Community Corner
DAR inducts new members into local chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, welcomed new members to the society's Pleasanton chapter at May meeting.
The Jose Maria Amador Chapter, NSDAR, met for a luncheon Sat., May 14, at Frankie, Johnnie, and Luigi Too, 11891 Dublin Blvd., Dublin. Twenty members and guests enjoyed a delicious meal together and Regent Ann Narciso addressed the group. One new member was sworn into membership of the Jose Maria Amador Chapter, Pleasanton, Ca., at the event. And in the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I was sworn in as a reinstated member.
New member Michelle Hemenway originally became interested in DAR because of the society’s scholarship program. DAR provides a variety of scholarships to high school and college students to help defray the costs of tuition, books, and room and board.
“Well, the original reasons for investigating DAR are not so altruistic,” said Hemenway. “Truth be told, I started out interested in scholarships for my kids. I saw that DAR provided scholarships, which piqued my interest as a parent of two teens.”
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Hemenway’s cousin had once shared with her the family’s ties to the American Revolution and suggested joining DAR, but Hemenway dismissed the idea because she had no idea what the group was dedicated to, and she feared DAR might be too elitist.
“(However) I did more investigation and learned about the many good works of DAR,” she said.
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She found that DAR is a women’s volunteer service organization dedicated to patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education.
“I became interested in DAR’s efforts with historic preservation, particularly that of Native Americans and of America’s natural resources,” said Hemenway, who attended the spring luncheon with friend April Martin. “I’ve come to enjoy the members of the Jose Maria Amador Chapter and am glad to say they are not elitist at all!”
Martin is interested in learning about her own genealogical history; her family tells stories that go back to the American Revolution so she is in the beginning stages of researching her family tree.
DAR Membership is available to women age eighteen and over who can offer satisfactory proof that they are lineal descendants of an ancestor who, during the period of 1784-1815, rendered material aid to the U.S. Army or Navy, or who participated in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The organization helps prospective members complete their DAR application papers.
“I really enjoy working with the ladies and helping them to become members of our chapter,” said Jose Maria Amador Chapter registrar Diane Groome. “It is very rewarding.”
Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 and there are 168,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the world.
“Members are the backbone of any organization,” said 2nd Vice Regent Carol Vercellino. “As a lineage organization we are available to assist prospective members….in learning about DAR and its objectives of historic preservation, patriotism and education.”
The José María Amador Chapter is committed to preservation of America's rich past. Members devote countless hours to three valuable efforts - conservation of natural resources, support of the DAR Museum and, of course, genealogy.
Contact Groome at 510-886-4032 or email her at dggroome@comcast.net, or reach Vercellino at carole_verc@hotmail.com for more information.
