October, 2007

Dear WFRW Members,

Whew!  September certainly was a busy month for us, wasn’t it?  I had the pleasure of visiting a couple of the clubs and also attending the Washington State Republican Party Central Committee Meeting in Spokane.  What a real treat.

I’ve also just returned from the NFRW Biennial Convention in Palm Springs and I have to tell you about two things that gave me great joy:  First, I was honored to be a part of the more than 1,800 Republican women from across our great nation who gathered together.  And second, I was delighted to be a part of the wonderful Washington State delegation.  At a time when so many are discouraged by the successes the Democrats had in our last election, it is encouraging to spend time with women, like you and me, who continue to work hard for our Republican principles and candidates.  I felt so proud and it helped me to rekindle that spark needed to carry on with this important work.

Did you know that the NFRW President Beverly Davis asked our own Mary Jane Aurdal to lead the delegation and present the NFRW wreath at the grave site of President Ronald Reagan?  You can see a photo of this on our Photo Album webpage.

These conventions are a wonderful opportunity for like-minded ladies to gather together and share information. And to help us prepare for the very important upcoming 2008 elections, the NFRW held leadership training seminars, campaign management school, and political and policy workshops.  The delegates to the convention conducted business as well.  For instance, we elected current NFRW 1st Vice President Shirley Sadler of Ohio as NFRW President for 2008-2009.  And we voted to raise the NFRW dues by $3.00 per member per year. NFRW will be sending out more information on this in the near future.  

The NFRW also passed the resolution calling upon Congress to pass the PERA (Public Expressions of Religion Act) S. 415/H.R. 725 and urging all NFRW members to contact their US Senators and Representatives with a request to support and vote for the PERA Bill.  Please read this resolution and the supporting information.  And, as a fellow member of NFRW, I urge you to let your Senators and your Congressmen know how you feel about this important issue.  It is as simple as sending an email.  If we use our collective voice I know that the legislators will hear and take notice.

But enough about the NFRW. … We now need to turn our focus to the upcoming WFRW Campaign School and meeting of the Board of Directors.  Our 1st Vice President Eileen Sobjack has done an outstanding job making the arrangements and putting together the program for our meeting at the Inn at Gig Harbor on Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27.

By now all the Club Presidents should have received their copy of The Official Call. If you know of a Club President that did not, please encourage her to contact Eileen at once!  And, for you Club Presidents who will not be able to join us, please plan on sending a Proxy so your Club will be represented.  These meetings are where policy and WFRW business is conducted and it is where you can give your input.  After all, this is YOUR organization!  It is my hope that each club will be represented.

Although only the elected WFRW Officers, District Directors, Committee Chairs, and Club Presidents or their Proxies will be voting on the business issues, all members in good standing are welcome to attend and observe the meeting, the Friday night dinner with guest speaker Representative Doug Ericksen, the Saturday lunch with guest speaker author Wayne Perryman, and the Campaign School -- which is open to all who would like to take part -- which will be held Friday morning from 9am to 1pm.

Reservations will not be taken at the door, so it is imperative that you complete the registration form and send it with your check to WFRW Secretary Juliana McMahan as quickly as you can.  To learn more about the upcoming Board meeting and to find the link to the downloadable registration form, please visit the webpage.

I’m sure you have probably been inundated with campaign literature from candidates and from those supporting or opposing the issues that will be on the ballot. If you live in one of the many counties that are Vote By Mail or if you will use an absentee ballot for the November 6th General Election, you will receive your ballot in a few weeks.  The poll voters will have to wait until election day itself.  But no matter how you will cast your ballot, I urge you to VOTE!  Voting is both a right and a responsibility – do not waste it because you are “too busy” or because you “just don’t care”!

Best wishes to you all. I look forward to seeing you on the 26th.

                                                                                                  With all best wishes,