November Lunch Menu & RSVP Our November meeting is on Monday, November 7 at Dave & Buster's, 9333 Research

Blvd; check-in is 11:15, meeting at 11:45. Speaker: Rep. Warren Chisum, candidate for Texas Railroad Commission

Inside This Issue

Dates to Remember Rep. Warren Chisum at November 7 Meeting Donate to SafePlace in Nov/Dec 2012 Officer Nominations Want to be a Committee Chair in 2012? Letter from the President Early Voting and Election Day 2012 Membership Drive NWARW Officers 2011-2012 Menu: Sweet Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Cost: $16 RSVP: Contact Cherri Spradling at cherri.spradling@austintitle.com by Thursday, November 3 Bring: A friend! And, please bring Donations for SafePlace (see Page 3 for suggestions)

Dates to Remember in November

Nov. 4 - Early Voting Ends Nov. 7 - NWARW Regular Meeting

Coming in December

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

In order to complete our Dictionary Project for this year, we need approximately $75-$100 more. This is because of class size growth at our chosen schools (Hill Elem., Pillow Elem., and NYOS Charter School). Please consider making a special donation at our November meeting to make sure those 3rd graders get this special educational tool!

Nov. 8 - Election Day Nov. 11 - NWARW Executive Cmte. Meeting at Joyce Melugins home Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Nov. 12 - Candidate Filing Begins for 2012 Election Nov. 15 - Travis County Republican Party Executive Committee Meeting Nov. 18-20 - TFRW State Convention Nov. 24 - Thanksgiving

Rep. Warren Chisum, Candidate for Texas Railroad Commission, to address NWARW in November
Continuing our series of visits from candidates for the Texas Railroad Commission, State Representative Warren Chisum will address the NW Austin Republican Women in November. Warren Chisum was first elected to represent House District 88 in the Texas Legislature in November 1988. He is presently serving his 12th term with the support and encouragement of his wife of over 50 years, Omega Chisum. House District 88 covers nineteen counties located in the Texas Panhandle. During his legislative tenure, Representative Chisum has served as Chairman of the House Committees on Appropriations and Environmental Regulation. He has also served as vice chair or chair of budget and oversight for the House Committees on County Affairs, the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief, and Licensing & Administrative Procedures. He has served on committees ranging from Energy Resources to the Select Committee on Federal Legislation. Representative Chisum is a founding member and President of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, a non-profit entity that acts as a resource on legislative policy for the Legislature and the public. Additionally, he served three years as president of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC), and now serves on the Board of Directors. TCC is a bipartisan organization of over 95 state legislators who work together to uphold the principles of limited government, free enterprise, individual liberties and traditional family values. Outside of the state, Representative Chisum is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a national research organization whose bipartisan membership is comprised of state legislators. In addition to ALEC, Representative Chisum is a member of NCSL, the National Conference of State Legislators, where he is a past Chairman of the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Representative Chisum is an active member in Energy Council, an organization of legislators from energy-producing states and countries, who address energy and environmental policy issues. He has most recently served on Energy Council's Executive Committee, and continues to serve as Chairman of the sister organization, Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research. Representative Chisum has been honored with many prestigious awards during his legislative tenure. In 2003, he received the Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business. In 2008, he was named Champion of Border Security by the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition; and in 2009, the Texans For Fiscal Responsibility named him Texas Taxpayers Champion. Representative Chisum was born in 1938, in Miami, Texas, and graduated from Lefors High School in 1957. He and Omega have two married children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Representative Chisum is a member of First Baptist Church of Pampa, the Gray County Christian Coalition, and the Pampa Masonic Lodge. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Scottish Rite Dormitory at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a past president of the Pampa Chamber of Commerce. He is currently owner of Omega Energy and Wolf Creek Exploration Company which are oil and gas production and exploration companies. Representative Chisum also operates the Chisum Ranch in Roberts County.

Caring for America: Donate to SafePlace at November and December Meetings

Every year, NW Austin Republican Women collects new and gently used toys for SafePlace, a center in Austin dedicated to helping victims of sexual and domestic violence. We will be taking collections at our November 7 and December 5 meetings. SafePlace has a wishlist of specific needed items, which weve copied below as a guide. Also, SafePlace has notified us that they are in critical need of baby and hygiene items. Please take these things into consideration when making your selections for donations. WISH LIST: SafePlace is critically low on or completely out of: baby items like baby wipes, diapers sizes 4-6, etc., and hygiene products like deodorant, body wash, soap, shampoo and conditioner, African American hair products and hair brushes. Other needs: Baby hygiene products: powder, oil, wash, wipes, etc. Infant and toddler clothing New infant and toddler car seats (we cannot accept used) Push-and-pull toys for toddlers Strollers (any type) School supplies: notebooks, safety scissors, glue, rulers, paper, pens, pencils, erasers, dictionaries, computer disks, folders, loose-leaf paper and spiral notebooks Stickers Project paper: contact, butcher, art, construction, writing and tissue Art supplies (for our school and after school activities) Smocks Potting soil and sand Entertainment passes for bowling, movies, skating, museums and amusement parks Nonviolent books and toys (*No Toy Guns/Knives/Swords*) Gift cards for toy and book stores Picture Books Playing cards and board games Sports equipment for all ages: balls, scooters, skateboards, baseballs, gloves, roller skates, basketballs, footballs and appropriate safety equipment

Nominations for 2012 NWARW Officer Positions

At our November meeting, we will vote on our club officers for 2012, and these officers will be sworn in at our December meeting. This process is laid out in our Club Bylaws. At our October meeting, the Nominations Committee gave a report on the nominated slate of 2012 Officers for our club. The committee has reported that there is one change in the report. Arlene Wurzburg is regretfully unable to serve as 1st Vice President for Membership in 2012. In her stead, the committee nominates Jennifer Stratton for the position. The nominated 2012 Officer Slate is: President - Michele Samuelson Vice President - Cassie Daniel 1st Vice President (Membership) - Jennifer Stratton 2nd Vice President (Programs) - Joyce Melugin Recording Secretary - Rhonda Murphy Corresponding Secretary - Cherri Spradling Treasurer/PAC Treasurer - Susan Friedrich The committee thanks all the nominees for agreeing to guide the club in 2012.

WANTED: Enthusiastic Volunteers for Committee Chair Positions!

In addition to our club officers, a number of committee chairs serve the club to help us complete all our tasks and keep the Republican spirit alive in Northwest Austin! Some of those positions have already been filled, but we still need more help. This is an excellent way to get started if youre new to the club, or if youve been here for awhile it can be a great way to get reenergized and help out the club! The positions are listed below (with names if they have been filled). Please contact Michele Samuelson (michele.samuelson@gmail.com) if you would be interested in serving in one of these critical positions, or if youd like to know more. Awards By-Laws Campaign Activities Caring for America Chaplain - Chris Sale Fundraising - Cassie Daniel Historian Legislative Membership - Jennifer Stratton Newsletter - Cherri Spradling Parliamentarian Outreach Hospitality Telephone - Carol Gontko

Letter from the President

It seems like not a day goes by that President Obama and his administration (the regime as Rush Limbaugh calls them) come up with another hare-brained scheme to lead our country further down the wrong path. Democrats are endorsing the do-nothing protesters calling themselves the Occupy Movement. The president and his cronies are undermining American values, our economic freedom, and our safety at every turn. I dont know about you, but I feel that January 2013 cant get here fast enough! During October, I took some time to visit the our sister Republican Women in the other Travis County clubs. That included Austin Republican Women, Hill Country Republican Women, and Travis Republican Women. Ladies, we have some awesome counterparts throughout this blue dot county, and Im happy to report that they are all active and fired up for 2012, just like we are. The best way for all of us to work together will be to gather as many new members for each of our clubs as possible! We all have unique club qualities to serve our areas, and by recruiting and involving new Republican Women all over the county, well build a formidable force for the coming election year. Even the Democrat establishment in Travis County has to worry when they see us gather! This is why Im writing today to challenge you. In the last couple of months, our ranks have swelled with the addition of formidable Republican women with a history of activism and dedication to the party and conservative cause. I want to see us grow - no, I want to see our membership numbers explode. I need your help to make it happen. I challenge each of you to recruit one new active member by the end of the year. She might be a neighbor of yours. She could be in your neighborhood association. Maybe shes at your church, or maybe you meet her when you go vote. Maybe shes someone whos already an active Republican, but she hasnt joined a Republican Womens club. Maybe shes your daughter, your sister, your niece, your mother, your granddaughter. Maybe shes you, if youve read these newsletters a couple of times, but havent yet joined our club. If you think you can help with membership recruitment long-term, come see me after our meeting ends. Id love to talk to you and get you plugged in on our Membership Committee or Outreach Committee. I hope to see you, and your friend(s), at our November 7 meeting. You wont want to miss this!

Michele Samuelson

November 2011 Election Early Voting began on October 24 and continues through Friday, November 4. The most convenient Travis County location for early voting for most of our members is the Randalls on Braker Ln., and it is open until 7pm for voting each day this week. If you miss Early Voting, you can still vote on Election Day, at your regular precinct location. Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm on November 8. Whats on the Ballot: Everyone: 2011 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions (10) Travis County Only: Travis County Bond Proposals (2) Round Rock Only: City of Round Rock Charter Amendments (10) Pflugerville Only: City of Pflugerville Charter Amendments (11) See this weeks email for links to resources for these ballot propositions, or go to http://blue-dot-blues.blogspot.com/ for complete ballot information and resources.

Interested in joining the Northwest Austin Republican Women? Women AND men are welcome!
Dues are: $24 for Active Membership $12 for Associate Membership $36 for Supporting Membership Your dues may be paid at the check-in table at one of our meetings, or by sending a check payable to NWARW PAC C/O Cherri Spradling, 12501 Phoebe Court, Austin TX 78727-5126.

NWARW Officers 2011 Michele Samuelson, President Carolyn Isbell, Vice President Susan Friedrich, 1st VP/Membership Melinda Field, 2nd VP/Programs Pat Dollar, Recording Secretary Tina Wheelock, Corresponding Secretary Cherri Spradling, Treasurer/PAC Treasurer NWARW Committee Chairmen 2011 Chris Sale, Chaplain Gloria Heyl & Virginia Heyl, Awards Murlene Johnston, By-Laws Joyce Melugin, Campaign Activities Kathie Holliman, Fundraising Billie Jean Zinter, Legislative Carolyn Isbell & Elaine Lehmann, Hospitality Carol Gontko, Telephone