Sheila Blair, AAUWMI President

12883 Plum Street, Southgate, Michigan 48195

sheilablairpmp@gmail.com

734-674-2246 (Cell)

Having served in several positions at both the State and local level, I have come to understand so many aspects of the work that goes into making AAUW the great organization it is at all levels. I have also had the opportunity to meet so many members from around the State and the country when we used to have National conventions. 

Over the next two years, we have a lot to work on as an organization. We need to keep our strengths of communication and camaraderie. We also have to acknowledge where we need to improve. At our convention in Livonia, I heard the familiar refrain, “How do we attract new members?” This question is at the heart of the conversations we will have through counterpart calls, regional and statewide gatherings, and, hopefully, some new and exciting ways we can connect in the coming biennium. I look forward to working with you all as we enter into this exciting, but challenging, new chapter of AAUW of Michigan. 

While I look forward to starting my new role on July 1, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I have learned under our current State President Sheila Blair. Sheila’s passion for AAUW and creative approach to every aspect of the position has been inspirational to witness. She has brought a professional approach to the role I can only hope to continue. Following her example, and the example of past Presidents I have had the privilege to serve under, I hope to continue our tradition of strong, positive leadership that flexes to meet the needs of AAUW of Michigan as we continue to grow and change. 

Update from AAUWMI co-VPs for Programs

Barb Duran and Linda Kevorkian

This month we are sharing some highlights from the 2024 AAUW of Michigan Convention and Annual Meeting held May 10-11th in Livonia, Michigan. The theme of the Convention was "Shaping the Future Together."

We kicked off the convention on Friday night with Motown Music Bingo. There were fabulous table decorations featuring Motown album covers and a cool jukebox display. AAUWMI President Sheila Blair served as the evening's DJ and MC, backed up by dancers/singers from members of our host branch Plymouth-Canton. Our coverall winner was Kay Calley-Martin, who won the grand prize of the evening for filling her bingo card of Motown greatest hits!

Clockwise from left: Table decorations featured Motown album covers; AAUWMI President Sheila Blair served as the evening's DJ and MC, backed up by dancers/singers from the Plymouth-Canton branch; Kay Calley-Martin won the evening's grand prize for filling her bingo card of Motown greatest hits!

Saturday was a full day of speakers, workshops, and recognition. There were 90+ attendees who checked in at the registration table and were ready for a day of motivation and new ideas to take back to their branches. We opened the day with our morning keynote speaker, Sara Bannon, an expert and trainer on board governance. She talked about key challenges facing nonprofit boards today and strategies we can use to overcome those challenges.

AAUWMI Awards Committee chair Mickey Edell presents AAUW-Ann Arbor member Betty Bishop with her Golden Recognition Award certificate during the Friday night festivities.

Our morning break-out sessions featured our state board members as well as Ms. Bannon. AAUWMI Programs co-VP Barb Duran and Diversity Director N'Kenge Gonzalez, co-presented break-out sessions on membership recruitment and diversity. Sara Bannon presented a break-out session on board leadership, and AAUWMI President Sheila Blair presented a workshop on public relations and social media.

Following a buffet lunch, our awards committee, headed up by Mickey Edell, presented the annual AAUW of Michigan Awards to the following individuals: 

• Anne Gautreau, member of the AAUW-Dearborn, MI Branch, received the AAUW of Michigan's Martha Griffiths Equity Award.
• Janet Denise Watson, member of the AAUW Detroit branch, received the AAUWMI's Liz Kummer Award.
• Julia Heck, member of the AAUW-Ann Arbor branch, received the AAUWMI's Young Leader Award.

Clockwise from top left: Diane Benson, President of the Ann Arbor branch, accepts the Young Leader Award on behalf of recipient Julia Heck from Awards Committee Chair Mickey Edell; Mickey Edell presents the Liz Kummer Award to recipient Janet Denise Watkins of the Detroit branch; the venue for the meeting was filled almost to capacity with nearly 100 attendees; AAUWMI co-VPs for Programs Linda Kevorkian and Barb Duran were busy all day selling raffle tickets; branches and individual members donated lovely gift baskets for the raffle; Dearborn member Valerie Murphy-Goodrich read Anne Gautreau's acceptance letter, and Dearborn branch President Joan Reed accepted the Martha Griffith's Equity Award on Gautreau's behalf.

Following the awards presentations, we got down to the business of holding our Annual Meeting. Our branches were honored for their donations to AAUW funds during the year. The members voted on new board members to fill vacant positions, and once the vote was taken, AAUWMI President Sheila Blair welcomed four new members to the board: Linda Kevorkian and Sharon McKenna of the Birmingham branch will serve as Program co-VPs, Mary Jane Kearns of the Northville-Novi branch will serve as Funds Director, and Katie Wiese of the Birmingham branch will be the new Secretary.

Attendees voted to approve bylaws amendments and also approved a $3.00 increase in AAUWMI dues, to $15 per year, effective July 1, 2024.  

Members of the state board presented Branch Leadership Playbooks. The purpose of the playbooks is to make leadership transitions easier for branch boards and have everything a member needs to perform the board role effectively for the benefit of the branch. Six playbooks were presented, with the additional playbooks for other branch roles pending for future rollout. 

Cover images of the six currently available Branch Leadership Playbooks.

President Sheila Blair unveiled a codicil that AAUWMI will use to create its own “legacy circle” for each branch to allow members to leave a legacy donation to that branch in their will or trust. 

Wrapping up the Annual Meeting was AAUWMI President-Elect Amy Shamroe, who introduced herself and addressed attendees with her vision for the upcoming AAUW year.

The closing keynote speaker was Dr. Geneva Williams, chair of the Michigan Women’s Commission, who shared various MWC initiatives related to pay equity, women’s rights, and leadership opportunities around the state of Michigan. 

Clockwise from top left: branches were honored for their donations to AAUW funds during the year; AAUWMI President Sheila Blair welcomed four new AAUWMI board members elected during the annual meeting: Linda Kevorkian of the Birmingham branch will serve as Programs co-VP, Mary Jane Kearns of the Northville-Novi branch will serve as Funds Director, Katie Wiese of the Birmingham branch will serve as Secretary, and Sharon McKenna of the Birmingham branch will serve as Programs co-VP; Dr. Geneva Williams, chair of the Michigan Women's Commission, gave the final keynote presentation; AAUWMI President-Elect Amy Shamroe addressed attendees; attendees voted to elect new officers, approve bylaws amendments, and increase AAUWMI dues from $12/year to $15/year effective July 1, 2024; AAUWMI President Sheila Blair presided over the annual meeting.

All in all, it was a great state convention with a lot of participation, networking, and collaboration between branches and members.  

Event Agenda

11:30 AM--Networking

11:50 AM--Welcome Message

12:00 PM--Lunch

12:45 PM--Laura Callow Tribute

1:00 PM--ERA Update

1:15 PM--Keynote Panel

1:50 PM--Closing Remarks

Cost: $50/general admission; $25 students

Online registration is preferred, but you can also download a printable form to fill out and mail with a check to the address on the form.

AAUWMI Membership Update

Eva Habib

As we approach the end of 2023-2024, it's hard to believe that this is our last newsletter for the year. 

First, thank you, President Sheila Blair, for your exceptional leadership and warm welcome. Your inspiring attitude has been a driving force for me during my first year as the AAUWMI Membership VP. I have learned a lot from Sheila and am genuinely thankful. 

Second, I extend my best wishes to Amy Shamroe as she takes on the role of our new President. Amy, I can’t wait to start working with you.

We have exciting news; we have submitted the “Branch Affiliate Formation Request Form” to the Board of Directors to register the “Capitol Area Branch.” We held an informational meeting on April 11, 2024, at East Lansing Library. Prospective members attended, and four signed up to join the new branch. President Sheila submitted another application for another branch in Adrian, MI. We are busy opening branches, and your support is more crucial than ever.

Some Membership VPs have indicated that they have experienced problems managing their membership rosters in the Community Hub. I appreciate your emails. Please email your problems, and I will do my best to find the correct answers as soon as possible.

I am recruiting members for the AAUWMI Membership Committee for 2024-2025. We meet on Zoom, and the plan is to work on issues the branch leaders face to help the branches run smoothly and without problems. If you are interested in joining the committee, please email me. 

Thanks to all of you who exercised your rights and responsibility and voted in the AAUW National election.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me anytime via email at evahabib@comcast.net or text at 313-418-9085.

Cheers to a great year of membership!

Eva Habib

AAUWMI Membership VP

Action and Advocacy

Ruth Brown, AAUWMI Public Policy Director

Another special in-person gathering recently took place in Livonia at State Convention. As I observed the festivities, I remembered that 20 years ago, in 2004, I served as your State President. My how times have changed, but how the people have stayed the same. Many of the same members who were active back then are still tirelessly advocating for women and girls and fighting for AAUW's mission statement: to advance gender equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and research.

Your AAUWMI State Board met the day before State Convention on Friday May 10, 2024 and unanimously passed an addition to the AAUW of Michigan Public Policy Priorities 2023-2025. Under "Equality, Individual Rights, and Social Justice," an additional bullet point has been added to the end reading "Support for government ethics, accountability, transparency, lobbying, and campaign finance reform."

Most of this past program year was spent working on the Public Policy Advocacy Playbook that was unveiled at State Convention. Your AAUWMI State Public Policy Committee worked tirelessly on this document to empower our counterparts in the branches to carry out the work of being a Public Policy Chair. The Playbook is intended to be a working document that can be added to as new resources are developed and discovered. 

Your AAUWMI State Board will be meeting in person this summer for a weekend-long retreat to energize, work on a forward-thinking Strategic Plan, and to brainstorm visionary, fresh ideas as we are led into the future by new State President Amy Shamroe, Mayor of Traverse City. As the next term begins, we will have new board members to add to our mix. Serving on the State Board is the honor of a lifetime. If you are ever offered the opportunity to serve, please say yes! You will receive so much more than you will give.

The Public Policy Branch Counterparts will meet together on Zoom in June (date TBA). This meeting will include women that are continuing in their roles and new branch Public Policy chairpersons that will be taking over in the next program year. Please be thinking about advocacy and issues you would like to focus on in coming months.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to AAUW and for keeping Public Policy matters top of mind through the summer months. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you or your branch needs assistance or has questions.

Enjoy summer in Michigan where "if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."

Ruth Brown

travelgirl4@comcast.net

(517) 398-0116 cell and text    

AAUWMI's Public Policy Priorities in Lansing

Mary Pollock, Government Relations Coordinator

The Fiscal Year 2025 budget has consumed a good deal of legislative attention the last several months. Both chambers have now passed their budgets but there are some differences with the Governor’s proposed budget so negotiations will ensue before the end of June when the budget must be completed. And this being an election year, everyone is looking at how any bill will fly with voters.

 A southeast Michigan redistricting update, election year news, the new officeholder and candidate financial disclosure requirement, and the Chatfield indictment are all covered in my report.

As always, I include ways for AAUWMI members to get involved with your Public Policy Program.

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 Mary at pollockm@comcast.net to be added to the distribution list for meeting reminders and late-breaking news.

News from the Finance Corner

Sally Doty, AAUWMI Finance Vice President

Attendees at the AAUWMI Annual Meeting voted to increase state annual dues by $3.00 bringing the total to $15.00. Thank you for that. National will start collecting $15.00 on July 1st. If you have renewed before then, you are considered current. You can always send a donation for our work by mailing a check to the treasurer of AAUWMI. We welcome your support.

The code for this year’s Shape the Future program is STFFY25. Be sure your information is correct at AAUW.ORG. I encourage you to review your branch records by downloading branch data from AAUW's Community Hub and checking for correct information. Also, this is the time to sign up for AAUW to send in form 990-N if you want them to file for you. You can refer to the new Branch Finance Officer’s Playbook 2024 found on AAUWMI.org for more details.  

As I write this, my final article, for AAUW Michigan, I am reflecting on the jobs I have had during the past decade or so. I want to encourage you, the reader, to consider a possible time for you to serve. This is a great board with dedicated women, who want to improve the lives of other women in our state and in the nation.

"Finance Director is the position that demonstrates the mission of AAUWMI the best. When you see where the money goes, you can see the mission come to life."

Personally, I like the position of Finance Director best. It is not that time-consuming. If you can manage an excel sheet and have confidence that you aren’t stealing anything, you can manage this job. Finance Director is the position that demonstrates the mission of AAUWMI the best. When you see where the money goes, you can see the mission come to life.

Working with this and past boards has been a privilege, and I could do it forever, but I am growing older, and I have a “bucket list” that I’m just starting on. 

I will miss the congeniality of the board and the work of the mission. I will continue to be active in my branch and foundation.

If I can help you in any way, let me know.

'Tary Time

Kay Calley-Martin and Jan Van Gasse, AAUWMI Co-Secretaries 

It’s been a great year with many changes in the AAUWMI secretary’s position.

• Because of the 2023 bylaws amendment to one member/one vote at the annual meeting, the AAUWMI secretary’s job description was updated. One member/one vote replaced delegates from each affiliate based on affiliate membership as of February 1^st.

• The rest of the secretary job description was also revised to define in detail the responsibilities of the AAUWMI secretary’s position

• The Secretary Playbook for affiliates was developed. This was shared at the Convention and includes an introduction, job description, and best practices for minutes and motions. 

• We felt a great need to inform Secretaries/Presidents of what is needed specifically for individual affiliates. “Tary Time” was created for that reason. It was presented twice and was a Zoom meeting with branch secretaries/presidents. The information in the Secretary Playbook was highlighted, including the following: 

1. According to Michigan Laws, the Board of Directors must include a minimum of three elected officers: President, Secretary and Treasurer.

1. Some branches will find it easier to have co-positions. It is always helpful to have a second pair of eyes.

1. Branch bylaws usually say something like this in terms of the duties of the secretary: “The secretary shall record and keep minutes of all board, membership, and special meetings. In the absence of the secretary another person, but not the presiding officer or the finance office, must be appointed to record the minutes of these meetings and ensure that they are retained. The secretary shall make available upon request the minutes of each noted membership meeting and board meeting.”

1. Minutes are considered a legal document. The minutes should include, names of attendees present and absent and important topics of the meeting. The minutes should state motions verbatim, including the maker of the motion and who seconds. Vote tabulation is also important.

1. A suggestion was made to keep the motions on an ongoing basis in a separate document to be able to quickly refer to motions instead of checking all minutes. A template is provided in the Secretary Playbook.

1. It is important for the secretary to know where minutes will be kept. Each branch will need to decide this. Minutes can be stored on a google drive, a thumb drive, or in a notebook to pass on to the next secretary. Because minutes are a legal document, it is important for each branch to establish an archive to historically house the minutes.   

For 2024-2026, your next highly qualified secretary of AAUWMI will be, Katie Wiese of the Birmingham branch.

We feel very honored to have served on the AAUWMI Board of Directors! 

Bylaws Briefings

Jan Van Gasse, AAUWMI Bylaws Director

Now that the bylaws election is over, we know for sure that the only AAUW-mandated amendments that are required to be included in our bylaws are those from 2023. These seven articles found here should replace your previous first seven articles and need to have the name of your affiliate (branch) inserted in Article I, Sections 1 and 2. Branches can approve the required changes with a vote of the board. A full vote of the branch membership is not required to implement national-mandated changes to affiliate bylaws.  

The deadline for submitting revised bylaws to AAUW via connect@aauw.org is June 30, 2026. Please also send your revised bylaws to the AAUW of Michigan Bylaws Director Jan Van Gasse for AAUWMI’s files. Amended branch bylaws are to be sent to the AAUWMI Bylaws Director within 90 days of amendment.  

In addition, many branches will need to change their bylaws based on the bylaws changes to AAUWMI’s bylaws that were approved at our annual meeting on April 29, 2023. Necessary changes that I have noted in some branch bylaws are as follows:

• Any mention of delegates to the annual meeting will need to be changed. We no longer have delegates, but rather each member in good standing as of the official notice of the annual meeting is entitled to vote.

• In addition, any mention of the Convention in branch bylaws should note that it is held biennially. The annual meeting, however, is held every year and each member in good standing as of the official notice of the annual meeting is entitled to vote if in attendance at the annual meeting.  

• In addition, some branches might need to change a branch-specific article of their bylaws if they mention when dues are due. AAUW National dues are no longer due by June 30th for all members, but rather are due according to a schedule of when a member joins AAUW. Their due date for dues could be any month. A statement that says “Follow AAUW’s schedule” would be appropriate in a branch-specific article if you have an article about dues. 

Any proposed amendments to branch bylaws that are in addition to those mandated by AAUW must be sent to the AAUW of Michigan Bylaws Director Jan Van Gasse for approval before the call for the branch to vote at its annual meeting. Following the branch annual meeting, amended branch bylaws are to be sent to the AAUWMI Bylaws Director within 90 days of amendment.  

Jan is always willing to look at your bylaws, so please don’t hesitate to contact her. Also, check out the Bylaws Director Playbook found on the home page AAUW of Michigan’s website at https://aauwmi.org/

It is comforting when one walks into a room full of warm smiles, big embraces, and intriguing conversations. It feels like coming home after a long journey, no one is putting on airs, and most if not, everyone is enjoying the company of dear friends and people who are no longer strangers. This is what happened at AAUW Michigan’s 2024 Biennial Convention.

What has created this bond amongst people from different parts of Michigan and different backgrounds? It is the mission of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) which is “Advancing Equity for Women and Girls.” This common goal is the unifier that overcame cultural, age, socio-economic, disabilities, LGBTQ+, and religious differences, I can go on, but I think you get my point. The bottom line is, we got over diversity challenges. We became inclusive, allowing voices to be heard, we sought out and/or created opportunities to have more equitable environments and situations.

Twenty of Michigan's 30 branches were represented at the Convention, and at least one member from 13 branches attended one or more of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops. During the workshops, surveys were passed around to get an idea of the branch composition, activities, and location. 

Branch locations all had levels of diversity but not always high racially. All were in good proximity to colleges, universities, and K-12. Unfortunately, the diversity of the community isn’t always the demography of the branch.

The fun fact about most of our branches is the fact that most have interest groups and host/participate in STEM programs, fundraising, and books sales. 

Events that are inspirational from our branches are:

Embracing Your Differences – Dynamic Discussions – Great Decisions – Remember the Ladies – Attending Chamber Meetings – Supporting Community Events – Donating Diversity-Based Children’s Books to Schools – Annual Children’s Play – Trade School Scholarships – Ethnic Food Meetings – ScavengHer Hunt.

There is inspiration in collaborating with our own branches as well as others to grow and propel our mission. We do not have to do it all alone; there are supports if we look and/or ask. Diversity is what the world looks like. Inclusion is inviting those who are different from ourselves to exchange with. Equity is recognizing the differences of others and providing resources to fit them. I believe our organization and branches have advanced to belonging, where we create opportunities and spaces for all to advance with and without our support.

2023 Branch Donations to National AAUW

Ruth Briggs, AAUW Funds Director

Branch Leadership Transitions

Leah Monger, State Services Manager

Congratulations to everyone who was elected to a branch leadership position at your branch annual meetings! New branch officers assume those positions on July 1, and AAUW will soon be asking 2023-2024 branch presidents to enter 2024-2025 officers into the Community Hub before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.

If current presidents need a refresher on how to update officers in the Hub, there's a link to download instructions below. Ideally, branch leaders should become familiar with Hub functionality, so please try to update your roster yourself before seeking help. If you run into problems (members with duplicate records is the most common issue I've seen), please contact me for assistance.

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 forward your question to someone who does. Please contact me for assistance.

AAUW of Michigan

Important Upcoming Dates

Saturday, June 1

• Spring/Summer Newsletter distributed
• Affiliate Annual Reports due

Wednesday, June 26, 7:00 p.m. ET – Branch Presidents’ Quarterly Zoom Meeting

Saturday, August 24 – Women's Equality Day Celebration, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., St. Mary's Cultural Center, 18100 Merriman Road, Livonia. Registration details here.

Elected Officers/Executive Committee

Appointed Directors

AAUWMI Administrative Staff