Greetings Dear California Daughters!

We did it ladies!!! Our Virtual Fall Council is now in the rearview mirror. Over 300 Daughters gathered virtually over two days to attend 12 seminars, our fall business meeting, a wonderful presentation on the women of WWII by State Historian Sherrie Stein, a tribute to our very own CA Daughters who served during WWII and a Virtual Parade. Thank you again, to all who shared the tasks of bringing this Council to life – We are blessed with Daughters who willingly share their technological skills and knowledge for the betterment of our members. Thank you too, to Daughters who shared their creative skills for the virtual parade and tribute to our CA Daughters and those who shared comments on the Virtual Council with all of us. We know from the many, many comments we received that CA Daughters overwhelmingly were grateful for the many topics presented and the opportunity to gain new leadership skills. All of the seminars will be posted this week for those who were unable to join us or who want to go back and review. We learned that it takes many, many hours and multiple skill sets to put two days of Council together virtually and we learned that, as with any new venture, there are things we can improve upon as we move forward in this changed environment for meetings.

This State Regent has had the pleasure of attending many chapter Zoom meetings and seeing faces old and new as the new DAR year begins. How gratifying it is to see so many chapters continuing the business of their chapters and figuring out ways to fundraise and support those committees and projects dear to their hearts. Constitution Week was celebrated by many with proclamations, bell ringings, and outreach to schools in spite of social distancing and mask requirements. The spirit of California Daughters is in full view!

In her latest blog, Mrs. Van Buren has tasked us with another challenge. “ The “We Can Do It” Membership Committee Challenge tasks all chapters with identifying at least two new members for your chapters and then getting to work on submitting their applications” Our President General’s concerns result from a “drastic number of applications received at HQ combined with the potential for dropped memberships due to economic hardships”, both brought on by the extended pandemic. This State Regent knows that “We Can & We Will” rise to this challenge ladies as our SAT team, Chapter and District Registrars are already hard at work. In addition, reach out personally to your members as dues collection progresses, encouraging them to retain membership if at all possible. Mentor and teach those who may be technologically challenged how to use Zoom in order to be able to attend meetings and feel part of the Chapter. Do those projects you can safely do – our members need to feel engaged and part of something bigger than themselves!

Remember too, the fifth annual National Day of Service choosing a project that best fits your chapter and the pandemic requirements in your area. Your project can be as simple as dropping books off to a local lending library, or clothes off to a women’s shelter. Take photos and promote your activity via your social media pages using the hashtag #DARDayofService and log your hours on the Service to America Page.

Sadly, we have learned of yet another Daughter who has lost her home in this latest round of fires and many have been evacuated. The CA Wildfire Fund, is again open for donations of gift cards. There will be a link on the CSSDAR Webstore for credit card donations. Checks to purchase gift cards and donations of gift cards can be sent to the CA Wildfire Fund, c/o CSSDAR Headquarters, PO Box 1436, Glendora, CA 91740-1436. Thank you, Daughters for your generous spirits as you help care for each other in times of crisis. You are simply the best!

Ladies, October 11th is our National Day of Prayer. Please take a moment to pray in your faith, for our Country, for our leaders and for our Daughters, first responders and firefighters.

This State Regent looks forward to Zooming with many more of you in the coming months and being together again as soon as is possible. Until that time, Thank You, Daughters, for all that you do, for all that you are, and for keeping our missions alive. We are needed in our communities today more than ever!

With much DAR love and appreciation,
Susan Broderick
State Regent, CSSDAR