The Virginia Council
Achievement Report September 1, 2024 – 2025
Preserving History.
Advancing Prosperity.
For All Virginians.
The Virginia Council is made up of citizens who are passionate
about preserving the traditions that make us distinctly Virginian
and advancing civil discourse and the rule of law so that all
citizens of the Commonwealth can prosper.
The Virginia Council (TVC) is constituted of steadfast volunteers who champion Virginia’s
unique contribution to the American legacy and safeguards the historic principles to cultivate a
common ground for all people to flourish. Our mission fosters an informed citizenry through
respectful public discourse and thoughtful evaluation of traditional institutions that uphold our
God-given liberty and fundamental rights. Founded in 2021 as a 501(c)(3), the Council emerged
in response to cultural shifts that threaten to erase historic cultural symbols and ideals and
rewrite history – an ongoing challenge that we continue to confront.
TVC engaged in multiple projects to execute its mission during the period from September 1,
2024, to September 1, 2025. This annual report chronicles the achievements produced by those
activities. To implement its mission, the TVC has achieved notable progress in key areas,
including organizational administration, the second year of The Virginia Speaker Forum,
government affairs, The Monthly Member Meeting (to discuss contemporary issues), and the
execution of the Legal Fund."
ADMINISTRATION
Executive Board
Officers
President/Chairman – Will McGurn (Interim Chairman)
Stepping in to fill John Reid’s position is an awesome responsibility. John wisely knew that
his time & attention would be limited in a statewide run for office while I could stay
focused on The Virginia Council’s mission. Civil education, discussion, and awareness of
the vital ideas of our Commonwealth’s past are crucial elements in propelling us all to a
free and prosperous future.
Vice President – Bill Byrd
Secretary – Debra Arnold
Treasurer – Steve Pugh
Executive Director, The Virginia Forum – Riley Shaia
General Board Members/Directors
Scott E. Daniels, PhD – Director, Government Affairs
Eleina Espigh – Director, Technology
John Reid – Founding Board Member
Customer Relations Management System
The Virginia Council has implemented a Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
system that enables us to maintain more detailed and accurate records of membership,
donations and event attendance. This platform also allows us to manage both free and paid
events directly, eliminating the need to depend on third-party services like
Eventbrite—which has posed challenges for many similar organizations in the past.
Legal Foundation for the Organization
The Virginia Council was founded as a project of a separate non-project organization. Given
the resounding support for TVC’s mission and activities, we formed as a separate, 501(c)3,
this year. Implicit to this has been the creation of Articles of Incorporation, formation of new
and separate bylaws and tax ID, and the ongoing work to file annual reports, among other
documents.
As the Board of Directors and ensuing responsibilities has been formalized, we are preparing
to seek out new and active Board members who can help further our mission.
Treasurer’s Report
The Virginia Council strengthened its financial infrastructure by appointing a Treasurer and
transitioning to fully automated banking. We integrated our systems to support gifts of securities,
streamlined payment processing through Neon Pay, and implemented organizational credit cards
with rewards to better manage operational expenses. These updates modernized our financial
administration and positioned the Council for greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability
moving forward.
The Executive Board members are inspiring volunteers. There are no paid salaries or paid staff.
Financial statement for contributions and expenditures for the reporting period of this
Achievement Report awaits certification by the Accountant. Financial information is reported in
the IRS Form 990.
Technology Report
The website of TVC has transitioned ownership and administration to our Technology Director.
Along with the new CRM system, Neon, Board members and volunteers have received training
necessary to be productive on our systems. In the coming months, we will be working to create a separate Virginia Forum website, as well as to create branded email addresses for our Board members.
THE VIRGINIA FORUM
The Virginia Forum features civic-minded speakers of reputation who address perspectives that
are intellectually diverse and often marginalized in today’s political climate. For example,
leading into this year’s Forums, Dr. Carol Swain captivated an audience of 250 to explain how a
rampant DEI culture had ravaged many institutions, especially in higher education. This was
followed by Xi Van Fleet who shed light on the “Cultural Revolution” happening in America
today, Kevin Sorbo who enlightened us on how to navigate a world that bullies Christians and
conservatives, Mike Emanuel who recounted his years covering the rapid changes happening in
Washington DC, and Governor Doug Wilder who spoke to how he uses history to serve as a
guide to a more prosperous political future for Virginia.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Legislation
Working with state legislators in the Virginia General Assembly 2025 session, TVC assisted in
developing model legislation called Veterans’ War Memorials Protection to define a democratic
process for the removal of veterans’ war monuments. The bill was introduced in the House of
Delegates and the Senate.
Policy 101
Developed a framework anchored in a historical realist philosophy to evaluate the cultural
dimensions of policy and legislation and to expose the damaging influence of historic
constructivism, called “Wokeness” in common vernacular. The framework will become part of a
larger set of conservative polices produced by The Virginia Conservative Leaders Network.
MEMBERS’ MONTHLY MEETING
During the Fall, Winter and Spring membership meetings are held monthly for luncheon
conversations with issue-leaders around the state.
Speaker Roster
● Robert Stilson Capital Research Center – Following Dark Money
● Craig Di Sesa, Nancy Smith ( Middle Resolution), Steve Haner- (Thomas Jefferson
Institute) Legislation in the Education, Election Integrity, and Energy sectors for the
2025 session
● Brendan Soden, former Secret Service, The Life of a Secret Service Agent
● Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director, VA250 Commission, America Made in Virginia.
Virginia’s rollout commemorating the bicentennial of America.
● Kristi Way, First Vice Chair of the Republican Party of VA, Races to watch in 2025. A
party’s perspective on the 2025 election cycle.
● Patriot Membership Movie Night, The American Miracle.
LEGAL FUND
Our efforts to help to rescue Virginia’s monuments, statues, and historic artifacts from the
indignity of the wastewater treatment plant are coming to a crucial legal checkpoint. A lawsuit
has been filed by the plaintiff to address the process and ownership of the monuments. They
contend the bidding process was done contrary to statute and awarded unfairly. The court has not
set a hearing date to hear the case.
We want to thank everyone who has donated to the legal fund to bring us to this point. This is a
crucial time: but as we enter the courtroom obviously legal fees mount. Please donate to the legal
fund now so we can see this case to fruition and restore the monuments to places where they can
be seen, debated, and available to teach Virginians, and Americans about the conflicts of the past.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Patriot Members’ Christmas Party, The Taylor’s House, Monument Ave.
Patriot Members’ Patriot Party, Woodside Farms, Glen Allen, VA.
Networking
● A Night at the Diamond
● Sponsorship for the Tea Party Conferences.
● Policy and Pints, (August 20th, location TBD)
● Planning for Kyle Mann at The Virginia Forum, November 11th (forthcoming event)
● Virginia Conservative Leadership Coalition
● Conversations with Heritage Foundation’s Monument Project & Heritage Action
CIVIC EDUCATION
“Uncancelling” History & Heros Workshops
● Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson
Non-partisan journalists and historians, including a representative of the reputable Shenandoah
Valley Battlefield Foundation, represent Jackson’s legacy as an astute tactician and military leader
of the 19th century. His battle plans even today are studied in military academies throughout the
world.
● Christopher Columbus.
The seminar featured non-partisan scholars and representatives of Virginia’s historic
Italian-American community who highlighted the courage, steadfast Christian faith, and
leadership of one of history’s greatest navigators, whose voyages linked the Old and New Worlds.
They also emphasized the community’s efforts to save and restore the Richmond statue of
Columbus, which was torn down during the unrest that swept the city in the summer of 2020.
● Thomas Jefferson.
Two of America’s foremost Jefferson, non-partisan scholars, Professor Robert Turner of
the University of Virginia and Dr. Mark Andrew Holowchak, has forcefully analyzed
information and impartially assessed its significance over the last three decades. These
contested views have been used by some contemporary historians to challenge Jefferson’s
reputation and legacy.
Third Annual Virginia Media Summit
The Virginia Council partnered with The Leadership Institute of Arlington, VA, and its
nationally recognized communications team, to present our third annual Virginia Media
Summit, which brought together more than 30 critically-minded conservative journalists,
bloggers, and newsletter editors from across the Commonwealth. Presenters offered
valuable insights and advice on improving communications skills and getting truthful,
conservative messaging before the public to balance the narratives of legacy media.
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