Outgoing GACR leadership says tearful goodbye

The 2006 Georgia Association of College Republicans (GACR) convention saw the end of the two-term chairmanship of Britton Alexander (Ga Tech), who also served as the College Republican National Committee (CRNC) 2nd Vice-Chair. Alexander oversaw the rise of the GACR to national prominence, working hand-in-hand with the CRNC and with the state GOP to achieve spectacular results in the areas of fundraising, voter registration, and grassroots effectiveness.

The outgoing GACR officers said individual goodbyes, offering words of encouragement and motivation to their successors and to delegates from around the state, and cautioning against losing focus or becoming lackluster in their continuous efforts to promote conservative policy and principle.

Financial Secretary James Hall (Ga Southern), making his final report to the Association, read out the year's astounding fundraising results ($30,000 raised) to uproarious applause. Hall closed out his final remarks by speaking of his College Republican involvement since beginning college, and of professing the "great honor" it was to serve the GACR.

Vice-Chairman Justin Palmer (Ga State) gave a passionate final address, in which he spoke of the "honor" it was to serve the state's College Republicans, reminisced on his experiences travelling from chapter to chapter training members in grassroots activities, as well as travelling around the state to work on endless campaigns. Palmer became visibly emotional as he closed with the admonition to CR leaders from around Georgia to "always remember" that leadership, and the activities and ideas to which the CRs dedicate themselves every day while serving in such positions, is "not about you," but is about every member of every chapter in the organization, and is about advancing conservative ideals, not about advancing personal reputations and careers.