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AFRW E-News
September 2007
President's Message
Have you checked out our new AFRW website yet? Take a look! www.akfrw.com
If you go to the HISTORY link, you can learn about the first Republican women elected to Alaska’s Territorial Legislature sixty years ago. In the NEWS section you can read about former North Pole Rep. Jeannette James who is being honored at a farewell potluck in Fairbanks prior to her move outside next month.
If you think the information for your club looks a little sparse, why not offer to help your Club president keep us all up-to-date on your activities? I know for a fact that Republican women across Alaska are working hard this summer to staff fair booths, organize and assist with municipal election campaigns and recruit new members to our organization. It would also be nice to hear from some past and present Republican women legislators if any of you out there would be willing to write an article for our website.
Every successful organization depends on its volunteers to survive and thrive. If everyone does her part, the AFRW will again be positioned to play a significant and valuable role in the 2008 general election.
I hope everyone is enjoying the final warm days of summer. And mark your calendars so you won’t miss the CNN/YouTube Republican presidential candidates’ debate on Monday, September 17!
Paulette Simpson
National Federation Projects
The National Federation of Republican Women supports projects that SUPPORT THE TROOPS, and promote LITERACY, and CARING FOR AMERICA.
Click on the links below for a great project that one of your members may be willing to undertake to SUPPORT THE TROOPS.
http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html
http://www.nfrw.org/documents/publications/troops_owc.pdf
Clubs, please let 1st Judicial VP Lureen Stedman (lureen@alaska.com) know of your activities in regards to any of these Federation projects. As 1st VP, she has been tasked to be the record keeper of club activities for National Federation Projects as well as provide news of projects that clubs may wish to consider. Your ideas and ways you have found to make such projects successful or more inviting should also be forwarded to her. Thanks.
Around Alaska
Anchorage Republican Women – Cathy Giessel, President
Anchorage Republican Women's Club is purchasing books for Anchorage schools. The VSP books (White House Mouse; House Mouse, Senate Mouse; Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse) are very high quality, engaging books for elementary students, and we are pleased to be able to donate books to our schools.
At our September meeting, we will hear a brief presentation by Pete Mulchahy, Armed Services YMCA director. We are hoping to contribute to this “injured Alaska soldier” program:
Alaska will not be getting a Fisher House (This is similar to Ronald McDonald houses, but dedicated to assisting military families of injured soldiers.). We have Alaskan soldiers sustaining amputations and other life altering injuries. Pete Mulchahy is working with people on the bases in Anchorage to get two base housing units to work as a Fisher House. Right now the sister of a very injured soldier recuperating here in Alaska is staying at one of these base housing units. The Armed Services YMCA is paying for her stay but Pete say additional funds are needed; just $100.00 will pay for two nights’ lodging. Also need some maid service. This is all in the beginning phases but, as Pete says, we have injured soldiers, and we need to take care of them and their families. The sister lives out of state and is here to help her brother. Pete says he has very limited funds but authorities on the bases are willing to give this a try. Pete said that without this assistance, this soldier and his sister would be pretty much on their own to figure things out.
Needed: Funds to cover this sister’s lodging while she helps her brother.
So – there will be collection containers at our September meeting for checks or cash to contribute to this need. Make checks out to “Armed Services YMCA” and on the memo line put “Injured soldiers fund”. People can also mail the checks to Anchorage Republican Women's Club, PO Box 240033, Anchorage, Alaska 99524-0033.
Capital City Republican Women – Connie McKenzie, President
Capital City Republican Women held their annual table decorating luncheon in August. Our special guest speaker, Cathy Giessel, did an excellent job explaining the upcoming District Conventions and why it is important to get involved at the local level. We also raised enough funds during the luncheon to cover our literacy project this year. The books have been ordered and we look forward to getting them into our elementary schools this fall. Our September luncheon will be September 17th onboard the cruise ship Radiance of the Seas.
First City Republican Women - Sandra Meske, President
The August meeting guest speaker was Rep. Kyle Johansen. Kyle presented updates from this past year, a summary of the Inter-Ty project, and projects to focus on for the 2008 session. The organization voted to order enough "Little Miss Patriot" books to give to our elementary school libraries along with private schools. A nomination committee was formed and our next meeting will be Oct. 22 with a wine and cheese social to follow the putting together of soldier boxes for Christmas.
Fairbanks Republican Women - Marguerita Gilbertson, President
Greetings from the Fairbanks Republican Women. August was a busy time for our club as we hosted our booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair. Pat Fink, Second Vice for FRW was responsible for pulling off this hugely successful event. Pat had over 90 volunteers scheduled through the entire fair. Special Thanks to Pat and her volunteers - we couldn't have done it without them.
Also coming in September our general membership meeting September 8th at the Regency Hotel. This will be a busy meeting with nominations, and committee structuring for the year. On the evening of September 7th we will be assisting in a farewell BBQ for Jeanette James who is leaving the State this Fall. Many thanks go out to our volunteers for all they do.
Kenai Peninsula Republican Women – Carol Brenckle, President
August on the Kenai! The weather was beautiful. The fish were running. Kenai's Republican Women were everywhere. Senator Lisa Murkowski joined us for breakfast at Linda and Dave Hutchings' cabin. Republican Women volunteered to help the Senator with her "Kids Classic". KPRW sponsored a public reception for Governor Sarah Palin who was in town to attend Industry Appreciation Day. Once again KPRW entered Industry Appreciation Day's Chili Contest. Our chili was the best -- thanks to Carolyn Gabbard, and her daughters Pamela and Peggy! (They also ran KPRW's booth.) Senator Murkowski visited KPRW's booth to thank us for all we are doing on the Peninsula.
Mat-Su Republican Women - Alice Massie, President
The Mat-Su Republican Women were busy with the Alaska State Fair. Check out the flier attached to this message to get a glimpse of their work.
Midnight Sun Republican Women - Cathie Straub, President
The Midnight Sun Republican Women held two events in August, both very well received. The first was our annual family picnic, which is a favorite tradition of the group, with an outstanding turnout, wonderful weather, and excellent food. Please see our pictures from the picnic posted on the wonderful new Alaska Federation website under our club's section. Member Kim Griffith has voluntarily become our club photographer, so the picture presentations are very impressive.
The second event was our regular meeting at Koots on Tuesday, August 28th (the last Tuesday of the month). The guest speaker was Heidi Franklin with a presentation on Pebble Mine. The questions were excellent and the information learned was invaluable. At this meeting, we also elected the Nominating Committee for upcoming September elections, so look for new Officers for our club in October. Koots was very accommodating to setting up for the presentation, screen and all. Sal outdid himself catering an excellent buffet lunch for us for only $10 all inclusive of drinks and tip. What a deal for a great luncheon setting!
Please feel free to join us at Koots at Noon on September 25th for our elections shortly before many head out for the National Convention.
Sitka Republican Women - Karoline Beckeris, President
There was no club meeting in August. However, SRW members decorated and helped at a fundraising reception for Senator Ted Stevens held in Sitka on August 10.
Key Web Sites
Alaska Federation of Republican Women
http://www.akfrw.com
National Federation of Republican Women
http://www.nfrw.org/a>
Alaska Republican Party
http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/a>
Statewide Contacts
Alaska Federation of Republican Women
Paulette Simpson, President
(907) 770-6797 or (907) 364-3179
Email: paulettem@gci.net
Anchorage Republican Women
Cathy Giessel, President
(907) 345 5470
Email: cgiessel@mac.com
Capital City Republican Women (Juneau)
Connie McKenzie, President
(907) 790-3321
Email: connie-mitch@gci.net
Fairbanks Republican Women
Marguerita Gilbertson, President
(907) 456-1912
Email: mgilbertson@acsalaska.net
First City Republican Women (Ketchikan)
Sandra Meske, President
(907) 225-1060
Email: Sandrajm@kpunet.net
Kenai Peninsula Republican Women
Carol Brenckle, President
(907) 398-8228
Email: carol.brenckle@alaska.net
Mat-Su Republican Women
Alice Massie, President
(907) 376-5667
Email: abm_51@yahoo.com
Midnight Sun Republican Women
Cathie Straub, President
(907) 272-6622
Email: cathie@financialresourcesinc.com
Sitka Republican Women
Karoline Bekeris, President
(907) 747-5804
Email: kbekeris@hotmail.com
Paid for by Alaska Federation of Republican Women, 2504 Fairbanks St., Anchorage, AK 99503
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