DAR Handbook and National Bylaws
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DAR Handbook and National Bylaws National Society Daughters of the American Revolution 1776 D Street NW Washington, DC 20006-5303 THIRTIETH EDITION REVISED JULY 2012 National Society Daughters of the American Revolution NSDAR Headquarters 1776 D Street NW Washington, DC 20006-5303 Telephone: (202) 628-1776 Fax: (202) 879-3252 Website: www.dar.org Americana Room Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. DAR Library Seimes Technology Center Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. DAR Museum and Shop Open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the DAR Store Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Period Room Tours Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday Closed federal holidays Closed selected other days during the year. Consult Members’ Website for current information. The buildings are open to members and the public. The buildings are closed to the general public during Continental Congress. This DAR Handbook and a price list of all DAR supplies and publications may be ordered from the DAR Store in the Office of the Corresponding Secretary General. The DAR Handbook price is $8. All checks accompanying orders should be made payable to the Treasurer General, NSDAR. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. THE AMERICAN’S CREED I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable, established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies. By William Tyler Page THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER (First Verse) Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our Flag was still there. Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and home of the brave? By Francis Scott Key DAR HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS DAR AT A GLANCE (THE DAR FACT SHEET) .................................... 9 NSDAR OFFICE CONTACTS ........................................................... 17 CHAPTER I – CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE NSDAR ......... 33 CHAPTER II – NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS .................................. 39 CHAPTER III – MEMBERSHIP ....................................................... 49 CHAPTER IV – NATIONAL POLICIES ............................................. 67 CHAPTER V – THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ............................. 79 CHAPTER VI – ELECTIONS FOR NATIONAL OFFICERS ................... 99 CHAPTER VII – ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES ........................ 107 CHAPTER VIII – DEVELOPMENT (FUNDRAISING) .......................... 187 CHAPTER IX – CHAPTER INFORMATION ..................................... 197 CHAPTER X – STATE INFORMATION ......................................... 237 CHAPTER XI – CONTINENTAL CONGRESS .................................. 243 CHAPTER XII – INSIGNIA, SASH, AND BANNER ............................ 251 CHAPTER XIII – PROTOCOL ........................................................ 267 CHAPTER XIV – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES.......................... 275 CHAPTER XV – AWARDS, MEDALS, AND CONTESTS ................... 289 CHAPTER XVI – SCHOLARSHIPS ................................................. 313 INDEX .......................................................................................... 323 PRESERVE THE PAST, ENHANCE THE PRESENT, INVEST IN THE FUTURE THE PRESIDENT GENERAL’S PROJECT The President General’s Project, “Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, Invest in the Future,” expresses the ideals and true spirit of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This three-fold project will raise funds to continue the repair and restoration of our beautiful complex of buildings; support membership and training; and implement a new initiative which will provide funding for grants to be used to support projects in local communities that relate directly to the mission of NSDAR, to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. FOREWORD NSDAR has a 121 year legacy of service to our nation. Since 1890, more than 895,000 women have joined the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The mission to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism is as relevant today as it was when our Founders established the Society. The DAR influences the lives of the citizens of this country and around the world through the work accomplished by chapters in local communities. This DAR Handbook is the toolbox that each member can use to accomplish the objectives of each of our committees. You will find important information throughout the pages of the DAR Handbook. The guidance, policies and history of the Society along with important membership information will help you do our work at the chapter, state and national levels of the organization. Information about NSDAR committees and how chapters can accomplish the work associated with them will guide your planning. I hope you will use this NSDAR Handbook and National Bylaws as your primary source of information when you have questions. This volume will be updated on the Members Website at http://members.dar.org/darnet/forms/DHB-1000.PDF as information changes or more current material is available. In addition to the information contained in this handbook, chapter regents will also receive the National Information Packet (NIP) either through the mail or electronically. The NIP details current plans and projects of the Executive Officers and committee chairmen. Always go to www.members.dar.org for the most current information. The symbol of this administration is the three intertwined circles of friendship, service and commitment which also represent the DAR Motto: God, Home and Country. These circles additionally identify our mission to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism and the work we do at the chapter, state and national levels. As we “Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, Invest in the Future” of our Society and our Country, we will continue to preserve our buildings, enhance our membership and invest in local communities through our new special projects grants. May each of us grow together as we serve the National Society, our local communities and our country. In circles of friendship, President General 2010-2013 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. As members of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution we must continue to assume the responsibility for the success of the organization—to ensure that it thrives and meets its mission. To this end, the DAR Handbook is provided to assist you in your work and your own education about the National Society. This 2011 edition of the DAR Handbook is formatted for easy retrieval of information. Its binding will make it not only user- friendly but also easier to find on your bookshelf. All the information included in this edition is intended to help each member understand and work within the guidelines of all aspects of the National Society. A complimentary copy of the DAR Handbook is sent to each chapter. Personal copies may be ordered from the Office of the Corresponding Secretary General (the DAR Store) at the cost of $8 payable to the Treasurer General, NSDAR. Merry Ann T. Wright President General 1776 D Street NW Washington, DC 20006 (202) 628-1776 DAR AT A GLANCE (THE DAR FACT SHEET) The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non- political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to, preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education and promoting patriotism Founded: October 11, 1890; incorporated in 1896 by an Act of Congress Mission: To promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism Motto: God, Home and Country Membership: Approximately 170,000 members in 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. International chapters in Australia, Austria, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. More than 890,000 women have joined the DAR since it was founded. Management: Policy for the Society is made by the National Board of Management, which is composed of the President General, 11 Executive Officers, 21 Vice Presidents General, and 53 State Regents. The National Board of Management meets six times a year at DAR Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Continental Congress: The DAR annual national meeting is named after the original Continental Congress that governed the American colonies. DAR Continental Congress attracts more than 3,000 members to Washington, D.C., each summer. 9 Become a Member Eligibility for Membership: Any woman 18 years of age or