Conducting the Business of the National Society, Enjoying the Friendships of DAR

I’m so very pleased to share that members of your National Board of Management gathered from across the nation for a productive February 1 meeting, preceded by a busy week for your Executive Committee and sessions of the Long Range Planning Commission. I am most grateful to these women, who voluntarily give so much of themselves in order to lead DAR forward to ever-higher levels of achievement and purpose.

We were all re-energized about the exciting things happening in Today’s DAR – here are just a few highlights from the busy week:

• We honored 19 employees celebrating milestone anniversaries of service for a combined 300 years of dedication to the DAR. 
• Our investment and finance committees met, and we received positive reports from the Administrator, Human Resources Director, Genealogy team, DAR Library Director and our new DAR Insignia Director.

• The quarterly share of the Ella Atwell Fund Income was distributed for approved purposes to Crossnore School & Children’s Home, Kate Duncan Smith DAR School and Tamassee DAR School. Support was also provided to Chemawa Indian School for scholarships and a special student program.
• We authorized the purchase of gift cards to support patients at Walter Reed National Medical Center as a result of your monetary contributions to our DAR Project Patriot Committee.
• The prize for the Outstanding Teacher of American History was raised to $5,000; the second- and third-place prizes were increased to $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. These award amounts had not been updated in a quarter century.
• The deadline for all DAR Scholarship applications was standardized to January 31.
• We approved the 2020 Chapter Achievement Awards Planning Guide, which has updates that include the opportunity to receive credit for submitting chapter dues electronically.
• Our DAR Leadership Training Committee conducted two worthwhile workshops, one on leadership styles and the second on methods to manage those with challenging personalities.

In addition to our formal deliberations, your executives enjoyed a tour of the historic DACOR Bacon House, home of a private organization for foreign affairs professionals that awards $250,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in diplomacy and international relations. The historic 1825 mansion has long served as an intellectual salon for our nation’s leaders, including Chief Justice John Marshall.

Thursday allowed me the opportunity to spend time with our State Regents on a visit to the Woodrow Wilson House that was followed by a delightful dinner at the Florida Embassy, a beautiful state residence in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol. On Friday, the entire National Board and staff members donned RED in order to both R-emember E-veryone D-eployed and kick off February observances to raise awareness about women’s heart health.

I am so impressed by the women who bring their best to conducting the business of the National Society, and it was a pleasure to witness them exchanging ideas while enjoying these social opportunities. Like those that bind our chapter members together in service, the bonds between us are a fulfilling facet of the DAR experience. I’m so proud of all of our members -- and so grateful to be a part of this vibrant Society.