Daily Archives: May 28, 2022

Happy Summer to All Our Members!

Happy Summer to All Our Members! By Karen Burley

Wishing all our members a great summer! May you find ways to stay cool and have some fun! While it may appear we are all taking a break over the summer months, your branch leadership team continues to work on your behalf, planning an enlightening and enjoyable year for our members starting in September. Please continue to tell your friends and acquaintances about all the benefits of AAUW membership and that we would love to have them join us.

In case you missed our in-person May event, we were able to hear Maren DeMille, our branch Speech Trek winner and state 4th place winner, give her speech in person. Her speech on the topic, “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?” seems ever so timely given current events in our nation. It was wonderful to meet Maren and her mom in person.

Reminder – It is Time to Renew!

Reminder – It is Time to Renew! By Marty McKnew

If you have already renewed – thank you!

The renewal process has changed!

  • Have you accessed your new AAUW account yet?  If so, skip to the next bullet.  With the new account you will have more options to self-service your account information and the ability to view past registrations, purchases and more.  Follow this step-by-step process in the tutorial under Logging In:  https://www.aauw.org/new-systems-update/
  • Once you have accessed your account, you can Renew your Membership online.  Using the above link, scroll down to Managing Your Membership for a tutorial on how to renew, or use the hints below.
  • Hints:
    • You will be asked for your College, Degree, Degree Field and date conferred.  If you know the year, any date will work.
    • Under Membership Type, if you do not have a Lifetime membership, select National.
    • Select Yes to add Branch and State membership.
    • Scroll down the list to CA0092-Sacramento, Inc., select it, then scroll to the bottom and click on Next.  If you are a dual member, select all your branches at this time.  The next screen will give you the opportunity to select your main branch.
    • Repeat for the state of CA-California.
  • If you want to pay with a check, click on the application link here to print an application and  follow the instructions.

Need help?  Contact us, our contact information is in the Membership Directory.

Donna Holmes and Marty McKnew
Co-Membership Directors

CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS!

CALLING ALL BRIDGE PLAYERS By Margot Leidig

COME JOIN CHAR MARATHON BRIDGE

Signups are now being accepted for next season’s play. This is a joint Sacramento Branch-CHAR interest group.

Both old and new teams are welcome.  You and your partner become a team playing one game a month from September through April on a date agreed upon by the respective teams.

18 hands are played each month using party bridge scoring.
Monthly scores are compiled with winners announced at the end-of-year luncheon.

No partner? Contact us and we will match you up with one.

Registration is a $25.00 donation for AAUW Scholarships or Tech Trek and end-of- year prizes. Instructions and play schedule will be mailed to each player in August.

Each player should mail a $25.00 check, payable to AAUW CHAR, to Pat Boyd at 7801 Greenridge Way, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 by July 15. Please write your partner’s name on the memo line of your check. AAUW dues must be current. Please provide your street address and email address.

Questions?? Contact Pat Boyd: kinderteach38@att.net , 916-390-9907, or  Margot Leidig: MHLeidig@aol.com , 916-599-8744.

Living Our Mission of Equity

Living Our Mission of Equity By Charmen Goehring

Help us pick our next book!

The group just wrapped up its discussion of the book “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together” by Heather McGhee. It’s time to pick our next book! This is a perfect time for you to join us.

We meet online in a monthly equity conversation to learn how racism affects us all, 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 meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a joint CHAR/Sacramento activity. Others are welcome as well.

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

We will meet on Wednesday, June 8 at 7 p.m. to discuss possible books and make our selection for our summer reading. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.

Member News by Gloria Yost

Member News by Gloria Yost

KIM RUTLEDGE APPOINTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AT CA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION (DOR)

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Kim Rutledge, our AAUW Sacramento Branch Program Director, to the position of Deputy Director of Legislation and Communications at the California Department of Rehabilitation.  Rutledge previously held multiple roles at the California Department of Social Services between 2016 and 2022, including Adult Protective Services Program Liaison and Chief of the Adult Programs Policy and Quality Assurance Branch.  In her new position, she oversees all communications and legislation impacting a wide range of programs and services that promote employment and independent living for people with disabilities.

We’re so proud Kim.

JENNIFER KREBSBACH IS ON THE MOVE

Jennifer was our speaker at the November meeting last fall, and shared information about her participation in the eight-week AAUW National Social Change Ambassador Program and how she incorporated National’s research into her thesis for her MA in education-gender equity studies at CSUS.  She is about to have an article published about this research.

AFGHAN REFUGEES LOVE LISA HOWARD

Lisa Howard continues to work on resettling Afghan refugee families with a focus on sewing machines.  With the mentorship of a neighbor, she has started basic servicing of donated machines, ensuring that they are in good operating condition for the new owner.  Seventeen have been distributed to date and the request list grows with each new family she meets.  One appreciative recipient has even sewn Lisa a dress.  Afghans in the community appreciate the support from Lisa and her team.

Click here for a list of items needed by the Afghan refugees. Contact Lisa Howard for drop-off information.

Sacramento Branch Interest Groups Update

Sacramento Branch Interest Groups Update By Vicki Nicholson

After serving on the nominating committee this spring, I concluded that members maintain strong sentiment for the Sacramento Branch, in spite of all the curves thrown at us by COVID.  I suspect that, like 9/11, which resulted in lasting airport security screening, we will be practicing social distancing and masking in certain venues indefinitely.

Currently, seven different Interest Groups are meeting:  Art & Architecture, Reader’s Theater, Great Decisions (three sections), Singles Dining, Film Fans, Healthy Heart, and Board Games.  Scrabble, Travel, and Bridge groups may resume in the fall, possibly under different leaders.  A Walking Group was formed but then discontinued due to lack of interest.

If AAUW’s mission and values are the heart, and outreach programs the arms and legs of the Sacramento Branch, then Interest Groups form the backbone, since most members are attached to at least one section.  These more intimate groups, many long-standing, can exist without any branch structure, yet it is the commitment members feel to interest groups which drive their over-arching desire for sustaining the branch.  Going forward, our leadership team may ask to harness “interest groups’ energy” and we may be “doing business” a bit differently.  For instance, with few new branch members, it does not seem necessary to focus on interest groups in a showcase format at one branch meeting; sign-ups can be accomplished more informally by passing information directly to section leaders.  If an interest group is small, extending invitations and combining groups with CHAR is a possibility (see bridge opportunity in separate article).  Book sections may be collaboratively asked to sponsor an author’s event. Great Decisions could develop a Women-of-the-World type of gathering for branch participation.  Could Reader’s Theater provide “entertainment” at a meeting?

A Strategic Planning Committee has been formed to address ongoing leadership deficits and will likely chart a course that does not seem like business as usual.  Please reflect on why you joined AAUW and what effort, large or small, you can contribute to our collective goals.

Vicki Nicholson
Interest Groups Coordinator

Named Gift Honorees

Named Gift Honorees By Charmen Goehring

Congratulations to Karen Burley and Kim Rutledge for being our special Named Gift Awardees! Each year, AAUW allows a branch to “name” part of the branch Funds monies in honor of a member who has demonstrated exemplary service to the branch.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, Kim had the continuing challenge of creating programs that would be of interest to members whether in person or online. With ever changing virus transmission rates, she and her committee had to pivot their planning to provide programming that kept us all safe. With just two in-person events, members likely missed the social interaction, but we were still treated to quality programs each month that represented AAUW’s mission. Kudos, Kim!

Staying connected is important at any time but especially during an ongoing pandemic! Karen successfully leveraged technology to keep us informed via the newsletter, signed up thanks to EventBrite and connected on Zoom! As this pandemic lingers, I have no doubt that Karen will continue to learn new ways to help keep us connected to one another! Thank you, Karen!

Thank you to all branch members who contributed to the AAUW Funds this year! AAUW Sacramento sent in more than $13,000 in donations and landed in the top 10 spot for per capita giving in California!!

Strategic Planning Committee Working Hard to Redesign our Branch

Strategic Planning Committee Working Hard to Redesign our Branch By Liz Jordan

On Sunday, May 1, eight members of the branch met to begin the process of planning how to help our branch through the latest leadership crises.  Many members may remember that the branch has gone through this process twice before in the last 30 years.  Each time, a committee met, figured out what were the problems in finding members willing to lead, and designing solutions that were imaginative and created with enthusiasm.  But the last two times, we have not actually followed through with enacting many of those solutions.  This time, we must succeed.

The committee went through long discussions on such questions as:

– Why does AAUW Sacramento Exist?
– What is important to us?
– What do we want to do as a branch?
– What do we need to do better?
– Why external trends could lead to increased success and engagement?

Finally, we came to the hard part: How do we achieve our goals? Ideas discussed were:

  • streamline our activities and our board of directors,
  • become more nimble in our responses to change,
  • restructure our programs, identify a yearly theme,
  • engage Interest Groups in branch activity and action

We broke into subcommittees for improving our outreach, restructuring the board and governance, restructuring programs and improving communications.  We plan to meet and share what we have developed in our subcommittees on June 1, 2022.

Any member with ideas or energy to offer should contact Marty McKnew.  See her contact information in the directory.

What is STEMEd for Girls???

What is STEMEd for Girls??? By Liz Jordan

Did you know? 

In the summer of 2021, more than 600 teen girls from across the U.S. and the U.K. took part in AAUW’s inaugural STEMEd for Girls virtual workshop series, which was designed exclusively for girls in grades 9 through 12, and their parents and guardians.

The program, which was made possible through the generous support of Arconic Foundation, was designed to pave the way for girls’ STEM success in college and beyond.  AAUW especially encouraged girls of color to participate.

Girls took part in six 1-1/2-hour sessions over two months that showcased how accessible and exciting STEM fields can be.  Twelve (12) STEM Ambassadors, scientists and educators who are leaders in their fields, provided advice and inspiration while highlighting a variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, math and technology.

Guess What!?!

AAUW is announcing that STEMEd for Girls is returning for this summer 2022.  For middle school and high school girls, just starting to explore interest in science and math, for girls who have already decided on a probable career path, this program can offer girls and their parents/ guardians/caregivers support and encouragement.

https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/stemed-for-girls/

STEMEd for Girls is a series of lively, informative and engaging virtual workshops that will pave the way for your success as you move through high school, into college and eventually on to your career. Designed for those who want to stand out among their peers, the program:

  • Demystifies the world of STEM and shows how accessible—and exciting—these fields can be.
  • Explores the different subject areas that you can choose as a college major, including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, and technology/computer science.
  • Shows the many types of lucrative jobs and careers a STEM education can prepare you for.
  • Connects you up with a STEM Ambassador who can inspire and guide you in your education and beyond.
  • Works with your parent, guardian or caregiver to make sure you have all the support and encouragement you need on your pathway to STEM.

Gain confidence, have fun, get inspired — and join a national community of girls and women excited about the endless opportunities in STEM.

https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/stemed-for-girls/

Summer Books, Birthdays, and Printable Articles

Celebrating June Birthdays! By Donna Holmes

  Happy Birthday to All!

  • Della Knowles                              6/2
  • Patricia Peck                                6/2
  • Sandra Cavey                               6/4
  • Mahnaz Khazari                           6/4
  • Shirley Wheeler                           6/8
  • Pamela Spears                             6/8
  • Jane Reinmuth                             6/10
  • Rita Walker                                   6/10
  • Ellynrose Sheehan                      6/11
  • Sharon Lee Swanson                  6/11
  • Carmen Hobbs                            6/12
  • Charmen Goehring                     6/19
  • Kathleen Papst                             6/20
  • Carol Hayes                                  6/29

Celebrating July Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Nancy Kniskern                            7/1
  • Gloria Sears                                  7/3
  • Karen Ann Rystad                        7/5
  • Patricia Winkle                             7/6
  • Judy Foote                                     7/8
  • Michele Hobza                             7/8
  • Linda Sparks                                7/9
  • Ruth Werner                                7/10
  • Shari Beck                                    7/13
  • Lisa Howard                                7/14
  • Vivian Counts                              7/16
  • Marty McKnew                            7/20
  • Lori Franz                                     7/24
  • Martha H McDowell                   7/24
  • Joan Heikkila Rhee                     7/28
  • Gina Schumacher                       7/31

July Book Groups By Sharon Anderson

Book Group 2:
No July meeting; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
Inheritance, by Dani Shapiro, on July 27; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Reluctant Genius: Alexander Graham Bell, by Charlotte Gray, on July 13; coordinator is Nancy Lawrence

Book Group 6: 
No July meeting; coordinator is Angela Scarlett, Gloria Yost

Book Group 8: 
Matrix: A Novel, by Lauren Groff , on July 25; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
No July meeting; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
Stoner, by John Williams, on July 7 coordinator is Linda Cook

Book Group 33: 
No July meeting; coordinators are Jane Pivetti, Nancy Lawrence

August Book Groups By Sharon Anderson

Book Group 2:
No August meeting; coordinator is Carol Hayes

Book Group 3: 
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, by Dominic Smith, on August 24; coordinator is Carolyn Meeker

Book Group 4: 
Harlem Shuffle, by Colson Whitehead, on August 10; coordinator is Nancy Lawrence

Book Group 6: 
The Other Americans, by Laila Lalami, on August 15; coordinator is Angela Scarlett, Gloria Yost

Book Group 8: 
All That She Carried, by Tiya Miles , on August 22; coordinator is Diana Squire

Book Group 10: 
No August meeting; coordinator is Sandi Schoenman

Book Group 12: 
The Girl with Seven Names, by Hyeonseo Lee, on August 4; coordinator is Linda Cook

Book Group 33: 
No August meeting; coordinators are Jane Pivetti, Nancy Lawrence

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