As always, half the fun begins before the meeting ever does: OCYRs begin showing up at 6pm for the festivities, despite the meeting starting at 630.
From left to right, Bonnie Bisignano, Nikki DeSantis, and one of Bonnie’s friends amicably chat as the tension builds before the meeting.
I spy 28 dashing YRs!
In the left, Matt Kingsley and Alanna Buono chat with Ed Dedelow, a former candidate for Congressional District 24. Near the middle, OCYR Treasurer Matthew Klein chats with Kurt Kelly’s campaign manager Betsy VanderLey, and to the right, Dan Matthews, OCYR President Eddie Fernandez, and OCYR Associate Vice President Christian Waugh discuss the order of the meeting agenda.
The reality, and as it seems to most Americans, is that you have a fine upstanding, diverse group of young folks here who want to make a better world. Democrats look at this picture and see 30 people plotting to disenfranchise voters– nevermind that increased turnout usually supports the GOP.
<Rabble, rabble>
Most members of the YRs are persons of faith…
…but ALL members of the Young Republicans are patriots.
We were proud to host a guest speaker to talk about the legal and practical perils of Amendment 4 on this year’s ballot.
She gave an outstanding, clear speech on how Amendment 4 aka “Hometown Democracy” would change the way development occurs in Florida — not at all for the better.
President Fernandez gives a customary gift from the OCYR to the guest speaker in appreciation of her time.
Treasurer Matt Klein makes it clear to the membership that only members who have filled out the form he is waving and paid their dues will be able to vote in the straw poll.
OCYR Vice President Rob Gidel prepares to hand out the ballots and explains how the voting process will work.
As is his custom, Associate VP Christian Waugh gave his report with a solid helping of humor. To his right, Molly Cox identifies a threat to her privacy.
Nikki DeSantis, as Social Chair, also delivers a report. We’re not sure at all what Christian Waugh is saying or feeling in the background, but it was probably about one of his myriad obsessions: Douglas MacArthur, Margaret Thatcher, or Star Trek.
Eddie runs the meetings like someone who has attended six years of them — no surprise, since he has!
Justin Bissell, the Membership Chair, gives a report on all the new members who joined the club in the last month. It suffices to say that 2010 promises to be the year of the Republican. To his left, Matt Klein and Rob Gidel count ballots.
Betsy VanderLey is always happy to bring in YRs as volunteers for State Rep. Kurt Kelly, as he runs for the Republican nomination in Congressional District 8.
Tampa Bay YR President Andrew Dorsey addressed the club as a candidate for President of the Florida Federation of Young Republicans. We appreciate his courage in doing so, especially because it was Carolyn Johnson’s home territory — and we delivered for her in her successful election.
We were proud to welcome former Orange County Commissioner Teresa Jacobs, who addresses the club as she continues her campaign for Orange County Mayor.
We also welcomed former Verizon executive Karen Diebel, who is a candidate for the Republican nomination in Congressional District 24.
Leona Rachman is one of two Republicans vying for School Board Chairman, and we appreciate her regular support at our club.
Edward Dedelow makes a splash with some of his comments.
Former OCYR Sergeant-at-Arms JR Horan tells the club about his father’s campaign for Seminole County Commission.
Jean Jones gives us the latest on David Simmons, who as of the time of this writing, was re-elected without opposition.
Kathy Salerno, a FFYR officer, is a force of nature for the State Senate President Jeff Atwater as he runs for CFO.
