Monthly Archives: September 2021

Membership, Fellowship Themes of October Branch Ice Cream Social

Membership, Fellowship Themes of October Branch Ice Cream Social By Kim Rutledge

The AAUW Sacramento Branch Program Committee is busy finalizing details for our first in-person program since early 2020. We will gather on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 12:30 p.m. at Eastern Oak Park, 3127 Eastern Ave., Sacramento, to reunite as a branch over ice cream from the Made in the Shade ice cream truck. Each branch member is encouraged to bring a potential new member. Every member who brings a guest will be entered into a raffle to win a fabulously cheesy prize.

We ask that all members contribute $8 to cover ice cream truck and rental fees. The $8 registration fee, payable by check to AAUW Sacramento, may be mailed to Cathy Locke (Cathy’s address can be found in the Membership Directory) or paid via the registration link on Eventbrite. Note that Eventbrite payment adds an additional fee of $1.42, for a total charge of $9.42. You can find the registration on Eventbrite here.

The Sacramento branch board voted at its August meeting to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all in-person events during the 2021-22 program year. We are committed to the health and safety of all our members and plan to offer a mix of in-person and Zoom events in the coming year. If you are attending an in-person event, including the October ice cream social, please bring your photo ID and either your COVID-19 vaccination card or digital proof of vaccination. To download digital proof of vaccination to your cell phone, go to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov. The board also voted to follow current local and state guidance around masks. Because the October event will be held outdoors, we encourage attendees to wear masks, but they will not be required.

The Program Committee looks forward to reuniting with our members on Oct. 23 and appreciates everyone’s ongoing participation during these unusual times.

President’s Message

President’s Message By Angela Scarlett

Fellow AAUW Sacramento Members,

This month feels more critical than others, as we face a shortage of active volunteers in our organization. Our members have been incredibly generous financially supporting AAUW Sacramento’s core outreach programs. The financial support makes a lot of sense; as our AAUW members age, it becomes easier for many to write a check than volunteer our time.

Angela Scarlett

Right now, our Tech Trek program is facing a shortage of active members who can work with schools, recruit, interview and mentor students, and administer our local program. Our needs also include someone who can serve as a Tech Trek director on our local board. This program has been a vibrant part of AAUW Sacramento for many years, and it would indeed be a shame if we have to let it go, given the substantial financial support it receives from our members. If you are interested in helping for even a few hours, please reach out to me.

Lastly, COVID-19 is on my mind (I am sure it’s on yours, as well). We have an outside ice cream social planned for October and hope to celebrate with you! We will require vaccinations and masks to minimize the risk of Delta variant infections. If you have a medical exception, again, contact me via our directory.

Warmest Regards to all!
Angela Scarlett
AAUW Sacramento President

We Need YOU!

WE NEED YOU! And WHY? By Liz Jordan

What?  AAUW in Sacramento began 101 years ago.  We achieved more than 1,200 members during the 1970s and the heyday of the second wave of the Women’s Movement.  We achieved some amazing things for Sacramento, one of which was helping to save many of the beautiful Victorian homes in downtown neighborhoods.  We have worked in this state and in this country for gender equity to much success.  So why should we continue to exist? 

Why?  There is so much work left to do.  Laws governing self-defense, sex-trafficking, equitable pay for equitable work, pregnancy protections, sexual harassment, rape and rape-culture, are just a few of the areas where we continue to work. The Equal Rights Amendment languishes in the U. S. Archives.

When?  This work happens because of you, our membership.  The Nominating Committee will be convening in a few months, and we will be calling members to step up to take on positions like President-Elect, Finance Director, Program Director, Funds Director.  These are must-have positions for the branch to exist; however, over the last few years, we have struggled to find members to take on these responsibilities.  This bears repeating:  In order for the Sacramento Branch of AAUW to continue to exist, we must have members willing to serve in these positions. 

How?  These jobs can seem intimidating and time-consuming.  Of course, they do take time; but we don’t do any of them alone.

  • Many co-directors take on one position.
  • The whole board works together to help govern the branch.
  • We support each other in learning the necessary skills and achieving the necessary tasks.
  • We have simplified each position, making each job easier to do.
  • We are rewarded with a great sense of accomplishment, solid friendships and the appreciation of more than 180 members.

Who?  Historically, all kinds of members have taken on these jobs. Employed women, retired women, women with small children and grown children, dog and cat owners, horseback riders, chefs, accountants, seamstresses, analysts, homemakers, doctors, lawyers and candlestick-makers have all taken on these positions; they have survived the challenge and kept our branch working.  We need you.  Step forward now and volunteer, or say “yes!” when we call.

Just like Uncle Sam — AAUW needs YOU.

Living Our Mission of Equity – New Book!

Living Our Mission of Equity By Charmen Goehring

We hope you will join us in a monthly equity conversation looking at our own biases and what actions we can take to attract diversity to our branch and become better people in the process. Each month, we read a section of our selected book, then meet to discuss what we have learned, along with exploring other issues related to race and equity. We will meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity.

The Zoom meeting code is 737 420 3780, or you can join using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7374203780

We will be discussing You Are Your Best Thing, by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown, on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com. ,

AAUW CA FUNDS EVENTS COMING SOON!

AAUW CA FUNDS EVENTS COMING SOON! By Charmen Goehring

 Mark your calendars for the inspiring AAUW Funds Events on Zoom on Oct. 23, 2021, and Oct. 30, 2021, both at 10am. We have more than 30 recipients of AAUW grants and fellowships in California and because of the online format, you will have a chance to hear from most of them. The women share their research and how our Funds awards are meaningful to them. Usually, luncheons — two in Northern California and one in Southern California — are held. Being on Zoom makes them accessible to everyone, with no driving and free!! I would like to suggest that you might donate to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund in lieu of purchasing a luncheon ticket!

You can find out more and register at https://www.aauw-ca.org/aauw-2021-fund-events/ .

Speech Trek Recruiting Students for February Competition

Speech Trek Recruiting Students for February Competition By Ann Arneill

Speech Trek is getting into full swing with our busy fall season.  We work with all nine campuses in the Elk Grove Unified High School District participating in our public speaking contest. Now is the time to recruit students to participate by distributing our promotional materials and having students sign up for November workshops, which Shari Beck and Ann Arneill will conduct.  At these workshops, we inform students about the contest rules, present the topic, give them resources for researching the topic and provide public speaking tips.  Once the students who decide to participate complete their speech drafts, we will give them feedback on their speeches.  The topic this year is “Has the US lived up to its pledge of liberty and justice for all?  Would requiring the study of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a high school setting help ensure liberty and justice for all?”  The contest will be held on Feb. 19, 2022.  We hope to conduct it in-person, COVID-19 pandemic conditions permitting.

Don’t forget about the Speech Trek Challenge to be held on Jan. 15, 2022.  Members will have a chance to discuss the topic in advance of the contest to pique their interest.

Great Decisions Interest Groups

Great Decisions Interest Groups By Kathy Schrumpf

Our Great Decisions groups discuss one article a month from the Foreign Policy Association book. A new book is published every year with timely articles on today’s world issues and US foreign policy.

We normally order books for the next year in October at a discounted rate of about $30.  Normally, our first meeting of the year is in January for book distribution and volunteering to either host or lead a discussion.

The Foreign Policy Association offers well-researched articles, providing an excellent way to review your geography and history. The topics make reading the daily newspaper even more fascinating. Some issues we have discussed this past year include Brexit and the EU, the Arctic, and China in Africa.  We will discuss the response of the World Health Organization in our current crisis of COVID-19 later this year.  We are awaiting the publisher’s release of topics for 2022.

The branch currently has three Great Decisions groups: Group I meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday, February through October (contact Cathy Locke); Group II meets at 7p.m. on the second Thursday, with a January organizing meeting, and meets February through October with a break in July (contact Lynn Wood); Group III meets at 1p.m. on the third Monday, with an organizing meeting in January and gathering February through November, with a break in July and August (contact Kathy Schrumpf). Contact information for all group leaders can be found in the Membership Directory.  Most meetings this past year have been via Zoom, but we hope to gather in a member’s home in the future.

 

Tech Trek  Supporter Extraordinaire

Kevin Eldridge – Tech Trek  Supporter Extraordinaire By Gloria Yost

Recently retired counselor from Will C. Wood Middle School, Kevin Eldridge, has a long history with Sacramento Branch AAUW and Tech Trek.  In Kevin’s words, “18 years ago, Liz Piazza came to Wood’s front office, spoke to the principal and (told) him about the Tech Trek program – there was no looking back.”  Will C. Wood girls have had the opportunity to attend our summer camps ever since.

Eldridge was born in Sacramento, and graduated from Luther Burbank High School and CSUS.  Prior to his education career, he has worked for the Sacramento Police Department and as a helicopter pilot in Alaska.  Of his 36 years in education, 32 years were spent as a language arts teacher and counselor at Wood.  His statement:

“As a schoolteacher and counselor, I have always been an advocate for opening our students’ eyes to the many varied careers out there just waiting for them, and Tech Trek has been a golden opportunity promoting just that. Because of AAUW’s commitment and generosity, many of our 7th grade girls over the years have had the incredible opportunity to spend a week away from home at a college campus, meet others, and immerse themselves in science, technology, and engineering. I have always felt blessed that our school was chosen to participate so long ago.”

Kevin has assured us that his replacement, Michelle Carroll, is prepared to assist Will C. Wood girls as they apply for Tech Trek in the future.

Member Birthdays, Book Groups, Printable Articles and More!

Celebrating October Birthdays! By Donna Holmes

  Happy Birthday to All!

  • Kathy Schrumpf                     10/1
  • Judy Maben                            10/2
  • Janice Stuter                           10/5
  • Mary Williams                        10/8
  • Karen Ann Smith                   10/9
  • Lynn Blair Wood                    10/12
  • Linda Cook                              10/13
  • Jennifer Virginia Stanley       10/14
  • Tina Taggart                           10/14
  • Lyn Roefs                                10/15
  • Susan McLearan                    10/17
  • Betty Riley                               10/20
  • Elizabeth Hendrickson          10/21
  • Marianne Rorden                   10/21
  • Sandra Winter                         10/21
  • Christina Calpo                       10/23
  • Gail Evans                                10/26
  • Bakula Maniar                         10/27
  • Celeste Roseberry-McKibbin 10/27

Book Groups By Sharon Anderson

Book Group 2: 
The Invisible Bridge, by Julie Orringel, on Oct. 5; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Reading a book selection and meeting on Oct. 27; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Notes of a Native Son, by James Baldwin, on Oct. 13; coordinator is Nancy Lawrence

Book Group 6: 
The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben, on Oct. 11; coordinator is Angela Scarlett

Book Group 8: 
The Language of Butterflies, by Wendy Williams, on Oct. 25; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, by Bill Gates, on Oct. 21; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson, on Oct. 7; coordinator is Linda Cook

Book Group 33: 
The Other Mrs., by Mary Kubica, on Oct. 7; coordinators are Jane Pivetti, Nancy Lawrence

Walking Group Forming By Vicki Nicholson

A nucleus of members have created a new group and welcome other women to join. If you would enjoy walking the regional trails and park pathways in the Sacramento area in the company of others, please contact Kathleen Deaver. Kathleen’s contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Tokyo Olympics – Did You Hear? By Charmen Goehring

US women athletes brought home more medals than men! You can read more in USA Today (which attributes this success to Title IX) at https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/olympics/us-women-are-dominating-medal-count-at-tokyo-olympics-in-ways-they-ve-never-done-before/ar-AAN0W6E

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