LINCOLN DAYS

The Missouri Federation of Republican Women held their annual Lincoln Day Luncheon February 27 in St. Charles.  It was very exciting that our luncheon was sold out.  We were honored to have Congressman Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee as our keynote speaker.  She was very inspiring.  Republican Women of St. Louis County received the Ambassador Rosemary Ginn Award and Greene County Republican Women received the Progress Award.

2010 Census is Important to Each of Us
Guest Commentary from Mavis Busiek

Some say it is a ploy to know where you live and get your information. Some say it is unconstitutional. Others say the questions are too personal. Not so – not so and not so.

When the first Census in this country, called The United States of America, was taken in 1790 the population of the United States was 3,929,214 there were 13 states and our President was George Washington. The U.S. census counts every resident and is required by the constitution to take place every ten years. -- Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States

The U. S. Federal Census is an exceptional tool for family historians. We have access to more than 150 years of detailed family information. Information given as part of every U. S. Census is held confidential for 72 years; the most recent census available for research is the 1930 Census. In April 2012, we will be able to inspect the Census of 1940.

In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. When you receive your form answer the ten questions for the first person in your household and the seven questions for each additional person living in your household. Remember to mail back the form in the postage –paid envelope provided.

It is most important that we fill out the census forms and encourage others to do so.

In 2000 the population of Missouri was 5,595,211 and the 2009 estimation is 5,987,580 or a 7.0 % increase. In order to know our population we must participate and fill out the census form. Census information affects the number of seats our state occupies in the U. S. House of Representatives and the number of Congressional seats effect the number of Electoral votes carried in the Presidential Elections. The 2010 census will affect our vote for ten (10) long years as well as how federal funding is spent each year on infrastructure and services like: schools, hospitals, senior centers, job training centers, emergency services, bridges and other public work projects.

Participation is not just important – IT IS MANDATORY

United Federated Republican Women

The MoFRW would like to welcome our newest club, United Federated Republican Women. They began organizing in 2009 and were chartered this month by the National Federation of Republican Women. They are in the 8th Congressional District. Nancy Franz is president of United Federated. We are excited to have them join us and look forward to working with the members of the club.

ONLINE CLUBS

Ladies - would you like to be part of Missouri Federated  Republican Women but just can't make a club meeting?  We could have a  solution for you.  Online Federated Clubs are being formed in other  states.  Let us know if you think this could be a possibility for you and  we will work together to provide the information needed to get started. 

2010 Convention Update

Ladies of the Great State of Missouri, the 2010 MoFRW State Convention is well under way in the planning stages. This will be “the” convention you won’t want to miss! The convention planning committee is putting together an ad booklet in an effort to keep convention expenses as low as possible. This is something that most clubs have used for Lincoln Days and similar events. Businesses, political candidates, state elected officials, and anyone else interested will have the opportunity to purchase ad space. This ad booklet will be printed and placed in each registration bag for Convention attendees. We encourage you to share this information with your club members and solicit ads from local businesses, political candidates, elected officials, and anyone else interested. There is also an opportunity for any individual to have their name listed as a “Supporter” on the “Booster Page” in the booklet for $10.00. We did not include this information on the sales form, because typically folks will choose the ‘cheapest’ option if they see one listed. We prefer that to be a last resort please. If you have any questions about the ad booklet call Rosa Robb at 573-875-2530 or email her at rosa@ehrobb.com.

Click here for more information and price information

Message from our Region 3 Director

I am excited to have been assigned the Regional Director for Region 3, NFRW. I look forward to attending a meeting in your state and getting to know your members.

2010 is a critical year for our country. NOW is the time to renew those members, as well as to get new members so that we have the "woman power" to elect Republicans at all levels of government. We know that the candidates look to Republican Women to get them elected.

I just completed my 2nd two year term as President of the KS Federation of Republican Women and look forward to my new position as Treasurer of NFRW and Region 3 Director.

If I can be of assistance, let me know.

Brenda R. Smith
NFRW Treasurer & Region 3 Director
brsmith53@cox.net

MoFRW Legislative Day, My Favorite Teacher, Breckenridge Scholar

March 16 will be a big day in Jefferson City for the MoFRW. We will hold our 22nd annual Legislative Day, recognize the winners of the My Favorite Teacher Essay contest and host nine young ladies who were selected as Breckenridge Scholars. You will find the schedule and registration form for the day's events at the link below. Please be prompt with your registration. We look forward to seeing many of you March 16.

Click here for the form.

Use Caution When Dealing With Census Workers

According to the official U.S. Census 2010 webpage, census forms will be mailed in March. Census workers will be going door-to-door from April to June to collect information from those families who did not return the forms.

The Kansas City Business Bureau issued guidelines on dealing with Census Workers on the phone or in person:

• Be cooperative, but cautious.
• If census workers knock on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their badges.
• Never allow anyone into your home.
• Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
• Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by e-mail, so be on the look out for e-mail scams.

The census includes 10 questions about the people who live in your home. There are no questions about financial information, occupation, or household incomes. If you are asked these questions, it is probably a scam!

For more information on the 2010 Census and questions on the form, please see the following websites:

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/

http://www.kansascity.bbb.org/NewsStory.asp?sid=090506Census

The Republican Women’s Club of St. Louis, sponsor of the My Favorite Teacher Essay Contest, held an Awards Ceremony to honor the winning teachers and recognize the achievement of the essay authors (students). Held January 22, 2010, 8:00am in the Boardroom of Eureka City Hall, friends and family were on hand to honor the teachers and students along with Rep. Tim Jones; Eureka Mayor Ken Coffey; Eureka Alderman Marilyn Leistner; Arleen Jackson, Past President of RWC of StL; and Sharon Barnes, President of RWC of StL. Rep. Jones presented each teacher with a House Resolution, a Missouri Blue Book, a copy of the Missouri Constitution and a state flag that had flown over the state capitol. Eureka Mayor Coffey and Aldermen Marilyn Leistner honored the teachers with a City Proclamation.

"My Favorite Teacher" Award began during the 2001 National Federation/No Child Left Behind State Summit Program. The purpose of the award is to acknowledge those outstanding teachers across America who have encouraged students to dream big. The "My Favorite Teacher" Award recognizes excellence in teaching and the impact that one good teacher can have on every individual. Each of us can name a teacher who has made a difference in our lives. As Republicans, we are often positioned as the enemy of teachers because of the politics of the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers. The "My Favorite Teacher" Award gives us the opportunity to share good news about the positive impact a teacher can make.

K-4 Category
1st place: Mrs. Jennifer Phelps, 3rd grade teacher, Blevins Elementary Eureka
Essay written by: Adams Bailey, Blevins student
2nd place: Mrs. Jennifer Phelps, 3rd grade teacher at Blevins Elementary Eureka
Essay written by: Erin Bozdech, Blevins student
3rd place: Mrs. Sharon Shaw, retired K from Alma Shrader Elementary, Cape Girardeau, MO
Essay written by: Nicole Walker, Blevins Student
4th place: Mrs. Jayme Chen, Stories Creek Elementary, Roxboro, NC
Essay written: Justin Collins, Blevins Student
5-8 Category
1st place: Mrs. Cynthia Dial, 2nd grade teacher, Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Essay written by Tommy Lombardo, Blevins Student
2nd place: Mrs. Hubbard, 5th grade teacher, Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Essay written by: Drew Harris, Blevins Student
3rd place: Mrs. Jennifer Phelps, 3rd grade teacher, Blevins Elementary, Eureka
Essay written by: Chelsey Overstreet, Blevins Student
4th place: Ms. Debbie Albert, 5th grade – Gifted/Talented Program, Rockwood
Essay written by: Jacob Detering.

For more information, please contact, Eileen Tyrrell, Chairman emtyrrell@yahoo.com or 636-549-3259/ 217-918-0967

MoFRW Farm Report
February 6, 2010
Reported by Kathy L.Chinn

In December 2009, the Missouri State Tax Commission approved a 29% increase in the productivity values of farmland grades 1 thru 4, consisting primarily of cropland. This increase equates to approximately 90 cents per acre. Grades 5 thru 7, consisting of pasture land, would decrease about 24% of value, or about 20 cents per acre. Total value of farmland would net at an increase of 11.5%.

The tax assessment increases would cause higher costs for farmers in a time of reduced values of products sold. Farmers, agriculture commodity organizations, and the Missouri Department of Agriculture objected to the tax increases. Republican legislators, Representative Brian Munzlinger and Senator Bill Stouffer, brought about a Resolution (HCR-7) to demonstrate disapproval for raising the tax rates. The 95th General Assembly passed HCR-7 by an overwhelming majority, during session the week of January 25. Final approval must take place within the next 30 days and submit to the Tax Commission.

The Missouri Tax Commission consists of three, Governor appointees. They are:

Bruce E. Davis, Rep.
Jennifer Tidwell, Dem.
Bill L. Ransdall, Dem.

More information can be found on the Missouri Government website: www.mo.gov.

“Thank a Farmer Week”
February 7 thru 13 – 2010.

U.S. farmers are the food producers for Americans and people around the world. The average American farmer feeds an average of 146 people. Missouri farmers produce nearly $5.6 billion worth of farm products a year on an average size farm of 287 acres. Missouri livestock production accounts for 53% of the state’s agricultural receipts and 47% is from a wide range of crops. Check out other information about Missouri agriculture from the Missouri Dept. of Agriculture website: www.mda.mo.gov.
Just can’t live without a Farmer i.e., food grower!

MoFRW Newsletter

This is the first edition of the MoFRW Newsletter.  Thanks to Linda Shomin for serving as editor. 

Click Here

The MoFRW Needs Your Support!

Dear Republican Friends,

On behalf of the Missouri Federation of Republican Woman, we would like to extend an invitation to become a Federation Friend, Century Club, or a Millennium Club member. 2010 will be a major crossroads for our country. We need to join together as a part of the National Federation of Republican Women’s Organization, with over 100,000 members, to reach out and teach Missouri citizens how to become informed voters.

By becoming a Federation Friend, Century Club Member, or Millennium Club Member you will enjoy many outstanding opportunities to be involved in Republican activities. In addition, you will be helping train and elect men and women who share our common beliefs.Our hope is that you will seriously consider becoming a part of our grassroots organization. Your generous support will allow the Missouri Federation of Republican Women to continue on its path of positive growth and to maintain a history of positive success in electing Republicans throughout the great state of Missouri.

We need YOUR HELP!!

Sincerely,

Barbara Cooper, Past President
MoFRW Century Club Chair
Kathy Drake,
MoFRW President