DAR Holds Fall Workshop

Twenty-two ladies represented the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW), National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), at the Tennessee State Daughters of the American Revolution (TSDAR) East Tennessee 2019 August Workshop held at First Baptist Church in Maryville, August 24. That was the largest number of attendees from any chapter in the Appalachian District and in the Eastern Region.

Eight of those members including Ellie Betts, Karen Bible, Jane Busdeker, Sherri Housley, Pam Leatherwood, Linda Bonner, Wendy Randolph, and Anne Word were awarded graduation certificates and red honor cords for completion of the Members Course. According to the NSDAR website, the Members Course is “a way new members and future chapter leaders gain knowledge, confidence, and understanding about DAR and its objectives.” Each participant has one year to complete the online modules and an independent project.

Karen Chambers and Jamie Snyder have also completed their requirements and will receive their certificates and honor cords in February when Charlotte Miller, TSDAR Coordinator for the Members Course. will be the guest speaker at the annual Anniversary Celebration of the MDW Chapter in Dandridge.

Carolyn Mitchell also received her graduation certificate and a blue honor cord for completing the New Horizons Course, the second course in the NSDAR initiative to educate members. That course has been created “to encourage, educate, and instill confidence in members interested in expanding their horizons and service to DAR through leadership.” It requires the completion of online modules and a capstone project.

MDW Regent Jane Chambers reported that the MDW chapter can now be proud that 34% of members have completed the Members Course, and 11% have completed the New Horizons Course. In addition, eight officers have completed one or both of the courses for a respectable 80%.

At the opening of the workshop, the Daughters welcomed TSDAR Regent Cecile Wimberley, who has recently begun her term. The theme of the 3-year administration is “A Season of Service to God, Home, and Country,” and the scripture selected for the term is Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” The theme and scripture underscore the point that the NSDAR is the largest service organization in the United States, rapidly approaching its one millionth member since its founding in 1890.

The DAR mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism was evident in the names of some of the sessions offered at the workshop. They included Officer Training, NSDAR Madonna of the Trail Monuments, Conservation: From Bees to Trees, Veterans, American Heritage, Women’s Issues: We All Have Them, and Commemorating the 19th Amendment.

For information about the DAR, contact Registrar Karen McFarland at (865) 258-8670 or Regent Jane Chambers at (865) 591-3857.

Source: Daughters of the American Revloution