The Heraldry and Coats of Arms Committee is no longer a national committee. It has been replaced by the new Appointed Executive Officer position of Heraldry and Coats of Arms Registrar. All heraldry aids can be found on the appointments page which is below the Executive Officer positions.

The National Defense Committee shall:

• inform members regarding policies or legislation which protect, strengthen, or weaken our Republic
• preserve the ideal for which our country was founded as stated in the Constitution of the
  United States of America.

The Department of Defense was founded and shortly known as the “National Military Establishment.” Its main responsibilities are to control the Armed Forces of the United States. DoD was established in 1947 and divided into three major departments Army, Navy and Air Force. There are many agencies that have evolved under DoD as our country’s security has been threatened. Last year legislation was approved to create the United States Space Force to protect our national interest in outer space. Another that has evolved as our technology has changed is Cyber security. The United States Cyber Command is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the DoD. Its mission is to direct, synchronize and coordinate cyberspace planning and operations to defend and advance national interest in collaboration with domestic and international parties. Cyberspace is a domain of conflict alongside the air, land, sea and space domains. The history of DoD departments/agencies that have become a necessity because of changing ways required to protect our country. This chairman would suggest that all chapters have a program selecting a DoD department and research how it evolved, why was it established for our defense.

Every member of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century is eligible to have her grave marked with a Society marker. What a meaningful way for a member to be honored for her loyalty and years of service. Ancestor graves may also be marked. Placement of a marker for an ancestor is a visible symbol to commemorate their place in establishing this country during the 17th Century.

Bronze markers of the emblem are available in two sizes: 6-3/4” width with lug mounting hardware or 3” width with lug mounting hardware.

Grave markers may be purchased by chapters, members, or their families; however, an official Grave Marker Order Form included in the summer packet and posted to the web site must be used and sent by the Chapter to the National Grave Marker Chairman.

The Lineage Support Committee Committee is ready to help your chapter to increase membership. Committee members are available to provide assistance with the lineage research needs of your prospective members as well as members seeking to prove supplementals.

Don’t let your prospective members lose interest with long wait times when there are resources available to help you complete the necessary research.

Volunteers are ready to help you in your search for the additional documentation needed to complete an application or supplemental or to make the corrections needed to address a Have Written letter.

The Committee for Colonial Heritage, Research and Records speaks to the heart of our beloved Society as we strive, as individuals and collectively, to preserve our heritage. We spend hours in research leading to find records and record-keeping. This, Dear Members, is who we are! While a State Chairman for this Committee, I found that chapters oftentimes would like to have solid ideas of what they can do to forward this important work. Some chapters are small and are unable to undertake a big project

The NSCDXVIIC Bylaws and Standing Rules comprise the fundamental rules that define our Society.

2023-2025 Bylaws Committee

Jan Stevens Lockard, Honorary President General – Chair

Mary Stagg Johnston, Honorary President General

Elizabeth Snuggs McAteer, Honorary President General

Nancy Smith Ackerman, Honorary President General

Yvonne Yerian Hiteshue, Honorary President General

Mary Ellington Tatum, Organizing Secretary General

Rebecca Smythe Eisenman, President General, Ex-Officio

The purpose of the Awards, Gifts, & Special Activities Committee is to grant recognition at the National Conference; this is done by presenting awards approved by the Executive Board to State Societies for their outstanding contributions to the National Society. The categories for these Awards can be found in the National Handbook. The period to be covered for Chapter and/or State accomplishments is January 1st to December 31st. In addition to the State Chairmen’s reports, National Officers and Committee Chairmen may request the National Chairman of Awards, Gifts, & Special Activities to make presentations on their behalf.