Board Meetings  

Calendar of Events

Spring Board Meeting and Legislative Day
March 9-12, 2011
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, Va.

   Official Call to the Spring Board Meeting [PDF, 22 pages]

Highlights

LEGISLATIVE DAY: U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) privately briefed 225 Republican women leaders from across the country during the biennial Legislative Day at the U.S. Capitol on March 9. Referencing the House GOP’s “Pledge to America” governing agenda unveiled last fall, Boehner gave an overview of some of the Republican priorities, which include controlling spending, overhauling the budget and entitlement programs, developing a viable energy policy, defunding President Obama’s healthcare reform plan, and fixing the U.S. Congress, which he called a “broken” institution.

   Download the high-resolution, color image from Legislative Day.

   Watch the video on YouTube.

In addition, the group was addressed by nearly 60 Republican congressional elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and several other Republican women who were newly-elected last fall. Dressed in the traditional red jackets, the “red coats” took a group photograph, met with their congressional delegations to advocate Republican issues and attended committee hearings and other legislative events.

   Read the related news release.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The board elected members of the 2011 Nominating Committee, which is responsible for selecting the NFRW's official slate of candidates for the 2012-2013 term. Elected to serve on the 2011 Nominating Committee are: Brenda Campbell, Virginia; Suzanne Crow, Louisiana; Lynne Hartung, Nevada; Becky Johnson, Kansas; LaDonna Ryggs, South Carolina; Shirley Ward, Tennessee; and, Valerie White, North Carolina. Alternates are Leona Johnston, Arizona, and Judy Needles, Washington.

2015 CONVENTION: The board voted to host the 2015 biennial convention in Phoenix, Ariz. Other cities in the running were Dallas, Las Vegas and New Orleans.

RECEPTION FOR SEN. HUTCHISON: On March 9, the NFRW hosted an evening reception honoring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), a long-time NFRW member and supporter who recently announced that she will retire from the U.S. Senate in 2012. Sen. Hutchison talked about the close ties she formed with the Federation during the early days of her political career and highlighted some of her accomplishments in the U.S. Senate, particularly concerning women. The NFRW presented Sen. Hutchison with a resolution recognizing her distinguished service to the citizens of Texas and the entire nation.

REGENTS DINNER: More than 85 Capitol Regents and Regents enjoyed an elegant dinner at Alexandria's beautiful Belle Haven Country Club on March 10.

RESOLUTIONS: The board passed resolutions honoring the Centennial of President Ronald Reagan and the distinguished service of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, supporting the fiscal agenda of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and congratulating the new leadership of the Republican National Committee.

   Read the Resolutions.

WORKSHOPS: Workshops on leadership development, parliamentary procedure and membership gave board participants the opportunity to break into smaller groups for informal training and discussion.

WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY: NFRW President Sue Lynch and other NFRW leaders participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on March 10. The ceremony was organized by NFRW 4th Vice President Jessie Morton and members of Franklin County Republican Women of Louisiana.

   Watch the video.

FUNDRAISERS: The NFRW Fundraising Committee raised more than $17,000 for the NFRW through a silent auction and various fundraising efforts. Other committees hosted fundraisers, as well, including the NFRW Public Relations Committee.

LITERACY EFFORTS: The Literacy Committee sponsored a booth featuring opportunity drawings and bookmarks and buttons to promote literacy and President Ronald Reagan. The funds earned will provide award money to winners of the Barbara Bush Literacy Program in the fall. The committee also organized a book drive. Donated books will be distributed by the NFRW to schools in the Washington, D.C., area.

SPEAKERS:

  Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch discussed Gov. Scott Walker’s reform agenda, which has become a highly visible and controversial national political issue in recent weeks. She received a standing ovation when she highlighted the collective bargaining reform bill signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker on Friday, March 11.

   Read the related news release.

  Puerto Rico Speaker of the House Jenniffer A. González Colón, who supports statehood for Puerto Rico, talked about Puerto Rico's role in the United States, outreach to bring more Latinos into the Republican Party, and her personal journey to becoming Puerto Rico's youngest speaker of the house.

  Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Sharon Day discussed the path forward for the Republican Party in preparation for the 2012 elections.

  Other speakers included Michelle Bekkering, director of Women's Democracy Network, and Andy McKean, president of Liberty Day.

Agenda

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2011
11:00 am - 6:00 pm Grand Registration Desk	Registration
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Executive Committee Meeting (closed)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2011
8:00 am - 3:00 pm Cannon Caucus Room, Third Floor Cannon House Office Building U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C.	Legislative Day Separate registration required; see Official Call for more information. TENTATIVE AGENDA 7:00 am Buses depart Crystal Gateway Marriott for Cannon House Office Building 8:00 am Breakfast Welcome by NFRW President Sue Lynch 8:30 am – 9:30 am Remarks by Republican leadership 9:30 am – 11:00 am Remarks from Republican senators and representatives 11:30 am Group photograph on Capitol steps 1:00 pm Special address by Speaker of the House John Boehner Afternoon Individual meetings with senators and representatives; committee hearings 3:00 pm Buses depart for Crystal Gateway Marriott
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Grand Registration Desk	Registration
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Salon Four Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Cocktail Reception honoring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas Separate RSVP required; see Official Call for more information.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Grand Registration Desk	Registration
11:30 am Charthouse Restaurant, Alexandria, Va.	Capitol Regents Luncheon (Capitol Regents only) Transportation departing Marriott at 10:30 am.
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	State Presidents Meeting (closed)
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Belle Haven Country Club Alexandria, Va.	Capitol Regents and Regents Reception (Regents and their guests only) Separate RSVP required; see Official Call for more information. Transportation departing Marriott at 6:30 pm.
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011
7:30 am - 8:45 am Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Standing and Special Committee Meetings
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Grand Registration Desk	Registration
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Board of Directors Meeting Featured speaker: Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Sharon Day
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Luncheon Featured speaker: Puerto Rico Speaker of the House Jenniffer A. González Colón
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Board of Directors Meeting
3:15 pm – 5:00 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Workshops Sessions: Leadership Membership Parliamentary Procedure See Official Call for more information.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2011
8:00 am - 10:00 am Grand Registration Desk	Registration
8:30 am – 9:45 am Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Regional Meetings
10:00 am – 12:30 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Board of Directors Meeting
12:30 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Luncheon Featured speaker: Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Crystal Gateway Marriott Arlington, Va.	Executive Committee Meeting (closed)

NFRW Contact

For more information, contact the NFRW director of meetings and conventions at meetings@nfrw.org.