About the FRW

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ABOUT FERNLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN

Our club functions under the direction of the Board of Directors, consisting of elected and appointed officers, along with each of the committee chairs. See chart below:

ELECTED OFFICERS		COMMITTEE CHAIRS (continued)
President	*Connie Stevens*	Caring for America	*Peggy Zinski*
Vice President	*Jane Lewis*	Fourth of July	*Jane Lewis*
Secretary	*Karen Smyser*	Hospitality/Telephone	*Cindy O'Toole*
Treasurer	*Carol Franich*	Legislation	*Karen Smyser*
APPOINTED OFFICERS		Literacy	*Shirley Chandler*
Chaplain	*Peggy Zinski*	Member Reception	*Jane Lewis*
Historian	*Anita Trone*	Membership	*Jane Lewis*
Parliamentarian	*Peggy Gray*	Newsletter	*Jane Lewis*
COMMITTEE CHAIRS		Publicity	*Anita Trone*
Achievement	*Judy Williams*	Raffle	*Peggy Zinski*
Americanism	*Linda Carr*	Scholarship	*Cindy O'Toole*
Budget	*Peggy Gray*	Ways and Means	*Cindy O'Toole*
Bylaws	*Peggy Gray*	Website/Facebook	*Julianne Soldavini- Colombe*
Campaign	*Anita Trone*	Woman of the Year	*Cindy O'Toole*

The following is a summary of some of our recent programs and activities.

Achievement: Our club is a member of the Nevada Federation of Republican Women (NFRW). Every two years, the NFRW gives awards to clubs for their accomplishments. In 2008-2009, the Fernley Republican Women were given the Silver Award. We are on track to be the recipients of another Silver Award for 2010-2011.

Americanism: At each meeting, after the Pledge of Allegiance, there is an inspirational reading on respect for the history of America and the American Flag.

Campaign: See "Campaign Information" tab.

Caring for America: The Fernley Republican Women are proud over the numerous community service projects we coordinate for the Fernley area.

Adopt-a-Soldier/Platoon Programs: We support deployed US soldiers through the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, Inc. (www.adoptasoldierplatoon.com) and local Blue Star Mother contacts (www.bluestarmothers.org) with monthly care packages to a platoon of 13 and two local soldiers. Members/guests are encouraged to bring care items to our monthly membership meetings; non-perishable foods, cash, letters, pen-pal requests and cards (from children are especially nice). For those who are unable to attend monthly meetings and still want to donate and/or would like to receive a list of acceptable/appreciated care items you can contact the Committee Chair.
- One platoon contact graciously supplied the following in response to what supplies were needed: "...we appreciate anything we get ... out here we realize not to take everything for granted. Thank you for taking your time to remember the soldiers and supporting us. We really do appreciate it, because anything from back home keeps our morale high. Very Respectfuly, Daniel"
Wecome Home Patriots Program: We are joined with the local Blue Star Mothers to help greet returning deployed soldiers at the Reno-Tahoe Airport. Being welcomed home is very important to our men/women returning from war zones.
Veterans Programs
- VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (Reno) - We show our appreciation to US veterans through delivery of cards, balloons or such to patients at the Northern Veteran's Hospital prior to Memorial Day weekend.
- Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Fernley) - We honor our warriors through annual volunteer work of either helping with grounds keeping preparation and/or placement of flags upon the grave sites prior to Memorial Day events, all through the coordination between the cemetery and the Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition.
- Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Fernley) - We also honor our veterans through donations of wreaths and/or placement upon grave sites in December through the coordination between the cemetery, Wreaths Across America and the Northern Nevada Veterans Coalition.
Fernley Food Bank Program: Members/guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to our monthly membership meetings for the Fernley Food Bank.
Relay for Life Program: We annually support a team to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event in Fernley.

Fourth of July: For several years, we have entered a float in the Fernley 4^th of July parade. In 2009 and 2010, we won 1^st prize in the political float category. This could not have been done without the creative imagination of our July 4^th Chair along with the talent and design skills of her committee.

Literacy:

At least two books, chosen from the National Federation of Republican Women approved list, are presented to local libraries each year.
The dictionary project will provide dictionaries to all the kids entering 3^rd grade at the Cottonwood Elementary School at the beginning of the next school year.
The Shriners' book collection starts at the beginning of the calendar year. All books collected are delivered to the hospital in Sacramento during the literacy month of September. The Shriners' Hospital system provides state of the art medical care for children at no cost. Our books help educate as well as provide a distraction from the discomfort of their circumstances.
In 2010, we participated in the Liberty Day Constitution Program, providing pocket Constitutions to each 5^th grader in Fernley and Silver Springs.

Newsletter: The editor of our newsletter, The Right Side of Fernley, produces a minimum of four editions each year. Our club has received many compliments on the content and quality of our newsletters. They are posted on our website, so please check them out and let us know if you would like to advertise or be added to the subscription list.

Scholarship: We are pleased to announce that we will be offering an annual $1,000 college scholarship to a lucky female graduating senior (public or private), accredited home schooled student, or GED recipient to be used toward college expenses if she or her parent/guardian are legal NV residents, registered Republicans and reside within Fernley, Wadsworth or Silver Springs. Preference will be given to applicants/parents/guardians who are members of Republican clubs/organizations. For more information contact the FRW Scholarship Committee Chair, Cindy O’Toole at c-otoole@sbcglobal.net or 775-835-8315.

Ways and Means: We are always looking for innovative ideas to raise funds with which to finance our activities. In pursuit of that objective, we are joined with the Lyon County Republican Central Committee to sell T-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers and patriotic jewelry locally and at Tea Party events. We have also held a couple of very successful rummage/bake sales. Each December, we participate in the Amazon.com gift-wrapping program.

Website/Facebook: Our Facebook page was established in 2009 and our website in early 2010, with the goal of making our program readily accessible and keeping our methods of communication modern and current.

Woman of the Year: Each year, our club nominates candidates who have made a significant contribution of time to FRW and the Republican Party, or who have done something specific that merits consideration for the award. To date, Woman of the Year awards have gone to:

Connie Stevens - 2011
Cindy O'Toole - 2010
Jane Lewis – 2009
Anita Trone – 2008
Peggy Gray – 2007

Our most important goal is to do everything we can to assure that qualified Republican candidates are elected to all levels of governments.

We welcome you to partner with the Fernley Republican Women in achieving that goal.