Tag Archives: Programs

May Program

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Celebrate and Renew

Lights, Camera, Action!!

LAST PROGRAM UNTIL SEPTEMBER!!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:30 AM to 1 PM

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento

By Barbara Smith, Co-VP Programs

Most of us have been called to jury duty and some have had the honor of serving. Having a fair trial by a jury of one’s peers is one of our fundamental American rights. But what do we know about the Grand Jury–who serves, what are its functions? Come to the May branch meeting to find out!

Beth Ten-Pas has chaired the Sacramento County Grand Jury for the past two years and is eager to share her knowledge and experiences with us. The Grand Jury is a vital oversight committee charged with multiple areas of concern in local governmental agencies. With limited print information these days, it can be difficult to be informed citizens. Social media comments leave lots to be desired.  Beth has a wealth of information to share with us.

I had the privilege of serving on the Grand Jury many years ago and was amazed by what we did. It was a memorable experience. I can’t wait to hear about Beth’s recent term. In addition to Beth’s presentation, we will:

  • Listen to the winning Speech Trek participant, Suyan Golzar.
  • Recognize new 50-year members and named gift honorees.
  • Introduce new members.
  • Award free branch membership for most new members recruited.

President Nancy McCabe will discuss how the disbandment of the Citrus Heights American River Branch will affect the Sacramento Branch and introduce those members in attendance.

Actions:

  • Invite a friend/neighbor to join you. There is no charge for this meeting, but registration is requested to ensure refreshments and seating for all. Please register!
  • Think of a question about the Grand Jury for Beth or about Speech Trek for Suyan.
  • Wear your name tag if you have one. We will have paper ones if needed.
  • Click HERE to access Eventbrite.
  • Come enjoy being together to celebrate US!

Recap Authors Luncheon

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season 2

The Right to Learn from Another’s Journey

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Two Branches Host Author’s Luncheon By Hedda Smithson

April 26 at the North Ridge Country Club saw almost 70 of us gather to enjoy one another and meet Archana Maniar, author of Dry Spells, her first – but  not her last — novel.

Host branches, Sacramento and CHAR, welcomed several members of the Roseville Branch as well. Dr. Maniar brought her parents, Bakula and Harshad, as well as her children, Kavita and Sanjay Thornton (who helped sell copies of their mom’s book). Several of us brought guests who then became members. Easy as pie!

The election of president and program director went smoothly with a couple of volunteers from the audience. Congratulations to   Co-Presidents Karen Burley and Cathy Locke, as well as Program Director Fay Grundel. We wish them a smooth and interesting next two years.

The AAUW CA Annual Event occurred at the same time as our luncheon but, thanks to technology, we are able to watch what happened. Log on to AAUW CA. On the home page there is an image called “AAUW 2025 Annual Event, Pivoting 4 Our Future.” There is a “Click here to view” button. You will listen to our state leaders and some keynote speakers, as well as catch up on the branch donation statistics, 5 Star winners, branch program recognitions, the three Speech Trek finalists and much, much, more.

Bringing guests who become members is very powerful. Think about friends and neighbors who share our passion and our mission. Include them in your small group meetings and prepare a 30-second “elevator speech” to grab their attention (can give your speech in the time it takes to ride the elevator).

If you enjoyed our membership year, think about how you can become involved. Meet new people – discover your own hidden talents – and have a lot of fun in the process. Reach out to our current branch leaders for guidance. And THANKS!

May Program

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Celebrate and Renew

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025, 10:30 AM to 1 PM

Unitarian Universalist Church, 2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento

By Barbara Smith, Co-VP Programs

Most of us have been called to jury duty and some have had the honor of serving. Having a fair trial by a jury of one’s peers is one of our fundamental American rights. But what do we know about the Grand Jury–who serves, what are its functions? Come to the May branch meeting to find out!

Beth Ten-Pas has chaired the Sacramento County Grand Jury for the past two years and is eager to share her knowledge and experiences with us. The Grand Jury is a vital oversight committee charged with multiple areas of concern in local governmental agencies. With limited print information these days, it can be difficult to be informed citizens. Social media comments leave lots to be desired.  Beth has a wealth of information to share with us.

I had the privilege of serving on the Grand Jury many years ago and was amazed by what we did. It was a memorable experience. I can’t wait to hear about Beth’s recent term. In addition to Beth’s presentation, we will:

  • Listen to the winning Speech Trek participant, Suyan Golzar.
  • Recognize new 50-year members and named gift honorees.
  • Introduce new members.
  • Award free branch membership for most new members recruited.

President Nancy McCabe will discuss how the disbandment of the Citrus Heights American River Branch will affect the Sacramento Branch and introduce those members in attendance.

Actions:

  • Invite a friend/neighbor to join you. There is no charge for this meeting, but registration is requested to ensure refreshments and seating for all. Please respond by noon on May 27.
  • Think of a question about the Grand Jury for Beth or about Speech Trek for Suyan.
  • Wear your name tag if you have one. We will have paper ones if needed.
  • Click HERE to access Eventbrite.
  • Come enjoy being together to celebrate US!

April Program: Author’s Luncheon

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Learn from Another’s Journey

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11 AM to 2 PM

North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave. Fair Oaks

Actions:

  • Find your March issue of Capital Ideas and reread the article about our Author’s Luncheon.
  • Invite a friend and/or neighbor to join you. Guests are welcome at our events, but please arrange for a separate registration form for each attendee. To honor the requirements of the kitchen at North Ridge, the deadline for registering is Friday, April 18.
  • Think of questions you would like to ask our author, Archana Maniar. She is an infectious disease specialist in Sacramento affiliated with UC Davis Medical Center as well as the author of Dry Spells, When the Rain Stops, what will be revealed?
  • Bring your copy of Dry Spells. You could ask for an autograph!
  • Choose your entrée; Chicken Marsala (with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables) or Bay Shrimp Louis (mixed greens Bay Shrimp, avocado, eggs, tomatoes and Thousand Island Dressing on the side) or Butternut Squash Ravioli (with brown sage butter, Parmesan and steamed vegetables).
  • Choose your dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake or Fruit Cup.
  • Remember that our meal includes Bread, Coffee, Iced Tea, Hot Tea and Water. Doors open at 11; lunch will be served at noon. We will have lots of time to socialize and buy her books.
  • Write a personal check payable to AAUW Sacramento (cost of the luncheon is $32) and mail to Reservations Coordinator (mailing address below) OR
  • Click <here> to use a credit card. Fees will apply. Sales will close at noon on April 18.

Here is the registration form for paying by check. Please print neatly.

*******************************************************************

Name:                                                                             Branch:                                   

Email address                                                      

Meal choices (circle one in each category)

Main: Chicken or Salad or Ravioli

Dessert: Cake or Fruit

Please mail this form and a check for $32 written to AAUW Sacramento to Hedda Smithson, 4033 Main Street, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Make sure it arrives before the April 18 deadline! Thanks!

Lights: Our March Focus on DEI

Lights! Camera! Action!

Equal Rights for All

Our March Focus on DEI and So Much More By Barbara Smith

Even several days after the event, I am still so energized by all that happened during our branch meeting on March 15 that I want to share some of the highlights with all of you.

As we gathered, we had ample time to enjoy refreshments and view the amazing art on the walls of the Roberts Family Development Center before President Nancy McCabe called the meeting to order.  Then Lisa Howard and Jessica Waugh shined the lights on a challenging series of activities related to issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.  Each activity required thoughtful responses and an exchange of ideas by all of us. (action)  For example, we:

  • Answered individual quiz questions focused on Black History Month based on Lisa’s February Capital Ideas article
  • Watched a video illustrating intrinsic bias, how it develops and the devastating effect it can have even when neither party intends to cause harm
  • Used an illustrated handout showing a series of concentric circles called The Wheel of Privilege, which required us to place ourselves in various categories such as level of education, level of income, gender, etc. This required the most introspection and elicited the most open-ended discussion of the day! How do we see ourselves and people who are different from us?

About mid-morning, we were warmly welcomed by Tina Roberts (co-founder of the RFDC 24 years ago with husband Darrell).  She explained that their goal has always been to educate the family by providing after-school care, including homework help and teaching parenting skills.  They encourage family involvement on local school and other community boards to make their voices heard.  “Our community is only as good as its families, and we want to create a strong community,” she said.

I could go on and on, but I hope I have piqued your curiosity about the wonderful events of this memorable day, which reminded me of the importance of in-person meetings and open-ended discussions.  Talk to Lisa, Jessica, Nancy, Hedda, or me at the Author’s Luncheon on April 26.

March Program – Equal Rights for All

Lights! Camera! Action!

Equal Rights for All By Lisa Howard

Saturday, March 15, 2025

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Roberts Family Development Center

766 Darina Avenue, Sacramento

Please join us for our March branch meeting where we will explore the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion using the AAUW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Toolkit.

The meeting will be held in the inspiring meeting space at the Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC) in Del Paso where we met last March.  RFDC provides services to the Greater Sacramento area that meet the individual needs of each family member. Their services provide a holistic approach, focusing on Pre K-12th grade academic support and enrichment, parent education and engagement, and community involvement and advocacy.

DEI has been under attack this year, but do we really know what the concept means? AAUW has invested in building program materials to help members explore challenging topics such as DEI to ensure we are a welcoming place to new members. We will also take an opportunity to check in on the DEI action activity from the February newsletter and see how we each did.

Here are the details:

• Address: 766 Darina Ave, Sacramento, CA 95815
• Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Register on Eventbrite <here> no later than Thursday, March 13 at noon.
• Bring and wear your name tag. Don’t have one or forgot yours? We will have one for you.
• You can find out more about the toolkit by clicking on AAUW DEI Toolkit.

Hope to see you there!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Corner

As an organization, AAUW strives to remove barriers for women.  As educated white women of means, much of the AAUW membership has lived through a hopeful and dynamic phase of history.  With such a noble mission, it is easy to assume that all women had the same experiences that we have, which is not true.

Women of color within our generations experienced the shared history quite differently. Young women today face less economic stability and often less reproductive freedom than most of our current membership. In support of attracting members to the mission, diversity is first about taking steps to understand the context that people may bring.  For 2025, I will be sharing a recommended reading each month that can be used to guide a learning journey for those interested in exploring our diversity.

Our recommended reading for March is  Caste  by Isabel Wilkerson, which explores how the concept of caste has impacted how we relate to each other.  The book is an excellent opportunity to reflect on experiences from the perspective of other people and holds up a mirror to the society in which we live.  Don’t have time for a whole book?  Check out  Origin , the 2023 movie
about the writing of the book. As you read, take the opportunity to reflect on how you have experienced and observed the power of caste in your life.

 

 

April Program – Authors’ Luncheon

Sacramento Branch of AAUW

Citrus Heights American River AAUW

Present “The Rights Stuff”  Season Two

The Right to Learn from Another’s Journey

Lights, Camera, Action!!

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11 AM to 2 PM

North Ridge Country Club, 7600 Madison Ave. Fair Oaks

Many of us came to AAUW through books and book groups. That’s why the annual authors’ luncheon is a fan favorite.

This year we bring you Archana Maniar, an infectious disease specialist in Sacramento affiliated with the UC Davis Medical Center. She received her medical degree from UC Davis School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Writing has been a big part of her life. We will learn about her book Dry Spells – When the rain stops, what will be revealed? A work of fiction, it has been described as  “A beautiful, vivid and atmospheric … story of loss and redemption” – Fiona Valpy from Goodreads.

Guests are welcome at our events, but please arrange for a separate registration form for each attendee. To honor the requirements of the kitchen at North Ridge, the deadline for registering is Friday, April 18.

The meal includes a choice of Chicken Marsala (with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables) or Bay Shrimp Louis (mixed greens Bay Shrimp, avocado, eggs, tomatoes and Thousand Island Dressing on the side) or Butternut Squash Ravioli (with brown sage butter, Parmesan and steamed vegetables). Our choices for dessert are Chocolate Mousse Cake or Fruit Cup. Bread, Coffee, Iced Tea, Hot Tea and Water will be offered as well. Doors open at 11; lunch will be served at noon. We will have lots of time to socialize and buy her books.

The cost is $32. See details below.

  • Write a personal check payable to AAUW Sacramento and mail to Reservations Coordinator (mailing address below) OR
  • Click here to use a credit card. Fees will apply. Sales will close at noon on April 18.

Here is the registration form for paying by check. Please print neatly.

 

*****************************************************************************

 

Name:                                                                             Branch:                                   

Email address                                                      

Meal choices (circle one in each category)

Main: Chicken or Salad or Ravioli

Dessert: Cake or Fruit

Please mail this form and a check for $32 written to AAUW Sacramento to Hedda Smithson, 4033 Main Street, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Make sure it arrives before the April 18 deadline! Thanks!

February Program – Speech Trek Contest

Speech Trek Contest By Ann Arneill

The 18th Annual Speech Trek contest will be held on Feb. 15, 2025 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. at Cosumnes River College off Bruceville Road in Room Winn 150. Students from the Elk Grove Unified High School District will be participating.

The topic this year is: “Climate change is happening. The effects are widespread and touch upon almost all aspects of our life on this planet. Select an area of
impact and explore the effects climate change is having on women in the USA,
and around the world.” Students will deliver 5- to 6-minute speeches for cash prizes.

The Speech Trek Committee just hosted the Speech Trek Challenge where AAUW
members had stimulating discussions about the topic in small groups after hearing a
background presentation orienting them to the subject. We encourage members to
attend this event every year as a lead-up to the contest.

We have had significant interest from students this year, and we hope that many AAUW
members come to the contest to give them an enthusiastic audience! To register for the event, click <here>,

March Program – Equal Rights for All

Lights! Camera! Action!

Equal Rights for All By Lisa Howard

Saturday, March 15, 2025

10:30 AM – 1:00 PM at Roberts Family Development Center

766 Darina Avenue, Sacramento

AAUW members have long raised awareness through their impactful initiatives, programs and research. We recognize the need to attract and retain members, and to celebrate the diversity that all individuals bring.

At a national level, AAUW is prioritizing the skills we need to hone to be able to have the bold and challenging conversations that we are likely to encounter as we work our way out of the divisive conditions in which we find ourselves.  National AAUW will host a webinar on “Bold Conversations” Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. PST to review key skills like active listening so critical to engaging in difficult topics. Click <here> to register for the webinar.

To further prepare our members, Lisa Howard and Jessica Waugh will use the AAUW best practice toolkit materials discussing diversity, equity and inclusion and will lead the group in exploring how our unconscious bias informs how we are perceived when we engage with people with different life experiences from our own.

We will gather for this panel discussion at the Roberts Family Development Center in Del Paso on Saturday, March 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. RFDC is located at 766 Darina Ave., Sacramento. At the meeting we will take participants through the AAUW DEI Toolkit to explore the terminology for greater understanding.

Hope to see you there!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Corner

As an organization, AAUW strives to remove barriers for women.  As educated white women of means, much of the AAUW membership has lived through a hopeful and dynamic phase of history.  With such a noble mission, it is easy to assume that all women had the same experiences that we have, which is not true.

Women of color within our generations experienced the shared history quite differently. Young women today face less economic stability and often less reproductive freedom than most of our current membership. In support of attracting members to the mission, diversity is first about taking steps to understand the context that people may bring.  For 2025, I will be sharing a recommended reading each month that can be used to guide a learning journey for those interested in exploring our diversity.

The first recommended book is The Sum of Us – What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGee. One of today’s most insightful and influential thinkers offers a powerful exploration of inequality and the lesson that generations of Americans have failed to learn: Racism has a cost for everyone — not just for people of color. The book is available standard, adapted for Young Readers, audio  and even as a podcast.

In preparation for Black History Month in February, we’ve included a month of challenges for members to consider as recognition for the month.  Click <here> for the Challenge Sheet. Bring your sheet with you to the March meeting where we’ll award a prize for the most items completed.

AAUW Fund Luncheon–SOLD OUT!

AAUW Fund Luncheon By Hedda Smithson

Sponsored by your Capitol Counties Interbranch Council

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!!