This Thursday would have marked the beginning of the 115th TSDAR State Conference. While I am thrilled we have been able to work out a postponed conference to Aug. 13-16, 2020, I am still sad that we can’t celebrate the accomplishments of our Chapters and our Tennessee Daughters. Rest assured that many of these awards will still be given at our August State Conference but there was one award that simply had to be presented prior to Congress to allow for travel arrangements and that is the announcement of the 2020 TN Outstanding Junior.
Typically announced on opening night, this award acknowledges the achievements of our Junior Members and the work they do for their chapter, state and national societies along with community service. This is one of those awards that brings a tear of joy to my eye every year and gets me choked up. Needless to say this was one award that I could not let go without some type of party. So to announce this award I invited you to attend our Crowns and Gowns Zoom event this coming Friday evening April 24 at 7:30pm est./6:30pm cst. We will be dressing up in our state conference gowns, and if you have a crown, feel free to wear it as we celebrate this year’s winner. Thanks to the work of State Vice Chair for the Outstanding Junior Contest Mrs. Diana Anderson, I am fairly confident that our winner still does not know which makes this so exciting. All chapter winners have have invited to participate, and with Zoom we should be able to share in the excitement when the winner is revealed. If you would like to participate please contact Junior Membership State Chair Jennifer Thomas Woods for a link to the meeting. I look forward to seeing you Friday night!
A couple of housekeeping items as well. If chapters are planning Zoom meetings in the next few weeks, please let me know. I would love to attend and be able to do Q&As with your members. I have already done tow of these with Cecilia Bradford Carroll Chapter and Emory Road Chapters, with 2 more planned for this week. I love how our chapters are embracing technology to stay in touch with their members.
Emory Road Chapter, NSDAR 
Cecilia Bradford Carroll Chapter, NSDAR
Additionally we have a couple of updates from your state officers. This weekend chapter treasurers should have received information the National 2020 Chapter Achievement Awards Planning Guide from State Treasurer Sandra Long which will help chapters determine National Goals for this reporting year. More information on the State CAA will be out in coming weeks. Finally Organizing Secretary MerryAnne Pierson wanted to remind prospective members and chapter registrars of the following: Just a reminder, no paper applications are being verified at National. Paper applications cannot be removed from headquarters according to the rules. Hang it there, the applications are in the mail room if you sent them USPS, but Fedex can’t deliver to the building at this time. Please understand that they are in lock down as are the rest of us. This too will pass. MerryAnne Pierson
MerryAnne has said it best — this too will pass, and I know the Tennessee State Society will come out on the other end better for this particular season.
In Service, Cecile
