Guard that which is committed to thy trust. – I Timothy 6:20

Daughters Advocating for Restoration,

Article VIII, Section 7, states, “A special meeting also shall be called by the President General upon the written request of thirty or more chapters in at least ten states. Not less than thirty days’ notice of a special meeting shall be given and only that business specified in the call may be transacted.”

Upfront Considerations:
Before introducing a resolution, consider whether it is appropriate to inform your chapter leadership in advance. You may also wish to lay groundwork prior to the meeting to ensure there is adequate support among chapter members. Use the approach that best fits the dynamics and culture of your chapter.

Click here for a copy of the Resolution for the Call of a Special Meeting to take to your chapter for a vote!

Click here for step by step instructions on how to proceed.

Click here for a printable list of pertinent parliamentary procedure with references to Robert’s Rules of Order.

If You Are a Member of Your Chapter’s Executive Committee

This Resolution be adopted by a majority vote of your chapter or the Executive Committee, so long as your chapter bylaws allow for the Executive Committee to make decisions on behalf of the chapter in between meetings.

The Executive Committee cannot take any action that would countermand a previous action taken by the chapter.

If Your Chapter Regent is Even-Handed

• The best practice is to let your regent know of your intent to make this motion to be a Resolute chapter. Consider sending her a private email or making a phone call letting her know your intentions. Ask her if she will put the item on the meeting agenda and if she will send copies of the Resolution to all chapter members so that all members have a chance to read and digest the information.
• At this point, the process should be no different than making a motion of any other sort – there should be debate -a majority vote is required to adopt the motion.

If Your Chapter Regent is NOT Even-Handed

• Sadly, some chapter regents are not compliant when this topic comes up. First, please remind your regent that “While regents should maintain impartiality, they have a duty to ensure members understand both sides of any issue. For informed decision-making, all members deserve to know the complete picture.” -S. Johnston (Texas State Regent, March 18, 2025)
• If you know up front that your regent is in personal opposition to this effort, whether they are apathetic, fearful of losing their status or position within the DAR, or an ideologue, then you will have to bring the motion up at the appropriate time during your meeting – usually this would fall under New Business.
• Please use our prepared list of pertinent Robert’s Rules of Order to help guide you through parliamentary procedure.

Be Prepared to Explain the Purpose of the Resolution:
Be ready to clearly articulate the reason for the resolution. The concern is that the integrity of the Daughters of the American Revolution has been compromised, and this action is intended to address that concern in a thoughtful and principled manner.

Transparency and Intent:
Be open and transparent with chapter members. Emphasize that any action taken is focused on restoring DAR to the original principles upon which it was founded. This effort is not about bullying, targeting, or singling out any individual or group. Rather, it is about safeguarding the integrity of the organization we all volunteer to serve. After all, DAR belongs to its members.

The very definition and identity of DAR is described on the DAR website as follows:

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism across the United States. Since the Society’s founding, more than one million women have found purpose and passion in DAR membership. 

DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. 

This Resolution to request the Call of a Special Meeting according to Article VIII, Section 7 of the National Bylaws may be adopted by a majority vote of your chapter or the Executive Committee, so long as your chapter bylaws allow for the Executive Committee to make decisions on behalf of the chapter in between meetings.

The Executive Committee cannot take any action that would countermand a previous action taken by the chapter.

WE APPEAL TO HEAVEN for a victory, just as our Founding Fathers did in the pursuit of earthly freedom and for the blessing of God just as our Founding Mothers of the Daughters of the American Revolution did when organizing our beloved American Institution.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, there is an inherent need for the will of the membership to be reflected accurately in the application of the Bylaws of The Society;

Whereas, it is the duty of the membership to ensure that the true meaning of the Bylaws is properly understood and that the rules are properly applied consistently throughout The Society;

Whereas, the ultimate authority to determine the proper meaning and interpretation of the Bylaws is vested solely in the membership of The Society, as assembled in a membership meeting; 

Whereas, the meaning and application of the Bylaws of The Society cannot be changed without the consent of the membership; 

Whereas, the holding of a Special Meeting is the appropriate course of action to allow the membership to determine the true meaning and intent of its own Bylaws and to express its will through orderly debate and a free and fair vote inside a meeting; and 

Whereas, the Bylaws of DAR specifically authorize the chapters to compel a Special Meeting; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That, in accordance with Article VIII, Section 7 of the Bylaws, a Special Meeting of the National Society is hereby requested in writing to be held on October 11, 2026, at Constitution Hall 1776 D Street NW, Washington D.C., at 2:00 P.M Eastern, for the purpose of considering and adopting the following Resolution:

Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order, the adopted parliamentary authority of DAR, prescribes that the interpretation of a bylaw provision “should be in accordance with the intention of the society at the time the bylaw was adopted;”

Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order provides that, in the case of interpreting a bylaw provision, “a majority vote is all that is required to decide the question;”

Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order provides that “When the meaning is clear, however, the society, even by a unanimous vote, cannot change that meaning except by amending its bylaws;”

Whereas, the eligibility requirement that a member of DAR must be a woman was established in the Constitution and Bylaws of DAR, adopted in 1890;

Whereas, DAR was incorporated by the Fifty-fourth Congress of the United States of America on February 20, 1896; and

Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order provides that “… the society’s assembly can give the board instructions which it must carry out …” and “… no action of the board can alter or conflict with any decision made by the assembly of the society… ;” now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That in Article III, Section 1 of the Bylaws,  the term “woman” shall be understood to clearly mean a woman who was born female, and therefore, individuals who were born male shall not be eligible for membership; transgender women shall not be eligible for membership; and men who have their birth certificates changed from male to female shall not be eligible for membership;

Resolved, That the National Board of Management, the Executive Committee, the Officers, and all other individuals and bodies acting on behalf of DAR shall immediately adhere to this understanding of the Bylaws in regard to the meaning of the word “woman” and in regard to the application of the Bylaws;

Resolved, That the National Board of Management, the Executive Committee, the Officers, and all other individuals and bodies acting on behalf of DAR shall be prohibited from applying any different meaning to the word “woman” in regard to applying the rules set forth in the Bylaws; and

Resolved, That anywhere the term “woman” appears in the rules of DAR it shall be understood to have the same clear meaning as set forth in the first resolved clause of this resolution, and the application of any rule shall be in accordance with this understanding of the meaning of the word “woman.”

“…we entered into this struggle with pure hearts and prayerful lips…” – Hannah Arnett