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Convention
Highlights
REGISTRANTS FROM 46
STATES -
More than 1,300
registrants from 46 states attended the NFRW's 35th Biennial
Convention in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 10-13.
ADDRESSES BY REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, POLITICAL
ANALYSTS, POLICY EXPERTS, AUTHORS AND OTHER NOTABLE GUESTS – Including
Republican National Committee Chairman
Michael Steele; Minnesota Gov.
Tim Pawlenty; Florida Gov.
Charlie Crist; and,
Frances Rice, chairman
of the National Black Republican Association
[view
photos of Rice giving her speech]. For a full list of
speakers,
click here.
HEALTHCARE AND MORE – Common themes and topics during the four-day
event included opposing President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform
plan, supporting the flourishing tea parties and other grassroots
conservative movements, and helping the Republican Party build
momentum for the 2010 elections. Nearly every
speaker commented on the raging healthcare debate, with a few dedicating
their entire presentations to the issue. Ben Sasse, former
assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, gave a speech titled, "What if Politicians Told the Truth
About Healthcare?" Bob Asztalos, Sally West and Dr.
Julio Gonzalez presented a workshop titled, "How Healthcare Reform
Will Impact America." In addition, 10 state presidents, as well as several
members of the Florida Federation, participated in a healthcare
roundtable with Republican National Committee
Chairman Michael Steele the afternoon of Sept. 12.
MY FAVORITE TEACHER AWARD – The
My Favorite Teacher Award recognizes
excellence in education by honoring one of America’s outstanding
teachers. This year, the NFRW presented the fifth biennial award to
elementary school teacher and former army pilot
Susan Jordan
of
Salina, Kan., during the luncheon Saturday, Sept. 12. Jordan and the
four national finalists were introduced by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty,
who also served as keynote speaker of the luncheon.
ELECTION OF NFRW OFFICERS – Convention delegates made pivotal
decisions as they selected the women who will lead the Federation in
2010 and 2011.
Sue Lynch
of Wisconsin was unanimously elected president Saturday, Sept. 12. Also elected
were:
1st Vice President –
Joyce Smith, Indiana
2nd Vice President -
Rae Lynne Chornenky, Arizona
3rd Vice President –
Martha Jenkins, North Carolina
4th Vice President –
Jessie Morton, Louisiana
Secretary -
Jane Lane, New Hampshire
Treasurer –
Brenda Smith,
Kansas
Following the convention, the Board of Directors elected the following
as Members-at-Large to the Executive Committee:
Patt
Parker, Maryland |
Kathy
Brugger, California |
Carrie
Almond, Missouri
OTHER BUSINESS - Delegates also approved three amendments to the
NFRW Bylaws,
an annual membership dues increase,
a
resolution supporting the Enumerated Powers Act (H.R.
450), as well as four additional
resolutions. The Bylaws amendments and the dues increase will take
effect Jan. 1, 2010.
LEADERSHIP, POLITICAL AND POLICY TRAINING – Attendees trained for
leadership roles in government, politics and community by attending
the two-day campaign management school, and political and policy
workshops on healthcare reform, women and campaigns, technology and
new media, and membership development – taught by
nationally-recognized experts.
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION – Sunday, Sept. 13, the NFRW presented
awards
recognizing accomplishments at the state and local levels in the areas of membership and program
development, campaign activities, community service, and public
relations, including almost 500 Club
Achievement Awards and dozens of other awards. In addition, the NFRW
recognized the outstanding leadership of
Toni Anne Dashiell, president
of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, with the third biennial
Ronald Reagan Leadership Award.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN – The NFRW gave more than 50
young women, ages 14-17, from across the nation the educational
opportunity to represent their home state during the opening flag
ceremony and to serve as a page during the convention. Saturday, Sept.
12,
seven-year-old
Gina
Incandela of Florida inspired the crowd with a powerful rendition
of the national anthem.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES -
Delegates and other attendees had plenty of opportunities to network
with women from across the nation at events such as the Opening Night Reception hosted by the Florida Federation of Republican
Women, and the evening hospitality receptions hosted by states and
candidates. The Regents were treated to a memorable evening of fine
entertainment and dining at the luxurious Bice Ristorante at the
Portofino Bay Hotel.
SILENT AUCTION -
Under the leadership of Chairman
Catie James
of Maryland, the NFRW Fundraising Committee raised close to $8,500
from the NFRW Silent Auction.
STATE QUILTS -
Through a project sponsored by the NFRW Armed Services Committee, 22
states created beautiful and creative quilts based on their state's
history. The quilts were prominently displayed during the convention.
Each state will now present its quilt to a local veteran of the Korean
War.
KANSAS CITY, HERE WE COME! -
Missouri Federation President
Carrie Almond
introduced delegates to
Kansas
City, Mo., site of the 36th Biennial Convention, scheduled Sept.
29-Oct. 2, 2011. |
