Quick Links

Committee News

Program News

• AAUW Fund
• Branch Development
• Communications
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Nominations and Elections
• Public Policy

• Speech Trek
• Tech Trek

Charmen's Chat

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

FINDING A PATH FORWARD
Maya Angelou once said, “When someone tells you who they are, believe them.” I have heard this quote thrown around by people talking about our incoming President, but the Sacramento Observer recently ran an article where the quote was talking about white women and, sadly, I agree with the author. It is no secret that I care deeply about diversity and equity and believe these are keys to AAUW’s survival as an organization. Equity for all is our vision, after all. Throughout history, white women have talked about supporting Black women, yet their actions have looked much different. Today white women are asking Black women to join a Women’s March to protest Donald Trump’s election and all that he has said he will do. But, whereas 92% of “Black women voted for reproductive rights, health, and justice,” 53% of “white women voted against democracy, against women’s interests, for a racist, for somebody who is proud to have taken away our right to choose.” (Percentages reported from national exit polls after the November 5th election.) White women keep showing up for fake allyship while protecting white male patriarchy and white supremacy.

Overall, we are not ready to collaborate with women of color because we have our own work to do first. This is why I have been encouraging AAUW members to learn about cultural humility and to explore concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion, individually and as a branch. Until our traditionally white branches are truly welcoming to women of color, we will not be an appealing organization to them despite our declared desire for equity for all. Our mission and our work have the potential to transform policies and communities for all women and girls, and we should work towards including all communities of women in that work. But we have to change who we are first so that we can become true allies to our sisters of color.

Our path forward will not be easy, but it is vital to the viability of AAUW and our branches. I encourage you to read the Sacramento Observer article and consider how you might learn more about true allyship and how to build trust with women of color to benefit our mission.

If your branch has a DEI coordinator, talk to her about resources you can access for additional reading and learning about DEI issues. You can also search “diversity” or “equity” on either the national or state AAUW websites.

Committee News

AAUW FUND TOP

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

IS IT REALLY 2025?  What now?
The 31 recipients are listed HERE. With the assistance of the communications team and Sandi Gabe, the Fund committee has posted the recipients' videos on the website. If a video has been posted, you will find it noted at the end of the recipient's information. The note indicates to which of the two videos it was added. Keep checking back as more videos are added daily. Encourage your members to watch the videos – there is such a wealth of talent – watch, learn, and enjoy. You won’t be able to see all the speakers in person, but you can share the wealth of knowledge and learn something new from these amazing Fellowship and Grant recipients. 

We are looking forward to fulfilling everyone’s request for a speaker. 

What I need to know: The AAUW Fund recipients and information about them are listed on the state website.  Some of them have videos posted; more will be coming.
What I need to do: Decide if your branch wants to invite a recipient to speak at your branch and if so, submit your request.
Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, encourage your members to watch the videos to learn how the Fund donations are making a difference.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENTTOP

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

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

BRANCH ACTIVITY OF THE YEAR
It is that time of year! Time to tell us all about your branch’s best program this past year and enter your submission in the Branch Activity of the Year (BAY) contest. Each year AAUW California recognizes signature branch activities presented during one year ending on March 1st. Click HERE for the application, or you will find the application under Branch Tools on the AAUW California website. The deadline for submitting your branch’s nomination is March 15, 2025. 

The BAY program provides branches an opportunity to showcase and share an activity that is novel, inspirational, reproducible, promotes AAUW’s mission and image, and incorporates elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The activity may be a one-off program or event or a sustained recurring project for which the branch is known. 

Last year, we had 20 submissions for interesting and meaningful programs. We hope to have even more branches participate this year. You can see examples of last year’s submissions and winners on our website. Click HERE to see last year's winners.

Mark your calendars and join us on April 26, 2025, at the AAUW California Annual Meeting to celebrate the winners of our Branch Activity of the Year contest.

If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Souza at souzapellow@gmail.com
Patricia Souza
AAUW CA Branch Activity of the Year Chair

BRANCH LEADERS-NOTE
When your branch experiences problems with any issue, there is significant help via the AAUW California board. Before you vote to disband, PLEASE reach out to these knowledgeable leaders to see how you might revive your branch with their help! Also, look at the plethora of information on the AAUW California website. AAUW CA Branch Tools

DON’T JUST GIVE UP!  We are here for you. For help, send an email to: branch-development@aauw-ca.org

Click HERE to register for the January Branch Development Peer Group Meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 7 pm. We will present Part 1 of Volunteers First: A Cutting-Edge Training Program for Leaders of Volunteers. 

BRANCH SCHOLARSHIP SURVEY
A Scholarship Survey will be emailed in the next few weeks to the branch presidents and any branch board member who may be involved with scholarships. This survey will help determine how branches establish their scholarships and provide feedback for other branches considering scholarships. Your feedback will be constructive for all branches. Thank you!
Beckie Gomez
AAUW CA Director, Membership

What I need to know: The deadline for submitting an application for a BAY award is March 15th. The state board is available to help any branches experiencing problems. A Scholarship Survey will be sent out soon.

What I need to do: Consider submitting a BAY application for a branch program that meets the BAY criteria.

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

TECHNOLOGY PEER GROUP MEETING
Setting Up Google Workspace for Your Branch Operations
Have you been wondering what all the buzz is about? Do you want to know how to use Google tools to streamline your branch operations? We've got just the answer for you! In our January 9th session, you'll learn how to establish and configure a Google Workspace account tailored to your branch’s operations. We’ll guide you through the setup process, from creating user accounts to setting up aliases for efficient email management. This session will give you the tools and knowledge to get Google Workspace up and running smoothly.

Topics Covered:

• Setting up a Google Workspace account for your branch
• Creating and managing user accounts
• Setting up email aliases for streamlined communication
• Best practices for organizing and securing your branch's workspace

Join us and take the first step toward optimizing your branch operations with Google Workspace!

• Date: January 9, 2025
• Time: 6 pm
• Register: Click HERE to register
• Presenter: Sandi Gabe

The session will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Check out the Peer Groups page (HERE) and click on the “Communications – Technology Peer Group” listing for recordings of previous meetings, a listing of future meeting dates, and descriptions. Registration links are available. Sign up now!

What I need to know: Sandi Gabe will be conducting a Technology Peer Group meeting on January 9th regarding setting up a Google Workspace for your branch.

What I need to do: Ensure the appropriate branch members plan to attend or are aware that the meeting will be recorded.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? It is important to let all branch members know that all peer groups are open to any interested members.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TOP

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

THERE’S MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE FALL DEI BRANCH SURVEY!
Our December DEI Peer Group Meeting discussion of the Fall 2024 DEI Branch Survey was robust—so robust that we were not able to finish discussing all survey answers! So, we will continue the discussion during our January DEI Peer Group Meeting. I hope you will join us! Wednesday, January 15th, 7 pm Pacific. Click HERE (or on the AAUW California website calendar) to register for our January DEI Peer Group Meeting.

Before the meeting, I hope you will take a look at the Murdered or Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) Fact Sheet as well as the recommendations from the Not One More Report on How to Address the MMIP Crisis. Morgan Hill Branch member Kat Napoli, our speaker for the November 2024 DEI Peer Group Meeting, shared both with us so that we may not only discuss them with our branches but also learn more about the Indigenous peoples and MMIP in our local communities.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Read Charmen’s Chat in this month’s B2B, if you haven’t already, for more DEI-related news and views.

What I need to know: The next DEI Peer Group meeting is January 15th.

What I need to do: Ensure the appropriate member knows about the peer group meeting.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? It is important to let all branch members know that all peer groups are open to any interested members.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS TOP

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

CERTAINTY IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
One thing is certain, that we are living in uncertain times. Our challenges are great which means it is important to support unity and strong leadership within our organization. This spring we will be electing a president-elect, chief financial officer, and three board members. Click HERE for more information about the various positions to be filled. The application deadline for candidates is March 1, 2025. Click HERE for the application.

Every member with an email address will receive an email invitation to vote. The voting period will be April 26th-May 16th. Consider applying or nominating someone for these critical positions.

What I need to know: The deadline for applying as a candidate for the state board is March 1st. 

What I need to do: Consider applying and encourage your branch members to apply. Make sure your members know what positions are open and what these positions entail.

PUBLIC POLICY TOP

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

GEARING UP FOR A NEW YEAR
Thank you very much to everyone who completed the survey for the AAUW California Public Policy Priorities (PPPs) Biennial Review. The committee is now hard at work evaluating member input. Based on your input and our larger review, we will revise PPPs as necessary. Any and all changes to PPPs will be circulated and adopted by a vote of AAUW California members in the spring of 2025. Revised PPPs will guide AAUW California in 2025-2027.

For more information, see this article Why AAUW Public Policy Priorities Matter.

Lobby Days - April 8-9, 2025

Look for a registration form to arrive in your inbox in early January.

Join These Upcoming Virtual Meetings:

Los Angeles County IBC invites you to a special meeting with Gloria Blackwell, AAUW CEO. Among the many leadership roles she has held to promote gender equity, Gloria currently serves as AAUW's Main Representative to the United Nations where our organization has special consultative status on the Economic and Social Council. She will share with us what this work entails. The meeting will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, 2-3 pm Pacific. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89246630038, Passcode: 750330.

2024 Revisions to Title IX: How they Impact AAUW Values and Public Policy Priorities. Kathi Harper, member of the Public Policy Committee and chair of the School Board Project, will share the latest updates on this important issue. The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 3-4 pm Pacific. Register HERE.

Reproductive Rights: Where Do We Go From Here? Join AAUW Silicon Valley Branch to hear from Emily Bazelon, noted staff writer for the New York Times Magazine, about the future of reproductive rights. Ms. Bazelon's writing focuses on law, women, and family issues. She explores shifts in American jurisprudence — for example, how the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe impacts people seeking abortions. The Zoom event will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1-2 pm Pacific. Register HERE.

What I need to know: Lobby Days will be April 8-9, 2025. Everyone will be receiving a registration form in January. There are three upcoming virtual meetings.

What I need to do: Encourage your members to be involved with Public Policy.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, all of this information should be shared with your members.

Program News

SPEECH TREK TOP

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

13 BRANCHES TO COMPETE IN THE FINAL SPEECH TREK COMPETITION
These 13 branches will each be receiving $800 to help with the costs of their competitions and they will receive their checks sometime this January. All branches have their competition dates set, mostly in February, but one branch already had their event in December!

The remainder of the monies in the budget will go towards a speech component in the coming Tech Trek camps.

What I need to know: Participating branches will each receive $800 to help with their contest.

What I need to do: Support your Speech Trek contest if you are in a participating branch.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, in a participating branch.

TECH TREK TOP

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

🎵 In the Year 2025… 🎵

 Oh, wait! That was 2525!  

That means we still have some time to get our collective act together to continue to build and nurture a community of like-minded people to use their brains and voices to save this beautiful world we live in for generations to come. Thank you for your patience as we shake out what’s new for the new year.

In the next few weeks:

• Branch presidents will receive a link to the annual Tech Trek Branch Participation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that must be completed before selecting campers to sponsor for 2025 camps.
  • If donations are the lifeblood of the Tech Trek program, volunteers are the heart, and we will be asking you to commit to both this year, especially as full-time staff.
  • All volunteers, including anyone who helps select or advise campers and alums, must complete an annual Volunteer Conduct Agreement HERE. This agreement includes a new Data Privacy and Protection Policy.           

• CampDoc application sessions for camper and staff applicants will go live shortly after the MOUs come out.
  • A new training landing page and customized staff training modules will be available.
  • Friday Zoom Office Hours will pick back up at the end of the month from 3-4:30 pm. Registration is HERE.

• The website will have a new look very soon, hopefully making it easier for schools, families, campers, and volunteers to navigate and find what they need.

 Your Action:

https://www.aauw-ca.org/tech-trek/ is the page EVERYONE should go to first. Meanwhile, branch Tech Trek coordinators should still go HERE for the latest and greatest info.

 B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

If you missed this last month, here it is again: If you use Outlook and your eyes can’t read the normal-size display anymore, try ctrl-scroll using your mouse.

What I need to know: The branch presidents will soon receive a link to the MOU. Followed by the CampDoc application sessions. All volunteers must complete an annual Volunteer Conduct Agreement. 

What I need to do: Complete the MOU before selecting campers.

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