Category: Monthly Meetings

ERC Announces New Officers and Board Members, February Meeting Date Change

Doug Basler
Doug Basler

At our Annual Business Meeting on January 10, Eastside Republican Club thanked Doug Basler for his excellent service as President for the past three years, guiding the Club during the very trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Doug will continue to serve as a board member and immediate past president!

Derek Chartrand
Derek Chartrand

Our new Club president for 2023 is Derek Chartrand; he had previously served as ERC Vice President. Ruphina Nord was elected as our new Vice President, and Kathleen Strong and Michael Scheele were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

Five board members whose terms were ending in 2023 were re-elected to another two-year term on the board: Doug Basler, Derek Chartrand, Kerry French, Michael Scheele, and Kathleen Strong. Ruphina Nord was elected to a new two-year term on the board. Continuing board members whose terms end in 2024 are Donna Barr, Lenny Chacon, and Ted Reinhart. Thanks to all for your willingness to serve!

Mark Your Calendar!

The February 2023 meeting of Eastside Republican Club will be held on the first Tuesday of the month, February 7, rather than the usual second Tuesday, February 14. This will allow club members to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their spouses or significant others, and will also enable the Kirkland Eagles to hold their traditional Valentine’s Day Dinner on the traditional date. We’ll announce the program for the February 7 meeting in the near future!

Time to Renew Membership!

If you have not already done so, please go to the Join page and renew your ERC membership for 2023. Of course if you aren’t yet a member, we invite you to join! There are three membership levels: Basic $25, Silver $50, and Gold $100. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings!

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January 10, 2023 Meeting — Dann Mead Smith, Annual Business Meeting

Happy New Year!

Please join us for the first Eastside Republican Club meeting of 2023 on Tuesday, January 10, at 6:30 PM at the Kirkland Eagles Club. And please RSVP if you plan to attend!

We’ll start with the Annual Business Meeting to elect ERC officers and board members for 2023. If you’re interested in serving, please email us at info@eastsiderepublicanclub.org and let us know!

To be eligible to vote for our officers and board members during the business meeting, you will need to be a paying member of the club either by registering and paying by January 10 or having been a paid member for 2022. It’s time for everyone to renew your membership for 2023 as well. Membership prices are still only $25 Basic, $50 Silver, and $100 Gold. Please renew today so you don’t forget! You can join or renew your membership on the Join page.

Dann Mead Smith – Project 42

Photo of Dann Mead Smith
Dann Mead Smith

After the short business meeting, we’ll have the pleasure of hearing from Dann Mead Smith, who will tell as all about Project 42, which “is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization created to change the course of Washington state to prioritize free markets, personal liberty and an individual’s right to prosper.”

Dann was President and CEO of Washington Policy Center for 20 years before stepping down in fall 2021 to start his own firm, The Mead Smith Group. His main client is Project 42, a 501c4 advocacy, capacity building, nonprofit organization, that he co-founded in 2020. Some of the nonprofit groups launched or supported by Project 42 over the last year include Change Washington, League of Our Own Washington, The Center Square Washington, and Future 42.

As President of Washington Policy Center, Dann testified by invitation before dozens of legislative committees in Olympia and appeared on numerous radio and TV newscasts and programs around the state promoting the Center’s work. He also appeared on the national PBS “Debates Debates” television program. Dann is a member of Seattle Rotary #4 and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Washington Advisory Committee; serves as board chairman of Citizen Action Defense Fund, a public interest law group in our state; former board member of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and founding board member of the Worker Rights Alliance.

He also served on the Advisory Group of the Washington State Tax Structure Study Committee and the Citizen Performance Audit Oversight Board after being appointed by Gov. Gregoire. Before becoming President of WPC, he worked for the Washington Institute for Policy Studies, was Vice President of the Washington Institute Foundation, and worked on two statewide campaigns (for a statewide ballot measure and a candidate for governor).

He is a graduate of Western Washington University and lives with his wife in Seattle and has two daughters.

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October 11, 2022 Meeting — Election Preview

Kirkland Eagles Sign
Kirkland Eagles Sign

Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, October 11, at 6:30 PM. We meet at the Kirkland Eagles club, 258 Central Way in beautiful downtown Kirkland! See the Location page for driving directions, a map, photos, and parking information. Please RSVP if you plan to attend! Note that ERC members can’t enter the Eagles Club until an Eagle is there to sign you in — so please consider not arriving until 6PM or so (maybe 5:30). Thanks!

As you know, the general election is coming up on November 8. The October meeting will be our Election Preview! We’ll be joined by leaders from both the King County GOP and Washington State Republican Party to update us on how things are going around the state and how we can help. Also, all candidates are invited to come to the meeting to meet ERC members and provide a brief update. 

Note that we will not be having a meeting in November. Our next gathering will be the Annual Holiday Dinner and Auction on Saturday, December 3. The location and other details will be announced shortly, so watch for announcements here and in your email! If you’re not currently on our email list, please email info@eastsiderepublicanclub.org and we’ll get you added, and you can also click the Subscribe button to the right to be automatically notified when new posts are made on the web site.

Please RSVP!

If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space, and includes dessert and coffee service. Note that the Kirkland Eagles club has a full bar and serves delicious food — click to see the menu. And it will be Taco Tuesday!

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September 13, 2022 Meeting — Education

Kirkland Eagles Sign
Kirkland Eagles Sign

Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30 PM. We meet at the Kirkland Eagles club, 258 Central Way in beautiful downtown Kirkland! See the Location page for driving directions, a map, photos, and parking information. Please RSVP if you plan to attend! Note that ERC members can’t enter the Eagles Club until an Eagle is there to sign you in — so please consider not arriving until 6PM or so (maybe 5:30). Thanks!

September is our annual “Back to School” meeting focused on education policy. Our guest speakers will include Joyce Fiess, long-time advocate for responsible education, who has been in the trenches in Olympia making sure our kids receive an appropriate education without liberal indoctrination. She’ll talk about where we are, how we got here, and what we can do about it!

We’ll also hear from Craig Rhyne, President of Freedom Education Foundation about their curriculum called “FreedomCivics”, and Derek Hanusch, Editor/Contributor with FEF. And we’ll also receive an update about the revitalized King County chapter of Young Republicans, from chair Gentry Gevers.

More about Joyce: Joyce Fiess is the chairman of Citizens United for Responsible Education (CURE), a Washington state research and advocacy group which has been examining education issues since the 1990s. Joyce has taught in public and private schools and has worked at Sylvan Learning Center and Kumon Math and Reading Center. She has also worked in vocational training programs for adults and was the Operations Coordinator for the King-Snohomish Comprehensive Employment and Training programs.

When she and her husband homeschooled their children, she was co-chair of the Bainbridge Island-North Kitsap Independent Homeschooling Families support group. Now that her children are grown, she continues to be active in the Kitsap County Republican Party, and is also on the Puget Sound Patriots Board.

Joyce especially urges parents and grandparents to see through the smoke and mirrors and deception when seeking solutions to improve education.

Other education specialists are invited as well. It will be a great meeting!

Please RSVP!

If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space, and includes dessert and coffee service. Note that the Kirkland Eagles club has a full bar and serves delicious food — click to see the menu. And it will be Taco Tuesday!

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No August Meeting — and remember to VOTE!

It was great seeing so many of you at the ERC Picnic on July 12! Thanks to everyone who brought desserts and side dishes to share, to our chef, to our board members and officers who shopped for food and provided the raffle prizes, and to everyone who came early and stayed late for setup and cleanup. We hope you all had a good time hearing from and mingling with the candidates!

As usual, there’s no ERC meeting in August. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13. We’re working on confirming availability of speakers, and will have details for you soon.

And don’t forget to vote in the August 2 primary! Ballots will arrive this week if they haven’t already!

Have a great summer!

I Voted - Did You?

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June 14, 2022 Meeting — Washington Veterans Vote!

Kirkland Eagles Sign
Kirkland Eagles Sign

Please join us for the monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, June 14, at 6:30 PM. We meet at the Kirkland Eagles club, 258 Central Way in beautiful downtown Kirkland! See the Location page for driving directions, a map, photos, and parking information. Please RSVP if you plan to attend! Note that ERC members can’t enter the Eagles Club until an Eagle is there to sign you in — so please consider not arriving until 6PM or so (maybe 5:30). Thanks!

Jerry Hust
Jerry Hust

Our special guest speaker this month is Jerry Hust of Washington Veterans Vote. Jerry is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, he served as Director, Defense Policy and Plans, at the U.S. Mission to NATO in Brussels, and as Director of Policy, International Affairs, in the office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon, among many other leadership positions. As a weapons systems officer, he flew the F-111 at Royal Air Force Upper Heyford and RAF Lakenheath, England, and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He accumulated 2,400 flying hours, including 100 combat hours during Operation Desert Storm. He previous held command positions at the squadron, group and installation levels, and he has served in staff positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe, Headquarters U.S. European Command and Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He received the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the
Distinguished Flying Cross, and many other awards. He holds a Black Belt in Korean martial arts (Kuk Sool Won). Come and hear Jerry’s presentation on his work encouraging veterans to vote!

Please RSVP!

If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space, and includes dessert and coffee service. Note that the Kirkland Eagles club has a full bar and serves delicious food — click to see the menu. And it will be Taco Tuesday!

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May 10, 2022 Meeting — Secretary of State Candidate Forum!

Kirkland Eagles Sign
Kirkland Eagles Sign

Please join us for the May monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, May 10, at 6:30 PM. We meet at the Kirkland Eagles club, 258 Central Way in beautiful downtown Kirkland! See the Location page for driving directions, a map, photos, and parking information. Please RSVP if you plan to attend! Note that ERC members can’t enter the Eagles Club until an Eagle is there to sign you in — so please consider not arriving until 6PM or so (maybe 5:30). Thanks!

Photo of Ari Hoffman
Ari Hoffman

This month we’re having a Candidate Forum for Washington Secretary of State. Our moderator for the forum will be 570 KVI host Ari Hoffman! All three declared Republican candidates have committed to be there — Tamborine Borrelli, Bob Hagglund, and Keith Wagoner. Please click on each of their names to learn more on their web sites — and come to the meeting to hear their priorities and plans, and to get your questions answered!

Please RSVP!

If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person ($10 for College Republicans and Young Republicans) to cover the cost of the meeting space, and includes dessert and coffee service. Note that the Kirkland Eagles club has a full bar and serves delicious food — click to see the menu. And it will be Taco Tuesday!

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April 12, 2022 Meeting — The Republican Party: The Next Generation

Kirkland Eagles Sign
Kirkland Eagles Sign

Please join us for the April monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, April 12, at 6:30 PM. This meeting will be held at the Kirkland Eagles club, at 258 Central Way in beautiful downtown Kirkland! See the Location page for driving directions, a map, photos, and parking information. Please RSVP if you plan to attend! Note that ERC members can’t enter the Eagles Club until an Eagle is there to sign you in — so please consider not arriving until 6PM or so (maybe 5:30). Thanks!

The Republican Party: The Next Generation

This Month’s meeting features The Republican Party: The Next Generation! Our guest speakers are Katie Daviscourt from the Washington State chapter of Turning Point USA, and Lenny Chacon, Washington State director for the Young Republicans! Join us as we celebrate and support our next generation of young Republicans!

Please RSVP!

If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person to cover the cost of the meeting space, and includes dessert and coffee service. Note that the Kirkland Eagles club has a full bar and serves delicious food — click to see the menu. And it will be Taco Tuesday!

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March 8, 2022 Meeting — Dave Workman on Your Gun Rights!

Kirkland Eagles Sign
Kirkland Eagles Sign

Please join us for the March monthly meeting of Eastside Republican Club on Tuesday, March 8, at 6:30 PM. This meeting will be held at our new location — the Kirkland Eagles club, at 258 Central Way in beautiful downtown Kirkland! See the Location page for driving directions, a map, photos, and parking information. Please RSVP if you plan to attend! Note that ERC members can’t enter the Eagles Club until an Eagle is there to sign you in — so please consider not arriving until 6PM or so (maybe 5:30). Thanks!

Dave Workman
Dave Workman

Our special guest speaker this month is Dave Workman. Dave is editor-in-chief of TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press in Bellevue, and is the Communications Director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

A lifelong resident of Washington state (fourth generation!), he is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in editorial journalism. A career journalist, he is widely regarded as an authority on firearms and gun rights. He authored a book titled “Washington State Gun Rights and Responsibilities” in the 1990s with the final edition appearing in 2012.

He has authored Op-Ed pieces in several major national newspapers, and he has co-authored seven books with Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. He also writes a monthly column on “2A Defense” for GUNS Magazine, and a weekly on-line column for “American Handgunner.” His articles have also appeared in Northwest Sportsman, where he writes a monthly column on guns and hunting, and his byline has also appeared in GUN WORLD, American Shooting Journal, Fishing & Hunting News, Gun Digest and other publications. Dave is a certified firearms instructor and has taught firearms and self-defense at Highline Community College.

Please join us to hear from Dave on threats to our 2nd amendment rights and actions you can take to defend them!

KCGOP Chair Candidates, too!

In addition to hearing from Dave, we’ve also invited candidates for chair of the King County Republican Party to come to our meeting to meet ERC members and address us. 

Please RSVP!

If you plan to attend the meeting, please click RSVP to register, and pay online in advance. The cost is $15 per person to cover the cost of the meeting space, and includes dessert and coffee service. Note that the Kirkland Eagles club has a full bar and serves delicious food — click to see the menu. And it will be Taco Tuesday!

Time to Renew Your Membership!

It is time for everyone to renew your membership as well. Membership prices are still only $25 Basic, $50 Silver, and $100 Gold. Please renew today so you don’t forget! You can join or renew your membership on the Join page.

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