April, 2008

Dear fellow WFRW Members,

It was my honor and privilege to represent you at the NFRW Board of Directors Meeting in Arlington, VA in mid-March.  I always feel re-energized after spending time with about 300 other Republican Women.  It seems that it doesn't matter if we are from the North, South, East or West, we all have the same values and goals.  We can learn from each other and bring back to our respective states a new view with new ideas.

One of the activities available to us was a tour of the Pentagon and I was honored to sign the memorial book on behalf of our beautiful State of Washington and our Federation.  It was a tearful and awe inspiring experience to stand at this wonderful memorial honoring those who died that day who worked in the Pentagon and those who died that were aboard Flight 77 that fateful September morning.

We had an interesting and informative State Presidents meeting.  We discussed how we, the members of the NFRW, are the grassroots of the Party.  We discussed ways that we can work with our respective State Republican Parties to get Republicans elected this fall.  I was asked if I thought we had a chance to get Dino Rossi re-elected and I was happy to report that the numbers look good at this time.  We networked ideas on membership for a time as well.

The Board meeting itself was very good.  Shirley Sadler, NFRW President, stated that they were looking at several fund-raising projects to help with the costs incurred by the NFRW.  She told us that there would not be money spent on surveys or things of that nature.  They have created a new special committee, the Homeland Security Committee.  They are still in the first stages of putting this together but are asking each club to appoint a "Homeland Security" Chairperson.  We were also informed that the building in which NFRW houses its office is in need of repair.  Each State President was asked to appoint a State Contact person so the National Committee will have someone to work with.  More details will be forthcoming.

We had great speakers.  One that I enjoyed was Judy Black of the Women for McCain group.  She gave us an idea of how John McCain believes that we, as women, are a very important part of the Republican Party.  She spoke of his commitment to keeping America safe and strong.  She also gave us a little "insiders" view of him and she told a couple of great stories about his mother.

We also were able to attend two workshops of our choosing. They were on such things as Leadership and the new Data Base Kristi is using as our WFRW Membership Secretary. I want to thank Patsy Excell and Mary Jane Aurdal for attending the Data Base Workshop. They will now be able to bring this information back to us.

We also had the opportunity to have a Regional Meeting where Sue Lynch, NFRW 1st Vice President and our Regional Director, led a discussion on the new data base, suggestions on future NFRW meetings, fundraising and the Republican Woman Magazine.  It was suggested that perhaps the magazine could be a subscription type and also to solicit ads for it to help offset the cost of putting it out.  Mary Jane suggested that the magazine be printed with a color cover and black and white for the regular inside.  This would reduce the cost.  We also discussed the possibility of a regional meeting this fall.  President Shirley Sadler has asked all regions to have a meeting this year.  We also discussed the Regents program.

If you are interested in seeing some of the images from the NFRW Board meeting, click here.  And to see the Regents tea at the White House with Mrs. Bush, click here.

All and All it was a great meeting. I always come home having learned something.

I wanted to give a big Thank You to all of you for doing all that you do for WFRW.  Together, as a team, we can create a wonderful, energetic Federation that can shape and have a real influence on our State.  After all, part of our mission statement is that we are a political force to help women of our state become an informed voice of influence.  Ladies, we are doing just that.  Each of you are creating influence in your areas to help others understand and want to become part of the political process.  Keep up the good work.

                                                                                                  With all best wishes,