Today's DAR
I want to take this opportunity to assure you that everyone here at DAR Headquarters is taking seriously all concerns related the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The well-being of our membership, employees and the public is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions and closely monitoring ongoing developments in order to respond promptly when needed. We will continue to develop and refine plans based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments. I urge all chapters and members to do the same.
Last week we closed our building to the public, and today I authorized DAR employees to work remotely in order to safely carry forward the business of the National Society while protecting their own well-being. This policy will remain in effect until at least April 1, when DAR leadership will reassess conditions. Plans are in place to ensure business continuity as much as possible given this unprecedented situation. I ask for your patience as we act responsibly to protect the health and safety of our staff, while fulfilling all of our fundamental obligations. There will be delays in completing some business functions; please understand that we are doing our best in a difficult situation.
Please watch this video message from the President General
Please stay connected with us in order to remain up-to-date on the latest developments by referring to the DAR and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Message on the DAR public and members’ websites. Please also follow my DAR President General’s Facebook page for additional information.
Now, how can we spread a little DAR sunshine during this difficult time?
You can certainly reach out to the members in your chapter, especially those who might be at a higher risk, to visit with them over the phone and/or offer to drop off any essentials they might need. Why not phone the ladies who have been longtime members to thank them for their continuing investment in DAR? Connect with your chapter’s committee chairs to make plans for the weeks ahead when life returns to a more normal routine.
This “stay-cation” also represents a great opportunity to reach out by phone or email to your friends and family who may be eligible for membership to both encourage them to join and help them with their online research. In fact, I’m expecting a big boom in DAR Applications and membership as a result of this time away from normal routines – after all, what could be more enjoyable than time spent researching family histories to find still more connections to American history.
If you are looking for something meaningful to do while at home, here are some suggestions for DAR projects you can enjoy from home -- efforts that also count toward Service to America hours:
- Volunteer with the Patriot Records Project committee;
- Submit your DNA samples to the Family Tree DNA NSDAR project as part of the DAR DNA Network committee;
- Help with the DAR Genealogy Preservation committee’s Supporting Documentation Project;
- Consider taking the Members Course or the New Horizons Course;
- Check out the Webinar Library to view some of the excellent past webinars from our DAR Leadership Training committee;
- Solve a genealogy cold case! Lineage Research Committee’s Cold Closed Cases Project;
- Enroll in one of our worthwhile Genealogy Education Programs (GEP); and/or
- View past DAR Library and DAR Museum programs online
Looking for some stimulating entertainment? Consider:
- A More or Less Perfect Union – Watch here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/more-less-perfect-union/ or on your local PBS Station;
- Washington – Watch on the History channel or here: https://www.history.com/shows/washington;
- Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution – Watch on the History channel or here: https://www.history.com/specials/black-patriots-heroes-of-the-revolution;
- The Hello Girls – Winner of the DAR Media and Entertainment Award; watch on Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Girls-Cokie-Roberts/dp/B07V4TP7G2 and/or
- TURN – Another DAR Media and Entertainment Award winner; watch on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/70302007
For nearly 130 years, DAR members have cared for their communities and each other. Now, more than ever, I am proud of the efforts of our members to act responsibly. Stay healthy, well and engaged during these challenging times. I thank you for all that you do to support and sustain our organization and its important mission.
