Today's DAR
Looking Ahead to Continental Congress 2014
The October Board provides a great opportunity to talk to the National Board of Management about a wide range of topics, including Continental Congress. I know you are just as eager as I am to make your plans for Continental Congress, so I wanted to let you in on some of the exciting ideas we are considering for next summer.
This year we are implementing a few changes to make the Congress schedule more manageable, which is something many people asked for on the Congress survey. This includes organizing the schedule in a more strategic way so that members can attend the events and meetings that are important to them. As part of this process, there will be some alternations to the daytime business sessions, which we think will make Congress a better and more convenient experience.
Our National Chairs are working hard to once again put on an excellent series of Committee Forums in the areas of Historic Preservation, Education, Patriotism, and Membership and Administration for you. This year, all four of these forums will take place at the Grand Hyatt, so that there is adequate space for all who wish to attend these popular events.
I know that many of our members will be excited to hear that the 123rd Continental Congress will feature a new luncheon celebrating the DAR’s mission of Historic Preservation. This truly special event will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2014.
Additionally, the National Defense committee is joining forces with the DAR Project Patriot and DAR Service for Veterans committees to form a joint Patriotism Luncheon. This exciting event will take place on Friday, June 27, 2014.
I am currently traveling on the DAR Schools Bus Tour, and it is so apparent how close the DAR Schools are to our members’ hearts. This Congress will feature an expanded DAR Schools Supper to honor the educators and students who are making a difference every day.
One of the most significant alterations to the schedule, and one that I think many people will find exciting, is that the National Defense Night ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2014. National Defense Night has always been a highlight of the convention and I’m pleased that this moving and memorable celebration of our American heroes will now be the grand finale of the week’s evening award ceremonies.
So what will be on the evening of Friday, June 27, 2014, you ask? Well, we have some exciting and special plans for the Friday night of Congress… but you’ll need to stay tuned to find out more! We are still working out the details of this evening so that’s why I don’t want to say too much too early, but I know it will be a great event that will energize our members and get them excited for future projects.
As a reminder, the Grand Hyatt will become our new official convention hotel this year. Like our National Headquarters building, this large and beautiful hotel will serve as a perfect setting to many of the week’s activities. For more information on how to make hotel reservations for Congress, please visit: http://members.dar.org/content/announcements/?ID=1699
We know you will begin to make your Congress plans soon. Please be sure to check the Congress section of the Members’ Website in the coming months at www.members.dar.org/congress and look out for your March/April edition of the Daughters newsletter for more information on these exciting events and upcoming plans for Continental Congress!