THE TRUMPETER - December 2023

RWOP Newsletter Editor: Joan Lesko, RWOP VP Communications, [email protected]

December has arrived, ushering in the Christmas season in Prescott! Because of our festive lighting ceremony, in 1989, Arizona Governor Rose Mofford designated Prescott as "Arizona's Christmas City." The festivities don't begin and end with just one event. Every year, Prescott celebrates with lights, music, parades, and festive flair from November through January, attracting local residents and families from around our State to partake in the Christmas festivities! This year, it will be a bittersweet time for me. I love celebrating the Christmas Season in Prescott. I have participated in the yearly celebrations since I was a young girl and have special memories of Christmas long ago in Prescott. December 31st will end my RWOP Presidency, a time for me to pass on the Presidency position to oversee a new Executive Board in 2024.

As I look back on the past two years of my RWOP Presidency and the accomplishments my Board of Directors (BOD) and I accomplished during those two years, I feel a sense of pride in how well we respected each other and came together in camaraderie and working together as a "team" to complete the goals we set for our club. This fellowship contributed significantly to the success and smooth operation of our club.

Due to the popularity of RWOP, we received MANY, MANY speaker and candidate requests. To satisfy those requests, especially during the 2022 election year, our Board voted to extend our luncheons to two hours. Our 1st VP of Programs, Judy Blake managed, coordinated, and hosted more speakers in 2022 and 2023 than any other time in RWOP's history. Speakers who brought relevant political and current critical topics from which all members benefited. The positive comments I and many of my board members received on the opportunities our members had to meet and talk to our speakers and candidates in person, how professional and well run, and the welcoming, pleasant atmosphere our luncheons exhibited were greatly appreciated by me and our Board.

RWOP's Treasurer Sue Tatar and several Vice presidents' reports contained information regarding the operation of our club. The Treasurer, VP of Ways and Means Michele Hamer, and VP of Membership Heather Densmore reports respectively, have:

1. Managed our incoming and outgoing funds and kept an accurate account of RWOP funds. Her hard work does not go unnoticed; she is an unsung hero of our club!
2. Accounted for more income than any year in the past with our Big Event
3. Provided very lucrative fundraising events we enjoyed and 
4. Maintained our status as the LARGEST Federated club in the galaxy!

The Communications VP Joan Lesko has won awards and been Johnny-on-the-Spot for everyone, including our high-profile Congressman Crane, who needed to communicate information to our club members. She excels in her technical, computer, and communication skills as our newsletter editor and always strives to bring more capability to our process. All this is done with little recognition throughout the year, but her role is critical to our success!

Our Education VP Jill Martin has gone above and beyond by offering several events, including those for "Protecting Our Children" from so many 'evils' invading our community. Also, she helped form a partnership with ERAU, which re-established the ERAU Young Republicans Club and held many forums to keep our members informed and engaged on pertinent critical issues. 

The RWOP Secretary Cynthia McSwain keeps accurate minutes distributed to our Board in a timely and complete manner each month. Another unsung hero!

Lastly, the Parliamentarian Linda Nichols, who has also been my past president and advisor, is always ready to ensure meeting procedures are followed, lend an ear, and help solve a problem. Her guidance and advice have also been critical to the success of our club!

In addition:

RWOP held two hugely successful Big Events, the first being Charlie Kirk and The Patriot Barbie and the second being the beloved Dennis Prager. Both events brought in a profit of around $38,000 in 2023. Much of the money goes to our highly respected scholarship program, benefiting local graduating high school seniors and ERAU students and helping with the function costs of our club.

RWOP has created a new and well-respected reputation with many of our constituents, community organizations, and political dignitaries. RWOP's relevance, principles, and values have been elevated in our community, our State, and nationally. We are known as the place to speak if you are running for office or would like to pass along an important message.

Our STANDING COMMITTEES have contributed to our success in many ways. The chairs are listed in parentheses. Many of these chairs have team support:

Americanism (Susan Cohen)reminds us of how great America is and how our history is so vital that it cannot be erased!

Bylaws (Linda Nichols) were reviewed, revised, and presented to the BOD and will be finalized by the incoming BOD, as per their request.

Caring for America (Nancy Grigas) each month supports a local charity by getting donations and providing a speaker who introduces their charity to you, the members. This team is responsible for the wonderful and highly successful 'Toys for Tots' drive RWOP has supported since 2017!

Campaigns/Petitions (Anita Zytkowski) seamlessly manages our Mall area's many political and guest tables, which is quite the juggling act! She also oversees our Voter Registration Program.

Hospitality (Judi Kay Williams): These extraordinary ladies decorate our luncheon tables each month and are at the entrance doors, welcoming everyone and helping when needed.

Legislation (Cathy Messinger) keeps us informed and up-to-date on the political issues and bills being considered at the state and national levels.

Merchandise (Laura Swesey) largely contributes to our fundraising, which helps cover our club's operating costs. It is a big job that includes purchasing, inventory, sales, storage, and merchandising.

Scholarships (Barb Ernst) distributed $18,575 to 17 Republican RWOP Scholarship students in 2023, a record number of scholarships RWOP has ever given in one year! A total of $225,000 has been awarded by RWOP to 91 students since 2015!

The School Volunteer Program (Debra McVey) has been a HUGE success since 2017, offering RWOP volunteers to our local PUSD schools. Recently, it included Trinity Christian School, which has been a great addition and is highly appreciated by Trinity. It is a great program that supports and benefits our local students and teachers!

Armed Services (Deb Robbins) accomplished a new level of recognition with two awards. One from the National Federation took second place in their category, and one from the State took first place! Along with these highly prized achievements, the 'Armed Services Corner' was created as an additional RWOP Newsletter and webpage, which also received honors nationally for our Communication and RWOP Newsletter Director. In addition, three highly appreciated and successful veterans' events were held this year. Lastly, hundreds of Christmas Cards were collected from our members to be distributed to our Military deployed overseas.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

There are other committees, called Special Committees, that have contributed to our success, The chairs are listed in parentheses. Many of these chairs have team support.

The Financial Oversight Chair (Alice Salisbury) ensures our financial books are in order.

The Awards and Volunteer Hours Chair (Judy Blake) collects thousands of RWOP volunteer hours, resulting in the many awards from State and National, including the Armed Services, Website, Turquoise, and Diamond awards we received in 2023. This critical position requires extreme time and oversight of RWOP's members' specialty hours, collating the hours, and working closely with AzFRW to ensure all our hours are credited.

The Literacy Chair (Marla Bassler) provides a book to the library in honor of a RWOP member who has passed away.

The Chaplain (Marla Bassler), the spiritual leader of our club, opens every RWOP luncheon and special event with a prayer and handles our Cloudy Days Program by sending out Sympathy and Get Well cards to our members in need.

The Membership Database Chair (Anne Orel) keeps accurate records of our membership and provides the total numbers to the State for accounting and award purposes. Again, this is another critical position where proper and accurate membership records must be reported to AzFRW and NFRW. 

The Community Outreach Chair (Jodi Allione) has completed two successful drives, a coat and blanket drive and a food drive, to support those in need within our community. And today, they are responsible for the Adopt-a-Senior event, which reaches out to the most vulnerable in our community, our seniors, who are in need.

The Historian/Photographer (Judie Vullo) takes pictures at our monthly Meeting/Luncheon and other RWOP events to have an RWOP pictorial and award history. Many of these pictures and awards are displayed in our Newsletter and on our website. She is also the associate editor of our Newsletter and was recognized as a contributor to the Armed Services award.

Reservations/Registration (Elsie Tyree), which we all benefit from at our monthly luncheons. It is nice to have seat assignments that eliminate many seating issues at our luncheon and have the luncheon check-in process move smoothly. It is a fact that we do sell out quickly, but we hold our luncheon at the largest venue in our area that can accommodate as many members as possible. The Registration team also arranges the seating cards at the appropriate tables and seats. Elsie also coordinates the RWOP participation in the local parades.

The Sergeant-at-Arms (Rinda Ranch-Hillis) advises the expected decorum to be followed at the beginning of each luncheon, where we realize that none of us ever wants to receive a "Yellow Slip!" 

I am letting you know that RWOP received the 2023 State Turquoise Award from AzFRW. This is the highest State award a Women's Federated Republican Club can receive for function and accomplishments. 

The Award is received for Club Functions, Membership Development, Programs, Community Relations, and Campaign Activities. Congratulations. AND WELL DONE, RWOP!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our own very well-regarded RWOP Singers! They bring us such joy and harmony at our monthly luncheons and events throughout the year! They are so popular that many of our sister Republican Clubs request them to sing at their events around our State. CONGRATULATIONS!

Current members are:

Lead: Stacy Dann, Bea Jensen, Nancy Lawson, Peggy Ricker, Carol Standley

and Jeanne Zimmerman

Tenor: Helen Barko and Shirley Slattery

Baritone: Kathy Stephens and Judi Kay Williams

Bass: Reva Fredericksen and Kathie Hutter

In closing, I want to again THANK MY BOD AND YOU, OUR MEMBERS, for your continued kind words of encouragement to me and support for our club during my Presidency. The memories of our luncheons and club events with you will always hold a special place in my heart. Your kindness, loyalty, willingness to always attend our luncheon events, and volunteerism have inspired me. It has been an HONOR for me to serve you as your President for the past two years and represent you at events throughout our community, state, and nationally, including other Republican club events. Reaching out to other local Republican Presidents and meeting with them, building bridges, becoming an Associate Member of their clubs, and attending their functions at my own time and expense have fostered unity between the Republican clubs. This had been lacking in our city and county in prior years. As Immediate RWOP Past President, I will be available to the 2024 Board for consultation if needed.

I will continue to be active in our political process as a YavGOP Precinct and State Committeeman. I will continue as a community activist with my Keep Preskitt, Preskitt - "Drive Friendly!" Campaign, and educate the public on the plight of the Downwinders. I will also participate in the following community groups as the Women's Leadership Chair for the Yavapai County Farm Bureau, Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Association member, and member of the Yavapai Cattle Growers. I will continue to oversee the John Hanna, Sr. Guns & Hoses Memorial Golf Tournament, which benefits the Prescott Police Department's "Shop With A Cop" program and the Prescott Firefighter Charities. I will also enjoy keeping up with my twelve grandchildren who live here, and I am so blessed to be a part of their lives!! 

I sincerely wish every one of you a Merry Christmas with your families and the best for 2024!!

Regards,

Sherrie Hanna

2022-2023 RWOP President

NO SUBSTITUTIONS ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT

$35 per person

​WE ARE SOLD OUT!!

Click here to be put on the Wait List!

Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis!

A reservation made is a reservation paid...thank you!

To help speed up our check-in process:

• Prepaying for the luncheon is encouraged - online or by check mailed prior to luncheon
• Arrive early and allow time for parking
• No large bills accepted
• Have your payment ready – CASH or CHECK (made payable to RWOP for $35 - already filled out

Tuesday, December 12th RWOP Luncheon

FEATURED SPEAKER:

Chief Deputy Jeff Newnum

Jeff co-authored a manual dealing with Search Incident Management and was awarded the "Don Hornecker Coordinator of the Year" for his valuable contributions to Search and Rescue. Besides serving in the Army, Jeff has graduated from the FBI National Academy, General Colin Powell’s Professional Development Academy, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations.

GUEST SPEAKER:

Mara Byrd

Special Guests

The 2024 RWOP Executive Board of Directors will be installed by Arizona State Treasurer, Kimberly Yee. BIO

Rodney Glassman will sing the Shalom Rav - a Hebrew Prayer for Peace. In addition to the Prayer, he will also explain the lighting of the Menorah. He also will be speaking about the Jewish National Fund. We will place blue boxes on the luncheon tables and ask people to add their coins, enabling the Jewish Fund to plant trees in Israel.  

The RWOP Singers will be entertaining us with Holiday Songs.

We had an amazing eager group of RWOP members picking up wish lists from 53 elderly convalescent home residents who don't have family and relatives here for them. What a family we are to care for their needs and provide gifts, carols, and treats. 

Gifts should be wrapped and put in a large garbage bag with the gift list stapled to it. If you bought items using a general gift list, please circle the items enclosed and we will give to the general short term population.

We will gather up the bags at our December 12th luncheon and plan to distribute them on Friday December 15 at 2 pm. Student carolers and cookie bringers will be there as well. If you want to join the festivity, please contact [email protected].

Many thanks to all of you generous givers. 

Calling RWOP bakers: Do you have a signature baked item that you would like to contribute to the December 12th Bake Sale? We will be collecting your delicable treats at the Prescott Resort on Monday, December 11th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and from 8:00am to 10:00am on Tuesday, December 12th. Your generous donations help fund our Scholarship and Veterans programs.

For more information and bake shop rules, click here:

Did You Know….that RWOP is a long-time supporter of PASS (Prescott Area Shelter Services)?

RWOP, through our Caring for America committee, started supporting the shelter as far back as 2017. (Those I talked to aren’t sure exactly when----if you do, please email me!) If you’re not familiar with PASS, their website contains a wealth of information about the shelter and the services it provides.

https://prescottshelters.org/

On the scheduled evening, the RWOP team meets at Yavapai College, and the hostess

collects the side dishes and any other donated items. She delivers the meal and the extras to the shelter. Marian mentioned that the shelter does not have an oven or range, only a microwave. The team generally chooses casseroles that can be prepared hot at their homes, and then delivered in insulated containers.

Marian says that the gratitude of the shelter residents touches all the donors. Many have

escaped from abusive situations and are in the process of rebuilding their lives. They don’t

take the shelter, the meals, or its other services for granted. Examples of those other

services are financial education, and helping the residents with employability and job skills.

Team members are supplying all the food and other supplies at personal expense. RWOP is not currently subsidizing the cost. It is a wonderful tribute to RWOP’s members and their

caring spirit that they’ve kept this activity going for so long.

Unheard 22 at Yavapai College

This project, which was spearheaded by one of RWOP’s members, Jamie Oltersdorf in 2022, is to educate and raise awareness to the 22 Veterans who tragically commit suicide every day. Yavapai College has 22 boots displayed at their Prescott and Verde Valley campuses to represent each veteran. This year, Jamie is trying to raise $10,000 to bronze those 44 boots and mount them on plaques for a permanent display. If you would like to donate to this cause, go to www.yc.edu/22.

Veterans Day Parade

November 11 was a perfect day for the parade to honor our service members. The theme this year was: Honoring Our Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans…A New Generation of Warriors. Prescott has one of the largest Veteran’s Day Parades in the state with 115 entries this year. RWOP was proud to walk in the parade joined by students from the newly formed Republican group at Embry Riddle!

November Luncheon:

RWOP hosted 105 Veterans at our annual Veteran’s Luncheon on November 14. Veterans were honored with songs by the RWOP singers who sang the anthem for each branch, Color Guard and a bagpiper, and inspirational speakers: General Mick McGurie and Laura Stevens, Gold Star Mom.

Veterans were put in a drawing for a handmade leather strap with bells saying “God Bless America”, donated by Joe and Kathy Parks. Rod Luedke won the 50/50 raffle. Each Veteran also received a koozie which read, “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” as a thank you for their courage and dedication to America. Thanks to every Veteran who was able to attend this year’s luncheon!

Christmas Cards for Deployed Military:

Thanks to all our RWOP members who so graciously wrote Christmas Cards for our deployed military! We gathered 971 cards at the November luncheon, 333 were from elementary students at Lincoln and Taylor Hicks schools, thanks to Linda Conn, PUSD Governing Board Member who went to the schools to include them! Adding the 272 cards from the U.S. VETS event and 60 cards from miscellaneous folks who heard about the project, we sent 1,303 cards to AdoptaPlatoon to mail overseas with their holiday stockings. Our goal this year was 1,000! To help with the cost of those stockings, RWOP also donated $1,540 to support an entire platoon of 40 service members thanks to your generous contributions in the Red Envelopes at the luncheons. You have made the season brighter for our guys and gals who have put the needs of our country over their own!

Fort Whipple Received Guaranteed Water for the Affordable Housing Project!

You may have read in the Daily Courier that after a long process, papers were signed guaranteeing Fort Whipple will get the water they need as part of the total utility package to build a 103-unit affordable housing building on the VA Campus in Prescott for homeless and at-risk veterans. Six former Fort Whipple officer quarters will also be converted into 4 one-bedroom apartments. The VA has partnered with U.S. VETS – Prescott. Prescott VA’s role is the Enhanced-Use Lease of land on the 164-acre campus and availability of all of its health care and ancillary services; U.S. VETS – Prescott’s role is to oversee the construction, screening and selection of tenants and case management. Congratulations to all for pushing through the challenges of getting leaders from federal, state, local, nonprofit and private development agencies to collaborate!

As of the printing of this newsletter for the new 2024 membership year that started October 1, 2023 we have:

Total Members: 275

Active: 213

Associate: 60

Student: 2

New Active Members in November:

Stephanie Dishal

Virginia McMahan

Tonya-Faye Steininger

There were no new Associate Members in November.

At the November meeting we announced the six lucky winners of the $10 Membership Rebate Drawing for those that joined or renewed in September and October. The winners were:

Joni Broderson

Jeanette Courtmanche

Edward Kapner

Frederick Lesko

Lois Richards

Carol Ward

Anyone who signed up as a new member or renewing their membership in November was entered into a drawing for four lucky winners of a $10 rebate to be announced at the December Luncheon meeting.

Please keep encouraging your friends and family to join RWOP as we are the largest Federated Club in Arizona and the Nation.

What you all have been waiting for!

"An Evening with Dennis Prager" video is here.

HAPPY HANUKKAH

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Select HERE for the 2023 RWOP Luncheon Schedule!!

Protect Our Children Event

SOLD OUT!!

I will have all the details about the event at the December luncheon.

See you all there!

So many great things have been accomplished!

I am proud of the work we have done!

2024 will be another year filled with all kinds

of incredible possibilities!

Embry Riddle College Republicans hosted Prescott Police Chief Amy Bonney

Chief Bonney talked about how the border issues and fentanyl crisis is affecting Yavapai County, among other things.

This is their last meeting of the year. Their meetings will start up next year in the spring semester.

Below are a few of the US Congress bills recently introduced that may be of interest to you.

- US HR 6458 To terminate the Office for Elementary and Secondary Education of the Department of Education and provide block grants to States. -- Last action: Nov 21, 2023, House: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

- US HR 6460 To prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from issuing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any rule or guidance to facilitate abortions or access to abortions for an unaccompanied alien child. -- Last action: Nov 21, 2023, House: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

- US HR 6479 To limit the availability of a plea deal for any person responsible for the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. -- Last action: Nov 24, 2023, House: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

- US HRes 889 Condemning the Hamas-led terrorist attack on the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, and calling for Hamas to immediately and unconditionally surrender, cease its attacks, and safely release all hostages. -- Last action: Nov 21, 2023, House: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

In January 2024 our Arizona State Legislators will be back in session.

A quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

Sponsor Business Card Ads are $100 for 12 months of inclusion in the monthly newsletters. Your ad will also be highlighted on RWOP website. If you are interested in highlighting your business, please contact Joan Lesko [email protected]

SELECT BUSINESS CARD BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THEIR BUSINESS WEBSITE OR FACEBOOK PAGE

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