Idaho Republican women's groups earn recognition
(Courtesy photo) Idaho Federation of Republican Women represented at the 39th NFRW Biennial Convention pose for a photo. Pictured in the back row, from left, are Tracey Wasden, Canyon County Republican Women delegate; Rep. Thyra Stevenson, Nez Perce Republican Women delegate; Elaine Vogeler, Magic Valley Republican Women alternate; VCRW President Cec Tyler, Valley County Republican Women delegate; IFRW President Charlene Matheson, Idaho Federation of Republican Women; Kitty Kunz, Ada County Republican Women delegate; MVRW Billee Dinges, Idaho Federation of Republican Women delegate; CCRW Joan…
PHILADELPHIA — Idaho Federation of Republican Women Clubs across the state won national Awards for Achievement during the National Federation of Republican Women 39th Biennial Convention held Sept. 14-17 in Philadelphia.
Receiving Diamond Awards were Ada County Republican Women, Canyon County Republican Women, Magic Valley, North Idaho Federated Republican Women, and Valley County Republican Women. Receiving Gold Awards were Fremont County Republican Women, Kootenai County Republican Women Federated, and Nez Perce County Republican Women. The Blaine County Republican Women received the Silver Award and Bonneville County Republican Women, Jefferson County Republican Women and South East Idaho Republican Women each received a Bronze Award.
In addition to the above awards, Ada County Republican Women’s Club received an award for the best club membership recruitment program and the Idaho Federation of Republican Women State Chair Charlene Matheson received the Campaign Volunteer Award for the most campaign volunteer hours statewide.
Under the leadership of the current IFRW 2017-2018 Chair Charlene Matheson and IFRW 2015-2016 Past Chair Kitty Kunz, Idaho Federation of Republican Women organization received the Betty Heitman Award of Excellence which is the highest award for outstanding accomplishments from 2016-2017 in demonstrating Excellence, Achievement and Accomplishment in Community Relations, Programs, Campaign Activities and State Functions. More than 425 awards nationally were given out to clubs which demonstrated excellence over the past two years. Idaho definitely made its presence known at the National Federation of Republican Women’s Biennial Convention.
“I am humbled and privileged for the Idaho Federation of Republican Women Clubs to receive so many achievement awards at the national convention,” Matheson said. “It is a distinct honor to collaborate with so many remarkable Republican women leaders statewide and their work is not taken for granted. I truly appreciate their steadfast and diligent efforts in promoting Republican principles, without their dedication, Idaho would not have been one of seven states in the nation recognized for the Betty Heitman Award of Excellence. Our clubs are excited to continue seeing increased membership growth and look forward to electing even more Republicans in city, county and state offices throughout the great Gem State.”
The NFRW Achievement Awards program is designed to enhance teamwork among members of each club, said NFRW Achievement Awards Chair Gwen Ecklund of Iowa. Using the Achievement Awards worksheet as a guide for planning club activities produces a well-balanced club program. It establishes standards of performance for club functions, membership development, programs, campaign activities and community relations.
“An outstanding number of clubs from across the country responded with entries in our biennial achievement awards program,” Ecklund said. “It’s great to recognize these clubs for their achievements, but it’s even more exciting to see the results of their focused programming and outreach in their communities that increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. Reading the award applications confirms the impact NFRW members have in promoting the principles of freedom, equality and justice upon which our government is founded.”
Founded in 1938, the National Federation of Republican Women is the largest and most influential Republican women’s group in the nation, proudly representing the party that first made it possible for women to vote in the U.S. The NFRW works to increase the effectiveness and relevance of women in the cause of good government. Our mission remains to recruit and elect Republican candidates, promote the principles of the Republican Party, educate the public, and inform the media.