitebark Pine seedlings. The seedlings will be used for the reforesting effort and establishment of the Idaho DAR Forest in the Trinity Ridge Mountains where 146,832 acres was destroyed by a devastating fire in 2012.

Bethe Clark-Urban, the National Chairman for the President General’s Project presented an interesting and informative PowerPoint on “Our House Beautiful” and the President General’s Project. 

Friday we enjoyed a play on the “Stealing of the Idaho Capital and the first Territorial seal” and presented Garry Bush an award for his historic preservation efforts in preserving Lewiston’s history.  You can see a replica of the 1863 Idaho Territorial seal in front of the Idaho box at Continental Hall.

Saturday morning the guests of the conference toured historic Lewiston aboard a trolley. Following their return the Awards luncheon was held which was full and exciting with the presentation of the certificates for the 100% participation of the President General’s Project awarded to all of our chapters.

It was exciting to be a part of Idaho’s first Graduating Class of the New Horizon’s course. Liz Jones, State Coordinator presented each graduate with a certificate and Mrs. Dillon placed an Honor Cord on each of our ten graduates.

The out-going officers presented a certificate and flowers to their successor after the oath was administered by Mrs. Dillon.  I presided over a gavel ceremony and presented an engraved gavel to our newly elected State Regent Susan Davis. It was a surprise to be presented with a handmade quilt with squares made by each chapter highlighting important high notes of my term.

On Saturday evening, Mrs. Dillon inspired the Idaho Daughters with her humor and words of encouragement. We presented her a monetary donation to the President General’s Project from the Idaho Daughters.

With the sun peeking out from under the rain clouds and shining on the beautiful Dogwood trees we ended the conference Sunday with the Memorial Service and another successful State Conference.

It was a special treat to have the opportunity for Mrs. Dillon to be with the Idaho Daughters the entire weekend. To my guests, National Chairman for the President General’s Project Bethe Clark-Urban, Oregon Honorary State Regent Ellen Hopkins, Past Oregon Curator of Museums Barbara Kieffer and all the wonderful Idaho Daughters who made this a terrific conference, you have my sincere thanks.

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