Monthly Archives: April 2015

Annual Authors Luncheon on April 11. Register by April 3!

Saturday, April 11, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 Plates Café & Catering

14 Business Park Way, 95822

Free Parking Available

Featuring our guest author, Karen Levy

Israeli American writer Karen Levy spent most of her childhood traveling between her native land and the United States. Commuting between these two countries and having a keen eye for detail afforded Levy the knowledge necessary to recount the immigrant experience in her memoir, In My Father’s Gardens.

It is the story of a young girl who comes of age in two languages, and on two shores, between warring parents and rules that change. Levy will read excerpts as she discusses her writing experience and shares her story. Her book will be available for purchase.

The cost is $26 ($28.29 if paying online), including tax and tip. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., so come early to socialize and renew your dues. Self-service coffee and tea will be available as well as wine ($6) and beer ($5).

During the business meeting, officers for 2015-2016 will be elected. This meeting is open to the public, so please invite friends and prospective members. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Karen Levy and ask questions.

Click here to bring up the hardcopy pdf registration form

Or choose to register online via Eventbrite:

Eventbrite - AAUW Sacramento Author's Luncheon

 

Plates Café & Catering is an integral part of an 18-month program designed to move homeless families from the street to self-sustainability.

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President’s Message by Cherril Peabody

Cherril Peabody, AAUW Sacramento President for 2014-15

Cherril Peabody, AAUW Sacramento President for 2014-15

Spring is in the air, and we have several more fun activities to experience before this AAUW program year is over. But before talking about those, I want to thank everyone who participated in our recent musical theater fundraiser, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” I don’t yet have the final tally on how much we netted, but thanks to all of you who bought tickets or made contributions at the last minute, we made a profit and had a fun event. I want particularly to thank our Fundraising Committee members who took time away from their project responsibilities to do whatever needed to be done. They are Gloria Yost, Donna Holmes, Marty McKnew, Molly Dugan, Liz Jordan, Shari Beck, Izzy Brookshire, Nancy McCabe, and May Ruth Lynch. Whatever would I have done without you! Thanks are also due to the interest group leaders and others who sold tickets.

Our next branch event is the Authors Luncheon on April 11 at Plates. If you haven’t sent in your reservation form yet and want to attend, go on Eventbrite or call Reservations Chair Dawn Boyd today. The reservation deadline is April 3. You can read more about the program and our guest author, Karen Levy, elsewhere in this newsletter. Our election of AAUW officers will take place at this event, too.

Speaking of elections, both state and national AAUW elections are coming up in the next couple of months. Look for more details in this newsletter.

Our last branch meeting will be the Installation Tea on May 16, and that should be a lovely – and delicious – event. You will learn more about it in next month’s newsletter.

 

Scholarships Awarded by Molly Dugan

The AAUW Sacramento Scholarship Committee awarded $2,000 scholarships to four outstanding students for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Christina DeOllos, 25, is majoring in Civil Engineering at CSUS, and is the first in her family to attend college. She currently works as a Program Assistant for the MESA Center at Sacramento City College, volunteers as a math and science tutor and serves in leadership roles in several academic and professional organizations. She plans to graduate in May 2017.

Thanh Ho, 27, is a second-year AAUW scholarship recipient in her junior year at CSUS where she is studying Healthcare Administration. Thanh works as an In-Home Supportive Services caregiver for her family and a campus library assistant. She also volunteers for the CSUS Multicultural Center. She moved to the United States from Vietnam 7 years ago.  Thanh will be receiving the 4th Mary and Donn Random Memorial Scholarship funded by Donna Holmes in memory of her parents.

Christina Ibarra, 39, is studying Speech and Language Pathology at American River College, and will transfer to CSUS this fall. A single mother of two teenagers and the first in her family to attend college, Christina plans to earn a master’s degree and work with special needs children. Since enrolling at American River College, she has maintained a 4.0 grade average.

 Rachel Jahnsen, 39, is majoring in Theater Arts and English at CSUS and plans to use drama education to help special needs children with communication and teamwork skills. A single mother of three, she was inspired to teach theater by her eldest son, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. She also works as an after school drama instructor at Carnegie Middle School.

The committee had exceptionally qualified applicants this year, making it a joy to give these awards.  Thank you to all our committee members who posted scholarship information, evaluated applications and made this a wonderful year.  Thank you also to everyone who donated – you are making a difference for these deserving women.

 

 

Happy Hour by Angela Scarlett

Where: Sacramento Sheraton Grand  1230 J Street, 13th and J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

When: Thursday, April 9,  5-7 p.m.

Be the first to bring a new prospective member to Happy Hour and earn $20 worth of food and drinks. As this is a public event, any new members may join that night for the reduced rate.   Please contact Angela Scarlett at angela.scarlett@gmail.com or 916-612-8442 to give her an idea of how many will be attending.

The Sheraton Grand is downtown on J Street.  Click here to get on Panda Parking to find out the best location to park.

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AAUW State and National Elections are Coming Up

AAUW members will vote for new state and national leaders beginning this month. In addition, there are proposed changes to the national public policy and bylaws. We will be given an extended period of time to vote this year.

Public Policy Director Robin Howlett will keep us informed about these proposed changes. The bylaw change would remove ALL educational requirements for joining AAUW. With “one member, one vote,” it is important that you say what you think by voting on this change.

The national AAUW election period begins April 15. Those members who prefer to vote with a paper ballot may request a ballot between April 3 and May 8. The deadline for submitting paper ballots is May 26. Those who prefer to vote online will have until June 19 to complete their voting. Members will find their Member ID number and their voter PIN, both of which are needed to vote, on the back cover of the Spring issue of Outlook magazine. Complete national election information can be found in the new issue of Outlook or online here: https://www.aauw.org/resource/national-election/. Our own member Alicia Hetman is the slate’s nominee for Vice President.

California AAUW’s voting period is April 18 through May 8. We will be electing a President-Elect, Chief Finance Officer, Secretary, and several board members. You can view the slate online at www.aauw-ca.org, and then click on elections. A new member of our branch who transferred her membership from the east this year, Charmen Goehring, is a candidate for the board. The candidates will be introduced at the AAUW CA Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 18 in Manhattan Beach.

Watch your incoming emails and postal mail for more details about these important elections.

Financial Literacy for Girls by Linda Whitney & Gloria Yosts

Consider these questions:

  1. Is it important to learn how to make a budget?
  2. Should I know how to use a debit card?
  3. How much should I spend on housing and utilities?
  4. Can I still spend some money on entertainment and fun?
  5. How much do children cost?
  6. What should I budget for food?

The above questions and many more are addressed in a wonderful financial literacy program presented to high school students by SAFE Credit Union (SCHOOLS and Golden 1 have similar programs). SAFE Credit Union has also made very successful presentations to Tech Trek girls at UC Davis.

AAUW has been very interested in programs that help girls make decisions regarding how to use money wisely. Now, we have a chance to help support financial literacy programs. Both SAFE Credit Union and SCHOOLS Credit Union are in need of volunteers to help them implement their programs in area high schools. Five of our branch members will be helping with a presentation in early April. There is a need for more volunteers. Are YOU interested in helping? If so, please contact Linda Whitney at 916-421-0341 or lnlwhitney@sbcglobal.net or Gloria Yost at 916-961-3306 or gloriayost@aol.com.

AAUW Members Discuss the Wage Gap at CAMP

Lisa Beauchamp and Brandy Shiners were invited to speak about the wage gap to the California State University, Sacramento, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at the California State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 27. CAMP is a unique educational program that helps students from migrant and seasonal farm worker backgrounds to succeed at college.

CAMP was created in 1981, and its goal is to help students navigate through college life by providing assistance with forms for financial aid, admission, and other university services. CAMP also provides a support system that will help improve the students’ study skills and lead to a successful path to graduation

Beauchamp, Shiners, and Gail Reed were honored to speak at CAMP’s meeting. They discussed how the wage gap impacts the students, and how with the power of information they can negotiate their salaries. They also informed the students about AAUW’s $tart $mart salary negotiation program and hope to bring this valuable program to them in the near future. All three women enjoyed spending the afternoon with the CAMP students and look forward to working with CSUS again soon.

 

Congratulations to our Named Branch Gift Honorees by Donna Holmes & Marty McKnew

Each year we try to pick a theme for selecting our named branch gift honorees. This year we have chosen to recognize past presidents who had never been recognized by our branch. We would not exist as a branch without the ladies who step up to lead us and accept the presidency when called. Thanks to all of you who have served, and especially to this year’s honorees:

  • Molly Dugan – Past President 2011-2013
  • Nancy Lawrence – Past President 1994-1996 & 2004-2006
  • Marty McKnew – Past President 2009-2010
  • Barbara Smith – Past President 2006-2007

These ladies will be honored at our tea on May 16. Look for future articles on all they have done for AAUW. They are truly role models.

Former Trekkers a Welcome Sight by Izzy Brookshire

On Saturday, March 14, I had the opportunity to represent our Branch Tech Trek program at the Synopsis Sacramento Regional STEM Fair held at Folsom High School. Among the many bright young students presenting projects that day were two of our very own former Tech Trekkers, Adrienne Aho (2013) and Makenna Ballard (2014). Both girls were incredibly excited to see our table there and took the opportunity to tell me of their experience at camp.

Adrienne Aho

Adrienne Aho

Adrienne beamed as she recounted her favorite class, robotics, and told me she can’t wait to be a junior counselor for the camp. She also said that the biggest reason she had a project at the fair was because of her attendance at Tech Trek. She says she is so grateful for that experience.

Makenna was enthralled with the courses in veterinary medicine, but also enjoyed learning about STEM careers she had never thought of before. Like Adrienne, Makenna looks forward to becoming a junior counselor once she’s a sophomore in high school.

As we gear up for another great year in Tech Trek, it’s wonderful to hear our former Trekkers are sticking with STEM and hoping to stay involved with the program. We can look forward to hearing from them at future events as the 2015 camp nears. We will be announcing our 2015 campers on April 4 on our Branch website, so be sure to check it out.

If you are interested in assisting with Tech Trek within our Branch, please contact me at izztherower@comcast.net. I am looking for help with anything from donations and sponsorship outreach to event coordinating of camper meet-and-greets. You can also reach me at (916) 995-0046.

Makenna Ballard

Makenna Ballard