Speaker talking on GOP women's club

Montana Federation of Republican Women President Heidi Roedel will be in Havre this week to solicit local interest in starting a Republican Women’s Club in Hill County.

Roedel will speak at noon Tuesday near the gazebo at Pepin Park about her organization, what they do and how to start a local club.

People are invited to bring a sack lunch. A flyer advertising the event says cookies and drinks will be provided.

The county clubs are offshoots of the state federation and The National Federation of Republican Women, Roedel said.

She said she wants to get as many women in Hill County interested in starting a club. Ten women  are all it takes to start a local club that has to meet a minimum of five times a year.

Roedel said the federation can make a big difference. She said the national federation raised so much money last year that its outgoing president, Carrie Almond, was able to travel across the country to help mobilize voters.

Roedel said she believes such efforts played a big part in Republican victories last year.

Whereas the party’s central committee serve as the business part of the party and the Pachyderms Club serves as the educational arm of the party that informs people about candidates and issues, the women’s clubs are often the face of the party, Roedel said.

The women’s clubs often advocate and raise money for party candidates and issues. She said members of the Lake County club, for example, went to Helena earlier this year during the latest legislative session to support lawmakers and advocate for certain issues.

She said club members also  help with annual Lincoln-Reagan Day dinners, annual party fundraisers, sending out mailers and raising money and awareness for nonpolitical  causes such as literacy and groups that support foster families.

Montana has 13 such clubs throughout Montana in 12 counties. Lake County has two clubs, something Roedel said, given long driving distances between places, can sometimes makes sense.

A flyer advertising the talk said the first ten ladies who sign up to form and join a Republican women’s club will each receive a free pair of red, white and blue sunglasses.

For more information, people can contact Roedel at 406-270-5606, email her at [email protected] or visit the Montana Federation’s website at http://www.mtfrw.org.