Junior Membership

A Junior Member is a DAR member age 18 through 35 years of age. She holds full membership in the National Society, State Society and Chapter, and when qualified, may serve as an officer and chairman at all levels. There are many reasons why young women join the DAR. Some are interested in history, enjoy genealogy, or want to serve our veterans and military personnel. Others join to share in DAR activities with their mother, grandmother or aunt. who is already a member. Whatever the reason, DAR welcomes them. California's Junior Members are students, teachers, mothers, lawyers, actresses, authors, accountants, and professionals in their communities. Although these young women are busy, they still make time for their DAR activities.

California Daughters actively support and encourage their Junior Members in all aspects of DAR. More chapters are meeting on Saturdays or in the evening to accommodate working members and college students so they can attend meetings and become more involved in DAR. One chapter holds its meetings at noon, enabling its Junior Members to spend their lunch hour at the meeting, and then return to work. Many other chapters have Juniors that are chairmen and officers. Newsletters, web sites and emails keep Juniors informed about the DAR and Junior activities. Juniors are the future of DAR!

The goals of the Junior Membership Committee are to gain new Junior members; to build a well informed Junior Membership; to encourage active participation in all phases of DAR service; and to support the National Junior Membership Committee’s official fund-raising project - the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund.

Helen Pouch Memorial Fund

"Pouch"

Authorized in 1938, the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund is named in memory of Helen Pouch (1901-1919). Helen was the daughter of Mrs. William H. Pouch, the first National Chairman of the Junior Membership Committee in 1937, and later President General, 1941-1944. In honor of Mrs. Pouch, the kangaroo was adopted in 1986 as the symbol for the Memorial Fund. The fund provides scholarships, medical aid, and general financial assistance to the two DAR Schools, Kate Duncan Smith in Alabama, and Tamassee in South Carolina.

The annual Junior commitment totals more than $45,000. Meeting this commitment is a combined effort by Juniors nationwide through their fund raising efforts.

100% of the profit on sales of Junior Products from the Junior Shoppe at State meetings and Continental Congress go to support the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund. In addition, many chapters sell products from Innisbrook Wraps, Inc., with 10% of the profit going to the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund.

Jr. Membership Chairman
Kelly Nilges with "Miss Linda,"
the 2010 National Junior Doll

The National Junior Doll Project

The National Junior Doll Project officially started almost 50 years ago to benefit the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund. Each year, the National Doll is sponsored by a state organization that has volunteered for this honor. The doll is usually modeled after someone influential from that state, or from the DAR in general. Clothes, accessories, and furniture are made or bought by Daughters in the sponsoring state. "Voices" are available to the public and DAR members throughout the year, and the drawing for the National Doll is held during Continental Congress in Washington, DC.

In 2010, California Juniors sponsored "Miss Linda" in honor of our beloved Honorary President General, Linda Gist Calvin (2007-2010). "Miss Linda" had an extensive wardrobe with accessories, and a trunk in which to store everything.

Celeste Cox

CSSDAR Outstanding Junior - 2010

National 1st Runner-Up

The Outstanding Junior Member Contest

The Outstanding Junior Member Contest began in 1963 in order to recognize exceptional Junior Members. Honoring young women who have truly promoted the aims and purposes of the National Society, as well as participated in community activities, encourages all Junior Members to be interested and involved in DAR programs and projects.

Each year, the California State Society recognizes an Outstanding Junior Member who is honored at the annual State Conference and Continental Congress.

Paging

Pages are DAR members, under the age of 41, who are among those responsible for the smooth operation of State Society meetings and Continental Congress. They serve as hostesses, errand-runners, personal assistants, and flag-bearers. Paging is an excellent way to learn about the inner workings of the DAR, and is a great way to get to meet other members of the organization. Best of all, Paging is fun! Many former, or "Seasoned," Pages have developed lifelong friendships through Paging, and they treasure the memories of their Paging experience.