Minutes for Monday April 26, 2010

Secretary Kevin James Doré

FIRST EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING OF THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Executive Board Members:
Present: Jake Wolf, Will Frey, Kevin Doré, Brandon Neuman, Chris Oman, Eva Hansen, Kaitlyn Martin, Sinead Casey, Travis Holler (newly appointed)
Absent: None
Quorum present? Yes

Others Present:
CRNC Representative
Other Members: Ali Pardo, Michael Russo, Jared Johns, Hugo Scheckter, Daniel Dupuis

Proceedings:
• Meeting called to order at 9:05 p.m. by the Chairman, Jake Wolf
• No Calls for Executive Session
• Amendments or addition to the minutes? None yet

Chairman’s Report:
• Jake expects a lot from everyone, it will be a difficult year for planning
• “I think we can have a good year if we plan in advance”
• Jake will not scream at us or the members, he wants to be nice and approachable
• Met with Josh Altman, the College Democrats President. Talked about doing joint events.
• Looking into CR v. CD debates (wants more and better topics than this year)
• Planned tentatively for debate in September, October, and November
• Wants to do a joint CR/CD campaign trip? Possibly Pennsylvania?
• Would be a voter contacts competition between CDs and CRS… whoever can gain the most contacts wins
• September- most crucial month to Jake. Wants a lot to happen.
• January- speakers debate possibly? College Dems speaker vs. College Republicans speaker… will get a ton of publicity
• Final Thing DC Fed meeting- long and nothing happened. Looks forward to working with the DC Fed next year. The DC Fed elected a lot of great people to their board.

Vice Chairman’s Report:

• E Board Bonding Trip! Will wants it to happen this weekend! Scream!
• The event could be a Paddle Out, or maybe an event course on the Vern.
• Also could be squirrel trapping or archeological digs at George’s Washington’s Residence
• Should Will try to get study hall space booked specifically for CRs next year!!!!?- Consensus of yes.
• The Listserv has over 2,000 contacts. Will wants to input into facebook invite system!! Kevin is can definitely on that.

New Business:

• Dues are set at 20 dollars for next year. 20 with the T shirt, 20 without. The Vote was 4-yes, 3-no, and 1 abstention
• Introduced the topic of using a GWorld Card Machine for membership fees at the kickoff event
• Consensus approving to allow the CRNC to shoot a promotional video at the Pat Buchanan event tomorrow using GW CRs as extras in the video.
• Consensus allowing the CRNC National Chairman to speak at the event as well
• Still looking for VIP space for the event
• Travis Holler, rising senior, nominated by Jake Wolf to serve as the Executive Director of the GW College Republicans
• Travis Holler’s Nomination seconded by Will Frey
• Travis Holler confirmed as the new Executive Director. The Vote was 8- yes, 0-no, and no abstentions
• Travis Holler is sworn in as Executive Director
• Jake is seeking to form a new Committee to rewrite the CR constitution. Is looking for active members to participate in writing it.
• Official creation of this committee will happen soon
• Discussion of the T-shirt- progress made.
• Consensus sets the date of the official Executive Board Pictures- will be taken at 5:30 at the Lincoln Memorial on April 30, 2010

Treasurer’s Report:
• Worked out deal to get CRs discounts on boxes and storing for the summer.
• If get we get the most referrals to this company, the CRs will be given 250 dollars.

Secretary’s Report:
• Old Website- officially completely destroyed
• E Board pictures, date set
• E Board biographies and office hours will be due at the beginning of summer
• Scheduling Certain dates will be done soon
• Needs help with Bulletin Board
• Crucial Website updates in the membership section are necessary

Director of Political Affairs’ Report:
• Discussed campaign trips, narrowing it down to a 5 state focus
• Will try to campaign for Young Guns, and especially in states that have both senate and gubernatorial elections
• Speakers potential- Scott Brown, Mitt Romney, possible YAF co-sponsored event with Dick Cheney, and events with prominent Republican candidates in 2010
• Plans on doing congressional dinner series and issue orientated speakers
• Discussed possibility of lobbying

Director of Public Relations’ Report:
• Will cancel the Text messaging program for the summer
• Sent out press release for Pat Buchanan event
• Put in request with GW radio to have a radio show
• There will most likely be a bloodbath of GW Crossfire

Director of Membership Report:
• Plans events- Paddle out for Labor Day weekend
• Wants to plan an E Board meet and greet
• Friday, November 12- Walter Reed trip
• Floated the idea of having membership card for GW CRs
• Wants to have new decorations for events
• Decided to meet at 1:30 in front of Ivory for the Softball game
• Promised to begin planning the Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt, and other religiously orientated events that are months away during the coming week

Director of Publication’s Report:
• Will continue to work on T-shirt proposals
• Wants to make a News Letter for CI
• Wants to make the News Letter “Bridge the Gap between the membership and the executive board”.
• Absolutely loves photoshop and taking cab rides

Closing Remarks:

• Travis Holler wants to see Executive Board members at as many events as possible. This was a huge problem with last year.
• Jake is excited for a new beginning and a new year

Adjournment Time: 11:02 p.m.

Chairman: Jake Wolf
Vice Chairman: Will Frey
Secretary: Kevin Dore
Treasurer: Brandon Neuman
Political Affairs Director: Chris Oman
Membership Director: Eva Hansen
Publications Director: Kaitlyn Martin
Public Relations: Sinead Casey

A special thank you to all the members who came out to help make a difference in the future of our organization! Additionally, special thanks to Fair Elections Committee members Steve Hawkins, Paul Blair and John Lane, who volunteered their time to ensure a fair election.

As the country slides into Obama’s liberal dystopia, it is imperative for the CRs to be on the front lines fighting the Democrats’ nefarious agenda. As conservatives, we must offer innovative ideas for addressing the nation’s problems to attract new members to our Party. More importantly, we must never shy away from defending our beliefs, regardless of their controversial content. As Chairman, I will endeavor to expand the campaigning and lobbying efforts of the CRs, while also concentrating on escalating the breadth of speakers. If elected, I vow to be completely committed to championing the conservative cause across campus.

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Cynthia Meyer – Chairman
Now is a crucial period in America. Against the will of the people, Democrats here in Washington are out of control. They are forcing upon us the rapid expansion of the federal government, the takeover of 1/6th of our economy through a government overhaul of health care, and sky-high taxes and spending-all without consent of the governed. They are running the country to the ground and must be stopped.
The GW College Republicans, the best chapter in the country and an organization which I am proud to serve, undoubtedly plays a crucial role on campus and on the national scale in defending and promoting the conservative message. Now especially, we are in need of a strong leader who can fearlessly and assertively stand up for our values and see that we take back the country in November. This is why I am running for Chairman.
I have served on the Executive Board for two years now and have proven my ability to organize and lead effectively. Based on my experience, my drive, my ideals, and my vision for this organization, I know that I am the right candidate for the job and I would be honored for your support.

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Rob Noel – Vice Chairman
College Republicans has been my biggest priority this year and I hope to continue serving you all next year as Vice-Chairman. Throughout my tenure in CRs I began our text message alerts program, started and produced our GW-TV show, started and co-hosted our GWRadio show, and revamped and operated our YouTube channel. As Public Relations director I have garnered coverage of our organization from outlets such as FoxNews.com, Politico, and all campus news groups. I have gained experience in event coordinating by bringing Tom Price for our Congressional Dinner Series and organizing four successful debates with the CDs.
If chosen to serve as vice-chair I will continue doing outreach to the SA, administration, and CR alumni. Having met with President Knapp this year on behalf of our organization, I would use this contact to gain administrative support. I will meet with donors and help raise enough funds to bring in premier speakers. Additionally, my job with Governor Pawlenty’s PAC, which is dedicated to getting conservatives elected in 2010, can help provide the support necessary for national campaign trips. I will provide the assistance and legwork our chairperson needs in operating America’s largest CR chapter in this pivotal year for Republicans.

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Will Frey – Vice Chairman
During my time on the Executive Board, it has been a great privilege to work with the members of this organization. On campus and on the campaign trail, I’ve been continually inspired by your achievements and dedication to the values we share. For the past two years, I’ve fought alongside you on behalf of those principles and hope to continue doing so as your Vice Chairman.

I believe I am the right candidate for Vice Chairman because I have the ideas and vision to keep our organization moving forward. I also have the track record to match it.

Together with Chris Oman, Jake Wolf, Travis Holler and Eva Hansen, I supported transparency and reform measures that would uphold the organization’s integrity and make it more accountable to members. Moreover, my experience managing intra-club communications via the GWCR website, email listserv, Facebook and Twitter presences will be invaluable during the 2010 campaign season. Engaging like-minded student organizations and garnering widespread support for our activities will be at the heart of my agenda. I will continue advocating for more general body meetings so that ideas originate with the membership, not the Board.

I hope you’ll support these goals with your vote.

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Jason Katz – Political Affairs Director
It is our mission to travel across this great country to assist great candidates in succeeding in reclaiming Democrat controlled seats. If elected as your Political Affairs Director, I will use every political connection afforded to the College Republicans to speak, motivate and lead the CR’s to be able to campaign, phone bank and bolster the efforts of the new Republican Revolution.

From my experience with the Lincoln Club, I have connections to the California gubernatorial and Senate races. From my work here in DC with the McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican Jewish Coalition, I have amassed many connections to races all over the northeast that will need our help and grass roots efforts come November.
The second phase of my implementation strategy is to bring many great speakers such as Ann Coulter, David Horowitz, Karl Rove, Tom Delay, Senator Mike Enzi and many other great Americans to speak to our school. I would like to restore the successful speaker series, including great Americans such as these. In combination with a strategy for a successful nationwide grass roots campaign, followed by a successful speaker series, I believe that I am the correct choice for the position of Political Affairs Director.

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Chris Oman – Political Affairs Director
My name is Chris Oman and I’m running for Political Affairs Director of College Republicans. As a freshman representative on the executive board this year, I proposed numerous initiatives to make the organization more transparent, I brought the conservative message to the entire student body with my regular appearances on GWTV’s Colonial Crossfire and I continually focused on rallying our freshman members, making them by far our most vocal and active membership bloc. Still, I feel that much work needs to continue to be done.

Therefore, I’m asking for your support to help ensure that I am elected on April 12. I want to continue to make the College Republicans a more transparent organization to ensure accountability of the executive board members. In terms of initiatives specific to my position, I want to plan five campaign trips for CR members to work nationwide to help the GOP in the 2010 midterms. I also plan on increasing attendance by GW CRs at conservative events in DC and on campus. Finally, I want to make sure that our chapter is more organized by providing better notice of our events and better planning, leading to better turnouts at all of our programming.

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Sinead Casey – PR Director
My name is Sinead Casey, Political Communications major from New York, and I am running for Director of Public Relations because I believe this CR chapter has the ability to exceed both national and university expectations in reaching new levels of prominence, if taken in the right direction. There are republicans on this campus who feel excluded from this organization because despite holding the core values of the party, they do not tote the party line on every issue. I want to reach out to those students. I seek to be the direct line of communication between the executive body and the general members. My extensive writing skills evident in my numerous publications, my verbal communication skills developed through an internship on the hill, my political passion expressed on many campaign trails, my dealings with the press through my legal internship, and the connections I will formulate this summer through working with the College Republican National Committee uniquely qualify me for this position. The prominent members of our party come to this city, this campus for direction on where the party should go, I want to step up, speak out, and strengthen our party and especially, our chapter.

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Eva Hansen – Membership Director
I am running for Membership Director of the GW College Republicans not only because of my dedication to conservatism, but also because of my understanding of the importance of spreading the conservative message across campus. One of the most important ways to engage our peers and professors in a dialogue about our beliefs and values is by organizing effective events that not only excite students, but also inform about the Republican ideals of fiscal, moral, and personal responsibility.

Through my role as Freshman Representative of the GW College Republicans, I have obtained skills and knowledge that will translate into the role of Membership Director. This year I have planned such events as CR Movie Nights, Freshman Dinners, the Freshman Debate, and the Walter Reed Easter Trip. These events reflect that I have the organizational skills needed in order to be an effective Membership Director. As Membership Director, I will ensure our organization hosts events that not only effectively inform our peers about the positives of conservatism, but also challenge the liberal ideology preached by so many of our peers and colleagues.

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Dan Horning – Membership Director
Republican: it’s not just a label, it’s in many ways a part of our identity. My name is Dan Horning, and I am running for Membership Director of the GW College Republicans. As membership director, I plan to engage in active voter outreach, hoping to more than double our size to 750 members from our current 300. My plan is to not only actively vet the incoming freshmen class, but to expand interest and knowledge of the CR’s to groups that traditionally do not vote Republican, such as members of GW’s African American, Hispanic, Arab, and gay communities.
You have campaigned with me for Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie. You have marched down Pennsylvania Avenue with me in Tea Parties and you have stood with me, holding signs with fellow CR’s to support our troops on cold Friday nights. I stand with Americans such as my boss, Congressman Joe Wilson, who I intern for. Stand with me tonight and vote for me for membership director, to make the GW College Republicans the strongest organization on campus to fight GW’s out of control liberalism, to help take back Congress in November, and to promote the conservative, AMERICAN message on campus!

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Grant Carlson – Membership Director
The 2010 election cycle presents College Republicans with a unique opportunity to make and witness history. As Membership Director I intend to reach out to G.W. students and not only increase the number of members but also increase their participation. In addition to this I want to foster a greater sense of purpose and unity within the organization.

Together we can be a part of a more promising and thriving America and Conservative Republican Party that truly strives to emulate the “Shining City on a Hill” that Ronald Reagan called America.

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Michael Russo – Director of Publications
This coming year could decide the course of our nation’s and party’s future. Will we be able to regain Congress and then the Presidency or be forced to sit back and watch the Democrats push an increasingly more radical agenda on our nation? If we want the former to be true then we must win the hearts and minds of the American people, and that is something that we, the College Republicans, can play a part in here at GW. We are the front lines on winning the support of an entire generation of voters, many of whom, unfortunately, have never heard real conservative principles. The solution to this is spreading our message, a message of limited government, individual freedom, and the free market. As Publications Director I would make this my top priority. I would continue to put out our monthly newsletter, which I have written for this year, along with poster advertisements for our events and even looking into launching poster campaigns to try and spread our ideas out to the general student body. It is only through knowledge that we can gain support for the real conservative message out and win this fall and in 2012.

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Kaitlyn Martin – Director of Publications
Before I even stepped foot on The George Washington campus, I knew I wanted to be actively involved with the College Republicans. Eager freshman that I was, I jumped on any opportunity to participate, signing up for the very first campaign trip to New Jersey. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the disorganization, lack of communication, and total disconnect on the part of the CR leaders. What upset me the most, however, was the lack of group cohesion, the apparent gap between the Executive Board and general members. I found it hard to be substantially involved with the organization as just a “general member,” and I’ve heard many similar complaints from others.
As Director of Publications, I want to bridge this apparent gap, fix this disconnect, so that next year’s freshman and new members have a more productive experience. I want to eliminate the hierarchy between the Executive Board and general members by acting as a liaison between the two, keeping members informed through a more current, relevant monthly publication.

I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year. Thank you for your support!

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Brandon Neuman – Treasurer
Republicans face many great opportunities this year both locally and nationally-particularly with the midterm elections approaching in November. As Treasurer, I intend to capitalize on these opportunities by providing necessary funding for CR events, particularly ones that promote membership, while also advocating and financially supporting increased amounts of speaker engagements, general body events, and national campaign trips-such as the ones proposed by Chairman Candidate Jake Wolf.

Budgets will often either benefit or damage a worthwhile undertaking. Prior endeavors, such as managing chapter funds and chapter activities as a Chapter Chief, dealing with expenses as a Symposium Committee Member, and working under budgetary constraints for my Eagle Scout project, all proved to be successful undertakings. As Treasurer, I intend to make use of our available funds to promote Republican values in this vital year.

With your support, I will be honored to help the CRs continue the advocacy of Republican ideals and values both locally and across the nation during this important voting year. Please vote for Brandon Neuman for CR Treasurer on April 12!

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Sam Dewitt – Treasurer
As the College Republicans moves forward, it is more important than ever to have a fiscally conservative, business-minded treasurer to support our eboard. As treasurer, I plan to be more than just an accountant-I will be a businessman.
As an Economics major, I have a broad knowledge of the US economy that will be invaluable to spreading a conservative message on campus. This semester, I served as treasurer of Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, where I oversaw the fundraising of a record amount of money for the chapter. I have interned on the hill, and currently intern for a highly-ranked consulting firm. With the CRs, I campaigned for multiple republican candidates, and was one of the debaters for our energy debate this year.

I will use all of these experiences to ensure that the CRs are able to stay within our budget, and that our budget is the largest it has been in the history of our organization so we can spend it on speakers and events for the benefit of our members. Through doing so, we will be able to establish a message of fiscal responsibility on the campus and throughout the nation.

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Alex Northover – Secretary
My name is Alex Northover and I would be honored to serve as your CR Secretary for the upcoming school year. I have acted as Secretary and cofounder of The Real Meal Deal, a prominent LLC on campus, which has prepared me for this task. As former President of my local young republican chapter in Georgia, I have amassed the leadership skills necessary for this position. However, I am not asking for your vote based only on my credentials. This election marks a critical juncture in our party at GW. I have watched as we have become increasingly childish, unprofessional, and prone to fallacy through dogmatic fear mongering. Our party has deep roots of intellectualism that are the cornerstones of the American Tradition. If elected I will fight to preserve our academic credibility and increase membership by reaching out to the many conservative thinkers who are disenfranchised at GW. We cannot fight the B.S. of the democrats with B.S. of our own. I am not Joe-Six-Pack nor am I a plumber; I see our conservative ideology as empirically true based on reason. A vote for Alex Northover as Secretary is a vote to preserve our rich tradition at GW.

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Kevin Doré – Secretary
Ronald Reagan once said to a group of College Republicans, “We need you. We need your strength and your idealism to help us make right what is wrong.” The reason why I am running for College Republicans Secretary is because now, more than ever, College Republicans need to answer Reagan’s call. If you elect me as your Secretary, I will bring strength and idealism through experience and work ethic to the Executive board. As a current intern for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, I promise to bring the contacts I have made (including many Republican Senators’ Chiefs of Staff, senate candidates, and others) to our email database; increasing support, guest speaker potential, and campaign trip possibilities. I pledge full transparency through detailed publishing of the minutes and promise that no more controversial back door deals are made on Executive board without notifying the membership. I also pledge my idealism, using enthusiasm for conservative values to energize members during this crucial election cycle. Republicans CAN take Congress back this November and I will serve as a catalyst for the GW College Republicans to help us make it happen. I respectfully ask that you vote for me, Kevin Doré, on Monday.

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Again, the election is Monday, April 12 at 9pm
in 1957 E Street Room 213

Voters, please bring your GWorld or other identification for membership verification

Dependent on cosponsorships:
Paddle out to TR island

nationals game (~Apr. 25th)
wear t-shirts

CDs – soccer/softball game April 18th

Transition dinner – Limited space for invites

Alexandria YRs – Next Monday, Bill Kristol speech 7

Walter Reed Easter Events Saturday and Sunday

Young America’s Foundation protest / Meghan McCain speech: Will motions to listserv the events or promote in some way
Nobody seconds the two motions.

Jake: Pat Buchanan EAF
Travis: Academic space (try Funger) for election 12th 9pm
E Street

Will: Listserv items; Constant Contact Billing Switch
Will, Travis: Paddle-out / trip to TR Island

Travis: card writing and letter writing campaign, going to Walter reed
Freshman dinner @ Nando’s – $200 towards
Freshman debate on as scheduled – 13th continental ballroom 7:30

Eva: Sat April 3 4-6pm – Walter Reed easter gifts

Travis: Nationals game soon, paddle-out to

Rob: debaters for foreign policy deb8
talking points, obama bending over to world leaders

Alex: April 3rd NRA-U 12-2pm
Facebook Event –
Sporting events vs CDs – softball @ fountain fling

Cynthia: Final newsletter submissions due april 4th

For more information on the positions, please read the GWCR constitution.

Please stay tuned for full on election night procedures.

Email all candidate statements (200 words or less) or questions to FEC@gwrepublicans.org.

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