Category Archives: Board Briefs

Our Proposed Branch Budget, Board Briefs, Named Gift Honorees, Book Group News, & September Birthdays

2020-21 Budget Needs Branch Approval by Liz Jordan
The Board of Directors is reviewing the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2020-21, shown here. Branch members are asked to review the proposed budget, which will be voted on at the September Showcase.  Many thanks to Donna Holmes for her past efforts as our Finance Director!

Board Briefs
AAUW Sacramento Board meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month with the exception of September, which is held the last Monday of August. Until further notice, all meetings are being conducted virtually using Zoom.

Here are the highlights from the AAUW Retreat held August 15, virtually using Zoom, by Della Knowles

Finance Director: Liz Jordan was appointed finance director.

Robert’s Rules:  Marty McKnew reviewed a very helpful update on Robert’s Rules of Order.  Of particular note is the process by which we make motions and vote.  A reminder that reports to the board do not need approval.

National 5 Star Program:  This is a slide show from the national office.  Items brought up were the feasibility of our chapter aligning with National, implementing an action network and increasing fellowship.  All ideas will be turned over to the Program Committee for discussion and implementation.

Mentor Program:  A new committee will be formed to develop and implement a mentor program.

Future Meetings:  Discussion regarding dedicating time at general meetings to see where our chapter is headed, sending information to National, implementing 5 Star program, encouraging more young women into membership (pertinent information on the National webinar).

Mission of Equity:  Charmen Goehring presented and discussed how we can attract diversity and become better in the process, each person’s implicit and unconscious bias. Charmen suggested using the RIR protocol in all branches. Charmen has all the appropriate resources for members.

The next board meeting is August 31 at 7p.m. 

10 Named Gift Honorees! (Announced in May) By Kathleen Asay and Merrie McLaughlin
This year we were truly honored to be able to select ten members as our Named Gift Honorees. We are entitled to one for every $750 we donated to AAUW Funds last year, and last year was a very special year as we raised money to complete our 100th Anniversary Research and Projects Grant. In all, we raised $7880. Our grant fund was complete. We are proud now to be able to introduce our ten honorees:

Liz Jordan – Liz has been a branch co-president for 2 years, 2018-2020. Prior to that, she was a co-director for Speech Trek 10 years, 2007-2018, and a finance director for CA AAUW Speech Trek. A former high school English teacher, she continues to learn more about AAUW so she can teach us and expand our understanding.

Tiffany Ardisana – Tiffany has served as branch secretary for 4 years, 2016-2020, attending all official meetings and taking terrific minutes. She is also an accomplished grant writer for the branch. She has degrees in Public Administration and is quite an athlete we understand.

Jo Reiken – Jo has been a Director for Tech Trek for 3 years, 2017-20. Jo is passionate about Tech Trek. She talks to schools, teachers, students, families, raises money, and prepares the students for the TT experience. She even goes along as a dorm mom and keeps in touch later. In October 2019 she and her girls put on a wonderful branch program about Tech Trek.

Donna Holmes – Donna has received two Named Gift Honors already, after being a Funds co-director for 3 years and a branch co-president for 2. When our previous financial director had to resign, Donna took over. She carefully guided the branch through the 100th Anniversary Grant fund-raising and our anniversary celebration and smoothed the way for the transition to the new MPP program for membership renewal and Funds donations.

Gloria Yost – Gloria has 4 previous honors and has held many of the elected positions of the branch in her years in Sacramento AAUW. With that experience, she has been the perfect University Liaison to expand our relationship with local colleges and with the students in our Affiliate Branch at Sacramento State. She was also the perfect person to serve as chair of our very special 100th Anniversary Celebration.

The following five honorees contributed their time and special talents to making our Anniversary Celebration the joy that it was:
Carole Cline – Carole volunteered from the beginning to serve on the steering committee for our celebration, then volunteered to write the skit. Being a newish member, she got branch history from Liz Jordan, but as Liz says, the creativity was Carole’s. She also prepared the props.

Cathy Locke – Cathy has been honored once before. She’s been co-program director 2018-2020 and Phone Tree director for 8 years. Cathy worked with Cherril Peabody and Anna Storey to design and edit the memory book and to place history articles in the branch newsletter. She also handled reservations and arranged the check-in process.

Vicki Nicholson – Vicki’s a long-time member and also a previous Named Gift Honoree. She volunteered to facilitate the music part of the program, chaired the sub-committee, and even re-wrote the words to “California Here I Come.”

Cherril Peabody – Cherril is a past Named Gift Honoree, past president 2014-2015, Interest Group Coordinator for 4 years, and Board Briefs reporter for the branch newsletter 2019-2020. Cherril researched and wrote articles for the memory book and organized the outreach posters on display at the luncheon.

Anna Storey – Anna is another past Named Gift Honoree as being a co-director for Scholarships 2015-2020. Anna chaired the sub-committee that created the memory book. She spent much time at the Sacramento History Center researching branch history, then wrote and edited articles for the book and arranged for the publisher. She also prepared the poster describing our Scholarship program.

Congratulations to all of you and Thank you!

Useful Links for September

  • Click here for books being read by Book Groups in September
  • Click here for members’ September Birthdays

Printable Newsletter Articles, Branch Birthdays, Tech Trek Updates, and April Board Meeting Notes

Branch Birthdays and Printable Newsletter Articles

  • Click here for Branch Birthdays
  • Click here for the printable version of the newsletter articles

Update on Tech Trek and Future Plans

Due to the ongoing pandemic, AAUW CA has canceled Tech Trek camps for this summer. All monies sent in by the branch will be held over for next year’s camp. Our branch intends to honor the girls who were selected this year and involve them in a branch Tech Trek alumni effort that is being created. More information will follow.

Board Briefs April 6, 2020 by Cherril Peabody

 Here are the highlights of the April AAUW Sacramento Virtual Board Meeting:

 Membership Treasurer S. Anderson reported that she had ordered the membership milestone 50-year pins from National AAUW that were approved for purchase at the March Board meeting. C. Goehring confirmed that the pins were received.

Co-President L. Jordan announced that she has created a ballot that can be filled out and returned online. This is necessary because the April branch meeting where the branch election for next year’s board officers was scheduled to be held has been canceled because of COVID-19. The ballots will be emailed on April 10 with a deadline of April 17 for the completed ballots to be returned. Paper ballots will be sent to those without computer access. Thirty-two completed ballots are needed for a quorum. The results will be sent via email.

The Nominating Committee still needs a Co-Membership Director and a Finance Director for the 2020-2021 program year.

Scholarship Co-Director L. Patterson announced that the Scholarship Committee reviewed the applications of 10 women and selected five of them via email to be the recipients of the 2020-2021 $2,000 scholarship grants.

Program: The Board is looking at possible videoconferencing alternatives for the installation meeting if the restrictions on public gatherings remain in place through May.

Tech Trek Director J. Reiken reported that this summer’s Tech Trek camp has been canceled because of COVID-19. Before State AAUW made this decision, our branch had chosen two girls each from three schools to participate. State is now asking for participating branches’ input into whether the girls selected for this year’s camp should be allowed to be carried over until next year’s camp, which would make them a year older than the usual age.

Old Business: The AAUW Convention was canceled because of COVID-19.

The idea of establishing a Stewardship Committee to help thank branch donors was discussed. S. Anderson will write an article for Capital Ideas and B. Anton will write an item for Branch News You Can Use announcing this new branch volunteer opportunity.

Board Briefs February 3, 2020 By Cherril Peabody as well as Interest Groups, Book Groups, and Branch Birthdays

Here are the highlights of the February AAUW Sacramento Board Meeting:

 The Bylaws Committee presented two motions for recommended changes to Article X of the Branch Bylaws. The first motion would change the terms of branch offices from one year to two years. Seconded by J. Reiken, the motion carried. The second motion would add a new section to Article X designating staggered terms for all elected officers. The president-elect would serve for three years, one year as president-elect followed by two years as president. S. Beck seconded the motion, which carried. The reason for the proposed changes is to ensure continuity for the board. They will be presented to the membership for approval at the April annual meeting.

College/University Liaison G. Yost introduced Kahaulani Prodigalidad, a member of the Sacramento State AAUW Affiliate, who requested a loan of $950 to cover the cost of an annual license fee to present STARTSMART programs on their campus. Some of the funds may be reimbursed by the University. A. Scarlett presented a motion to approve the loan, $451 of the amount to come from the branch STARTSMART fund, and the balance to be taken from the branch reserves. L. Patterson seconded the motion, which carried.

Membership Director J. Stuter presented an idea for a starter membership fund to assist prospective members to join. After discussion Co-President L. Jordan asked Stuter to host a meeting about this idea and invite all branch members to discuss the idea further.

Scholarship Co-Directors L. Patterson and A. Storey reported that some members of the Scholarship Committee have expressed concerns that the financial information required of applicants is not sufficient. Another issue is whether to turn selection of the applicants over to a college or university in order to increase the number of applicants, but that may involve extending eligibility to men as well as women. The committee will be exploring options on both issues.

Speech Trek Co-Chair S. Beck announced that the committee expects five or six students to participate in the Feb. 15 contest.

Tech Trek Director J. Reiken reported that she is working to recruit an additional school from which students could be selected to participate in the program.

Interest Groups, Book Groups, Branch Birthdays, and Board Briefs November 4, 2019 By Cherril Peabody

  • Click here for Interest Groups
  • Click here for Book Groups
  • Click here for Branch Birthdays
  • Click here for a printable version of the Articles

Here are the highlights of the November AAUW Sacramento Board Meeting, including written reports:

 Co-President C. Goehring reported that she attended the Leadership Day on November 2. She also announced that the online deadline for National AAUW Board applications is November 22. Co-President L. Jordan reported that she accepted the resignation of K. Papst as Interest Groups Director and recruited a new director, Becky Anton. She also posted a report from the AAUW CA public policy director on the branch Facebook page about the bills AAUW supported in the state legislature and their status. She requested board discussion and eventual action on the new National priority of Economic Security, especially regarding the Work Smart and Start Smart programs.

Tech Trek Co-Director J. Reiken reported that the October branch meeting, which featured this year’s Tech Trek participants, was attended by 60+ members and guests and that the girls all gave outstanding presentations.

Program Co-Director C. Locke announced that Lisa Culp from Women’s Empowerment will present a program about homelessness among women and children on November 16. The time has changed for the Holiday Luncheon at Northridge Country Club on December 14. It is now set to begin at 10 a.m., an hour earlier than previously announced, and will finish up by 1 p.m.

Financial Review Committee Chair L. Patterson reported that this ad hoc committee has reviewed the AAUW Sacramento Fiscal Years 2017-18 and 2018-19. The review has been completed and the records have been found to be correct or have been corrected. The Financial Review is complete and in order.

Scholarship Co-Directors L. Patterson and A. Storey reported that they have been contacting the financial aid offices at the local community colleges and at CSUS with information about the branch’s application process for 2020-2021 scholarship awards.

Funds Co-Directors K. Asay and M. McLaughlin reported that the branch collected $4,659 for Funds with the dues payments last spring.

New Business: A. Scarlett made a motion that the branch invites its 100th Anniversary grant recipient to attend the 100th Anniversary Celebration on February 29, 2020, and that the branch offer to pay for her flight and provide a homestay for her during her visit. Seconded by S. Beck. The motion carried.

Board Briefs May Board Meeting, May 6, 2019 by Cherril Peabody

Here are the highlights of the May AAUW Sacramento Board Meeting:

  • Co-President D. Holmes reported that the AAUW Sacramento branch is on the list of the 130 largest branches in the United States, and we are the fourth largest branch in California.
  • Membership Treasurer S. Anderson reported that the new National AAUW online dues payment program is user-friendly, but it can’t be used to make donations to branch programs: Tech Trek, Scholarships and Speech Trek. Members must send donations to those programs to AAUW Sacramento directly.
  • Scholarship Co-Director A. Storey reported that the Scholarship program has been receiving many donations toward one or more named scholarships in memory of Ruth Burgess, who passed away last fall.
  • Funds Co-Director K. Asay reported that the branch 100th Anniversary Research and Projects Grant Fund that was completed last fall is expected to be distributing its first grant soon.
  • College/University Liaison G. Yost reported that campus liaisons will be marketing the opportunities available through the AAUW affiliates on several Sacramento County campuses in order to attract more members for those affiliates. The branch is sponsoring two young women students attending the NCCWSL leadership conference this summer.
  • 100th Anniversary Celebration Chair G. Yost announced that there is a lot of interest in participating in the singing group that is being formed to perform at the 100th Anniversary celebration, and writers are also being sought to put together a skit for the event. Member Joan Hammond drew some sketches for the event logo, and the committee has selected one that will be featured in the activities and in the anniversary publication.
  • Program Co-Director D. Dunn reported that the Author’s Luncheon featuring journalist and playwright Ginger Rutland was very successful, and Ms. Rutland’s presentation received many positive comments. Co-Director C. Locke announced that plans for an end-of-year potluck are on hold pending finding a place to have the event.

New Business

            The Board has accepted a challenge from National AAUW to get 800 people certified in the Work Smart course by August. National AAUW will receive $500,000 if they and the branches can get 100,000 women certified. This free program is an online short course in how to negotiate salaries and raises. Here is the link aauw.us/SAC you should use to access the course so that AAUW Sacramento gets credit.  Please send to all your friends and family.

Board Briefs March Board Meeting, March 4, 2019 by Cherril Peabody

Here are the highlights of the March AAUW Sacramento Board Meeting:

  • Co-President D. Holmes announced that beginning this spring, AAUW members will be able to make their dues payments online, at least for National dues. More details will be available soon.
  • Nominating Committee representative N. McCabe presented the slate of officers that has agreed to serve as Board members for 2019-2020. The Board made and approved motions to allow termed-out officers T. Ardisana and K. Asay to continue in their positions as Secretary and Co-Funds Director respectively. (See elsewhere in this issue for the complete list of nominations.) The Branch election will be held at the Authors Luncheon on April 27.
  • Holmes reported that the Scholarship Committee will meet to choose next year’s scholarship recipients on March 23.
  • Funds Co-Director K. Asay reported that Branch members donated approximately $8,800 in 2018, most of it designated to complete the fund honoring Branch member Alicia Hetman. Half of the $8,800 came in with dues.
  • Tech Trek Co-Director A. Gilreath reported that there are 12 applicants for the Tech Trek camp this summer, and interviews with the applicants will be held on March 23.
  • Program Co-Director C. Locke announced that the March 30 Branch program at the Sacramento History Center will include a tour of the archives and a display of some of the Branch historical documents. The sign-up deadline for the Author’s Luncheon is April 17 for the April 27 event at Plates featuring journalist and playwright Ginger Rutland.
  • Speech Trek Co-Director S. Beck announced that Esther Joy Turay, a senior at Laguna Creek High School, won first place in the Speech Trek contest on Feb. 16. Esther will give her speech at the May 18 installation meeting.
  • Membership Co-Director L. Patterson reported that branch members who have completed 50 years as AAUW members this year will be honored at the installation meeting in May. The Board approved a motion to add a line to the membership application for members who are willing to provide financial assistance for underwriting luncheon fees or other costs for Branch guests, such as scholarship recipients, at meetings where fees are involved.

Board Briefs January Board Meeting, Jan. 7, 2019 By Cherril Peabody

Here are the highlights of the January AAUW Sacramento Board meeting:

  • Co-President D. Holmes reported that the AAUW Work Smart program, geared to women who are working, has recently been updated to make the online training more user-friendly. Holmes encouraged board and branch members to take the online training for both Work Smart and Start Smart, the AAUW program for recent women college graduates, in order to become training facilitators for both salary negotiation programs.
  • Holmes asked the board to consider sending a college student to the AAUW National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, which focuses on leadership skills. Some board members felt that the branch should only send someone who is willing to play a role with our branch or with the CSUS AAUW affiliate upon her return. After discussion, it was decided to seek input from other branches that have sent students to the conference to see if they felt it was worthwhile and to make a presentation about the conference at a branch meeting and seek input from members.
  • Program Co-Director D. Dunn provided a review of upcoming branch programs. The IBC luncheon is set for Jan. 26 at Plates. The Speech Trek contest will be held at Cosumnes River College on Feb. 16. In anticipation of the 2020 100th Anniversary event, the branch will meet on March 30 for a presentation and tour at the Center for Sacramento History, where our branch archives are stored. The Author’s Luncheon and branch election are scheduled for April 27 at Plates. Officers will be installed at the May 18 branch meeting, with other activities to be announced.
  • Yost gave an update on the ongoing work of the Sacramento Branch 100th Anniversary Celebration committee. The celebration will be held on Feb. 29, 2020, in the Northridge Country Club Ballroom. Committee members have been researching branch history through meeting minutes, newsletters, yearbooks and other materials in our archives and writing articles that are appearing in Capital Ideas. Long-time members have been asked to share their experiences, too. A publication that includes this information will be issued. Yost asked board approval to request a $5 per member donation at the March meeting to cover the cost of an honorarium requested by the history center. She also asked to have a donation line included in the 2019-20 branch renewal form to assist with other Celebration expenses. Both requests were approved.