Category Archives: AAUW National Elections

AAUW National Bylaw Amendment Vote

AAUW California has requested we include this information in our Branch Newsletters:

This April, we will again vote on a bylaws amendment to eliminate the degree requirement for AAUW membership. The state board recently voted to support the move because they believe it will help AAUW become the inclusive organization that many of us strive to see. Our branch could join the effort to set AAUW up for success in the coming years.

Many of us have been in the situation of meeting prospective members who are interested in AAUW and share our mission of equity for women and girls. We are then faced with having to ask them about their educational attainment to see if they would qualify for membership. It is difficult to ask and can lead to embarrassment for the prospective member if they don’t meet the standard and the loss for us of their passion, skills, and potential contributions.

They cannot join due to a requirement that was established 143 years ago.

Over the years AAUW members have voted to modify the membership requirements to reflect the ever-changing social climate:

1949 – Allowed those with approved degrees from sanctioned and accredited four-year colleges or universities to join both National AND branches (which effectively allowed women of color to join AAUW)
1963- Admitted those holding degrees, including nursing, education and home economics, from any regionally accredited institution
1987 – Extended membership to male college graduates
2005 – Relaxed membership requirement to include graduates who hold an associate or equivalent degree from a qualified educational institution

How many potential members are we losing because AAUW has this eligibility requirement?

We lose younger women and men who meet the education requirement but don’t want to join an organization that seems elitist to them.
We lose women and men who share our vision for the future but because of a myriad of circumstances they were not able to attain a college degree. This did not keep them from having careers or joining other activist organizations. They just cannot join AAUW.
We lose donations from organizations that support our mission but do not understand why one must have a college degree to work towards gender equity.

Some members object to open membership because they wonder, “What will our name be?” AAUW’s name doesn’t need to change at all. We have been known as AAUW since the 1920s (two separate organizations merged) and so it has historic value as well as name recognition. We have allowed men to belong for nearly 40 years and no one felt the need for a change back then. We will be like other long-time organizations who have changed membership requirements over their histories but retained their names (e.g. GEICO, YMCA). When we talk about the organization, we can say “I belong to AAUW and we work for equity for women and girls.” The initials are less important than our wonderful mission and actions.

While AAUW is an organization that fully supports women getting a college education in the field of their choice, we need to recognize that education comes in many forms. In our professional lives, we have worked with many women and men who did not have a formal degree. This is not a measure of intelligence or ability…sometimes it is the lack of opportunity or choices made early in life that are difficult to reverse. According to the 2021 Census, just 34% of Americans aged 25 to 29 years completed four years of college. We are missing out on many voices that we need in this fight for equity.

Throughout the past 143 years, AAUW members have never stopped advocating for education while expanding our focus on ensuring effective policies around family leave, reproductive rights, equal pay, and policies against sexual harassment and violence against women. Welcoming those without a degree will not change who we are and what we are working towards- it will enhance our efforts by including anyone who is as passionate as we are about equity for women and girls.

We need every woman and man who supports our mission – empowering women and girls – to join us in the ongoing challenge of achieving gender equity. Voting opened April 3rd and closes at noon on May 15th.

The Time is — Now?

Submitted by Liz Jordan. From the AAUW CA Board: Living our Vision of Equity for All
Click here to find out more and see some inspiring videos. Also, see https://www.aauw-ca.org/documents/2021/03/living-our-vision-of-equity-for-all-presentation.pdf/.

Is this the time, now, after 140 years, to invite everybody with similar goals to join AAUW? The AAUW California Board of Directors thinks it is and would like you to know why.

We work hard for the AAUW vision of equity for all and the mission of advancing gender equity, education, health issues, and more. But so do others, including many without a college degree. Are we missing out on their energy, ideas, and help? Before you vote, please review the aauw.org home page. It reflects our inclusive mission for equity. Our membership bylaws do not.

Here is some history that may surprise you: Until the late 1940s, only women with four-year degrees from a small list of accredited, elite universities could join AAUW. According to Sharon Schuster, past AAUW National and California president, “Some would like to forget that we used to vote on prospective members — with all of the implications of what that meant.”

The World War II years broadened AAUW’s vision and all women with four-year degrees from any accredited schools were invited to join; applicants were required to present their degree certificates.

The next requirements to be dropped were accreditation and proof of degree. Then the 4-year degree requirement was dropped as holders of 3-year nursing degrees and 2-year associate degrees became eligible. Eligibility was also extended to students working toward a degree. In the 1980’s, men were allowed to join. Now, in 2021, most membership requirements have been eliminated and only one remains: that of the two-year degree.

AAUW California understands why some members might be reluctant to embrace this idea: it has long been a badge of accomplishment for women to earn a college degree, and we all enjoy socializing with others who enjoy the same things. But shared values are not an automatic byproduct of a college degree.

Before we discuss the benefits of removing this last barrier, you should know that quite a few foundations refuse to grant funds to organizations that discriminate. Yes, that is how they view this requirement. And this reduced funding pool restricts our work.

The younger generations do not view our restriction receptively either. We believe that they are more likely to join organizations with open membership working for similar goals.

The same can be said for potential members of more diverse backgrounds. We have the same vision for the future of all women and all girls; we should work together. And we can do that more effectively if we welcome everybody. Also, in order to provide support for those excluded or marginalized, we need to stop excluding and marginalizing. We need to LIVE our mission and vision.

So, how would AAUW change if everyone could join?

Your enthusiastic Tech Trek moms without degrees want to help our splendid STEM camps. Now they could.

New people might join your board to help with AAUW projects and events. They will bring fresh perspectives.

Remember when you had a friend who wanted to join AAUW but was one year short of a degree? Now she could.

This would be AAUW’s future face: more people of all backgrounds and colors, more hands working on our mission; more members to join discussion groups. We would be an organization that welcomes everybody.

And, how would it NOT affect AAUW or your branch?

It will not affect the uniqueness of AAUW. Its uniqueness is its breadth of programming, research, policy, advocacy, fellowships and grants, and grassroots membership.

It will not change your branch’s involvement in local scholarships or interest groups.
It will not change the mission of the branch. Mission is not determined by a degree, but by belief in and dedication to equality for women.

Sharon Schuster also said, “AAUW has survived because of our ability to change and because our membership requirements have changed over the years.”

So, when April 7th arrives, do remember the issues we raise here and cast your vote in the AAUW National election for a positive future for an AAUW that welcomes everybody.. As much as we value the way we have been, we can also value the way we will be. It’s time we walked the talk.

Carol Holzgrafe, Director
Branch Assistance Contact
AAUW California

President’s Message

President’s Message on Upcoming National Dues Increase and Upcoming National Election By Angela Scarlett

Dearest Members,

I hope this note finds everyone well. Branch business is going forward. Programs are

Angela Scarlett

developing meetings that fit our mission and engage our members, including a panel discussion on the California’s Master Plan for Aging on Wednesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. Tech Trek is working with our state program to pilot virtual Tech Trek. The Scholarships committee has rolled out electronic applications, and Speech Trek will have conducted its first online contest by the time you read this.

I don’t know about you, but I have always centered my attention on branch life. As president, I have found this focus can be to my detriment. Both National and California AAUW organizations send out many communications to which we should pay attention.

National dues will be increasing $3 this fiscal year, 2021-22. While this puts our overall dues just over $100, it is a mild increase, to be sure. In July 2020, AAUW started sending out emails warning that National would likely be increasing dues over several years. As of this writing, National has two more increases of $5 scheduled for the ensuing two years. By the fiscal year 2023-24, your national dues will be $72. All but $3 of your annual dues remain tax-deductible.
The National AAUW Election opens on April 7 and ends on May 17. As many of you already know, eliminating the degree requirement is on the docket again. It is notable that the last time the national board of directors introduced this proposed amendment was in 2009. Other AAUW members have submitted this proposal in subsequent years. I understand that our members feel frustrated and question why this keeps coming up, but the reason has evolved as times have changed. As membership dwindles, AAUW is also losing access to funding and grants from organizations that now see our degree requirement as being counter to our stated mission of supporting equity for all women and girls. Such funding helps fuel our mission-based work, including studies we have done on pay equity.

I know this is a precious topic to many, but irrespective of anyone’s voting preferences, I strongly urge all members to review the national election page here (https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/governance-tools/national-election/). There is a town hall video near the bottom of the page on dues increases and degree requirements. Please consider watching this. You can also see the election timeline (including requesting a paper ballot by April 16). The number of members who vote in AAUW national elections hovers around 8,000 members. That number is far too small of a percentage to determine our national governance and mission.

While I will try to be more mindful of bringing state and national news to our organization, I would love to find a member or two willing to work in the California and National “beats” by reviewing websites, newsletters and email updates, and then summarizing the most important information our branch members need to know. Liz Jordan, our current financial director, tries to stay abreast of issues, but she is also on our nominating committee, and we want more members engaged and involved at all levels of AAUW.

As always, feel free to reach out to me via email or phone. My contact information is in our directory.

Thank you for your dedication and involvement.

Warmly,
Angela Scarlett
AAUW Sacramento Branch President

Upcoming Member Vote

Upcoming Member Vote by Charmen Goehring-Fox

[NOTE: Another view on this issue immediately follows Charmen’s article.]

Charmen Goehring

Many of you may be aware that we have a national AAUW election coming up April 17-May 7 that includes a bylaw proposal to eliminate the degree requirement as a condition of membership. For the sake of transparency, let me say that I am 100 percent in favor of elimination. There are many pros and cons, and lots of feelings around the proposal. Let’s talk about some facts first.

*This is just the second time since 2009 that the National AAUW Board has put the proposal to a vote. The appearances on the ballot between 2009 and 2018 were suggested by a member, which is one of our rights of membership.

*This is not about getting more members — when we voted to allow those with two-year degrees or when we voted to allow men, there was not a surge of two- year degreed or male members. It is not expected to create a flood of new members now.

*Only about 15 percent of AAUW’s budget is funded by our dues. The rest comes from other sources such as corporations and other organizations. It is becoming increasingly difficult to compete with other organizations for these funds as we are seen as “exclusive” at a time when everyone is working to become more inclusive. Our mission will be jeopardized by lack of funds if we can’t get donors to see AAUW as a worthwhile investment.

*Younger women, those under 50, have been telling AAUW for years that they see the degree requirement as exclusive and they do not want to be part of an organization that holds on to this.

*AAUW is not considering changing the name. Many people now think we are university professors which, obviously, is not accurate. Many companies and organizations have changed membership makeup over the years and yet, kept their well-established name- think GEICO, YMCA.

*Our degree requirement has changed over time. In the beginning, only those with a degree from a specific list of schools could join AAUW. In 1949, the members voted to open membership to women with a degree from any accredited four-year college or university. In 1985, we voted to allow men and in 2005, those with a two-year or equivalent degree were voted in.

Among the pros of eliminating the degree requirement:

We will be able to “walk our talk” of equity for ALL women.
We will be able to welcome equity-minded people who have amazing skillsets but no degree.
We will be seen as more inclusive and open to our communities.
We may attract younger women and women of color (many of whom have historically not had the same education opportunities as white women).

Some of the cons of eliminating the degree requirement:

We lose our exclusive appeal and are less distinguishable from other women’s organizations.
We might be seen as less focused on encouraging women to achieve degrees (though we will still be the largest provider of grants and fellowships).
We may attract to our branches women who are different from us.

I urge you to consider this matter, talk with others, seek out information. Check out the AAUW Townhall Webinar, Dues and Education Requirement (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhkHHqKwT3w&feature=youtu.be) This has been a year of reckoning in our country and it is time to bring AAUW along too. As Frieda Schurch, 50- year member and major AAUW donor, said on the floor of the 2005 AAUW Convention, “What are we about? Equity for women or showing off our degrees?” It is time again to answer that question.

Another View on the Upcoming Vote by Vicki Nicholson

When I proudly joined the Fremont Branch in 1974, I was eager to meet and have conversations with educated, intelligent women who also supported education and equity. I was not disappointed. Since the degree was the “value factor” for joining, I am giving voice to members who want to retain the degree requirement. I respect current members who admit that, though they formerly supported its retention, they now are willing to eliminate it.

To some extent AAUW has achieved its goal of promoting college education for women and girls because our sisters have secured more degrees than men for some time. However, we are aware that we cannot relax our push for pay equity, equitable health care, more equitable representation of minority communities as leaders, among other issues. We certainly welcome all partners who join us in these efforts.

If the degree requirement is completely eliminated, AAUW will no longer be distinctive — just American Association of Women. And if there is no corresponding name change, then the AAUW label would be misleading or, worse, a form of false advertising.

I am most angered by the fact that the membership HAS spoken on this question and it has been rejected at least twice in recent years. I resent National attempting to railroad through the degree requirement elimination AGAIN. National should wait at least five years before putting the change to a vote once again. Since I am a paid life member, I cannot disassociate myself from the national organization but, if degree elimination is passed, I would have to re-evaluate local branch ties.

Upcoming AAUW Vote

Upcoming AAUW Vote By Liz Jordan and Karen Burley

2021 Comment Period: Bylaws Amendment

This spring AAUW members will vote on proposed changes recommended by the AAUW Board of Directors and AAUW Governance Committee that would eliminate the degree requirement for membership. Now through Feb. 5, 2021, you can comment on the proposed changes. All submitted comments or proposed changes will be reviewed by AAUW’s staff and the AAUW Governance Committee. Debate on open membership will take place in national town halls, and state and branch meetings this spring.

Here is how to comment or propose a change:

Read the current AAUW bylaws and review the proposed changes at aauw.org/resources/member/governance-tools/national-election/2021-comment-bylaws/
Submit any comments or proposed changes by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021.

The Reason behind this Proposal

AAUW’s mission is to advance gender equity, yet the requirement for membership explicitly denies access to membership to those without college degrees. AAUW does not promote equity for all women and girls if the organization maintains exclusionary membership requirements. The membership requirement is not fair, is not right, and is not equity. This is simply the right thing to do.

For this proposed amendment, the Saving Clause in the bylaws is eliminated as it refers to degrees from institutions which have lost their accreditation and will no longer be necessary if the proposed amendment is approved by the membership. The Student Associates clause is removed as students become eligible for full membership with the elimination of the degree requirement. Language has been added to the Dues section to give the AAUW Board of Directors explicit authority to set a dues rate of $0 for students or any other category of membership the Board deems appropriate.

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.