University Woman Texas
Volume 73 l Issue 3 l January 2022
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Message from the President |
Well, here we are in 2022! Let’s hope THIS is the year that COVID is finally beaten into submission and life gets back to whatever the NEW normal looks like.
Due to the current COVID situation, we have decided that the 2022 conference will be virtual. Look for a future issue of the UWT for all the information you will need to participate in our 2022 “Golden Opportunity” on April 30. Your program team is busy creating a wonderful experience for all. In this issue you will be introduced to the candidates for the 2022-2024 state board and some updates to our bylaws. Please familiarize yourself with all this information and be prepared to vote in early April.
I am so proud of all that AAUW Texas accomplished under difficult circumstances this biennium. Our branches were productive at the local level, our membership numbers stayed steady, we interacted with the State legislature during the many sessions, we supported the women’s basketball team at Texas A&M during the early days of COVID, and we sent a record number of college women from across the state to NCCWSL – the virtual version. We have all learned to be flexible and open to new ways to perform old tasks – and many are finding the virtual option saves travel time.
2022 will be an important election year at the local, state, and national levels, so be sure you are registered to vote and that you exercise that right at every level. Although the national elections often get the most attention, the local elections often make the biggest difference in your personal life – so don’t miss any opportunity to have your say.
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Mark Your Calendar
Golden Opportunity
April 30, 2022
Virtual Conference
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AAUW Texas State Outstanding Member and
Outstanding New Member
It is time to nominate someone from your branch for the AAUW Texas State Outstanding Member Award. Select that exceptional member in your branch to nominate. The member who has made an impact on the branch, who you cannot image your branch functioning without. This person has helped to make branch activities successful despite the challenges we faced this year. The AAUW Texas State Outstanding Member Award winner will be announced during our 50th Texas Conference – Golden Opportunity - April 30, 2022. Submissions are due March 15, 2022.
An AAUW Texas State Outstanding New Member Award winner will also be announced at our 50th Texas Conference. Please nominate that special new member who has only been with your branch 3 or fewer years but has already made her mark. She has a can-do attitude and is willing to jump right in working for the success of the branch. The AAUW Texas State Outstanding New Member Award will be announced during our 50th Texas State Conference on April 30, 2022. Submissions are due March 15, 2022.
To make a nomination for either – or both – of these awards, please submit a narrative (1000 words or less) describing the accomplishments of the member and why she should be named Texas State Outstanding Member or Texas State Outstanding New Member.
Please decide who will be nominated from your branch and send your nominees to Barbara Cager at bcager@sbcglobal.net by March 15, 2022.
Barbara Cager,
Membership VP
AAUW Texas
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Candidates for AAUW Texas Board of Directors 2022-2024 |
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Lynn Hagan
President
As president, I will continue to work within the strategic plan to 1) increase membership and student engagement, 2) support a strong legislative agenda with the help of the board and legislative counsel and 3) establish and maintain coalitions of like-minded organizations to work to achieve similar goals.
Having over 30 years in AAUW leadership positions from branch to state boards. Currently I serve on Southern Miss alumni board, Heart of Texas (Red Cross) board. I have exceptional oral, written, and computer skills.
My AAUW experience includes the following: Texas State Board, SHARE Program Oversight (2019 – present), Brazos Valley Branch (College Station) Parliamentarian (2016 – 2017), Mississippi Vice President (1998-1999), Mississippi Secretary (1996-1998), Hattiesburg, MS Branch President (1994-1996), Slidell, LA Branch Educational Foundation Chair (1993-1994), Slidell, LA Branch President (1992-1993), Slidell, and LA Branch Vice President (1990-1992).
I am a semi-retired licensed clinical social worker, licensed in Texas and Louisiana. I graduated from Texas A&M with a BA (anthropology), a MS (recreation) a MSW (social work) from University of Southern Mississippi, and a PsyD (psychology) from California Southern University.
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Mary Smith
Vice President of Programs
My goal as Program Vice President is to provide ideas for mission-based programs for other Texas branches at the on-line meetings and to arrange, plan and execute a state convening in 2024.
I have served as the Program VP for North Harris County Branch for two years and I was on the Local Arrangement Committee for the 2018 State AAUW convention in Houston in 2018. These skills will help me fulfill the position of Program VP for the Texas State Board of AAUW.
I am a retired educator with a BA from Southern Methodist University and a M.Ed. in Administration from Prairie View A & M. I taught primarily in high school and was the Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies for the Cypress Fairbanks ISD. Previous leadership positions at the state level while serving as president of the Social Studies Supervisors Association. I have written several articles for The Texan, a professional magazine for social studies educators.
I am a member of AAUW NHC and have served for 2 years as Program VP from 2014 – 2016 and then as President for 3 years from 2016 - 2019. I have served on the State AAUW Board as Secretary from 2020 – 2022. I have attended three state AAUW conventions and one national AAUW convention.
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Sara Wood
Vice President of Membership
As the Texas AAUW Membership Vice President, I will draw on my experience as the North Dallas Membership VP for the past three years. I plan to serve as a resource to assist branches with recruiting a diverse membership and retaining current members. I will keep them up to date with National AAUW membership guidance and resources, as well as help branch Membership Vice Presidents navigate the member database. Promoting branch support of NCCWSL and the development of student college groups with local colleges will also be an area of focus.
I am a retired licensed social worker and a member of the North Dallas branch since 1987. I have served in various branch positions including as a member of the Yearbook Committee, the Scholarship Committee, Chair of the ”Financial Basics for Women” workshop, Chair of the Lunch ‘N Lit book club, Branch President (2016-2019) and I am the current Membership VP(2019-2022). I was the Educational Foundation Named Gift Award Recipient in 2015. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Economics and Sociology, as well as completed post-graduate studies in Social Work at the University of Texas, Arlington.
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Marjorie (Margie) Poole
Vice President of AAUW Funds
My goal is to provide support to branch personnel working to raise funds for their branches and AAUW. I am currently serving as Funds Vice President. I have worked with spreadsheets, data entry, budgeting in both jobs and past AAUW positions.
I have served as Branch Secretary and Branch Programs VP for Northeast Tarrant County Branch, President of North District Interbranch Council President and District Representative. Since moving to Houston, I have served as North Harris Branch Funds Vice President and Newsletter Editor. Previously, I have served on AAUW Texas as Branch Services Office. I am a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, 1971 with a Bachelor of Journalism in Advertising, second major in History, minors in English and Psychology. I am currently employed.
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Lucy Barrington
Secretary
As AAUW TX Secretary, my goals would be to keep up-to-date records and make sure information is archived. For 30+ years, I taught business/computer applications in high school, adult ed, and college with a B.S and M.A.T. in Business Education from Southeast Missouri State University. My recordkeeping skills developed while teaching through classroom organization and serving as secretary in local, state, and national professional business ed organizations.
I was a secretary in AAUW Lubbock, DKG Eta Rho, Altrusa Dawners, AAUW Kirkwood-Webster Groves (MO), and AAUW St. Louis (MO). In 32 years in AAUW, I’ve served on the AAUW TX State Board (2017-22, West District Representative; 2012-14, VP Programs; 2010-12, VP Funds); the AAUW Lubbock Board (2008-2015, Newsletter Editor, Secretary, VP Programs, VP Membership, M-D Secretary, President); the AAUW MO State Board (1996-2000, Public Info Chair and Education Chair); the K-WG Board (2005-07, President; and numerous leadership positions in K-WG and St. Louis from 1991 to 2007).
For 3 years, I served as LWV Lubbock Office Manager; then I became a Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar. I currently am volunteering with the American Red Cross South Plains Chapter since February 2019 by event tabling across West TX, training, and handling office tasks.
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Diane Roberts
Finance Officer
As finance officer of AAUW Texas, I will make sure the financial records are accurate and communicated to the Board, checks are promptly deposited and
dispersed, and questions are answered promptly. Although not currently licensed, I have been a CPA and worked as a tax accountant at Enron Corp and a local accounting firm in Houston.
I have just completed one year (FY 2020-2021) as finance officer for AAUW Texas, and I finished two, two year terms (FY 2018-2021) as finance officer for West Harris County Branch. I have revised the budget process to make it more informative and transparent. I have worked extensively with National AAUW to ensure the accuracy of membership and dues payment records for the West Harris County Branch, and I have an excellent understanding of the Membership Payment Program (MPP). I can assist members in the state branches if they have any issues with the MPP database.
Currently retired, I have been a librarian, library specialist and technologist in the Houston Independent School District, library director at St. Thomas High School, and have served on various local and national boards. I have a B.S. and B.A. from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from the University of Houston.
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Betsy Calabro
South District Representative
Over my years as a member of AAUW I realize that the mission of AAUW is important to society as well as the women of Texas. It is my goal to support and uphold this mission as I visit with the branches of the South District and keep them informed about the activities and goals of AAUW Texas and National and encourage their branch’s participation.
As a member of the Local Arrangements Committee organizing the AAUW Texas Convention in Houston in 2018, I met many members from other branches. The sharing of innovative ideas, attending informative workshops, and hearing inspiring speakers has led me to realize the importance of these collaborative activities. I hope to impart this enthusiasm to the branches within my district and help them to communicate with other branches by sharing their branch activities and accomplishments. It is my job to help coordinate this communication and to offer motivation and encouragement where possible.
I have a BS in education and a MS degree in Human Behavior and Development and have lived in several US States as well as overseas. An active member of the North Harris County Branch, I held board positions of Membership, President, and Secretary.
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Cheryl Fuller
Central District Representative
Shared activities and accomplishments are key in team-building. I have fully utilized virtual meetings and envision their use to help achieve my goals as Central District Representative. Focusing on public policy, fund-raising, and program planning, I plan to create a network of common district objectives and individual branch communication and visits.
I have experience at leadership levels in Federal and private sector organizations, determining operational and strategic goals and objectives; leading projects in information technology, human resources, and financial management; and communicating effectively and collaboratively.
I joined AAUW San Antonio in 2016 and have served as branch Public Policy Chair (2017), Secretary (2018-19-20), and President (2020-21-22). I have continuously participated in branch committees, especially those related to education and scholarship for women and girls. I led the effort for San Antonio branch to gain 5-Star Branch status as first-year President.
I am currently retired after 30 years of Federal Service with the Department of Defense in an agency of the Office of Secretary of Defense, where I was a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service. I have a BS in Business from Michigan State University and a MBA from University of Utah.
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Proposed Bylaws Changes
Report of the AAUW Texas Bylaws Committee
The seven proposed changes to the bylaws fall into two categories. Proposals #1 - #3 are clarifying amendments and Proposals #4 - #7 relate to the district representatives. Each proposal below gives the rationale for the change and shows the proposed new language in underline and the proposed deletions in strikeout. The section prior to Proposals #4 - #7 contains background information related to all four proposals.
If members have any questions about the changes, please contact Bylaws Chair, Ann Berasley at ann.berasley@gmail.com.
Proposal #1: To make the description for dual members consistent with individual members and life members in Section 2. Basis of Membership by specifying the dues paid by dual members.
Rationale: Dues paid by dual members are not included this section as they are for individual and life members. This addition makes this section consistent with itself and with Section 3. Dues, which specifies when an individual member chooses to become a dual member, they pay AAUW Texas dues once regardless of the number of branches they join.
Proposed Change:
ARTICLE IX. MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 2. Basis of Membership.
a. Individual members.
(1) An individual member must be a member of AAUW. Membership in AAUW Texas is granted upon the payment of AAUW Texas dues. Individual members may be, but are not required to be, members of an affiliate formed as a branch.
(2) Life Membership
(a) Paid. Paid Life Members of AAUW, who are members of affiliates within the boundaries of AAUW Texas are required to pay AAUW Texas dues.
(b) Fifty-Year Honorary. Fifty-Year Honorary Life Members of AAUW who reside or are members of affiliates within the boundaries of AAUW Texas are exempt from payment of AAUW Texas dues.
(3) Dual members. Dual members are individual members who have concurrent membership in more than one affiliate formed as a branch within AAUW Texas boundaries. A member may become a dual member without payment of additional AAUW Texas dues.
Proposal #2: To align the AAUW Texas bylaws with AAUW policies related to admittance and discontinuance of affiliates formed as branches.
Rationale: Over time, AAUW has changed its policies regarding how state organizations, such as AAUW Texas, participates in the process to admit new affiliates that form as branches and to discontinue existing branches. This change aligns AAUW Texas bylaws with the current AAUW policies. In addition, because this change refers to AAUW policies rather than incorporating the current policy, the AAUW Texas bylaws would not require updating when the AAUW policy changes.
Proposed Change:
Article XII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3. Branch Recommendations. The board shall participate in recommend to the AAUW action to be taken in regard to the admittance of new affiliates formed as branches or discontinuance of current branches within the organization as specified in AAUW policies.
Proposal #3: To clarify that the board of directors will determine the voting method or methods that each member may use to cast their vote regarding AAUW Texas business.
Rationale: The current bylaws language was added to allow AAUW Texas to implement one-member one-vote. This change clarifies the process used by AAUW Texas to implement this bylaws provision.
Proposed Change:
Article XVIII. CONVENINGS OF AAUW TEXAS
Section 2. Voting.
c. Voting shall be held so that each in which all members may cast their vote. The board of directors will determine the voting method or methods in which members may vote. in person, electronically, or by mail.
Background Information on Proposals #4 - #7
Proposals #4 - #7 relate to the district representatives. Currently, the state is divided into four districts. Each district has at least one representative. Districts with more than 10 branches have two representatives. For the 2022-23 program year, each district will have one representative. The number of branches in Texas continues to decline, which has created challenges for district representatives as the distance between and the needs of branches change. As a package these changes provide the board and the district representatives more flexibility to determine the best way to provide services to the branches.
The following four proposals work best if implemented together, but because they can be implemented independently and therefore must be voted on separately.
Proposal #4: To eliminate the minimum number of branches in a district.
Rationale: The bylaws require a minimum of four branches in a district. In 2009-2010, AAUW Texas had 45 branches. Since then, AAUW Texas continues to lose branches, with the current count at 29 that are more geographically dispersed. Requiring the board of directors to consider the size and number of the branches along with the distance among the branches when setting district boundaries would allow more flexibility to allow district representatives to best serve the branches in their district.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 1. Districts. The state shall be divided into at least four geographical districts, the total number and boundaries of which shall be determined by the state board of directors no later than March 31 on non-designated convening years. When determining the district boundaries, the state board will consider the size and number of branches along with the distance among the branches in a district. No district shall have fewer than four branches.
Proposal #5: To reduce the threshold for a district representative from one for each 10 to one for each 8 branches.
Rationale: Balancing the workload of a district representative has historically considered the number of branches served along with the travel distance/time to the branches in the district. Reducing the number of branches per district director to a maximum of 8 instead of 10 will help maintain a balanced workload.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 2. Representation. Each district is entitled to one representative for each eight (8) ten (10) branches or fraction thereof.
Proposal #6: To require the district representatives to join the branches in their district and for AAUW Texas to reimburse the cost of those memberships.
Rationale: Joining the branches has been an effective way to for district representatives to get to know their branches as they receive all the branch communications and are notified of the opportunities to participate in branch activities. Asking the district representatives to join three or more other branches at their own expense may be prohibitive for some members.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 3. Duties.
b. The district representatives will join all the branches in their district. The state board will pay for the branch dues for the branches other than the district representative’s home branch.
Proposal #7: To eliminate the requirement that district representatives host district meetings at each state convening.
Rationale: At one time, district representatives were elected at district meetings held at state convenings. Since the district representatives are no longer elected at district meetings, the reason for these meetings to be mandatory no longer exists. However, if district representatives need or want to hold a meeting the bylaws will remain flexible.
Proposed Change:
Article XVI. DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 3. Duties.
c. b. At a state convening, the district representatives will may host district meetings with attendees from their district.
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Legislative Outlook
As we approach the New Year, it seems appropriate to consider ways we can help to improve living conditions for us and others. Yes, our membership in AAUW requires our actions in that organization to be non-partisan, and our national and state AAUW entities are continuing to support EQUITY. We can continue to respond to the Two-Minute Activist and to public policy emails from AAUW. Since 2022 is an election year, however, we will also have opportunities to express our personal political beliefs as individual voters and as Congressional constituents in our state and nation. Let us continue to support equitable public policies and candidates whom we believe in.
Contacting our U. S. Congressmen about the federal bills we choose to support or oppose is not our only option as individuals, nor is writing Letters to the Editor of local publications, although both strategies are important. We can also promote Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities in our own communities by encouraging our friends, family, and others to register as voters. We can look for voter registrar training available in our communities in safe environments, so that we and our friends might attend and receive certification. When the voting polls open, perhaps we can remind others in a congenial way to vote and then, if needed, arrange a ride to and from the polls.
In the meantime, we can respond appropriately, as possible, to support equitable laws in the U. S. Congress, such as the Build Back Better Act, the John Lewis Voting Right Advancement Act, and the Freedom to Vote Act. When finally approved, these measures will override gerrymandering and other restrictive and discriminatory voting laws, and they will also provide public policies to improve our nation's economy, effectively slow down climate change, and reach out to our citizens in other significant ways. National AAUW supports these federal acts, and passing them may be extremely important for protecting our Democracy.
We can stay informed about the national political scene. Many other states besides Texas have already passed laws which will make voting by all citizens not only more difficult, but some partisan laws will also give state administrators the power to alter election results in their favor. These concerns were confirmed during the PBS Newshour interview with columnists David Brooks of the New York Times and Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post on New Year's Eve! Both of these political journalists are well respected for their observations and concerns, and they remained hopeful for political developments in the new year.
Regarding restrictive new laws in Texas, AAUW members who attended the previous quarterly advocacy discussion on December 14 also expressed concern about the return of censorship in some of our state's school libraries. As American citizens, we can observe and respond appropriately to the candidates for local school boards who support censorship and other far right ideologies.
The next quarterly AAUW Texas public policy meeting on Zoom will occur on Tuesday, March 8 at 6 PM, and all AAUW members are invited to hear and share advocacy information. If interested, please contact Pat Rehm at pacrehm2017@gmail.com, or just attend.
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STOP!
And take the three and a half minutes necessary to learn why AAUW's interest in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is not just about gender and race! This compelling video will make you think and give you ideas to share.
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Check out the upcoming programs:
Using Data to Target Voters
Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM CST (virtual)
emBOLDenHER: Advanced Fundraising Techniques
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 7 p.m. CST (virtual)
Mental Traps - Navigating Political Minefields
Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM CST (virtual)
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The Five-Star Portal Is Open for Any Branch
that Wants to Share its Successes with Others
The Five-Star branch portal is now officially open for the new fiscal year! Presidents, membership VPs, and finance officers, please sign in and begin cataloging your progress towards five stars! If you haven’t already, please familiarize yourself with the tweaks made to the criteria or watch our webinar, both of which can be found on the AAUW website Five-Star National Recognition Program. If you have any questions, please reach out to fivestar@aauw.org.
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Tyler Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Congratulations to AAUW Tyler on the recent celebration of their 90th branch anniversary. A wonderful commemoration was held on December 4th with scrapbooks, newspaper clippings of past activities, and other highlights of their history exhibited. Past recipients of their scholarships, fellowships and grants were shown, including information on the recent six young women chosen for scholarships in 2020-2021.
Also on display was a beautiful tea service that has been with the branch since the 1930’s. Branch history states that five years after their founding in 1931 they were hosts for the AAUW Texas state convention. It was attended by four hundred delegates from thirty branches. The branch made enough money after expenses to purchase the silver tea service which members were allowed to use (for a small fee).
Current President, Shelia Austin (pictured with a former president Jackie Littleton), was joined by several former presidents with entertaining remembrances of their past tenures. All guests left with a 90th Anniversary ornament, handmade by Shelia.
Kudos on reaching this branch milestone and best wishes for many more successful years working to achieve equity for women and girls.
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Elected Officers
Gloria Long
Terry Whaley
Barbara Cager
Margie Poole
Diane Roberts
Mary Smith
Elected District Representatives
Betsy Calabro
Marsi Liddell
Sara Wood
Emelia Hoefle
Lucy Barrington
Standing Committees
Ann Berasley
Pat Rehm
Appointed Positions
Crystal Garcia
Lynn Hagan
Karen Reichensperger
Marina Rivers
Communications Team
Malinda Gaul
Janani Janakiraman
Pam Wolfe
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President
Program VP
Membership VP
AAUW Funds VP
Finance Officer
Secretary
South District
Central District
North District
North District
West District
Bylaws/Parliamentarian
Public Policy
Diversity and Inclusion
SHARE Grant Coordinator
College/University Rep
Branch Services
UWT Editor/Email Communications
Website
Website/Facebook
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