Last week over 100 Tennessee Daughters attended the NSDAR Continental Congress and had a full and meaningful week of experiences. At the American Heritage Awards, we were able to congratulate several TN Daughters, including Jackie Utley, Carole Harry, Susan Whelchel, Karen Cox, Shannon Brown, and Betty Chaffin for their award-winning entries. We enjoyed a memorable meal Tuesday evening at Carmine’s with the bus attendees and a well attended Tennessee Room open house on Wednesday morning. Wednesday, we also learned of 4 chapters that had earned Membership Silver Arrow Club Status: Brig. General Richard Winn, Chickamauga, General William Lenoir, and River City Chapters.
During the evening sessions, we were treated to wonderful speakers and of course, the swell of pride each of us feels as the flag drops to the sound of a military band is indescribable.
On Saturday, at the Junior’s Luncheon, we learned that Tennessee was one of the top 3 states in attendance, our page numbers had grown from 6 last year to 28 this year and our Tennessee Junior Newsletter had won a national award for TN Newsletter Editor, Jen Marie Pera’s efforts. It was a great week to be a Tennessee Daughter, and I am so proud of all of the awards we brought home for chapters and individuals – 2 huge envelopes full that will be distributed during our fall workshops.
Sunday, I had the honor of being sashed as your 51st State Regent of TN. Thank you so much for this honor and privilege to serve. My sweet husband and children were able to be with us Sunday morning seated in the Tennessee Box for the installation, and I was thrilled they were able to share in that moment with so many of the Tennessee Daughters.
I am so excited for what the next three years will bring as we explore our Season of Service to God, Home and Country. We are so happy to announce that Charlotte Reynolds was elected Vice President General at this Congress and will be serving for the next three years on the National Board of Management with me.
The Tennessee Society’s commitment to the National Society since our beginning has been strong, and we have been blessed with outstanding national leadership from Tennessee for the last three years. I know you will join me in thanking Nancy Hemmrich for her service as NSDAR Organizing Secretary General and Susan Thomas as Vice President General. These women along with Mrs. Reynolds have paved a way for our daughters to serve, and I think you will be excited to learn that once again many Tennessee Daughters will be serving as national chairs and vice chairs in the VanBuren administration.
Many changes are coming for our state and national societies that will impact your chapters so if you have not already taken a few moments to look at the National Information Packet (NIP) as posted on the NSDAR members website I would suggest you to do so. You will also find State Information Packet (SIP) information here in the coming weeks as that material becomes available. I would also encourage you to consider registering for the fall workshops as many of the new projects and changes will also be discussed there. Online registration is available now and will also be found in our printed newsletter that is coming to homes soon. Many thanks to the VIS team (specifically Beth Hill) and newsletter committee (Jen Marie Pera) for working to ensure this information was up and ready to go as soon as Congress concluded.
This organization has made my life richer and fuller in so many ways, and I hope that during the next three years it can and will do the same for you.
In Service,
Cecile
