VISIT OUR WEB PAGE: www.nsrepublicanwomen.org

January 2014 Volume 14 No. 1 2012-2013 NFRW Diamond Award

2010-2011 TFRW John Goodwin Tower Award of Excellence

TFRW Winning Web of the Week, 2012

Like us on Facebook: North Shore Republican Women/TX

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas celebrations and

are having a great start to the new year. I for one was so hap-

py to get all my Christmas down, packed and put away that I

almost sat down and cried. I loved looking at all the Christ-

mas lights, but they kind of reminded me of the people sup-

porting President Obama. They all hang together, half of

them don’t work, and some get disconnected and take out

their whole family. (I’m not even going to mention the lights

that aren’t very bright).

We at North Shore are having a very busy start to the

New Year getting ready for our candidate forums. The first

one is joint with Lake Conroe Republican Women. Karen

Darcy-Pawlak, Cheryl Simonton (our new Campaign Activi-

ties Chair) and I have been busy working with Janis Boul-

ware and Doris Hickman at Lake Conroe to put this event

together. Now we can sit back and let our Committee Chairs,

Jena Ham, Leona Frank, Dorothy Woodall, and Ann Kate,

along with their helpers, pull it all together. A BIG thanks to

everyone working on these forums. We appreciate your time

and effort.

I hope all of YOU will take advantage of this opportunity to

meet personally with the candidates and get informed so you

can vote wisely……..not that you don’t always ---- well,

there was that one time, but we won’t get into that. Just

come and bring your friends and neighbors, relatives, ex-

spouses, old school teachers and whoever you can find.

You’ll be glad you did.

The Texas Federation of Republican Women conducts a

Leadership Boot Camp for all members that are interested in

learning the workings of the various offices and committees

of the republican women clubs. It is held in Austin, Satur-

day, January 25th. If you are interested in attending, please

let me know.

A Word From Our President

- Sharon O’Neil February 5, 2014 NSRW Meeting

Bentwater Country

Club

The February 5 meeting of

North Shore Republican Women

should be very interesting, and

one to which you will want to

bring your friends.

Founder and President of

GOPBuzz.com, an internet por-

tal for Republican centric events

nationwide, Karen Watson has

written and self-published her

first book, Being Black and Republican in the Age of

Obama.

While a high school student in 1984, Watson attended

her first Republican National Convention to nominate

Reagan/Bush and has remained active in the Republican

Party. A keynote speaker at various Tea-Party and Republi-

can clubs, Watson communicates her message that

"conservative values are the right values for all Americans,

regardless of race or gender". Watson is a native Texan and

lives in Dallas.

National talk show host Penna Dexter recently inter-

viewed Watson on Point of View radio.

(www.pointofview.net)

Watson majored in English with a Speech minor and a

language concentration in Russian, at the University of Tex-

as in Austin. When Watson was a Vice-President at Bank of

America, she became the #1 mortgage loan officer in units

and volume nationwide for four consecutive years.

Watson opened Karen Watson Mortgage in 2004 and

currently serves the real estate community in North Texas.

*Note the change back to the Country Club on our

regular first Wednesday meeting day.

Sign-in starts at 10:45 a.m. with the meeting beginning

at 11:00 a.m. Lunch is served at approximately 11:30

a.m., with the program at noon. Meetings last until ap-

proximately 1:00 p.m. Lunch is optional,

but reservations must be made by calling 936-597-6219

by noon on Monday, February 3.

Karen Watson

Membership Wine/Cheese Party

Bring your neighbors, friends, any Republican woman

interested in learning about issues, candidates, and the

Republican Party. This fun and informative event will

be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, January 23 at the

home of Pat Thomas, 63 Broad Cove Lane, Bentwater.

Go to www.nsrepublicanwomen.org for details.

2014 NSRW OFFICERS

President

Sharon O’Neil 936-597-9706

1st Vice President/Programs

Stephanie Collins 936-582-2776

2nd Vice President/Membership

Denise Baker 936-597-5192

3rd Vice President/Ways & Means

Gail McKinnon 713-870-6866

Recording Secretary

Phyllis Rainey 936-756-8950

Treasurer/PAC Treasurer

Betsy Moore 936-597-6703

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Awards Dorothy Woodall 936-597-6625

Campaign Activities

Cheryl Simonton 903-452-3592

Caring and Concern Sue Helterbran 936-449-6065

Caring for America/Armed Forces

Leona Frank 936-597-9293

Co-Chair: Carolyn Jones 036-582-2242 Chaplain

Sharon Jones 936-597-8254

Community Engagement

Karen Darcy-Pawlak 936-449-5098 Historian

Gail McKinnon 713-870-6866

Hospitality Cay Eckland 936-647-2288

Co-Chair: Debra Marshall 936-597-7939

Legislative

Linda Walker 936-597-4924 Literacy/Youth Outreach

Jena Ham 936-718-2777

Co-Chair: Jennifer Robin 936-718-1775

Media Ann Kate 936-597-8291

Parliamentarian/Bylaws

Jackie Clausing 936-788-3814

Publicity Karen Darcy-Pawlak (temporary) 936-449-5098

Scholarship

Diane Ragsdale 936-597-8122

Yearbook Jody Hostetler 936-449-5197

Co-Chair: Karen Darcy-Pawlak 936-449-5098

Moore, Rainey, Collins, O’Neil, McKinnon, Baker

MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 8, 2014 NSRW MEETING Submitted by Phyllis Rainey, Recording Secretary

President Sharon O’Neil called the meeting to order at Bentwater Yacht Club

at 10:45 a.m. Chaplain Sharon Jones led attendees in prayer. Montgomery

County Attorney J.D. Lambright led the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.

Denise Baker, 2nd Vice-President, announced that 2014 membership includes,

so far, 54 Actives (including 7 new Active members) and 21 Associates

(including 2 new Associate members). She reminded members to promptly re-

mit membership dues if they want to be included in the 2014 Yearbook. In addi-

tion, Denise invited all to attend the Wine and Cheese Party scheduled for pro-

spective members on January 23rd.

Minutes of the December, 2013 meeting were approved as previously pre-

sented in the Beacon.

Treasurer Betsy Moore announced the December ending balance for the

NSRW account was $20,470, which included deposits of $1,070 and expenses of

$3,446. She provided copies of the proposed Budget for 2014, as previously ap-

proved by the Board. The proposed Budget projects income and expenses of

$16,675 each. She advised members the successful 2013 Fundraiser allowed the

new Budget without the need for a 2014 Fundraiser. The Budget was approved

as presented.

Karen Darcy-Pawlak, Publicity and Community Engagement Chairman, re-

minded everyone of the upcoming Candidate Forums – joint forum for federal

and statewide candidates with the Lake Conroe Area Republican Women to be

held January 16 at the Lone Star Community Center in Montgomery and the local

candidate forum to be held January 30 at the North Montgomery Community

Center in Willis. Candidates from each race have responded and responses con-

tinue to come in.

Media Chair Ann Kate advised members the candidate polls on the NSRW

website were removed because of issues with controlling repeat voting that likely

skewed results. She has not joined Twitter on behalf of NSRW because she did

not perceive a need at this time; there was no interest expressed at the Meeting to

join at this time.

The following elected officials in attendance were introduced: Wayne Mack,

Pct. 44 Chair; Craig Doyal, Commissioner Pct. 2; Sandy Wagner, MCHD Board;

Luine Hancock representing Senator Robert Nichols; J.D. Lambright, County

Attorney; Pearl Maggio, District Director SD 4; Judy Parada, District Director,

SD 3; and Barbara Adamick, District Clerk.

The following candidates in attendance were introduced: Johnnie Seago rep-

resenting Ted Seago, St. Representative Dist. 16; Kathy Scoles representing Gary

Louie, St. Representative Dist. 16; Steve Simonsen, St. Representative Dist. 16;

Jena Ham representing Duane Ham, St. Representative Dist. 16; Mark Bosma,

County Judge; Wayne Mack, Justice of the Peace Pct. 1; Robert Walker, Justice

of the Peace Pct. 1; Craig Doyal, County Judge; and Will Metcalf, St. Repre-

sentative Dist. 16.

Recognizing January 8th was moving day for Irene Kerr and NSRW would be

losing a valued Active Member, there were presentations by Judy Parada, Ann

Kate and Sharon O’Neil recognizing Irene’s contributions to NSRW and the Tex-

as Republican Party, followed by a standing ovation. She was given an honorary

associate membership.

Stephanie Collins, 1st Vice-President, introduced our speaker, Jeffery Ad-

dicott, who is currently a Professor of Law at St. Mary’s Law School in San An-

tonio, and who is a staunch conservative with an impressive resume indicating

his incredible knowledge about global terrorism. Mr. Addicott provided at-

tendees with a fascinating look at the roots of terrorism and, in particular, Radical

Islamic Extremism.

Sharon reminded attendees that District 4 would also be having a forum in

January. The meeting was then adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Janis Holt, Texas Federation Repubican Women VP Finance, is looking for

volunteers to help at the Biennial TFRW Tribute to Women Luncheon which

is held in conjunction with the Republican Party of Texas State Convention.

The date is June 7, 2014. Duties will be jobs such as greeters, Check-in desk

attendants and photographer assistants (for award photos). If you are planning

on attending the RPT convention and would be able to assist me, please let her

know.

Membership Report - Denise Baker

Our membership is off to a great start this year! We current-

ly have 75active members and would like to extend a welcome

to our 7 newest members, Jayne Brown, Sandra Sue John-

son, Sue Kolski, Valerie Gerbino, Linda Hopwood, Joan

Martin, and Diane Hranicky. Our associate membership

is steadily increasing to 26 members with 1 new member,

Natalie Laurent. NSRW would also like to invite all

new members and prospective members to our upcoming New

Member Wine and Cheese on January 23rd from 4-6 pm at

the home of Pat Thomas, 63 Broad Cove in Bentwater. I would

also like to remind you to get those memberships in be-

fore January 30th to make our 2014 yearbook.

TREASURER’S REPORT - Betsy Moore, PAC Treasurer

For the Period of 12/1/2013 through 12/31/2013

North Shore Republican Women

2014 Operating Budget (Approved at 1-8-14 Meeting)

The Dictionary Project has been an important part of North Shore Republican Wom-

en’s literacy program for several years, and it’s time for those of us interested in the edu-

cation of children to reach into our pockets and donate a box of dictionaries for third

graders in the Willis ISD. Literacy/Youth Outreach Chairman Jena

Ham is in charge of this project, and will order the boxes of books

after receiving enough funds to provide for every third grader.

A box of 24 dictionaries costs $48 and is tax deductible, since

The Dictionary Project is a non-profit organization. Checks should

be made out to The Dictionary Project, because the checks go

directly to that organization.

For more information, go to http://www.dictionaryproject.org/ , or

contact Jena Ham at HamJena@yahoo.com.

Note: Dictionaries are given to third

graders in Willis ISD by NSRW. The

Lake Conroe Area Republican Women

give to those in Montgomery ISD.

Check out the makeover of the Republican Party of Texas

website and find out how you can sign up to either attend

or volunteer at the 2014 Republican Party State Conven-

tion and Presidential Straw Poll.

Go to www.texasgop.org to see what’s happening in the

Republican Party and how you can participate.

POLICY FOR COUNTING CAMPAIGN HOURS

North Shore Republican Women provide essential volunteer hours on behalf of worthy Republican candidates

and campaigns. Each member should keep a record of her volunteer hours for the entire year. The hours are reported

to Texas Federation of Republican Women for possible awards and show how much work members accomplishing in

the political process. Following is the “Policy for Counting Campaign Hours.”

1. ONLY count hours pertaining to non-paid political activities. Hours as Election Judge, Clerk, Poll

Watcher count ONLY if pay is turned over to a county party, your local Federated Republican Women’s club, a candidate or

the TFRW PAC.

2. Include work done at home, such as mailings; preparing campaign posters or signs; telephoning solicited by a candidate/

campaign; baking for a campaign, but not for club meetings.

3. Count hours spent working at a special event or organizing the event, BUT NOT if you attend as a guest or if you are com-

pensated for the event.

4. Count hours spent in session at Federation Board of Directors meetings and Federation Conventions also time spent in prep-

aration of convention if on a committee. You may include travel time.

5. Count hours spent in session at precinct, county/district or state party conventions. You may include travel time. NOTE:

Please remember to attend your precinct convention!

6. You may count hours spent as members of county or state party committees – ONLY during scheduled meeting times. You

may include travel.

7. Count political work done at club meetings; i.e., driving a candidate, working on mailings, getting candidate petitions

signed, etc. DO NOT count hours in regular meetings.

8. Volunteer hours done at county, state or Federation Headquarters may be counted, BUT NOT for paid staff positions.

9. All hours volunteered at campaigns and at headquarters include portal to portal travel, BUT NOT stops for personal errands.

10. Count non partisan hours for known Republican candidates in city or school board elections.

11. Women candidates who are members of a club may count their campaigning as volunteer hours as long as no salary is ac-

cepted. A separate award will be given in this category at award events.

12. Male associate members may count volunteer hours and must follow the same rules which apply to regular members. Male

candidates cannot count hours working on their campaigns.

13. An associate member’s hours are only counted in her primary club.

14. Whenever possible, please have your hours verified and initialed by the campaign or headquarters. This will help deter-

mine where our hours are most utilized.

15. NOTE: Presidents and Campaign Activities Chairmen are not permitted to work in nonpartisan as well as campaigns when

there is more than one Republican in the race. Clubs may not endorse in the name of the club.

Individual members may work for the Republican of their choice.

The form for keeping track of hours is in the members’ North Shore Republican Women Yearbook and on the website.

Report hours to NSRW Campaign Activities Chairman Cheryl Simonton: Brewstie2@aol.com.

Caring For America - Leona Frank and Carolyn Jones

We are beginning another NEW Year with wishful resolu-

tions that we forget about shortly in year - but how many have pondered

any acts of love and charity for others suffering within our midst with-

out food, job or a place to sleep.

The poverty rate in the U.S. is roughly 46.2 million people living at

or below the rate. Montgomery County has increased by 25% this past

year.

February has been chosen as “POVERTY MONTH”. NSRW has

chosen donations of canned soup, so please bring one or two cans to the

February meeting. If you don’t have time to purchase, a monetary con-

tribution would be appreciated and we will make the purchase for you.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!! See you at the February

meeting. DON’T FORGET YOUR CAN OR CANS OF SOUP!!!!!

Are You a Numbers Person? One of the most important offices in North

Shore Republican Women is that of Treasurer. Be-

sides the usual duties of a treasurer, our officer is

also the Political Action Committee (PAC) treasur-

er. That means filing reports required by the Texas

Ethics Commission and Texas Election Laws.

Our current treasurer, Betsy Moore, has done

an excellent job, but her term will be up in a year

and we are looking for a “Treasurer in Training” to

learn from Betsy and be able to step into this role

in 2015. Is that person you?

Call Betsy at 936-597-6703 or e-mail at

betsymoore0752@gmail.com to talk about it.

Political advertising paid for by North Shore Republican Women, PAC, Betsy Moore, Treasurer, 3139 Bentwater Drive, Montgomery, TX 77356.

Contributions are not federal tax deductible as charitable contributions. Corporate Contributions Are Not Permitted.

Looking Ahead

January 16 - NSRW and Lake Conroe Area RW Candi-

date Forum for federal and statewide candidates

January 23 - Wine/Cheese Membership Event

January 30 - NSRW Candidate Forum for county, state

representative, and precinct candidates

February 5 - General Mtg. - Karen Watson, Founder and

President of GOPBuzz.com

Topic: Being Black & Republican in the Age of Obama

February 18 - Early voting begins for March 4 Primary

March 4 - Republican Primary Election

Candidate Forums

These January 16 forum offers residents in Montgomery County a chance to meet the candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S.

Representative, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Agriculture Commis-

sioner, Chief Justice and Justices of the TX Supreme Court, Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals, and Chief Justice

of the 9th Court of Appeals. The January 30 forum will feature local candidates for State Representative Dist. 16,

County Judge, and Prec. 1 Justice of the Peace. Railroad Commissioners have been invited to the January 30 forum.