...empowering women since 1922 | |
Update from AAUWMI co-VPs for Programs
Barb Duran and Linda Kevorkian
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AAUW Central States Regional Conference Recap | |
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The month of October was busy for the co-VPs for Programs:
AAUW Central States Regional Conference took place October 19-21 at the Drury Hotel in St Louis at the Arch. AAUW of Missouri and the Planning Team worked very hard to make this conference a success.
The Conference began with the song “Meet Me In St. Louis.” So much fun!
Lisa Maatz was the first Keynote speaker. Lisa talked about highlighting our tasks and not our roles. She asked us to rethink our roles, who AAUW is, and what we want to accomplish. How do we identify the issues impacting AAUW, and what are the possible solutions?
The agenda was packed with everything including Inclusion-Infusion exercises. We passed around a paper and drew each other…well, you had to be there. There was "Movin' and Groovin'" to get us out of our seats.
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AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell conducted a Town Hall Meeting and the audience submitted questions to be answered and shared with their branches and state affiliates.
Trending Topics about gender and library book challenges were timely and informative.
Some of the most exciting sessions of the conference were the Swap Shops. Representatives from state affiliates and individual branches exchanged information. Arkansas members used different sized candy bars to demonstrate pay equity. There was more information from two and a half days than can be conveyed in this brief report!
You can find a handout describing the Swap Shop sessions including contact information for the presenters on the AAUW of Michigan website. Check it out for ideas you can use for your branch.
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L-R: AAUW of Michigan President Sheila Blair facilitated a discussion about the degree requirement for AAUW membership and leadership succession planning with AAUW national board members Malinda Gaul and Jeanie Latz. | |
AAUW of Michigan members pose with AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell at the Central States Regional Conference. L-R: Carol Arnosky, Jean Ivory, Sally Doty, Linda Kevorkian, Barb Duran, Gloria Blackwell, N'Kenge Gonzalez, and Sheila Blair | |
2024 AAUW of Michigan Convention | |
We have started planning the 2024 AAUW of Michigan Convention that will take place at the Livonia Marriott on May 10 and 11. We visited the mall connected to the hotel and talked to several businesses to ask if they might offer discounts to Convention attendees on Friday night. We are hoping for keynote speakers who will attract attendees to the Convention. Governor Whitmer and Lisa Maatz are possible speakers under consideration. | |
Tary Time
Kay Calley-Martin and Jan Van Gasse, AAUWMI Co-Secretaries
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Questions? Contact Jan and/or Kay. | |
Action and Advocacy
Ruth Brown, AAUWMI Public Policy Director
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AAUW of Michigan Proudly Congratulates
The Honorable Amy Shamroe
Mayor, Traverse City, Michigan and
President-Elect, AAUW of Michigan
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AAUWMI's President-Elect Amy Shamroe won the Traverse City Mayoral race on November 7, defeating her opponent, Tom Mair, by a margin of 64% to 36%. Mayor Shamroe received 2,877 votes to Mair's 1,631 votes. Mair was a former Grand Traverse County Commissioner. In the end, voters chose Mayor Shamroe, who was born and raised in Traverse City, handing her a decisive victory. Mayor Shamroe had served on the Traverse City City Commission for eight years, including six years as Mayor Pro Tem. Prior to the election, Mayor Shamroe said that "it was the right time for me to run for Mayor." Former Mayor Richard Lewis chose not to seek another term. | |
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Mayor Shamroe graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in International Relations and works in the publishing industry as the Award Director for six international book awards. She also hosts a book-related podcast. She serves on the Traverse City branch's board of directors as well as the AAUW of Michigan board.
Traverse City, the largest city in the Northern Michigan region, is well known as the biggest producer of tart cherries in the United States. The National Cherry Festival hosted by the city annually attracts approximately 500,000 visitors. The area is also a center of wine production in the Midwest. For these reasons, and many more, Traverse City is a tourism magnet.
We in AAUW of Michigan are so very proud of Mayor Shamroe and all that she has accomplished for her hometown. She has achieved notable results worthy of recognition. We support her and wish her energy, strength, wisdom, and integrity as she moves forward into her two-year term.
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AAUWMI "Public Policy Playbook" in Development | |
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Your AAUW of Michigan State Public Policy committee has been working hard this fall on several tasks, one of which is the "Public Policy Playbook" that will be presented at the State Convention in May 2024. Part of the Playbook will be a section including Public Policy Resources to help branch Public Policy Chairs in accessing information that is invaluable to you in your role. We thank and recognize Julie Leavitt of the AAUW South Haven branch for compiling these resources that were presented at the last Public Policy counterpart meeting in October 2023. Please note that this is a working document that can be added to as updates are made and new resources are discovered.
The next Public Policy branch counterpart meeting on Zoom has been planned for Wednesday January 31, 2024 at 7:00pm EST. Please "Save the Date" for this meeting. More information, including the Zoom link, will be provided in January. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me at any time.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to AAUW and for keeping a focus on Public Policy matters, and especially for keeping action and advocacy top of mind this program year. I wish each of you and your families a blessed holiday season.
Ruth Brown, AAUW of Michigan Public Policy Director
travelgirl4@comcast.net
(517) 398-0116 cell and text
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AAUWMI's Public Policy Priorities in Lansing
Mary Pollock, Government Relations Coordinator
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Government Relations Coordinator Mary Pollock provides news from Michigan’s Capitol including:
- Reasons for early adjournment of the legislature,
- Short descriptions of new laws of interest to AAUWMI,
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Reproductive justice bills awaiting the Governor’s decision and a link to a comprehensive listing of all reproductive justice bills and their bill history,
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Election-related bill highlights and a link to a comprehensive listing of a “Democracy Docket,”
- Some information about the new lawmaker financial disclosure bills,
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AAUWMI amicus brief on “adopt and amend” case,
- Redistricting lawsuit update,
- Two ballot issues circulating,
- False elector scheme update,
- Presidential primary listing,
- Private school aid decision,
- New OTC birth control coverage,
- Tips on getting involved in AAUWMI public policy.
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AAUWMI Virtual Lobby Corps | | |
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If you are interested in legislative happenings in Lansing, join AAUWMI Virtual Lobby Corps Zoom calls on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. EST. Mary Pollock, AAUWMI Government Relations Coordinator hosts the meetings and often has guest speakers. Email pollockm@comcast.netto get on the distribution list for meeting reminders and late-breaking news. | |
AAUWMI Membership Update
Eva Habib
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As this year ends and a new year starts, THANK YOU for being an essential part of AAUWMI. Without volunteering your time and effort and believing in the AAUW Mission, we would not have gone so far and accomplished so much.
One of Membership's exciting, most challenging goals is reestablishing the Lansing Branch as the "Capitol Area" branch. It is in the works, and we are working to make it happen. We need your help connecting us to your contacts in the Lansing area and surroundings.
The Zoom meetings with Branch Membership Chairs have paid off. I got several emails from various branches asking for assistance and advice. Even a “thank you note!” It feels like an extended family, and that is what I was hoping. Engagement and personal communication are the first steps for a thriving membership.
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Each member is an ambassador of AAUW. Let’s do it!
You can reach me anytime via email at
evahabib@comcast.net or text at 313-418-9085 with any questions or concerns.
Cheers to a great new year of membership! Cheers to health, happiness, and prosperity in 2024!
Eva Habib
AAUWMI Membership VP
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Bylaws Briefings
Jan Van Gasse, AAUWMI Bylaws Director
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Open Membership Bylaws Vote | | |
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There will be a vote in 2024 to drop AAUW’s degree requirement for membership. The vote will begin on April 3, 2024. Please see https://openupaauw.org/ for information about the history of AAUW and its membership requirements. You will also find a signup form for supporters.
As we look at open membership, it is important to consider our mission/purpose, vision, and values.
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The push to open membership is to align our mission/purpose, vision, and values with our restrictive and non-inclusive membership requirement. We cannot be champions for equity while treating people unequally. | |
As mentioned in the Summer/Fall newsletter, the majority of branch members and national members supported the change for open membership in 2021, with national members slightly more in favor of the change. However, we must increase participation in the vote. Nationally, 28.62% of branch members voted in 2021, with 62.85% of them voting affirmatively. 7.94% of national members voted in 2021, with 65.69% of them voting affirmatively.
30.2% of Michigan branch members voted in 2021, with 63.75% voting affirmatively. 5.8% of national members in Michigan voted, with 69.7% of them voting affirmatively. Jan Van Gasse, Bylaws Director, has communicated with each branch president as to the percentage of branch members that voted in their individual branch and how many voted affirmatively.
A national Open Membership Task Force has been appointed and Jan is currently serving on this task force. We are encouraging each branch to discuss open membership and to listen to each other. We need to increase the number voting. We plan to provide talking points, PowerPoints and other tools for outreach.
Questions should be directed to info@openupaauw.org
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Please remember that any proposed amendments to branch bylaws that are in addition to those mandated by AAUW must be sent to the AAUWMI Bylaws Director for approval by the AAUWMI Bylaws Committee before the call for the branch to vote. This usually happens at the branch’s annual meeting, and the Bylaws Committee will need about a month to consider the proposed amendments. Amended branch bylaws are then to be sent to the AAUWMI Bylaws Director within 90 days of amendment. This would include those branch bylaws that only change AAUW’s Mandated Amendments (Articles I-VII).
Please feel free to reach out to Jan with any bylaws questions or concerns.
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Fiscal Matters
Sally Doty, AAUWMI Finance Vice President
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It is my hope that the Finance officers are becoming more familiar with the Community Hub at aauw.org. Recently, many of our branch finance officers were invited to send concerns and questions to our newly formed finance committee. The members are Carole Wells (Dearborn), Sharon Postnieks (Rochester), and Bonnie Boggs (Monroe). We were able to meet via Zoom with many of the finance officers of our branches. It is in response to these contacts that we are working on a Finance Officer Playbook similar to the Membership Team Playbook presented last year. | |
Hopefully, you will have access to this document soon. I know that the changes in AAUW procedures have been challenging for many of us. Some of the more often asked questions lately have to do with when the “official membership number” is calculated. The answer to that is February – no change there, so it is important that your roster is checked for discrepancies at this time. Make sure that all your members are present with the correct dates. | |
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Another question regarded those members that renewed after the “grace” period. Will this affect their join and expiration dates? The answer to this is that there are no plans to change those dates. The main change to membership is that no matter when a person joins, they will have a full 12 month membership. AAUW will send out reminders, but you will probably want to print off your affiliation membership with all this data so that you can also check on those members with unusual renewal dates.
As always, we are there for you. If you have questions, text me at 248-909-4583. I will respond and we can decide on the best way to help you with your concern.
Sally Doty
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AAUW's Fellowships and Grants Programs
Ruth Briggs, AAUW Funds Director
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For branches looking for new and different fundraising ideas, here are some ideas from National:
- Invite local artists for an art's fair
- Have an antiques appraisal event
- Hold a wine tasting party and charge admission
- Auction off raffle baskets, purses, or other items donated by local businesses
- Have a holiday fashion show with a meal
- Host a trivia night
- Gather local authors at a luncheon
- Honor women from your community with a Women of Achievement luncheon
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- Sell flowers, holiday wreaths, or baked goods
- Branch members can donate unwanted items for a group yard sale
- Coordinate a walking tour of local historical homes and gardens
- Organize a historical bus tour
- Wrap presents for a fee or donation during the holidays
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Double your Year End Donation to AAUW National | |
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Donate to national AAUW from now until the end of the year and have your donation matched. The AAUW board and other leaders in our national organization will match your gift dollar for dollar for TWICE THE IMPACT. This year's match from the generous contributions of leadership donors is a stunning $75,600!
When you give to AAUW before December 31, 2023, you’re doubling our collective impact to promote mission-based initiatives including:
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- Ensuring the U.S. joins the rest of the world in guaranteeing paid parental leave and time off for family care.
- Publishing game-changing research documenting the motherhood penalty and other harmful aspects of gender and racial pay gaps for policymakers and the public.
- Empowering mothers and other women to become their own best advocates at work through salary negotiation training and other equity education.
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Get Social with AAUW of Michigan
Leah Monger, State Services Manager
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Did you know that AAUW of Michigan is on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn? If you use any or all of these social media platforms, we'd love to have you like our pages and engage with our posts. If you administer your branch social media accounts, we encourage you to share AAUWMI posts on your branch pages.
We'd also like to highlight the significant celebrations and good work of branches in the state through our social media, the AAUWMI website, our newsletters, and the annual report. Send me photos from your major branch events, and I'll find an opportunity to spotlight branch activities through these publications.
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As always, I’m your front line of support with any AAUW or AAUWMI questions you might have. I might not have the answer, but I’ll find someone who does! Please contact me for assistance. | |
AAUWMI Executive Board Nominations
Jean Bevevino, Nominating Committee Chair
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Program Vice President, Secretary, and Funds Director are the open positions for 2024-2026 on the AAUW of Michigan Executive Board. Nominations are to be sent to Jean Bevevino, Chair of the Nominating Committee, South Haven branch, by Saturday, February 3, 2024. Other members of the Nominating Committee are Sally Doty, AAUWMI Finance Vice President, Birmingham branch; N'Kenge Gonzalez, AAUWMI Diversity Director; Carol Steinhaus, Marquette branch; and Julia Ludwig, South Haven branch.
Jean Bevevino
AAUWMI Nominating Committee Chair
jhbevevino@gmail.com
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AAUW of Michigan Award Nominations
Mickey Edell, AAUW of Michigan Awards Chair
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During AAUW of Michigan's Convention and Annual Meeting, May 10-11, 2024, at the Detroit Marriot Livonia, we will be celebrating outstanding women by honoring them with AAUW of Michigan Awards. The awards to be presented at the 2024 Convention include:
Martha Griffiths Equity Award
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In keeping with AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy, AAUW of Michigan encourages branches to identify a person who has promoted equity for women and girls in Michigan. This award was established in 2008 to honor Martha Griffiths’ memory. Ms. Griffiths was elected in 1948 to the first of two terms with the Michigan House of Representatives, was later a Recorders Court Judge, and then served as a US Congresswoman until 1974. She was the first woman to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee and on the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, as well as chairing the House Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy. Her unique powers in Congress enabled her to accomplish significant legislation, which included moving the Equal Rights Amendment out of Congressional Committee and securing passage of Title IX. In 1982 she was elected for two terms as Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.
The recipient of the Martha Griffiths Equity Award will have promoted equity for women and girls in a demonstrable manner. The recipient does not need to be a member of AAUW.
The Young Leader Award
This award was first given by AAUW of Michigan in 2006. Its purpose was to replicate an award developed by the Association to encourage involvement of young leaders in the mission of the organization. This award was designed to recognize members who were seen as budding leaders within their branches. Recipients of this award have recognized the importance of life-long educational goals and life-long learning in the community. They have participated actively in branch activities and have indicated an interest in participating actively at the state or national level. The recipient must be age 45 or younger and have been an AAUW member for a minimum of three (3) years.
The Liz Kummer Award
AAUW of Michigan established the Liz Kummer Award in 1979 to honor the memory of Elizabeth B. Kummer, a longtime member of AAUW and an ardent, diligent advocate for the public policy positions and educational goals of the organization. The purpose of this award is to recognize those who have advanced the goals and ideals of AAUW in an exceptional and significant manner. The Liz Kummer recipient will be chosen by the AAUW of Michigan board at their 2024 winter board meeting.
Golden Recognition Award
At its centennial meeting in 2022, AAUWMI first honored members who joined our organization fifty or more years ago. Half a century of AAUW membership demonstrates a tremendous commitment to our mission of achieving equity for women and girls. Honorees must also have participated in AAUW branch/state activities. This year, we will continue to recognize AAUWMI members who have achieved fifty years of membership since the 2022 convention with the Golden Recognition Award.
You can find information about past recipients of all awards here. Forms for nominating candidates for the Martha Griffiths Equity Award, the Young Leader Award, and the Golden Recognition Award must be returned by March 1, 2024. We ask that you thoughtfully pursue candidates who are deserving. AAUW of Michigan awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the talents and dedication of woman who have demonstrated outstanding skills in achieving equity for women and girls.
Yours in Equity,
Mickey Edell
AAUW of Michigan Awards Chairperson
mousemick@att.net
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How to make Award Nominations | |
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Nominations for Awards are to be submitted to Mickey Edell, Chair of the Awards Committee, by March 1, 2024. Other members of the Awards Committee are Jan VanGasse, Iron Mountain/Kingsford branch; Carol Arnosky, Midland branch; Gail Conte, Plymouth-Canton branch, and Carole Wells, Dearborn branch.
Download nomination forms:
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AAUWMI Holiday Fundraiser Ends December 10 | |
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Shop from Lynch Creek Farm between now and December 10, and AAUW of Michigan will receive 15% cash back from your purchase. Lynch Creek Farm has decorating and gift ideas for your fall and winter occasions. The company handcrafts traditional and uniquely decorated Christmas wreaths, fresh centerpieces, and other beautiful holiday gifts. Their fresh evergreen products are created onsite ensuring freshness and high quality. The company's practice of trimming branches for their boughs without cutting down trees helps protect and sustain local forests and fragile ecosystems. Other gift items include gourmet foods featuring Pacific smoked salmon.
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The Lynch Creek Farm website also accepts donations on behalf of AAUWMI. (Note: Lynch Creek Farm subtracts 6% from donations to cover credit card fees.) If you prefer to place your order by phone, call 1-888-426-0781 and mention campaign #300832 to make sure AAUWMI receives 15% cash back from your purchase. Proceeds will fund AAUWMI programs in support of AAUW’s mission to promote equity for all. | |
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AAUW of Michigan
Important Dates 2023-2024
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Sunday, December 10 – Final day to order gifts and wreaths from the AAUWMI holiday fundraiser
Wednesday, January 3, 7:00 p.m. ET – Branch Presidents’ Quarterly Zoom Meeting
Saturday, January 14, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon ET – AAUW of Michigan Board Meeting* (via Zoom)
Saturday, February 2
- Board Nominees (in writing) due to the Chair of the Nominating Committee
- Deadline for submitting proposed Bylaws Amendments
Friday, March 1
- Call to Annual Meeting distributed
- Winter/Spring Newsletter distributed
Wednesday, March 27, 7:00 p.m. ET – Branch Presidents’ Quarterly Zoom Meeting
Saturday, May 4 – AAUWMI Annual Report distributed
Friday, May 10, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 PM ET – AAUW of Michigan Board Meeting* (in person)
Friday, May 10 – Saturday, May 11 – Annual Meeting and Convention, Detroit Marriott Livonia, 17100 North Laurel Park Drive, Livonia, MI 48152
Saturday, June 1
- Spring/Summer Newsletter distributed
- Affiliate Annual Reports due
Wednesday, June 26, 7:00 p.m. ET – Branch Presidents’ Quarterly Zoom Meeting
*Any member of AAUW of Michigan is welcome to attend Board meetings. Please send an email to Sheila Blair, AAUWMI President, at sheilablairpmp@gmail.com if you would like to attend any meeting, and she will send you the details.
Note: Lobby Corps meetings occur monthly. If you would like to know what's going on in our state legislature, please email pollockm@comcast.net to attend those meetings.
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AAUW of Michigan Leadership Team 2023-2024 | | |
Elected Officers/Executive Committee | |
AAUWMI Administrative Staff | | | | |
