Melinda Smyser
Encyclopedia
Melinda Smyser is a Republican
member of the Idaho Senate
, representing the 11th District. She received a Bachelor's of Science with a Double Major in C/T/Design and Education and Extension from the University of Idaho
. She also received a Master's Degree in Education/Counseling from College of Idaho.
. She received a Bachelor's of Science with a Double Major in C/T/Design and Education and Extension from the University of Idaho
. She also received a Master's Degree in Education/Counseling from College of Idaho. In 2009, Senator Smyser was appointed to represent Idaho's 11th Legislative District which encompasses both Gem and Canyon Counties after Brad Little
was elected Lt. Governor. Mrs. Smyser is married to C.A. "Skip" and is the mother of four. Mrs. Smyser has been an educator and counselor for over twenty-five years and currently serves on the Parma School Board. She has dedicated her career to helping youth throughout the community.
for over twenty years.
When not attending to legislative duties, Senator Smyser is a Safe and Drug Free School Coordinator/Counselor for the Caldwell School District.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Idaho Senate
Idaho Senate
The Idaho Senate is the upper chamber of the Idaho State Legislature. It consists of 35 Senators elected to two-year terms, each representing a district of the state. The Senate meets at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, Idaho.-Composition of the Senate:...
, representing the 11th District. She received a Bachelor's of Science with a Double Major in C/T/Design and Education and Extension from the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
. She also received a Master's Degree in Education/Counseling from College of Idaho.
Early Life and Career
Melinda Smyser is an Idaho native born in Caldwell and raised in MiddletonMiddleton, Idaho
Middleton is a city in Canyon County, Idaho, United States. The population was 2,978 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. She received a Bachelor's of Science with a Double Major in C/T/Design and Education and Extension from the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
. She also received a Master's Degree in Education/Counseling from College of Idaho. In 2009, Senator Smyser was appointed to represent Idaho's 11th Legislative District which encompasses both Gem and Canyon Counties after Brad Little
Brad Little (politician)
Brad Little has served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Idaho since January 2009. A Republican, Little was appointed to the position by Gov. C. L. "Butch" Otter to succeed Jim Risch, who resigned to become a United States Senator...
was elected Lt. Governor. Mrs. Smyser is married to C.A. "Skip" and is the mother of four. Mrs. Smyser has been an educator and counselor for over twenty-five years and currently serves on the Parma School Board. She has dedicated her career to helping youth throughout the community.
Politics
Senator Smyser has served as President of the Idaho Federation of Republican Women, Co-Chair for the Idaho State Republican Party Platform Committee and has been a Precinct CommitteewomanPrecinct committeeman
A Precinct Committeemen, or PC, is the name for a office and the name of the official that organizes a voting precinct for a political party.There are state, ward and township party organizations, but the basic unit of U.S...
for over twenty years.
When not attending to legislative duties, Senator Smyser is a Safe and Drug Free School Coordinator/Counselor for the Caldwell School District.
Committees
Senator Smyser currently serves on the following Committees:- Senate Agricultural Affairs (Vice-Chair)
- Senate Commerce and Human Resources (Member)
- Senate Health and Welfare (Member)
Work Experiences
Senator Smyser's Work Experience includes:- Caldwell School District P.R. Coordinator (1998–2000)
- Caldwell Alternative High School Counselor (1989–1997)
- Parma School District Counselor (1984–1989)
- Wilder School District Teacher (1982–1984)
Professional Associations
Senator Smyser is currently associated with the following Organizations:- Mentoring Network Inc. (1999–Present)
- Canyon County Local Emergency Planning Committee (2007–2010)
- State Safe and Drug Free Schools Region 3 (Co-Chair) (2007–Present)
- State Dept. of Education: Safe and Drug-free Schools
- Local and State School Boards Associations (Vice-Chair of Parma School Board) (1998–2008)
- State Juvenile Justice Commission Member (2002)
- Governor's State Safe School Task Force Committee (1999–2000)
- School Counselor Association State President
- American Counseling Association - Member and Delegate to the National Leadership Development Conference (1990–1994)
- Idaho School Counselor's Association
- Idaho Counseling Association - Public Policy and Legislative Committee Chairperson (1994–1996)
Civic Activities
Senator Smyser currently participates in the following Civic Activities:- P.E.O. Parma Chapter
- Sunday School Teacher (Sterry Memorial Presbyterian Church)
- Republican Precinct Person
- Republican District 11 Chair (2000–2010)
- Lifetime Member of the NRANational Rifle AssociationThe National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
- Founded The Canyon County Week-Day Republican Women's Club (1998) (2-Term President)
- Idaho Federation of Republican Women (President ( 2007–2009))
- Served as both the 1st and 2nd Vice President of the Idaho Federation of Republican Women
- Chaired The Idaho Federation of Republican Women Convention in Nampa (2004)
- Served as Idaho Federation of Republican Women Board District Director and Program Chair
- State Republican Convention Co-Chair for 2006 and 2008 Platform Committee
- Served as Chair for many Political Candidates in the 2010 MidTerm Elections
- Served as Constitution Chair for Canyon County Schools for Idaho Federation of Republican Women
- Chaired the Parent Involvement Team for Parma High School
- Coached Sports in Parma and started the Mini Soccer Program
- YMCAYMCAThe Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
Building Campaign Volunteer in Caldwell - Mentoring Network Board Member and Volunteer
Honors and Recognitions
Senator Smyser has received the Following awards and Recognitions:- FFA Honorary Degree Award (2011)
- AG Alstars (2008–2010)
- Canyon County Republican of the Year (2008)
- Tribute to Republican Women (2000)
- Outstanding Republican Women (1999)
- Canyon County Hall of Fame "Outstanding Republican" (1999)
- Outstanding Republican Hall of Fame (1998)
- Counselor of Year State of Idaho