Admission to membership in the National Society is by invitation after an affirmative vote by the chapter or state society. Applicants shall be of good moral character, have attained their eighteenth year, and have the endorsement of two members in good standing to whom the applicant is personally known.
New members become part of a chapter, a state Society, and the National Society, which is one of the largest of the nation’s hereditary organizations. Every member’s interest and participation is vital to aid the Society in continuing to move ahead and to grow in strength and achievement, in love of country, in historic preservation of a cherished heritage, and in education of all citizens in what the real America is, and what America stands for.
The Process:
- The prospective member is recommended, in writing, by two chapter members.
- The chapter votes on the recommendation, if the prospective member is approved, the Regent issues a written invitation to the prospective member.
- A set of lineage papers is sent to the proposed member after she accepts the invitation to membership.
- Should an applicant be unable to complete her lineage papers within one year, the invitation shall expire unless an extension is granted.
Section 1. Eligibility. Any woman who is a citizen of the United States of America, is of good moral character, and has attained her eighteenth year, shall be eligible to membership, provided that she shall be acceptable to the to the Society and shall meet each of the following requirements:
- Lineal descent. The applicant shall be of lineal descendant from those men and women who were actual residents of America when it was under foreign government as colonies and who served prior to July 4, 1776 in any of the twenty-six categories listed below.
- Proof of eligibility. The applicant shall submit evidence of lineal descent. Legal adoption shall not qualify for lineal descent. Adoptees who can provide valid lineal proof through their biological parents is acceptable. References submitted shall be independent of any other lineage society.
- Allegiance to the United States of America. The applicant shall not be pledged to, or advocate by force or violence, the overthrow of the government of the United States of America or that of any state or territory therein, or be guilty of treasonable practices. This Society shall have the right to expel from its membership any person for any of these causes; any questions arising under this proviso shall be determined by the Society.
- Conformity with Bylaws. The applicant shall agree to conform to the Bylaws adopted by National Society.
There are two classes of membership within the Society, Active Members and Members with Restricted Privileges.
Active Members:
Active Members may be members of chapters within a state society or members of a state societies without chapters. Active members may attend the General Assembly and the State Assembly.
- Golden Acorn members are those who join the Society from the age of 18 through the age of 35. They remain Golden Acorns until their 45th birthdays. These members have the privilege of serving as Pages at State and General Assemblies. Benefiting American Indians has always been the special project of the Golden Acorns Committee, and significant contributions have been made to the Bacone College Library in recent years as a result of this endeavor.
Members with Restricted Privileges
Members with restricted privileges are not eligible to: be delegates or alternates at the General Assemblies or State Assemblies; to hold a national, state or chapter office; nor serve on a national or state committee. However, she may attend either the General Assembly or State Assembly.
- Members-at-Large are members who, after one full year of membership has been fulfilled within a chapter, request a transfer to membership-at-large.
- Members-in-abeyance are new members who are in the process of organizing or reorganizing a chapter. They shall be called “Organizing Members” upon confirmation of the chapter.
- Associate Members are current active members who have been invited to join a second chapter and elected in the same manner as a new member. Associate members are responsible for any local dues required by the second chapter. No associate member shall have the right to vote, to hold office, or to represent the second chapter as a delegate or alternate at any General or State Assembly.
| The 26 categories of acceptable colonial service are: | |
| 1. | In battle under colonial authority |
| 2. | Under the banner of Great Britain in North America in any of the wars in which the colonists participated |
| 3. | All military and naval service of the colonies |
| 4. | Furnished troops or funds |
| 5. | Filled office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Deputy Governor |
| 6. | Member or Delegate to Council or Assembly |
| 7. | Member of House of Burgesses |
| 8. | Deputy or Representative to the General Court |
| 9. | Commissioner of the United Colonies, of Boundaries or Treaties, of Import or Excise, to the French or Indians |
| 10. | Secretary, Magistrate, Selectman, Justice, Judge of any Court of Law or Equity, Attorney, Advocate, Solicitor, Juryman, Sheriff, Constable, or other forms of civil service |
| 11. | Founder or Trustee of any College in North America |
| 12. | Minister of the Gospel or Commissary of the Bishop of London |
| 13. | Member of the Committee of Safety of the Continental Congress, 1774 and 1775 |
| 14. | Member of the Council of Safety of 1689 |
| 15. | Signers of the Mayflower Compact and documented Mayflower passengers who arrived in Plymouth and resided in the colonies |
| 16. | Speaker of the House of Deputies |
| 17. | Physician or Surgeon |
| 18. | Member of the Provincial Congress |
| 19. | Signer of the Declaration of Independence |
| 20. | Huguenot Refugee |
| 21. | Signer of the Oath of Allegiance to Great Britain |
| 22. | Original Land Owner, not inheritor |
| 23. | Member of the London, Plymouth or Virginia Companies who actually came to the colonies, or the first immigrant descendant of any member of these companies who resided in the colonies |
| 24. | Palatine Settler |
| 25. | Convenanter from Scotland who actually came to the Colonies or the first immigrant descendant of a Convenanter from Scotland |
| 26. | Salzburger of Georgia |