Idea for Tech Trek from July 2016

From Diane Johnson, La Mesa-El Cajon IBC -La Mesa-El Cajon Open Space

Our Tech Trek discussion brought in several participants that knew nothing about the subject.  This proved to be a great asset in the discussion re:  How do we improve communication between our chosen Tech Trek girls and the committee directing the process.  Because the new people knew very little about Tech Trek, they asked relevant questions which forced us to think through processes we use now and to consider new ways of doing things.

The discussion helped us formulate a new approach which we will begin using with our 2016 girls.  We will assign each girl a mentor who will, from the beginning of the process, connect with 2 girls, their teachers, and their parents.  It will be a hand-holding process that will ensure that each step of the way the girls will follow through with what is required.  This will ease the work load and frustration for our committee members and enhance our connection with the girls and their families.

Ideas from the Southeast IBC July 2016 Open Space

New members

• Give new members a potted plant and tell them “you helped us grow!”  (learned in a session at the 2016 convention Open Space)
• Give new members a packet of information about the branch
• Provide a mentor for new members to help them get engaged

Emeritus members – an honor designation for long time members who can no longer attend

Invite Tech Trek teachers to branch/IBC meetings.

Fund Raising

• Event around Lunafest if possible
• Wine tasting or olive oil tasting
• Decide on fund raising purpose. Members decorate a piggy bank (maybe have a party for this) and put change in throughout the year. In June collect money and give a prize for the cutest bank.

Marketing/Membership Materials – From Eve Toles, Victor Valley

 Eve shared some of the Victor Valley marketing materials. Eve learned about the “business card” concept from Dale Satake of the Marin branch.

Branch “business card”		New Member or Marketing Materials folder

Tri-fold Branch Brochure

Sharing from the Humboldt Branch Meeting – November 2016

Give business or agency donors a Certificate of Appreciation, something appropriate for display in a window or on a wall. Take an example along when meeting in person.

Have a formal presentation of the AAUW membership pins (new FY17 – pins sent from National) and celebrate the occasion. This would also be a good article for the branch newsletter and local newspaper.

Put out a Suggestion Box at meetings; contents to be reviewed by the board.

• Speaker on Racial Equality – Jen Rice, Director of Community Strategies at the Humboldt Area Foundation, provided a number of resources for those interested in the topic, here are several:
• Center for Social Inclusion
• Haas Institute for A Fair & Inclusive Society
• Government Alliance for Race & Equity: Tools & Resources
• Harvard Implicit Bias Test
• Showing Up for Racial Justice

 Ideas from the Santa Cruz County Branch Luncheon – December 2016

• Nominating Committee – all interest groups (book, bridge, garden, etc.) are required to provide one committee member. This is formalized in the branch bylaws.
• Community Engagement – public invited to the first meeting of the year. The meeting includes a description of major efforts (i.e. scholarships, TechTrek) and interest groups.
• Send reminders and “how-to” information to branch members about the free Give a Grad a Gift Follow up with your scholarship recipients, think big! In addition to daughters consider nieces, grandchildren, participants in local women-in-transition programs… good for AA degrees as well as BA, BS, etc.