Category Archives: Membership

Anything related to membership activities and support for the Sacramento AAUW branch.

President’s Message

President’s Message By Nancy McCabe

I hope you are enjoying our Spring-like weather!

National is planning a $5 dues increase effective April 1, 2025. See the details here: Dues Information. None of these increases will affect Student Dues or MBHL-50-year honorary life members. The National increase does not affect MBL-Paid life members.

Please remember that our branch has a dues assistance fund if you need help. I know none of you wants to hear this but please read the rationale. Most of us can afford this, and it is needed and important that we keep working our mission!

Thanks to Donna Holmes, Membership Finance, for providing this information.

And…A Love Letter to AAUW Sacramento, by Hedda Smithson:

Here is my take on our beloved branch. First – is it loved? Yes, indeed it is loved. We have endured and flourished for more than 100 years. If that isn’t love, it will have to do – until . . . (oops – bird walk!) With recent efforts to have more efficiency, our board has been downsized and the elected positions are fewer in number. At this writing, we believe we have candidate(s) for program director. Our search for a president is ongoing.

We can see the headlines now:
                    AAUW Sacramento goes TOPLESS for 2025-2027
Well – that’s not an image we want to see. So – remember in school when the teacher asked for volunteers? And if no one raised her hand, the teacher just CALLED ON HER!

We don’t want that to happen – so – think about your skills and what you can contribute to our branch going forward! There will be LOTS of support offered – you won’t be alone. EVER! So – reach out and ask questions – and be sure to call us before we call you. It is time for one good woman (it could be two) to come to the aid of her branch.

Let the love flow … CALL Nancy McCabe. Phone number is on page 19 of the membership directory.

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost, Donna Holmes

Hopefully you all received the recent eBlast with contact information on new members and some revisions for current members. Please note that the last 4 digits of member Dr. Viki Montera-Heckman’s phone number are 1401.

If you have a question regarding membership, you can reach out to Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating March Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday to All!

  • PJ Missman                                     3/1
  • Patricia Morgan                             3/5
  • Sharon Norris                                3/6
  • Marjorie Patzer                              3/6
  • Julia Maclay                                     3/8
  • Vicky Lovell                                     3/9
  • Alice Bauer                                     3/14
  • Mary Lou Lentz                              3/17
  • Carolyn Meeker                              3/17
  • Janice Chung                                   3/19
  • Shelagh O’Rourke                          3/20
  • Elizabeth Jordan                             3/28

Leadership

AAUW Sacramento Branch Leadership By Hedda Smithson

AAUW Sacramento-Organized February 1920

Look at our 105th year!! Marvel at the improvements we’ve made over the years. A sleeker, well designed framework that takes advantage of technology and communication has emerged.

  • 9-member Board of Directors
  • 10 Board of Directors’ meetings on Zoom – rarely last more than 90 minutes
  • 2 positions will be elected this year for the 2025-26 membership year: President and Program Vice President
  • 2 positions continue: Finance Director and Secretary
  • 5 positions will be appointed for one-year terms. (See page 8 of the directory)
  • 4 branch meetings required by our governing documents,

And how (you are thinking to yourself) can I help? We thought you would never ask!!

  1. Put on your thinking cap – what topics or issues would you like to have addressed at a branch meeting?
  2. What interesting meeting places would you like us to consider?
  3. Reread the article in the January issue of Capital Ideas for more details.
  4. Think about how you would like to become more involved in your branch.
  5. Then call, text, or email Nancy, Hedda or Barbara. (Pages 9, 24, 25 of directory.)

Side note: We have a standing reservation at the North Ridge Country Club for the second Saturday in December for our Holiday/Winter Luncheon.  Members of the Citrus Heights/American River Branch of AAUW will be joining us for the 2025-26 membership year. The majority of their members live in Citrus Heights, Carmichael and Fair Oaks.

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost

We Have More New Members!
And They Found Us Online!

Fatuma Yusuf
*Lives in Carmichael

Shelagh O’Rourke
*Is new to Sacramento and is excited to get involved in many of our
activities

 

WELCOME  Fatuma  and Shelag
We are glad you have joined and look forward to getting to know you!

Looking for more Membership Ambassadors!
2024-25 Membership Ambassadors so far:

Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring, Gloria Yost,
Hedda Smithson, PJ Missman, Liz Jordan
Congratulations to Hedda, our January drawing winner!

Please join us by doing the following:

  • Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
  • Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
  • Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
  • Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships. Contact Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating February Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Anna Storey                                  2/1
  • Kathleen Deaver                          2/2
  • Margaret Steinberg                     2/3
  • Arlene Cullum                               2/4
  • Kathie Huff                                    2/4
  • Ann J Burke                                    2/5
  • Susan Whetstone                          2/9
  • Laura Weaver                               2/12
  • Jane Cooley                                   2/14
  • Nancy Fox                                     2/16
  • Carol Finney                                 2/25
  • Inger Lindholm                            2/26
  • Karen W. Smith                            2/26

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

Photo Policy

When you attend AAUW events photos are taken and you may find your face in a newsletter article or on our <website>. You may wonder “Are other people allowed to photograph or record me in public without my consent”? Your diligent newsletter editor researched this and here is the answer: In California, yes, people are allowed to take photos or video of you in public even if you don’t like it. Where you don’t have a “reasonable expectation of privacy,” including most public places, pretty much anything you do can be photographed or recorded. However, they may not “commercialize” (make money from) your image without your consent.

So now you know!

Scholarship Applications

In the March newsletter we will provide more information regarding our branch scholarships. But the Scholarship Application for the 2025-2026 academic year has been posted and can be found on our website. Look for the “Branch Outreach Programs” tab along the top banner on the website, then click on “Scholarships.” The application may be tweaked a bit more in February, so consider this an early look. Please get the word out to potential applicants you may know.

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.

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost

We Have More New Members!

Miriam Beloglovsky
-Author, speaker, and professor of early childhood education, lives in El Dorado Hills

Pam Bone
-Joins us as a dual member (primary branch is CHAR)

Laura Weaver
-Lives in Sloughhouse

WELCOME  Miriam – Pam – Laura
We are glad you have joined!

More Membership Ambassadors!

New ambassador, Liz Jordan, is joining Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring, Gloria Yost,
Hedda Smithson, PJ Missman
Congratulations to PJ, our December drawing winner!

  • Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
  • Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
  • Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
  • Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships. Contact Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating January Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Lana Widman                               1/1
  • Susana Mullen                             1/1
  • Marilyn Orrick                              1/6
  • Joanne Reiken                              1/6
  • Tiffany Ardisana                           1/6
  • Mary Miller                                    1/14
  • Jane Pivetti                                    1/15
  • Gloria Yost                                    1/17
  • Gretchen Christophel                 1/18
  • Nancy Nolen-Swanson               1/21
  • Kimberly Rutledge                       1/23
  • Betty Hayes                                  1/24
  • Elizabeth Rose                             1/24
  • Katherine Henderson                 1/26
  • Joan Hammond                            1/27
  • Molly Dugan                                 1/31

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

On December 16, 2024 historian Heather Cox Richardson published an article on her “Letters from an American” substack about Frances Perkins, who was honored that day by President Joe Biden. Perkins was the first female Cabinet Secretary and lived a life that we should all know about. Read about Frances Perkins <here>.

Public Policy News – from CA State AAUW

Please click <here> for the December issue of Public Policy News. Included are two articles of interest – one about Lobby Days 2025, and the other about how gender-based scholarships have become a target in the larger attack against DEI.

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.

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS

MEMBERSHIP DOINGS By Gloria Yost

We Have More New Members!

Kim McDaniel
* A former administrator at CRC, Kim will complete work on her MSW in December and wants to be active in our outreach programs.

Fran Clarke
* Joins us as a dual member (primary branch is CHAR). Fran has been a member of AAUW for 53 years

Shannon Datwyler
* Acting dean of College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics at CSUS who will help us reinstate Sac State’s CU partnership

Viki Montero-Hackman
* Lives in Davis and has a Sonoma State email.

Miriam Beloglovsky

WELCOME    Kim – Fran – Shannon — Viki — Miriam
We are glad you have joined!

More Membership Ambassadors!

New ambassadors joining Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring and Gloria Yost are:
Hedda Smithson, PJ Missman
Congratulations to Charmen, our November drawing winner!

  • Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
  • Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
  • Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
  • Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships. Contact Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating December Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Becky Anton                                 12/1
  • Diana Squire                                12/1
  • Jean Bonar                                    12/4
  • Jeannie London                            12/6
  • Marcia Becwar                              12/8
  • Diane Petersen                             12/8
  • Angela Scarlett                              12/11
  • Karen Burley                                 12/12
  • Laraine Silberstein                       12/14
  • Lynn Anderson                             12/17
  • Linda Whitney                               12/27
  • Bonnie Penix                                 12/30
  • Susan O’Connell                           12/31

Did You Know?

Did You Know? By Karen Burley

Public Policy News – from CA State AAUW

Please click <HERE> for the November issue of Public Policy News. Included is an article about the outcome of the 2024 Legislative Agenda, and another article about Lilly Ledbetter, the icon of the equal pay movement who passed away in October. The newsletter also includes a scorecard of the 2024 Legislative Agenda, and a pre-election reminder from the School Board Project.

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.

Membership Doings & AAUW Funds

Membership Doings by Gloria Yost

We Have More New Members!

Fay Grundel

  • One of our Ranch Murietta members. She works in the San Juan school district and wants to be active in our outreach programs.

Karylle Ilao

  • A recent UC Davis engineering grad and former Tech Trekker with a new job in Sacramento. She is already on the Tech Trek committee.

Billie Veerkamp

  • A former president of the Sac State AAUW Student club and a NCCWSL attendee. She is the co-owner of Tiferet Coffee House

WELCOME Fay, Karylle and Billie. We are glad you have joined.

Membership Ambassadors Are Back and Growing!

  • Bring in a new member — get your name on our Wall of Honor
  • Bring in a new member — get your name added for our drawings
  • Monthly drawing for prizes at meetings
  • Recruit the most new members — WIN a free AAUW membership for 2025-26

Current ambassadors – Jan Stuter, Charmen Goehring, Gloria Yost
Congratulations to Jan — our October drawing winner!

Help us Strengthen our Branch connections and friendships. Contact Gloria Yost or Vicky Lovell, our contact information can be found in the Membership Directory.

Celebrating November Birthdays! 

Happy Birthday to All!

  • Kathleen Asay                                  11/2
  • Esther Gaines                                  11/3
  • Julie Sporrer                                    11/10
  • Ann Arneill                                       11/11
  • Eileen Heaser                                  11/12
  • Joy Allender                                     11/13
  • Donna Holmes                                11/14
  • Rebecca Stone                                11/15
  • Linda Lawrence                               11/16
  • Carole Cline                                     11/18
  • Elaine Ellers                                     11/23
  • M. Fay Grundel                               11/28
  • Elaine Moody                                  11/30

AAUW Funds By Karen Burley

As we head into the last months of 2024, I am asking that you consider a gift to the AAUW Fund. Women and girls can reach their full potential when the barriers holding them back are broken down. Help AAUW smash the obstacles that hold women back.

It is easy to give online where you will be able to choose which fund you would like to support. The Greatest Needs fund is the top recommendation as it allows AAUW to pay its bills as well as stay nimble to respond to issues and needs as they arise. You can access the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund online <here>.If you choose to send a check to AAUW, please make sure you write “AAUW Sacramento” in the memo line and include a cover letter specifying that you are in the AAUW Sacramento branch and where you would like your donation to be designated.

If you are planning to give by way of an IRA Distribution ( or a Required Minimum Distribution), contact your account custodian to request a “Qualified Charitable Distribution.” The check, accompanied by your name and address information, must be sent directly from your financial institution to AAUW. Provide the recipient information below to your custodian, along with AAUW’s Tax ID #52-6037388. Before sending, please also notify AAUW by sending an email to planned-giving@aauw.org so they can keep an eye out for your gift and be sure to include the amount, your name, address and the designation of your gift (for example: Greatest Needs), and the financial institution sending your gift. Please direct your check, drawn on your IRA account and made payable to AAUW, to:

AAUW
Attn: Planned Giving-IRA Distribution
1310 L St. NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005

You can learn more about Planned Giving <here>.

One other consideration for those of you who love this organization and want to see AAUW continue to fight for equity for all into the future, you can become a Legacy Circle member. This is a gift that you leave from your estate and there is no minimum amount. There are many ways to set this up and you can contact me for more information. We have about 140 Legacy Circle members in California, including several in this branch, and we welcome more! As Judy Horan says, “Live, Love, Leave a Legacy!”

If you have any other questions, please reach out to Karen Burley, whose contact information can be found in the Membership Directory. Thank you for your consideration as we move into the season of giving!

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Public Policy News – from CA State AAUW

Please click <HERE> for the October issue of Public Policy News. Included is an article about Public Policy Priorities and the Election – Highlight: Student Debt, for your branch newsletters. Also included are Get Out the Vote (GOTV) resources and strategies, and more.

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.