The work of AAUW California is accomplished through various standing committees, special committees and task forces and appointed positions overseen by the Board of Directors. Any member of AAUW California in good standing is eligible to serve and may submit an application to be considered for appointment. Members are selected and appointed for a one-year term by the Board of Directors.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMITTEE AND TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Specific responsibilities vary with each committee, but general expectations are that members will:
- Promote AAUW’s programs and mission of equity for all women and girls. Be aware of and uphold AAUW policies and procedures.
- Attend any scheduled meetings of the committee/task force, whether by conference call, online or in-person.
- Participate actively in the continuing work of the committee/task force, maintain communication with the committee and its chair, respond in a timely manner to committee communications and complete assigned tasks.
- Attend the annual Committee Meeting held in July for all members of the Board of Directors, committees and task forces.
- Serve as a consultant and resource to branches and members. Participate actively as a communication liaison between AAUW, AAUW California and branches. Attend Interbranch Council meetings when possible.
- Participate in the Leader on Loan program as authorized.
- Provide information to the AAUW Communications Team to keep the website and other media updated with current information.
REIMBURSEMENT POLICIES
- Committee and task force members are reimbursed for expenses incurred when attending required meetings.
- Each committee and task force has an administrative budget for printing, postage, telephone, supplies, etc. Members may be reimbursed for administrative expenses with prior approval of the chair.
- AAUW California committee members and task force chairs will be reimbursed for approved travel expenses when participating in the AAUW California Branch Resource Connection Program.
- The per diem amount and mileage reimbursement rate are set each April by the Board of Directors.
AAUW CALIFORNIA COMMITTEE AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
For more specific committee information, refer to State Policies and Procedures
Administrative Positions
Parliamentarian
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- Role: Serves as consultant and adviser to the president, state and branch leadership and AAUW California members on parliamentary procedure.
- Duties: Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee as an ex-officio, non-voting member to assure that parliamentary procedures are observed. Remain up to date on parliamentary procedures as established by Robert’s Rules of Order. Maintain notes on Board actions and review accuracy of Board Secretary’s meeting minutes. Serve on the state Governance Committee. If requested, assist with the preparation of agenda items and the verbiage of motions to assure clarity and accuracy. Maintain copies of the current AAUW governance documents, policies and procedures, and the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.
- Time Commitment: Attend quarterly meetings of the Board held on weekends plus up to 5 hours per month.
Meetings Planner
Check back for more details.
Convention Manager
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- Role: The Convention Manager has overall responsibility for planning and developing the biennial convention.
- Duties: Co-chairs, with the Meetings Planner, the convention planning team (delineated in the AAUW CA Policies and Procedures). Convenes meetings of the planning team. Reviews evaluations and reports from prior conventions. Presents a proposal to the AAUW CA Board of Directors in the October prior to the convention which includes a budget, program themes, A/V and room needs, etc. Coordinates convention information with the Communications Committee for publication in the California Perspective and on the website. Oversees: publication and delivery of the convention program; registration; and registration packets. Appoints a SnapShots editor. Creates evaluation forms and tabulates the data from the completed forms after the convention. Convenes a post-convention evaluation/review session with the planning team. Prepares and presents a convention report including summaries of the evaluation data and the post-convention review session. Attends Board of Directors meetings as requested by the President.
- Time Commitment: In the fall prior to the convention, about 4 hours a week; starting in January before the convention, an hour or so a day, increasing until the actual convention. Full time at the convention. Following the convention whatever time it takes to reduce the data from the convention evaluations and prepare a report.
AAUW Fund Committee
- Purpose: Provides guidance and support for branch fundraising activities. Plans AAUW Fund luncheons and other programs/events to educate members about the Fund. Encourages giving to the AAUW Fund. Schedules fellowship and grant recipients to speak at branch meetings and the Fund luncheons.
- Member Duties: Work with chair and team to execute the purposes listed above. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time commitment: Varies, but may be 2 hours per week depending on the time of year.
Branch Support Committee
- Purpose: Provides front-line support and resources to aid branches in organizing and operating effectively to accomplish their missions.
- The members of the Branch Support Committee mainly function as Branch Liaisons and are distributed across the state to provide a front line of support for AAUW California branches and Inter Branch Councils (IBCs).
- Member Duties: Function as direct liaison with area branches and Inter Branch Councils (IBCs) to which assigned. Conduct “people work”, including answering simple questions such as – “Where is XX on the CA website?,” providing resources or assistance when branches need help with programs ideas or dealing with complex issues such as how to handle board disputes. Make in-person branch visits to meet leaders. Speak at meetings. Conduct follow- up questions if there’s a sense of an unspoken problem. Encourage mission-based programming. Inform appropriate state leaders as issues arise. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate. Essential skills include having good/timely communication techniques, using active listening, a familiarity with the AAUW California website and experience with basic facilitation skills.
- Time commitment: Averages 6 -12 hours per month, depending on the number of branches the Liaison supports
College University Relations Committee
College-University@aauw-ca.org
- Purpose: Develop an action plan and measurable goals for CU partner recruitment, retention and engagement activities.
- Member Duties: Encourage the appointment of branch C/U chairs who will assist in recruiting strategies. Support C/U branch chairs through motivation, technical assistance and resource sharing. Respond quickly to questions from members, campus representatives and students. Encourage the exchange of ideas and effective tactics among branch C/U chairs. Disseminate C/U program information and updates to the state board and branches.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours per week.
Communications Committee
- Purpose: Develops and delivers AAUW California information to branches and members using a variety of media channels and technological tools. Manages the publication of the monthly Board to Board newsletter and the California Perspective publication. Seeks opportunities to market AAUW both internally and externally. Maintains the AAUW California website and social media sites. Assists other committees with communication needs.
- Member Duties: Participate in monthly online meetings. Work with team to review and edit communications before distribution. Serve as a liaison with other state committees to understand their communication needs and help frame their messages. Help write stimulating and useful content for all AAUW publications and social media.
Possible roles include editors, social media pros, writers, webmasters, mailing list pros, co-chairs. - Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per week
California Perspective Editor
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- Role: The California Perspective editor bears primary responsibility for production and distribution of three issues of the state newsletter each year.
- Duties: Recommends annual newsletter budget and advertising rates to the Communications Committee Chair; As a member of the Communications Committee, works with AAUW CA leadership, solicits, selects and edits articles and graphics; May personally generate articles and graphics as needed; Sets copy deadline for each issue; Lays out newsletter content to produce a “camera ready” file; Combines and edits mailing list data from several sources to produce lists for postal and email distribution; Is direct contact for print/mail vendor; Coordinates with office manager to verify postal permit is current and mail account is funded for each newsletter publication; Participates in monthly Communications Committee meetings.
- Time commitment: 20 hours per week in August, January and May. 2 hours per month in the other months.
Finance Committee
- Purpose: Administers all critical financial matters essential to the operation of AAUW California. Prepares and monitors budgets. Reviews investment policies and makes appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors.
- Member Duties: Help determine how AAUW California spends members’ dues and recommend if member dues should be raised, understand the insurance program, and understand, evaluate, and receive briefings on the AAUW California investment program.
Work on the committee’s strategic plan goals which may require the member to work with branches and outside entities to complete. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate. - Time Commitment: 8 teleconferences which range from 30 minutes to an hour. Independent work from 1 to 12 hours per year
Governance Committee
- Purpose: Oversees compliance issues for AAUW California and serves as consultants to the AAUW California branches on issues of governance and compliance (bylaws/policies and procedures with AAUW and AAUW California).
- Member Duties: Apply knowledge of governance, including Robert’s Rules of Order, Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, and regulations affecting non-profits, to assist in execution of the purposes above. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time Commitment: 3 hours per month
International Advocacy Committee
- Purpose: Develop the International Advocacy Committee measurable goals and align with AAUW and AAUW CA mission. Assist branches with the program ideas related to Global women issues. Plan workshop for AAUW CA state convention. Connect with the like-minded other community organizations to market AAUW mission.
Member Duties: Encourage the branch leaders to appoint branch International Affairs Chair.
Reminder communication to branch leaders about March 8th International Women’s Day. Identify the scope of joining local area community organizations, membership with UNA-USA local chapter to promote AAUW mission. Publishing quarterly article/ Newsletter about Global Women, culture focusing a specific country. - Time Commitment: Approximately 1-2 hours per week except convention time.
Leadership Development Committee
- Purpose: Develops and administers an ongoing training program to educate current and future leaders at both the branch and state level. Provides training to the AAUW California Board of Directors, as requested by the president.
- Member Duties: Help create and implement (or secure other presenters) for leadership training workshops for Leadership Days and Convention and possibly Interbranch Councils and branches. Attend all Leadership Training Days. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time commitment: Less than 2 hours per week
Membership Committee
- Purpose: Assists and educates branches with effective strategies for attracting and retaining members. Facilitates the establishment of new branches. Implements changes in branch status and advises on alternative governance models.
- Member Duties: Work with chair and team to execute the purposes listed above. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time commitment: 1 hour per month
Nominations & Elections Committee
- Purpose: Administers all aspects of the election of the members of the Board of Directors in accordance with bylaws and Policies and Procedures.
- Member Duties: Help set up nomination procedures. Assist with identification of viable candidates. Communicate with potential candidates via text, email or phone. Help present candidate information and voting procedures in print and electronic communications. Participate in selection of the voting vendor. Assist with management of the election and announcement of the results. Attend state convention. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time Commitment: 10 hours per month
Oversight Committee (Formerly State Project Oversight Committee)
- Purpose: Conducts annual procedural and financial review of all state projects and AAUW projects such as Tech Trek. Evaluates new state project proposals. Assists in the development and execution of new projects. Reviews and updates policies and procedures relating to each project. Conducts annual Tech Trek site reviews to ensure procedures are followed and legal requirements are met.
- Member Duties: Work with chair and team to execute the purposes listed above. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time Commitment: Varies depending on annual goals
Program Committee
- Purpose: Assists branches with translating AAUW and AAUW California mission-based program priorities into their local programs. Communicates program ideas and information to branches. Plans workshops for conventions/annual meetings. Develops and implements mission-based programs at the state level for branch participation. Tracks mission-based program activities through branch newsletters.
There are two sub-committees: Title IX and International Advocacy which work independently of the main committee. (Also described on this page) - Member Duties: Read the branch newsletters and help choose which branches are presenting unique mission-based programs that other branches might like to emulate. Help with workshops at the state convention/annual meeting. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate. Other duties may be devised by the committee when it first meets in July.
- Time commitment: Approximately 4 hours per week for most of the year. At convention/annual meeting time, the time commitment may increase.
Public Policy Committee
- Purpose: Formulates and administers AAUW California’s public policy program under the guidance of the state board and within the scope of the national AAUW public policy program. Evaluates, takes positions and assigns priority status on legislative and ballot measures. Assists branches in implementing public policy and voter education programs.
- Member Duties: Help create and implement (or secure other presenters) for leadership training workshops for Leadership Days and Convention and possibly Interbranch Councils and branches. Assist with the planning and coordination of Leadership Training Days. Help provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting as appropriate.
- Time commitment: 2-3 hours per month, except in March when the committee is more active doing bill research.
Speech Trek
- Role: Under the guidance of the Project Oversight Committee, plans and administers the annual state-wide Speech Trek contest to promote the practice and value of public speaking for high school students.
- Duties: Proposes the annual theme for the speech contest, focusing on a topic that is timely, provocative and mission-based. Reviews and updates contest rules as needed. Develops tool kit for branches to administer local contests. Responds to branch questions about the Speech Trek contest. Prepares Board to Board and California Perspective articles promoting branch participation. Works with state board leadership to organize finalists’ presentations at Annual Meeting or Convention. Solicits judges for semi-finals and finals. Prepares and monitors annual budget.
- Time Commitment: Seasonal, with most activity during March and April. Limited time commitment throughout the remainder of the year.
Tech Trek
Tech Trek Project Coordinator
- Role: Under the guidance of the Project Oversight Committee, provides administrative oversight of all AAUW CA Tech Trek camps.
- Duties: Serves as liaison between Tech Trek camps and AAUW CA Board of Directors as well as between the Tech Trek camps and AAUW National. Organizes and runs the annual fall Tech Trek Directors and Treasurers meeting. Appoints, supervises and serves as the primary resource for Camp Directors. Compiles and distributes administrative paperwork to participating branches. Assists branches with questions. Serve as the primary resource for Branch Coordinators. Assures that camps are operated in compliance with AAUW Policies and Procedures and relevant legal regulations. Prepares and monitors the annual budget. Submits articles to Board to Board and California Perspective.
- Time Commitment: Minimum of 10 hours per week.
Tech Trek Financial Liaison
- Role: Serves as a liaison between Camp Treasurers and SPF. Provides financial oversight of all Tech Trek Camps in California and serves as the overall project treasurer.
- Duties: Works with the camps’ treasurers to assure accurate financial reporting. Approves vouchers and keep copies of deposits and vouchers. Distributes SPF monthly reports and works to resolve discrepancies between Camp Treasurers records and SPF records. Provides guidance for new Camp Treasurers.
- Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week.
Title IX Committee
- Purpose: Evaluates, takes positions and assigns priority status on suggested changes to Title IX as presented by the Secretary of Education.
- Member Duties: Help create and implement (or secure presenters) for leadership training workshops on the topic of Title IX. Assist with the planning and coordination of Leadership Training Days. Read branch newsletters and share the findings with the Public Policy Committee and the state board. Provide committee updates to the Communication Committee for posting, as appropriate.
- Time commitment: 2-3 hours most months.
