December Newsletter

I’ll start with some good news—The year 2020 is coming to its end.  Thank God!  2020 has been a year like no other.  Despite how bad it has been, there were good things about 2020.  There were things we can be thankful for and celebrate. 

For example, the COVID pandemic taught us all about the importance of fellowship.  None of us will ever again take for the granted the joys of attending in-person meetings, like our monthly meetings at the Houston Racquet Club.

We can also thank 2020 for giving us the most exciting campaign season in decades.  Our club had our members were front-and-center for all the action.  Years from now, we’ll still be talking about COVID and the 2020 election.

We also can be thankful for all the new friends we made during this year’s campaign season.  With all the lock-downs, there was something extra-special about being outside at political events and at campaign activities.  

In a very counterintuitive way, we can be thankful for how the COVID pandemic and the presidential campaign of 2020 highlighted the importance of our country’s fundamental freedoms.  Big Tech and the media’s attacks on conservative values has taught a whole new generation about the importance of the 1st Amendment.  The shutting-down of churches has been awful, but interestingly, it has caused a lot more people to be concerned about religious freedom in America.  Lastly, the riots of 2020 generated an unprecedented increase in the purchase of firearms.  The year 2020 will end, but the 2nd Amendment lives on!

VRW will have a great year 2021.  For now, let us take some time in December to look back and focus on the good things that happened in 2020.

• Jim Murphy Sign Day Sat. 10/3
• Lacey Hull Food Drive 10/09
• Rally at Trini Mendenhall parking lot 10/12
• Trump train - 10/30
• Amy Comey Barret Bus at Taste of Texas parking lot
• Nottingham Park Rally 10/24
• Big Energy Rally at Lime Instruments on Britmore
• Bayou City Event Center Concert Nov. 1
• Red Dialer training
• 10 for 10 letter writing to unregistered voters
• Block walking
• Work at home, mailing, phoning, posters, clerical, cooking, etc 
• Work at or for a special event (not as a guest). Did you host a meet 'n greet?
• Work at (and travel to) State, county or Federation committees
• Political work while at Federation meetings
• Travel time between events (not shopping)
• Poll Greeters
• Volunteering at Westside Headquarters, HCRP hq
• Volunteering for a Republican candidate in any capacity
• Presenting political programs or speeches at local civic groups
• Running for office – all time spent campaigning
• Campaign sign preparation, distribution, and removal
• Only count hours for non-paid political activities
• Count political work done at club meetings, IE. Working the sign-in or membership table, driving a candidate, working on mailings, getting candidate petitions signed etc.
• Male associate members may count volunteer hours and must follow the same rules which apply to regular members. (Please help them with hours -Husbands, friends)
• A female associate member's hours are only counted in her primary club.

Each biennium, when the Texas Legislature is in session, TFRW members from around Texas meet  in Austin for Legislative Day.   This year, Legislative day will be held on February 4, 2021. Village Republican Women plans to have a strong constituency in attendance. Please save the date and get your red outfit ready! 

Details to follow.
 

Save the date!  Village Republican Women will celebrate its 60^th Anniversary on Wednesday April 28, 2021, the day of our regular meeting.  Sixty years full of politics, fund raising, campaigns and camaraderie have made a vibrant history. We will celebrate in numerous ways culminating with this special event on April 28, 2021!  All of you should plan to be there.

Between now and then, please find one of your favorite political pins that you have saved or are now acquiring.  Please wear it the day of our anniversary.

The “Steering Committee” for this event includes Carolyn Hodges, Chairman, Deanna Harrington, Theresa Kosmoski and Julie Jaehne. 

Other committees for this special event are forming now.  If you are interested in serving on one of the committees, please contact Carolyn Hodges, 713-443-4239 (chodges@hodgessw.com ). Committees will be in place by early January 2021. Some of you have already given me your names so there is no need to contact me again regarding this.

This anniversary event will not be a fundraiser but a day to celebrate 60 years of VRW history.  However, due to having a special menu for this historic day, the price of a ticket will be higher than the normal price of $30.

President Deanna Harrington called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. at the Houston Racquet Club and welcomed everyone. Penny Remick gave the invocation and Joanie and Bruce Bain lead us in the pledges to the flags. President Harrington then introduced guests and new members. Minutes for the meeting on October 28 were approved as distributed.

Nancy Scott, Treasurer, gave an “almost” yearend budget update and thanked Beverly Roberts for all of her work at the VRW election headquarters. 

Mrs. Harrington continued with announcements, as follows:
    From the Board: In lieu of an evening party this year, we will have a holiday lunch at the Racquet Club on December 16. Mark Brown, CEO of West Houston Assistance Ministries will be the featured speaker. To help support WHAM, members are asked to bring canned and non-perishable items to help stock their pantry. We will also celebrate new club members. Please mark your calendars and watch your email for additional details.
    From Carolyn Hodges, VRW 60th Anniversary Chair: If you are interested in being a part of the planning festivities for the event on April 28, 202, please contact Carolyn (email and phone in directory).
    From our new Membership Chair Nancy Lucke and Assistant Chair Laura Carlson: Please renew your membership or join Village before our Christmas Party.  Current members who renew their membership prior to the party will receive the special pin for free.  Members who renew their VRW membership or join VRW prior to the lunch will be entered in a drawing for a gift basket.  Please address your questions to either Nancy Lucke or Laura Carlson.
    From Campaign Activities Chair Anne Trousdale: Send her your campaign hours for October and November.

Theresa Kosmoski, Program Chair, presented a video with photos of members’ relatives who have served in the Armed Forces.  She then introduced Lori Stevens, Founder of Patriot Paws, an organization whose mission is to provide no-cost, highly trained service dogs to disabled American Veterans.  Jill Tate, Patriot Paws Puppy Ambassador, then gave us information on Patriot Paws and shared several stories about the dogs and their veterans.  We had the opportunity to meet two of the service dogs that were at our luncheon. 

Patriot Paws operates on donations. When the program was over, Mrs. Kosmoski, made a motion to give a donation to the organization, using money from our Contingency Fund.  Sprit Motion seconded the motion, and a check for $1,000.00 was given to Patriot Paws.  It was further decided that we would pass a plate around for donations from members and that was given to the organization, as well. 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:35.