November 2020 Newsletter

President's Message

Greetings AAUW NJ Members,

Over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot from attending the virtual programming of branches, AAUW national’s webinars, and programming of other organizations such as The Alice Paul Institute. I hope all of our members will continue to take advantage of being able to attend the virtual programs of other branches and of other organizations – watch for opportunities in our newsletter, website and Facebook page.

In the fall, the AAUW NJ Strategic Action Plan Committee carried out a survey of our New Jersey branch presidents. It was very encouraging to see the commitment of branch leaders to carrying out AAUW mission activities in their local communities. Read down for some key findings from that survey.

I want to welcome Member-At-Large Laura Belko to the AAUW NJ Communications Committee. We appreciate your stepping up to this leadership role, and we are excited to have you on the team!

Thank you to all the AAUW leaders who have kept our members connected to each other and to our mission initiatives! Thank you to all the members who continue to participate in AAUW activities. Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating holiday season, so that we are recharged and ready for action in 2021.

Karen

December Featured Program

Please join us on...

Dec 9, 2020

7 pm via Zoom

Join us for a casual chat with members statewide to exchange ideas with your favorite beverage, snack, and wear your favorite UGLY sweater!

An "unconference" is a meeting where YOU set the agenda. What would you like to talk about?

You tell us!

January's Save-the-Date

Gentrification

Down the Shore

January 21, 2021

5 – 6:30 pm

via Zoom

Gentrification is a hot topic in the US and locally here in Monmouth County. Authors Molly Makris and NMCB member Mary Gatta will share the findings from their new book and discuss the impact of seasonal gentrification in Asbury Park, NJ.

Around the turn of the 20^th century Asbury Park was a dynamic beachfront resort. As the century wore on, it saw social and economic structural changes typical of many cities across the US.

Today the narrative has shifted again – named among the coolest small towns in America, the city has multimillion-dollar beachfront condos attracting the rich and famous as a summer tourist destination. But just across the railroad tracks from the seasonal crowds strolling the boardwalk, many of Asbury’s long-time residents live below the poverty level and struggle for a share of the prosperity throughout all four seasons of the year.

Purchase your book today.

For information about this event and to register,

email Pat Miller

AAUW National News

Double Your Impact for Equity

This challenging year has underscored the inequities that make AAUW’s mission so relevant right now. That’s why we are extremely grateful that AAUW’s board, committee leaders and staff have met the moment by putting together their second match of 2020. Now through December 31, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $42,500.

Here’s how your branch can take advantage of this generous match: When submitting your year-end contributions through a Contribution Report Form or similar device, be sure to indicate the donation is for the Year-End Match.

These gifts must be for AAUW’s Greatest Needs Fund (#9110) and postmarked by December 31. Even better: give online by midnight ET of the same day to qualify. If you are sending contributions for individual members, make sure checks are postmarked by December 31st to be logged in this calendar year and acknowledged in 2020 for tax purposes.

Donate Today

AAUW NJ

AAUW NJ in the News

Thanks to our own Michele Guttenberger who wrote a piece recently for Patch to give AAUW NJ exposure on events we are still doing through this pandemic.

Read the article here.

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Strategic Action Committee

In the fall, the AAUW NJ Strategic Action Plan Committee carried out a survey of our New Jersey branch presidents.

Branch presidents enjoy working with all the great ladies they meet through AAUW. In addition, the following trends were identified:

Branches report commitment to carrying out AAUW mission activities in their local communities.

Branches are in need of additional members to help with the leadership responsibilities.
AAUW NJ has a leadership-transition training session scheduled for June 5, 2021.
We are happy to host leadership get-togethers before then, email Karen or aauwnj@gmail.com with your ideas for future workshop topics.

The survey also showed that branch presidents would appreciate more communication among the branches - something our "Unconference" will hopefully begin to address. Communication is also something AAUW NJ will help facilitate moving forward.

Branch News

Northern Ocean County Branch is forwarding AAUW National's goals by establishing an Anti-Racism Study Group to help its members embrace and forward the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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The Greater Wayne Area Branch is running a "Garage-less Garage Sale" as one of its fundraisers this year. Since we've all been at or close to home for the past eight months many of us have used the time to clean out our closets and storage areas. What do we do with all the stuff? Donate it to our branch to sell online to raise money for our scholarship fund!

Here's how it works:

1. Value your items.

2. Take a good, well-lit photo of the item(s). If there are any flaws, make sure that spot appears so buyers know what they are getting.

3. Write a description of the items. It doesn't have to be a novel but telling potential buyers about the item can be helpful.

4. Send the picture and the description to Lorraine LaShell for selling online. lorrainelashell@gmail.com.

This is an ongoing fundraiser with no deadline. Anyone with an interest in helping raise money for our scholarship fund can participate.

If your branch is forwarding the AAUW mission in some way, please share your activities with aauwnj@gmail.com. We want to celebrate you!

aauwnj@gmail.com

Visit the AAUW NJ Website