Conducting the 129th Continental Congress

Denise Doring VanBuren, President General

Like you, I have been moved to tears by the pandemic and its impact on our nation – and the generous response of our members to their neighbors. Like you, I have looked forward to our time together at DAR Continental Congress in order to heal and begin anew. But also like you, I have sadly come to realize that health concerns, travel complications and municipal restrictions have combined to make it impossible to stage our traditional conference at our beautiful headquarters in the heart of Washington, D.C.  I am deeply sorry for this sad announcement – it is surely not the decision for which I have hoped for many long weeks.  

However, I am determined that we will not let the virus stop us from recognizing the outstanding work of our membership over the past year and that we will conduct the business of the Continental Congress using the latest in technology in order to rise above this national emergency.  

By an official electronic vote this week, the National Board of Management approved a recommendation from the Executive Committee that for the first time in the history of the National Society, Continental Congress will be presented as an online virtual experience via the DAR Members’ Website. I am grateful to the members of our National Board of Management for their support in this difficult decision, which placed the health and safety of our members as the highest priority of our Society. 

View a video message from the President General here.

Please know that much research and deliberation went into the decision of how to address Continental Congress, including remaining optimistic as long as was responsibly possible; canceling the event outright; postponing the event to a later date; or utilizing technology to conduct a virtual Congress. The final choice ultimately became the only viable option because rescheduling commitments at both our official hotel and DAR Constitution Hall (in addition to restoration construction challenges) ruled out postponement.  

While we will be unable to replicate the true Continental Congress experience, plans are underway to present the pertinent business and reports of the Society, as well as provide other engaging content online during the week of June 24-28, 2020. We encourage you to plan to connect with us and other members virtually during that week. Details will be developed and shared in the weeks ahead.  I promise you that we will make it as impactful as possible.  

Authority to Conduct Official Business Online 

It is necessary for us to follow the laws of the District of Columbia, the Bylaws of the National Society and parliamentary authority in order to conduct the official business of the 129th Continental Congress in an online manner. The D.C. Code states, "An emergency exists for purposes of this section if a quorum of the directors cannot readily be assembled because of some catastrophic event." It also states, "Corporate action taken in good faith during an emergency to further the ordinary affairs of the nonprofit corporation binds the corporation." Although the National Society’s Bylaws do not authorize electronic meetings, they do give the National Board of Management "all power and authority over the affairs of the National Society during the interim between the meetings of the National Society." 

Electronic Voting Policy 

Voting for the election of seven Vice Presidents General and one Honorary Vice President General, as well as other pertinent voting matters, will be conducted through an independent electronic voting platform. Please note that, per the National Bylaws, only those members who were identified as voting delegates on the Chapter Credentials Report postmarked no later than April 15 will be eligible to vote electronically. Further instructions for electronic voting will be forthcoming to them.  

Refund Policy 

At my request, the National Board of Management voted to waive all registration fees for the online 129th Continental Congress. Chapter checks sent for payment of their members’ Congress pre-registration will be voided and shredded; it will be the responsibility of the chapter to refund members accordingly. As for other refunds: 

  • The National Society has been in communication with the official DAR conference hotel, the Grand Hyatt, and has come to an agreement to cancel the contracted DAR block of hotel rooms and event spaces at no financial burden on the National Society or members. Those members who have room reservations in the DAR block at the Grand Hyatt do not need to take any action, the Hyatt will be canceling all hotel room reservations in the DAR Continental Congress block and confirmation notifications will be sent to those individuals. Those with room reservations outside of the DAR block will need to cancel their reservation on their own. There will be no fees associated with cancellation of any of the rooms.
  • Those members who have lodging reservations at hotels that are not the Grand Hyatt, will be responsible for coordinating their own cancellations.
  • Members will be responsible for coordinating any alterations or cancellations for their personal travel arrangements.
  • Members who purchased tickets to social events at Continental Congress should reach out to the respective event contact to inquire about the refund policy.
  • Remaining questions related to National Society refunds for Continental Congress may be emailed to [email protected].

Historic Opportunity 

Only once has the National Society been forced to cancel Congress, when World War II preempted the 54th Continental Congress in 1945. Just as then, we accept a patriotic duty, but this time it involves protecting our fellow citizens and members by limiting travel and mass gathering. Unlike 1945, we now have the technology to bring people together from all over the world in a safe manner in order to conduct the official business of our Society. I am grateful for the opportunity to try to make the best of this difficult situation – and to evidence our National Society’s embrace of technology in order to complete the business of Continental Congress.  

I will admit that I am heartbroken to be unable to welcome you at your “House Beautiful” in June. But I know Daughters: we will rise above this challenging time to shine a light on the positive impact our members make in their communities. I look forward to sharing more details with you about plans for our virtual 129th Continental Congress, but I thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we begin to plan for an unprecedented endeavor for the National Society under challenging circumstances. 

Hosting the 129th Continental Congress online will mark an historic event in the Society’s long legacy – one we would have wished to never happen – but one that is necessary during this time of uncertainty. I ask you to join me and embrace this opportunity to come together virtually to celebrate the success of our Society – let’s Rise and Shine for the 129th Continental Congress Online!  

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