Submitted by Beth Seifert, State Regent
Written by: Jessica Chase, Senior Director, Membership
October 30, 2026
As we enter the final quarter of 2026, there is much to celebrate in DAR’s membership efforts! From record levels of interest in our organization to strong application activity and the return of former members, this year has brought encouraging momentum.
Interest in DAR Continues to Grow
Our chapters and dedicated volunteers have also been hard at work helping prospective members take the next step. Through October, DAR received more than 12,000 new member applications, continuing a strong year of application activity.
June 2026 marked an especially exciting milestone, with 1,720 new member applications received, making it the third-highest month for new member applications in DAR’s history! This remarkable achievement, along with another strong month in September with 1,510 applications received, highlights the continued enthusiasm and growing interest in joining DAR.
We are also seeing encouraging results in welcoming former members back to DAR. Through October, 2,126 members have reinstated, putting us within reach of surpassing last year’s total of 2,313 reinstatements. With more than two months remaining, we have an exciting opportunity to make 2026 another record-setting year!
Through October, DAR received 20,336 prospective member interest forms, an impressive 53% increase over the same period last year. This growing interest reflects the continued appeal of DAR’s mission of historic preservation, education and patriotism, as well as the opportunities our organization offers women to connect with their heritage, serve their communities, and make a difference.
Putting Membership Trends Into Perspective
Looking back over the past five completed years provides valuable perspective on DAR’s membership. From 2021 through 2025, DAR’s average annual net membership change was a decline of just 359 members—less than two-tenths of one percent of our approximately 190,000-member organization. This remarkably small change demonstrates the overall stability of DAR’s membership, even as thousands of women join and leave the organization each year.
In simple terms, membership is constantly changing. Each year, thousands of women join DAR, while others leave for a variety of reasons. Some members pass away, others experience changes in their personal circumstances, and some choose not to renew their membership. At the same time, new members join, and former members return.
This natural movement is part of the membership lifecycle of any longstanding organization. While the number of members joining and leaving each year may seem significant, the overall change in DAR’s membership has been relatively small.This stability is encouraging and reinforces the importance of continuing to attract new members while creating meaningful experiences that encourage existing members to remain engaged.
Membership Strength Is About More Than Numbers
While membership statistics provide valuable insight into the health of our organization, the true strength of DAR extends far beyond the numbers. It is reflected in the relationships formed within our chapters, the service our members provide to their communities, and the countless ways DAR continues to advance its mission across the country and around the world.Every new member brings unique talents, perspectives, and enthusiasm. Every longtime member contributes to the traditions, friendships, and shared purpose that make DAR special. Together, these connections create a vibrant organization whose impact cannot be measured by membership totals alone.
As we look toward the future, our focus extends beyond simply growing our membership numbers. We are committed to strengthening the entire membership experience—from making it easier to join and welcoming new members to expanding opportunities for engagement, improving communication, and demonstrating the ongoing value of DAR membership.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our chapter leaders, registrars, membership committees, staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to share DAR’s mission and support our members.
Thank you for all you do to strengthen DAR. Together, we are building on a remarkable legacy and creating a vibrant future for generations to come!