Rechartering is this Saturday in Nashville and it should be a great time! We’ll have access to the State Capitol via the ground level entrance on the west side of the building (facing the Library). The doors will open by 9:00 am(central) and we’ll kick off the meeting at 10:00 am.

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Today, the Tennessee Young Republican Federation elected new officers at its biennial convention in Memphis.  They are:

Chairman: Reuben Watkins (Bledsoe)
Vice-Chairman: Dustin Dunbar (Williamson)
Secretary: Don Johnson (Shelby)
Treasurer: Matthew Bryant (Hamilton)
East Tennessee Director: Adam Lewis (Bradley)
Middle Tennessee Director: Jeff Coker (Sumner)
West Tennessee Director: Jeremy Durham (McNairy)
National Committeeman: Clayton Stout (Washington)
National Committeewoman: Susan Wilcox-Jones (Williamson)

The Tennessee Young Republicans held their annual rechartering meeting on Saturday, March 24th in the Tennessee Senate chamber. Meeting in the Senate chamber was a historic occasion as YRs got to experience being in a Senate chamber led by the first Republican lieutenant governor in over 140 years. Over 50 Young Republicans from Memphis to Johnson City attended the meeting. In addition to Tennessee YRs, ten Young Republicans from outside Tennessee, including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and Ohio, attended our rechartering meeting.

The Tennessee Young Republicans chartered 15 clubs, including three new clubs formed in 2007.  The YRs are excited to see new clubs in Bradley, Fayette, and McNairy Counties.  Young Republicans were honored to hear U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn, State House Rep. Floor Leader and YR Brian Kelsey, State House Rep. Caucus Chair Glen Casada, State Reps. Debra Maggart and Susan Lynn, and State Senators Diane Black and Jim Tracy.

The legislative Republican caucus sponsored a reception for YRs across the hall from the meeting in the old library. Many YRs who attended the meeting also attended the reception, where legislators addressed YRs and welcomed them to the Tennessee State Capitol. Special thank you goes to Liz Alvey of Senator Mark Norris’ office for coordinating the reception!

Due to some scheduling conflicts, The Tennessee Young Republican Federation is rescheduling its rechartering meeting for Wednesday, April 18th.  The event will start off with lunch, and then YRs have several options for activities around the legislature before attending a session of the legislature, where YRs will be recognized by state legislators. The featured speaker for the event will be Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey. Speakers for the lunch event include: Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower, State Senator Paul Stanley (past Tennessee YR chairman and YRNF vice-chair at large), State Senator Jack Johnson (past Davidson County YR), State Senators Randy McNally and Diane Black. There will be several state House members who will speak as well.  The final event will be a happy hour at Buffalo Billiards in downtown Nashville. The event should be a great success again this year after the revival of YR Day on the Hill last year! For more information about our YR Day on the Hill event, contact Justin Pitt at jpitt@bassberry.com. If you plan to attend YR Day on the Hill, please RSVP to Justin as soon as you can!!

Here is the approximate schedule:

Noon                                  Meet outside the Senate chamber for lunch with the legislators

1–2:30                                Meet with legislators/attend committee meetings/tour of the Capitol

3–5                                     sit in on House or Senate legislative session

5:30                                   Happy Hour at Buffalo Billiards downtown