GREETINGS AND WELCOME

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 - And what a year it will be!

The Texas Federation of Republican Women will start off with its first Board of Directors meeting of the year in conjunction with the fabulous and renowned TFRW Club Leadership Workshop.  Both meetings will be held in San Antonio at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade.  Additional details were in the December President’s Newsletter, are in this newsletter and will be in the official Call to the Board meeting.

The following are some quick tips and bits of information, especially for those brand new Board members, and a review for returning members:

What:  TFRW District Directors and Deputy Presidents meeting - generally on Thursday. This meeting is held sometime in the afternoon prior to the Executive Committee meeting.

What:  TFRW Executive Committee meeting - generally on Thursday evening.  For new Board members, the Executive Committee is made up of the elected officers, Standing Committee Chairmen and Deputy Presidents - however it is open to anyone who wants to sit in.

What:  TFRW Board of Directors meeting - generally on Friday.  This meeting is for all Executive Committee members, District Directors and Special Committee Chairmen.  Guests are welcome.

Each Board member will receive an official Call to the Board meetings.  It will arrive in a large manila envelope from the TFRW Headquarters.  It will contain the announcement of the meeting and details and minutes from the previous meeting.  It will also include a meeting Registration Form for each member to fill in and send in with a check to respond to attend.  It is VERY important to respond and send this in as soon as possible.  Guests may attend the meal functions and there are prices listed for their meal costs.  There will also be housing information for rooms at the Hotel.  The reservations for rooms are made on your own.  Most often there is a TFRW rate and this should be mentioned when you make your reservation.  The Call may include other information for events, etc… occurring during the meeting.  Bring your Call with you - it will have a basic agenda to help you follow the meetings.

Seating at the meetings has the elected officers at a table across the front.  Standing Committee Chairmen and District Directors are seated in the first rows (this is because they have votes and may easily cast their vote on matters needing votes).  Deputy Presidents & Special Committee Chairmen fill in the following rows - they do not have a vote but can enter into discussion prior to a vote. Guests will have seating designated for them.

ALWAYS put your cell phones and beepers on mute, vibrate or off during the meetings PLEASE.

Meetings start with the Call to Order by the President, Invocation and Pledges to the US and the Texas flags.

Voice Roll Call by the Secretary - answer only to your name, even if you know someone is around but not in the room.  If you come in after the roll call, report to the Secretary when you can, so that you can be counted as present.

Each Board member makes a report when called on - Executive Committee Members approximately 5 minutes; Special Committee chairmen approximately 3 minutes and Deputy Presidents, who combine news from their District Directors, and report for each Region.

Your first report may be short with just an intro and if you have any special requests or plans for your committee.

When you arrive - stop by the GREETINGS and WELCOME table to pickup a "Welcome" bag and we will direct you to the Registration table for further instructions.

Gail Suttle

Greetings and Welcome Chairman