Chapter Meetings

Abigail Adams logo

We meet the second (2nd) Saturday of the month September through June.  Coffee is ready at 9:30 a.m. and our meeting convenes at 10:00 a.m.  If you would like to attend one of our meetings, please contact our chapter regent

Most chapter meetings combine patriotic exercises with organizational business and educational programs.  Many of our members are skilled presenters.  We won a State DAR award for our program series, "Who Do You Think You Are?" in which members shared stories from their genealogical research.  Nothing as fascinating as someone sharing what they love!

Occasionally, we invite special interest speakers to share their expertise.  We make time for celebrations of all kinds, from Abigail Adams' birthday to a member's 50th anniversary in DAR.  We share information, work on our special projects, and just have fun.  And we try to do a "road trip" every year.

September 12, 2015

Field Trip, following business meeting
Program:  "Builders of Des Moines" -- Guided tour of historic Woodland Cemetery
Constitution Week:  September 17 - 23, 2014
September 17 -- NW District Meeting, Ames
September 18 -- SW District Meeting, Council Bluffs

October 10, 2015

125th Anniversary logoDAR 125th Birthday Celebration
Program: "As the Spinning Wheel Turns:  Putting a New Spin On It"
Commemorative Event:  Experiencing Continental Congress
** Those with photos of their DAR ancestors (mother, grandmothers, aunts, cousins) are invited to bring them to display.
October 11, 1890 -- Founding of our National Society

November 14, 2015

Program:  Des Moines Vets Center:  Providing support & Services
** As a Literacy Promotion project, we will collect donations for the English-as-a Second Language class at Hillside School, WDM
November 11 -- Veterans Day

December 12, 2015

Program:  "The Art of Entertaining"
Napkin folding for special occasions
Sharing a letter:  Christmas at Mount Vernon, December 30, 1783
** As a Service to Veterans project, we will collect wrapped gifts and/or cash donations to purchase gas cards for Veteran families
December 7 -- Pearl Harbor Day
December 28, 1846 -- Iowa Statehood Day

January 9, 2016

Nominations & Elections:  New Chapter officers and Delegates to State Conference & Continental Congress
Program:  "Looking at Your Quilt"
** Members are invited to bring a family quilt to display
January 19 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

February 13, 2016

Program:  NSDAR American Heritage Committee
** "Homework" assignment:  Bring a one-minute talk on something about President George Washington.
February 12 -- Lincoln's Birthday
February 15 -- Presidents' Day
February 22 -- Washington's Birthday

March 12, 2016

Election of Chapter Officers
Program:  "The Iowa Barn Foundation"
March 3, 1820 -- Missouri Compromise made Iowa non-slave territory
March 13 -- Daylight Savings Time Begins

April 9, 2016

Program:  "What kind of Ancestor Will You Be?"
**  Members:  Bring a scrapbook or other item showing your efforts to preserve family history.  (Items will be passed around for viewing.) 
April 13 -- Thomas Jefferson's Birthday

May 14, 2016

Memorial for Chapter Members
Program:  "Who do You Think Your Are?  A Family Story"
** Armed Forces Recognition:  Members are invited to bring photos of their military family members to display.
May 6-7 -- ISDAR State Conference, Ames
May 21 -- Armed Forces Day
May 30 -- Memorial Day

June 11, 2016

Field Trip:  Fort Des Moines Museum & Educational Center
75 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines
Program:  Tour Museum
June 14 -- Flag Day
June 15 - 19 -- Continental Congress, Washington, DC