THE EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE SERIES 

 

The Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series was first brought to Arizona by founder and Pennsylvania Republican National Committeewoman, Christine Toretti with Executive Director Bernadette Comfort in 2007.  The Arizona program is named after the well-known and respected former AZ GOP Chairwoman Dodie Londen and is part of the National Excellence in Public Service Series.

 

In 2011, after successfully supporting both the Pennsylvania and Arizona programs for four years Christine handed over the reins of the program to the Board of Governors, with Lisa James as Chairwoman and Kim Owens as Executive Director. The program has continued to grow under the guidance of the esteemed Board of Governors and with the ongoing support of generous benefactors.

 

Annually, through a competitive application process, Republican women from around Arizona are accepted into this elite leadership program. The session opens in October, offering monthly training sessions that provide an opportunity for women from around Arizona to engage in learning experiences taught by state and national leaders in their field. Each May, the National Excellence in Public Service Series Federal Government training takes place in Washington, DC.  Women from programs across the country join together for this unique experience.  

 

Dodie Londen graduates have attained the reputation as being among the highest caliber in leadership.  Be it in elected office, candidate support, party leadership, or organizational involvement the women of Dodie Londen have proven the Excellence in Public Service Series is an elite leadership program.  

 

About Dodie Londen 

 

One of Arizona’s grandest ladies and certainly the Grand Dame of the Arizona Republican Party, and former AZ-TV Chairman Dodie Londen was born May 31, 1930 on a farm near Holdredge, Nebraska. She graduated from Barnes Business School in Denver, Colorado and went to work in Denver as a secretary. In 1951, she married Jack Londen and in July 1962 they moved their family of six to Arizona.

​

Through her selfless service to her church, charitable organizations and the Republican Party, Dodie will be remembered as a world-class leader, mentor and friend. Dodie’s political activities and accomplishments are legendary.

​

As the first woman ever to serve as Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, Dodie used her professional leadership, wisdom and kindness to lead the party to unprecedented prominence and national respect. Her legacy of financial stability and open-door policy will serve the Republican Party for years to come. As one political reporter wrote, “She did more to unite the GOP than anyone else in decades…a tough act to follow.”

​

She served as the Treasurer and Program Chairman for the National Federation of Republican Women and President of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women. She was active in numerous political campaigns and counted President Ronald Reagan as a close friend. With all of her political achievements, she considered being a precinct committeeman one of her most important political positions.

​

Dodie once said, “I believe an individual should be judged by his or her record of commitment, performance, and achievement.” Even by those high standards, Dodie truly achieved greatness! Her legacy is embodied in the efforts of those who have developed and supported the Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series since its inception in 2007. 

​

Series Schedule

Session One - October

• Orientation, History of the GOP, the RNC & Arizona GOP

 

 Session Two - November

• Local Government; Political subdivisions, Cities & Town, Counties, School Boards

 

 Session Three - December

• Communications 101; Public Speaking, Speech Writing, Crisis Management, Social Media

 

 Session Four - January

• Election Law, Fundraising, Networking

 

 Session Five – February

• Day 1; State Government

• Day 2; State Government

 

Session Six - March

• Campaigns 101

​

Session Seven - April 

• Women in Politics

 

Tentatively scheduled for May 2025 (dependent on Congresisonal Calendar)

Federal Government and Politics

Washington, DC

• Monday, – SRP Reception, Capitol Tour, Dinner

• Tuesday – AZ & PA Day; full day on federal government and politics from nationally known experts

• Tuesday Evening – Networking Dinner

• Wednesday – National Training Day; join programs from around the country in a full day of training

• Thursday – “Dodie takes the Hill”; meet individually with our Congressional delegation on Capitol Hill