Dear Daughters,
Our Virtual State Conference is now in the rearview mirror and there is much to celebrate! For the first time, State Conference was held at our beloved Headquarters. The living room became the location studio for the Teams Live events, set up with lighting, a webcam, laptop and cell phone to communicate with VIS Chair Jo Olson, at home in Murietta and our Microsoft Support Staff on the East Coast. Club meetings were held via Teams. The VIS Help desk remained busy helping members get connected, and registration totals showed 890 members registered for Friday and 893 for Saturday and Sunday. We know that links were shared as the Friday afternoon session showed 1,327 members attending – ladies, that number is a first! This officer is thrilled that so many CA Daughters were able to join us over the four days as we celebrated your accomplishments. Regents from East to West and North to South joined to see what CA Daughters are up to and to gain insight into our virtual world!
The planning and launching of State Conference is always a large task, and while virtual, this was no different. My sincere gratitude to each District Director, Chapter Regent and Committee Chair that provided video recordings in addition to your photos for reporting and for the virtual exhibit room – We asked you to stretch your skill set and each of you rose to the occasion presenting your Chapters, Districts and Committees beautifully. It was clear from all of your reports that California Daughters have not let this pandemic stop them from achieving their missions! Members loved the virtual format for the exhibit room and gained new insights on the committees highlighted. My sincere gratitude as well to our Vis Team, our Virtual Page team, our Registration team and the CSSDAR Executive Board. This Virtual State Conference would never have been successful without each and every member of the above doing their parts!
We also have some exciting news to share! CA State Outstanding Teacher of American History, Jeanne Saiza, has won first place first place at National !! Our Opening Night KeyNote Speaker, Alan Taylor has won the American History Award! We are very excited for them both. The 5th, 6th and 8th grade American History Essay Contest State winners have gone on to win at Division and are now being judged for National. We are wishing them the best!
If you were unable to join us for Conference or want to revisit a session, the links for each of the sessions are available on the homepage of the CSSDAR Members Website until Sunday, March 21st and then will be moved to the State Conference Committee page. I would remind Daughters that links are not to be shared on public websites- our business meetings are not to be publicized.
Junior Shoppe and State Regent Project items sold during Conference are still available to be ordered on the Members Website. If you attended the DAR Schools/Junior and Page Event, you heard about the “Raise the Barn” fundraising event for the rebuilding of the barn at Hillside School. All donations are welcome. For a donation of $50 and above, members will receive a specially designed pin. While on the website, you will also want to visit the America250! Committee Page for information on the fundraiser and newly designed pin for the Patriot Marker and Garden at State HQ. Pin quantities are limited so you won’t want to miss out.
What would State Conference be without pins??? Many have asked if we have State Conference pins this year. We do!! We have just under 500 pins which will be available for pick up at Fall Councils for registered participants of State Conference, on a first come, first serve basis.
Ladies, Save the dates!!! Planning is under way for a June 5th BBQ at State HQ should Covid restrictions allow us to be together. Northern Council will be held Sept. 10-11 at the San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon, CA and Southern Council will be held Sept. 17-18 at the LAX Marriott. This Regent is looking forward to celebrating the ability to be back together !!
We will hear April 1st, if Continental Congress will be live in DC, or Virtual. Make sure that all Chapters select delegates for Congress whether you are going or not – due to its success last year, voting may be totally virtual and all Chapters should have representation. Make sure you elect your delegates, fill out the Credential Forms sent by National and get them back by the April 15th due date so that we have 100% participation by California Chapters!
With much DAR love and appreciation for all that you do and all that you are,
Susan
Susan Broderick,
State Regent, CSSDAR