We invite you to join us on Saturday, April 26th, 9 am-2:30 pm, for our AAUW California 2025 Annual Event on Zoom. Building off the concepts in The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves by Dr. Shawn Ginwright, we will explore how the pivots tie into the Volunteers First program that our own Branch Development committee created. This will be a wonderful opportunity to envision together how we can pivot to sustain our organization. We will gather with hundreds of members across the state to celebrate our accomplishments, honor our members and branches, and learn how we can continue the success of AAUW California and our branches into the future.
We have two exciting speakers who will join us: AAUW Board Chair Cherie Sorokin, with an AAUW update, and strategist Deepa Iyer, who will speak to us about the importance of our strengths, as well as connection and collaboration for our organization’s viability. We will have four breakout rooms for you to choose from based on the Four Pivots: From Lens to Mirror, From Transactional to Transformative, From Problem to Possibility, and From Hustle to Flow. Lots of connections, inspiration, and joy will be found! We hope to see you on April 26th from 9-2:30!
Agenda*
- Welcome
- Tying our theme together
- Opening Speaker: Cherie Sorokin, AAUW Board Chair
- Board accomplishments/Committee updates
- Financial report
- AAUW Fund – Top Branches
- Keynote Speaker: Deepa Iyer
- Public Policy update
- Legacy Circle Recognition
- Five-Star Branch Recognition
- Speech Trek Finalists’ Videos
- Breakout Session #1 (see overview below)
- LUNCH BREAK (30 min)
- Tech Trek Highlights
- Breakout Session #2 (see overview below)
- —AWARDS—
- Branch Activity of the Year (BAY) Awards
- State Named Gift Awardee
- DEI Champion
- Speech Trek Winner Announcement
Breakout Sessions: Overview
During the Annual Event, there will be two separate breakout sessions (one before and one after the lunch break), when participants will be invited to select from one of the four rooms described below. The same four rooms will be available both times. This will allow participants the opportunity to attend two of the four breakout sessions. Read an explanation of each below and plan ahead which two breakout rooms you wish to attend!
Session 1 – PIVOT #1: FROM LENS TO MIRROR
Engage in self-reflective mirror work based on your social change role. Discuss what strengths you bring to AAUW based on your social change role, and, also, what support you need from AAUW members who play different social change roles. Begin to see AAUW as a social change ecosystem in which all members and roles need one another to make good trouble.
Session 2 – PIVOT #2: FROM TRANSACTIONAL TO TRANSFORMATIVE
Volunteers First shows the way to move from task masters to relationship builders through caring and connecting with our members. Volunteer engagement is an affair of the heart! Fulfilling the member’s volunteer motivations touches their heart, drives their choices for volunteering, and sustains their passion for serving.
Session 3 – PIVOT #3: FROM PROBLEM TO POSSIBILITY
Sometimes, our problems seem so daunting that it is hard to know how to move forward. Having some perspective is necessary to see possibilities, and cultivating a new outlook can help us bring about the change we want to see in the world. Come learn about these concepts through a deep dive into AAUW’s resources for equity and inclusion, and see how you can create new possibilities in your branch and community.
Session 4 – PIVOT #4: FROM HUSTLE TO FLOW
Volunteers First shows the way to support and recognize our volunteers. Leaders of volunteers facilitate needs-fulfillment and joy by offering the opportunity to ‘altruize,’ socialize, learn, and self-actualize.
We look forward to seeing you on April 26th! If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to Charmen Goehring at statepresident@aauw-ca.org.
*Agenda is subject to change