County Party begins Work

The first regular meeting of the Saluda County GOP Executive Committee took place May 15 at Saluda Presbyterian Church. After social time featuring a meal of Pizza, Caesar Salad, Salted Caramel Cupcakes, and drinks, the meeting began promptly at 6:15pm.

The Invocation was delivered by Burton Campbell, Committeeman from Fruit Hill Precinct. Greg Sander, 1st Vice Chairman and Committeeman from Ridge-Spring Monetta Precinct, led members in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Regina Sanders from Hollywood Precinct led recitation of The Republican Creed. Paul Gilbert, Committeeman from Pleasant Grove Precinct, State Committeeman, and Delegate to the May 3 SCGOP Convention in Columbia, then delivered a short summary about that event.

This was the first of what will be at least two strictly organizational meetings that should position the group for future effectiveness in support of the Republican platform and Republican candidates. The focus of this meeting was to appoint a Secretary and Treasurer. A number of other officer positions were created as well.

Melinda Kneece (Higgins-Zoar Precinct) was elected Secretary and Deb Camp (Saluda 1 Precinct) was elected Treasurer, both unanimously. Three additional positions were created to oversee major goals of the Party:

• 2nd Vice President for Legislation and Issues.
• 3rd Vice President for Marketing and Media.
• 4th Vice President for Events.
  

The 2nd Vice Chairman will be in charge of one of the most important goals of the Party: Voter Education. He or she will be responsible for presenting a summary report at each meeting about what is going on in Saluda County and all its municipalities, SC State government, the Federal Government, and international issues impacting us here at home. This person, when selected, will work with a team of people who enjoy researching and reporting on each of those areas. This should be a true Political Junkie, who is broadly well-informed and has good writing and speaking skills. (Contact us if you are interested in this position.)

Kim Parigoris from Holly Precinct was approved to serve as the 3rd Vice Chairman of Marketing and Media. She will be administrator of our new Facebook Page and Instagram Account, and has experience in using Social Media. The best way for us to grow the influence of the Saluda Party is not only to do worthwhile things, but to be seen doing worthwhile things. Our website and use of social media will be key to that.

Lifelong Saluda Resident, Sherry Kirkland, from Saluda 1 Precinct, was approved as 4th Vice President in charge of Events. She will be overseeing a team of people to make sure that our events are well-organized. With Kim promoting them on Facebook and Instagram, we are expecting great success.

A new logo for the Saluda Party was unanimously adopted by the Executive Committee:

After receiving input from everyone on the Executive Committee, a day was selected for our monthly Member Meetings. They will be held on the second Thursday of each month with the place and time set by the Chairman. The next meeting will be June 12 at Saluda Presbyterian Church. This will be an organizational meeting for the Executive Committee. Our first full-fledged Members Meeting, featuring a speaker and program of interest, will be July 10.

We are fortunate that so many competent and highly motivated Saluda Republicans have elected to take active, ongoing roles with our County Party. This is not only a result of their willingness, but also the willingness of every single person who showed up for their precinct meetings at ReOrg in March and elect good representation. This process is new to most Saluda Republicans, but just by coming out to that first meeting in March, and, for some, the April County Convention, you are to be thanked for your part in the process of electing all these good people.

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