Today's DAR
In years to come, you may remember the year 2020 for the coronavirus. I will remember it as the year that – no matter what the obstacles placed before them -- our hard-working chapter registrars and staff proved that “We Can Do It!”
It didn’t always appear that would be the case – after all, our headquarters was closed for 98 days and DAR Applications fell by 24% over the summer due to pandemic restrictions. In early September, however, the President General issued the “We Can Do It Challenge,” which set a clear measure for success: each chapter was tasked to welcome at least two members, by either application or reinstatement, in time to be reviewed for the December board meeting.
In a race against time, talented and dedicated chapter registrars submitted scores of Applications — and our Genealogy Department staff was ready to review them. As a result of this strong response from chapters and here at headquarters, I am immensely proud to share that 2,047 women were welcomed into membership in December alone! And in a year that was full of disappointments, our membership total was not among them, for a whopping 12,291 new members were added in 2020 to our ever-growing rolls! That compares with 2019 – 14,745; 2018 – 11,694; 2017 – 11,816; 2016 – 11,511; and 2015 – 13,969. Well done, ladies! We have much of which to be proud, particularly given the difficulties presented by the pandemic.
Furthermore, review turn-around time was reduced to as few as two weeks! That was in large part due to the high quality of the Applications being received, for at one point 90% of those submitted were being approved. That sets a record of which we should all be very proud.
Here are just a few other reasons why I will remember 2020 as the year we proved it could be done:
- Electronic Applications (eApps) are being widely accepted by chapter registrars, as they now work with Build-an-App. We verified 602 eApps since March alone. This form of application can be a great experience for prospective members who qualify.
- DAR is leading the way among lineage societies for using autosomal DNA. Accompanied by solid documentation, autosomal DNA has an outstanding future in helping adoptees become members of our Society. Other organizations are contacting us for information on our standards.
- The Legacy Program is bringing in new members and reinstating others as we celebrate the family connections of our Society. The program recognizes those who share ancestors in the first three generations and who enter the Society on the same Patriot -- and qualifies the member to purchase the beautiful new legacy pin. Please email your name and DAR National Number to [email protected] to find out if you qualify. Please be patient; requests are researched by Genealogy staff (who have plenty of other work to do!) as quickly as possible.
- The complimentary and valuable Registrar Training Course is helping chapter registrars learn to submit more complete Applications. It is a compilation of the GEP I, II and III and a worthwhile tool no matter how long the user has been a member.
- Additionally, we are pleased to offer a special GEP Holiday Package! DAR is offering a Buy One Get One 50% Off deal! With this special holiday package, you can purchase any GEP course and get a second GEP half off! Learn more here.
- Our creative Genealogy Department is continually expanding the highly informative Genie Clips. These tools are helpful for all members when completing Applications or Supplementals.
- Watch for information on our exciting new Virtual Support Team that will be launching soon. It will be an extraordinary resource to assist with Applications and Supplemental Applications. It will be rolled out in January 2021. And I know that you are going to love it!
- The “Sunrays,” my informational email blast for state and chapter registrars, is published twice monthly. Past editions are archived for the membership on the Registrar General’s webpage.
The new year is on its way, and I suspect that we will have many exciting new DAR experiences.
Please know that no matter what the new year brings, the men and women working in the Genealogy Department (which includes Data Entry) are working hard to make the Application process as seamless as possible. As has been said with the pandemic, we are all in this together.
So, let’s say goodbye to 2020 and embrace 2021 as the Year of the Application, bringing in new members to share the wonders and works of the Daughters of the American Revolution. We will Rise and Shine for America in 2021!
