What We Do
Current Committees
The American Heritage Committee was established to preserve our rich American heritage in the fields of art and sculpture, crafts, drama and literature, fiber arts, and music. Members are invited to participate in the various contests conducted by this committee.
The NSDAR American Indians Committee is entrusted to the continuing education of the history and culture of this community as well as the support of the educational and cultural pursuits of its citizens.
DAR members can further those objectives by educating ourselves and the general public, promoting cultural activities, and providing financial and material assistance to the DAR supported schools, American Indian Youth Summer Camps, and through the DAR Office of Development. Grants to qualifying Native American projects will be considered if sufficient funds are available.
The Chapter Achievement Award is a measure of the health of our chapters. It is a time for chapters to look at what they have achieved and what they should try to achieve in order to remain viable.
All chapters must have goals – goals that are in alignment with the historical, educational, and patriotic objectives of the National Society. Just how each chapter meets those goals and to what degree this is done is objectively measured by the point system of the Chapter Achievement Awards program. The Chapter Achievement Awards form reflects all chapter contributions made and all participation in activities from January 1 through December 31.
The Conservation Committee was established in 1909 by the 18th Continental Congress, with a focus on protecting and conserving our natural resources.
Today, climate change and the misuse of our natural resources pose a real threat to our national security and to the well-being of future generations. Agriculture depends on pollinator species whose numbers are in steep decline. Contamination of our land and water, destruction of our forests and wetlands, the introduction of non-native species of plants and animals, and a warming climate also threaten our infrastructure and health as well as the majestic beauty of our great country. The mission of this committee is to educate members about these issues and to promote and encourage good stewardship practices for a more sustainable future.
September 17-23 is Constitution Week. In 1955, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress with a resolution; this week of observance for the foundation of the American form of government was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 2, 1956. President George W. Bush officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in 2002. The commitment of the NSDAR is to encourage study and educate the public about the Constitution, which was adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787.
The Constitution is a living document that assures each citizen of the freedoms Americans cherish and appreciate. As members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, it is our responsibility to keep our ancestors’ legacy alive by promoting the ideals they fought valiantly to give their descendants.
The DAR Genealogy Preservation Committee was established by the Executive Committee on September 30, 2003. The goal of this committee is to index DAR genealogical and membership information into computerized, searchable databases. Our work will assist in preserving these valuable records for posterity and significantly enhance the application approval and membership record retrieval processes.
The result of the data input by this committee’s Descendants Project appears in the DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS). The GRS is a valuable tool which is being used to assist in the completion of applications.
The DAR Project Patriot Committee is the official Daughters of the American Revolution committee that supports America’s service members and their families.
At the national level, DAR support is focused on two groups: women serving in the military and wounded military personnel at three locations. These are:
- the Chaplain’s Closet at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany
- the Warrior Transition Brigade at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland, and
- the Warrior and Family Support Center in San Antonio, Texas. We also address needs at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, a Mobilization Training Center
Marine Base Camp Pendleton has recently been added to our nationally supported centers. In addition, we provide support to deploying and returning service members and their families.
Individual members and chapters are encouraged to support the men and women serving in uniform in any way appropriate. Activities could range from sending care packages to relatives of chapter members or supporting local Reserve/National Guard units and their families.
DAR School Committee. Education has always been at the core of DAR. The promotion of education is one of the three founding objectives of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. In 1903, the committee of Patriotic Education was authorized. By 1932, this committee had grown so much that it was separated into three separate committees: Americanism, National Defense, and Approved Schools.
By 1934, the National Society supported thirty-five approved schools and in 1940 during Continental Congress, it was resolved that as vacancies occurred, no new schools would be added. In 1960, the committee was renamed DAR School Committee. The committee now supports five schools, one DAR School and four DAR-approved Schools.
The DAR Service for Veterans Committee serves America’s veterans. The committee provides a tangible way for DAR members to say “thank you” by acknowledging and recognizing veterans’ service, sacrifice, and commitment to the preservation of our nation’s freedom. Of special importance is the recognition of and appreciation for women veterans’ service.
The Flag of the United States of America Committee. Over 100 years ago this committee was established to promote a deep patriotic sense of respect for our flag. In 1909, NSDAR presented this committee with these principle objectives: to keep the flag flying and to protect it continuously under all conditions, as well as to educate citizens regarding its correct usage.
Since 1890, the mission of the DAR has been to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The Historic Preservation Committee, established as a national Committee on March 1, 2008, seeks to honor the nation’s heritage, focus on the future, and celebrate America.
Lineage Research Committee. Daughters from all over the world help each other as lineage researchers, searching for that additional documentation needed to complete an application. As you work to attract, inspire, and mentor your chapter’s prospective members, turn to us for research expertise – whether you have an elusive link between generations, four straight generations of John Smiths, or need that last document from a local courthouse to establish a new DAR patriot.
Membership Committee. Like the National Society’s objectives – historic preservation, education and patriotism – the objectives of Team DAR can be represented by those same HEP initials – but in this case they stand for hospitality, exploration, and prosperity. The mission of the chapter Membership Committee is to recruit and welcome new members, educate all chapter members about DAR programs and activities which promote DAR objectives, and strive to create prosperous, successful chapters which serve their communities and country.
The National Defense Committee assists members in carrying out the historical, educational, and patriotic purposes of the National Society to promote an informed membership by advocating a strong American military defense and to preserve our American heritage of freedom. National Defense activities are recognized for the Chapter Achievement Award in several ways, including: presenting a report using relevant materials at regular chapter meetings; presenting Gold ROTC, Bronze JROTC, and Silver Outstanding Cadet medals; scheduling a chapter program on national defense; and presenting DAR Youth Citizenship and DAR Distinguished Citizen Medals.
The Women’s Issues Committee is comprised of three categories: health issues, career issues, and family issues. Primary to the committee is the contest, which provides a forum for members to express personal and professional issues in each category.
There are many committees that are not listed here. As new members join the chapter they are encouraged to join one of the committees already working or to take on leadership of one of the committees that is not active in our chapter. Being on a committee or leading a committee is not required by the chapter or the national society. It is simply a pleasure to have members attending meetings and social events. We are continually inspired and grateful for the talent, ideas, and commitment of all of our members to the DAR, the community, and our country.
