March 2024 · Vol.31 · No.3 · Region IV · Senate District 4 | Don't forget to register and pay for your spot at the luncheon! |  |  | | Presidents Message
by Brandie Lopez
February was Fabulous for LCARW! Texas Senator Brandon Creighton was our guest speaker at the Walden Yacht Club and updated us on all the victories for Texas during the 88th Legislative session. Senator Creighton is a eighth-generation Montgomery County resident and is famous for his trademark quote “Let Texas Run Texas.” As the Senate Committee Leader on Public Education, Senator Creighton updated the crowd on the victories from the last legislative session and gave a clear background on the decisions that were made to reform & get our education system prepared for the 21st century. He was also successful in banning CRT in our schools!
We also received fabulous Valentine’s Roses from 418th District Court Judge, Tracy Gilbert, as an annual tradition.
As February wraps up and the new Spring season begins, we want to keep up our steady momentum of gaining new members, retaining our past members, and training for everyone. We are so excited to have achieved “JUMBO” club status before the Spring! (See our fabulous VP of Membership, Michelle Martin to renew or join).
We have some very exciting spring events coming up that you don’t want to miss! Whether you want to make a difference, be informed, network, or just develop some amazing friendships…we have some great events for you! We have (2) opportunities for training in March….either the Nuts & Bolts training workshop in Houston or OR our local leadership training, the ABC’s of Republican Women Leadership in Conroe. All membership is invited for training and lunch. Then, for FUN, we have a Social Outing planned for April 5th as we take a short day-trip to Martha Bloomers nursery in Navasota for Lunching & Learning! After all, girls just want to have fun sometimes! See all our attached flyers in this newsletter for more info!
I want to send special recognition to all of our members that worked the polls during the primary elections for their favorite candidates, as election judges and poll watchers. You are the reason our County is so great and what makes democracy so sacred. We appreciate your volunteer efforts and all your hard work.
Spring is in the air, and so is the pollen! Let’s all Spring-forward to stay motivated, energized, and focused for our ultimate goal, to KEEP MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND TEXAS RED!
I hope that March 2024 and your Easter holidays are filled with lots of love, blessings and chocolate! May you reflect on the true meaning of Easter, from the reflection of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday and the promise of eternal life!
|  | Share your Talent!
Let a board member know if you are interested in serving on the 2024 Board of the
Lake Conroe Area Republican Women
Find a Committee and share your talents with LCARW |  | | Minutes LCARW GENERAL MEETING: February 15, 2024
Recording Secretary: Sharyn Link
The February general meeting was called to order at 12:02 pm by LCARW President, Brandie Lopez Gonzalez. Lisa Taedter opened us with prayer and Melissa Miller, District Clerk led the pledges to the US and Texas flags. The treasurer report and minutes of previous meeting were approved as presented. Brandie recognized and thanked Judge Tracy Gilbert for the red roses he presented to each lady in attendance. Brandie introduced other elected officials in attendance, Terry Gilbert, District Court; Jay Wright, Justice 9th Court of Appeals; B. D. Griffin, County Attorney; Howard Wood, Conroe City Council; Scott Golemon, Chief Justice 9th District Court of Appeals; Charlie Parada, Precinct 105 Chairman; Laurie Turner, President MISD Board of Trustees; Carol Langley, Montgomery City Council; Harry Hardman, Conroe City Council; Will Metcalf, State Rep HD-16; Rand Henderson, Sheriff; Holly Arbuckle for Congressman Morgan Luttrell, Patty McGinnis, District Court Judge and Brandon Creighton, Texas Senator. Brandie then introduced the candidates in attendance; Kent Chambers, 9th Court of Appeals; Susan Johnson, Conroe City Council Place 1; Duke Coon, Conroe Mayor; David Hairel, Conroe City Council Place 1, Stephanie Johnson, Precinct #63 Chair and Mike Seiler for Kenna Seiler, 9th Court of Appeals. President Brandie introduced a special guest, Dr. Mark Ruffin, MISD Superintendent along with ISD Police Chief, Ricky Doerre and Sgt. Becky Kendall. Dr. Ruffin gave a brief introduction of himself and shared his excitement about MISD.
Committee Reports:
Brandie Lopez Gonzalez introduced Michelle Martin, Membership Chair who encouraged everyone to renew their membership or join. Michelle also advised of the upcoming Beyond Politics gathering, Wednesday, Feb.21. Linda Mock, VP of Ways and Means announced the annual fundraiser, Boots & Roots to be held May 10, 6:00 PM at Lone Star Community Center. Brandie explained our National Motto “ In God We Trust” poster program chaired by Carole Parsons. This program (which has been nominated for State awards) has presented more than 555 framed in God We Trust posters to local schools and elected officials. Brandie stated that our own State Representative, Will Metcalf was behind the writing of the National Motto program and Rep. Metcalf explained why this program was important to him. Carole then presented a poster to Senator Creighton and to Dr. Ruffin.
Brandie then turned the evening over to Julie Faubel, 1st Vice President of Programs, who introduced State Senator Brandon Creighton. Julie told of Senator Creighton’s childhood on a working ranch here in Montgomery County, his working in the Oklahoma and the Texas Attorneys General offices prior to entering politics. Today in the Texas Senate, Senator Creighton chairs the committee on Education, overseeing K-12 and Higher Education. Known for his trademark “Let Texas Run Texas, Senator Creighton gave a presentation on education and what is happening in the Texas Senate.
Closing Announcements:
President Brandie announced the next meeting will be My American Hero, a very special meeting and encouraged everyone to sign up early as it will sell out.
Brandie adjourned the meeting at 1:03 pm. | | Treasurer's Report - February 2024
by Kandice Cabets
Beginning Balance: $29,226.76
Expenses: $5,550.11
Deposits: $4,227.60
Ending Balance: $27,904.25 | | |  | | Membership
by Michelle Martin
JUMBO! LCARW is growing! We currently have 161 Primary members, making us currently a Jumbo size club with TFRW. But we have bigger plans. We want to be a SUPER JUMBO club. Which means our goal is to have 201 awesome, active, amazing members. Of the 161 Primary members, 28 of those are NEW members. This means we have many past members that merely need to renew their membership. Haven't seen your buddy at a meeting? Reach out and get them involved and join our fantastic club. When you join LCARW you are also a member of the Texas Federation of RW and the National Federation of RW. What a deal! Contact Michelle Martin 281-804-0147 members@lcarw.org.
We had a great time at Happy Hour and Bingo at the last Beyond Politics outing. Two of the seven who joined, did get a chance to yell BINGO! Reservations are now open for the next outing. We are headed to Martha's Bloomers in Navasota for a lunch & learn. Our speaker with the Tx AgriLife Extension Office Master Gardeners will discuss "Preparing Your Soil for Spring Planting". Cost is $20. We will meet at the Lone Star Community Center at 9:30 on Friday, April 5th. rsvp by March 28th. members@lcarw.org. See flyer for more details.
A HUGE Thank you to Congressman Morgan Luttrell who sponsored any of the Teenage Republicans at Lake Creek HS who wanted to join LCARW as a Young Affiliate Member. We now have 15 Young Affiliates. WELCOME!
| | |  |  | Last chance for directory ads! Deadline is March 21st. $25-$250 Advertising for all budgets. Click here for online or contact Michelle Martin for more details. mdmartin1970@yahoo.com | | Americanism
by Nancy Oughton
We are excited to present 36 students who wrote amazing winning essays about their American Hero. Their superintendents, principals, teachers and families will also be in attendance. The winners will receive gift bags from LCARW and commendations from our elected officials. In addition, first place winners will receive a flag that was flown over the Texas Capital from State Representative Will Metcalf. Please wear your red shirts and welcome our guests. We will have a delicious lunch catered by Klint’s Katfish Katering of smoked pork loin and chicken breast with the trimmings (sorry no catfish). | | |  | | National Motto Program February 2024 Update
by Carole Parsons
On February 11, LCARW Member, Dr. Carrie Butler presented an In God We Trust poster at the 17th Annual Reagan Day in Dallas, that was co-hosted by The Rockwall County Republican Women, to John Ratcliffe, Former Trump Director of National Intelligence, and wife Michele Ratcliffe.
On February 18th, Carole Parsons, LCARW National Motto Project. Presented an In God We Trust posters at our General Meeting to Texas Senator Brandon Creighton, and Dr. Mark. Ruffin, Montgomery Independent School District Superintendent.
On February 22, Carole Parsons, LCARW National Motto Project present at the San Jacinto River Authority Month Board Meeting to SJRA Board Member Stephanie Johnson, SJRA General Manager, Aubrey Spear, and SJRA Board Member Stacey Buick. Both Stephanie and Stacey are also LCARW Members.
LCARW has now donated over 560 In God We Trust posters to schools and elected officials in MOCO and counting!
We will be presenting posters to our Montgomery District Clerk, Melisa Miller on 3/13/2024- Any LCARW Members that want to attend-Contact Carole Parsons at Phil1013@Consolidated.net.
| | |  | | Campaign Activities
by Melinda Zuber
LCARW Members Please Report Your Campaign Activity Hours
The First quarter of 2024 to report campaign hours is the end of March!
Record the time spent to plan, prepare, and conduct club meetings, events, fundraisers to earn money for political activities of the club, or for candidate(s) and their events. This includes ANYTHING that is done to prepare and complete a fundraiser or club meeting and includes hours preparing food, decorating and cleaning up. If you attended political events or fundraisers that counts. Watching videos and television to keep up with political happenings counts, too! Also include time spent volunteering at HQ and hours served by you and your associate-member spouse. Political phone calls for voter registration and calls to elected officials as well as of a political nature or for club activities need to be reported. Working early voting and the March 5th election!
Go to LCARW.org and click on documents and then on the drop down for Report Volunteer Hours. Then you will be prompted to sign in and fill in the blanks. If you have trouble, please email Melinda Zuber at zubermelinda@gmail.com or call 713-254-2247.
| | | | The Chaplain's Corner
by Melinda Zuber
Texas State Prayer Call:
Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. CT
(351) 999-3722
Access Code: 3588502
TXpray@ifapray.org
State Motto: FRIENDSHIP
Sign up for weekly prayer alerts at Intercessors of America
| | | | Newsletter
by Lesley Haenny
If you have an upcoming event you would like to share with the LCARW community via this newsletter, please email me an image and verbiage to include no later than the first Thursday of each month. I will work with you on the design and layout of the event announcement prior to publishing.
Take care and have a great March!
| | | | Scholarships
by Shana Arthur
Volunteers Needed for the Scholarship Committee! Judging will take place on Monday, April 22nd at 5:30pm in the Pizza Shack dining room. Contact Shana Arthur at: shanaarthur@outlook.com to help out! | | | | Ways and Means
by Linda Mock
Be a supporter of the upcoming LCARW Root & Boots Fundraiser – Friday, May 10, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. – Lone Star Community Center, Montgomery, Texas. Be a financial sponsor, donate a live/silent auction item, donate baked or canned goods, donate a bottle or wine or whiskey! Most importantly, please attend~ Early bird special of $55 until April 1! It will be a night of food, music, and games all serving the Montgomery Republican Party.
| | | Please contact Sharyn Link at 936-276-1491 if you have any items to donate for our live or silent auctions. She will make arrangements with you to pick the items up. We will be putting smaller items together in baskets, we can use gift cards, gift certificates, etc. Anything you'd like to donate we'll gratefully accept. Please contact Sharyn by April 27th so we have time to put baskets together, etc. All members should donate at least one item. This is our once a year fundraiser, so please help support. Thank you! | Click on the link below for news from Governor Abbott's office. | | Governor Abbott Announces Launch Of Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, And Innovation Program
| | | Click on the front page (below) to read the Texas Federation of Republican Women and Montgomery County Republican Party newsletters. | LCARW has achieved JUMBO status, as we have over 150 Primary members as of Feb. 29th. Thank you to all of our new members and members who have renewed!! Our goal is 200+ by June 1st.
We have great speakers and programs planned this year, as well as some fun events outside of politics! Join or renew today!
This is guaranteed to be quite the year for politics! Be informed. When you join, you’ll start receiving our newsletter as well as information for TFTW and NFRW. Join online or download the form. Contact Michelle Martin for information members@lcarw.org. | LCARW welcomed Senator Brandon Creighton for a “State of Education in Texas” update. He and new MISD superintendent, Dr. Mark Ruffin, received an “In God We Trust” posters from Carol Parsons, Chair of our National Motto Committee. It was a great meeting. We welcomed three new members also. Not a member? You should be! | LCARW members showed up and voted in March! | LCARW is getting ready for their March Program-My American Hero Essay Awards Winners. This month, the Americanism committee presented the top winners to 6 Montgomery ISD Elementary Schools. Mark your calendars now for March 21st to attend this awesome program. | Carole Parsons, LCARW National Motto Project, presented an In God We Trust poster at Thursday’s Board Meeting of the San Jacinto River Authority. Pictured are Board Member Stephanie Johnson, General Manager Aubrey Spear, and Board Member Stacey Buick. Both Stephanie and Stacey are also members of LCARW! | Several members of LCARW volunteered to serve tea at Commissioner Robert Walker's Freedom Fest 2024 fundraiser. Way to support our elected officials! | Our “Beyond Politics” Social Group had a fun time with happy hour at Mezze #1, a detour since the Hyatt Regency was packed with a conference. Then we headed to Tejas Bingo where 2 of our 7 ladies did indeed BINGO! A fun time relaxing with our fellow conservative women. Look for another opportunity to join us in March. | | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President -
Brandie Lopez
1st VP Programs -
Julie Faubel
2nd VP Membership -
Michelle Martin
3rd VP Ways & Means -
Linda Mock
Treasurer -
Kandice Cabets
Recording Secretary -
Sharyn Link
Corresponding Secretary -
LeeAnn Seitsinger
Immediate Past President -
Stephanie Johnson |
| COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Americanism -
Nancy Oughton
National Motto Project -
Carole Parsons
Awards -
Michele Nissen
Bylaws -
JoAnn Linzer
Parliamentarian -
Stacey Buick
Campaign Activities -
Melinda Zuber
Caring for America -
Birgitta Grohs
Chaplain -
Melinda Zuber
Community Engagement -
Open
Greater Houston Council -
Julie Faubel
Hospitality -
Maria Silkwood
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| COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Legislative -
Megan Metcalf
Debbie Meza
Literacy -
Lisa Taedter
PR/Social Media & Directory -
Michelle Martin
PR/Media -
Marie Underdown
Merchandise -
Harriet Kerr
Newsletter -
Lesley Haenny
Scholarship -
Shana Arthur
Senior Americans -
Molly Adame
Special Events -
Rhonda Kadlubar
Website -
Stephanie Johnson
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THIS IS A LCARW MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT AND POLITICAL AD PAID FOR BY LAKE CONROE AREA REPUBLICAN WOMEN PAC, PO BOX 737, MONTGOMERY, TX 77356, A TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 527 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. CONTRIBUTIONS TO LCARW PAC ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. CORPORATE AND JUDICIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR COMMITTEE. | |