Cullman, Ala. – Cullman Teenage Republicans received three top awards presented at the National Teenage Republican Leadership Conference held in Washington, D.C. July 16-21.
The three awards received were Most Outstanding Teenage Republican Club in the Nation, Most Outstanding Teenage Republican; and Most Outstanding Teenage Republican Advisor.
The Most Outstanding Teenage Republican Club in the Nation recipient is selected based on quality of club meetings, political work accomplishments, participating in special projects, fundraising, chartering new clubs, quality of their newsletter, social medial communications and individual member and club activities. The Cullman Teen Republican group documented 2,303 hours in these categories to win the national title.
The Most Outstanding Teenage Republican recipient is selected based on offices held, campaign participation, program planning and participation, chartering new clubs, publicity received in the media, fundraising, involvement in state, regional and national Teenage Republican Club activities. The recipient, Daniel Robinson, a Cullman High School 2012 graduate became a member of the Cullman Teenage Republicans in the 9th grade. He served as Treasurer and President during the past 18 months. Through his leadership, the membership increased from 80 to 192. Robinson served as page in the Alabama Legislature; worked in the Republican Primary Campaign and helped begin Teenage Alabama Republican (TAR) clubs in Baldwin, Shelby, Madison and Morgan Counties. He will attend Auburn University on a full Scholarship in the fall of 2012.
The Most Outstanding Teenage Republican Advisor is based on quality of programs, accomplishments and growth of their Teenage Republican club, participation in state, regional, national Teenage Republican programs; publicity; fund-raising, awards and honors received; political activities, and political offices held. The recipient of this award, Rebecca Branch, Advisor to the Cullman Teenage Republicans, began in 2009 working with three young men to organize a teenage Republican organization. The three teens were concerned about the amount of money they owed due to the national debt, although they had never borrowed any money.
In 2010, Mrs. Branch ran successfully for the Cullman County Republican Party Executive Committee. Mrs. Branch presented a plan to the committee to assist with the growth of teen involvement by offering three $1,000 scholarships based on a points system to be earned by a student’s participation. The committee adopted the plan. Next, the teens developed by-laws and a constitution, organized the county and city with a leader in each school district and began recruiting members. The teen members are in charge of their operation, with the advisor guiding them in the decision making process. Mrs. Branch stated the goal is to help young people understand “They can make a difference in their country now.”
Mrs. Branch was elected by the Cullman County Republican Executive Committee to represent Cullman County at meetings for the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee. She is a member of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women, where she serves on their board representing the Teenage Alabama Republican (TAR) organization. She also received the Most Valuable Member Award from the Alabama Federation of Republican Women in 2011.
“Teenage Republicans are the future of our Party, our state and our nation,” stated Bill Armistead, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. “I am tremendously proud of Daniel and all of the other teenagers who have worked so hard to grow their organization and make a difference in their country. Rebecca is to be commended for her dedication and determination to see teenage Republican clubs established to further the growth of the Alabama Republican Party. New Teenage Alabama Republican clubs are being founded all across the state and the Alabama Republican Party is committed to providing the resources and support they need to continue to grow. We are looking for great things in the future from these extraordinary young people.”
The purpose of the TAR groups is to provide a venue where young people can become involved in the governmental process designed by our forefathers through the Constitution of The United States and the Declaration of Independence. Members of the Cullman Teenage Republican club has participated in community service projects, political activities, and fundraising at the local and state levels. Members participated in governmental process by serving as pages in the Alabama Senate and House during regular legislative sessions. Three members were chosen by their high schools to attend Governor’s School at Sanford University this summer. Two members were selected by their schools to participate in the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Class.
The Cullman Teenage Republican group was founded in 2009 beginning with three members and growing to 192 members in 2012. Membership includes young people from all Cullman County, Cullman City, home school and private schools.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Contact: Rebecca Branch