Bandera Republican Women president honored at meeting
Laura Briscoe pins the President’s pin on Bandera Republican Women President Dede Skoglund. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
The Bandera County Republican Women met last Thursday to discuss future programs, honor the club president and host a workshop on programs for the club for the coming year.
President Dede Skoglund called the meeting to order, and the group approved the Treasurer’s Report and the Minutes from the May 2022 meeting.
Membership chair Melanie Burns reported that the club had 36 members and that the goal was to increase the membership to 50 members. She said that this also included associate members.
Burns also brought the Texas Federation of Republican Women newsletter in which the Bandera Chapter got recognition for their active membership drive.
Vice President for Programs Laura Briscoe presented President Skoglund with an official presidential pin.
John Mata spoke to the group about a men’s breakfast every Friday in Bandera and encouraged the membership to spread the invitation to other men.
Republican Party Chair elect Conrad “Butch” Striegl spoke to the group.
Precinct Chairs Elisa Greene, Brandi Conover, Laura Briscoe, Dede Skoglund, and Rene Leith were introduced.
President Skoglund opened the floor for a discussion on the programs for the club meetings.
Suggestions were made to invite a speaker on emergency planning, having voter registration training, and school safety.
Several members also suggested the club ask Art Crawford to speak about the Silver Sage and Carey Reed to speak about emergency management.
Chief Deputy of Elections Gwenda Tschirhart spoke about conducting voter registration training and poll watcher training.
A question was raised about the school library book audit. Elisa Greene reported that preliminary findings showed 134 books were found that were “questionable.” She said she did not know when that information would be presented to the BISD School Board.
The club voted to create a committee with the chair being Joy Gibson to further explore this subject.
The coming campaign season was discussed.
Also included in the discussion was concern about the current location of the Republican Party headquarters.
The group voted to change the date of the Spaghetti Lunch in September to the 15th. Preparations would take place on the 14th.
The July 7 meeting will take place in the large room at the Silver Sage. A panel of BISD administrators will speak about actions the district has taken to protect students.
The August 4 meeting will feature Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.