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

• Finance
• Governance
• Nominations and Elections
• Public Policy

• Speech Trek
• Tech Trek

Charmen's Chat

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

PLANNING FOR OUR AAUW FUTURE STARTS NOW!
Mark your calendars for the Annual Event on April 26th, starting at 10 am. In addition to the usual awards and updates, we will focus on social change and how we can pivot to ensure our AAUW branches survive. More information will soon be available.

While your board is very frugal, the decline of dues-paying members and increased costs has us looking at a dues increase, the first in over 10 years. A letter with the proposal and rationale will go out to members soon.

Serving on the State Leadership Team is a lot like being on a branch board, except that you are working to support over 100 branches across the state. We welcome you to run for the positions available this spring- President-Elect, CFO, and three Director at Large positions. The deadline has been extended to March 15th! More information can be found HERE.

Let’s end with a little Women’s History Month trivia. What do Jeanette Raskin (first woman elected to Congress), Shirley Chisholm (first Black woman elected to Congress and first woman to run for President in a major party), Marjorie Child Husted (creator of Betty Crocker), Janet Reno (first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General), and Nancy Pelosi (first woman elected Speaker of the House) have in common? They were all AAUW members!! We have an incredible history– let’s all help AAUW pivot to a grand future!

Committee News

AAUW FUND TOP

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

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO HONOR YOUR BRANCH MEMBERS
March 31st is the deadline for nominating Branch Named Gift Honorees. Your branch is entitled to name one honoree for each $750 your branch sent to the Fund for 2024. There are no partial honorees and no carryovers.

The March 1st deadline for the state named gift honoree has passed. Be sure to Zoom into the Annual Meeting on April 26th to hear who this year’s Honoree is.

Thanks to all the members who asked questions in many different areas. It has given me food for upcoming B2B articles. Questions ranged from “how can I find out how much money we gave” to questions I am waiting to get answered by National. We all had the opportunity to learn something new.

31 inspiring Fellows and grant recipients are in California this year and are available to share nuggets of their fascinating studies or programs. Click HERE to see the list and many have included a video. It is not too late to request a Fund speaker. Click HERE to learn more about how to request one.

What I need to know: It is time to nominate Branch Named Gift Honorees.
What I need to do: Check your branch’s Fund donations to know how many may be nominated. It is recommended that even if you could nominate multiple members, you limit your selection to one or two.
Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, this is only for branch leaders.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENTTOP

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

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

LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS? HOW CAN WE SUSTAIN OUR BRANCHES? WHERE CAN WE FIND NEW MEMBERS?

Membership
Our branches are only as strong as our members. Most of our branches are challenged by recruiting new and younger members. We will discuss ideas for identifying like-minded people who share the ideals of AAUW.

Branch Activity of the Year Award Applications Due by March 15th
Apply now to recognize your branch’s most outstanding program of the past year. Enter your submission to the Branch Activity of the Year contest to win bragging rights and a cash award. Details are available from the Branch Tools section on the website, or click HERE for the application.

Not submitting a program from your branch this year? Be a judge!
We need judges for the Branch Activity of the Year contest. Contact Patricia Souza at souzapellow@comcast.net if you are interested in participating.

NCCWSL Update
As you know, NASPA has taken over NCCWSL. The dates are May 28-30, and the location is the University of Maryland at College Park, MD. More information on the 2025 event is available along with registration information at the NASPA/NCCWSL site. Click HERE for the latest on NCCWSL, or contact Susan Bangasser at sbangasser1@gmail.com.

Branch Development Peer Group Meeting
Join us for the March 25th Branch Development Peer Group meeting at 7 pm to exchange ideas on how to increase our visibility in the community and attract new members. Click HERE to register.

Branch Tools
Click HERE to find many branch-supporting materials.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Save the Date!  On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Branch Development Peer Group meeting will feature Part II of “Volunteers First.”

What I need to know: This article contains four date-sensitive items.

What I need to do: Communicate crucial dates to your branch.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, everyone is responsible for membership.

COMMUNICATIONS TOP

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

Why AAUW is Relevant
Have you stopped to review all AAUW accomplishes even in present-day circumstances?

Here are some highlights from first national, then state and local: 

• 6.3 million dollars went to 285 AAUW Fellows and Community Organizations
• 6157 women received Work Smart, Money Smart, and Start Smart training
• 500 college women went to NCCWSL
• 47,000 messages were sent to our elected officials via the 2-minute activist

Learn more from the 2024 Annual Report.

• Speech Trek – working with high school students to deliver a speech on a selected timely topic
• Tech Trek has sent more than 15,000 girls, entering 8th grade, to STEM camps throughout California since 1998. Virtual ca,mps were added during the pandemic. and now both options are offered! Be inspired at their website: Tech Trek.
• Branches provide thousands of local scholarships for women pursuing their first 4-year degree.
• A focus on DEI makes the world a better, more welcoming place.
• Too many local programs to list here; check out Branch Brag on the AAUW California website

 So, keep strong and carry on!

What I need to know: All of it! Remember you are making a positive difference.

What I need to do: Use the information to make your ‘elevator speech’ to tell others about AAUW and why they should join.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, including the Annual Report information will also help your branch earn the Advancement Star.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TOP

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

DISRUPTING THE WAY IT’S ALWAYS BEEN DONE
During our March DEI Peer Group meeting, we will continue to discuss what we journaled during our February DEI Peer Group meeting, but with a focus on challenging the status quo and changing established branch practices. How can we stop doing what we’ve always done if it stands in the way of practicing DEI according to our strategic plan and also according to what we wrote in our journals? How can we, and our branch peers, start to make good trouble both in and through our branches?

These are the questions we will begin to address when we meet virtually on Wednesday, March 19th, at 7 pm. Any AAUW member is welcome to participate.

Disruption is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Register for our March 19th meeting HERE.

 B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Take the Social Change Ecosystem Quiz to see what role you tend to play in social justice organizations like AAUW. Have your branch members take it too! You will have an opportunity to discuss the results during our AAUW California Annual State Meeting on Saturday, April 26th. 

What I need to know: Next DEI Peer Group meeting is March 19th, 7 pm.

What I need to do: Sign up to attend the peer group meeting and try the quiz.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, all AAUW members are welcome and the quiz applies to everyone.

FINANCE TOP

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

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE FINANCE PEER GROUP SESSION?
We will cover the topics of branch reporting, budgeting and planning, and membership renewals at the next Finance Peer Group session on Thursday, April 3rd, at 6:30-8 pm.

If you have specific questions about these topics, you can send them to cfo@aauw-ca.org in the next two weeks so we can cover them in this session. Of course, there will be opportunities to ask questions and share experiences during the session.

As always, the session will be recorded and available if you cannot make it to the live session.

You are all a big part of what makes peer group sessions valuable to all the branch finance officers. Your questions and shared experiences are a big part of what we learn. So, please put this session on your calendar, watch for the email invite, and join us on April 3rd at 6:30 pm.

What I need to know: A valuable peer group meeting is scheduled for April 3rd, from 6:30-8 pm.

What I need to do: Finance and Membership chairs are invited to attend this meeting.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, it is only for specific leaders

GOVERNANCE TOP

Marty Mcknew, Governance chair,  governance@aauw-ca.org

ARE YOUR BRANCH BYLAWS UP TO DATE?
In spring 2023, AAUW members voted overwhelmingly in favor of changes to the national bylaws. All AAUW branches are required to update their bylaws with these mandated changes.

A Governance Peer Group session for an explanation of what must be changed and how to do it is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th, at 7 pm.  Click HERE to register. 

The model bylaws can be found HERE. 

If your branch has already done so, congratulations! If your branch has not, you have until June 30, 2025, to remedy this. Contact me at governance@aauw-ca.org if you are not sure.

Your branch can approve the required changes with a vote of the board. Once the first seven articles are updated, and your branch board has approved the new version, please send your bylaws to governance@aauw-ca.org. AAUW California will submit them to AAUW National by the deadline. If your other articles (beyond the first seven mandated articles) are changed, your branch membership must approve them by vote at your Annual Meeting. After approval by your membership, please send them to governance@aauw-ca.org as stated above. 

What I need to know: Bylaws must comply with stated information or a branch may lose its affiliate status.

What I need to do: Verify your branch bylaws are done and email to Governance.

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS TOP

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

CHOOSING OUR BEST LEADERS IS UP TO EACH OF US
Our state leaders have a record of remarkable volunteer work on behalf of all California AAUW members. Please consider joining the next leadership team or recommend someone who has contributions to make.

This is a reminder that we are electing the following:

President-Elect: three-year term 2025-2028 (one year as President-Elect and two years as President)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO):  two-year term 2025-2027
Directors (3):  two-year term 2025-2027

The 2025 Candidate postings are open for viewing in the order of receipt of the completed nomination form. 

• Click HERE to review AAUW California Board of Directors’ Roles and Responsibilities.
• Click HERE for AAUW California committee responsibilities.
• Click HERE to review AAUW California Policies and Procedures. Section 800 contains information specific to the nomination and election process and section 300 contains information about the candidate positions.

The election will open April 26th and run through May 16th. Each member with an email address on file will receive an email on April 26th with a link to their ballot. Members without email will receive  a paper ballot. All ballots must be returned by May 16th to be counted! If you do not receive an email with your link, first check your spam folder. It will be coming from siteadmin@aauwca.org via SurveyMonkey. You can also search your inbox, the subject will be 2025 AAUW California Election Ballot. If you still cannot find it, email webteam@aauw-ca.org for assistance.

Members will also be asked to approve the Public Policy Priorities for 2025-2027. These are critical to our advocacy efforts.

Encourage members to review the Public Policy Priorities and vote. 

For more information contact Elaine Johnson, Nominations and Elections Committee chair, at nominating@aauw-ca.org.

It is up to each of us to vote for strong state leaders.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

The state leaders are working on behalf of each branch. Be aware of your branch goals and be able to share those goals in a statement.

What I need to know: It is time to elect new state leaders and approve the Public Policy Priorities.

What I need to do: When available, familiarize yourself with the proposed Public Policy Priorities and remember to vote!

PUBLIC POLICY TOP

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

IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT 2025

Our core values are under attack. Take action now.

As Co-Directors Amy Hom and Missy Maceyko outlined in a webinar in October 2024, the objectives of Project 2025 directly counter the Public Policy Priorities of AAUW California. With federal policy pronouncements and changes continuing to take place at a head-spinning pace, it is clear that changes are underway to make Project 2025 become reality (track implementation HERE). To respond to the attack on the people and issues we care about and to fulfill the mission of our organization, “to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research,” we will continue to compile resources to help you take action to fight back. This is a critical moment, as the changes that are being implemented may have long-lasting impacts, locally and globally.

Even as we are asking you to act, we want to remind you that your well-being is important. With an uptick in policies and enforcement actions that run counter to our core values, you may be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, fearful, or anxious. Action is important, but self-care is also a political act. Be gentle with yourself and acknowledge your efforts.

We also encourage you to check out this guide on how to read the news more strategically to still be able to follow events while preventing burnout and protecting your mental health.

You should also consider staying connected with AAUW members and with those outside of AAUW who are engaged in efforts to push back. To this end, here are some examples of individuals, groups, and organizations that are pushing back in different ways:

• direct refusal to comply, via mass resignation,
• showing up in person not only to protest but also to support, including showing love for beleaguered federal workers at USAID,
•  initiating and sustaining legal challenges.

AAUW California is building out our own action-items database, which is being released to the California Leadership Team to review in March and which will go live for you in April. Regardless, we will continue to provide a short list of targeted resources each month.

We ask you to take action by choosing one self-focused, one other-focused, and one political-focused item from the list below. This month the topic area is:

TAKE ACTION: SEXUAL ASSAULT VIOLENCE PREVENTION

Self-Focused: Education

• learn more about the organizations country-wide that are on the front lines of dealing with sexual assault violence
• read through the resources provided by the Domestic Violence Awareness Project and the CDC.

Other-Focused: Education & Connection

• whatever you take away from your homework in self-education--be sure to tell one friend about what you learned. You can do this over lunch.
• work with others to organize an event to raise awareness and dispel myths around gender-based and sexual assault violence in your community.

Politically-Focused: Outreach to Senators

• Use 5-calls to reach out to federal legislators to oppose the abolition of the Department of Education, which will impact enforcement of existing sexual and gender-based violence protections under Title IX.
• text SIGN PNNWWO to 50409 to contact legislators, urging them to back efforts to get money flowing to relevant organizations and programs to raise awareness about and prevent sexual assault violence (e.g. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women). See the article “Prepare for Sexual Assault Prevention Month in April” for additional agencies.

Lobby Days 2025
April 8-9, 2025

We have had overwhelming interest in this year’s Lobby Days event, with 77 people registered to participate in person at the Capitol on April 8th and 107 people registered to participate via Zoom on April 9th! It is incredibly inspiring and humbling to be part of an organization that is so passionate about advocating to make the world better for women and girls. We are grateful.

The Public Policy Committee is now hard at work to form teams and schedule meetings, as well as evaluate bills for our 2025 Legislative Agenda.

From now through March 21st we will be posting information HERE on the event logistics and the bill details. Please check back for updates.

For any questions about the event, please reach out to publicpolicy@aauw-ca.org.

Follow AAUW California’s Petitions Page on Resistbot

SHARING IS CARING
Share PP News!

A humble request: Please share PP News more broadly! We want everyone inside and outside of AAUW, including anyone not regularly involved in Public Policy, to have important action tools and updates. You can also share the link to our PP News Archive. Thank you in advance! 

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

UPCOMING American Anthropological Association (AAA) WEBINAR

DEI in the Balance–Strategies for Moving Forward in Uncertain Times
Thursday, March 20th, 10 -11 am Pacific
Register HERE.

What I need to know: Our Public Policy chairs have provided enough meaty information for a feast! Prioritize what speaks to you and take action.
What I need to do: Watch Project 2025 if you missed the initial webinar, learn how to read the news more strategically, participate in outreach and Lobby Days if you have signed up and take care of yourself.
Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, spread the word!

Program News

SPEECH TREK TOP

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

Twelve branches are beginning to determine their 1st place winners for the semi-finals. They are coming in gradually – the deadline is March 15th.

Branches need to remember to send their videos to webteam@aauw-ca.org,  the branch notice of semi-finals form, and the $25 entrance fee made out to SPF/ST.

Just a reminder that the 1st place state winner will receive $2500, 2nd place $2000, 3rd place $1000, and $500 to the honorable mentions. These stipends are increased from previous years.

 What I need to know: Participating branches need to send their winner’s video by March 15th.

What I need to do: Besides the videos, remember to complete the branch notice of semi-finals form and $25 entrance fee check made out to SPF/ST.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? No, this is for Speech Trek chairs in the registered branches. 

TECH TREK TOP

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

TECH TREK MARCH MADNESS
With over 1,000 camper applications in CampDoc and nearly 70% of them complete, the Tech Trek camp season is well underway, and most branch committees are getting ready to make selections.

• Please don’t forget to have volunteers complete and submit 2025 Volunteer Conduct Agreements (VCA) HERE.
• Staff selections are also in process with nearly 300 applicants! Over 200 staff are expected to be placed by early April.
  • Only overnight volunteers and workshop presenters must apply.

• The Tech Trek website now has a new look with everything available from the main page for families, schools, donors, and volunteers!
•  Zoom Office Hours are from 3:00-4:30 on March 14th and 28th. Registration is HERE.
• If you need CampDoc training, check out the training hub HERE. The password is AAUWtechtrekCA.

Your Action:

Make double sure branch Tech Trek volunteers complete their VCAs before they start interviews.

Contact techtrek@aauw-ca.org if you need extra support to collect your applications.

Branch Coordinator YouTube Playlist

Tech Trek website https://www.aauw-ca.org/tech-trek/

Enroll in the Introduction to CampDoc course in the training hub to reveal shortcuts you didn’t know about!

 What I need to know: Tech Trek has a completely updated website for AAUW volunteers as well as schools, families, and donors. Special thanks to Sandi Gabe and Dawn Johnson for making it happen!
What I need to do: Make sure branch volunteers have completed the 2025 Volunteer Conduct Agreements before they interact with students.
Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, share the updated and complete Tech Trek website.