C A R R O L L C O U N T Y
R E P U B L I C A N W O M E N
Established in 1943
LEADERSHIP
What is the Electoral College and is it Outdated?
The Electoral College drew a lot of attention in December 2017 when the Electors voted as their state’s directed for the next President of the United States. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but Donald Trump won the Electoral College and the Presidency.
To understand the college, it’s important to understand the difference between a democracy and Constitutional republic. In a democracy, representatives are chosen by direct popular vote. Our founding fathers saw the potential danger of this system. They were concerned about tyranny by the majority, when 51% represents a majority. What about the other 49%? How could the minority be assured a voice? Or are they simply going to be overrun by an ambitious majority? How could they preserve liberty and build an effective government that represented the voices of both the majority and the minority?
If we were to amend the Constitution to change the way a president is selected to popular vote, it would change the entire dynamic of the way we are governed. Popular vote would mean that just a few highly populated cities would choose a president, to the exclusion of everyone else. If the same party elected the President and both the Senate and House of Representatives, then they would most likely be tyrannical and would ignore the needs of the minority.
As a Constitutional republic, we elect people at the local level to be our representatives in the seats of government, be it Local, State or Federal government. By electing people locally, they are directly accountable to those who elect them. A duly elected representative joins other representatives and they work together to assure all voices are heard.
This is the premise of the Electoral College. Each State has representatives, called Electors. The Electors are chosen by the popular vote of that State. The number of legislators and senators in each State determines the number of Electors they have.
When you’re voting for president, you are actually voting for a slate of Electors that represent the candidate you’re voting for. If you combine the total of all State’s Electors, there are 270 and a candidate must receive the majority vote of the Electors to win the presidency.
Our founders put a lot of thought into this process. The process is straightforward and quite detailed and you can read about it in Article II Section 1 of the US Constitution. The Electoral College is a safeguard against tyranny by a majority and assures that all voices are heard.
By Suzanne Cook Catki
What is the proper method of disposal for the American flag?
A U.S. flag should be retired when it is ripped, faded, frayed or otherwise unserviceable as an emblem of the country. Though U.S. Code does not provide specific details on methods of destroying unserviceable flags, the American Legion developed its own ceremony to destroy flags respectfully through burning.
The VFW will accept and properly dispose of your retired American flag. We should always treat this symbol of our American Freedom with proper respect!
W h y R e p u b l i c a n ?
-We believe America's strength lies with individuals, not with government.
-We believe in a strong national defense, preserving our national strength while working to extend peace and freedom throughout the world.
-We believe that government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.
-We believe that free enterprise and individual initiative bring opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
-We believe in equal rights and equal opportunity.
-We believe that the Republican Party will help us translate these ideas into successful principles of good government.
C C R W S c h o l a r s h i p W i n n e r s
2023-----Tori Mosher - Mt. Carroll
2022-----Ty Bickelhaupt - Mt. Carroll
2021-----Sophia Guenzler - Savanna
2020-----Nicole Adolph - Mt. Carroll
2019-----Kortney Queckenborne - Milledgeville
2018-----Leah Kuper - Lanark
"Taps"
Day is done,
gone the sun,
from the lakes
from the hills
from the sky,
all is well,
safely, rest,
God is near.
Fading light,
Dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing, near,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun
Neath the stars
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This, we, know,
God is near.
"Taps" is a bugle call played at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and at military funerals by the United States Armed Forces.
The official military version is played by a single bugle or trumpet, although other versions of the tune may be played in other contexts.
M i l i t a r y S e r v i c e S a l u t e
Lyrics for each of the military service songs:
U.S. Air Force
Off we go, into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun.
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, give 'er the gun.
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one hell-uv-a roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame,
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force.
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky.
To a friend we send a message,
Of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old;
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast,
The U.S. Air Force.
Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue.
Hands of men blasted the world asunder,
How they lived, God only knew!
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wing, ever to soar.
With scouts before and bombers galore,
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force.
U.S. Army
First to fight for the right,
And to build the nation's might.
And the Army goes rolling along.
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting until the battle's won.
And the Army goes rolling along.
Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army is on its way,
Count off the cadence loud and strong
For where'er we go,
You will always know,
That the Army goes rolling along.
Valley Forge, Custer's ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks,
And the Army went rolling along.
Minute Men from the start,
Always fighting from the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
U.S. Coast Guard
From Aztec shore to Arctic zone,
To Europe and Far East.
The flag is carried by our ships,
In times of war and peace.
And never have we struck it yet,
In spite of foe-men's might,
Who cheered our crews and cheered again,
For showing how to fight.
We're always ready for the call,
We place our t rust in Thee.
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
High shall our purpose be.
"Semper Paratus" is our guide,
Our fame and glory too.
To fight to save or fight to die,
Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you!
SURVEYOR and NARCISSUS,
The EAGLE and DISPATCH,
The HUDSON and the TAMPA
The Names are hard to match;
From Barrow's shores to Paraguay,
Great Lakes or ocean's wave,
The Coast Guard fought through storms and winds
To punish or to save.
U.S. Marine Corps
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We will fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean.
We are proud to claim the title of,
United States Marines.
Our flag's unfurled to ev'ry breeze
From dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In snow of far off Northern lands,
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job.
The United States Marines.
Here's to health to you and to our corps
Which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever looked on Heaven's scene,
They would find the streets are guarded by
The United States Marines.
U.S. Navy
Original Lyrics
Stand Navy down the field, sails set to the sky.
We'll never change our course, so Army you steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll up the score, Navy, Anchors Aweigh.
Sail Navy down the field and sink the Army,
sink the Army Grey.
Get underway, Navy, decks cleared for the fray,
We'll hoist true Navy Blue so Army down your Grey-y-y-y.
Full speed ahead, Navy; Army heave to,
Furl Black and Grey and Gold and hoist the Navy,
hoist the Navy Blue
Blue of the Seven Seas; Gold of God's great sun
Let these our colors be Till all of time be done-n-n-ne,
By Severn shore we learn Navy's stern call:
Faith, courage, service true With honor over, honor over all.
Revised Lyrics (by George D. Lottman)
Stand, Navy, out to sea, fight our battle cry;
We'll never change our course, So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y
Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!
Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more. Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.
History of the Service Songs
Each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces maintains its own military marching band to inspire troops and preserve tradition. Though they now serve ceremonial functions, these bands were once an integral element on the battlefield. To increase the morale and courage of the men, bands would march in front of formations as they entered battle. Yet, as the number of musicians dwindled, commanders delegated marching bands to the rear of the formation, behind the combat-ready troops. Today, bands are no longer involved in armed conflict, but continue to inspire troops through song or hymn that represent the individual histories and traditions of America's Armed Forces.
The Basic Elements of American Government
Excerpt* from American Popular Sovereignty @2019 by Randall E. White.
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“In America, the people govern, the people rule, and the people are sovereign. I was elected not to take power, but to give power to the American people, where it belongs.” —President Donald J. Trump [1]
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The essential elements of American law and government that are never taught in conventional civics courses, include:
1-The traditional motto of the United States is E Pluribus Unum, a Latin phrase meaning “out of many, one”. We are more than just a nation of many individual people. Together, we form one united entity, which our government was formed to serve: the People.
2-The core of American government is popular sovereignty, which means that all political powers exercised by the state through publicly elected and appointed representatives originate from the citizens, who are the sovereign or supreme power and authority.
3-We the People, meaning the citizens collectively, as a sovereign body politic, possess absolute sovereignty. Our governmental institutions, entities and public representatives, possess limited sovereignty conditioned upon official conduct conforming to publicly delegated authority, defined purpose, and mandated standards for official conduct.
4-American citizens, in our capacity as a sovereign body politic, possess plenary public powers, which we have historically exercised through our participatory and representative governmental institutions, together with their parallel governmental processes and procedures. Plenary means full and complete.
5-During the 1600s through the 1800s, America’s traditional participatory governmental institutions in the form of public militias, grand and petit juries, protected our civil rights and the integrity of our representative governmental institutions (the legislative, executive and judicial branches of representative government) by holding public representatives accountable to their oath of office and to the citizens’ public will, as depicted in Diagram A — American Government in 1791.
The concepts and political traditions which comprise American popular sovereignty evolved out of the desires and aspirations of ordinary working-class people from Europe and other places around the world to be free from oppression and to be self-governing. Most of our ancestors who immigrated to America originally came here because they were fleeing religious persecution, economic oppression or slavery in its various forms, while at the same time seeking freedom and a genuine opportunity to create new and better way of life for themselves and their families, for generations to come. This pursuit has become widely known and commonly referred to as “the American Dream.”
America is a “melting pot” of peoples from around the world, made up of all races and ethnic backgrounds. Americans characteristically tend not to judge or look down upon oppressed peoples in other parts of the world because many of our own ancestors were either destitute or taken as prisoners or slaves at an earlier time in history.
Americans as a whole are a generous people who sincerely desire to share their good will and cultural traditions supporting freedom and opportunity with people in other countries, through economic trade and cultural exchanges conducted in a manner which benefits everyone involved, without causing any harm.
[1] President Donald Trump’s statement to the United Nations General Assembly on September 19, 2017.
*Re-posting permission given by the author.
Committees
AMERICANISM
The CCRW Americanism program seeks to promote respect for the American Flag and foster allegiance to the United States and its customs and institutions.
Carroll County Republican Women help carry out this mission in our local communities through educational and inspirational programs and projects. Examples include:
Teaching the rules of Flag etiquette
Donating patriotic books to libraries and schools
Sponsoring patriotic essay contests for schools
Presenting flags to schools and community groups
ARMED SERVICES
CCRW takes pride in supporting the United States of America's Military (Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves, Veterans, and their families). We will seek to identify veterans in our communities (service, dates of service, and military specialty) so as to honor them and their service to our country.
Our club will have a minimum of one Military or Veteran service project each year.
AWARDS
Club Achievement Awards are presented to clubs that demonstrate excellence in membership development, campaign activities, community relations, programs and club functions. CCRW was awarded the NFRW Diamond Club Achievement Award in 2021and 2023; and the Gold Club Club Achievement Award in 2019.
BYLAWS
Our Bylaws Committee reviews the bylaws on an annual basis to ensure our bylaws are aligned with IFRW or NFRW Bylaws; and submits amendments, updates or additions as the need arises.
CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
The main focus of the Campaign Activities Chairman (CAC) is to coordinate the activities of the club to help elect Republicans. Activities can include: 1) encourage and keep track of campaign volunteer hours; 2) educate members on the importance of attending the County Convention and IL GOP Convention; 3) encourage members to be precinct committeemen; 4) submit the club's campaign hours to NFRW for the Volunteer Campaign Award.
The Carroll County Republican Women's mission is to mobilize Republican women in support of local, state and federal campaigns. We are proud to be the Republican Party’s “boots on the ground,” contributing many campaign volunteer hours of door-knocking, phone calls, and other campaign activities to elect Republicans.
CARING FOR AMERICA
Carroll County Republican Women show 'we care about our communities' by financially supporting local food pantries in Carroll County as well as initiating other projects that support our law enforcement, fire officials & other first responders. Donations are accepted at each regular CCRW meeting.
PUBLIC RELATIONS / COMMUNICATIONS
The Publicity Chair works with local radio and news media outlets to communicate with the public regarding upcoming meetings, events and candidates we support and is responsible for the compilation, editing and printing of IFRW publications; to have good publicity and public relations; to promote good public relations for the CCRW, not only through the usual media such as newspapers, radio and television, but also through email/social media/website.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - CCRW President
One of the CCRW’s primary objectives is to empower women in the political process by providing a forum for women to serve as leaders in the political, government and civic arenas.
To achieve this objective, the CCRW promotes a Leadership Development program which offers resources, materials, workshops and other training and mentoring opportunities to club leaders, as well as to all members.
LEGISLATION
Our legislative priorities include:
LITERACY
Via MELP [Maimie Eisenhower Literacy Project], Carroll County Republican Women donate books to local libraries in Carroll County.
The purpose of the Mamie Eisenhower Library Project, established in 1961 to honor the former First Lady, is to foster Republican philosophy and ideas through the donation of subject related books and videos to libraries and/or schools.
MEMBERSHIP
CCRW is made up of registered Republican women across Carroll County and the surrounding area. As a member of CCRW, you will be part of an active, constructive organization focused on:
-Sustaining and growing the Republican Party
-Working for the election of Republican candidates
-Encouraging, educating, and promoting Republican women to run for elected office
-Having a real and direct impact on our local communities through service and leadership
CCRW is committed to providing the education and information you need to deal with the issues of the day, and the tools to be more effective in the challenges ahead.
AWARDS COMMITTEE: CCRW SCHOLARSHIP & BERNELLE WEILER
CCRW is proud to provide scholarship opportunities to graduating high school students in Carroll County. Through these monetary gifts, we hope to enrich lives and encourage young women or men to become future Republican Leaders. Scholarships questions:
"How do you plan to demonstrate future Republican commitment?"
GET EDUCATED! Key Legislative Terms
To help you become a better legislative advocate, here are key terms to understand.
BILL:
A type of legislative measure that requires passage by both chambers of the legislature and action by the governor. A bill is the primary means used to create and change the laws of the state. The Legislative Information System also uses the term "bill" generically to refer to the various types of legislative measures that may be introduced during a legislative session. Bill types include: senate and house bills, senate and house joint resolutions, senate and house concurrent resolutions, and senate and house resolutions.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT:
A change to the state constitution. A constitutional amendment may be proposed by the legislature in the form of a joint resolution that must be adopted by both houses of the legislature by a two-thirds vote and be approved by a majority of the voters to become effective.
SESSION:
The period during which the legislature meets. There are two types of sessions. The regular session convenes every two years and may last no more than 140 days. A called session, commonly referred to as a special session, is so designated because it must be called by the governor. A called or special session may last no more than 30 days.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE:
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives elected from and by the membership of the house at the beginning of each regular session.
Educating, Engaging, and Empowering Women Since 1943.
2023 CCRW Leadership
Executive Committee
(Voting Board members)
President - Patty Hiher
Vice President - Karen Funk
Secretary - Lydia Hutchcraft
Treasurer - Amy Buss
Immediate Past-President - Lana Soldat
Standing Committee Chairs
Standing Committees
(Voting Board Members)
Bylaws - Rebecca Strojohann
Campaign Activities - Diane Bradbury
Fundraising - Robin McConnel
Legislative - Michelle Buckwalter-Schurman
Membership - Lana Soldat / Elaine Rooker, P.E.
Programs - Karen Funk
Public Relations / Communications
- Deb Peterson (news media)
- Gail Noonan (website)
- Amy Buss (newsletter)
- Karen Funk (email)
Special Committees
Americanism - ______________
Armed Services - Amy Buss
Awards - _____________
Caring for America - ______________
Club Achievement Awards - Karen Funk
Historian - Elaine Rooker, P.S.
Hospitality - Programs Committee
Savanna-Elaine Rooker, P.E.
Thomson - Lana Soldat/Robin McConnel
Milledgeville-Karen Funk
Lanark/Shannon - Patty Kloepping
Mt. Carroll - Amy Buss/Susan Jacobs
Literacy/MELP - Karen Ruter
Scholarship - Bridget O'Neill
Sunshine - April Eberle
Appointed Positions
Chaplain - Lydia Hutchcraft
Historian - Elaine Rooker, P.E.
Parliamentarian - Susan Jacobs
2023-2024
PRESIDENT
Patty Hiher
2023-2024
VICE PRESIDENT
Karen Funk
2024-2025
TREASURER
Deb Peterson
2024-2025
SECRETARY
Amy Buss
STANDING COMMITTEE DUTIES
BYLAWS COMITTEE:
To conduct a biennial review of the CCRW bylaws; to receive, consider and draft recommendations in regard to possible changes in Bylaws and Standing Rules.
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE:
To assist membership by training and educating members on Republican principles and how to become involved in the electoral processes; to inform the membership of how to access informational materials for use in promoting Republican ideals and candidates; to devise methods in which activities on the local club level can be coordinated with those of other groups responsible for the campaign.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE:
To prepare and implement a plan for raising funds in order to meet the CCRW's budget; and shall notify the treasurer of all fundraising committee meetings.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE:
To be informed on state and national issues and on legislation pending in the Illinois General Assembly and U.S. Congress; and to assemble and distribute information on state and national issues and legislation and make it available to club membership.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:
To assist in efforts to increase membership; to stimulate and aid in the planning of membership recruitment events.
PROGRAMS COMMITTEE:
To assist in planning good programs by assembling pertinent materials and making it available; to assist the President in planning programs for the Board of Directors meetings; to maintain an active list of those qualified and willing to take speaking engagements at club meetings.
PUBLIC RELATIONS/COMMUNICATIONS:
To be responsible for the compilation, editing and printing of CCRW publications; to be responsible for all publicity and press releases for CCRW; to assist the club to have good publicity and public relations; to promote good public relations for the CCRW, not only through the usual media such as newspapers, radio and television, but also through every larger aspect, including social media, email, newsletters, and the website; to stimulate other members of the CCRW Board of Directors and CCRW members to understand and use the larger aspects of public relations.
"In America, the people govern, the people rule, and the people are sovereign. I was elected not to take power, but to give power to the American people, where it belongs.” —President Donald J. Trump
