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Program News

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

• Finance
• Nominations and Elections
• Public Policy

• Gov Trek
• Speech Trek
• Tech Trek

As Sandi Sees It

Sandi Gabe, President, AAUW California, statepresident@aauw-ca.org

I love November. The days are getting crisper, and the holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No presents to plan, just the chance to enjoy good food and drink and relax in the company of friends and family.  It’s a time to reflect on important things in our lives and acknowledge those that bring us joy and to let them know how much they mean to us.

My AAUW family is astounding. From the local friends who brought me into the AAUW fold and started me on my AAUW journey to the state leadership team which amazes me every day, I am grateful for the inspiration and motivation they provide. I had an opportunity to be captivated once again at our October Leadership Team meeting where I was blown away by what we’ve accomplished since July. It was rewarding to see everyone pulling in the same direction, engaging their peer groups and committees, and readying their programs for this year. When you read their updates, I hope you’ll agree and be impressed and that you’ll take a moment to reach out to a Leadership Team member and brighten their day by telling them how much you appreciate their leadership and hard work.

These are the characteristics of YOUR leadership team.

Committee News

AAUW FUND TOP

Karen Vanderwerken, AAUW Fund Committee chair, aauwfund@aauw-ca.org

SCHOLARS AND DOLLARS!
Our Fund donations through September are $201,940 statewide. 

Our fall scholar presentations are entirely virtual this year. We have videos from 31 fellowship and grant scholars for you to check out. Hold a branch watch party or let your members watch these any time and any place!  Click HERE to view. All of the presentations are combined into three videos with the start times noted for each speaker. 

Our next AAUW Fund Peer Group meeting is Thursday, November 9th.  Click HERE to register (required). Information on contribution forms, speaker requests, and named gift nominations will be shared.

Making Year-End Contributions: A Guide for Branches
As we approach the year-end giving season, we want to ensure that every branch understands the various methods available to them for making contributions. We've outlined three efficient and secure ways for you to send your donations to the national office.

1. Online Donations via the Community Hub: One of the simplest ways to contribute is directly through our Community Hub. So long as you are making donations to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund you can make use of the Renewals and Donations function to contribute on behalf of your members. Just fill in the donation amount by member without clicking anything related to renewing to process just those contributions. If you would like to donate on behalf of your branch or to other funds, however, consider one of the other two options.
2. Express Payment Link: If you prefer a more direct approach, consider using an Express Payment Link. This method doesn’t even require you to be logged in! Simply provide the national staff with the donor's name, donation amount, and the desired fund, and they will create an order on your behalf. Following this, you'll receive a link to finalize the transaction with your branch’s preferred payment method. This method will allow you to donate on behalf of your branch, to other funds besides Greatest Needs, and for multiple people. Email connect@aauw.org with ‘Express Payment Link’ in the subject for assistance.
3. Contribution Report Form: The Contribution Report Form is another viable option but not as efficient as online methods. A leader can fill out the form, which can be found HERE, to send in either individual checks by donors or a check written by the branch for multiple donors. Be sure to follow the instructions associated with the Contribution Report Form and mail in donations using a trackable method. While we encourage branches to explore the above online options first, due to potential post office delays, this method remains a suitable choice for those encountering issues with the online platforms.

Individual Retirement Account (IRA) - for members thinking of making a year-end contribution from their IRA. Federal law allows people aged 70 1⁄2 or older to make direct transfers up to $100,000 per year per person to charitable organizations from their IRA, without the withdrawal being treated as taxable income. To start, first contact your IRA custodian and follow their procedures to request a “Qualified Charitable Distribution.” The check sent must be accompanied by your name and address information in order for you to receive a written acknowledgement from National. Please provide the recipient information below to your custodian, along with our Tax ID #52-6037388. Before sending, please also notify us at planned-giving@aauw.org so we can keep an eye out for your gift and be sure to include the amount, your name, address, the designation of your gift (for example: Greatest Needs), and the financial institution sending your gift. Please direct your check, drawn on your IRA account and made payable to AAUW, to:

AAUW
Attn: Planned Giving– IRA Distribution
1310 L St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Now is a great time to encourage your members to donate to Fund!

What I need to know: AAUW Fund scholars have recorded brief presentations about their studies which are posted on the state website for convenient viewing. There are multiple ways for either branches or individuals to make year-end Fund contributions. 

What I need to do: Consider scheduling one of these accomplished women as a speaker for a program. 

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, members would enjoy hearing from the scholars about the work that is supported by Fund donations. Share the information about making year-end Fund contributions.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENTTOP

Sharyn Siebert, Director, Branch Support Contact, branch@aauw-ca.org

Sigrid Moranz, Director, Leadership Contact, leader-dev@aauw-ca.org

Marsha Swails, Director, Membership Contact, membership@aauw-ca.org

BRANCH ACTIVITY OF THE YEAR AWARD PROGRAM IS NOW LIVE
The Branch Activity of the Year Award is the recognition of a signature branch activity presented during the period of one year ending on March 1, 2024. The 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. 

The application is now available online and will close on March 1, 2024. Click HERE to submit an application. 

In 2023, we had 28 submissions and chose three winners. Click HERE to view all of last year’s submissions.

MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
Be sure to get the newly released Membership Toolkit and share it with the rest of your branch. Click HERE to access.

If you missed our October 24th peer group meeting you can click HERE to watch the recording and learn everything you need to know about the Membership Toolkit.

Don’t miss our November 28th peer group meeting to share best practice ideas for recruiting new members. Register HERE. 

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Appoint a Membership Ambassador for your branch today! See the toolkit for ideas.

What I need to know: The Membership Toolkit developed by the Branch Development Committee is now available. Applications are open for the Branch Activity of the Year Award.  

What I need to do: Acquaint yourself with the toolkit and watch the recording of the peer group session in which it is discussed. Consider submitting a successful branch program for the Branch Activity of the Year Award. 

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes. Share the opportunity to submit a branch activity for state recognition. Perhaps a member will step up to prepare the application.

COMMUNICATION TOP

Dawn Johnson, Director, Communication Committee chair, communications@aauw-ca.org

WISHES DO COME TRUE!
Have you been waiting to have the logo updated on your website and to see a new look and feel?  It might be just around the corner.  National has launched a project to refresh the branch websites.  AAUW California has volunteered to test the process with a local branch website before the full rollout begins.  We don’t have a date yet, but things look promising.   

National will be implementing a new WordPress “theme.” During this process your website will be automatically migrated to the new theme, and it will look more like the national site.  Stay tuned for more information and a schedule.  

Rollout is anticipated early next year. Hang on to your questions until then.

REMINDER: The next Communications/Technology Peer Group session is on Tuesday, November 7th, at 6 pm and the topic will be how to set up Google Drive for your branch. Register HERE.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Make your members ambassadors for your branch. See who has an account on NextDoor or Patch, two typical online sharing sites for hyperlocal neighborhood news and information. Ask them to spread the word by posting about your branch activities. Be sure they add a contact person or a link to your website. Then welcome the crowds!

What I need to know: AAUW National is close to rolling out updated websites and new branch logos. 

What I need to do: Pass the word to your webmaster to stay tuned for all the details coming early next year. Be sure the folks doing communications and technology work in your branch are aware of the upcoming peer group session. 

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

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TOP

Charmen Goehring, Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, diversity@aauw-ca.org

DEI IS ALL ABOUT LEARNING AND GROWING!
At the first DEI Peer Group chat, a job description for the branch DEI Coordinator was shared. The list of tasks was not exhaustive and surely one doesn’t need to act on each task. But it can give you a start–a beginning road map for engaging your branch in learning more about DEI and how our growth in understanding can help grow our mission and our branches.

The next Branch DEI Coordinator Peer Group chat will be Tuesday, November 21st, at 5:30 pm. Watch your email for the link to register for the Zoom meeting. Please check your spam folder (as well as Promotions and Social if you use Gmail) if you do not see an email- sometimes, emails sent through listservs can get routed automatically into these default folders. Contact Charmen if you have questions at dei@aauw-ca.org.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou

What I need to know: A job description for branch DEI Coordinator is available on the website. The next DEI Coordinator Peer Group session is scheduled for November 21st at 5:30 pm. 

What I need to do: Share the job description with your coordinator and determine which tasks are feasible for your branch to get started.

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

FINANCE TOP

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

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO BE A BRANCH TREASURER?
Come to the Finance Peer Group session for branch treasurers on Thursday, December 7th, to learn more about how to fulfill this critical role in branch finance.

We had a great turnout for the October 5th peer group session on government forms and deadlines and even more viewed the recording. Now is your chance to learn about:

• Monthly reporting and accounting system options
• Annual budgeting and financial reviews
• 1099 requirements
• Sales and use tax

There will be ample time for Q&A, so bring your questions to the peer group session on December 7th, 6:30-8 pm.

Your questions and experiences as a branch treasurer add to the peer group sessions – so join us and your fellow treasurers on December 7th.  Watch your email for the Zoom link.

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Now is the time of year that many of your branch members are making decisions about year-end donations. Be sure to remind them that RMD (required minimum distribution) donations must be deposited by the qualified charitable organization by year-end. Donations to AAUW CA SPF should be mailed by December 1st to make sure IRS requirements are met.

What I need to know: The December 7th Finance Peer Group session will focus on critical tasks treasurers need to do and will include Q&A time.

What I need to do: Be sure your branch treasurer watches for the email announcement with registration details. 

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

Nominations and Elections TOP

Deanna Arthur, Nomination and Election Committee Chair, nominating@aauw-ca.org

CALL FOR 2024-25 CANDIDATES

We seek candidates for:

• Secretary (two-year term 2024-2026)
• Four Directors (two-year terms 2024-2026)
• One Director (one-year term 2024-2025)

The committee will be contacting branch presidents and other names that have been suggested to the committee.

We are specifically looking for technology gurus and individuals with knowledge of AAUW Fund and how it works. 

Thanks to those of you who have stepped up to the plate or given names to approach – keep it up, we can do this if we continue to work together.

PUBLIC POLICY TOP

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

A FINAL SCORECARD FOR THE 2023 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION

September 14, 2023 was a tense day in Sacramento: the last day for each House to pass bills that could be sent on to the governor. After at least nine months of writing, researching, amending, and lobbying, the legislative session drew to a close. This left us one final month—until October 14, 2023—to lobby Governor Newsom’s office to get our bills signed into law.

So how did AAUW California’s priority legislation fare? Pretty well, overall!

Of our 40 pieces of priority legislation, 19 were signed into law, 3 were vetoed, and 18 were transitioned into two-year bills (meaning they will be raised again in 2024).

Twenty-two pieces of our priority legislation made it to the governor’s desk. With 19 out of those 22 pieces of legislation signed into law, we achieved an 86.3% success rate. 

One of our highest priority level bills (level A), which we co-sponsored, was signed into law: AB 1394. This bill seeks to help child sex abuse survivors remove their images from social media platforms, holding big tech accountable for design features that knowingly, recklessly or negligently facilitate, aid or abet child exploitation.

Two of our second tier priority level bills (level B) were also signed into law: AB 1071 and AB 1078. AB 1071 encourages school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to provide teen dating violence prevention (TDV) education to all pupils in grades 7-12. AB 1078 requires instruction in social sciences to include a study of the role and contributions of people of all genders, Latino Americans, LGBTQ+ Americans, and other ethnic cultural, religious, and socioeconomic status groups. AB 1078 is particularly important to advancing our ongoing School Board Project, as we work to identify and promote school board candidates who share AAUW's values and who respect the laws that require adherence to the State Board of Education's academic standards, including keeping historically accurate and inclusive books and lessons in the curricula. 

Check out the November Issue of Public Policy News for additional details and visual representation of our final 2023 Legislative Scorecard.  

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Every issue of Public Policy News will contain one or two articles for inclusion in your branch newsletters. Text-based copies of the newsletter articles can be found HERE allowing you to easily copy/paste the article text as well as graphics.

What I need to know: AAUW California’s legislative advocacy efforts paid off with 19 of 22 priority bills making it to the governor’s desk and signed into law. 

What I need to do: Be sure your Public Policy chair and newsletter editor are aware of the monthly Public Policy News resource available from the Public Policy Committee.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, your members will be encouraged by the successful outcome of our advocacy efforts.

Program News

GOV TREK TOP

Shauna Oenning Ruyle, Gov Trek Program Director and Gov Trek Committee chair, govtrek@aauw-ca.org

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024 GOV TREK IS NOW OPEN.
We’re off and running and looking forward to another successful year. The program was launched with a well-attended, information-packed  presentation. Click HERE to view the recording. 

Click HERE for all the details and information your branch will need, including the link for the student registration. 

GOV TREK 2024 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! BE A PART OF IT!
Be a Zoom Breakout Room Facilitator! Breakout Room Facilitators manage a group of up to 14 students in a Zoom breakout room. You will help them stay on task, assist with the understanding and implementation of assigned activities, and facilitate collaboration among the group for active participation. It’s likely that the groups will be mostly self-directed. Click HERE for more information and HERE for the application. 

What I need to know: Gov Trek is open for student registration. Details are in the recorded Zoom presentation and on the website.

What I need to do: Appoint a Gov Trek coordinator to promote this innovative program to high school girls in your community.

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, share the details about this unique program and provide your members with details and registration information so they can spread the word.

SPEECH TREK TOP

Lana Widman, Speech Trek Program Director, and Speech Trek Committee chair, speechtrek@aauw-ca.org

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
Is your branch considering having a Speech Trek competition but you don’t know where to start? Start with the Speech Trek 101 webinar. Download the presentation HERE.

Want a more personal approach?  We have some experienced Speech Trek chairs willing to provide guidance and suggestions to get you started. Contact Lana and she’ll get the ball rolling. 

Still not convinced? One of our Speech Trek Committee members will be happy to talk to your branch about the wonderful benefits of holding your very own Speech Trek competition. Don’t worry, we’re not shy about speaking in front of a group 😊.

REMINDER!  Completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forms are due by November 18th. It just takes a few minutes to complete the online form HERE

B2B Bonus: Quick Tips for Things to Try

Mark January 10, 2024, on your calendar for tips on how to prepare your judges. Look for the announcement with the registration link coming soon!

What I need to know: The Speech Trek Committee offers several types of support if your branch is considering hosting a contest for the first time or wants tips for improvement. 

What I need to do: Submit your online MOU to participate in Speech Trek by November 18th. 

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, advertising Speech Trek may inspire a member to coordinate it if your branch is not already participating.

TECH TREK TOP

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

GIVING THANKS FOR TECH TREK VOLUNTEERS!
For over 25 years, Tech Trek has depended upon California branches not only to sponsor campers, but also to provide volunteers for camp staff; and that effort is PRICELESS!

This program would not be what it is today without the branch members who serve as camp directors and treasurers, dorm moms, teachers, and workshop presenters, alongside those who serve as coordinators, selection committees, and alumnae advisors.

With over 100 branches sponsoring campers and ¾ of them sending volunteers, we are indeed blessed, but we still need your help identifying a few more forward-thinking camp directors, treasurers, and a state program financial liaison to help us stay relevant while meeting the mission of engaging more underserved girls in STEM.

We need them onboard before the end of the year, so keep your eyes open for retiring teachers and professionals.

Thank you for giving so freely of your time and energy to meet the mission and send hands and hearts!

 Click HERE to see the recordings of past TT Branch Coordinator Peer Group meetings.

What I need to know: Tech Trek is powered by scores of volunteers in all roles and their contributions are critical and appreciated. There is an opening for a state financial liaison to serve as overall treasurer and provide oversight of Tech Trek’s finances.

What I need to do: Acknowledge and thank the Tech Trek volunteers at your branch. 

Should I include this in my branch newsletter? Yes, your Tech Trek volunteers should be recognized and encouraged to consider stepping up to the position of state Tech Trek financial liaison for an even greater contribution.