So, now that you have a free evening, what are you going to do with it?

How to introduce myself?  My degree is in chemistry, I spent my twenties as a competitive figure skater, and now I have jumped into the world of politics feet first.  I became a Republican in college because I felt the Republican party allowed more freedom of thought than the Democrats, something I still believe.  Ant Simonian probably doesn’t remember a young girl coming into the Republican HQ in 2003, a transplant from McHenry County who needed to update her voter registration, but that young girl remembered her.  While a new job required me to travel extensively for the next six years, I always felt  that Lake County Republicans was “home base,” trying to do what little I could while traveling from Princeton, NJ to San Jose, CA, and points in between. 

Fast forward to 2010.  The job I loved was being curtailed by healthcare reform, so I was no longer on the road.  With all that spare time on my hands, it’s no wonder that I started participating in the Tea Party movement.  From that first meeting came a sense to volunteer, then a leadership position, working on campaigns, finding the Young Republicans, being appointed Secretary, to here, the new Chairman. 

I don’t want to waste any more of your valuable time.  We have a lot of work to do this year, and my mission is clear:  bring the youth into the party.  Four years ago, young people voted for a President who promised to improve their lives, but if anything, I see no change.  Houses sit, abandoned, including one next door to me.  Young people with good college degrees working at Wally-world or the Bux because there aren’t jobs available for them, while businesses are afraid to hire.  I have learned through figure skating that “if you build it and don’t tell anyone, they may not come,” so I will be out and about, from Zion to Barrington, from Fox Lake to Highland Park, encouraging people to find out more about LCYR.  I want to be active in Central Committee, RALC, and of course as an elected precinct committeeman in Avon Township.  I freely admit to my addiction to social media—most of my close friends don’t live in Illinois—so I truly understand the power it holds.  Whether you are a seasoned candidate or new to politics, I hope you find me approachable and helpful. 

To meet these ends, we will be changing things up a bit.  Our next business meeting is on Sunday, May 20^th, at 7 pm, in the hopes that we will attract new people at our meetings.  If that works, we will keep it at the third Sunday of the month.  If not, we’ll be looking for another time that works for the greatest number of people, always being mindful that when we are meeting, we are pulling volunteers away from campaign work.  We will be recruiting heavily through informal measures, from community events to trivia nights, spreading the Republican message to increase our ranks.  We will be visiting other Republican and Tea Party groups in the county, as well as the Chicago metro area, to find common ground and to work together toward our common goals.  And of course, we will be helping out on various campaigns throughout the county to get Republicans elected in 2012.

I look forward to working with all of you in the next year.  I will be at the Lantern in Lake Forest tonight for our college recruiting event, so please stop by and say hello.  If you can’t make it but would like to sit down with me, click my name on the left and send me an email. 

Sincerely,

Erin Westphal

Chairman, LCYR

More Details: http://www.facebook.com/events/171993209559739/

Join the Lake, McHenry and Kane County Young Republicans for the 3rd Annual Northwest Suburban Young Republican BBQ!

Speakers include Hon. Dennis Cook, Chairman, Federation of Illinois Young Republicans, Scott Gryder, Co-Chairman, Federation of Illinois Young Republicans along with Dan Proft and Eric Kohn of Operation Homefront-Illinois.

There will also be free food, live music, games, prizes and GOP candidates! Last year we had over 300 attendees, and with the 2012 General Primary election quickly approaching, we fully expect hundreds to be in attendance! You won’t want to miss it! Free and open to the public. Candidates are encouraged to bring petitions for circulation.

Stage Sponsors:
Lake County Republican Central Committee

Food/Drink Sponsors:
Republican Assembly of Lake County
Congressman Robert Dold
Robert Skidmore, Lake County Treasurer
Steve Newton, candidate for Lake County Coroner
McHenry County Board member Barbara Wheeler, candidate for Illinois House
Jim Moran, Village of Libertyville Trustee

Event Sponsors:
Mark Curran, Lake County Sheriff
Roycealee Wood, Lake County Superintendent of Schools
Mike Nerheim, candidate for Lake County State’s Attorney
Nick Sauer, candidate for Lake County Board
Michael Carbone, candidate for Lake County Board
Fremont Township Republican Organization

Located at Citizens Park in Barrington Doors open at 1:00 PM

Be sure to check our website for the latest information.

For more information contact the LCYRs or Dave Schaffrath at dschaff1@comcast.net

Sheriff Mark Curran will be our  guest speaker and we will be discussing  the Northern Illinois YR BBQ along with other events to help  our 2010 Republican candidates win big in November.

New faces are always welcome. Stop in, meet some new friends,  get involved, and help make this great country even better!