Are you signed up to receive emails from the party? If not, sign up in the box to the upper left side of this post.

Our calendar is set up on the left side of this post. This will show when all our meeting days are planned. When you click on the event, it should show the details for that meeting.

Are you on Facebook? Our “official” party page can be found here. We have reached the 500 mark and are hoping to DOUBLE that! Can we do it? Here you will only receive promotions for events and organizations. It should show directly in your newsfeed when things are posted, and you will also receive a personal invitation in your events section on facebook each time we add a new event for the party.

Stay informed on what the Mens and Womens clubs are doing! They each have their own group page, and you will receive personal invitations each time they add a group activity. Their events will be posted on the main party page- so you don’t have to worry about missing it, just go to the main page or your events section to catch all that is happening!

Join the FC Republican Womens Club Facebook group here.

Join the FC Republican Mens Club Facebook group here.

Do you like to converse with other republicans and conservatives concerning current events and things that are directly affecting our nation? Join our Forsyth GOP Activists Facebook group. Here you will also see events promoted, you will see when volunteer opportunities come up maybe even before the emails come out, and you can make new friends in the process.

Do you tweet? We have a twitter account- http://twitter.com/forsythcogop
You can sign up to receive a text message when a new tweet is sent, and never miss a thing! (Standard text messaging rates apply)

So you’re not big into social media? We have something for you, too. Fill out our contact form, and in the message, tell us that you wish to be added to our phone tree, and remember to include your phone number. Voila!

Do you have any suggestions? We’d love to hear them! Please leave a comment to this post.

We have chosen topics that should interest us all:

1) Current School Board Chairman Donny Lambeth will speak about his recently-announced run for the NC House, 75th District (McGee’s seat).
FB profile: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1515963527

2) 2010 NC Senate Candidate/ NC Tea Party Leader Nathan Jones will speak about a Voter Fraud “TRUE the VOTE” effort!
FB profile: http://www.facebook.com/nathanjonesNC

3) 2010 U.S. Congress Candidate Scott Cumbie will discuss a variety of constitution-related topics including some or all of:

*The 56 most important words from our founding (We hold these truths to be self-evident…)
*The Constitutional errors related to the federal judicial decision concerning prayer before the County Commissioner’s meetings
*The danger of the federal judiciary
*Recess Appointments
*Religious liberty
FB profile: http://www.facebook.com/scott.cumbie

TIME: 6:00pm (we will start by 6:10 and conclude by 7:15 at the latest)
There may be another prize given for the member who brings the most guests, and other prizes, too!

*MANDATORY RSVP to me by **next Wed. at NOON, 2/22 (if you don’t, I cannot guarantee you a seat or dinner until after the meeting.)
You must arrive 10-15 min. early to order if you plan to eat.

{{{RSVP’ing on FB is NOT sufficient enough, you MUST physically RSVP with Lori! Please show support of the event by RSVP’ing on FB and sharing with your friends, though. – FCRP SM Chair}}}

This is an exciting year! If you have thought about activism or involvement or helping an organization or a campaign, 2012 is here! We in the Republican Women’s group are planning a great year of activity and interesting programs, but we need a little money, time, effort and enthusiasm! Think about it – and I hope to see you next Thursday!

Lori Goins Clark
Forsyth County Republican Women, Programs VP, 2012
lorialvina@yahoo.com/ 336-682-8272 cell

Big Shotz Tavern – Clemmons Location
1480 River Ridge Drive
Clemmons, NC 27012
Phone: 336-712-1883

{{{RSVP’ing on FB is NOT sufficient enough, you MUST physically RSVP with Lori! Please show support of the event by RSVP’ing on FB and sharing with your friends, though. – FCRP SM Chair}}}

Chris Shore
President

FC GOP Headquarters, 667 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston Salem, NC

“Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.  This Section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.”

This Marriage Amendment would recognize only domestic legal unions between one man and one woman.  Domestic partnerships or civil unions, whether opposite-sex or same-sex, would not be valid or recognized here.  The Amendment would prohibit the government from creating “same sex marriage”

The meaning of “legal union” as a judicially recognized status is concrete and clear in the context of family relationships.  In federal law, “’marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife…” 1 U.S.C. §7 (2005).  This  definition of marriage in federal law is consistent with the long-standing definition:   marriage is the “[l]egal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife.”  BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 876 (5^th ed. 1979).  The word “domestic” was added to the words “legal union” to clarify that other legal arrangements, such as business partnerships, would not be affected by this amendment.

Any benefits extended by government to a person based on a domestic legal union other than marriage would be prohibited.  But Government could still extend employment benefits that impact or benefit non-married domestic households.  The extension of such benefits, however, could not be predicated only upon the status of a domestic relationship other than marriage.  For example, a city could still allow an employee to pick one other person of his or her choice to be the beneficiary for health insurance.

The second sentence of the Amendment makes clear that the Amendment would not prohibit private companies from entering into private contracts based on relationships chosen by the company.  Private employers, for example, could continue to offer domestic partnership or civil union benefits to an employee’s same sex or opposite sex partner.  The Amendment would prohibit the government from forcing a company to provide such benefit.

During the debate I was amazed at the baseless claims made by opponents. Several continue to be repeated by the media. Let’s set the record straight:

1.  The Marriage Amendment will not adversely affect North Carolina’s economy.  A 2011report by the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked states by economic performance between 1999 and 2009 and by economic outlook.  8 of the top 10 economically performing states have marriage amendments. None have legalized same sex marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships.  9 of the 10 states forecasted to have the poorest economic growth have legalized same sex marriage, civil unions and/or domestic partnerships.

2.  The Marriage Amendment Will Not Affect The Enforcement Of Domestic Violence Laws.  Opponents would have you think the Amendment obliterates our domestic violence law.  The cases they use as authority are Ohio appellate cases later overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court which found the domestic violence statutes consistent with the state’s marriage amendment.  In Kansas the outcome was the same.  Marriage amendments have had no effect on the enforcement of domestic violence statutes.  30 other states have marriage amendments.  In all 30 states domestic violence laws continue to be enforced. I have read and reread our domestic violence statutes.  I am unable to even comprehend the logic of this objection.

3.  Legally Recognizing Only Heterosexual Marriage Isn’t Discrimination Against Homosexuals Wanting To Marry. Marriage between a man and a woman has existed in virtually every known society. It has served the purpose of channeling procreative sexual activity into an institution which will provide a stable environment for children produced from the sexual union of the partners in marriage. Recognizing that heterosexual marriage has provided the best environment for the rearing of future citizens North Carolina has regulated marriage for at least 340 years.   Same sex marriage is an entirely different relationship with a completely different purpose.  Expanding the marital institution to other relationships which serve completely different purposes ultimately undermines the institution which has proven to be the best and safest environment for children.

4. The Amendment Will Not Nullify Medical Powers of Attorney (MPOAs), Wills and Trusts if the parties are homosexual partners.

Under G.S. 32A-18 “any competent person who is not engaged in providing health care to the principal for renumeration, and who is 18 years of age or older, may act as a health care agent.”  The relationship between the patient and the designated agent does not matter. The intent of the testator and trustor is the “gold standard” in NC for interpreting wills and trusts.  The Amendment does not change the intent of the testator in either type of these instruments.  The Amendment explicitly states that it will not affect the rights of parties to enter into private contractual agreements.

5. The Marriage Amendment Will Not Determine the Custody and Visitation Rights of Unmarried Parents Unless Their Behavior Affects the Child. Custody orders are based on the “parent”/child relationship, not on the domestic relationship between the “parents”.  Courts have based custody and visitation on the “best interest of the child.” NCGS 50-13.2(2007)  The sexual behavior of the party petitioning for custody or visitation is not determinative except as it affects the child.

The “de facto parenting doctrine” was applied in 2010 in Boseman v. Jarrell.  The Supreme Court refused to allow adoption to an unmarried same sex partner but did award joint custody and visitation rights to that non-biological same sex partner who had become a de facto parent to the child.

There is a real threat to the institution of marriage. In several states same sex marriage has been imposed upon the people by courts that have engaged in tortured judicial reasoning – Massachusetts and Iowa for example.  These courts have used the state constitutions to reverse the very pro marriage policies that were in effect when the state constitution was adopted.

Now it’s happening in North Carolina.  Same sex couples in Asheville went to the Courthouse for two weeks last fall seeking to obtain marriage licenses.  A lawsuit was filed by the Register of Deeds of Guilford County in December challenging our state’s marriage laws and asking the Court to declare them unconstitutional because they don’t allow same-sex partners to “marry”.

This Marriage Amendment will ensure that marriage between one man and one woman will be protected from result-oriented judges.

Voters will decide on May 8th.

For more information please visit www.VoteFORMarriageNC.com

written by House Republican Leader Paul Stam

Your Path to the National GOP Convention

1. Attend your local Precinct Meeting/Convention (In Forsyth County, it is 3/3/12 .. RSVP on Facebook.).  This is the most important first step entitling you to be a delegate to your county convention!
2. Attend your County Convention as a delegate (you must attend the Precinct Meeting to be eligible).  This confirms your eligibility to be a delegate to the State Convention.
3. Attend your Congressional District Convention.  Three Delegates & Alternates are elected in each district.
4. Attend your State Convention as a delegate (you must attend your County Convention to be eligible). The balance of state delegates are elected here.

• There is no cost to attend our local Precinct Meeting/Convention and it is the single best starting point in your quest to influence the political landscape.
• There is usually a cost associated with attending Conventions above the county level, that will be announced on our site when the information is available.
• Time Commitments: Our Precinct Meeting/Convention take a few hours because we do it all the same day, the State Convention is held over two days, and the National Convention can take 4-5 days.

• March 3- Forsyth County GOP Precinct Meetings and Convention- RSVP on Facebook. Not on Facebook? Inform us of your intentions to attend the county convention through our contact form.

Hope this helps!

(Thank you to Ellen Carmichael for this information!)

Feb. 20      North Carolina Senator, District 31- Pete Brunstetter
RSVP on Facebook for this event

Feb. 27 NCGOP Vice Chairman Wayne King
RSVP on Facebook for this event

March 5        Forsyth County Commissioner & NC House Candidate Debra Conard

March 12      Forsyth County Commissioner Bill Whiteheart

March 17        Candidate AJ Daoud (Sec of State)

March 26        NC House Rep. Julia Howard

April 2 NC Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger

April 9            Easter Monday – No Meeting

April 15          Forsyth County Commissioner Candidate Mark Baker

April 23          NC House Speaker Tom Tillis

April 30          Forsyth County Commissioner Gloria Whisehunt

12 pm at Golden Corral at Hanes Mall.

The vote split along party lines, with the board’s sole Republican, Jonathan Dills, casting the dissenting vote. Dills said that because voting at WSSU had caused past controversy, the site should be moved.

Voting in favor of the eight early-voting sites were Democrats Linda Sutton, the board chairwoman, and Michael Flatow.

Because the local elections board made its decision on a split vote, the issue now goes to the state board of elections. However, that board, too, is dominated by Democrats.

Under state law, the party that holds the post of governor gets a majority on the state and local elections boards.

Nathan Tabor, the chairman of the local GOP, told the local elections board Tuesday that WSSU should not be an early-voting location because of political partisanship at the school.

Tabor said nearly everyone who votes at the school votes as a Democrat. He pointed to a 2010 email sent out by a staffer asking people to vote for Democrats. The university said the email was sent by mistake.

[read more]

Over the next few weeks, we will have the following people speaking at our meetings:

Feb. 6                Donny Lambeth (from the WSFCS Board of Education)
Feb. 13              TBA
Feb. 20                Pete Brunstetter (North Carolina Senator, District 31)
Feb. 27                Wayne King (NCGOP Vice Chairman)

Join our Official Facebook group to receive reminders about the lincheons and other events going on right in your newsfeed! Join the Activists group to converse with Forsyth County GOP activists about current events and local happenings.