TO MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY MAGNA CHARTA DAMES AND BARONS
FROM LEWIS L. NEILSON JR., CHANCELLOR
DATE: APRIL 3, 2000
I am delighted to report that our Society is doing extremely well and to present our fourth Electronic Newsletter. Please visit our WebSite News Page and Table of Contents. Please E-mail us using the Feedback Page.
WASHINGTON DC LUNCHEON - APRIL 17, 2000
Invitations have been sent for our Washington, DC luncheon which will be held on Monday, April 17, 2000. If you wish to attend and have not received an invitation, please call our office at 215-836-5022. Our speaker this year is Mr. Oliver St. C. Franklin, Honorary British Consul in Philadelphia.
EMAIL INFORMATION - WE ARE NOW UP TO 1,000 ADDRESSES
We are delighted with the number of members and friends who have sent us an email address either in the mail or by email. In many instances, we have received email which consists of a name and email address. We have also received many email messages which include information concerning lost members, ask meaningful questions, or express interest in membership While we plan to answer each individually, there may be a delay until after the luncheon in Washington. Should you have a question concerning membership, you might call the Society Office for forms or procedures at 215-836-5022.
SUCCESSFUL OFFICER VISIT TO AUSTIN AND BATON ROUGE
I had a very successful visit with the Texas and Louisiana Divisions and was delighted with the enthusiasm and interest of the members from those Divisions. I hope during the course of the next few years to visit with many of the other Divisions.
EDUCATIONAL TOUR INFORMATION
Unfortunately, we have decided to canceled our June Tour this year since we have not met the minimum number of participants. Also, the deadline has passed for applications to Royal Ascot and that is an integral part of the Tour.
There is increasing interest in our July, 2000 Tour this year. Please review the program on the WebSite. It should be outstanding.
There is significant interest for a Tour in June, 2001 which would be similar to the one which had been planned for this year.
A Winter Educational Tour is being considered with a focus on history and genealogy in London. The concept would be to include a genealogist (if available) who would provide research assistance and direction concerning historical resources. Basically, the cost of the Tour could include air and lodging and some guide services. If there is positive email response to this suggestion, we will begin planning the Tour.
We did send a Tour Questionnaire several years ago which was returned with cost as a major issue for some with time as a major issue for others. We have been able to provide Tours with outstanding content and that has been reinforced by the enthusiasm of our participants. Based on those responses, we planned the July Tour for this year which has not, thus far, achieved the minimum number although there is growing interest. We have noted, however, that a number of other organizations are planning educational tours to England which do not seem to provide as much content in relationship to the cost as we have. Our Tours are provided as a service consistent with the purposes of our Society, particularly emphasizing locations of historical and cultural significance. I would appreciate insight concerning the lack of interest in our Tours this year or for suggestions on ways that we can effectively achieve a successful Tour program.
I should mention that we are currently planning to include some of the pictures from our Tours on the WebSite and are exploring the potential of streaming video.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
As mentioned in prior E-Newsletters, membership continues to be of vital importance to our Society. If you wish to speed up or facilitate the membership process, please include with the Proposal Form a well documented lineage (including copies of the documentation) to either a known ancestor or to one of the qualifying Barons. If you have sent lineage information without the copies you may also speed up the process by sending copies of the documentation. Lineage Forms are provided on the WebSite.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EMAIL LIST
Our E-mail list is made up of who have send us E-mail, of members and friends of the Society who have responded to our Newsletter request for E-mail addresses and others who we believe might be interested in our Society or mission. If you would prefer not to receive future Electronic Newsletters, however, please let us know. If you have friends who you believe might be interested in our Society, please forward this E-mail. If you have received this as a forwarded email, please visit our WebSite at http://www.magnacharta.org for more information about our Society. You may also contact our Society Office at 215-836-5022 between the hours of 9:30am and 3:00pm.
I hope that each of you are well. Do not hesitate to call me with questions or suggestions.