Wrasse For WICR Chair

Very Disappointing

2007-04-19T17:40:00.000-06:00

Let me take a moment to clarify a few things...The notion that I am receiving student government/College Republican money is preposterous.

In my opinion, this is nothing more than a smear tactic posted on a blog only hours before delegates would head to convention.

Why would you automatically jump to the conclusion that the CRs were paying for something like this? Any expenses incurred by my campaign came from donations or from my pocket - no one else's.

Unfortunately, you skipped all of the positive content and jumped right to this statement and twisted it around.

We have done nothing but attempt to run a positive campaign based on positive ideas for the future. We're on track to having one of the largest conventions in years - more than 100 in attendance. This seems like nothing other than an attempt to cut down what we have worked so hard to establish.

To say that I am greatly disappointed is an understatement. This is exactly the kind of stuff we don't need in the Wisconsin CR's.

Odds & Ends

2007-04-07T16:15:00.000-06:00

Endowment Plan

There has been a lot of talk recently about a proposed endowment plan for the Wisconsin CRs. What do I think?

I fully a support some sort of long-term savings plan for the state CRs. Whether or not that savings plan should be an endowment program is up for debate. At the very least we need to set aside a portion of fundraising income into a savings or investment account. Sort of like what your parents always told you when you got a $15 check from your Grandma, "Put some of it in the piggy bank!"

Discussion regarding how to fundraise should not have to be such a major issue at every CR convention. If we can set up an effective and aggressive fundraising program coupled with a savings plan, then new leadership can simply walk into the pre-established program, making minor adjustments where needed instead of rehashing the idea every year.

Regardless, traditional fundraising needs to be the top priority, but I hope that we will also pursue something long-term that will always be there if we need it, and will grow as our organization grows.

Communications Director

Article III of our state constitution allows each new state chairman to appoint five leaders to the executive board to various positions established by the chairman. Typically, one of the those positions has included a press secretary. Once elected, I will eliminate that position and replace it with one that deals with broader issues. The new communications director will issue press releases, manage the website and issue mass emails to the newly established CR list which encompasses all members, not only state leaders. Frequent press releases to websites like wispolitics.com will give us more exposure state-wide and will let people know that we exist and are active at times other than election season.

Constitutional Committee and Retreat - Summer 2007

We desperately need to review our state constitution. Since constitutional amendments or revisions can only be made at convention, and since any revisions must be provided to the WICR secretary at least 30 days prior to the convention, we are not going to be able deal with any changes at our 2007 convention. Therefore, I will appoint a constitutional convention committee that will meet this summer to debate the issues in need of change. At the conclusion of the summer convention, we will have all of the necessary changes ready to present to delegates at the 2008 convention.

Addressing challenge to not seek another E-Board position...

2007-04-03T14:26:00.000-06:00

It came to my attention that my opponent has issued a challenge (via his Facebook group) for the losing candidate to not seek another E-Board position at our April election. I wanted to briefly address this issue:

I agree with my opponent on at least two things…no matter how this election ends up, the CRs as you know them today will be a thing of the past. Also, these positions need to be elevated from social pegs to positions of promises kept.

To be perfectly honest, the “what-ifs” of losing are not even in my train of thought right now. I’m focused on sharing our ideas with CRs all across the state and winning the chairmanship come April 21st. I’ve made it clear to all that I speak with that my focus has been and will remain running for chair-nothing else. However, I hope that whoever does lose (not only the Chairman's race) finds another way to help our state organization instead of dwindling into the sunset. If we are all as dedicated as we say we are, then we’ll find another way.

Like Mark Green and Scott Walker both said about their race for Governor, this is not a contest of one vs. another…This is a race FOR something. I have a lot of respect for my opponent and what he has accomplished, but my choice to run for this seat has nothing to do with that.

I am confident that our ideas, experience and fortitude will have nothing but positive effects on our organization-that’s why I’m running.

Either way, I hope that everyone gives each candidate a fair opportunity, but more importantly I hope that we can all come together after the April elections and help build our organization and move forward.

Welcome!

2007-03-21T15:45:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Wrasse for WICR Chair blog!

I wish this could be as simple as announcing candidacy, sitting back and voting, but it's not. Before you cast your ballot this April, I wanted to give you the chance to get to know who I am and what I plan to do so can you make an informed decision before the spring election. I'd hate it if you had to wait to convention and make your judgements in only a couple of hours.

Take a few minutes to cruise through the site! Be sure to let us know if you have any questions. Either comment directly on a post or shoot us an email at wrasse4chair@yahoo.com.

I look forward to seeing you in April!

For the right reasons?

2007-03-21T15:10:00.000-06:00

Any time I hear a candidate running for any particular office, I ask myself, "Are they doing it for the right reasons?" Many of you have asked about this, and I know there are many more thinking it.

First, I fully understand the challenges and time commitments necessary to effectively execute the duties of WICR Chair. Although school remains my top priority, I have no other commitments that would restrict my dedication to our group.

"Don't seek the opportunity, but instead work hard and let the opportunity seek you" has always been a philosophy that I've tried to live by. From day one, I have worked hard, shared my ideas, and stuck to my word. As time went on, I was offered leadership opportunities which gave me the chance to continue to share my vision for our party and our state. Don't get me wrong, seeking opportunities in many cases is a great idea, but all too often groups tend to fail when their leaders focus on additional opportunity instead of the task at hand.

It wasn't until many of you encouraged me to run that I truly decided to do this. Thank you to all who expressed your trust in me and my leadership.

To those who currently support us and our ideas, know that our promises will not go unaddressed; to those who don't know me or may be a bit unsure, I hope that over time I can gain your trust and support by fulfilling our promises. I won't let you down!

What other leaders are saying...

2007-03-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

"I'm supporting Ryan because he has the knowledge, vision, experience and energy to take the Wisconsin College Republicans to the next level. I know Ryan will do everything he can to help ensure that Republican candidates win races in Wisconsin in 2008." -Nate Nelson, Former UW Oshkosh Chair

"I can't think of anyone who would do a better job in the position of Chairof the Wisconsin CR's. Ryan exemplies the College Republican movement. He is energetic, thoughtful in action and in speech. He has that special presence evident in leaders. I have no doubt he will be one of the movers in our Party in the future." -Betty Barnes, Portage County Republicans

“Republicans need an effective educational program for the young voters on our college campuses who are in their philosophically formative years. Ryan is an effective communicator who has the organizational skills and work ethic to make the very important in-roads into our college campuses." -Tom Tiffany, 2004 Candidate for Wisconsin State Senate

“Ryan has done an amazing job with the CRs at UWSP and in the 7th Congressional District. Ryan is one of the best leaders I have met." –AJ Zahn, UW-Stevens Point Chair and WICR Secretary

“Ryan has been able to direct our organization while attending school and his other demanding activities and has presided over every meeting. He has the Republican Party of Oneida County off to a great start! He has us all ‘fired up’ and we hate to lose him, but we know that College Republicans are our future and that will be an okay trade off." –Joyce Bant, Republican Party of Oneida County Secretary

"He has shown excellent leadership and I expect great things from him."-Bud Holt, Vilas County GOP Chairman

"As Wisconsin Republicans move forward after the 2006 election it's important that we have the right kind of leaders in place to win back the state in future elections. We need people who understand what's at stake and what we can all do to turn it around. He has a clear understanding of what has to be done to move the Republican cause forward." -Al Ott, Reid for Congress Campaign Manager

"I believe that Ryan would be honored to serve the College Republicans and would make them proud to have a young man with integrity, and the desire to lead through service as he has already demonstrated in his past and present political experiences." -Craig Smith, local business owner

"Ryan is a 'winner' and a 'doer.'" -Jim Knuth, Vilas County GOP Vice Chair

"Ryan is honest and straightforward and that says a lot for man who has been involved in politics since he was young teen. What is more Ryan is very cool headed and capable of seeing all points of view before reaching a thoughtful and intelligent decision." -Sean Delorey

What have you done for the WI Republican Party?

2007-03-21T14:04:00.000-06:00

Since many of you asked, and since some are probably wondering, I decided that I would take you through a quick history of my involvement with the Republican Party.

Early in my high school career I knew that I was interested in politics...the whole process fascinated me. But, I had no idea whether I was a Democrat or Republican, and to be quite honest, I had no idea what they stood for or believed in.

How I realized my Republicanism is kind of a funny story. We were talking about great presidents in my American History course...my teacher was going on and on about how Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton did more good things for our country than Ronald Reagan. It was at that point, after learning what a Democrat was, that I knew I must be a Republican. What he was saying just wasn't making much sense.

It wasn't until after 9/11 that I really became active with the Party. Like many young people did after 9/11, I wanted to join the military. It was after I was told a back injury would prevent me from serving that I ended up in the Republican Party.

Since we had no young conservatives groups in town, I started to check out the county party. I attended my first county GOP meeting in the midst of a reformation period. Our party had been inactive for more than 10 years, so the district party was in the process of helping us back on to our feet. I walked into the caucus as an ordinary high school senior, and walked out the new RPOC secretary. I attended my first state convention that year and was hooked.

I continued to work hard fulfilling my duties as secretary, volunteering for candidates and sharing my ideas. Shortly after taking on my duties as secretary, I was elected chairman in a special election. I was told that my election made me the youngest county chairman in state party history and among the youngest nation-wide. To say that I was overwhelmed and feeling a bit unqualified is an understatement. Suddenly I was being contacted by candidates, state leaders and volunteers wanting a million different things, but all fighting for the same cause.

After some time on the job and a little help, we were off to an amazing start. We laid out our goals, both long and short term, and am proud to say that we accomplished nearly all we had set out to do. Three years after our reformation, we've increased our membership every year, increased our income through fundraising and dues collection, organized record breaking Lincoln Day Dinners with more than 250 attendees, help elect Republican candidates and much more. Long story short, I have a record of setting goals and meeting them; making promises and keeping my word; fighting hard for our cause in order to elect Republican candidates.

I decided that I wanted bring my experience and vision for the future to our group by being a part of the state leadership. After working with College Republicans for the last 3 years I know how important a strong organization can be in terms of electing good conservative candidates. With that said, we also need an effective leadership team that can set some goals and effectively manage and accomplish them as we head into the 2008 election cycle. It is coming faster and harder than many people think, so we need start setting priorities in order to meet the needs and challenges we're bound to face in the coming months.

Other activity:

2004 Bush/Cheney Communications Director in Oneida County
2004 Tiffany for Senate Special Events Committee
2005 WICR Political Director
2006 7th Congressional District Coordinator
2006 Reid for Congress Field Director
2004-2007 Voting Delegate to the RPW State Convention
Three-time Campbell Award winner for volunteer service to the GOP.
2007 7th Congressional District Zellinger Award winner for service to the GOP.

A few thoughts

2007-03-06T19:16:00.000-06:00

I've really enjoyed talking with many of you these past few weeks about your ideas and mine as we consider the next steps for our Wisconsin College Republicans. Drawing on points several of you raised, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with all of you my thoughts on a few issues.

First, let me stress how much I perceive this endeavor as a team effort. My campaign, and our WI CRs organization, is not about one person, two people oreven three, nor can it be in order to succeed...this is a group effort. The sum of our efforts is what makes victory happen, and I'm excited for the opportunity to sit at the same table with CR leaders from all corners of the state to lay the essential foundation for the 2008 elections.

Several of you have quite accurately noted the similarity of my campaign platform to those of candidates in past years. One of the challenges our organization always faces is the turnover in leadership every single year. I decided that before making any distinctively new campaign promises, we should finish the promises we've already made. Mary Ellen Burke has done a fantastic job pushing our organization forward, but we have more to finish and more to improve on. My number one priority has been and will remain strengthening the communication between chapters and state leadership. "From the Grassroots Up" only works if the state and regional leaders hear what our chapters are saying.

As chapter chairs, you all know that sometimes we haveto navigate tricky waters to keep everybody happy. A chapter chair has county party leadership and candidate staff members demanding volunteer labor or a College Republican presence at certain events. A chapter chair also juggles pressures from the CRNC to get out and recruit new members or canvas student apartments and dormitories, all while your faculty adviser wants to fight the ideological battle on campus and your members lobby for more victory parties. The job demands alot of tact in balancing everyone's expectations and opportunities.

The job of the state CR chair is quite similar. The state CR chair has to be able to work with the professionals at the state party and statewide campaigns, the adults on the state Executive Committee, and the primarily older adult donors who support CRs financially. He or she attends CRNC meetings, is the first contact for the Leadership Institute or Young America 's Foundation, and gets a steady steam of calls from chapter chairs. I feel uniquely qualified for the position of state CR chair because I already have extensive experience dealing with all of our constituencies. And I have the determination to integrate all of these demands into a comprehensive vision for our organization - From the Grassroots Up!

Overall, I'm excited about what 2007 has to offer for the Wisconsin CRs. I'm even more excited to be a part of this awesome group!

Thanks for taking the time to read my note. Please feel free to give me a call or shoot an email back with your thoughts. Good luck on those mid terms!

For those who I haven't been able to reach yet, I look
forward to speaking with you soon!

LEAVE NO CHAPTER BEHIND

2007-03-06T19:06:00.000-06:00

The idea that every voice in every chapter matters!

Have you ever felt out of the loop with College Republicans?
Are your concerns being addressed?

After speaking with many of you about the challenges you face on your campuses, some expressed feeling disconnected with other chapters. Smaller schools especially found it difficult to compete with the downtown political opportunities in Madison and Milwaukee. As State Chair, I plan to increase communication among chapters, leaving no chapter behind—whether you have ten members or 200 members.

With that said, I’m excited that we will all be gathering this spring in Stevens Point for our annual convention. Centrally located, Stevens Point will provide a greater opportunity for all campuses to attend. The spring conference is a great chance for all chapters, from Superior to Milwaukee, to come together, work hard and share ideas with a group of people who are all striving for a united cause.

Not only is it a great chance for established chapters to get back together, but it’s a great chance to get prospective schools involved in the beginning of a new year, such as UW-Marathon County or Mount Mary College. It will also provide the opportunity to activate and sustain the new chapters formed in Southeastern Wisconsin last semester.

Trust me, I know how difficult it can be to go into a school and start from scratch, but think about how much stronger we can be if we continue to build upon our grassroots strength. Even though you may not see the results of your work now, the effect of getting one conservative voice talking on a single campus will have an exponential effect that we will certainly feel in the future.

I am also very anxious to set up an email system with personal addresses from every CR in Wisconsin so we can all communicate more efficiently. Got something going on in Oshkosh? Send out an email state-wide so everyone, not only the leadership, can see what you’re up to and get ideas for events on their own campuses. It will help make people feel like they are a part of something larger than their chapter! It will be one of the first steps in making sure that no chapter is left behind!

Why I'm Running

2007-03-06T18:37:00.000-06:00

Despite the disappointing results of the 2006 election, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits! We have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to. Republicans fought a long and hard battle for a noble cause that we all believe in. We cannot win every election, nor can we give up after a single loss. It was Abraham Lincoln in 1860 that offered himself to the nation despite his losing record. Now he is enshrined in history as one of America’s great leaders. We can all draw a lesson from Lincoln’s unflagging spirit that drove him to success. He put his country ahead of politics, and we should follow his lead today.

As the Democrats take control of Congress in 2007 we cannot be bitter; we cannot be shrewd; we cannot hope for their failure. Ultimately, a failure in Washington is a failure for us all…it is a failure for America. Instead, we must all hope and pray for success and work together to point our state and nation in the right direction. As Texas GOP leader Rick Green says, “I don’t want the torch of freedom to go out on my watch.”

Working for the conservative movement and the Republican cause has been a big part of my life. While still a senior in high school, I was elected to the Republican Party of Oneida County executive board, gaining experience that you cannot buy and cannot learn from a textbook. A year later, I was elected chair of that group, becoming the youngest county chair in Wisconsin and one of the youngest in the country. Once in college at UW-Stevens Point, I had the privilege to serve as the state CR political director in 2005 and most recently as 7th congressional district coordinator. I spent the past year as a field representative for Nick Reid, the Republican candidate for Congress in the 7th, traveling all over the largest district east of the Mississippi River.

My call to duty started there and brings me here. I was met with great support from the other county chairs and several GOP leaders as I announced I would not seek a third term as county chair but instead, take on a larger role within the Wisconsin CRs.

It is with that experience, spirit, and fortitude that I announce my candidacy for chairman of the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans and ask for your support. Knowing of the challenges that our organization will face over the next few years, I am ready to lead our group to victory.