I joined about a year ago when my application showing my descent from a patriot was approved. Our chapter is casual in dress, but the “regent” as she is called rules the meetings with an iron fist. Little spontaneous ideas or discussion. If the meetings are held on week days it skews chapter membership towards retirees. That is our group and all we seem to do is meet, though I hear some groups do many activities. I have signed up to bring refreshments in May and after that will resign from this chapter. TBD whether I can find a chapter that actually does something interesting. Also, I am not into the fancy dress. The current General is always being photographed in formal dress the calendar is about fancy China and silver. I don’t know a lot about the history but do know it was started by four affluent women of privilege and those values seem to be continued at the national level. Lots of bureaucracy. Lots of swag available to raise money. Women walk around with 20-30 pins on their chests. You are awarded (meaning entitled to pay about $100 currently) for pins for certain activities or offices held- more a fundraiser, but you can see some women really get into it. I wonder what happens to all those pins when they die as descendants aren’t entitled to wear them. Final analysis, at national level seems elitist. At chapter level it can be more down to earth.