AAUW Ohio President’s Letter

February 2010

Greetings!  The big challenge for this letter is “where to begin” and “when to end?” There is much to share with you.

CONVENTION

Most of you know that Convention is a two-day event that will be held this year on April 17- 18 in Worthington. The Delaware Branch has graciously agreed to serve as the local host. Included here is a Convention program, as we know it to date, and a registration form. Please duplicate the form and get out to members. We would love to have EVERY branch represented this year!

The cost is the SAME as last year and the room rates are better so we hope we have removed some of the financial barriers to attending. A special event this year will be an AWARDS BANQUET on Saturday evening. Carolyn Garfein, the Association President, will be our keynote speaker. We will also honor those branches that have achieved AAUW goals through STARZ, be entertained by the Columbus Branch Singers and have a lovely plated meal. Please encourage your members to plan to attend this special evening.

Do you have strong feelings for AAUW? Most of us do. That’s why we’re asking members to tell us why AAUW is important to them using NPR’s THIS I BELIEVE format. There is more information about this opportunity in your here. The most important thing to know is that we will select the four BEST submissions, and these women will be asked to share their essay at the banquet on Saturday night.

In addition to the chance to do some heartfelt writing, the branches to which these members belong will receive $25 to add to their AAUW Funds! That means that EF and LAF will benefit from your efforts. Try your hand at it.

LEADERSHIP CORPS

I have routinely heard AAUW Ohio members express frustration about AAUW (previously referred to as Association) particularly as it relates to its relationship to branches and individual members. To try to change the face of the “larger organization,” AAUW has instituted a Leadership Corps designed to provide support to state boards and BRANCHES on a request basis.

We are very fortunate to have TWO women in Ohio who have been selected to serve in this important capacity for a 2-year term running through June 30, 2011. Both have been invited to speak to you at Convention on Sunday, April 18, the day dedicated to branch developmen

Seth Chase, Field Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for AAUW, wrote that “Leadership Corps grassroots liaisons will have the opportunity to connect with members and leaders at the grassroots level and learn more about local needs, issues, resources, etc. This will provide Leadership Corps grassroots liaisons greater insight into branch, state and member interests and priorities and help them provide guidance in local planning and implementation of AAUW’s mission-based programming and membership development. It will also help to convey specific interest areas, concerns, and/or geographic needs to national leadership and staff, facilitating quicker, clearer and more effective communication.

In addition to the skills training and experience this offers Leadership Corps grassroots liaisons, it also provides them the satisfaction of supporting member leaders as they initiate programs and form collaborative partnerships within their communitie

Both Holly Norton, dual member of the Lima and Bowling Green branches and Alice Crume, Member-at-Large in Ohio, have received training in identifying and mentoring leadership talent in others, membership recruitment, effective communication strategies, and other community/relational organizing skills. They are available and ready to visit branches in Ohio, to learn about you, help you grow, and share what they learn along the way. I encourage you to take advantage of this new resource and welcome these two leaders to your branch!

MOMENTUM 2010

Many of you will remember that the Governor’s Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach is holding a summit on March 8, 2010 at the Riffe Center in Columbus. We are still offering one registration scholarship to a member who would attend and will then be part of a panel at our Convention to update us all on the status of education, employment and health as they relate to the women of Ohio. If you are interested or know someone who is, please have her contact me as soon as possible.

STEM

One of AAUW’s priorities is to expand opportunities for women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in all states. Ohio is about to launch a kick-off event as part of the Great Lakes Consortium of the National Girls Collaborative Project and our Be WISE Camp will be showcased.

We know there are many programs “out there” in Ohio serving girls and trying to encourage their involvement in these fields of study, but we’re not sure “where” they are. The kick-off event is our way of bringing as many of these resources together on one day and in one location so they can collaborate in the future.

Please tell all your members about this and encourage them to go to the National Girls Collaborative Project Web site if they have a STEM project. We want them registered so they will be eligible for mini-grants in the future. The kick-off event will be held in conjunction with Momentum 2010 on Monday, March 8, 2010, in Columbus.

PROGRAMS

There are really so many ways in which your branch can hold an AAUW priority program. You need only look on AAUW’s national Web site under the Resources link to find New Public Policy Programs In A Box. They are now available online to help you consider and choose programs for your branc

These new program ideas focus on hosting an issue-specific women’s summit or public policy brunch, actions for Equal Pay Day, meeting with a public official, Title IX compliance, and more. Decide to host one of these and advertise it broadly. You are likely to bring some potential new members out because of interest in the topic. Remember, educating women on how to achieve a better world is one of the things we do!

While my term as state president is winding down, I have to tell you all it has continued to be my privilege to lead this important organization in the state of Ohio. I hope information in this letter helps to remind you of your important leadership role in keeping AAUW Ohio healthy by strengthening your branc

Feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you! Call 419-352-3257 or regan.diane@gmail.com.

Best wishes,

Diane Regan
President AAUW Ohio