2019 DAR State Conference, Continental Congress, and Juniors Retreat

Am I even a blogger anymore?  I'm months and months behind!  But I like to come back here and look at old posts, so I figure I'll still update from time to time!

2019 has been a busy year as usual for the Daughters of the American Revolution!  In April, we had our annual Tennessee State Conference, and for the third and final year, I had the pleasure of serving as a Personal Page to our State Regent Mrs. Reynolds.  This year, my Mom took care of Kenny at our place, and I had a fun weekend with my friends in service!  We also had the pleasure of having Mrs. Van Buren visit our conference, during her time as First Vice President General.  She is now our DAR President General!

2019 Tennessee Pages at State Conference

with Mrs. Van Buren

I was also featured in a local magazine, Franklin Lifestyle, about how the DAR supports veterans.  It was an honor to be able to call attention to the positive works that DAR members make in their communities.

In June, for the first time in a few years, I went back to Washington, D.C. for Continental Congress.  I was one of many pages who attended from Tennessee!  For our Page event, we went on a night tour of monuments.  I was also able to sneak away with a couple of friends to visit the National Portrait Gallery.

2019 Tennessee Pages at Continental Congress

And then this month, we had our annual Tennessee Juniors Retreat.  Earlier this year, we lost an incredible member, Rebekah Lemley.  She was our State Outstanding Junior last year and one of the kindest souls you could meet.  So while we were cleaning up Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro, we also planted a dogwood tree in her memory.  We also attended the Constitution Week Bell Ringing at the State Capitol.

As you can see, it's been a busy year for these Daughters, both in service and in celebration!  If you've found this blog while searching for information on joining the DAR, check out more of my DAR-tagged posts.

Staying in a Pod Hotel: Washington, D.C.

On the same trip that I visited Fredericksburg, I also did something pretty interesting... I stayed at a pod hotel!  The Pod DC Hotel, specifically.  Located in Chinatown, it is very close to Metro Center where our large DAR events are located, and not too far from our headquarters itself.  Since I was traveling in for just a quick trip, I decided to give it a go because the price was really good. ($124-154/night for a full-size bed.  The bunkbed room was cheaper, but I was staying alone.)

Super cool hotel digs!

This wasn't a space-age pod hotel, where you sleep in like a spaceship capsule.  The Pod DC is a micro-hotel with stripped down rooms that offer the bare essentials but have really great amenities and social spaces.  I was a little nervous, given it was a new concept to me.  I was also still pumping, so I needed a fridge.  I contacted the hotel in advance, and they had a little medical fridge sent to my room that served my needs.  (During the day, I had them store milk for me in their walk-in freezer.)

Pano of the room, which had a tiny but nice bathroom!

Overall, the room was clean, efficient, and had everything I needed.  The Wifi was good, and I was surprised by the size of the TV!  The bed was comfy, the bathroom was clean and modern (tiny!) but good for the trip.  There was also a small safe, and they had so much thoughtful storage, shelves, and hooks.

But the best parts about the Pod aren't the rooms, because you're just there to sleep.  The common areas (diner, whiskey bar, gym access, etc.) are super chic, and a ton of people were hanging there who weren't even staying at the hotel.  In addition, it's on the edge of Chinatown near Metro Center, so lots of restaurants, shops, and more.  Just a block to Walgreens, Starbucks, you name it!

I also found the staff to be SO HELPFUL.  They were so helpful knowing I was pumping and traveling, and they solved all issues very quickly.

If I were staying in DC on my own again and needed to be near the National Mall and things, and the prices were lower than Airbnb and traditional hotels, I'd definitely stay at a Pod again.  It's not kid-friendly because of the space constraints and lack of bathtub, but for a budget-conscious adult or couple, it would do the trick!

After all, you spend your day away from your room anyways, in places like the beautiful DAR Headquarters!  Had to include a few insider photos...

The eagle lectern has been used by multiple Presidents

Would you stay at a hotel like the Pod DC?

Fredericksburg: Washington Family Sites

Last last year, I was in D.C. for a DAR meeting, and I'd hoped to attend the annual Christmas open house.  But then President George H.W. Bush passed away, so the event was cancelled as the government was shut down.  I was disappointed but understanding... and then three wonderful DAR friends whisked me off to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to visit some historic sites!

Ferry Farm

Our first stop was George Washington's boyhood home, known as Ferry Farm.  There is a replica of his home on the site, overlooking the river, and you could just imagine what life must have been like for his widowed mother managing the family estate and 276 acres on her own until her children were grown.  The site is supported by the state and local DAR chapters.

Fittingly, we paid tribute to Mary, Mother of Washington, by visiting the Mary Washington Monument.  The Mary Washington Monument is the only monument in the United States erected to a woman by women. The DAR's first resolution in 1890 was a pledge to complete a memorial monument to Mary Washington, and it was one of two organizations to support it.  DAR members contributed nearly three-fourths of the $11,000 raised for the project.  It felt very fitting as a DAR member to visit this site!

Mary Washington's monument is near to Kenmore, a historic plantation owned by her daughter Betty Washington Lewis and husband Fielding Lewis.  I had no idea the financial and personal sacrifices this well-to-do couple made towards the American Revolution!  You can't take photos inside the house, but it was worth touring!  It's known for the decorative plaster work on its ceilings.  It wasn't known as Kenmore until the 1800s, named by its new owners, but the name stuck over time.  The site is, you guessed it, also supported by local DAR chapters!  It was pretty cool to go around and get a DAR discount because of the contributions made over the years by our members.

Kenmore

Model showing Kenmore in relation to the town

On our way out of town, we did two quick stops to see the exteriors of the Mary Washington House and the Lewis Store.  The gardener for the house was actually outside as we approached, and she allowed us a peek into the back garden and told us a bit about the history.  Mary Washington spent her last seventeen years in the house, which sits walking distance from Kenmore.  If I ever come back I'll have to revisit!

The Fielding Lewis Store was built by the father of Fielding Lewis, and it was just down the street from Kenmore and Mary Washington's house.  It was a general store.

I was truly blessed to have three wonderful DAR members take me on this awesome tour of Fredericksburg sites related to the family of George Washington!  I'll never forget it.

2018 TSDAR State Conference (& Navigating DAR with a Baby)

This site is not an official NSDAR Web site, and the content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR. The President General is the official spokesperson on issues that have not been addressed as policy of NSDAR.

In April, the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) had their annual State Conference, and once again I served as a page!  I served again as a personal page to our State Regent, the head of Tennessee's DAR.  (If your only reference for the DAR is Gilmore Girls, I have some links to past posts at the bottom of this one in case you're curious!)

I went into more detail about what my conference was like last year, including duties and public speaking, etc.  This year was similar, so check out last year's post for more details on that.  The main difference for me this year?  I was a brand-new mother!

2018 Pages with President General Dillon and State Regent Reynolds

When I tell people that I'm in the DAR, they often tell me they are interested but don't have time for it.  I've come to realize, even more so now with a baby, that EVERYONE is busy, and that balance doesn't exist... Prioritization exists.  You have to do what is important to you, and trim the rest.  For me, community service and fellowship through DAR are a priority, and my husband supports that.  So while it surprised some that I remain as dedicated now that I have an infant, to me it was important to continue the good work I've put my heart into, so that Kenny can see me working hard as a positive role model in our community and country!

State Conference (and Paging) with a Baby

First off, I let my Page Chairman know that I would need an assignment that would allow me to care for Kenny.  I actually managed to have the same assignment as last year, but since I had two other pages working with me, we were tagging in and out of events.  I was straight forward with my State Regent, who knew I was a new mom (she attended my baby shower just months before!) so she was incredibly understanding.  And I think that my need to sneak away to pump actually encouraged my peer pages to take a little R&R time when I tagged back in... healthy behavior for hard-working pages!  One example?  I skipped a breakfast so I could eat breakfast with Mom and baby, making sure she got a break too.  Then I headed downstairs to work and allow my fellow page some free time to shop and enjoy the conference.

Even though our conference is held a few miles from my apartment, I've been booking a hotel room for two nights there for the past couple of years, since I basically work 12+ hours a day.  This year, that was especially necessary!  My Mom came to stay on site with Kenny, and that was perfect.  I would go up to our room to pump throughout the day, see Kenny and Mom, and be just a text message away.  And every time Mom brought Kenny downstairs, the DAR ladies would come up to her and say, "Oh, is this Aubrey's baby?"  I even took Kenny downstairs when I went to vote, and the ladies took turns holding him while I was in line.

I had to get creative when it came to pumping timing... more so for my own comfort than meeting Kenny's needs!  For example, I snuck away after eating in the middle of a formal banquet, and I had my friend text me when the program was starting up.  It was much less complicated than it sounds.  But I figured out a good schedule, and my Apple Watch was AWESOME for receiving texts from both my Mom and my fellow pages without having to pull out my phone while working on the platform!

One of my paging partners, helping me tremendously!

Saying No

I didn't attend all of the meals at State Conference, both to save money and to make time to pump or see Kenny.  This year, I also missed some DAR chapter meetings due to Kenny's birth and childcare.  I said "no" to attending Continental Congress in DC and reprising my attendance at Indiana's State Conference like last year.  I'm hoping to do both next year, with lots of advance planning!

Making It Work

I hired a babysitter one evening so I could make a chapter meeting.  I took Kenny with me to a cemetery dedication.  I took a weekday off work, while Kenny was in daycare, so I could present an award at the state capitol.  All of these things are ways that I've been able to attend DAR events.  And you know what?  Every time I've chosen not to bring Kenny with me, the DAR ladies are disappointed.  If I bring him, they're cooing and playing "pass the baby" to help... or just to get their snuggles in.  I've never gotten dirty looks for bringing him anywhere, and I've been told that if I need to have him at a chapter meeting, he is welcome!  Sometimes I forget that most of the women I know in DAR have children, grandchildren, or nieces/nephews, are school teachers and librarians, lead Children of the American Revolution, or teach Sunday School. They're really supportive of me in every way, and they make it easier to manage!

I brought my pump bag with me, just in case... LOL

2018's State Conference was one to remember, with Kenny being less than 12 weeks old at the time!  But I'm learning how to navigate my role within the DAR, and manage to attend key events and participate actively, by saying no to some things and prioritizing others.

Curious about the DAR?

Read my post on why I joined, information about paging, last year's state conference,

and my trip to the 125th Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.!

Or you can just click here to see all of my DAR posts to date.

Also, because some people have asked me about diversity and the DAR, here is a link to our minority research page which provides guidance and sources for those trying to research African American, Spanish, Jewish, and Native American patriots!

2017 TSDAR State Conference

This site is not an official NSDAR Web site, and the content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR. The President General is the official spokesperson on issues that have not been addressed as policy of NSDAR.

A couple of weeks ago, I served as a page at the 112th State Conference for the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution.  I try to do at least a post or two on my blog every year about my DAR activities, so you can learn a bit more about the organization and why I dedicate so much of my time to its mission.

This year, I was honored to serve as one of our State Regent's personal pages.  The State Regent is the leader of a state's DAR society, and in Tennessee she is elected every three years.  This was the first State Conference for our newest State Regent, so it was wonderful to be a part of her inaugural conference!

Tennessee has one of the largest groups of pages in the country, from what I've been told.  Pages are typically Junior members of DAR, full-fledged members under the age of 35.   Depending on the state, you are allowed to page until you are 40-ish, but definitely until you are 40 you can page at the National Continental Congress.  I would describe us as ladies-in-waiting or handmaidens in a sense.  We are the workhorses, always ready to lend a hand and help the conference run smoothly.

As you can imagine, crazy things can happen when you've got hundreds of ladies in one place.  I've got some hilarious stories for sure!  But I get to spend the time with my best friends in DAR from across the state.

One thing that was different for me this year?  More PUBLIC SPEAKING!  I am a State Chairman of a committee, as well as a vice-chairman for another.  I presented three awards and gave two reports during this conference.  Two of those awards were presented on our Opening Night, where there were hundreds in the audience!  I prepped my scripts ahead of time, and I felt really great about how things turned out.  It was a great experience for me, and I don't think I'll be as nervous in the future!

DAR has been such a wonderful part of my life in Tennessee.  I feel like I have a family of "aunts" and "sisters" across the state!  I feel like with DAR, you come for the mission and purpose, and you truly stay for the people.  I joke with my DAR BFF that we'll be in our 80s rooming together at these events with grey hair and whatnot, but that's actually what I WANT someday.  A life full of service.

Unlike the past two years, I'm not planning to head to D.C. for Continental Congress, our national convention.  I am saving up my vacation days for my sister's wedding festivities later this year!  I do plan on heading back next year to page with my friends.  It's hard work, but I just keep coming back.

I am heading up to my home state of Indiana's state conference in a week or two to page, and I'm excited to see what a different state's conference looks like!

Curious about DAR?

Read my post on why I joined, information about paging, last year's state conference,

and my trip to last year's Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.!

2016 DAR Continental Congress

This site is not an official NSDAR Web site, and the content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR. The President General is the official spokesperson on issues that have not been addressed as policy of NSDAR.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, as an organization, has become a big part of my life.  It is my way of giving back to the local community and beyond, and building bonds with some pretty incredible women.  (Read my post on why I joined, and my trip to last year's Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.!)

I spent a full week in June in Washington, D.C., for the 125th Continental Congress, our annual convention.  With it being an anniversary and DAR election year, there were a record number of ladies present!  As you can imagine our Opening Night ceremonies were pretty magical.  I jokingly called it patriotic prom on Facebook, because the spirit of the events are just so moving... and AMERICAN!

I think one of my favorites parts about Continental Congress is getting to represent my Chapter at the National gathering.  I loved the Tennessee Dinner, because we got a photo of our members together!

I also enjoy that I get to cross paths with fellow Tennessee daughters, especially fellow Juniors and pages, from across the State who attend as well.  It's a wonderful mix of new friends and old friends, and it makes you feel united in your work.

Tennessee Pages

I worked for the week at our Junior Shoppe, one of our fundraising efforts for charity.  I won't go into detail here, but it was a cause I really enjoyed supporting these past two years!  I was on my feet a ton, and it was exhausting, but so worth it in the end.  There was so much hustle and bustle, tons of projects.  We accomplished a ton as a Society during the week, including a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD title for “Most letters to military personnel collected in one month” with a total number of 100,904 cards!

Another perk?  I spent all day in our beautiful DAR buildings, a block or so from the White House, which are a wonderful part of our legacy.

Continental Congress is a blur, and it's hard to describe here in a post.  But I had to share some of my favorite snapshots.  I loved sharing a house with four of my Tennessee girlfriends.  I loved meeting new women, including one who is my distant cousin!  I loved doing something for a good cause.  Paging is hard work, but it's definitely good work.  I'm proud to be able to give the time, because I get just as much out of it as I put in.

2016 TSDAR State Conference

This site is not an official NSDAR Web site, and the content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR. The President General is the official spokesperson on issues that have not been addressed as policy of NSDAR.

In April, the Tennessee Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted their 111th State Conference.  For the fourth year in a row, I was in attendance as a member, and for the third year in a row, I was a page!  This year was very special, as it was the last State Conference with our current State Regent at the helm, a lady that I love and respect intensely.  In addition, the President General, i.e. the head of the entire DAR organization, was a guest in attendance!  You can read her detailed recap of our State Conference here.

This year's pages with our President General and State Regent

One of the reasons I love DAR is my exposure to so many women who are charismatic leaders, generous volunteers and fundraisers, and intelligent to boot.  After all, we all had to research family lineage and have in interest in our roots in order to join!  They are mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives, and daughters... as well as doctors, businesswomen, librarians, teachers, nurses, homemakers, lawyers, and on and on!

President General, our State Regent, and me!

This State Conference, I was more involved than ever!  I attended all of the meals, which was definitely a financial commitment, but it was great to see so many programs come to life.  I assisted with multiple programs, I designed a brochure, and I covered the event for social media.  Check out our NEW state Instagram account!  That and other odds and ends.  A page's work is never done, but we get to eat, sleep, and BREATHE these incredible events.

with visiting State Regents and other VIPs

A State Conference for DAR is an annual event.  We have both formal events and business meetings.  We touch on all three pillars of patriotism, education, and historic preservation.  We socialize, we share, we learn, we shop, we celebrate, we fundraise, we HAVE FUN!  That's really the best way to describe it.  Imagine hundreds of wonderful women, all together for three full days of fellowship.  It's exhausting and great.

Serving with a smile!

About that FUN...  I portrayed a past President General during a skirt, flexing my amateur acting chops.  There was a wig involved, my second year running in a wig (last year, I portrayed the 1960s in a fashion show), and it was a blast!  I also dressed like a kangaroo during a fun run to support Helen Pouch Memorial Fund, which helps support DAR schools and has the kangaroo as a symbol.

Skit during Junior Luncheon; dressed as a kangaroo to support Helen Pouch Memorial Fund

Another reason this year was particularly special?  This year my BEST FRIEND IN DAR won State Outstanding Junior.  Oh, it was so wonderful, I was crying into my white gloves.  State Conference and Continental Congress kind of feel like DAR prom, but with multiple nights of celebration, and some business added in.  It's one of the best parts of being in the organization, though it's honestly a small part of the BIG work we do on a national scale.

For one of the formals, I wore a Korean hanbok as my dress!

I'm headed back to Washington in June for Continental Congress.  I can't wait to report to you on that too!

Curious about DAR?

Read my post on why I joined, information about paging,

and my trip to last year's Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.!

2015 DAR Continental Congress

This site is not an official NSDAR Web site, and the content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR. The President General is the official spokesperson on issues that have not been addressed as policy of NSDAR.

Last month, I attended my first Continental Congress, the annual convention for the Daughters of the American Revolution, held in Washington, D.C.  (Read more about why I joined the DAR here!)

The events were split between a beautiful hotel and the DAR's Constitution Hall, with the White House about halfway in between.  I made the journey back and forth between the two daily, either by taxi or walking.  I also attended a couple of luncheons during that time, but mostly I was paging and fundraising for our DAR schools.  We worked long days, but it felt good to work hard for a good cause!

Beautiful scenery, and meeting up with my mentor

It definitely struck me how clean and beautiful D.C. is; I never thought about it much, but being in the heart of the city really reminded me of that!  I was able to see one of my longtime mentors (photo above) and roomed with another DAR mentor and my DAR BFF.

One of my favorite experiences was watching the Opening Night ceremonies with my chapter.  I'd worked too late into the evening to page the event, but I made it in time to watch the flag unfurl.  It was definitely a patriotic night!

Opening Night

There were a number of fellow Juniors from Tennessee as well, paging and experiencing the event too.  It made me really happy to see them at events!

Tennessee Juniors, of course my DAR BFF/roomie in there too!

One of the highlights of the events for me was winning one of the national essay contests.  I was honored to have leadership from both my state and chapter there to see me receive my certificate!

Receiving my certificate

The one downside to being super busy throughout the event is the lack of downtime to see friends in the area... but I learned quickly that you can make it work!  My old friend from middle/high school KB stopped to see me for a drink on her way home, and two families that I know from the Army came to meet me for some delicious Shake Shack, babies and all!

Friends and Shake Shack

Overall, it was an exhausting and exhilarating experience.  Truly a sleep-deprived blur... my feet hurt for a few days afterwards too!  But it was worth the money we raised for good causes, the fellowship with other Daughters, and seeing some beloved old friends.  I'll be back next year for sure!