The Beaver Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will hold its 9th annual Kitchen Tour, “Touring and Tasting Delights”, on Saturday, September 25, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Beaver and Brighton Twp. Featured in five lovely new or remodeled kitchens will be chefs who will prepare a food item to be sampled by each patron. These chefs may be from restaurants or other endeavors affiliated with cooking.

At Dutch Ridge Elementary School, there will be a marketplace with various specialty boutiques, and also a luncheon. Cost for this fund-raising event for scholarships for Beaver County young lady high school graduates is $15 pre-sale or $18 at the door; the luncheon ticket of $10 will be sold separately. Tickets may be purchased from AAUW members, or by calling 724-728-7908, or at the Hostess Shoppe in Beaver.

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Meeting with Katherine Weber of CalU for an update on the National Girls Collaborative Project in Western PA. Learn how AAUW Branches can collaborate with other organizations to advance the agenda in gender equity in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
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David Lawrence Conv. Center
Pittsburgh

AAUW PA is a Supporting Organization for this seventh annual conference. As a result, members are eligible to attend for $125 each. After September 11, the rate increases to $135 per person.

Register and enter PATSU2 in the ‘Promotional Code’ box.

For more information, visit the website.

>> Download the Candidate Form

AAUW-PA is seeking nominations for the following officers to fill the 2011-2013 term on the State Board.

Secretary: Is specifically responsible for keeping the official records of AAUW-PA; keeping a record of all meetings of the state board of directors and the executive committee; compiling, printing and distributing meeting minutes to the president and board members.

Finance Officer (FO): Is specifically responsible for planning, directing, and documenting the financial matters of AAUW-PA and maintaining an accurate record of the financial status of the state organization. The FO prepares budgets, provides financial reports to the board for meetings and as requested, chairs the finance committee, and submits financial reports for publication in the Keystoner.

Membership Vice President (MVP): is specifically responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and reporting membership activities of the state; collecting information on current membership, trends, and target markets for use in planning. MVP is also responsible for coordinating the work of the membership committee with other committees, working to develop marketing plans, as well as, program and membership activities that can be used by branches.

The state board typically meets four times annually: in July, October, January, and at the State Convention or Annual Meeting. Board expenses for attendance at meetings are paid by AAUW-PA. If you are interested in serving on the state board in any of these capacities, please complete the Candidate Form that is posted online in the latest FYI, and return it, along with a photo, to: Toni Ann Simmers, 10 Countryside Ct., Camp Hill, PA 17011 or email it to tonisimmersaauw@gmail.com by October 1, 2010. (For questions or more information, contact Toni Ann Simmers at (717) 737-9981 or tonisimmersaauw@gmail.com)

What’s Below:

Presidents’ Remarks
Membership Summary
Call for Nominations
Western District Meeting
Membership Summary
Board of Directors >>open
Demystifying the new AAUW Funds Download
Calendar of Events Download

82nd AAUW-PA Annual Meeting April 30, 2011 Days Inn State College	AAUW Convention June 16-19, 2011 Renaissance Hotel Washington, DC
Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference for Women October 14, 2010 David Lawrence Conv. Center, Pittsburgh AAUW PA is a Supporting Organization for this seventh annual conference. As a result, members are eligible to attend for $125 each. After September 11, the rate increases to $135 per person. Register and enter PATSU2 in the ‘Promotional Code’ box. For more information, visit the website.	AAUW-PA State Dues 2010-2011 State dues remain unchanged at $10 per member (free for 50-year members). Checks should be made out to AAUW-PA and sent to: Leslie Wachob 1201 Porter Street Chester Springs, PA 19425 Finance Officers are reminded to file 990s for the last fiscal year (7/1/09 – 6/30/10) before November 15, 2010.
New AAUW Pennsylvania Districts In July, the Board approved the reorganization of the state districts into three new districts: Western, Central, and Eastern. Under the current, flexible rules, we were able to place branches in districts where they’ll have the most affinity. We hope you will be as satisfied with the new districts as we expect. >> Branch list within Districts >> Download Word Document	Membership Vice Presidents Membership VP’s. You should have received your AAUW Annual Starter Kit which is a comprehensive and valuable resource to have for reference.  I have also prepared for you a Summary of Membership Eligibility and Membership Campaigns, intended to serve as a handy resource.  You may refer any questions to me at membership@aauwpa.org. Presidents. The BRANCH RECOGNITION PROGRAM is already posted on the website.  Hopefully, with this advance notice, information and ideas can be collected and compiled on or before the February 1, 2011 deadline. Instructions for completing your submission are included in the document. Presidents. The founding dates of all the branches in PA are posted on the website.  We are interested in sharing ideas for anniversary celebrations that branches have enjoyed in the past.  Please send to me by OCTOBER 15, 2010 suggestions from your branches, and a posting on the website will appear around December 1, 2010. membership@aauwpa.org

President’s Message

Off  To An Excellent Start

While the President’s term starts July 1, the real launch was at the first Board meeting and Leaders meeting on July 17.

The presentation on “Mentoring Future AAUW Leaders” was a real hit.  Attendees learned, for example, that for Generation Y (born 1977-1994), a year is a long time, and while they may accept a discrete task, they’d worry about accepting a “long-term” job.  Selling the AAUW positions, rather than assigning them, was a good reminder.

The second presentation, on a possible parents’ guide to charter schools, hit “below the radar” on growing public school alternatives.  However, more background on the current public alternatives was needed by most participants.  Another takeaway was that a parents’ guide should comprehensively include all public alternatives in guiding parents to “Finding Our Way” for a good fit for children.

Of course, no Leaders meeting would be complete without interactive sharing, learning, discussing, socializing, and exploring new ideas.

The Board built on their own experiences as well as discussions with other leaders, and launched several new initiatives:

“Conversations with” more frequently

Many branch leaders are familiar with the format of “conversations with” a state board member.  This board will reach out in that fashion every few months, to listen and to dialogue about needs for collaboration, support, and encouragement.

New PA Districts approved

The four Pennsylvania districts have been streamlined into three: East, Central, and West, with branches placed where the Board felt the branch had the most affinity.  Each district has a District Coordinator who will coordinate activities and facilitate communication in her area.  Find your district and coordinator elsewhere in this FYI.

Priorities for 2010-12.

The Board started discussions of its strategic plan and priorities.  While not complete, three key priorities were agreed upon:

• Embrace the Future: The state Board recognizes that e-mail and web searches are now mainstream, and that the inability to use this technology will be a barrier to a member’s ability to communicate with the world, and may affect her well-being.   We hope to dialogue about the resources, training, and support needed to help members adapt and learn.
• Foster Interbranch Cooperation:  More is possible “with a little help from my friends”, so the state Board will foster communication and cooperation.
• Focus on Successes: Branches have requested information about other branches’ successes and contact information for branch representatives who can share their “secrets.”.  Success breeds success.

I’m looking forward to an exciting year of mutual and continuous learning.

Margaret

Call for State Board Nominations

>> Download the Candidate Form

AAUW-PA is seeking nominations for the following officers to fill the 2011-2013 term on the State Board.

Secretary: Is specifically responsible for keeping the official records of AAUW-PA; keeping a record of all meetings of the state board of directors and the executive committee; compiling, printing and distributing meeting minutes to the president and board members.

Finance Officer (FO): Is specifically responsible for planning, directing, and documenting the financial matters of AAUW-PA and maintaining an accurate record of the financial status of the state organization. The FO prepares budgets, provides financial reports to the board for meetings and as requested, chairs the finance committee, and submits financial reports for publication in the Keystoner.

Membership Vice President (MVP): is specifically responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and reporting membership activities of the state; collecting information on current membership, trends, and target markets for use in planning. MVP is also responsible for coordinating the work of the membership committee with other committees, working to develop marketing plans, as well as, program and membership activities that can be used by branches.

The state board typically meets four times annually: in July, October, January, and at the State Convention or Annual Meeting. Board expenses for attendance at meetings are paid by AAUW-PA. If you are interested in serving on the state board in any of these capacities, please complete the Candidate Form that is posted online in the latest FYI, and return it, along with a photo, to: Toni Ann Simmers, 10 Countryside Ct., Camp Hill, PA 17011 or email it to tonisimmersaauw@gmail.com by October 1, 2010. (For questions or more information, contact Toni Ann Simmers at (717) 737-9981 or tonisimmersaauw@gmail.com)

Western District Meeting

Saturday, October 30, 2010

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Butler County Community College Cranberry Center
250 Executive Dr.
Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Agenda

• National Girls Collaborative Project
  • Katherine Weber, California University of PA. Katherine is our local contact for the National Girls Collaborative Project, which strives to bring together organizations throughout Pennsylvania that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
  • The Northwest and Southwest Pennsylvania STEM Networks will also be participating.
• Progress report on the AAUW-PA Education Initiative
  • Jacqueline M. Territo, Ph.D., Fox Chapel Area Branch
• AAUW and AAUW-PA Update
  • Linda Tozier, AAUW Director-at-Large
  • Margaret McGrath, AAUW-PA President
  • Jean Macaluso, AAUW-PA Membership Vice President
• Opportunity to publicize your branch events
• Information exchange with members of sister branches in Western PA

Download flyer

MEMBERSHIP Summary

>> Download Word document

ELIGIBILITY

A graduate holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from

• a qualified educational institution
• a degree from a foreign institution recognized by the International Federation ofUniversity Women (IFUW)
• a foreign degree acceptable as a basis for admission by graduate schools atregionally accredited universities of the United States.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Dual Members. This is a member who holds membership in more than one branch. Membership ($49) is paid through one branch considered the primary branch. Branch dues are paid to each branch unless a life member. $46 is tax deductible.

National Members (formerly Members-at-Large). A national member pays dues directly to AAUW ($49) and is not affiliated with a branch. $46 is tax deductible.

E-Branch. National members, members of disbanded branches, as well as members in unique living situations, can remain connected or become involved with AAUW-PA. These members can choose to form an e-branch which only requires three (3) members and some knowledge of the internet. Contact social media chair AAUW-PA for more information. ym@aauwpa.org

Paid Life Members. A paid life member has paid a one-time payment of 20 times the current AAUW dues. The member is required to pay branch and state dues.

Honorary or 50-Year Members. A member who has paid AAUW dues for 50 years is eligible for Honorary life membership. The 50 years do not need to be consecutive. No dues are required of state, but a branch may or may not choose to collect branch dues. The branch needs to submit an application to AAUW. Go to www.aauw.org; click on the following: Member Center, Membership Campaigns, 50 year Honorary Life Membership, then General Forms.

College/University Partner Membership. AAUW’s College/University Partner Membership Program provides educational institutions the opportunity to easily share all the benefits of AAUW with their students, faculty, and staff.

Student Affiliates.

• Undergraduate student at a C/U partner school: AAUW dues are FREE; state dues are FREE for the first year, and half price after that; branch may or may not collect dues.
• Undergraduate student at a school that is NOT a C/U partner: AAUW dues are $17; state dues are FREE for the first year, and half price after that; branch may or may not collect dues. As an Emerging Leader Intern (ELI), a branch may choose to pay AAUW dues.
• Graduate student at any institution: AAUW dues are $49; state dues are FREE for the first year, and half price after than; branch may or may not collect dues. $46 is tax deductible. As an Emerging Leader Intern (ELI), a branch may choose to pay AAUW dues.

MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNS

Give a Grad a Gift. Only an AAUW member can give a recent graduate—one within two years– a gift of a FREE AAUW membership at $49; $46 is tax deductible. THIS IS AT NO COST TO THE MEMBER OR GRADUATE. If the graduate decides to join a branch, the state and local dues need to be paid by the graduate. The membership gift can occur through the branch or by completing the form on-line, www.aauw.org; click on the following: Member Center, Membership Campaigns, Give a Grad a Gift, then General Forms.

Shape the Future Events. At mission-driven events open to the public, discounts will be offered to prospective members or two-year lapsed members, and free memberships offered to a branch. The discount of ½ AAUW dues ($24.50) and ½ state dues ($5) is offered to a person who joins on the spot; branch dues may or may not be waived. One free membership for every two new members who join, with a maximum of three, will be offered to the branch and must be redeemed by the end of the AAUW fiscal year in which it was earned.

Member-Get-a-Member. Rewards can be earned by individuals and branches.

• Each member is challenged to bring in a new member between June 16, 2010 and June 15, 2011. This time-frame is divided into Phase One and Phase Two Challenges: Phase One runs between June 16, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and Phase Two runs between January 1, 2011 to June 15, 2011. A current member is considered a recruiter, and the recruiter’s name and ID number should be included on the paid application of the new member. Give a Grad a Gift does not qualify for this campaign.
• There are rewards and special incentives for individuals and branches in each Phase:Rewards
  1. Names of recruiters on the national web site Hall of Fame.
  2. Certificate of recognition to everyone who recruits a new member.
  3. Exclusive AAUW Keys to the Future Logo Award Winner Lapel Pin to those who recruit five (5) or more new members.Incentives
  4. Individual who brings in highest number of new members receives $100 gift certificate at Barnes and Noble.com.
  5. Branch that brings in the highest number of new members receives a $50 Barnes and Noble gift certificate.
  6. Branch that brings in the highest number of new members by percentage receives a $50 Barnes and Noble gift certificate.
  7. State that brings in the highest number of new members receives an exclusive AAUW Keys to the Future banner.
  8. State that brings in the highest number of new members by percentage receives an exclusive AAUW Keys to the Future banner.
• Grand Prize Incentives are based on the cumulative number of members recruited by individuals, branches, and states for campaign from June 16, 2009 – June 15, 2011.
  All individuals who have recruited at least one new paid member in Year Two (years between national conventions) will be entered in a drawing to win $1000. The drawing will be administered by the AAUW Membership Committee.
  1. Individual who recruited the highest number of new members in total—plaque and publicity.
  2. Branch with highest number of new members –plaque and publicity.
  3. Branch with highest percentage of new members—plaque and publicity.
  4. State with highest number of new members—plaque and publicity.
  5. State with highest percentage of new members—plaque and publicity

  Note: All plaque grand prize winners will also have their names—individual or state or branch—added to a special Keys to the Future plaque displayed at the national office.

THIS RESOURCE IS A SUMMARY OF SOME INFORMATION FROM THE AAUW ANNUAL STARTER KIT WHICH ALL MVP’S ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ.

Girls Recognition Reception

Makefield Area Branch is proud of their outstanding woman, Claire Passantino, who created the Let’s Read Math program that has spread across the country. The program, registered with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), recently received a $5000 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb.

In their pursuit to foster STEM careers, Makefield has a recognition reception each year for 7th grade girls who have been nominated by their teachers for excellence in science and math. Established women in the fields of science and engineering were featured panelists last year at the program attended by 200 people.

Adhering to their goal of making young women aware of opportunities in non-traditional careers, the Makefield Branch partnered with the Women’s Chemists Committee of the American Chemical Society, the NEMCO Branch, and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Association for Women in Science to run PAGES (Philadelphia Area Girls Enjoying Science), a hands-on mini conference at Chestnut Hill College. Both programs are registered with the NGCP.

Th following document has two purposes:

• To explain the two student affiliate programs, E-SAF and SAF, and their implementation (section  III); and
• To explain the Emerging Leader Intern (ELI) program and its implementation (section IV).

Download document

Branches joining together with a college produced an outstanding public policy event that will occur again in 2011. Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton, and Pocono Area branches joined with Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary to hold a program on diversity, featuring Dr. Shakti Butler’s award-winning documentary that focused on women from different cultures who experienced racism in America.

Another way in which Bethlehem maintains visibility in the community is through their identification with the Let’s Read Math program in their schools, and Allentown joins them in this effort.

Also, last year was a banner year for the Book Fair of 40,000 books, which yielded a profit of $32, 951, almost $10,000 more than the previous year. Press releases about the diversity event, scholarships, the Book Fair, and Let’s Read Math presentations helped to publicize the name of AAUW in the community.

Download the complete PDF of the May 2010 FYI

>> download

Inside  this Issue

Membership Payment Program
State Dues
AAUW’s Revised Mission Statement
PA Leaders’ Meeting
Co-Presidents’ Remarks
State Leaders’ Meeting Invitation
AAUW PA BylawsNominating Committee for 2011 elections
AAUW-PA District 3 Report
AAUW-PA District 1 Report
Appoint YOUR Branch College/University Chair
Leader on Loan Program
State Calendar 2010-2011 >> download
Branch Office Forms Information >>BRANCH OFFICER FORM2010
Branch College/University Chair Job Descriptions — PA C/U Partners

AAUW’s grassroots advocacy staff invite you to participate in a conference call: AAUW Resources for Grassroots Advocates, on Tuesday, March 16 from 8 to 9 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Field Director Seth Chase and Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator Lecia Imbery will review for you resources available from AAUW to help you:

· Schedule a meeting with an elected official

· Be a well-informed and articulate advocate

· Communicate your concerns to elected officials as policy is shaped

· Educate and mobilize women in your community to vote–on the issues at stake for women

To register for this conference call, please point your web browser to http://bit.ly/cvBRfU

Registration for this conference call closes on Monday, March 15.

Mr. Seth A. Chase

Field Director

AAUW

1111 Sixteenth St. NW

Washington, DC 20036

p: 202.785.7786 | f: 202.466.7637

CFC #11319

www.aauw.org