Today's DAR
I want to thank all of you who are following directives to stay at home in order to physically distance yourselves as we try to slow the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. This is a new type of patriotic duty but a patriotic duty nonetheless. I certainly also want to express my appreciation to every member and American who is continuing to serve in order that the rest of us are sustained. We are all grateful.
Please allow me to additionally express my deep appreciation to the staff at our DAR Headquarters. While we have closed the buildings to the public and employees have been authorized to work remotely, NSDAR Administrator Steve Nordholt continues to capably monitor operations to ensure that necessary business continues. I am especially grateful to several employees who have voluntarily stepped forward to report to the building every few days to process mail and other critical functions (in isolation).
Our National Society has survived world wars, depressions, assassinations, terrorist attacks and many other tragedies – and it will survive the Coronavirus, as well. In fact, plans are being developed to conduct the April meeting of your Executive Committee via teleconference for those unable to attend in person. This will be the first time our National Society has deployed technology in this way to ensure that business is completed, and I urge local chapters to investigate the platforms that will enable them to do the same. At this time, it is still our intention to stage the 129th Continental Congress in June. We are monitoring the situation daily to consider what is the safest for our members, and we are planning accordingly. Updates will provide information as developments take shape.
I am so grateful for the resilience and positive attitude that so many of you have shown. Let’s be kind to one another and set a good example of patriotic duty evidenced by compassion and concern. Check by phone on your vulnerable members. With so many of your chapter members in isolation, now is the time to reach out via email messaging and other methods to ensure that everyone feels connected.
The important mission of DAR must continue, and it will because we carry it in our hearts no matter what we are doing or where we are. Our Service to America Committee Facebook page continues to share wonderful ideas how you might consider completing community service from home. Now is also a good time to think about watching some of the webinars on our DAR Leadership Training Committee webpage and/or taking our Members course or New Horizons course. I would be especially grateful if you used this time at home to attract at least one new member to DAR – wouldn’t that be a positive legacy to leave from this situation?
It is my personal hope that if we all follow recommendations that life will begin to return to normal within the weeks ahead. Spring is coming across our land, and that renews my own optimism and hope. Please join me in praying for our nation and for our neighbors during this difficult situation – we all need a little sunshine.
