Village Republican Women March 2012 Newsletter Wednesday March 28, 2012 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Lakeside Country Club 100 Wilcrest Drive How much do you really know about the global threat of Jihad? What do you know about sharia law or the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood? Have any idea how the scourge of political correctness may enable the rise of radical Islam? Well, neither do a lot of us! So, plan on joining us this month to hear from two ACT! for America representatives. Susan Watts and Steve Wilson will share their wealth of knowledge on the far-reaching consequences of ignoring the threat that radical Islam poses to America and the world. ACT! for America was founded by Brigitte Gabriel, a Lebanese immigrant who came to the United States after losing her country of origin to militant Muslim fundamentalists during the Lebanese Civil War. A non-partisan, non-sectarian organization, ACT! for America s mission is to give US citizens who are concerned about national security and the continued threat of terrorism, the information necessary to become informed, mobilized, organized and powerful voices in the fight against radical Islam. Come and learn the facts so that you can play a part in combating the forces of radical Islam. Because it is only through education, grassroots lobbying, informed community action and public policy initiatives that we will see this threat diffused! Menu Club House Steak Salad or Double Crab Cake Salad Bread & Butter Chocolate Mousse Cake RSVP for LUNCH with your menu selection by Monday March 26 at Noon WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADD LUNCHES ON THE MEETING DAY $20 cash (no-shows will be billed) Click Here to RSVP on the website Del Dodd: deldodd@greenwoodking.com 281-352-4576 Complimentary Valet Parking 1
President s Message Victory Requires Women Focus on the Outcome Imagine Our Impact! Have you ever found yourself saying, I don t know where the time has gone? Once I passed age 30, it seemed to fly by faster and faster. Girlfriends, We only have SEVEN months to turn this election away from Obama and into a Victory for the Republican Party and our nation! YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Putting your time and energy into these elections is the most important thing you can do for your grandchildren, children, friends and every charity in this country. Each and every one of you can help in some special way. Please, get involved, it is only for the next few months. Find a committee where YOUR talents shine! Victory Requires Women.Focus on the Outcome Imagine Our Impact! See you at the meeting! Buffie Are you a member of the Grassroots Club? The RPT Grassroots Club needs your assistance and support! In a joint effort between TFRW and the Republican Party of Texas, Republican Women are being called to help provide the basics for the RPT. RPT Chairman Steve Munisteri inherited a financial disaster when he was elected. His diligence in getting the RPT s financial house in order has provided a stability that did not exist previously. He has worked tirelessly in this effort and has asked Republican Women to join the Grassroots Club by donating just $8.25 per month that will be billed to a credit card number you provide. By doing that we can make sure that there are funds for the rent, utilities, etc. while leaving the large donors to assist with other operations and assistance to candidates. Another added bonus is that you will no longer receive phone calls or mailings from RPT once you have joined. Village RW should meet the RPT and TFRW goal of 25% of its members having signed up by May 1, 2012. There will be recognition for our club as well as providing financial support for the RPT. Diane Sloan is serving as Village RW s Grassroots Club Coordinator. You can complete a form at our next meeting and give it to her or you can go to www.grassrootsclub.com to join as well. Indicate that you are a member of Village RW on the form. If you are already a member, please be sure that Diane Sloan has your name so that it can be added to her list. 2
Georgena McNeil Marty Ffrench Nancy Ffrench Associates Heather Mattingly Katherine Dawson REMEMBER THIS IS MEMBERSHIP MONTH BRING A FRIEND, BRING A BUNCH OF FRIENDS. WIN A DINNER FOR 2 AT THE TASTE OF TEXAS FOR SIGNING UP THE MOST NEW MEMBERS FOR 2012. END OF CONTEST WILL BE AT THE MARCH MEETING, WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED! Member of the month Carolyn Hodges presently serves as TFRW s President. She previously served as 1 st Vice-President, Special Events and Deputy President, Region II. She was Greater Houston Council of Federated Republican Women President in 2006-07, and has held numerous offices, including president, in her club Village Republican Women. She was named one of 10 Outstanding Republican Women in 2009 at the TFRW Convention. She and TFRW Secretary Jan Ott have been responsible for three TFRW trips to our nation s capital. Carolyn taught Texas History and Geography and U.S. History and Government at Memorial Middle School in Spring Branch ISD for many years, also serving as Department Chairman. She worked part time in the offices of Congressmen Bill Archer and John Culberson, CD 7 in Houston. Carolyn and her husband Tom live in Houston and have two children and two grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, reading, travel and spending time with family, friends and her two Golden Retrievers. 3
Vote for your candidates at the March 28 th meeting Winners will be announced at the end of the meeting Important Dates March 28 March 30 April 19 April 21 April 25 April 30 May 29 June 7-10 July 31 VRW general Meeting First day to apply for ballot by mail New members welcome party Senatorial Convention VRW general meeting Last day to register to vote in primary Primary Election Texas Republican Convention Primary Runoff Election NEW PERMANENT NAME TAGS Attractive & Practical No Pin or Clip to damage your beautiful outfit $10.00 Proceeds will be part of our fundraising efforts for 2012 Order YOURS at the next meeting from Sharon Donaldson 4
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State Representative Dwayne Bohac (Houston-District 138) is pleased to announce the creation of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway Fund (ReaganHighway.org), a non-profit organization formed to raise the money needed to complete the U.S. Highway 290 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway project passed by the Texas Legislature. The organization officially launched this month in honor of what would have been President Reagan s 101st birthday. I am honored to launch this collaborative effort to complete the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway project, said Bohac. During these challenging times for our country, it is fitting to pay tribute to one of our strongest leaders who inspired true hope. By funding this project, we will help Texans remember how great America can be and encourage them to always travel down the road of liberty, opportunity and prosperity. State Senator Dan Patrick echoed Bohac s praise for Ronald Reagan and the project saying, Years before I was elected to office, legislation was passed to designate that a major portion of U.S. 290 be named for one of our greatest presidents, Ronald Reagan. I'm proud to be a part of a group that has raised private funds to pay for the signage so this project can be completed. In 2005, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed House Bill 540, authored by Rep. Bohac, officially renaming a substantial portion of Houston s Northwest Freeway after President Reagan. The goal with this new effort is simple: raise the private funds needed to pay for the TxDOT signage officially designating this section of U.S. Highway 290 as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. In the spirit of President Reagan s belief in the private sector, the Texas Legislature trusted that patriotic citizens would come together to make this a reality. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to construct and erect the new highway signs reflecting the name change only when they receive enough private donations NOT taxpayer dollars to cover the costs. The initial TxDOT estimate for the signs marking each end of the highway is approximately $24,000. The group has already started raising money, and additional projects will be announced in the future once these primary objectives are accomplished. We invite you to visit ReaganHighway.org and make a donation for this important memorial project. Representative Bohac serves on the Board of Directors of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway Fund, along with longtime Houston political activist Linda Dewhurst and his former chief of staff Travis Griffin who helped pass the original bill. They are joined by State Senator Dan Patrick, State Representative Allen Fletcher and the majority of the Republican delegation from Harris County in the Texas Legislature. For more information about the fund, visit ReaganHighway.org. 6
February General Meeting Minutes Pam Goodson Village Republican Women held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Lakeside Country Club, 100 Wilcrest Drive, Houston TX 77042. The meeting was called to order at 11:30am by President Buffie Ingersoll. Nancy Lucke gave the invocation and Joan Akin led the pledges to the American and Texas flags. A quorum was present. Buffie Ingersoll introduced thirteen candidates followed by eleven guest introductions made by designated hostesses. Buffie Ingersoll presented the Member of the Month award, aka, Queen of the Village award. The award went to Carolyn Hodges. Carolyn brought in several new members at the January meeting and had logged many volunteer hours. There were no corrections to the minutes of the January 25 th meeting. The minutes were accepted as written by Recording Secretary Pam Goodson. The Treasurer s report was presented by Treasurer Nancy Scott. As of this date, the club has a bank balance of $36,061.15. The balance includes 99 paid members ($4,950) and 19 associate members ($760). Sharon Donaldson, the Ways and Means Chair, announced that she had sold 20 magnetic name tags. The name tags will be for sale at the next general meeting. Penny Remick, Membership Chair, reported that we have 100 members and 19 associate members. She encouraged the membership to continue to invite guests to the meetings to broaden and increase Club membership. New Business: Diane Sloan presented information regarding the Grassroots Club, TFRW Award Plan. The Grassroots Club is unique to the Republican Party of Texas and was created to keep fundraising costs to a minimum and to engage the grassroots community, the biggest engine in the party. In addition to contributing to the party, an additional benefit of membership is that members are free from junk mail and phone calls. Grassroots club paperwork was available on the tables. Elizabeth Theiss and Maria Martinez presented Stop the Magnet, a petition for registered voters in the City of Houston, to amend the Charter of the City of Houston to add a separate section to Article IX of the City Charter. It addresses establishing a public safety policy for the City of Houston law enforcement officers in identifying and reporting of those unlawfully present during probably cause encounters. The petitions were available on all tables. Buffie Ingersoll reinforced the VRW slogan, Focus on the Outcome, Imagine the Impact and displayed the Club s new banner Victory Requires Women. Buffie presented data on the Gender Gap and historical voting. Based on the report, fewer women vote Republican. It is imperative that women engage in the process and vote. Buffie announced a membership contest for the March Membership General Meeting. The member who brings in the most members will receive a gift certificate for two to the Taste of Texas. Announcements: A donation was made to the Wounded Warriors in honor of the day s speaker Voter Registration class will be held on Wednesday, February 29 th, 2012 Next Meeting, Wednesday March 28 th, Sylvia Watts and Steve Wilson speaking Carol Prince, Programs, introduced Congressman John Culberson, a life-long Texan and fiscal conservative. He emphasized that looking ahead to the election, we need to focus on balancing the budget, saving social programs from dissolve and restructuring government to more local control. He took several questions and engaged in dialogue regarding Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, government transparency, homeland security and the national debt. Buffie Ingersoll adjourned the meeting at 12:57pm. 7
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