Today's DAR
Are you ready to make some history? The National Society is poised to host its first Virtual Continental Congress June 24-28, 2020 – and the online experience has taken on exciting proportions after a month of intense preparation. I am delighted to share a preview of the 129th Continental Congress with today’s launch of our Virtual Congress website, virtual event schedule and much more!
Watch a video message from the President General.
While we won’t be able to gather at DAR National Headquarters for the 129th Continental Congress, I hope that members from around the world will log on to enjoy the exciting sessions we have planned. Just imagine: not only is this a historic achievement in our organization’s history, but we also have the opportunity to set a record for participation of DAR members! How many members will tune in online or even gather virtually to watch Opening Night? How many will join us for all six sessions? Will YOU help us make history?
We know the virtual evening ceremonies won’t be the same as experiencing the pomp and circumstance in person in Constitution Hall, surrounded by our fellow members, but I encourage you to join us from the comfort of your home. (Won’t it be history-making to watch Congress in your slippers?) I encourage you to set up a virtual viewing session with friends and chapter members. Make the most of this opportunity to participate in something truly ground-breaking as we demonstrate that Today’s DAR embraces technology and takes on any challenge.
Watch for more information next week on the lineup of outstanding award winners and speakers who will be included in our video presentations of the Virtual 129th Continental Congress – including our Opening Night, Education Awards Night and our National Defense Night ceremonies. You won’t want to miss a moment of all that we have planned.
Opening Night will air at 7 p.m. Eastern time on June 24, followed by evening ceremonies to also be broadcast at 7 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Those ceremonies will provide a mix of award presentations, reports of officers and nominations for candidates for office. We will hold electronic voting for registered delegates on Saturday, June 27, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern, via a secure, independent voting website, with results announced later that afternoon. Also on Saturday, we will present videotaped reports of select National Chairs, as well as recognition of our generous donors, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Congress will conclude on Sunday, June 28, after a brief video Memorial Service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, followed by a virtual Installation Ceremony of officers.
All of these sessions will be presented via YouTube video live stream on the National Society’s “Congress Live” website, just as members have been able to watch Congress sessions online over the past many years.
There will be three brief live segments: Thursday night, to officially call the business of the Society to order; Saturday afternoon, to confirm the Report of the Tellers of the election results; and Sunday morning, for closing remarks and to adjournment. The remainder of the ceremonies will contain prerecorded, compiled videos. I will be filming most of my speaking portions of the ceremony from the stage of DAR Constitution Hall ahead of Congress so that the majority of my remarks may be edited into the sessions, which will feature nearly100 videos from members and honorees, all submitted in advance. It’s all very exciting!
In addition to the National Society presenting these official sessions, many of the organizers of the social and informational gatherings typically held during Congress have stepped up to this year’s unprecedented challenge to host their events in an online format as well. These independent sessions will occur throughout the week of June 21-28, 2020. More details will be forthcoming on how members may participate in the virtual programming offered by the committees, clubs and states. Visit the TENTATIVE Virtual 129th Continental Congress Schedule to learn more and check back prior to the week of Congress for updates to the schedule!
