February 2026 Ears Newsletter
Members celebrating Birthday’s in February
Brian Coday - 7th
Marlane Huffaker - 19th
Kim Lindeberg - 28th
Wishing you all an amazing day!
Welcome New Members
SRVRWF would like to welcome, Gretchen Logue, Mary Piscitelli, and Lisa Symank as our newest members!! Please introduce yourself to these amazing ladies at our next meeting!
Thank you to all our members who have supported the Club throughout the years!!
January Member Meeting update
What a way to start off 2026 with an amazingly, informative lunch featuring Brenda Balingit, Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury Foreperson. I for one, had no idea what the Civil Grand Jury was and what types of cases they heard. After hearing her speak, I find myself informed and ready to let others know that their service would be appreciated on the Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury. Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting!
Contra Costa County Civil Grand Jury Guide for Submitting Referrals & Complaints to the Grand Jury
Among the powers and responsibilities of the Grand Jury is the investigation of referrals and complaints submitted to the Jury. This process helps to ensure that all branches of county and city government are being administered efficiently, honestly, and in the best interest of its residents and other interested parties. While the Grand Jury does not have enforcement authority, the Grand Jury issues Reports each term regarding the results of its investigations. Final Reports can be found at Grand Jury Reports | Superior Court of California |County of Contra Costa
What the Civil Grand Jury Can Investigate (List is not all inclusive): County government, City government, Special districts, School districts, Adult jail and juvenile facilities, Joint Powers agencies
What the Civil Grand Jury Does Not Investigate: The Courts, Other Counties, Private citizens or private entities, Federal or state government, Issues regarding policy, Criminal cases
How to Submit a Referral/Complaint:
1. Referrals and Complaints cannot be accepted over the phone. However, you may call (925) 608-2621for instructions directing you on how to access the Referral/Complaint Form.
2. Go to Grand Jury Complaint Form to print the Form.
3. Complete the Form, with additional pages, if necessary, attached.
4. Return the completed Form to the Grand Jury using one of the following methods:
Mail the Form to Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury, PO Box 431, Martinez, CA 94553
E-mail the Form to gjury@contracosta.courts.ca.gov
Fax the Form (with cover page providing your contact information) to (925) 608-2658
Hand deliver the Form to Court Administration, 725 Court Street, 4th Floor, Martinez, CA ,Mon-Fri, 8 AM-4 PM
NOTES:
All referrals and complaints submitted to the Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury are treated in strict confidence.
Every referral and complaint is reviewed by the Grand Jury, and may be assigned to one of the Jury’s committees for consideration and/or investigation. Though the Jury cannot investigate every issue, every referral or complaint is duly considered.
The receipt of all referrals and complaints will be acknowledged.
2026 CFRW Spring Call to Conference
Dear CFRW Members,
As your 1st Vice President in charge of Programs, I'm excited to share that registration is now open for the 2026 CFRW Spring Board of Directors Meeting & Conference, to be held March 20-21 at the beautiful Win-River Resort & Casino in Redding, California. This gathering promises inspiring workshops like "Mastering Club Leadership Essentials" and "Unlocking the Power of Membership," a reception with New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss, outstanding speakers, networking, and key business including the election of our 3rd Vice President. With very reasonable pricing, don't miss out—early bird registration is $250 from January 19 to February 19, regular at $300 from February 20 to February 28, and late registration at $350 from March 1 to March 5. Hotel rooms are available at $130/night—book by calling 530-245-9500 with Block #171.
We hope to see at least one representative from every club to build stronger ties across our state. Your presence will energize our federation, foster new friendships, and help us grow Stronger Together. Register online today by clicking the button below and for questions, email infoCFRW@gmail.com. Let's make this event unforgettable!
Warm regards,
Mary Ervin, CFRW 1st Vice President
2026 Spring Meeting Speakers
Katherine Piccinini - Candidate for District 10 will provide an update on her campaign to win Congressional District 10 and how we can support her.
We will also brainstorm how we can support Republican candidates in Districts effected by Prop 50.
Member Meeting Info:
Date: Tuesday, Feberuary 24th, 2026
Time: 11:30 Social, meeting begins at 12pm
Location: Black Bear Diner - Danville
Cost: $35, includes speaker, meal, non-alcoholic beverage & homemade dessert.
RSVP: 02.20.26, RSVP@srvrwf.com or online here.
District 2 County Supervisor, Candace Andersen will provide an update on Contra Costa County activity and talk to us on the States requirement for housing in our areas.
Member Meeting Info:
Date: Tuesday, March 24th, 2026
Time: 11:30 Social, meeting begins at 12pm
Location: Black Bear Diner - Danville
Cost: $35, includes speaker, meal, non-alcoholic beverage & homemade dessert.
RSVP: 03.20.26, RSVP@srvrwf.com or or online here.
Mark your calendar’s with our remaining General Meeting dates for 2026:
February 24th, March 24th, April 28th, May 19th (3rd Tuesday), September 22nd, October 27th, November 17th (3rd Tuesday), & December 15th (3rd Tuesday).
Time to Renew or Become a Member for 2026
NFRW has introduced the America 250 Membership Challenge which is an exciting patriotic initiative by the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW) designed to honor and incentivize clubs for maintaining and growing their membership in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Themed around "Carrying Forward the Spirit of 1776," the challenge spans 2026 and 2027, recognizing clubs at various tiers for their commitment to preserving foundational values, rallying new members, and fostering unity, much like the revolutionaries of the past. Clubs can earn multiple levels across the years, with achievements tied to specific membership growth targets and deadlines.
I would like SRVRWF to reach the Patriot Keepers Guild level. This level honors clubs that maintain or exceed their prior year's membership by March 1. Recognition includes a digital certificate, listing on the America 250 Honor Roll, and a digital coin for club websites and social media. We need 33 members by March 1st!
Your membership with San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated, is actually 3 memberships in 1!! Regular and Golden Poppy Membership levels include membership with the California Federation of Republican Women (CFRW) and the National Federation of Republican Women (NFRW).
Membership dues remain the same as last year and are as follows:
Associate $35 - Member of another RWF Club or men membership
Regular $50 - Full voting rights membership
Golden Poppy $100 - Full voting rights and Club sustaining membership
We offer three ways to renew or become a new member:
1. Online via our website,
2. Pay via Zelle using info@srvrwf.com, or
3. Fill out our membership application and mail it with your check to: SRVRWF, PO Box 1, Danville, CA 94526.
CALL TO ACTION
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act
Have you contacted your Congressman and our two Senators to tell them to vote, YES, on the SAVE Act yet? If not, please take the time to contact them and personally ask them to support this important piece of legislation. This especially includes Senator Padilla and Senator Schiff. We must make our voices heard, even to those that oppose them. If we stay silent, it will be easy for them to say, “No one asked for me to support the SAVE Act.”
The Problem: Since taking office, Joe Biden’s administration has released at least 4.6 million illegal aliens into the country, with 1.8 million known“got aways.” In many states, these illegal aliens are eligible for driver’s licenses and other benefits, providing ample opportunities to illegally register to vote in Federal elections. In some jurisdictions, non-citizens are even able to vote in local elections. While only U.S. citizens can legally vote in Federal elections, Federal law has generally preempted and undermined state laws requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in such elections.
Chip Roy’s SAVE Act would fix this problem, thwart Democrat efforts to cement one-party rule, and uphold and strengthen current law by requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in Federal elections.
Amends the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which has governed state voter registration since 1993, to require states to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity – in person – when registering an individual to vote in a Federal election.
This requirement applies regardless of whether an individual is registering to vote at a DMV, a voter registration agency (such as a welfare office), or by mail.
Directs states to establish an alternative process for applicants that may not have documentary proof of citizenship, but are in fact U.S. citizens (due to religious reasons or otherwise), subject to minimum standards set by the Election Assistance Commission and signed attestations and affidavits by both the applicant and official making the determination.
Directs states to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled Americans and applicants that have discrepancies on their documentation due to a name change.
Requires states to establish a program to remove non-citizens from their existing voter rolls and gives states no-cost access to Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration databases to do so.
Empowers citizens to bring civil suits against election officials that fail to uphold proof of citizenship requirements for Federal elections by expanding the NVRA’s existing private right of action, and adds penalties for election officials that register non-citizens to vote in Federal elections.
Directs the Election Assistance Commission to promptly update any guidance associated with the SAVE Act and streamlines updates to federal forms by exempting the updates from the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Save Prop 13
Have you signed the Petition to save Prop 13 yet?? If not, here is the link to print the petition, sign it, have neighbors sign it, and then mail it in. Please send to your family and friends to sign as well. Signatures are due by February 10, 2026.
2026 Board of Directors & Committee Request for Help
Kirstin and I are putting out a plea for help in 2026. Your Club will only continue to operate if additional members are willing to serve on the Board of Directors and on committees. We want to be effective in promoting our Republican values to our community and we request your assistance in getting our message out. The 2026 California Governorship and Congressional races will be an all hands on deck moment for our Club to ensure we take back California from the supermajority Democrats. We need someone who can effectively keep us up to date on the races and how we can best serve our community. Please send an email to: President@srvrwf.com or call/text me at 808.364.2777 to discuss how you can help.
CALENDAR
Feb 2 SRVRWF Board of Directors Meeting
Feb 24 SRVRWF Lunch Meeting - Speaker TBD
Mar 2 SRVRWF Board of Directors Meeting
Mar 20-21 CFRW Spring Board of Directors and Conference in Redding, CA
Mar 24 SRVRWF Lunch Meeting - District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen, CoCo County Update
Apr 7 SRVRWF Board of Directors Meeting
Apr 28 SRVRWF Lunch Meeting - Jack Belgarde, Author: The Patriot’s Playbook: Why Young Americans Need to Get Involved and Be the Change
May 4 SRVRWF Board of Directors Meeting
May 19 SRVRWF Lunch Meeting - Speaker TBD