May 2012

Dear Alabama UDC Ladies, 

Imagine what it was like in the South in May 1865. Only the month prior had Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. The invaded southern states had born the brunt of the fighting for four long years. Statistics of lives lost vary, depending upon the source consulted, but one fact remains constant: They were our ancestors.

It has been said that two out of every three people in Alabama can trace their lineage back to a Confederate soldier. Invite women who are lineal or collateral descendants of those who served the Confederacy to join our organization. As members of UDC, you are encouraged to present yourself individually and collectively as ladies with whom other ladies of Confederate ancestry would want to associate. The UDC Handbook states: "The United Daughters of the Confederacy is one of the greatest of women's organizations, a sisterhood of female descendants of soldiers, sailors, and patriots, dedicated to the preservation of the history, heritage, culture, and artifacts of the Confederate States of America. It is a noble and worthy mission and one of Southern women's greatest achievements. To be a member is both an honor and a privilege." 

Related to membership, review the April 2012 UDC Magazine for an article by the Membership Development Committee Chair about the General Member for Member insignia. The photo on page 8 of the April issue pictures one of my pieces of Member for Member insignia filled with stars. Thanks to Division Assistant Registrar Pat Killian for taking the photo. If you want this photo, I can email it to you by attachment. So that Alabama members could view this insignia, I passed around two of my Member for Member pins filled with stars at Division Winter Board in January. The Member for Member form can be downloaded from the UDC website at: http://www.hqudc.org/ Eligibility for purchase is recruitment and assistance for new member applications approved by General on or after June 1, 2008. Insignia and stars are listed on the UDC Non-Engraved Insignia order form. The General Chair challenges each member to earn the right to wear this insignia and thus increase membership in our organization.

I encourage each Chapter to study the membership numbers and patterns in your own Chapter. The official number of members for each Chapter as of August 31, 2011 are shown at the end of Chapter lists of officers on pages 163 through 207 in the 2011 Division Yearbook. How many members are listed for your Chapter? How does this number compare to your Chapter's membership a few years ago? How many members paid per capita by February 2012 as listed on your Chapter Treasurer's per capita report to Division Treasurer Carolyn Parrish? How many new member applications have been submitted by your Chapter Registrar to the Division Registrar Glendora James since the new UDC year began on September 1, 2012? Is your Chapter thriving and growing? I encourage you to spend time at a Chapter meeting discussing these factors and developing a plan to increase your Chapter's membership by RETAINING and GAINING members.

It is interesting to compile some demographic data relative to our Alabama Division. Chapters vary greatly in number of members, from 7 members ­ which is the minimum number possible ­ to 159 members. On August 31, 2011, membership in the Alabama Division was 1,875 total, in 58 Chapters resulting in an average of 32 members per Chapter. Comparatively, 52% of our Alabama Chapters have between 7 and 25 members; 31% of our Chapters have 26 to 50 members; and 10% have membership between 51 and 75. Only 4 Chapters have 75 or more members.

Regardless of size of Chapter, all have the same obligations to meet the stated goals of UDC: (1) to honor the memory of those who served and those who fell in the service of the Confederate States; (2) to protect, preserve, and mark the places made historic by Confederate valor; (3) to collect and preserve the material for a truthful history of the War Between the States; (4) to record the part taken by Southern women in patient endurance of hardship and patriotic devotion during the struggle, and in untiring efforts after the War during reconstruction of the South; (5) to fulfill the sacred duty of benevolence toward the survivors and toward those dependent upon them; (6) to assist descendants of worthy Confederates in securing proper education; and (7) to cherish the ties of friendship among the members of the Organization.

When new Chapter officers are elected and installed during April and May this even numbered year, be sure to send a list of new officers and their contact information to the Division Yearbook Chairman, Division President, and District Director. Compiling the Division Yearbook is a huge job, so please be courteous and send your Chapter information to Division Yearbook Chair Martha Shirley without her having to contact your Chapter to request the information. See page 11 of the 2011 Division Yearbook. In addition, review pages 12 through 13 for a comprehensive list of remaining deadlines.

Exciting plans are underway for the Alabama Division Convention to be held September 13-15, 2012 in Mobile. The major fund-raiser(s) at this Convention will be for conservation of the 20th Alabama Infantry Flag. The Division Flag Committee asks members to donate gently-used books for a book sale to be held at Convention; more details to follow. "$20 for the 20th Flag" is a theme for the current fund-raising. During this term, individual and Chapter donations to the Flag Fund have ranged from $10 each to more than $1,000 each. It's truly amazing what has been accomplished by the vast majority of our membership pleasantly working together toward a common goal in honor of Confederate ancestors.

To make hotel reservations at the Marriott Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile at the UDC rate of $109.00 per night, call 1-866-316-5957. The earlier reservations are made, the more likely that preferences regarding type of room can be accommodated. If you call and are told that no more rooms are available at that rate, please let me know and I will continue to increase the number of rooms in our block as long as rooms remain.

Best Confederate Regards, 
Lynda Lowery, Alabama Division President