Today's DAR
Visiting the Sunshine State
After several days in the office, I left D.C. on Friday afternoon, September 26th, for the Florida Fall Forum in Orlando. Arriving late Friday, my Pages, Stacy Girardo and Susan Lee, were waiting patiently at the airport. State Regent Cyndi Symanek greeted me at the hotel and presented me with a darling little fascinator with my emblem on it.
The hotel was hosting a celebrity impersonator convention and the lobby was full of Elvis, Bon Jovi, Lucile Ball, Dolly Parton, Sean Connery and many other characters. A gentleman impersonating Don Rickles stopped me to inquire if I was the Grand Poobah, and then assured me that someday that tiny little hat would grow up to fit me.
Cyndi’s theme is “Focused on Florida, Facing the Future” and her state regent’s project is support of female veterans and of a documentary on World War II female pilots, “Silver Wings, Shattered Dreams: A Long Road to Recognition.”
With a current membership of over 9,600 members in 103 chapters, Florida is thriving with a net gain of 300 members since last year. State Membership Chair Cindy Addision explained that a vice chair personally calls each prospective member on the Prospective Member Database (PMD) to find the chapter that best fits their interest and schedule before assigning them to a chapter.
In fact, Florida is on track to become the second largest state society by the end of the year. Workshops have been offered on Application Basics and the Florida Daughters are reducing the number of pre-letters and Have Writtens on applications.
Over 600 enthusiastic members attended Fall Forum, including 40 Pages. State Honor Roll chair Susan Lee compiled results of a chapter survey which helped shape plans for Fall Forum. Among the questions asked were:
What topics would you like covered during a workshop?
What topics would you like presented by a speaker?
List up to 3 committees your chapter is most involved in.
List up to 3 committees your chapter is least involved in.
What do you do best in your chapter that you’d like to share with others?
In what areas do you feel your chapter needs the most help?
The members embraced the new format and eagerly attended the outstanding workshops. Excellent suggestions were given on ways to honor the veterans and families of those who answered the call of our nation to serve. Please visit the Commemorative Events web site for suggestions on participating in the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration: http://members.dar.org/committees/events/index.htm
Debbie Duay, State Organizing Secretary, conducted a workshop on Lineage Research gems, filled with excellent suggestions to improve internet searches for genealogy sites. She maintains a wonderful website full of genealogical research tools: http://www.learnwebskills.com/lineage/
The Saturday activities began with the State Chairman's Club breakfast and I was impressed to learn of their support of Juniors. The Florida Daughters generously support their State Outstanding Junior and the Pages with funds to offset their expenses at state and at Continental Congress. Each of the Clubs invite members to donate to the Page Fund and 24 chapters donated elaborate gift baskets. About $4,000 is raised each year – enough to pay the State Outstanding Junior’s expenses for Continental Congress and to pay for the meals for the Pages at Fall Forum and State Conference. The State Regent and Vice Regent also host a weekend Page retreat annually. The Daughters are also strong supporters of C.A.R.
Following the State Board of Management meeting, the luncheon featured case workers from two women’s shelters for veterans. As Cyndi said “Three words which should never be in the same sentence: homeless – women - veterans.” The speakers relayed sobering statistics: 26% of homeless adults are veterans and 40% of homeless female veterans are victims of MST – Military Sexual Trauma, including harassment, assault and rape. Cyndi presented each shelter a gift basket and a check for $7,000 from the state society.
I enjoyed browsing the chapters and committee sales tables after the workshops. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit with many of the members and learn of their chapter’s activities.
It was a pleasure to share updates on projects and activities at the National Society during the Banquet Saturday evening and to present 100% President General’s Project participation certificates to the Pensacola and Sugar Mill chapters.
The Alafia River Chapter, Rebecca Johnston, Regent, presented the Eugenia Washington Founders Medal for Patriotism to Deputy Douglas Duvall. When the large sinkhole opened under a house in the Tampa area, Deputy Duvall ignored the warnings of other first responders, ran into the house and watched furniture going into a huge sinkhole measuring 16-20 feet and growing. He also saw a man’s feet as he was going into the hole in an attempt to rescue his brother. Dept. Duvall reached into the hole and recused Jeremy Bush, but sadly his brother had already been swallowed up by the hole.
The Florida Daughters are generous supporters of the National Society and I had an opportunity to express appreciation to many of the Heritage Club members at breakfast Sunday morning. In fact, they were so enthusiastic about our new Sustaining Supporter program that Florida now has the second highest number of Sustaining Supporters in the National Society.
At the Fall Forum on Sunday, state chairs hosted information tables with attractive displays. As members visited with the chairs (much like our Celebrate America night at Congress), door prizes were given. Cindy Weatherby, Volunteer Genealogist Chair, surprised me with another supplemental application – a fabulous gift!
After reading my blog about the American Independence Museum in Exeter, NH and its original Dunlap Broadside, Dot Herald brought a book handed down through generations of her family, A Confession of Faith, owned by her ancestor, George Washington Young. This book was printed in Philadelphia in 1783 by John Dunlap, printer of the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution. What a treasure!
Cyndi continued the charming tradition begun at my first state visit and presented me an orange crate charm. The Florida Daughters were warm and sunny and it was a joy to visit with them.