2019-2020 DESSAR President’s Message
Compatriots of the Delaware Society,
It is a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve your Delaware Society as President for 2019-2020. I would like to open with a question and challenge. That question is “Who are we”?
We are people who serve. Serving to ensure that:
- Our past is not forgotten by honoring those who served or assisted the colonies during the Revolutionary War to establish the freedoms of this Nation.
- By ensuring core values are promoted by protecting our Constitution and perpetuating American ideals and traditions. We accomplish that by inspiring the community-at-large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers; fostering true patriotism; and maintaining/extending the institutions of American freedom.
- Through ensuring that young minds are shaped by educating and inspiring them about the Constitution and those who developed the American ideals and traditions as well as their sacrifice.
Liberty has no grandchildren, only children. Each generation must again renew the framework and cause of liberty lest it be forgotten. Not by looking at the other person to do it. We must do it.
Our Society faces several challenges. To begin the process of meeting them, my goals are simple – and direct.
- First – to grow our level of membership. We need individuals to pick up the baton by bringing in new members, including younger members, to come behind us and lead.
- Second, we need to retain members once they join. Joining the NSSAR is much more than “getting your membership certificate” and moving on. It is getting involved and supporting who we are and taking that message outside of our “4 walls”. That takes me to my third goal.
- Membership development. It is my goal to move toward developing educational opportunities for our members in order to learn about the National and State Society, it’s programs, initiatives and provide opportunities for service. By putting this in place, it will be an important step toward accomplishing the final objective.
- Succession planning. In my career, one of my bosses placed in my performance plan process documentation and succession planning. It took work, was challenging, but afterwards when vacancies occurred, instead of stressing out about what in the world to do, the transition with a new hire was smoother. In a purposeful, intentional manner, we need to plan and actively look for ways to involve and develop future leaders for our Society.
These basic goals should not just be my goals. For the good of our Society, they should be “OUR” goals. Accomplishing them requires support and the most tangible form of support is service. That responsibility falls on all of us. Myself, Society officers, Chapter Presidents, committee chairs, and ultimately each Society member. That’s what you sign up for when you join the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and its Delaware Society. To support and serve. I would challenge you by asking “What can you do for your Society”.
An initial step is for each of you to review the calendar of events for both your Chapter and the Delaware Society. A second step would be to attend these activities, get involved, ask questions, ask “how can I serve”.
In closing, I ask for your help and support that WE may succeed.
In Service to Our Society and Country,
Harry B. Roberts, III
Delaware Society President
