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AAUW NC
Tar Heel News
Fall 03 issue
Front page
Public Policy
SAR
AAUW NC
Branches
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Williams Reports on 2003 Convention. Shares Association Messages
[This is a somewhat longer version of the message printed in the Tar Heel
News.]
Greetings and farewell.
I have just recently returned from Convention 2003. Taking the scenic route
back to Georgia marks the beginning of my promise to self and family that I am
now going to spend more time helping Ronnie to enjoy her golden years of retirement
and lots of family, friends and fun stuff!
What I have been especially enjoying, has been sharing my excitement in showing
and telling about the way that SAR actually stunned me into silence and tears,
with such a beautiful and thoughtful surprise. Linus has his blanket,,,and
I now have my pillow and blanket as a comfort and reminder that SAR cared enough
to design and put together a work of labor and love. This is further proof of
what I have known from day one...SAR is the BEST!!!...and I am better for having
served as the Director for the past four years! I know that my successor,
Ann Terry, will enjoy the cooperation, and learning/fun experiences as I did!
No, I don't plan to be dormant...Promoting and supporting the mission of
AAUW/SAR and EF/LAF has become a passion that I can't even imagine not actively
pursuing......like forever...still at a steady...but slower speed!
The 43rd Biennial AAUW Convention is now history. Over 1000 attendees (combined
for the Association Convention and Student Women's Leaders Conference) heard fabulous,
energizing keynotes speakers, attended informative workshops and, of course, boisterous
business sessions. AAUW members are not afraid to offer their opinions.
Being able to mingle with the young women who attended the Conference of College
Women Student Leaders was invigorating. And the bonus was the lovely town of Providence,
RI.
For those who are interested, many of the keynotes and workshops were recorded.
They should be available soon online at www.aauw.org. A recap of
each day's
activities from Convention are also posted on the website; click on Convention
then Convention Dailies to get all the information.
Our congratulations to All of our SAR Candidate winners who now represent
SAR at the Association/EF/LAF decision-making tables. There are still openings
on some Association committees (Program, College/University, and Public Policy).
If anyone out there is interested, you may go online at <www.aauw.org> and
find information plus the vita form. You may also ask your State President
or Regional Director for the appropriate forms.
I am no longer on the Association Board LISTSERV, so, naturally I have not been
receiving the latest. However, below are some key messages from the pre-convention
Board meeting. But first and foremost, the important business of the convention
itself:
Membership options were thoroughly discussed and none passed.
- Opening the membership up to all interested in our mission was roundly defeated
(369 in favor; 1069 opposed).
- The vote to allow those with Associate degrees as members was closer but did
not obtain the two-thirds majority vote necessary to pass (762 in favor; 640 opposed).
- The dues procedure for an annual increase (1412 votes were cast, with 1220
YES and 192 NO) and the recommended annual increase amount of $2.00, amended
to sunset at the 2009 convention, were strongly supported (1336 yes; 87 no).
- All of these proposed bylaw amendments and the dues increase amount were done
by card count, so that the votes from every branch and state at the convention
were counted.
- A resolution was passed to continue dialogue over the next two years throughout
the states and branches on membership options and structure.
Key Messages from Association Pre-Convention Board:
- A balanced budget for FY 03-04 was adopted.
- The dues increase, beginning in July 2004, will help keep services that are
important to members.
- Association Staff worked hard at submitting requests that continued support
for our important Public Policy programs, Membership Outreach and Association
Programs that support the states and branches, but also stayed within the budget.
Unfortunately, staff will not be receiving raises during this fiscal year.
The Board also reaffirmed commitment to the states and branches, focusing in
particular on membership and leadership development. For instance, we
would like
to support branches which are struggling with leadership issues, looking at flexible
ways to run branches (and states).
The 21st Century Recognition Program will continue with some tweaks (they are
going to look at moving back the March 1st due date). Not only did the
program grow in numbers over the two years, many branches and states which did
not apply still used the program as they set strategies for their year.
We are quite proud of our great Public Policy and Communication efforts. We were
able to hold in place key elements of Title IX and worked hard on two judicial
nominations we are particularly concerned about. As we all know, court
decisions can have great impact on policy, esp. at the lower court level (most
cases do not make it to the Supreme Court), so whoever is appointed to federal
courts can make a huge difference in decisions.
In terms of communication, our website has been redesigned to be user-friendly
and easy to navigate. I hope you've had a chance to visit it recently.
As our website becomes more useful, we will be able to connect continually with
both our branch members and members-at-large, having interactive conversations.
We also encourage you to utilize the bulletin boards and chat rooms available
through the AAUW Member Center. The use of these virtual facilities are free;
ask your Regional Director for information on how to establish a chat room. There
is a new thread started by an Association Board Working Group concerning branch
structure and leadership issues. Check it out and add your opinion and/or experiences!
A Cross-Corporate Development Committee has been formed to coordinate and enhance
giving for the Foundation, LAF and Association. Rather than working
independently, the three corporations will be working together.
The Board voted to look at establishing a social-conscience responsibility policy
to guide us in dealing with outside funders and grant makers. As we branch
out in our investments, in seeking grants and corporate sponsorships, we would
like to have a policy in place that would have criteria which defines when to
accept and when to decline an offer that may look great financially but may not
be in alignment with our
mission. Look for more information in the future.
In May, the Educational Foundation released its newest research report entitled
“Women at Work”. There is also an action guide that accompanies it.
Everyone at
convention received a copy of both. As in the past, each state and branch
program chair should receive one.
Again I am appreciative of the support these past four years as your Regional
Director. I have loved working with you all. I now am passing
the torch to Ann Terry, annsterry@yahoo.com who also was elected by her
sister Regional Directors to serve as one of two Regional Directors on the Association
Board.
SAR will, once again, be well represented!
Please make certain that information on all of your State/Cluster/Branch officers/contact
persons has been routed to Ann. I am sending Ann what I have...but there are
only a few forms that have been sent to me.
As I requested at Convention. Ann will also need immediate information on any
state meetings/conferences planned for the summer and fall months, so that
she can arrange her schedule for possible attendance to some of them.
The SAR Caucus Minutes will be sent to state presidents after the three appointed
readers have returned them to the Secretary. You indicated that you wanted to
have specific amounts revealed, so, as promised, I will ask Ann to have the treasurer
to indicate the amount that each state contributed to the SAR Fundraising effort,
and add that report to the minutes.
This is possibly my final formal memo...
But SAR is filled with many, many folks that will be friends forever...
Ronnie
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