Category Archives: Funds

AAUW Fund Luncheon–SOLD OUT!

AAUW Fund Luncheon By Hedda Smithson

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Noon – 2:30 PM; doors open 11:30

North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave. Fair Oaks

Keynote speaker: Charmen Goehring, AAUW California President, will give us the history of AAUW Funds and speak on our current challenges, opportunities, and the positive work of AAUW Funds. In addition, two active AAUW Fund Scholars will share their remarkable journeys, highlighting the details and progress of the work AAUW is supporting.

Join the party! Make sure you have a place at the table! Enjoy a fun meal, listen to brilliant young women, and glow with pride to be an AAUW member supporting these determined, intelligent scholars.

Cost is $32. To pay by credit card (with a small convenience fee), tickets are SOLD OUT on Eventbrite. When you register, you can select your meal options:
1. Entree: Turkey Breast/mashed potatoes/veg. or Thai Chicken Salad, or Pasta Primavera (vegetarian)
2. Dessert: Limoncello Cake or Fruit Cup.

Wait! There’s More!!!

Traditionally this event has offered the opportunity to raise money for Funds. You are welcome to bring your checkbook or lots of cash with you to donate on the spot. OR! Join in the fun of a silent auction. Here are the items that have been offered so far:

From the Auburn Branch: A “Take Me Out to the Ballgame basket”: an old- fashioned hotdog and bun roaster, popcorn and lots of other snacks.
From CHAR: A two-night stay in a Treetop Pavilion Suite in Marin County.
From Nevada County: A basket from Grey Pine Winery – two bottles of wine and two glasses.
From Sacramento: A Yeti Roadie Cooler, two 20 oz. Yeti cups and two baseball caps.
From Sacramento: Basket of 12 (wrapped) books, bookmarks and tiny notebooks.

Keep in mind there may be more baskets offered. So –

Make sure you have made a reservation.
Ask a friend to come with you.
Bring your checkbook.

See you there!!

Did You Know?

Public Policy New from AAUW California

The August issue from the AAUW California Public Policy Team covers the 2024 Legislative Agenda, the School Board Project and Public Policy Priorities. Read all about it <here>.

Funds Chair

Our new Branch Funds Chair, taking over from Charmen Goehring as she goes off to work as our California State AAUW President! In addition to Charmen, Donna Holmes is working as the state Communications Co-Chair and Marty McKnew is working as the state Governance/Parliamentarian. Go Ladies!

If you are interested in joining the AAUW Legacy Circle or in making a donation, please reach out to Karen whose contact information can be found in the Membership Directory. More information on Funds will be coming soon in a future newsletter.

Sunshine Chair

Pat Winkle is our Sunshine Chair and needs to hear from you if you know members who might appreciate a get well, sympathy or “thinking of you” card. As she doesn’t know everyone, she needs your help in remembering our friends. Her contact information is in the directory.

Printable Newsletter Articles

Click here for Printable Newsletter Articles.

Named Gift Awards 2023

Named Gift Awards 2023 By Charmen Goehring

Each year, we are given the opportunity to recognize members by giving a portion of our Funds donations in honor of members who have given of themselves for our branch. This year, we honor three members who have worked hard for several years to have the Sacramento branch participate in Speech Trek.

Shari Beck is known as the “volunteers’ volunteer.” She is reliable and has a great sense of humor. Ann Arneill is considered a “secret weapon”, busily writing articles and keeping the branch informed about Speech Trek. Kathleen Deaver is a supportive team member — we don’t always see her name associated with Speech Trek (and Tech Trek) as she often works behind the scenes.

Most of us see only the final product — the branch Speech Trek contest. Months before, these ladies are busy contacting schools, delivering flyers, recruiting students, giving informational workshops with the students, providing public speaking tips and even offering suggestions to improve speeches. They also began a members’ Speech Trek Challenge in the month prior to the official competition. As one of the few branches that participate in Speech Trek, we appreciate all their efforts and are proud to select them as our Named Gift Awardees.

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!!

Legacy Circle and Funds Update

Legacy Circle and Funds Update By Charmen Goehring

Welcome to our newest Legacy Circle Members!!

I am pleased to welcome Liz Jordan and Donna Holmes to the AAUW Legacy Circle! Both have made the commitment to provide for AAUW in their estates to help ensure our organization is healthy and nimble in the future! Sacramento is now leading all CA branches in the number of Legacy Circle members in our midst.

If you have been a member of AAUW for a long time or if you are passionate about our mission of equity for all women and girls, consider joining the Legacy Circle. There are many ways you can include AAUW in your estate planning/will and no money is required now. There is a simple form online to print and mail or email — it takes just a few minutes of your time! Contact Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com for more information.

AAUW Sacramento also experienced a year of generosity when it came to contributions to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund and others. Our members and branch collectively sent more than $13,000!! Many members make regular donations which are easy to set up online. This is an amazing show of support and love for the work that we do in AAUW. Thank you!!!!

AAUW Funds & Living Our Mission of Equity

AAUW Funds By Charmen Goehring

October was a month full of AAUW Funds activities. Members in California enjoyed two online Funds events, previously the Funds Luncheons, each of which highlighted many CA-based recipients of AAUW grants and fellowships.

Their topics of study were diverse and fascinating! While we again missed the in-person opportunity to see friends and meet the recipients, dozens of members who might not otherwise have attended a lunch in the past were able to participate on Zoom. It is always inspiring to see how our contributions have provided support for these young women, some of whom might change the world! There will be one more opportunity to enjoy presentations by a few of our wonderful recipients during the final event on Nov. 7. You can register to attend at www.aauw-ca.org.

Many thanks to those members who consistently send in donations to the AAUW Funds throughout the year via the AAUW website. This is an easy and convenient way to provide funding for our wonderful organization and its programs!

As always, I wish to encourage you to consider honoring your passion for AAUW by joining the Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle is composed of dedicated AAUW members who have included AAUW in their estates in order to ensure the organization is healthy and able to help women and girls far into the future. If you have been a member of AAUW for 30 years or more, you are passionate about AAUW. Why not take the simple step of joining the Legacy Circle? You can join online at www.aauw.org or contact Charmen for a brochure.

AAUW Sacramento is close to becoming the CA branch with the most Legacy Circle members!!

Living Our Mission of Equity Book Discussion 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 and 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.

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 the second half of “You Are Your Best Thing” on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen. Charmen’s contact information can be found in the branch Membership Directory.

AAUW Sacramento Funds & Legacy Circle

AAUW Sacramento Funds & Legacy Circle By Charmen Goehring

AAUW Sacramento members continue to generously support the AAUW Fund. This is a suite of funds including the Greatest Needs Fund, the Leadership Fund, the Governance and Sustainability Fund, Economic Security Fund and the Education and Training Fund. You can either send a check to our branch, designating where you would like your contribution to go, or safely online via the AAUW website.

Another opportunity to support AAUW and our mission of working to advance gender equity for women and girls is to become a member of the Legacy Circle. There are many ways to recognize AAUW in your estate and the form to join online takes 2 minutes to fill out. I can also send you a hard copy form if you choose. AAUW Sacramento added several new Legacy Circle members last year, giving us the second highest number, behind the AAUW CA Online Branch!!

Please contact Charmen Goehring (charminme@yahoo.com or 207-756-0406) for more information on either contributing to Funds or joining the Legacy Circle.

Membership Renewals and Donations

Membership Renewals and Donations By Sharon Anderson and Liz Jordan

Sharon Anderson, membership treasurer, and Liz Jordan, finance director, want to thank the members who have so eagerly renewed their membership and made significant donations to our branch outreach programs, and to our Dues Assistance Fund and General Branch Operations Fund.

As of the date of this writing, May 15, 2021:

107 branch members have renewed membership on time. Thank You!
49 renewing members used the convenience of online renewal. Last year, at the end of renewal season, a total of 41 members used the national Membership Payment Program (MPP). Conclusion: we are already more efficient this year, in mid-season than we were last year at the end of the renewal season. This saves hours of branch volunteer time. Good Job!
Members have generously donated $7,006 to our local branch activities!
Many of our 50-Year, Honorary Life members (MBHL) who do not have to pay branch dues, faithfully send in their $20. We are so appreciative.

The deadline to renew is June 1. Because our newsletter comes out very close to this deadline, we urge every member:

If you have not yet renewed, do so as quickly as possible.
Whether renewing online or by check and snail mail, all members should return their Renewal Form to Sharon Anderson to update contact information. Did you find that conveniently addressed envelope? If you can’t find it, Sharon’s address is in the directory. Her contact info is 916-396-9790; aauw@att.net.

The renewal process requires many hours of volunteer time:

Making trips to the bank to deposit checks.
Updating membership and bank records (lots of data processing).
Notifying Interest Groups and branch committees of members who have indicated an interest in their area of responsibility
Calculating next year’s branch budget, which is based on dues collected.
Updating and preparing the branch directory starting July 1
Printing and mailing the directory to the membership in early August.

Sharon Anderson and Liz Jordan want to thank all members for their timely renewal and for the generosity of their donations to local and national needs. Thank you!

AAUW Membership Renewal

AAUW Membership Renewal By Sharon Anderson

The branch renewal letters went out in the mail on Monday, April 19. The day before that, I sent out, to all our members, a mass email that includes National’s invoice form. If you will use National’s emailed invoice form to renew this year, to that we say: Yippee! It saves us a lot of time and trouble, getting all the dues in the right slot very quickly.

The invoice was mailed out from my computer, but it doesn’t look like it because I have to use National’s program. The email will be from memberinfo@AAUW.org.

National’s email invoice is easy, as you no doubt learned last year, but here’s a refresher, just in case: 1) open the email with your credit/debit card in hand; 2) click on the blue (aqua?) highlighted option 1: “Click here to use debit or credit card”; 3) fill in the blanks; 4) click “next”; 5) click the “submit” button at the end. Besides dues, you can also donate to any of National’s Funds on this invoice.

For any donations that you wish to make to any of Sacramento’s programs with your renewal, please include a check mailed with your renewal form, because National will not process our branch donations.

If you have any problems, please call me. Please be sure to postal mail back your paper application to me, as we do need it for our bookkeeping purposes. If the emailed invoice gets lost in your inbox, just let me know and I’ll send you another one.

If you haven’t renewed as you read this, renew now! Thank you!

Sharon Anderson, Membership Treasurer
916-396-9790

Funds Update, Legacy Circle, and Living Our Mission of Equity

AAUW Sacramento Funds Update By Charmen Goehring

Many thanks to those of you who send in regular gifts to AAUW to help our beloved organization advance our mission of gender equity. Making a regular monthly gift that is automatically withdrawn from your account is very easy to set up online. No more remembering to write the check! I love how easy it makes it to give on a regular basis, and it also allows AAUW to plan for the contributions.

I was talking the other day to an AAUW friend, who is on the state board, about the Legacy Circle. She revealed to me that she thought one needed to have a healthy bank account in order to become a member. I thought that if she has this assumption, others might as well. The answer is, no, you do not need to be well off to be a Legacy Circle member! A Legacy gift is not something you give during your lifetime — it is given by your estate. There are many ways to leave a gift, including making AAUW a beneficiary on an insurance policy or annuity (this is what I have done), donating a set sum or a percentage of your estate, creating a charitable gift annuity, or even creating a COD account at your bank (You deposit money now, either one time, or several deposits, and it is payable to AAUW upon your death). Knowing that I am a part of helping secure the future of AAUW, an organization that I have contributed my time and talents to for 28 years now, makes me feel proud.

I would love to welcome more AAUW Sacramento members to the Legacy Circle. Please reach out to me for more information! Or go right to the AAUW website to enroll!

Living Our Mission of Equity By Charmen Goehring

We invite you to join us in a monthly equity conversation looking at our own biases and what

Charmen Goehring

actions we can take to attract diversity to our branch and become better people in the process. We are reading the book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson and discussing what we have read, 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.

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

We will discuss Part 3 on May 12 at 7 p.m. If you have questions and to RSVP, please email Charmen at charminme@yahoo.com.