According to the Bylaws of the National Society, a chapter may be organized with not fewer than twelve members in a city, town, village or incorporated area where no chapter exists.
All Organizing Members of the new chapter must be Members-At-Large and in good standing at the time of organizing.
We had our first meeting in August, 2005. This was to see if there was an interest in forming a new chapter in Amador County. Seventeen attended that first meeting. Officers were chosen, plans made, and meetings scheduled. And the race was on to get prospects qualified to join the National Society.
The name Sierra Amador was one of three suggested to National for consideration. We proposed this name because it reflects where we live, in the foothills of the Sierras and our county name, Amador. We are the only county in California named for a then-living individual--Jose Maria Amador. He established one of the first gold mines in the area, so we also reflect our gold rush past. This name was suggested by member Sue Martin.
We had to select a home which we did when we chose Jackson.
We had to elect officers willing to start up the chapter and remain in office for the first two years. The first election was held in August of 2005. And these women worked tirelessly to get this chapter going.
We reached compliance with all of the requirements when we went from 11 members to 15 in one week in May of 2006.
According to the National Society’s Bylaws, on the first National Management Meeting of the National Society after the Organizing Chapter meets all requirements, it shall be voted on to approve the organization of the new chapter. Nancy Alexander, California State Regent, called on June 26, 2006, to inform us Sierra Amador Chapter had been approved.
Our Organizing Meeting held at 7 p.m. on June 26, 2006: Sierra Amador Chapter, NSDAR, has met all the requirements to become an official chapter.
On September 16, 2006, California State Regent Anne Lampman and the entire California State Board came to a special meeting of the chapter to give the oath of office to the Sierra Amador Chapter Officers and present the chapter with a gavel, Chapter Regent Pin, DAR Sign, and other gifts to get the chapter off to a wonderful start.
We held our Charter Membership open for a year, closing it on June 26, 2007. As of that date, we had 22 Charter Members of Sierra Amador Chapter, NSDAR.
