C. David Billings’ Address to the 2011 ALSSAR State Convention

 

Honored Guests, Compatriots, and Ladies,

 

Compatriots, it is an honor to have been elected as your Society’s President.  Thank you.  My first service as President is to recognize the service of the previous President.  Former State Society President Bruce Pickette, will you please step forward?

 

Bruce, this is the Past State President’s pin to be worn on your neck ribbon.  It symbolizes your hard work and all of the things you accomplished over the past year.  Wear it with pride because you have certainly earned it. 

 

Second, on behalf of the Alabama Society I’d like to present you with this Liberty Bell in appreciation for all you’ve done. 

 

Finally, if I may ask Vice President General Raymond Clapsadle to come forward so he may present you with the Past State President Certificate.  This certificate is presented in recognition of your service and past year as State President.

 

Thank you to our honored guests for being here.  It’s an honor to have all of you here.  We appreciate the effort and time you took to be here and the many things you do for the SAR and your organizations. 

 

Our thanks go to the members and ladies of the General Richard Montgomery Chapter for organizing and hosting this Annual Meeting and Convention.  A lot of work went into it.  Congratulations on a successful event.  Please join me in applauding their terrific efforts.

 

I am both humbled and honored to serve this historical, educational and patriotic volunteer organization as President.  We seek to maintain and expand the meaning of patriotism, respect for our national symbols, and the value of American citizenship.  I am indebted to the State Presidents before me for their legacy.  I take my stewardship very seriously.   I assure you I will carry on the traditions of the State Society, representing us wherever I can. 

 

As a steward, it is my responsibility to advance the State Society.  My vision for advancing the Society builds upon the legacy of our Society and of the immediate past presidents.

 

I believe I am knowledgeable about the diversity of the chapters that comprise the Alabama Society and of our Society’s challenges and opportunities.  Let me share four observations from my visits to chapters and my Chapter Best Practices and Future Plans study:

 

  • Programs,
  • Leadership,
  • Recruitment, and
  • Youth.

 

 

The best practice reported by the largest number of chapters (8) was offering interesting and appropriate (relevant) programs at chapter meetings.

The strength reported by the largest number of chapters (8) was having a strong group of energetic and dedicated officers, committee chairs and volunteers that create ideas and opportunities.

The area for improvement reported by the largest number of chapters (6) was recruitment of new members.

Three plans tied for first place:  Expanding participation in Youth programs; providing interesting programs at meetings, and increasing membership.

 Our chapters plan to grow in 2011.  The chapters forecasted a growth rate of 9 percent.  That growth rate forecasts an end of the year membership of 930.

What should our membership goal be?  Consider a benchmark; The Alabama Society DAR has 4,091 members.  Surely the Sons can recruit and retain one-fourth the members of the Daughters --- or 1,000 members.

Furthermore, the Alabama Society is the 10th largest state society.  As such we have a responsibility to provide leadership within the national society.

Therefore, the Theme for 2011-12 is Leadership Development.  Let us focus on existing chapter development through officer training and incorporating chapter best practices.  Let us set the following 4 goals:

 

 

  • Leadership,
  • Recruitment,
  • Youth, and
  • Programs.

 

 

Let’s

 

  • Strengthen chapters by developing our chapter leadership;
  • Improve chapters’ ability to recruit, retain, reconnect, and reinstate members with a membership goal of 930 members by 2012 and 1,000 within 3 years;
  • Expand chapters’ participation in Youth programs, and
  • Enhance chapter’s interesting programs at meetings.

 

 

As I work with you to advance our Society, I will make mistakes.  When I do, please talk to me in private about them.  I look forward to working with you next year on strengthening and growing our chapters and state society.

 

I hope each of you will support the efforts of the other State officers you have elected and the efforts of the State Committee Chairmen and Liaisons that I have appointed.  Watch the website later next week for those names and assignments.  I thank each of them for their willingness to serve and to volunteer.

 

Everyone plan to attend the next Board of Managers meeting in Columbiana on May 14th.  Let’s have a good year!  Thank you.

 

I have some administrative announcements.

 

After the closing, Chapter representatives should pick up their Elementary School Posters.

 

State Officers should come forward for a photograph together.

 

After the conclusion of the banquet the Hospitality Room at the Fairfield will be open.  Also, tomorrow morning it will be open from 7:30 to 9:30.

 

Please stand for the SAR Recessional to be lead by Senior Vice President Posey and remain standing for the Benediction by ALSSAR Chaplain Coker.

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