Quick Links

Committee News

Program News

• AAUW Fund
• Branch Development
• College/University
• Communications
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Finance
• Nominations and Elections
• Public Policy

• Speech Trek
• Tech Trek

Charmen's Chat

Charmen Goehring, President, AAUW California, statepresident@aauw-ca.org

The calendar says it is officially Fall, but here in Sacramento, we evidently didn’t get enough of the triple digits and heat. I am grateful to be here and not in the south on the East Coast, where many of our AAUW sisters are digging out of mud and debris. Please send positive thoughts to them and their communities as they navigate the next few weeks and months.

Peer Groups: Committee chairs are getting their peer group meetings uploaded to the calendar on the website. Usually geared towards job-alike positions (finance peer group for branch treasurers, for example), this year, we are opening them to anyone who wants to attend and learn more. Check the calendar for times and links.

Five-Star Branch Program: National has updated the requirements for the Five-Star Program and they can be found HERE. Consider taking on this challenge as a way to focus your branch on the mission and sustainability of AAUW and the future of your branch. 

Speech Trek: There will be one last state Speech Trek competition in the spring. The toolkits and MOU are now available on the California website. If you have questions, please reach out to Cathy Foxhoven at speechtrek@aauw-ca.org.

Women’s Economic Empowerment webinars: The AAUW National office is sponsoring a series of webinars this year focused on Economic Empowerment– a topic that will interest members of all ages. A couple of the webinars are co-sponsored by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and will cover how to avert financial fraud and scams (October 29th) as well as saving for retirement (December 5th). Other webinars include Work Smart. Click HERE  for the 2024 Webinar Schedule with registration links.

Thank you for all that you are doing to engage your branch members, make your activities accessible to all, and advance AAUW’s mission. You are the heart of our organization! Remember, if you have questions, send them to askusfirst@aauw-ca.org. 

Happy Fall!

Committee News

AAUW FUND TOP

Deanna Arthur, AAUW Fund Committee chair, aauwfund@aauw-ca.org

HAVING TROUBLE SENDING DONATIONS ON THE NATIONAL WEBSITE?   CAN’T WAIT TO BOOK A FUND SPEAKER?

The AAUW National website fund donations page is currently being updated.  At the current time, the only choice available is the Greatest Needs Fund.  If you wish to make a donation to a different fund, please contact Tremayne Parquet at the national office (800) 326-2289. We look forward to the successful completion of the update. 

The Fund speaker list has been received from National, and we are confirming their information. You can click HERE in late October to see if the request form has been posted.

The invitation to our first peer group meeting will be posted soon.
 

What I need to know: National is updating the donations page on the website. The Fund speaker request form will be available in late October.

What I need to do: Check back at the end of October.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, people need to know there is a problem with the Fund page on the AAUW National website.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENTTOP

Sigrid Moranz, Director, Leadership, branch-development@aauw-ca.org

Rebecca Gomez, Director, Membership, branch-development@aauw-ca.org

“WHAT I WISH I HAD KNOWN SOONER!”
At our September 24th Branch Development Peer Group Meeting, participants were provided a tour of the recently revised resources of the Branch Tools on the AAUW California website. We covered ideas on how to increase membership and the Shape the Future campaign, which provides free memberships to branches. The Shop AAUW site was reviewed for branding individual branches, and ideas for branch business cards were discussed. If your branch membership chair was unable to attend the September 24th peer group meeting, please let them know they can click HERE to watch recordings of past meetings.

Join us for the October 22nd peer group meeting, where we will still be discussing “Succession Planning.” Invite your nominating committee to attend with you; please share the registration link with them.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

AAUW business cards with a QR code can direct people to your branch website for more information.

What I need to know: The next peer group meeting will continue the discussion regarding succession planning.

What I need to do: Register for the peer group if you plan to attend.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, this information is for branch leaders.

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITYTOP

Susan Bangasser, College/University Committee chair, cu@aauw-ca.org

LET’S SHAPE THE NCCWSL EXPERIENCE AND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS WITHIN THE TITLE IX REGULATIONS
To learn more about enhancing the National Conference for College  Women  Student Leaders (NCCWSL) experience for college students, please join the College & University Partnership Peer Group meeting on October 29th, 7 pm-8:30 pm. We hope all branches that support NCCWSL students will stay informed as we work with AAUW National on this event. We will also hear from Marty McKnew about shaping our scholarships while staying within Title IX requirements. This information is essential for all branches giving scholarships. Click HERE to register.

Work to make your scholarship schools into C/U Partner schools!

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Invite your scholarship school contacts to a branch meeting.

What I need to know: the next C/U Peer Group will discuss the NCCWSL experience.

What I need to do: Invite the C/U contacts to a branch meeting

Should I include this in my branch newsletter?  No, this information is only for branch leaders.

COMMUNICATIONS TOP

Michelle Baer and Donna Holmes, Directors, Communication Committee Co-chairs, communications@aauw-ca.org

FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS AND COMPLETE COMMUNICATIONS THE ROAD TO A FIVE-STAR BRANCH!
Communications covers so many things; did I give a clear timeline, was it free of bias, did it make sense?  The Board to Board (B2B) provides information for branch leaders and, sometimes, information to be shared with all branch members. Information to share is highlighted, and you are requested to share it. In my experience, all branches have members who are worker bees but might not be listed as officers in the Branch Officer Report (BOR). et those branch members know they may request being added to the distribution by sending a request to webteam@aauw-ca.org.

Make sure everyone in your branch who needs the information in the B2B, does receive it. Also, the B2B is posted on the state website home page, you can attach a link in your newsletter inviting interested members to take a look. 

What I need to know: There are several ways to receive or find the B2B.

What I need to do: Alert members who are not listed in the BOR, that there ways to receive or find the B2B 

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Consider if your branch would like a link to the B2B in the branch newsletter. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TOP

Lata Murti, Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, diversity@aauw-ca.org

DON’T JUST LEAVE DEI STRATEGIC PLANNING TO THE STATE!
Take a cue from the Amador Branch and create a DEI Strategic Plan with and for your branch! Amador Branch leader Bonnie Krupp will show us how at the October 16th DEI Peer Group Meeting from 7-8 pm.  Click HERE to register.                             

The branch DEI coordinator, with the help of the membership and program chair, should click HERE to complete the Fall 2024 AAUW CA Branch DEI Survey. This short survey will help your branch become familiar with the DEI resources available on both the AAUW California and AAUW National websites and decide how best to utilize these resources.

Completing the survey is a first step to creating a branch DEI Strategic Plan. The second step is coming to our October DEI Peer Group Meeting. 

There are many cultural and religious occasions in the Fall. Make sure your branch does not schedule a meeting or program on the same day as one of these occasions by consulting the updated Calendar of Holidays and Observances on the AAUW California website.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, check out AAUW’s Latina Alumnae Spotlight on the national website.

What I need to know: The next DEI Peer Group will discuss creating a branch Strategic Plan. The DEI coordinator should complete the Branch DEI Survey. Branches should not schedule meetings on the same day as certain holidays.
What I need to do: Check out the Calendar of Holidays and Observances on the AAUW California website.
Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, this information is only for branch leaders.

FINANCE TOP

Kathy Ford, Chief Financial Officer, Finance Committee chair,  cfo@aauw-ca.org

FIND THE INFORMATION YOUR BRANCH NEEDS TO FILE MANDATORY GOVERNMENT FORMS NOW AS WELL AS FORMS FOR RAFFLES, SALES TAX, AND 1099S.
The Finance Committee held the Government Filings peer group session on October 1st.  Even though it was in direct conflict with the Vice-Presidential debate, a lot of dedicated branch finance officers and others attended and generated a lot of lively and thoughtful discussion. For those who opted for the VP debate, the recording, PowerPoint presentation, and Q&A summary will be posted to the AAUW California website. Go to Peer Groups, then select Finance. The PowerPoint presentation is a useful reference tool and includes links for accessing forms and instructions for completing and submitting a wide variety of forms.

Be sure to use the tools on the AAUW California website to complete your branch government filings on time. And remember – if your branch gross revenues are no more than $50,000, you can ask national to file your branch 990-N, but the deadline to do so is October 15th.  Go to Ask National and select “Federal Form 990 – Ask National to file for your branch”.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Still have questions about filing your branch forms? You can contact cfo@aauw-ca.org for help from the Finance Committee.

What I need to know: The recent Finance Peer Group discussed the mandatory government forms.

What I need to do: Make sure the required Federal Form 990 has been appropriately addressed.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, this information is only for branch leaders.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS TOP

Elaine Johnson, Nominations and Election chair, nominating@aauw-ca.org  

THE CHOICES OF THE NEXT BOARD MEMBERS ARE IN YOUR HANDS
The nominating committee is preparing descriptions of the board positions and the application forms for these positions. These applications will include a question about commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. You will find this information on the AAUW California website in mid-October.

Please encourage branch members to apply for these director positions. Remember that the choices are in your hands.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Ask your members if they know who the state board members are.

What I need to know: Descriptions of the board positions will soon be posted on the California website

What I need to do: Encourage branch members to consider applying for a state board position.

PUBLIC POLICY TOP

Amy Hom and Melissa Maceyko, Directors, Public Policy Committee Co-chairs, publicpolicy@aauw-ca.org

2024 ELECTIONS: GET READY TO VOTE!
The highest rate of voter turnout in a national election since 1900 was in 2020. This rate was 66%, or about two-thirds of the voting-eligible population. In every election cycle, it is important to make sure that we all know the mechanics of voting, as well as the issues that are at stake in the election--to exercise our own right to weigh the facts and cast our vote and to ensure that others are able to seamlessly do the same.

Knowing California-specific information about how to register voters, check voter registration, direct voters to voting locations, answer questions about ballots, dispel misinformation, and have conversations across differences are all part of an impactful Get Out the Vote (GOTV) effort.

Voting Dates and Deadlines 2024:

October 7.      Vote-by-Mail (VBM) Ballots are sent to registered voters.
October 8.      Ballot drop-off locations (official drop boxes) become available.
October 12.   Check with your county elections office if you have checked that your voter registration details are correct but do not yet have a VBM ballot.
October 21.   Most voter registration closes (but you can still register in person on election day).
October 26.   Vote Centers open for early in-person voting and VBM drop-off in select counties.
October 29.* Last day to request a replacement VBM ballot (if you make a mistake) in certain counties (e.g. LA). Check with your county elections office.
November 5. Election Day! VBM ballots must be postmarked by today or dropped off at a Vote Center by 8 pm.
November 12.   VBM ballots must be received to be counted.

To help GOTV in 2024, brush up on your existing knowledge of voting mechanics in California, important issues, and GOTV outreach--and hopefully, learn something new--by watching Getting Out the Vote in a Polarized World. This 60-minute webinar was recorded on September 23rd. The webinar recording and the slides, which include a full index of resource links, can be accessed HERE.

To get you started, we have included a helpful list of important dates for voting in California (above). As you plan your own GOTV efforts, please also watch for weekly emails from AAUW California that ask you to help GOTV by sharing information about the election with your friends, family, and peers via word of mouth and social media. If you want to receive additional GOTV messages each week until the election, please sign up HERE.

Thank you and good luck getting out the vote in 2024!

Public Policy Priorities and the Election:

Student Loan Debt
In order to give you the tools to do your own candidate assessments, we are offering the third (and final)in a series of election resources. These resources  highlight AAUW California Public Policy Priorities (PPPs) that are rising as central issues in the upcoming election. See the October issue of Public Policy News for more information.

The California Online Branch will host a webinar presented by the Public Policy Committee entitled Project 2025 and How it Would Impact AAUW Public Policy Priorities on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 7 pm. The webinar will include an overview of where Project 2025 came from, what it is broadly attempting to do, and how it would impact education, Title IX, reproductive health, and gender equity. You can register for the webinar HERE.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Be On The Lookout!
As our election coverage has shown, our Public Policy Priorities (PPPs) are VERY important for shaping how we take positions and advance legislation. Be on the lookout in November for our biannual survey through which YOU tell US your thoughts on our current PPPs--and make suggestions for additions and changes.

What I need to know: Pay attention to the important dates listed above.  

What I need to do: View the GOTV September 24th webinar if you missed it live.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? You might consider sharing this information with your branch before the election.

Program News

SPEECH TREK TOP

Cathy Foxhoven, Speech Trek Program Director, and Speech Trek Committee chair, speechtrek@aauw-ca.org

DO YOU WANT MONEY TO RUN YOUR SPEECH TREK CONTEST?
The Speech Trek committee is excited to let you know that all branches who run Speech Trek this year will receive $800. Of course, that stipend needs to be used for Speech Trek ONLY!

The Branch Toolkit and Student Packet are posted on the California website HERE.

In order to participate, the branch Memo of Understanding (MOU) should be submitted by  November 18, 2024. Click HERE to complete the MOU.

Take advantage of this opportunity to have the funds to run your contest.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Contact your former participants who didn't qualify for the final. They are all still able to compete.

What I need to know: Branches that run Speech Trek this year will receive an $800 stipend to use for their contest. The Speech Trek material is posted on the website HERE.

What I need to do: Check with your branch regarding holding a Speech Trek contest this year.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, this information is for branch leaders only. 

TECH TREK TOP

Mary Isaac, Tech Trek Program Director, and Tech Trek Committee chair, techtrek@aauw-ca.org

TIME TO GET IN THE SPIRIT WITH 2025 TECH TREK!
It is such a pleasure working with such a vibrant Tech Trek community! Each year, about 25% of the people we work with at the state level are new, from branch coordinators and other branch folk who touch Tech Trek to people on the state committee, but that means, for 75%,  this isn’t their first rodeo.

Now is when we normally start working on getting ready for the next season, so please take advantage of the monthly TT Branch Coordinator Peer Group session on the third Thursday of each month to get a summary of what’s new. The registration and recording playlist links are below.

October is a great time to put together a plan for corralling all your alumni from the last several years and PUTTING THEM TO WORK! We’ll be sending out another survey to branch coordinators checking your progress on that since the last one was a few years ago.

Campers agree to be Ambassadors for the next five years after camp, so let’s find something for them to do that plays to their strengths, keeps them pointed toward STEM fields, and helps the branch better navigate the Tech Trek application and selection process, thereby providing an immediate return on your original investment.

Oh, and a little birdie mentioned that there might be some program funding available in 2025 for branches to develop local alumni programs. You might want to check that out.

The board meets at the end of October to approve the recommended budget, schedule (including camp locations), and fees for 2025. Final 2025 documents will be available after that, along with the Branch Request form and TTAG grant application link. Stay tuned!

Click HERE for the Branch Coordinator Peer Group monthly Zoom registration.

Click HERE to see the YouTube playlist of the branch coordinator. 

What I need to know: Money may be available to develop local alumni programs.

What I need to do: Attend peer group meetings to stay informed.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, Tech Trek is always in need of branch members to become involved in the program.