Today's DAR
Recent developments have prompted the National Board of Management to authorize me to call a Special Meeting of our National Society on December 8, 2021, in conjunction with a festive Members Only Holiday Open House at our headquarters. Please allow me to explain why this session has been called, what will be necessary to conduct the specified business in the official Call to Meeting and why eligible delegates are encouraged to participate.
First, some background!
The primary and urgent purpose of the meeting is to consider modifying a motion that was adopted by the 127th Continental Congress that established the DAR Pathway of the Patriots, which proposed to create a gift to the nation of 250 trees honoring Revolutionary War Patriots along the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania. Delegates to the 2018 Continental Congress approved the proposal to partner with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and USA250 on this project. Generous Daughters purchased all 250 trees within a year, reserving the naming rights in honor of a Patriot of their choosing.
In the meantime, USA250 was absorbed by a new organization, Philadelphia 250, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society had a change in leadership. And then, of course, the pandemic slowed everything. Regrettably, after more than three years of planning, a formal agreement of understanding has yet to be finalized amongst the organizations.
Complexities make working with PHS and Philadelphia 250 exceptionally challenging. Approvals must be obtained from each of the municipalities/property owners along the 27-mile pathway. Further, Philadelphia 250 and the City of Philadelphia now require approval of all wording on not only all project signage but also our DAR website. These approvals have yet to begin and would add significant time to moving forward in a timely manner. Simply put: The project is stalled in its current location, and – out of respect for our generous supporters – we felt it in the best interest of the DAR to consider alternative locations and partners.
We believe that the American Battlefield Trust, a well-respected organization that has saved more than 53,000 acres of historic battlefields, is a preferable partner. We have begun preliminary conversations with Trust officials regarding the possibility of working to locate the DAR Pathway of the Patriots at or near another Revolutionary War site. Following initial conversations, the Trust has indicated that it can, indeed, provide an appropriate location for our project, one that would have a single property owner and more extensive interpretive signage. Further, a Trust site would have a built-in audience of thousands of visitors annually. These sites will draw increased attention as we draw nearer to 2026 as Americans and international visitors alike journey to the places where our revolutionary history happened.
What will voters be asked to consider?
Eligible voters will be asked to consider authorizing the Executive Committee, in collaboration with the American Battlefield Trust, to modify the DAR Pathway of the Patriots project, including, but not limited to, relocation to, or near, an alternate Revolutionary War site.
Why must a Special Meeting be called, and why can’t the vote be conducted electronically remotely?
As the original DAR Pathway of the Patriots motion was voted on at the 127th Continental Congress, a Special Meeting of that same body, the National Society, is needed to amend the ruling. As per our bylaws, the National Board of Management authorized this Special Meeting to be called in December so that the project can continue to move forward immediately, rather than waiting until the next Continental Congress in June 2022 for a vote. Delegates cannot meet via an electronic platform to cast their ballot remotely because there is no longer a declared emergency in Washington, D.C.
When will the meeting be held and who is eligible to vote?
The Special Meeting will be conducted on December 8, 2021, 6:00 p.m. ET, at DAR Constitution Hall. According to the National Bylaws, the members who served as delegates and alternates at the 130th Congress will be the official credentialled delegates for this Special Meeting, along with the new officers who qualify for an automatic vote. All eligible delegates will receive a detailed email in the coming days with information to register as credentialed, voting members of the Special Meeting. Please note that there is not a DAR block of hotel rooms at the JW Marriott for this Special Meeting in December but there are many hotels in the area for out of town attendees.
Is there other business to come before this meeting?
Yes. The National Board of management also recommends amending two national Standing Rules. If the amendments are adopted, the registration process for Continental Congress may be conducted through methods other than the U.S. mail. The only business that may come before this Special Meeting is the business stated in the official Call to Meeting.
How many members are required for a quorum?
Per the National Bylaws, 150 eligible voters constitute a quorum to conduct business at a Special Meeting of the Society. All qualified voters who are able to attend this historic Special Meeting are requested to do so, in order that we may meet the quorum requirements.
May other (non-delegate) members attend the Special Meeting?
Yes – and please! The Special Meeting is open to the entire Society, and non-voting members are also welcomed to attend. However, note that ALL voting and non-voting members must pre-register – pre-registration is required and due no later than December 1, 2021. Non-voting members should pre-register to attend the Special Meeting via this link: https://www.dar.org/members/special-meeting-non-voter-rsvp. Please note that the Special Meeting is for members only, and that no spouses, children or other guests will be admitted.
A members-only wine-and-cheese reception and holiday open house, with festive décor on display throughout our House Beautiful, will immediately follow the Special Meeting. There will be no public open house this year.
I hope you will plan to join us at DAR Headquarters on December 8 for this Special Meeting of our National Society and holiday celebration.
