Walker, Forbes, Meese, and Allen Address Rawhide Circle Retreat By Colin Monaghan, Development Officer
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embers of Young America’s Foundation’s Rawhide Circle traveled to Santa Barbara and the Reagan Ranch for the 2016 Rawhide Circle retreat. The event coincided with Young America’s Foundation’s Club 100 retreat, which brought 25 of the nation’s most successful conservative youth activists to Santa Barbara for a weekend of networking with their peers and an introduction to the generous supporters who help to make their work on campuses possible. The Rawhide Circle retreat began with an optional trolley tour of Santa Barbara followed by a welcome from Foundation President Ron Robinson, who thanked supporters and stressed the need for continued support of young conservatives throughout this critical year. Several of the student activists then participated in a panel discussion moderated by Foundation Vice President Patrick Coyle. Young leaders Grant Strobl, Frank Pray, Grant Wolf, Skyler Roundtree, Lauren McCue, and Emily Hensler shared their many campus activism success stories and emphasized that the encouragement and generosity of contributors to the Foundation have been vital to their accomplishments. Reagan Ranch Board of Governors Chairman Frank Donatelli emceed the opening dinner banquet featuring Steve Forbes, who discussed free markets and other issues currently trending in the national debate.
Reagan Ranch Board of Governors member Al Moore (left) meets with CEO Steve Forbes prior to Forbes’ speech at the Rawhide Circle retreat’s opening dinner banquet.
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Forbes was emphatic: “Capitalism is moral. Big government is not moral.” He added, “The morality of free markets is that you don’t succeed unless you meet the needs and wants of other people. They move us into being very concerned about our fellow human beings.” Saturday’s events began with an address by Reagan Ranch Board of Governors member Governor George Allen who discussed the importance of preserving Presidential homes, including Rancho del Cielo. The Foundation also introduced a new element to the Rawhide Circle retreat with a special panel featuring Foundation supporters. Reagan Ranch Board of Governors members Richard & Jane Schwartz; Rawhide Circle members Paul & Pam Jepson and Roy Billings; and Ranch in the Sky Legacy Members Curtis & Joan Patrick discussed their long-standing involvement with the Foundation, shared some of their most memorable experiences as supporters, and offered their thoughts on why supporting the Foundation is so important for the future of our country. Rawhide Circle members then departed for Rancho del Cielo where supporters and students gathered for a special ceremony to unveil Freedom Sanctuary, which was made possible by the generous support of Ray & Susie Screbant. The Screbant family cut the ceremonial ribbon to open Freedom Sanctuary and Freedom Lake, which completes Ronald
Governor Scott Walker delivers an inspiring luncheon address during the 2016 Rawhide Circle retreat at Rancho del Cielo.
Young America’s Foundation | Libertas | Summer 2016
Attorney General Ed Meese and his wife, Ursula, enjoy conversations with Rawhide Circle supporters following his closing dinner remarks.