Our chapter regents are busy reporting on your wonderful 2022 activities, but everyone can focus on re-energizing our chapters for 2023. Today’s blog is written by TSDAR Organizing Secretary Dianna Callaway. You will enjoy reading about creating sparkle in your chapter! Emily
As we ring in the New Year, let’s make sure our chapters are sparkling throughout our communities!
Through the work of our wonderful committees, each of our 94 (soon to be 95) chapters has valuable tools to reach out in service to donate time and resources throughout our state and community. How is your chapter providing opportunities for your members? Our state provides numerous occasions and suggestions for chapter involvement.
How about your chapter health? Is your chapter growing to meet the needs of your community, and evolving to accommodate the needs of its members? Evaluate your members needs with the Chapter Annual Checkup and make changes as necessary. Consider whether or not you are meeting at the best time and day for your ladies, and if your chapter meetings are concise and interesting. Are your guests and new members made to feel welcome at your meetings?
Here are a few things your chapter might try to retain members and make all members feel welcome:
- Have you heard of our TN program called “Sparkling New Sisters” program? Developed by our Tennessee Membership Committee, this program encourages mentoring each new member!
- Find projects or committees that might match your new and longtime members. How about a field trip?
- Plan and host a multi-chapter meeting and invite our State Regent to speak! Mrs. Robinson enjoys meeting each of her Tennessee members.
Maybe your chapter is not growing as much as you feel it should be growing, or perhaps your members aren’t engaged with your chapter. Reach out to your State Organizing Secretary for ideas and assistance; or, reach out to our CDRC (Chapter Development and Revitalization Commission) State Chair. We have numerous ways to provide assistance to help each and every chapter grow and develop.
Right now, the state is working with two chapters to assist and revitalize their membership: the Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter and the Glover’s Trace Chapter. Each chapter has a different area that we can help with, while providing training, suggestions and ways to increase members.
What if your chapter is growing by leaps and bounds? What a wonderful “problem” to have! When the DAR started in 1890, they were focused on growing their membership. Every time a chapter reached 100 members, they would choose a vibrant member as an Organizing Regent to branch out and form another chapter. These chapters would become Sister Chapters, helping and assisting with functions, all the while forming and strengthening their bonds of friendship.
Today we call this new program our Lantern Program! Consider starting another chapter that could reach even more women in your community – perhaps meeting in the evening, or on a different day. Any chapter that transfers an organizing regent, or transfers five or more members to organize a new chapter, OR transfers five or more member to revitalize a chapter can become a Lantern Chapter. Who will be the first chapter in the state of Tennessee to assist with revitalizing or forming a new chapter?! A special recognition award will be given to the first chapter to help or start a new chapter and receives this designation as we go forward. We thank each Lantern Chapter that has been awarded this designation for past assistance.
Please see our Tennessee members website for more sparkling ideas and opportunities as put our Volunteer Hearts in Action!
Dianna Callaway
TSDAR Organizing Secretary
