New Chapter Creation and Existing Chapter Growth
Sat. Nov 29th at 7pm
The ad hoc committee created by Douglas Favorite included attendees: Chairman Christos Christou, Jr.,
James Engler, Ernest Irish, Barrett McKown, and Christopher Smithson.
PURPOSE: (1) Investigate three requests to develop new chapters within an area where a current chapter
covers multiple counties and suggest options.


Develop ideas on how to create new chapters in counties where a current Chapter covers multiple
counties. Develop processes by which this can be done without negatively impacting the 4 existing
chapters.
Develop instructions which can be given to interested members such as Troy Foxwell (Wicomico) and
Mark Young (Queen Annes) who want to do this in Tilghman and Smoot territories and for person in
Hanson area (Calvert Co). These instructions have to show the chapter will be self-sustaining and not
drop after these men no longer are interested.
#
Chapter Name
Members
Counties Served
8 Colonel Tench Tilghman
45
Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot
12 Captain John Smoot
33
Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worchester
14 Thomas Stone
49
Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's
15 Little Meadows
21
Allegany, Garrett
(2) Investigate the related topic of how to grow existing chapters and to ensure participation and compliance
with State and National guidelines of a healthy and vibrant chapter.

Develop processes and ideas how to help existing Chapters grow and become active.
Meeting Minutes
Each attendee was allowed time to speak on their thoughts on both topics presented to the committee and
recommended solutions that can be presented to the full board at the next meeting.
Recommendations:
(1) New Chapters should be encouraged but not to the detriment of the existing chapter. A process is already
outlined in the Bylaws which require the request of 15 current members residing in that county to request
a charter and submit a slate of organizing officers. This must be continued. Then the State Board must
approve.
a. The three individuals who are interested must be encouraged to bring in 15 new members and
begin the process of organizing a new chapter.
b. Follow the requirements of the Bylaws.
(2) The State has not coached its own officers and the Chapter officers and a plan must be developed to
coach each Chapter on activities that each should be doing using the National Chapter Award Checklist
which outlines activities each chapter should perform. The State must become more attached to a chapter
through:
a. Provide outline of suggested Chapter Activities.
b. Coach new and existing Officers.
c. Requirement detailed Annual reports from all Chapters.
d. Audit Annual all Chapter financial records, 990N, etc. from State Audit committee
e. Recommend State Officers visit not just 3 VPs but also Board of Managers.
f. Require no person to hold to offices to prevent conflict of interest.
g. No Chapter President can serve more than 5 consecutive 1-year terms.
1
Additional details:
Christou suggested:
 Offer individuals interested the opportunity to recruit and sign up 15 new members. Provide officer
training to the new organizing officers and frequent visits by several state officers to the meetings.
 All Officers need re-education on the duties prescribed for their role. (Separate draft of duties
presented at Council of Presidents Committee).
 Term limits for all Presidents and audit of chapter records especially financial from State.
 Remind Chapters of six ex oficio officers that are part of every chapter and should be invited every
time - . the President, the designated Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, and Historian.
 Look at By laws to require duties of all officers including Board of Managers, etc.
 Immediate end of year audit of books for last 3 years of all chapters and then annually thereafter.
 Work with DAR and CAR in the area to build activities and membership.
 Focus on prestige of organization by requirement of dress code and venue in majority of meetings
and then relaxed dress code at some meetings such as spring or summertime meetings when hot.
 Have Chapter Awards at State Annual meeting as DAR and CAR do. Might foster better
participation if recognized.
Engler suggested
 Focus on bringing in new members younger than 60y old through changing of meeting times, focus
on new members being given new tasks, conduct a survey of members to get an understanding why
80% do not come to meetings.
 Conduct workshops on various topis using National Checklist, resources, and training. (Provided a
detailed plan showing past historical activities by chapter)
 Develop more Youth program activities work with CAR
 New Members must be proactively recruited then trained using model in successful chapters.
Irish suggested:
 Each Chapter must have its own registrar
 A publicity Chairman is needed with the sole focus of developing publicity of events and garner new
members.
McKown suggested:
 Develop officers through training into knowledgeable and able officers to elevate the esteem and
prestige of the society.
 Meetings need to be at good places, with good food and a speaker that will be of interest to draw
members.
 Develop awards to recognize hard workers.
Smithson suggested:
 Proactive recruitment of new members for every chapter with the DAR Chapters in that county.
 Genealogist to conduct routine workshops to help a chapter designee such as Chapter Registrar with
the process of research and completion of applications.
 Develop processes around growing the State Society to 25 chapters to cover all counties in MD and
the City.
 Require regular meetings of a Chapter to ensure viability. Minimum one meeting per year or chapter
is defunct and needs to be reorganized with new officers.
 Chapters should advertise in local historical societies and other hereditary societies in their area.
(Provided a detailed plan for growth.)
2
From Christopher Smithson
Chapter
Notes
Suggestions
The Everhart Chapter is a
very active chapter and
currently the largest chapter
within the society.
Currently Chapter President
Mike Saunders is also
serving as Registrar of the
chapter.
Would there be a way to use examples from
Everhart Chapter in both running a chapter;
membership etc. with other chapters or
incoming Chapter Presidents or officers?
The Chapter needs a Registrar. Need to
recruit new members within Montgomery
County. Contact the Montgomery County
Genealogical Society & Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
The Chapter needs a Registrar. Need to
recruit new members within Washington
County. Contact the Washington County
Genealogical Society & Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
Chapter needs to recruit new members within
Baltimore City. Contact the Maryland
Genealogical Society & Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
Memb
ers
132
New
2014
4
New
2013
8
Gen.
William
Smallwood
77
14
9
Christian
Ardinger
25
0
5
Currently Chapter President
Paul Banister is also serving
as Registrar of the chapter.
Col. John
Eager
Howard
60
4
1
Col.
Nicholas
Ruxton
Moore
71
8
2
John Paul
Jones
84
8
5
The chapter has several
meetings per year. The
yearly event in June at Old
St. Paul's Cemetery. The
attendance has
dropped. Possible marking
other Rev War graves within
Old St. Paul's? The grave of
William Patterson?
Currently the President Gary
Neal is also serving as
Registrar for the Chapter. At
a recent meeting only
approximately 4 to 5
members attended. In
recent years the leadership
of the chapter has recruited
Presidents from other
chapters to come serve as
their President.
The attendance at the
chapter meetings have been
low. Also finding a suitable
location to hold a chapter
meeting has been an issue.
Col. Henry
Hollingswort
h
22
0
6
Sgt.
Lawrence
Everhart
Chapter Needs a Registrar Currently is Chris Smithson.
3
The Chapter needs a Registrar and a
newsletter. Chapter needs to recruit new
members within Baltimore County. Contact
the Baltimore County Genealogical Society &
Historical Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
The Chapter needs a newsletter. Chapter
needs to recruit new members within Anne
Arundel County. Contact the Anne Arundel
County Genealogical Society & Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
The Chapter needs a newsletter. Chapter
needs to recruit new members within Cecil
County. Contact the Cecil County Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
This chapter is covering 4
counties. Prior to 2013 no
new members since
2010. Most of the new
members have been a result
of inquiries from the
societies website.
Col. Tench
Tilghman
23
11
2
Col. Aquila
Hall
70
22
19
Charles
Carroll
30
2
6
There has been very few
meetings with this
chapter. Most of the new
members have been a result
of inquiries from the
societies website.
John Hanson
13
1
0
Capt. John
Smoot
25
5
1
Westminste
r
31
1
2
Doug Stuart has served as
President of the Chapter
since 1995. At a recent
Chapter Meeting (Nov 12)
attended by 3VP William
Smithson – 2 members of
the chapter attended. The
latest new member was a
transfer from the FL
Society. There has no new
members since
approximately 2006 based
on Nov 2014 Roster.
Ray Jackson has served as
President of the Chapter
since 1995. This chapter is
covering 4 counties. The
growth in membership within
the last year has been
coming from either the State
Registrar or
Genealogist. Mike Irish who
is the Chapter Secretary
handed the Organizing
Secretary a list of about 15
prospective members for the
chapter.
Cecil Massie served as
President continuously from
its founding (1986) as
President for 28 years. He
stepped down in 2014.
There have been several
years of (2000-2014) of
officers rotating hats were
Presidents have served
more than one term. Also
members who have held
more than one officer
position at a given time.
4
The Chapter needs a newsletter. Chapter
needs to recruit new members within Kent,
Queen Anne's, Caroline and Talbot
County. Contact the Upper Eastern Shore
Genealogical Society, Queen Anne's, Kent,
and Talbot County Historical
Societies. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
Bring in NEW officers. The Chapter needs a
newsletter. Chapter needs to recruit new
members within Harford County. Contact the
Harford County Historical Society and
Genealogy group that meets at the Whiteford
Public Library. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
The Chapter needs a Registrar and a
newsletter. Chapter needs to recruit new
members within Howard County. Contact the
Howard County Genealogical Society &
Historical Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
The Chapter needs a Registrar. Need to
recruit new members within Prince George's
County. Contact the Prince George's County
Genealogical Society & Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
The Chapter needs a Registrar &
Treasurer. Need to recruit new members
within Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and
Dorchester Counties. Contact the Nabb
Center and the Dorchester County
Genealogy Club. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
Need to recruit new members within Carroll
County. Contact the Carroll County
Genealogical and Historical
Society. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
Thomas
Stone
40
3
2
This chapter is covering 3
counties.
Little
Meadows
18
5
1
This is the newest Chapter in
Maryland organized in 2002
and covering 2 counties.
103
12
At-Large
Reasons to why we have
103 At Large members?
5
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
Need to recruit new members within Charles,
Calvert and St. Mary's Counties. Contact the
local Genealogical and Historical
Societies. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
Need to recruit new members within Allegany
and Garrett Counties. Contact the local
Genealogical and Historical
Societies. Advertise in local county
newspaper. Membership drive with local
DAR/CAR. Speaking to local groups about
the SAR.
How many live within the State of Maryland?
Send out a letter to the ones within the State
of Maryland to see about them joining back
into a chapter? How many live outside of
Maryland? Use the At-Large for out of state
members and duals?