My Dear California Daughters,
This message is long, but I am so proud of you, had to say it all. Hope you continue reading…
Just two very short years ago, your State Regent Beverly Moncrieff, State Regent-Elect Adele Lancaster and State Vice Regent-Elect Susan Broderick walked the aisle through Constitution Hall together to participate in one of the most time-honored traditions of our National Society: the Installation of the State Regent. Symbolically, one removing her sash and placing it on the other, transferred the honor with responsibility, to represent you, the members of the California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Then, that outgoing Regent was presented with a sash that symbolizes to all forever that she has served with distinction at the highest level of leadership in her State Society. The State Vice Regent-Elect was included in this ritual on purpose. She and the incoming State Regent, took their oath of office, promising loyalty to our Society and each pledged her willingness to serve the Daughters of California, “to the best of her ability, so help her God.”
That June 24, 2018, was the beginning of one of the most amazing and rewarding journeys of my life. And, I have you, California Daughters, to thank. I invited you to “come along” and you did… sharing your love, support, and enthusiasm. You took to heart that we each have God-given gifts to be used in the service of others and that we are called to encourage one another. You embraced our motto: California Daughters… Making a Difference through Our Service to God, Home, and Country. And, we identified three special projects, speaking to each:
God gave us our gifts and we used them to serve. Last year at Congress you heard this State Regent declare: Madam President General, California Daughters recorded one million volunteer hours during your (Dillon) Administration, speaking to their patriotism. These Daughters know they have God-given gifts and are using them, their skills and passions to make a difference in our Society and their communities through dedicated service to God, Home, and Country.
This year, as of this evening, you have logged 400,476 service hours for just over 11 months of the VanBuren Administration. You are well on your way to exceeding the 1,000,000 hours. I know you will continue to serve… you must, too, continue to record that service. Your chapter reports at State Conference told the stories. We saw your chapter’s commitment to making a difference. We saw how Daughters serve.
This State Regent’s report to Congress later this month will be naming many of the things you have done for Education, Historic Preservation, and Patriotism. Too, California will host an electronically presented Congressional Tea and California Daughters, making a difference, will be the focus of the program. Watch for an Announcement with details. But you can mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 23, at 11:30-12:00. (It should be listed as 2:30-3:00 EST/EDT in the Congress Schedule.)
For Home, you understood the need to “Just get it done!” and contributed to the Headquarters enrichment project. We finished and dedicated the Oak Lea in the first year and have been able to enjoy the fruits of our labor during the June dedication and the Victorian Christmas Tea this past December.
No one was more disappointed than I when it was necessary to cancel this year’s Backyard Barbecue. Our Oak Lea just begs for us to gather, to enjoy each other’s company, and use our State Headquarters for members’ enjoyment in addition to a place where the work of the Society is carefully planned.
The Lancaster Administration board will have a final meeting… some joining in person and others through GoToMeeting in Glendora next week. We are taking a few minutes for a delightful task that will take us to the Oak Lea. A cutting from the Endicott Pear Tree, planted in 1630 by John Endicott, Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, still bearing fruit today, will be dedicated.
We thank Ann Tardaguila, a member of the El Redondo Chapter and descendant of John Endicott, for this very special gift. The two orange trees, which are already bearing fruit, represent the legacy of Mr. Hamlin, builder and first resident of our property. This pear tree represents the legacy of one of the earliest founders and builders of our country. What a wonderful place is our HQ!
And for Country, you were overcome with the needs of our most severely wounded in battle and we found a way to make a profound difference in the lives of several, using the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. Program as the conduit. We have been able to focus our contributions on the special modifications needed in the kitchens of these Smart Homes….the kitchens, where loved ones gather and meals and memories are made.
The first year of this Administration, much focus was placed on the Oak Lea. Yet, for the wounded warriors, we made it known that “We are raising money to be able to help provide….”
But, in December 2019, at our Victorian Christmas Tea, we changed our phrasing to “We are helping to provide…” when we presented a check in the amount of $25,000.00 to Elizabeth Field, Chief Operations Officer of the Foundation.
Then, during an Opening Night teleconference at State Conference, we increased our financial support, with a donation of another $40,000.00. And, sometime this month, the final check will be presented to the Gary Sinise Foundation… a check for $47,000.00 to bring our contribution for these worthy warriors and their families to a total of $112.000.00.
Your love, support, generosity, compassion are unparalleled and made this possible. Through this project, you have made an unbelievable difference!
These past few months following State Conference have been the most unusual in the life of our Society. We were born for service and “doing.” We are not accustomed to being confined, having to cancel events, curb our activities, avoid contact with each other. And, because we are not accustomed to this way of life, Daughters have found ways to continue doing what we have always done.
Many were called into action on the front lines and in essential work… adjusting to guidelines, finding new ways within challenging circumstances to simply do their jobs. Others got to work helping. Masks were needed… so California Daughters began sewing and continue to do so. My latest report, this evening, you had provided 27,685 masks and other PPE to front-lines, medical facilities, First Responders, VA facilities, elderly, friends, families, neighbors… to whomever, wherever they were needed.
You contacted each other, saw to the needs of others, shopped, ran errands, and, you have stayed connected with each other and, electronically, held meaningful chapter meetings for business and fun. I have been especially honored to be able to install many new chapter officers, to join your electronic meetings, to be “with you” during these most unusual times.
It has been amazing to read, see, and hear about the many ways Daughters have continued to make a difference within our Society and in your communities.
We will install the officers for our newest chapter in the Elk Grove area: Rios Cosumnes Chapter NSDAR; but their grand celebration will take place when organizations can resume social gatherings.
Too, the CSSDAR Marker Dedication at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá will be rescheduled just as soon as the Mission leaders have confidence they can manage the guidelines for worship.
In the meantime, we will set our sights on Congress Online. The schedule should be released shortly. Delegates must watch for voting information… paying particular attention to the time set by National. Remember: All times listed in the schedule will be for the Eastern Time Zone. California must adjust accordingly.
Plan to “attend” the CA Congressional Tea. “Participate” in Opening Night! Look, too, for the reports of the State Regents and the nominations for Vice President General candidates. Susan Broderick, Sharon Maas and I will be paying particular attention to details for the installation.
And all the while, dear Daughters, continue these days doing what you do best: Making a Difference through your service to God, Home, and Country.
Closing with my profound thanks for your loving and amazing support during these past two years!
Much love and appreciation,
Adele Lancaster
State Regent
