Daily Archives: August 2, 2016

Sacramento Branch Members Visit Tech Trek Summer Camp at UC Davis by Linda Patterson

Tech Trek Campers

Tech Trek Campers

This year, the Sacramento AAUW Branch sent five students — Frankie XU, Kendra Sagara. Margaux Bautista, Alondra Chavez, and Emily Carmona — to the Tech Trek summer camp at UC Davis. Tech Trek is an experiential summer camp designed to pique the interest of eighth-grade girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). A group of Branch members were able to see the girls in action in several of the classes offered. The classes we visited included genetics, math and engineering, anatomy and physiology, and computer science. The girls were building bridges in engineering, dissecting lungs and learning about respiration in anatomy, creating apps for devices in computer science. All the girls we spoke with said they were having fun, learning new things, and were so happy to be there.

Tech Trekkers Deep in Discussion

Tech Trekkers Deep in Discussion

Since 1998, AAUW has helped change girls’ lives through Tech Trek. A 2013 survey of Tech Trek alumnae who attended the camp in California between 2006 and 2009 demonstrates the program’s lasting effects on many levels, including interest and confidence in STEM fields, decision to pursue STEM curricula and future career plans. For example, 82% of the girls chose to take more science classes in high school, 87% completed algebra and 77% pre-calculus, 73% enrolled in four-year college or university programs and 91% reported that Tech Trek boosted their self-confidence in their ability to be successful in science classes and 78% said the same for math classes.

Linda P. observes a Tech Trekker in action

Linda P. observes a Tech Trekker in action

Later this year we hope to have some of the girls come to a Branch meeting to share their Tech Trek experiences.

Thank you to all members who supported Tech Trek this year and in years past. You can be assured that you made a wise investment in the futures of young girls.

AAUW and League of Women Voters to Host Voter Forum by Inger Linholm

women votersCalifornia Ballot Propositions can be confusing and are always plentiful.  This year, 17 measures will be put before the voter. On Saturday, Oct. 1, the AAUW Sacramento branch, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, will host a public forum to give voters an opportunity to listen to pros and cons in an effort to sort out the confusion. This event will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Robbie Waters Library in the Pocket.

Louise Einspahr of the League of Women Voters will coordinate the speakers and have some handouts available. Learn about the propositions, which range from public school Improvements to cigarette taxes to marijuana issues.

Be an informed participant by going online to:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures or https://ballotpedia.org/California_2016_ballot_propositions

Both of these sites will help you to learn more about these ballot measures. Selected propositions from the 17 will be discussed.

We are pleased to support the League of Women Voters, which has for many years worked to provide bipartisan voter information. 

Exploring Our Interest Groups – Cultural History Group by Cherril Peabody

The Cultural History group, formerly known as History of the World, looks at the early DNA of modern life, discussing innovations that have brought about social, economic and personal change. Members trace events and ideas as they have evolved over time to see how they are affecting our current lives and their prospects for the future. Members like to continue getting cultural historyto know each other, so each one comes to meetings with a new question for anyone who would like to answer about her own life as related to the topic, which often brings a lot of laughter. Some of the past and future topics from books we’ve read are lasers, women, noise, working solo or in networks, digital communication, chocolate, wine/beer, tea/coffee. The group chooses books with topics members are curious about but know little about initially. Rosa Lee Black is Chair of this group. Contact her at rosaleeblack99@yahoo.com.

Attention, Branch members: If you have an idea for a new interest group to start this fall, and especially if you are willing to chair the group if it gets going, please contact Interest Group Director Cherril Peabody, capeabody@comcast.net. We are planning to publicize ideas for new groups in advance of the Showcase Meeting and solicit members for them so we can hit the ground running in the fall. Thanks for your help!

WOW (Women of the World) will be returning this year to its original status as an interest group. As we are envisioning it, the group will have a set membership of 12 to 15 members and will plan three or four presentations for its membership only in members’ homes. Anne Rhodes has agreed to chair the group. She is starting to take names now for membership, so if you would like to join this group, contact her at rhodesmicasa@yahoo.com.

Leadership Demonstrated by Donna Holmes and Marty McKnew

Aug 2016 AAUW Funds ProgressMuch appreciation and many thanks to our Fundraising Co-Chairs and Past Presidents Ruth Burgess and Nancy Lawrence. Their most recent efforts have centered on our 100th Anniversary Grant. Nancy and Ruth have presented all our past presidents with the challenge to complete our grant by our 100th anniversary in 2020. They obtained pledges at the past presidents luncheon or by letter and made sure the money arrived. To date, they have brought in $9,600! Here is our updated thermometer!

We know many of you also sent in donations with your dues, and those efforts will be highlighted next month. So, even without those donations, we have reached 65% of our goal in just under four years. ($48,566.93 out of $75,000)

Thank you!

Our 2016-2017 Budget Needs Branch Approval by May Ruth Lynch

budget clipartThe Board of Directors has approved the budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 (click here to review). Branch members are asked to review the proposed budget, which will be voted on at the September Showcase. We are taking $1,000 from reserves to cover expenses for 2016-17. Because officers made contributions instead of submitting all expenses in 2014-15, we put approx $1,100 into reserves at the end of fiscal year 2015. We are taking this amount out to cover expenses for 2016-17. In 2017-18, we will be able to cover expenses from the dues increase of $4.

Please direct any questions or suggestions to May Ruth Lynch at (916) 382-4412 or mayrlynch@comcast.net.

 

Membership Matters by Pat Winkle and Shirley Wheeler

Please welcome our newest AAUW Sacramento Branch members.Welcome New Members

JANIS MACLAY received her AA degree in Science from Cotley College and her BS in Nursing from the University of Nebraska. Janis has been an active member in AAUW and recently moved to Elk Grove from New Mexico. She also has recently become an honorary life member.

JULIA MACLAY received her BA in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from University of California, Berkeley and her MA in Economics from American University. Julia is a retired Project Manager and lives in Sacramento. She is a life member of AAUW.

BRANDI VEAL is an AAUW Scholarship recipient. She is a student at California State University, Sacramento, majoring in Business Administration. Brandi also works part time as a Library Assistant.

Our AAUW Sacramento Branch welcomed 31 members in the 2015-16 membership years. Several were returning members. Thank you to the many members who referred a person to join us.