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Hello Daughters!

Ann Dillon, President General

It was an honor to be installed as your new President General this morning. I would like to introduce myself and hope to meet as many of you as I can in these next three years during my term in office.  The Dillon Executives installed with me join in expressing our sincere appreciation for the confidence you have placed in us, and we look forward to working with you to promote Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism.  Meeting you during our travels is one of the most enjoyable aspects of serving as an executive officer.

Today’s DAR Blog will continue as a means of sharing important information with our membership. In addition we plan to include topics of interest to you and provide an inside look at different aspects of our organization. The blog posts will be written by a variety of authors who are involved with the Society, including members and our professional staff.  Following the blog will help you remain an informed and active member.

The look of the Today’s DAR blog has changed, and I hope you enjoy this new design. If you subscribed to the blog in the past there is no need to re-subscribe, you will continue to receive the blog posts in your email. Encourage your fellow members who have not yet subscribed to do so here.

I look forward to telling you more about the exciting things planned in this administration. For now, if you were unable to attend the installation ceremony this morning I want to share my remarks.  This will give you a brief overview of some of our goals.

“Thank you. It has been a privilege to serve with the Young Administration. This Executive Committee has been extraordinary in its loyalty to one another and its friendship and support. I appreciate Mrs. Young’s invitation to be part of the Celebrate America! team.

Your newly elected Executive Officers join me in expressing appreciation for the confidence you have placed in us to lead the National Society forward into the next quasquicentennial. Each woman who has worn this wide blue sash or the executive sash has done so with a sense of gratitude, humility and trepidation, as well as awe and wonder in taking the next step to serve the National Society and America. Thank you. It is with pleasure that I announce Beverly Przybylski, PRP, of Oregon, has agreed to continue in service as the National Parliamentarian, pending approval by the National Board of Management.

It is with a grateful heart that I introduce the members of the Dillon Associates Campaign Team seated in the President General’s section. Bethe Clark-Urban has led the campaign, assisted by Linda Sandlin, Treasurer; Bridget Clark-Cooper, Sales Manager; Jennifer Minus, Congress Event Planner; Lori Cook, Sales Room Manager; Linda Hunt, Decorations; Mercy Carter-Lovick, Volunteer Scheduling; and Lisa Fox, Website Developer. We are also grateful for the state managers who blazed new territory with us by promoting our candidacy without the sale of campaign merchandise. If you have served as a state manager, would you please stand. Thank you.

My family is and has been incredible in their love and support of me through the years. Their care and encouragement has been invaluable. Seated in the President General’s box are my husband, Bill; daughters, Susan Dalgleish and Diane Glose; sons-in-law Scott Dalgleish and Keith Glose, were unable to join us this year. Three of my grandchildren are here, Justin Glose, Sarah Dalgleish, whose new member certificate will be the first I sign as President General, and Emily Dalgleish. Three other grandsons, Kyle and Caden Glose and James Dalgleish were unable to come this year. All of my family is very encouraging and supportive. My cousins Georgia Orr and Emily Orr are also in attendance. Thank you, family.

Finally gratitude is expressed to the Colorado State Society who gave me the encouragement, love and trust to start this journey. Those of you able to attend today and the many still in Colorado who are cheering for me have my sincere appreciation for your support and enthusiasm in seeing a Colorado Daughter elected to the Society’s highest office. Would the Colorado Daughters please stand. Thank you.

This summer has included several graduations in my family and I cannot help but compare a graduation to the DAR’s installation of new officers. There is an end, with wonderful fond memories, but there is also a time to Move Forward and it is a privilege to take this next step in service to America and to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Capable, strong executive officers have been assembled and installed with me. And, a team of exceptionally talented National Chairs has been appointed as we look forward to continuing many of the initiative started during previous administrations. Each Honorary President General on the Platform today has provided me a “step up.” Each one has encourage me, given me opportunities and applauded my efforts while forgiving my errors. Each has been gracious and kind throughout the years and I am grateful.

This administration plans to continue Special Projects Grand, as well as the Celebrate America! Committee, to be renamed Service to America Committee. We want you to continue recording your volunteer hours, so we will again have a measurement of the way we impact our local communities. It is at the chapter level where we have the most ability to influence this nation for good and where most of the work of our organization is accomplished. I applaud you chapter regents who do so much and if there is any way your newly elected officers and appointed chairs can assist you, please contact us. Would all chapter regents please stand so we may recognize and applaud your contribution to the work of the National Society? Thank you. We again plan to celebrate our birthday on October 11 with a National Day of Service, so begin to plan ways you will involve all of your members in acts of service to our Nation.

We will ask the Executive Committee to institute a Community Classroom Committee. It is hope that this committee will demonstrate the support, love, care, and concern our members show to other areas of our communities and will consider schools in their neighborhoods in need of the encouragement. A committee of educators has been appointed that together can find ways to encourage teachers and students through notes of appreciation, offers of supplies, anything else this team can suggest that will support schools throughout the country!

An interesting aspect of our Society is its ongoing turnover of leadership. Recognizing the need for constant training, we will encourage states and chapters to begin preparing future leaders and developing a plan to transition new officers and committee chairs so the work of the organization is not interrupted every two to three years, and to prevent officers from becoming entrenched in tasks that need new vision to stay viable. With that in mind, the Membership Committee will begin a New Members Course to be administered at the state level and to provide a structured educational opportunity for new members and new members-at-heart to learn about the DAR and how they can become participating members at all level of the organization. More about these new programs may be found through the Membership Committee.

The National Board of Management will be asked to approve the President General’s Project, and you will be asked to ratify their approval at the 126th Continental Congres. Contributions made to this project will be used to continue the restoration and maintenance of our historic complex of buildings and collections, as well as introduce initiatives that will promote the work of the Society and further public recognition of DAR’s longstanding service and contributions to the Nation. We will continue to monitor the financial stability of the Society and will continue the promotion of the Guardian Trust Fund and established development programs along with prudent investment strategies.

The scripture for this administration is Jeremiah 6:16, “Stand at the Crossroads and look and ask for the ancient path. Ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” The Dillon Spirit of Service Arrow points away from our self in a westward direction in recognition of our many ancestors who expanded this nation from sea to shining sea. It also recognizes there are many paths for service through the various committees promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. It also represents my personal belief that this nation stands at a crossroads desperately needing to look back to the path created by those who laid its foundations and to remember their sacrifice, their passion and their wisdom. American’s greatness does not rest on military might, economic abundance, nor on anything but the gracious favor and care of a prevenient God. As we move forward in service to America, not know what lies ahead, may we continue to acknowledge and depend on His ever present protection and guidance. We ask for your prayers, for your newly elected officers, National, State and Chapter, but we also ask you to pray for this Nation, that she will remember the spirit of service and self-sacrifice of our patriot ancestors and will again find the Ancient Path. I sincerely believe that you and I are on a journey together; not knowing what lies ahead, but trusting the One who knows all things. Thank you.”

I so look forward to working with you all over the next three years as we Move Forward in Service to America!