At the AAUW-NC 2001 Convention, there was a discussion of why more branches weren't involved in AAUW at the state and Association levels -- particularly in attending conventions. Some ideas were raised at the meeting. For example, if the problem is financial, perhaps clusters could band together to provide financial assistance to a representative. This issue may be critical to the survival of AAUW as an organization -- as the Association tries to reenergize the organization, only those branches that are "tied into" the larger organizations will be the beneficiaries of those efforts. On the other hand, if there are branches who feel they are successful at the local level and have no need to "take from" the larger organizations, perhaps they are willing to capture their ideas and "give back" to the larger group. President Mary Jo Pribble appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to look at the issue and report back.
The committee had some initial e-mail discussions, and decided to poll the membership on the reasons why they didn't participate. The Web and paper surveys are being distributed in October, 2001. The commitee will undertake followup discussions by phone to make sure that those who are "not at the table" are heard -- their opinions are precisely the ones that need to be evaluated.
Narrative Answers received from online survey. (as of 10/01)
Narrative answers from paper survey (posted 8/11/2002)
A web survey was available the week before the Oct. 6 board meeting through Zoomerang. Here are the results handed out at the meeting as discussion points. This information is obviously preliminary.
Paper-based surveys will be distributed to all branches at the Oct. 6 board meeting with a request to have the results returned by October 31. You may print out the "paper" surveys here:
More information: Sandra Abromitis of the Asheville Branch, abromitis@msn.com
Last modified 11-Aug-02