FAQs

Classes take place the 3rd Thursday of each month – September through May – from 8:45 a.m to 3:30 p.m. at Plymouth State University’s Concord campus and one day at the State House. The Washington, DC program is scheduled for three days and two nights in April or May of each year.

Registration is $250, due in September. Participants pay their travel costs to all sessions as well as the airfare to Washington, DC. They are also expected to attend and buy tickets at about $50 each to our spring fundraiser and our graduation luncheon in June, as well as tickets costing about $10 to attend one or two "mixer" type networking events.

The program is designed for women who are college age and up. Our classes have included women from their 20’s to their 60’s.

Currently, our target audience is women who have not yet held state elected office, but local officials such as selectmen and school board and budget committee members will benefit from the program.

While we do provide training that will be useful for candidates, our approach is much broader. We emphasize personal development, networking, and training in some tools of the political trade, such as making introductions, writing a memorable thank you note, and running a meeting. Additionally, the Washington trip provides a national political perspective, as well as contacts for future involvement.

No. Our board members, classes, and presenters represent a broad spectrum of opinion on state and national issues but the Series is not an issues forum or advocacy organization. We encourage participants to develop and pursue their own political philosophy in the context of the Republican “big tent.”

Our participants, called Fellows, are expected to:

• Attend all scheduled classes and commit the entire day to the class. Graduation from the program is dependent on attendance. Missing two (2) classes, or portions of several classes, regardless of the reason(s) for the absences, will result in the Fellow’s failure to graduate from the program with her class year.  On a case by case basis and with the approval of the Board of Governors, Fellows may be allowed to “make up” missed classes the following class year, which may allow graduation with the following year’s class.

• Attend the Washington DC Trip in its entirety. Failure to attend the Washington DC trip in its entirety during the Fellow’s class year may result in the Fellow’s failure to graduate with her class year. On a case by case basis and with the approval of the Board of Governors, Fellows may be permitted to have the opportunity to attend the Washington DC trip with the following year’s class, which may result in graduation with the following year’s class. If the Fellow cancels her participation in the trip after the Series has incurred non-refundable expenses related to her attendance, the Fellow shall reimburse the Series for expenses related to the trip 

• Secure approval from employer (if applicable) for attendance at scheduled Vesta Roy Series programs, classes, and trips. Please remember that more than one absence from classes or missing the Washington DC Program may result in the Fellow’s failure to graduate.

• Pay the $250 registration fee prior to the first class day. This fee is nonrefundable. 

• Incur the expense of transportation to the in-state training sessions and events, and the Washington, DC program. 

• Provide a digital photo (head and shoulders) of yourself prior to the first session of the Series. Photos will be taken on the first day of class of any Fellows who have not already provided one. 

• Prepare and send thank you notes to all program speakers, for both the in-state classes and the Washington DC Program, within 10 days of their presentations. 

• Purchase a ticket for and attend a majority of the Series’ networking and fundraising events, as participating in and learning about how these events function is a necessary personal, professional, and political skill. Please be aware that these events occur outside of normal class time. 

• Participate in all activities of the Vesta Roy Series, including any homework, projects, and other assignments associated with the classes. Please note that one of these assignments will be to plan, host, and execute the Series’ Spring Mixer, or other similar fundraising event as determined by the class and approved by the Board of Governors or Program Committee Chair. Graduation from the Series may be denied to any Fellow who, in the Board of Governor’s discretion, has not fulfilled her obligations as a Fellow in the Series. 

• Commit to increase your level of participation in the public arena during the next 5 years by running for office; accepting a party leadership post; obtaining a governmental appointment; working for or running a campaign to elect Republicans; or holding other high-level public sector position. 

• Observe the policy of the Vesta Roy Series that the organization does not endorse candidates in primaries or take positions on issues.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Fellows are encouraged to participate in primary campaigns for candidates of their choice. 

• Communicate with the Series if things change for you. The Series understands that much can change in a Fellow’s life during the course of a year and that such changes may interfere with a Fellow’s ability to continue to perform these Participant Responsibilities. In such circumstances, the Fellow is encouraged to communicate with the Series’ Chairman about her situation as soon as possible, so that the Fellow and the Series can work toward a mutually acceptable understanding regarding the Fellow’s participation in the Series. 

Our program is modeled after the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series which was established in Indiana in 1990. Since then, twenty other states have established their own Excellence in Public Service programs, all geared at increasing the number and influence of Republican women in politics and government. Participants from all states do gather for a national program in Washington, DC but there is no formal organizational or financial connection among the independent state programs.

The expenses of our program are covered by registration fees, the proceeds of our fundraisers, and sponsorships by board members and friends of the Series.

We are a political tax exempt organization under Section 527 of the federal tax code. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions.