Leadership

The Audit Committee recommends for full Board of Governors/Board of Trustees approval the selection of independent auditors to perform an annual audit of financial records; provides oversight of the audit; reviews the audited financial statements, management letter, and management’s response; and reviews the presentation of financial statements to the membership.

Chair: Leo Cecchini
Staff: Kastriot Kallushi

The Awards Committee solicits nominations for awards and selects recipients for awards on an as-needed basis, particularly the Foreign Service Cup and the Tragen Award.

Chair: James Benson
Staff: Susan Cimburek

The Development Committee has responsibility for the development of sustainable long-term financial resources for DACOR, Inc. and DACOR Bacon House Foundation. The Development Committee assists and advises the Executive Committee on all revenue-generation plans by designing, reviewing, evaluating and implementing all proposed financial development and marketing strategies. The initial, exclusive focus of the Committee is on the design and execution of a campaign to raise funds for the House Preservation Fund.

This Committee also advises the Executive Committee on the development and oversight of a strategic planning process and plan for both organizations. Finally, the Committee ensures that all monies raised in revenue-generation plans are spent on projects that reflect donor intent, assuring donors that their wishes will be honored and providing oversight over the actual expenditure of donated funds.

Chair: Ian Houston
Staff: Kathy Pasley

The Education Committee finds and recognizes undergraduate and graduate scholars who are committed to the study of international affairs, and provides them with grants to assist in tuition expenses.

Chair: Stephen Thompson
Staff: Christine Skodon

The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees when the Board is not in session.

Chair: James Benson
Staff: Susan Cimburek

The Finance Committee coordinates the Board’s financial oversight responsibilities. The Committee is responsible for the planning, monitoring, and evaluation of DACOR and DACOR Bacon House Foundation (DBHF) policies and programs for funding (jointly with the Development Committee), financial management, facilities management (jointly with the House Committee), assets, risks, and insurance.

Chair: Lange Schermerhorn
Staff: Kastriot Kallushi

The Gift Acceptance Committee ensures that gifts accepted by DACOR and DACOR Bacon House Foundation promote the mission of the organization, comply with stated gift policies and in no way place undue risk or burden on DACOR and DBHF.

Chair: James Benson
Staff: Susan Cimburek

The House and Garden Committee ensures the upkeep and structural soundness of DACOR Bacon House and its grounds. It works to ensure that the House is maintained according to the regulations of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It ensures that its gardens are maintained and beautified through design, plantings, and maintenance. It coordinates with the Museum Committee regarding use of museum art and artifacts for decoration.

Chair: Vacant
Staff: Meg Sharley

The Library Committee selects books to be catalogued and shelved in the Battle-Torbert Library.

Chair: Hal Matson
Staff: Meg Sharley

The Membership Committee provides leadership, support and assistance to staff in assuring the success of membership development activities, including on-going membership recruitment and retention efforts, as well as targeted and specific membership development campaigns, and identifies needed modifications and recommends changes to membership dues and membership categories.

Chair: Tom Johnson
Staff: Christine Skodon

The Memorial Committee organizes the annual Memorial Day observance at the DACOR Memorial Area of Rock Creek Cemetery, and monitors the maintenance of the area throughout the year.

Chair: Alan Lukens
Staff: Meg Sharley

The Museum Committee has custody of the DACOR Bacon House Foundation art and artifacts. It is responsible for cataloging, valuing, researching, displaying, collecting, conserving, repairing, and restoring them and for tours of DACOR Bacon House. It coordinates with the House and Garden Committee regarding display of art and artifacts on the House.

The DACOR Docents provide historical tours to the public at large as well as to DACOR members and private guests of the DACOR Bacon House. The Docent program is instrumental in maintaining the “Ringgold-Marshall Museum,” an important facet of the Foundation’s educational activity.

Chair: Vacant
Staff: Susan Cimburek

The Music Committee engages musical performers for concerts and recitals to entertain DACOR members and their guests for periodical Cloyce Huston musicales each year, held on Sunday afternoons at the DACOR Bacon House.

Chair: Marilyn Wong Gleysteen
Staff: Christine Skodon

The Newberry Committee identifies and invites speakers for the Cultural Affairs Series named after the late Daniel O. Newberry, who founded the Series and was the first Chair of the Committee. The Series presents talks on a wide variety of cultural subjects of interest to DACOR members.

Co-Chair: Janie Burton
Co-Chair: Vacant
Staff: Christine Skodon

The Nominating Committee solicits suggestions for nominees and prepares a slate of nominees for Governors/Trustees, and also develops and presents a slate of Officers at the Annual Membership Meeting, taking into consideration the nominees’ demonstrated active interest in DACOR and its activities on behalf of members.

Chair: James Dandridge
Staff: Susan Cimburek

The Public Outreach Committee supports key elements of DACOR’s mission by promoting the Foreign Service and advancing public understanding of and support for diplomacy. Specifically, the Committee seeks and develops opportunities 1) to advance the visibility of DACOR through various means of communication, including social networking, as well as mentoring, grant writing and related activities; and 2) for DACOR members to share their foreign affairs experiences by partnering with high school and college educational institutions and other organizations that share DACOR’s mission.

Chair: Tom Brannan
Staff: Christine Skodon

The Program Committee provides opportunities through speakers’ programs for members to vigorously participate in exchanges with leading experts in the field of international affairs; enhance the continuing understanding of international affairs; and provide in-depth knowledge on a specific international relations topic through the Annual Conference.

Co-Chair: John Harbeson
Co-Chair: Christopher Webster
Staff: Christine Skodon

The Reciprocal Relations Committee establishes reciprocal agreements with suitable clubs, both in the USA and aboad. These agreements are to provide comparable benefits for both organizations.

Chair: Leo Cecchini
Staff: Jessica Bleichner

The Travel Committee provides leadership, support and assistance to staff in assuring the success of group travel opportunities, including local, domestic and international trips, and helps to identify partners to work with in providing an educational and rewarding experience for DACOR members who share common interests.

Chair: Bonnie Kyte
Staff: Susan Cimburek