Greetings SRW Members,

The Seacoast Republican Women’s club year for 2009 is in full swing with plans either completed successfully, yet to be implemented, or in various stages of completion. Our organization has been busy and I would like to report some of our accomplishments and plans for the remainder of the year.

First of all, SRW has increased its membership over 2008. I would like to welcome our new members and thank all of you who renewed your membership for 2009. In order to accomplish some of the projects that SRW undertakes a growing membership is vital. New members bring new ideas and allow the organization to grow and maintain its recognition and impact on the Seacoast communities.

Over the past six months several projects have been completed. SRW has held its third Essay contest the title of which was “What relevance does Abraham Lincoln have in today’s society.” The prizes were awarded at SRW’s 10th annual Spring Luncheon. Congratulations to contest winners: First place -Benjamin Leavitt, Second Place - Katii Capern, Third - Kenyon Branan. I would also like to thank the Community Affairs Committee led by Corinne Armstrong for leading this effort and to the judges, Lois Kent, Mary Smyk and Susan Canada for their diligence.

The President’s Scholarship was awarded for the first time, at the SRW June Breakfast. The winner of the President’s Scholarship was James Rosa, a senior at Newmarket High School. Stella Scamman, SRW’s first president, awarded the Scholarship. Thank you to the Scholarship Committee, Suzanne Whiton, Carole Foster and the judges, Susan Canada and Sharon Sykas for their tireless work on this project.

On behalf of the Seacoast Republican Women I would like to congratulate Regina Birdsell, Kaitlyn Smith and Sharon Sykas SRW members who graduated in June from the Vesta Roy Excellence in Public Service Series. The Vesta Roy Series mission is to increase the number and influence of Republican women in elected or appointed positions at the local, state or federal levels. SRW has hosted the Head of the State Republican Party, Governor John H. Sununu, at a breakfast meeting in June, and the guest speaker for the Spring luncheon was mystery writer Joyce Tracksler. Speakers from the Consumer Protection Bureau were featured at the April meeting; their introduction was given by the Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and Bob Bestani, who addressed the state of our economy in March.

The next meeting for SRW will be the program on 12 August - A Day for Women – business - personal resources for women and an ice-cream social. Planning has started on the 10th Annual ChiliFest, which will be held on 12 September at Scamman Farm, 69 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham. To prepare for next year’s elections the fund raiser will be another gift card raffle. You will all have an opportunity to participate in this tradition on the Seacoast.

On 14 October SRW is planning a 10th Anniversary celebration of the organization. The reception will be held at the Best Western in Hampton, at the Galley Hatch Conference Center. There will be more information on these events via website and e-mail, however you are all invited. I wish all of you an enjoyable summer.

I hope to see you at our meetings and events. I appreciate all your hard work and support to keep SRW a republican force in the Seacoast area.