The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/109748
Recalling the Four R's of Membership Dear Fellow Compatriots, Great things continue to happen in our SAR world. Our membership as of Dec. 31, 2012, reached an all-time high with 31,358 members. In my opinion, this increase is due in part to our shortened application approval time, the recent TV shows addressing celebrity ancestry searches, an increased interest in history, and expanded Internet search capabilities. Dues collection for 2013 should be complete, and chapters and societies should be ready to send in their reconciliation reports. Then we'll know how well we did with member retention. Membership is the lifeblood of our organization. I believe that for most chapters and societies, member dues account for nearly 100 percent of the revenue for the year. Recall the four R's of membership. The first is to Recruit a new member. We're doing a pretty good job at this. The second is to Retain that person as an active duespaying member. What is the goal of your chapter or society for member retention? Think about your chapter. What is your retention rate—90 percent or 95 percent? Whatever it may be, let's commit to reducing the loss by one-half this year and again next year. That leads to the last two R's of membership. The third R is to Reconnect with the person who has dropped his membership. Learn why he dropped his membership. Invite him back to meetings and see if you can rekindle his interest. When that happens, then the fourth R is to Reinstate the member as an active, dues paying member. Membership retention is a grassroots effort. Are you up to it? As I travel and look out at the people present, I recognize the SAR members by their rosette and the DAR members by the membership ribbon(s) they wear. Sometimes it is hard to recognize the members of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.). It is always great to see the next generation involved in patriotic commemorations. The C.A.R. was founded in 1895. For the first time in its history, the top adult leader, Senior National President, is a man and an SAR member from the New Hampshire Society. Congratulations to Hans Eric Jackson and best wishes for a successful two-year term (see story on page 5). Our SAR Foundation continues to raise funds to renovate our West Main Street building for our national headquarters, education center and museum galleries. Please see the announcement on page 11 of the 2013 lapel pin in commemoration of the Sept. 3, 1783, signing of the Treaty of Paris by Ben Franklin, John Jay and John Adams. WINTER 2012-13 This is the fourth pin in a series that has been offered in recognition of a $100 donation to the SAR Foundation, Inc. With your continued help we can meet our goal of having the host society reception in the building as we visit Louisville for the 2014 Congress. Soon we'll be coming together for the March 1-2 Spring Trustees and Leadership Meeting. Check the SAR website for the latest information and online registration. To use this capability, a member must first log in using the farthest yellow button (LOGIN) on the main SAR Web page. Once logged in, you can go back to the home page and look for the Spring Leadership Meeting. Click on the Spring Leadership Meeting Details and Forms, and then click "To access the online version click here." The reason for this approach is for enhanced security. For those coming to the leadership meeting and the Friday night banquet, it will be the time for the gentlemen to wear their kilts if they are of Scottish heritage and the ladies to wear their tartans. See you there, lads and lasses. Space remains for people interested in our trip to England and Scotland in May—information will be available at the Spring Leadership Meeting. Two classes will be offered on Saturday morning right after the SAR 1000 breakfast and before the trustees meeting. Training for chapter and society secretaries will be offered in one of the Broadway Rooms on the third floor. A genealogy training session will be offered by our Genealogist General Larry Cornwell in the Bluegrass Room on the second floor. This session is open to members and their wives. SAR leadership meetings are open to all compatriots. Before long, the weather will be warmer, spring flowers will be out and the trees will be in bud. Winter will yield to spring, with increased activity and participation in outside events. Think about getting involved in SAR activities. Bring along that member who may not have renewed his dues. Get your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews involved in C.A.R. Fraternally, Stephen A. Leishman President General 3