From the President's Desk
TFRW President Barbara Trautman

Dear TFRW Members,

Despite the restrictions and limitations brought about by COVID 19 over the last 14 months, we are beginning to see a reduction in virus cases and we are beginning to meet in person again.  I recently read this quote: “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
I say this to encourage you to move forward with your club’s business of this year, the Convention year in the Federation cycle.

First, we will hold our Area Conventions which will be called by the current Area Vice Presidents "for the purpose of electing an Area Vice President and to take up any other business the convention delegates seem appropriate." "Each Area Convention shall be called at least ninety (90) days prior to the State Biennial Convention." That means that your Area Convention will take place before the July 24 deadline. Each club's delegates and alternates are based on its membership totals with "one delegate for every 10 memberships paid to the State Federation within 30 days after the Call to the Area Convention." Ladies, it is very important to get your memberships renewed as soon as possible.

Next, will be the NFRW Biennial Convention, September 26-29, 2021 in Orlando. This national convention is the time when thousands of Republican women from Federated Clubs all over the U.S. come together for several days of fellowship, education, inspiration, and business to celebrate their achievements. For these reasons, it is so important for your club to complete all the awards forms and then to submit them for recognition at this convention.
 
The NFRW Club Achievement Award form (CLICK HERE) is a fillable Excel Spreadsheet that should be downloaded/saved and completed on your computer. You will then email this completed form to me, Barbara Trautman at bbtbabs@aol.com before the June 1 deadline.

The NFRW Caring for America Award form (CLICK HERE) should be completed and emailed to Katie Scott, hulonscott@comcast.net by May 25.

The NFRW Campaign Volunteer Award form (CLICK HERE) should be completed and mailed or emailed to Faye Robinson, farobinson9104@gmail.com by June 1.

For delegates to the NFRW Convention, the Bylaws state that "one delegate and one alternate shall be elected by each club."

The state delegates to the NFRW Convention are delegates-at-large and "shall be elected by the TFRW Board of Directors." Our TFRW delegates-at-large are based on the membership count by June 25, 2021.  We will elect our TFRW Delegates-at-large at the May 22 TFRW Board of Directors Meeting.

Lastly, our TFRW 33rd Biennial Convention will be held October 22-23, 2021 in Franklin, TN.  The statewide elected officers and the Area Vice Presidents of the TFRW “shall have delegate-at-large status" at this State Convention. "A club shall be entitled to one delegate and one alternate for every ten (10) memberships paid to the State Federation no later than sixty (60) days before the Convention. Delegates and alternates are to be elected by each club after due notice to the membership. Delegates and alternates must have been members at least (60) days before their election." Convention Chair Linda Kollmann is encouraging attendees to go ahead and make your room reservations at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, TN, under the Tennessee Federation of RW block to get the special rate of $129 per night.  Just call 615-261-6100 and ask to reserve a room in the Republican Women's block of rooms for those nights.

The TFRW Muffett Brock Award form (CLICK HERE) should be printed, completed, and mailed to Jean Huntsman, 1477 Darbee Drive, Morristown, TN 37814.   Bonus of 100 points can be earned if this completed form is postmarked by May 15, 2021, and sent to Muffett Brock Awards Chair Jean Huntsman.

The TFRW Beyond the Vote Scholarship provides financial assistance to Republican women majoring in Political Science or Pre-Law (CLICK HERE). The application should be printed, completed, and mailed to Beyond the Vote Chair Teresa Wood, 5124 West Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37405 by August 1, 2021.

We have three conventions to look forward to during the remainder of 2021. Let's get ready to celebrate!

Barbara