American Association of University Women NC
Spring Board Minutes
Mariott Hotel Executive Park, Charlotte, NC
March 26, 2004

President Laura Rumbley called the meeting to order and welcomed the members. She praised the Charlotte Branch and complimented the choice of facility. The Student Leadership Conference held that afternoon on the campus of UNCC had been good with excellent panelists.

Louise Thompson, president of the Charlotte Branch welcomed the members and expressed the branch's pleasure at hosting the board meeting and convention.

Pat Abell, secretary, called the roll and moved that the minutes of the Fall Board meeting be approved as printed. The motion was accepted. A Reading Committee was appointed consisting of Millie Hoffler-Foushee, Lill Van Order, and Mary Jo Pribble.

Parliamentarian Lou Howard read the meeting rules which were adopted.

The Agenda was corrected and approved.

President Rumbley gave the President's Report. The 21st Century Recognition Program deadline for submission is April 20, 2004, covering the period from March 19, 2003 through April 19, 2004.

The National Student Leadership Conference will be June 3-5, 2004 in Washington, DC. A student-oriented E zine, a computer magazine, has been developed and will begin in March. A new member initiative has begun. The Association is contacting new members within two weeks after receiving their dues. The members guide has been updated. Plans are being developed for Public Policy to host two luncheons with a panel of experts to discuss key AAUW public policy priorities; some speakers may have opposing views. The first topic will be "Banking on the Future, Women and Economic Security".

The Leadership and Training Institute has submitted two proposals to the National Science Foundation. One is a Technology Literacy Disciplinary Program for at-risk high school girls. The second proposal is to disseminate Exemplary Models for Gender Equity in the Sciences.

President-elect Joanne Hill said that she has been meeting with appointed member of the Board concerning their desire to serve on the Board. She mentioned that she has new AAUW pens for sale.

Coalition Representatives - Rumley reported that Dr. Helen Martikainen was unable to attend the Board meeting but has been attending the NC Coalition on Aging meetings, and sent her report with Mary Peterson. Barbara Ann Hughes, NC Women United representative, pointed out flyers on the back table from the Covenant for NC Children. Mary Peterson said Beth Messersmith, Democracy NC Director and Raleigh Branch member, would be present at convention.

Treasurer's Report - Millie Hoffler-Foushee presented her report, which was accepted and filed for review.

Program Vice President Mary Peterson outlined the convention program for the next day. She reported that the Impact Grant of $700 from Association had been used for an Issue Forum on Judicial Appointments held in Raleigh February 19 with coalition and community members attending. The second program financed by the grant was the Student Leadership Conference held this day on the UNCC campus. She thanked Marty Folsom and Lola Jackson for their assistance on her Student Leadership Committee. The rest of the Impact Grant was used to bring Molly Perdue to the Convention. Molly Perdue, Sherry Rouse, Statesville Branch member, and Queen Thompson, Charlotte Branch member, will appear on a panel during the convention. Peterson thanked the Co-chairs of the Convention for their work.

The Summer Leadership Conference will have a morning plenary session on Health Care and how it relates to other issues. Peterson has requested a Leader on Loan from Association with experience in leadership. The afternoon will be a training session for officers.

SAR Director Ann Terry was introduced. She asked members to pick up a brochure about the SAR/SEC Joint Regional Conference to be held in Atlanta June 11-13, 2004.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Finance Chair Sandra Abromitis presented the budget for 2004-05 based on a projected membership of 1,130 paying members. Nancy Shoemaker asked how often the budget was looked at. Abromitis said that the budget should be visited every board meeting. Lou Howard suggested that the Finance Committee present the next budget for two years. Gloria asked if any coalition memberships were going to be dropped to save expense. Abromitis said a fund raiser to balance the budget had not been successful and more effort would have to be made. Elizabeth Laney read the bylaws concerning approving the budget. After discussion the board decided to vote to approve the budget and present the budget to the members at the Convention Business meeting per the Bylaws. If members had any concerns or recommendations they should contact the Finance Committee. The budget was approved by voice vote.

Strategic Plan Chair Mary Fran Schickedantz was not present.

Bylaws Chair Sandra Champion said that she and Co-Chair Rebecca Hamrick had no mandated Bylaws changes. Some branches have made changes within their own Branch bylaws to conform with co-chairs, for example.

Educational Foundation Chair Mary Jo Pribble announced that the total

• contribution was $35,900.03, an increase of $200 from last year. She said
• there were seven American fellows and two international fellows. She
• displayed pictures of five of the fellows. Two fellows would be present at the convention.

Fellows Liaison Amelia Mitchell was not present.

Educational Equity Chair Elka Jaross said that her interest in the No Child Left Behind Act influenced her to volunteer for her position. She is studying the Act. There are states that want to opt out. She said we should take back our schools and see that they receive financial support.

Legal Advocacy Chair Lill Van Order reported that we raised $9,483.50. The top ten contributors and the top ten per capita contributors would be announced at the banquet at the convention. Twelve branches made the $5 per capita goal with 22 of 23 branches contributing. The goal for next year is $10,000.

College/University Representative Lola Jackson has been working to find the complete addresses and contact persons for all the colleges and universities in the South Atlantic Region, a big undertaking, so that athletes can be invited to the SAR/SEC Regional Conference. She has been working with the student leadership committee.

Public Policy State Issues Chair Barbara Ann Hughes reported that the Covenant of NC Children had lost their major funding. Paula Wolf, speaker at our Summer Board Meeting, was no longer with the Covenant.

Hughes read the report of Dr. Helen Martikainen, representative to the Coalition on Aging, on the Coalition's agenda. The priorities of the Coalition are 1) increase state revenues for care of the aging and disabled and 2) understanding the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act passed by the US Congress. The website of the Kiser Foundation, kss.org, has unbiased information about the Act.

Hughes outlined the work of the Women United organization, including the Women's Assemblies held in the fall before the legislature long session, and concluding with the Legislative Report Card after the session ends. Information is available on the website. Hughes explained the Budget Reviews being held over the state, which examine the State Budget.

Mary Peterson reported that the Lacey/Connor Peterson Act passed the Senate and would most likely be signed into law, and was another attack on Roe V. Wade.

Cluster Coordinator Joan Robinson was absent.

Historian Clara Allen reminded members to purchase history books from her. An addendum for the List for the Archives was in the file box for each president to pick up.

Corresponding Secretary and Housing Chair is vacant. Rumbley announced the Important Dates were listed on the back of the Agenda sheet. The Fall Board meeting will be held in Winston-Salem.

Nominating Committee Chair Sandra Abromitis named her committee, Phyllis Guberman, Delilah Donaldson, Lola Jackson, and Jean Harrington. The following nominees were announced: Evelyn Mercer, Membership Vice President; and Karla Atkinson, Secretary.

Resolutions Chair Elizabeth Laney said she had one resolution, which she would read at the Convention Business meeting.

Technology Chair Nancy Shoemaker asked members to submit anything that they wanted published on the web to her.

Tar Heel Newsletter Editor Marty Folsom stated the deadline for submission of articles is May 11 and mailing date in June 9.

Unfinished business - The Reconnection Committee members met and decided that the project is ongoing and evolving. Ambassadors were well received and members felt the discussions were very good, getting information to the branches.

Rumbley asked for anyone interested in updating the Convention Guide to please volunteer. Marty Folsom, Mary Peterson, and Lill Van Order will serve on that committee. Sandra Abromitis asked the committee to contact the Asheville Branch, hostesses to the next Convention.

Rumbley started a discussion on having a Winter Board Meeting. Having a conference call with the Board members was debated. Mary Peterson suggested that the Call meeting include the Executive Committee and key Chairs to save expenses. Nancy Shoemaker said that the conference call last Fall cost seven dollars. Millie Hoffler-Foushee suggested that a Chat Room be set up by Nancy Shoemaker for the meeting. Lill Van Order reminded the members that Programs must be finalized at the Winter Board meeting. Nancy Shoemaker said that there will be Bylaws changes in 2005 that will need to be discussed face to face. Money and weather are factors and the board will continue to study the issue.

The meeting was adjourned.

Pat Abell, Secretary

Approved: 23-Jul-2004
Last updated: 29-Jul-2004
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