From the desk of:
Ingrid Lake
CFRW President
May 15, 2026
Welcome to this week’s SPARK
Spotlight, Positivity, Action, Reflection, and Knowledge
PRESIDENT'S WEEKLY SPARK
SPARK: Knowledge
One of the greatest tools available to every CFRW member is something many of us may not be fully utilizing — our website at cafrw.org.
For those who may not yet know about CFRW, our website serves as an introduction to who we are, why we exist, how our organization began, and how someone can connect with a local club. But beyond that public-facing information is something even more valuable: a growing Members Section designed specifically for you.
As an educator, I have always been passionate about enriching people’s lives by giving them the tools they need to learn, grow, and step more fully into their God-given purpose. I view part of my role as CFRW President as an opportunity to educate and equip our members about the many aspects of what we do as a Federation and why that work matters.
Over the past several months, I have worked to make our Members Section more robust, useful, and informative for club leaders and members alike. Inside, you will find leadership resources, training materials, governing documents, membership tools, forms, committee information, financial reports, and much more. Some of it may be familiar to you, but I believe there is also a great deal that can inspire you to become even more engaged in the important work CFRW is doing across California.
I encourage you to log into the website, click on the “Member Login” tab in the top right corner, and spend some time exploring what is available to you. Check out the short video below showing you exactly where to go to see the Member Dashboard. Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have as leaders and members, and education has always been central to our mission “to promote an informed public through political education and activity” and to promote a wider knowledge of the principles and policies of the Republican Party.
And while you are there, don’t forget to register and join us for our upcoming Distinguished Speaker Series event on May 19 and our Virtual Summer Board of Directors Meeting on June 27!
Thank you for all you continue to do for CFRW. Your dedication, leadership, and willingness to keep learning are what make this Federation strong.
PRO TIP: Don’t skip the underlined text! Each link opens the door to valuable resources, connections across our Federation, and simple next steps to help you take action.
SPARK in Practice:
Set aside 10 minutes each week to review club emails and updates. Staying informed prevents things from piling up.
Continuing the Conversation: Lieutenant Governor Candidates
Keep the momentum going on Tuesday, May 19 as CFRW hosts candidates for California Lieutenant Governor as part of our Distinguished Speaker Series.
All Republican candidates were invited to participate, and we look forward to hearing from those who were able to join us for this important statewide conversation. While this role may not always be in the spotlight, the Lieutenant Governor plays a vital part in shaping policy, influencing key decisions, and stepping in when leadership is needed.
The Lieutenant Governor is responsible for:
Serving as Acting Governor when the Governor is out of state
Sitting on key boards and commissions overseeing higher education, land use, and natural resources
Helping guide decisions impacting the UC and CSU systems
Serving on the State Lands Commission, managing California’s public lands and coastline
Casting tie-breaking votes in certain state boards and commissions
Supporting economic development and statewide policy initiatives
This is your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, gain insight into their vision, and come ready with questions as we head into the Primary election.
There will be a Q&A session, so if there are questions you have for the candidates, please send them ahead of time to me, your CFRW 3rd Vice President, Bibi Mesmer.
May Membership Surge is Here!
Our May Membership Surge Contest is underway, and I want to encourage every club across California to take advantage of the incredible tools and opportunities available to help us grow CFRW membership this year!
One of the most exciting resources now available to our clubs is renewed access to the California voter database. This is a powerful membership-building tool that allows clubs to request lists of Republican women in specific California zip codes. After signing the required agreement form confirming that the information will only be used for RWF membership outreach purposes and will not be shared outside of those efforts, clubs can receive names and phone numbers of Republican women in their targeted areas.
This gives our members a wonderful opportunity to personally connect with like-minded women who may never have heard about Republican Women Federated clubs or realized there is a place for them to get involved, informed, and connected. A simple phone call inviting someone to a club meeting, luncheon, or event can open the door to meaningful friendships, engagement, and future leadership.
We are doing well with our membership numbers, and I am proud of the work our clubs are already doing. But if we want to reach our membership growth goals this year, every club needs to make an effort to utilize this valuable resource we have invested in. Clubs that have already started using the voter database are beginning to see results — conversations are happening, connections are being made, and new women are becoming engaged.
Now is the perfect time to participate in the May Membership Surge Contest and make membership outreach a priority in your club. Together, we can continue expanding our voice, strengthening our clubs, and building relationships with Republican women throughout California.
Thank you for all you are doing to grow CFRW!
The official Call to the CFRW Virtual Summer Board of Directors Meeting has now been released, and we are excited to share more details about this important statewide event! Be sure to carefully read the entire Call to Meeting for registration information, meeting details, and important deadlines.
This year’s Summer BOD Meeting will be completely virtual, with no in-person meeting location. However, clubs are strongly encouraged to gather locally and host watch parties with fellow members. These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to build camaraderie, strengthen friendships, and enjoy the experience of participating in a statewide CFRW event together while avoiding the additional costs of travel and lodging.
We are also excited to welcome Kathleen Goble as one of our featured speakers. Kathleen Goble is an author, writer, and speaker focused on the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, constitutional principles, and American values. With advanced degrees in law, business, science, and theology, she brings a thoughtful and practical perspective to the rapidly growing role of AI in our daily lives and organizations.
In addition to hearing from our speaker, members will participate in important CFRW business, including the election of a new CFRW 4th Vice President.
This promises to be an informative and engaging event, and we encourage every member and every club to participate. Keep watching these weekly emails and CFRW communications for additional updates and announcements as we get closer and I look forward to seeing everyone on June 27th!
Your leadership and engagement are the heartbeat of this organization. Thank you for continuing to show up, stay connected, and take action. The difference we’re making together is powerful—and it’s only just getting started!
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California Federation of Republican Women
428 J St Ste 400
Sacramento, CA 95814
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