Let’s Get Republicans back in charge

We need to take back the White House and get back to sanity. How do we do that?

We do it by getting your neighbors out to vote so we can get Republican Donald J Trump, Senator Rick Scott, Congressmen Byron Donalds, Mario Diaz-Balart and Scott Franklin re-elected at the federal level.

At the local level we need to ensure State Representatives Lauren Melo, and Adam Botana keep their positions, and Yvette Benarroch to win her State Representative position. Republicans have done a poor job of turning out for elections the past few years. We need to change that.

Let’s Get Out The Vote

You can help as the local Republican centered clubs are hosting a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Workship, scheduled for September 24^th, from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

It will include a buffet dinner at Naples Hilton, and only costs $10. You Do Not Need to Be A Member of a Club – Open to All Republicans

The 2024 National GOTV Program is a series of nationwide workshops put on by the Leadership Institute that will teach attendees modern GOTV strategies and tactics for canvassing, phone banking, texting, using voter data, and volunteering.

You will also learn the best practices for absentee and early voting, election integrity, and poll watching/greeting. These trainings will give you the tools to participate effectively in our democratic process, hone and expand your GOTV skillset, and help save America.

This GOTV Workshop is ideal for elected officials, current or future candidates for political office, campaign operatives, party officials, and campaign volunteers. You will also have opportunities to put what you learn into practice:

·     Door Knocking Fundamentals Role-Play Session

·     Phone Banking Role-Play Session

·     • Poll Greeting Role-Play and Discussion

Learn more by clicking here.

We are proud to announce our very own “The Right Men’s Club” member and board member Ed Brandt has been awarded the Congressional Veteran Commendation presented by Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, on Tuesday, June 18th and the VFW #7721 facility. Ed’s wife Jane Brandt was able to be present for the award as shown in the photo above.

Quote from Congressman Diaz-Balart:

It is with deep pride and gratitude that I presented the Congressional Veteran Commendation to Chaplain (Brigadier General) Kenneth E. Brandt (Retired) from Naples In recognition for his years of service to the United States Army. His bravery, selflessness, and commitment to our nation helped preserve the freedom we enjoy today. We honor his outstanding contributions to our country and community, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation for his selfless commitment.

A large showing of attendees was present to participate in the presentation.

Mr. Brandt will be interviewed, and his wartime collection will be added to the Veterans History Project, sponsored by the Library of Congress.

The award stated:

Congressional Veteran Commendation

On behalf of a grateful nation and citizens of the Twenty-Sixth Congressional District of Florida, thies Congressional Veteran Commendation is awarded to

Kenneth E. Brandt

In recognition for his years of service to the United States Army. His bravery, selflessness, and commitment to our nation helped preserve the freedom we enjoy today. Signed under my had this eighteenth day of June 2024.

Mario Diaz-Balart

Member of Congress

 

Dear Men’s Club Board of Directors,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of my education over the past two years. As a recipient of your scholarship at FGCU, I am thrilled to share that I have recently graduated with my Master’s in Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. Last year, I proudly earned my Bachelor’s in Business Management from FGCU Honors College as well. Staying connected in Collier County, I am a proud Class of 2024 graduate of Associate Leadership Collier.

Receiving your scholarship for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees has been an incredible honor, and I cannot thank you enough for believing in my potential and supporting my academic journey. Your generosity has made a significant impact on my life and career aspirations. During my time at FGCU, I had the privilege of serving as President of the College Republicans/Conservatives for the past two years. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, and I am proud to say that the club has been turned over into great hands, ensuring its continued success and growth.

As I transition from student life, I am excited to announce that I am now working on multiple campaigns in Collier County this election cycle, striving to get good Republicans elected. Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors of the Naples Reagan Club & East Naples Civic & Commerce. It is an exciting and rewarding endeavor, and I am committed to making a positive difference in our community.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support. It was a pleasure seeing most of you at your last meeting this month, and I look forward to staying connected and contributing to our shared goals.

Warmest regards,

Matt Boggan

We now have a 900,000 Republican voter advantage. In less than 4 years there has been a shift of over 1.1 million voters towards our Republican party!

Madison County is the latest Florida county to flip in favor of Republicans, handing the state GOP a plurality of registered voters in 57 of Florida’s 67 counties.

The Florida GOP’s latest feat occurs just as Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Florida on Wednesday.

The flip also comes shortly after the Florida GOP broke a historic 900,000 voter registration lead statewide, and just days after party Chairman Evan Power hosted an event in Madison to register GOP voters.

“Kamala steps foot in Florida and another county turns RED!” the Florida GOP said. “Maybe Kamala can explain why Florida Dems are fleeing Biden’s failed policies. A once Blue state now has over 900,000 more registered Republicans than Dems.”

The Republicans trailed Democrats in 2020 by more than 100,000 voters – marking a shift since then of over 1 million.

Democrats now only have a plurality in 10 counties.

The narrowest blue-leaning counties are Hillsborough (D+1.3%) and Duval (D+2.6%), both which include major urban areas of Tampa and Jacksonville, respectively.

Behind those two is Miami-Dade County, which leans blue by registration by nearly 4.8%.

Notable blue strongholds remain in Gadsden, Broward, Leon, Alachua and Orange County, in order of largest to smallest Democratic registration lead.

At the May 3 monthly meeting of the Men’s Club of Collier County, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee Joe Scheffey provided an update to the members.

The objective of their program is to encourage students that have demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to the community to get involved and understand politics and the political issues currently affecting our citizens under the Constitution.

To that end, scholarships are awarded to high school seniors entering college. As part of the application process, students must submit an essay expressing their point of view and any proposed solutions on a current or recently publicized political issue that affects the rights and responsibilities of the citizens under the Constitution.

Joe described some of the successes with the effort:

•  This year, 10 students applied, more than double the number from last year
• The amount of the award was increased from $1500/year to $2000/year. This will be retroactively applied to the students already receiving support in their sophomore, junior and senior years of college
• There were modestly more individual schools with applicants

There will be 4 awards this year. This will bring the total number of participating students to 11, with a total budget of $22,000. This compares to 4 participating students and a budget of $10,000 just two years ago. The Committee has refocused it efforts more toward individual students, while de-emphasizing support to other community organizations

These scholarships are in addition to the Club endowment at FGCU, which supports one or more students there.

The Scholarship Committee, including Chair Joe Scheffey, Russell Tuff, Mike Nadolski, Mike Lyster, Erick Carter, and Reg Buxton, recently completed interviews with 4 of the student applicants, with a fifth interview scheduled shortly. Formal awards will be made at the June 7 monthly Club meeting. Thanks to these Committee members for their help and participation!

Joe went on to describe some of the challenges facing the Committee:

• The Salute To Veterans (STV) Committee organizes and hosts the annual STV event in November, the primary fundraising effort which supports the scholarship program.
• Every year, the event, typically held at the Naples Hilton, becomes more expensive to host

The STV Committee desires to increase its outreach and support to local veterans’ groups, a noble and appropriate goal.

In order to attract interest from more of the public schools, and generate greater interest generally, the scholarship awards must be meaningful. The goal is to continually increase the annual award amount. Note that the original awards were $500/year per student

What’s Ahead Continuing Progress

With these successes and challenges in mind, the Club Board initiated an effort last year to create a non-profit foundation (so-called 501(c)(3) or similar organization). This could be used for scholarships, veterans outreach, and other worthy efforts supporting the Club’s goals. It would allow contributions from corporate and individual supporters to be tax deductible. For example, an individual making a $1000 contribution would only effectively be paying $630-880, depending on their tax bracket.

The mechanics of creating the Men’s Club of Collier County Foundation has been a long and tedious affair. There is now an opportunity push this effort to completion. It can be expedited by having potential contributors send a pledge letter in support of the Foundation. A caveat with the pledge is that it is only good if the Foundation is officially established in the near future. See a Sample Pledge Letter Here. Return letter via email to treasurer@mensclubfoundation.org, due by June 30.

The Issue

Many conservatives are frustrated with the takeover by the left of policy and operations of our previously trusted institutions. This control is evidenced in the number of contributions to non-profits by liberals. It’s reported that the left has more than 20,000 single-issue nonprofit organizations vs. about 1500 for conservatives. Each year, Democratic nonprofits raise 7 times more money than conservative nonprofits and have 7 times more unique doners¹.

As conservative individuals and small businesses upholding the Constitution, we often think, “What can I do to affect change?” Our conservative leaders exhort us to work at the local, grass roots level, as individuals, to make changes. Our scholarship program is an example where individual Collier County conservatives can make a difference!

The opportunity is now at hand. Please support the creation and funding of the Men’s Club of Collier County Foundation. Click Here to get a sample letter

Return letter via email to treasurer@mensclubfoundation.org, or mail to:

Men’s Club Foundation Men’s Club of Collier County. Inc.
2430 Vanderbilt Beach Rd Ste 108 PMB 397
Naples FL 34109

 

 

1 Viguerie, Richard A., “Democrats’ Doners and Donations Dog Conservatives”, Washington Times, April 23, 2024