American Association of University Women NC
Convention Minutes
Renaissance Hotel, Asheville, North Carolina
April 16-17, 2005
Branches Present: Asheville, Brevard, Bryson City, Chapel Hill, Charlotte,
Gaston Regional, Greensboro, Hendersonville, High Point, Jacksonville Regional,
Raleigh/Wake, Salisbury, Sand Hills/Southern Pines,Statesville, Twin Rivers/New
Bern, Wilmington and Winston-Salem
Officers and Committee Chairs Present: J. Hill, M. Peterson, E. Mercer, M. Hoffler-Foushee, K. Atkinson, R. Bradke, M. Folsom, Q. Thompson, L. Van Order, S. Quisenberry, S. Abromitis, L. Jackson, S. Champion, B. Hamrick, N. Shoemaker, MF Schickedantz, L. Ward, J. Atkinson, L. Sarkis and E. Laney
President Joanne Hill called the meeting to order at 1:26 PM. A quorum was present. She thanked everyone for taking time from this weekend to attend convention. She thanked members of the Asheville branch for their hospitality. Grace Walker, Asheville Convention Coordinator, welcomed the group.
A reading committee was appointed to review these minutes, including JoAnn Hall, Bernie Carpenter and Lois Ward.
The agenda was accepted with an amendment to remove the report of the SAR Director (which was given at the Board meeting on April 15, 2005).
SAR Director Ann Terry was introduced and six past AAUW NC presidents in attendance were recognized.
Credentials Report - Marilyn Kolton
Marilyn noted that the current process used to identify delegates -- asking branches
to return a delegate form -- does not appear to be working. Some delegates in
attendance did not have voting cards before this meeting was called to order,
for example. The credentials committee reported:
86 attendees at the convention
53 delegates
31 nonvoting members
1 SAR representative
1 guest
17 of 22 branches represented
The motion to accept the report of the Credentials Committee was approved.
Board Meeting Rules
Parliamentarian Lois Ward read the meeting rules which were revised to include
privileges from the floor. The meeting rules were adopted as amended.
Treasurer’s Report - Millie Hoffler Foushee
Millie presented the treasurer’s report dated 4/13/05. AAUW NC has $7580
in checking and $12,943 in reserves. One CD account has been closed and moved
to another account paying greater interest. The report was filed for audit.
Finance Committee Report - Sandra Abromitis
Sandra presented the proposed budget for 2005-2006 which was approved by the Board
on April 15, 2005. She reviewed the two amendments which were approved by the
Board the prior evening. She noted that income is based on a projected membership
of 1100 AAUW NC members. The budget was received as presented.
Program Committee - Mary Peterson
Mary thanked several people, especially members of the Asheville convention committee
and her AAUW NC program committee. She encouraged everyone to welcome first-timers
to convention who could be identified by the green ribbon on their name tags.
Membership - Evelyn Mercer
Evelyn announced she is forming an AAUW NC Membership Committee and asked for
volunteers to serve on this committee. Information from the branch membership
survey was forwarded to Association. Joanne Hill indicated that Jeanette Hall’s
summary report on these surveys is available on the AAUW web site for those interested
in seeing the results. Evelyn reviewed the incremental dues increase for Association
dues.
Nominating Committee
As Chairperson of and on behalf of the Nominating Committee, Linda Sarkis presented
the following slate of officers and proposed acceptance of this slate:
Nancy Shoemaker - President Elect
Judy Atkinson - Program Vice President
Millie Hoffler Foushee - Treasurer
Each candidate offered a few remarks. Nancy promised a “customer service”
focus during her term of office and supports removing the BS degree requirement
for AAUW membership. Judy outlined her community involvement, thanked Mary Peterson
and encouraged all members to submit program ideas to her. Millie, a second term
candidate, took the opportunity to remind women of their need to be financially
informed and educated.
President Hill called for other nominations from the floor. No nominations were
offered and the nomination process was closed. By a voice vote the slate was unanimously
approved.
Election of a Nominating Committee
Two slots for the Secretary and Membership Vice President will need to be filled
next year. Joanne Hill called for volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee
which must have a minimum of five members, preferably reflecting a diverse geographic
representation of the branches.
Following a brief, five minute break, the following persons were appointed to
the nominating committee:
Jane Neederberger - Wilmington
Jean Green - Chapel Hill
Grace Knechtel - Raleigh/Wake
Karen Perry - High Point
Carol Kaiser - Hendersonville
Linda Sarkis - Greensboro (Sarkis will be an Ex Officio “consultant”
to the Nominating Committee)
The motion to elect the Nominating Committee was seconded and approved.
Bylaws Discussion and Adoption - Karla Atkinson
Sandra Champion noted that since the Reconnection Committee had done most of the
work to draft the proposed bylaws change, Karla Atkinson would present the motion
on the bylaws.On behalf of the Reconnection Committee and as Secretary of the
AAUW NC Board of Directors, Karla presented the following motion:
On behalf of the Reconnection Committee VI which has been studying the structure
and organization of AAUW NC for the last two years, and on behalf of the AAUW
NC Board of Directors that has agreed to submit this motion to the membership
and voting delegates at the AAUW NC 2005 State Convention for consideration:
I move that the proposed amendments to the AAUW NC Bylaws, as presented to branch
presidents in a mailed packet in March 2005 and posted for all interested members
on the AAUW NC web site since February 2005, be approved, and that the AAUW NC
Secretary be authorized to edit the the current bylaws to make any spelling, punctuation,
numbering, etc. corrections which are necessary for consistency and clarity in
this document.
The motion to accept these proposed bylaws changes was approved.
Educational Foundation - Rusty Bradke
Rusty announced that $30,570 had been raised for the Education Foundation. This
amount was less than last year but more than the $25 per person contribution which
Association encourages each member to make.
She thanked the branches for designing baskets which will be raffled during convention.
All proceeds will go to EF, with each branch’s contribution reflecting the
amount collected in raffle tickets for their basket.
International Affairs - Shirley Quisenberry
Shirley explained the proposed bylaw change at Association convention which would
change “shall” pay IFUW dues to “may” pay IFUW dues and urged
AAUW to continue to be the backbone of international efforts to improve the lives
of women. She noted that IFUW is AAUW’s voice in the United Nations.
LAF - Lil Van Order
LAF contributions fell short of the $10,000 goal, though $7,138 was raised. Eighteen
of 22 branches contributed. Ten of 22 branches contributed at least $5 per member.
Lil noted that contributions are higher from branches which have designated a
LAF coordinator for their branch.
Though AAUW NC did not receive a travel grant this year, LAF president Leslie
Annexstein will speak at the LAF breakfast on Sunday morning.
Lil reminded attendees that the EF and LAF merger had been completed. However,
contributions will still be given separately to EF and LAF -- not a merged organization.
Public Policy Report - Tabled
Resolutions
On behalf of the Resolutions Committee, Lib Laney introduced this resolution which
was submitted by the Brevard Branch and moved its adoption.
RESOLUTION REGARDING
VERIFIABLE VOTING TECHNOLOGY PROPOSED LEGISLATION
PRESENTED BY THE BREVARD BRANCH OF AAUW
AAUW 2005 NORTH CAROLINA CONVENTION
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Whereas in the 2004 November election a North Carolina county lost 4500 votes
in the electronic equipment…
Whereas North Carolina had a lengthy and costly recount for two Council of State offices due to uncertainties about electronic voting equipment and inability to retrieve data…
Whereas in Florida, Ohio, Nebraska, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wyoming serious voting malfunctioning and miscounting were attributed to electronic voting machine problems…
Whereas the AAUW Public Policy Program advocates “vigorous protection and full access to civil and constitutional rights”…
And Whereas certainty that our votes are correctly recorded is central to those rights…
Therefore be it resolved that the North Carolina American Association of University Women support and promote legislation regarding verifiable voting systems which incorporates the following:
Every electronic voting system generates a voter verifiable paper ballot
Source codes for software in electronic systems are required to be available to
examination by officials of state, county, and political parties
A code of ethics is established to govern relations with voting system vendors
Audits of machine tabulations against paper ballots are required
Therefore be it further resolved that In keeping with these principles, the North Carolina American Association of University Women shall support and promote the proposed legislation “Public Confidence in Elections” now before the North Carolina General Assembly (H238 and S223), urging legislators to take positive action during this Session to enact these bills without amendments into law.
The resolution was debated. By a voice vote, the resolution was adopted.
New Business
A discussion centered on whether to sign on and financially support a full-page advertisement in the Raleigh newspaper to “stand on moral ground.” AAUW NC last year passed a resolution in support of the March for Women’s Lives in April 2005. A motion was offered and seconded that AAUW sign onto the ad and contribute $25 to help defray the cost of the ad.
Discussion continued and centered on whether the money should come from the
AAUW NC treasury. A motion to amend the original motion to add the phrase “from
the AAUW NC treasury” was offered, seconded and approved with 31 “yes”
votes and 8 “no” votes.
The motion as amended read: AAUW will add its name to the list of organizations
signing the ad “We Stand on Moral Ground” to be published in the 4/25/05
Raleigh News and Observer and will submit $25 from the AAUW NC Treasury to defray
the cost of the ad.”
This motion as amended was seconded and approved.
21st Century Recognition Reports - Mary Fran Schickedantz
Mary Fran thanked all the branches for submitting the recognition information.
She noted that AAUW NC hopes to build on this information. Certificates will be
presented at the banquet this evening.
Tar Heel News - Marty Folsom
In keeping with the six-week mailing target date, copy will need to be sent to
Marty by May 10. The anticipated mailing date is June 1.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:21 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karla Atkinson, Secretary
President Hill called the meeting to order at 11:09 am. Several announcements were made: attendees were asked to return their evaluation sheets; a list for those attending Association convention was circulated; forms for 2005 membership in the 100 Club were available.
Diversity Report
There was no diversity report to present, since Queen Thompson had left.
EF Raffle Results
There was no formal report on the proceeds from the EF raffle, though Rusty Bradke
indicated she had at least $350 in cash before the raffle concluded the prior
evening. There was a suggestion from the floor that EF and LAF alternate each
year as beneficiaries of the convention fundraiser. Lill Van Order noted that
the LAF breakfast acts as a fund raiser at convention and that the suggestion
should have more discussion.
Resolution of Appreciation
Lib Laney presented a resolution, thanking the Asheville Branch and the AAUW NC
program committee for making all the convention arrangements. The motion to accept
the resolution was accepted by acclamation.
Installation of Officers
SAR Director Ann Terry installed the following officers for 2005-2007.
Nancy Shoemaker - President Elect
Judy Atkinson - Program Vice President
Millie Hoffler Foushee - Treasurer
Joanne Hill presented outgoing Program VP Mary Peterson will a token of appreciation for her leadership over the last two years in this role.
Invitation to Association Convention
Ann Terry encouraged all to attend the Association Convention in Washington in
June and outlined the importance of “educating” oneself on the various
issues which will be decided at convention. She also encouraged those who will
attend to meet the candidates for office before voting and to report back on Association
business at the local branch level.
Open Forum
Congratulations were offered to Statesville and Wilmington members for their fine
presentations on branch programs that morning.
Sand Hills/Southern Pines observed that their branch program offering Sally Ride Scholarships for eighth grade girls in area schools had also been a success. A similar program in Statesville which awards math and science certificates/prizes to middle school girls has proven worthy.
A few branches reported that their local school districts did not permit single sex awards or scholarships to be given to students.
There was a general consensus that this year’s convention program lineup was extraordinary!
Invitation to 2006 Convention
Mary Peterson and Joann Hall entered into a “dialogue” which promised
that a visit to New Bern for the 2006 AAUW NC Convention on March 31-April 2,
2006 was a “not-to-be-missed” opportunity. In the course of their conversation,
they emphasized there is much to see and do in New Bern, in addition to being
present for the convention.
Closing Remarks
Joanne Hill again offered thanks to everyone who was involved with organizing
and presenting the 2005 AAUW NC Convention.
She noted that the Executive Committee had decided to reserve the summer meeting for a regular, working Board meeting and that the summer leadership program (usually held in the summer) will be moved to the fall.
She thanked all the current appointed officers for their work and asked them to continue to serve in 2005-2006. Those unable to serve next year should notify Joanne.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karla Atkinson, Secretary
Approved:
Last updated:
16-May-2005
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