Republican Women of Central Announce New Board, Meeting, & Goals for 2011

Submitted by Betsy Otken Barnes

            The Republican Women of Central are pleased to announce the 2011 Board of Directors and invite all registered Republicans to join during the first meeting of the year to be held at Sammy’s Grill on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12 p.m. Guest and members may arrive at 11:30a.m. to meet speakers and get acquainted with members.

             Guest Speakers for the January meeting are Elizabeth Dent, founding member and 1^st Vice President of the Capital City Republican Women, President of Financial & Management Services, educator and Republican activist. Special Guest speaker is Jenson Young, Louisiana representative for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a well-known potential 2012 presidential candidate and Fox News talk show host and author.

            The newly elected Board of Directors are First Vice President Betsy Otken Barnes, Second Vice President Pamela D’Armond Templet, Treasurer Ginger Steed Moak, Corresponding Secretary Juanita Lockhart Anderson, and Recording Secretary Ashley Porche.

            Appointed Board members are Chaplain Janice Greene, Historian Tracy Barnes.

            Committee for Membership will be chaired by Betsy Otken Barnes; Committee for Legislation will be Co-chaired by Tommie Morden and Joan Lansing and Committee for Community Service will be chaired by Louise Rauls. Members are asked to bring a friend to this kick-off select a committee to serve on and become active to assist in forthcoming elections and local events benefiting our community.

            Cost for the lunch and meeting is $15. Membership is $35 per year for both chapter and associate members.

            Mrs. Joan Lansing, and 2010 chapter president and founding member for the formation of the chapter in July 2010 said, “Our first year our 42 members began this mission, are an active and growing group, and we invite men to join as associate members.”

            “We must communicate, educate on the real issues and motivate our citizens to increase voter participation – a major objective for our area,” Lansing continued.

            Several associate members are men, and women are active in other chapters around the capitol region area actively supporting Republican candidates. Among these members are State Representatives Cliff Richardson and Bodi White, Central Mayor Mac Watts, Central Chamber President and Pastor Ron Erickson, and Capital City Republican Women Chapter President Sarah Holliday, President.

            The Republican Women of Central are an affiliated chapter in the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women with over 2,100 members in 42 chapters statewide.

            “Our mission is to serve the region, locally and beyond by educating citizens about the upcoming municipal elections this year and into the national elections of 2012,” Lansing said.

            “Our governmental representatives and connections impact future generations in every facet of life, and we want our families to be well-represented in the local, state, regional and national levels.”

            “We must inspire and motivate voters to turnout on election days,” she continued.

            “Membership growth, voter registration and participation, education on legislation  and lobbying for worthwhile causes that impact Central and surrounding areas are key objectives for this year,” Mrs. Lansing said.

            Committee volunteers are needed for the Membership, Legislation, Community Service, Awards, Fundraising, Magnolia Club and Education Literacy.

            The next meeting for the RWC will be at  12p.m. for lunch on February 16 at Sammy’s Restaurant.  A “Meet the Candidates” Forum will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 6:30p.m. Location will be announced.

            For more information about meetings and membership, please email [email protected] or call Mrs. Lansing at (225) 773-1210 or Betsy Otken Barnes at (225)333-0018.