Greetings, Daughters!
It was absolutely joyous to have our 114th California State Conference in person after two long years !! Joined by our President General, Denise Doring VanBuren, Opening Night was standing room only and set the tone with the Mountain Fifes & Drums leading the procession. The work of today’s patriots was honored and recognized with multiple awards including the DAR Medal of Honor to Maria Shriver for her founding of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, the Ellen Hardin Walworth Founders Medal for Patriotism to Honorable Justice Eileen C. Moore for her work with Vietnam veterans, the Mary Smith Lockwood Founders Medal for Education to Linares Chapter Daughter Lillian Leslie for her founding and work with Casa de Amistad to name just a few. The excitement and joy of being together once again continued as State Officer, committee, district and chapter reports shared the work of our Society. Graduates of DAR Leadership Training and GEP Courses were recognized at their own graduation ceremony, and our clubs all enjoyed wonderful events of their own. The exhibit room was just “buzzing” with activity and sales! We celebrated our debutantes and danced the night away! 50+ year members were honored and those Daughters we have lost over the last year were remembered at a beautiful and touching Memorial Service. Last, but certainly not least, we elected and inducted the incoming State Board led by State Regent-Elect Sharon Maas and State Vice-Regent-Elect, Christina Ramos. All will assume their duties on July 3, 2022 when Sharon and Christina are inducted at Continental Congress. It was a very full Conference and a fabulous introduction to the larger picture of DAR to the record, 109 first time attendees ! This Regent thanks all of our members who attended and contributed in one way or another- you all “make it happen”!
This Regent will be attending State Conferences in Maine, Utah and Oklahoma this month by invitation of the State Regents we had with us during Conference. I look forward to seeing the different ways each holds their Conference and bringing back lots of ideas to share with our members.
There is a lot to come as we head down the final stretch! Check out the blow-out sale of State Regent’s project items on the CSSDAR Members webstore – Final sale ends April 30th. Chapters wishing to make final donations to the State Regent’s project must have them to the State Treasurer by April 30th. This Regent is extremely grateful for all donations made to her projects for the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and the Tamassee DAR School Bridge Scholarships.
Registration for Continental Congress rolls out on April 15th. Watch for updates and information to be shared by National. Chapter Regents, if you have not already, please make sure that you fill out and submit your Chapter Credentials List to National, emailing a copy to this Regent.
The Call to Councils for our May, Meet the Officers-Elect meetings will be announced this week and will be on the CSSDAR Members Website. Mark your calendars for May 7 – Meet the Officers-Elect North and May 14 – Meet the Officers – Elect South. You won’t want to miss this one-day event in both the North and the South as the incoming Maas administration shares its plans for the 2022-2024 term. It will be wonderful to learn about State Regent-Elect Sharon Maas’s State Regent Projects and to see her new pin!! At this event, the new District Officers are also inducted and welcomed as we get ready to transition administrations in July.
Mark your calendars and save the dates for the last events of the Broderick Administration:
June 4, 2022 – 1-5 pm “Kick off to Congress” BBQ at our State HQ in Glendora
June 12, 2022 – 12 Noon – CSSDAR Historic Marking in Honor of Revolutionary War Patriot Ignacio Vicente Vallejo in Monterey. Final details are being completed and more information will be available soon.
This State Regent looks forward to seeing you all again very soon!!!
With much DAR love and appreciation,
Susan
Susan Broderick
State Regent, CSSDAR