Overwhelming majority of the Ohio House of Representatives votes in favor of ORTL bill

Bill to save hundreds of unborn babies progresses through both chambers

Two appointments made to the Board of Pharmacy

Parental Consent Laws to be Safeguarded 

JobsOhio signed into law today, will promote life in Ohio

Strong Pro-Life Agenda Pursued by Ohio Right to Life 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT: Rachel Schlater
DATE: Tuesday, January 4, 2011                                   PHONE:(614) 547-0099 ext. 309

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Right to Life Society announced today its 2011 leadership team consisting of its Board of Trustees, Political Action Committee and new executive staff. "On behalf of our entire team, we look forward to passionately advocating on behalf of all Ohioans," said Executive Director Mike Gonidakis. "2011 will certainly offer new opportunities to promote and save lives and we are focused on working with our newly elected pro-life officeholders not only here in Ohio, but in Congress as well," said Gonidakis. Please join us in welcoming the following individuals to the Ohio Right to Life family.

 To learn more about the new staff members, click HERE.  To learn more about the new board members, click HERE.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         CONTACT: Mike Gonidakis
DATE: Thursday, December 23, 2010                           PHONE:(614) 547-0099ext.301

(COLUMBUS, OHIO) - Governor Ted Strickland signed Senate Bill 235 into law today. The new law, which was sponsored by State Senator Teresa Fedor (D - Toledo) and Sen. Tim Grendell (R - Chesterland), makes human trafficking a stand-alone felony offense, and makes compelling a minor under the age of 16 to prostitution a first-degree felony.  Kidnapping for the purpose of involuntarily servitude is now a first-degree felony offense as well.

S.B. 235 passed the Ohio Senate by a vote of 32-0 on December 1, 2010 and passed the Ohio House 96-0 this past week.  Ohio now joins 44 other states with felony trafficking offenses.      

Human trafficking is an issue that has come to national attention in recent years with high-profile cases discovered in Ohio.  Currently, Toledo ranks 4^th in the nation for active investigations, arrests, and rescues of children who are forced into prostitution.  In addition to creating a human trafficking offense, the law also creates an offense for falsifying or destroying government identification documents for the purpose of trafficking or involuntary servitude. 

"This is a substantial step in the right direction to fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable women and children in Ohio," said Mike Gonidakis, Executive Director of Ohio Right to Life. "By effectively punishing traffickers, this law will affirm the humanity of victims and deter others from engaging in this kind of appalling activity," Gonidakis said.

Ohio right to Life recently adopted a policy position statement regarding human trafficking.  To learn more about human trafficking, visit our information page by clicking HERE.

Despite Poor Economy, Ohio’s Abortions Decreased in 2009 

OFFICIAL NOTICE 

Pursuant to the Code of Regulations of the Ohio Right to Life Society, the purpose of this memorandum is to provide formal written notice of the time and place for the annual meeting of Ohio Right to Life Society.  Please know that this annual meeting is limited only to members of the Ohio Right to Life Society and registering for the meeting is required.    

What:         Ohio Right to Life 2010 Annual Meeting

When:         Friday, November 5th, 2010 at 6 p.m.
 
Where:                Vineyard Columbus Church *
                           6000 Cooper Road
                           Westerville, OH 43081

* Please note the location has changed from previous years. For a Map of Vineyard Church, CLICK HERE. 
* Buffet dinner is included at no charge to members 


Overview:

The annual meeting is an opportunity to interact with others in the pro-life movement and to learn more about ORTL activities past, present and future.  One primary purpose of the annual meeting is for ORTL members to assist with setting the direction for the organization, electing directors to the ORTL Board of Trustees and to recognize outstanding member and chapter activities.

Further, the annual meeting serves as an opportunity to hear from ORTL members who wish to address various pro-life topics.  The annual meeting allows the ORTL management to update all members regarding advancements of Ohio’s pro-life movement during 2010 and to introduce new initiatives for 2011.  The members of ORTL will also have the opportunity to vote on a slate of Member Trustees for re-election and election to the ORTL Board of Trustees to include:

Brian Arnold
Laurie Elsass
Kevin Kelly
Patrick Kunklier
Nancy Petro
Rodney Schuster
Scott Wiggam
Lori Willmann

• Members in good standing must RSVP by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19th in order to participate and to secure a seat. Email life@ohiolife.org with your contact information: name, address and phone number.  Specify in the subject line of the email “Annual Meeting Registration.”

• If you have any questions about the annual meeting, please contact Erin Cain at ecain@ohiolife.org or by calling (614)-547-0099 ext. 302.