Greenville local elected president of OFRW
By Bob Robinson

GREENVILLE – Local Republican Lyn Bliss was recently elected President of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women (OFRW), a statewide organization set up to assist the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) in its various activities.

Her goal as the organization’s new leader? “Communication… top down and bottom up,” she said.

Bliss wants to build a closer relationship between the two Republican entities.

“We are the ones who get the coffee and table decorations at events,” she said, “but we’re also among those who do the calling, door-to-door campaigning and fundraising.”

Bliss, a life-long Republican, has been involved in the Republican Women organization for 19 years. She has held a variety of committee positions, was the Political Education Chair for four years, Southwest District Vice President for two years and Vice President for two years. She replaces Jean Turner who retired after serving four years as president. Bliss has also been involved in a number of local campaigns for state, national and county candidates.

She is delighted to see a considerable number of talented women – both young and older – stepping forward during her coming tenure.

“There’s this lady in Cincinnati who was a figure skater. She’s sharp! She’ll be holding a big office someday. The group of women we have on board right now… their knowledge, their initiative? Top notch all the way.”

She grinned. “They’re going to make me work,” she said.

Despite not taking office until January 1, Bliss has already been in contact with officers in the ORP.

“They’ve been very supportive and cooperative,” she noted. “I’m looking forward to working with them.”

The OFRW, which numbers several thousand and was established in 1929, nine years before the national organization, will be more proactive toward growth and advocacy. Along with establishing a new campaign committee structure, Bliss has set up a new committee, Government Affairs & Advocacy.

“In other words, lobbying,” she noted.

The national group has initiated advocacy stands on Agenda 21, Common Core, Veterans Rights and Immigration. Bliss plans to incorporate those into her Ohio agenda.

Her anticipated slogan for her first term in office is “14 in 14.” Fourteen new groups in 2014. In order to accomplish this the OFRW will be more involved in traditional Republican events around the state, such as the County Fair, Pig Roast, Lincoln Day and Reagan Days.

She wants to make it easier for more people to be active; have a voice. Noting there are six OFRW districts in Ohio, she wants to set up Area Representatives within them to improve communication.

“Only six districts in Ohio? Those are big areas!” She hopes to have three to five area reps in each district. She also plans to increase the OFRW Board of Directors from a little under 30 to 50. The goal is to increase leadership numbers.

Does that make it more difficult to achieve consensus? She shrugged. “So be it. I’ve always looked for inclusive, not exclusive.”

Recognizing the time that will be involved, Bliss has had to back off from other obligations in order to assume leadership of the Ohio Republican Women. She doesn’t want to do any job halfway.

She gives considerable credit to her predecessor for her optimistic goals.

“Jean’s a super lady,” Bliss said. “So much of what I’m going to be able to do was set up by her. She saw things that needed to be done and did them. I’m really excited.”

Her priorities for the Federation? Party activities, advocacy, candidate promotion and elections.

“We’re not a social club,” she said. “I can have lunch with friends here without driving two hours to Columbus. I want to get things done.”

Published courtesy of The Early Bird