Convention 2008: Achieving Equity through Advocacy (Plenary April 5)

• Moderator: Chris Winter, Past AAUW Director of Public Policy
• Beth McGovern, Legislative Director, CA Commission on the Status of Women
• Jenny Erwin, Regional Administrator of the Women's Bureau, U.S Department of Labor, Region 9
• Jacque Page, member of the Executive Council of AARP
• Helen Grieco, Executive Director, National Organization for Women (CA NOW)
• Patricia Dilks, National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) board member
  

McGovern: The commission was founded by Gov. Ronald Reagan. Last year, the commission held hearings around the state, where they heard about real problems facing women in the state [partial list]:

• Unmet needs of women veterans
• Sexually exploited teen girls
• Needs of caregivers, giving care to young children and the elderly
• Sexually exploited female farm workers

The hearing had the effect of energizing the commission. They have developed a public policy agenda, available online. More hearings are coming up. Sign up for the commission's mailing list. An important project for the commission this year is:

• Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act: Important for women's access to reproductive health clinics. It's a federal act; the commission is getting active in bringing effective implementation, especially enforcement, in California.

Erwin: Her topic was "The Face of Older Women Workers in Today's Labor Force." Have you seen the 1943 guide to hiring women? It was written for male supervisors and included the admonition to hire married women and to try to hire older women who have worked outside the home in the past because they are less cantankerous and fussy.

The workplace of the 21st century is in major change. Fewer people are in the pipeline to become workers. The "silver tsunami": Baby boomers became eligible for Social Security this year. Attrition is a huge threat to our economy. But there are opportunities for older women in the workplace.

The Women's Bureau advocates for increased flexibility in policies in the workplace. The bureau offers resources for women's financial literacy.

Page: AARP's founder, a retired high school principal, advocated for educational opportunities for diverse members of the community, including women. AARP's motto: "To serve, not to be served." AARP is now 50 years old. AARP provides advocacy, education, philanthropy, and service. Elderly women are twice as likely to be poor as elderly men. AARP's new public effort is called Divided we fail. See dividedwefail.org.

Grieco: CA NOW has 55,000 members and donors. CA NOW has both a PAC for non-partisan public policy advocacy and a foundation for education. Feminism (and NOW) wants every woman to be educated, safe, and healthy. CA NOW's new campaign: I [heart] consensual sex.

Dilks: She's issues chair of NWPC of California. Its primary mission is to identify, recruit, and promote pro-choice candidates for office. NWPC partners with AAUW, League of Women Voters and other organizations in California. A parental notification bill is coming up for the third time in the California legislature. These organizations are working against it--again. In Washington, DC, NWPC's focus is fairness for women who are in politics. E.g., the media has criticized Hillary Clinton's hair and clothing. Another focus: Anti-choice activism, which is on the rise. NWPC's goal: 50/50 by 20/20.

Covention 2008: The Mission - Sharpening our Focus (first plenary, April 4)

Jo Harberson, AAUW CA Bylaws Chair, announced: This is the 20th anniversary of the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund. The fund has produced 24 research reports--the latest being "Behind the Pay Gap"--since its founding. Jo will match all donations to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund this weekend.

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Ruth Sweetser, President, American Association of University Women, provided a preview of the new leadership development DVD. The DVD introduces AAUW Executive Director Linda Hallman making these points:

• Those who are great leaders are ambitious for the benefit for the organization, not themselves. The DVD is designed to be a training resource for branches. Portions of it will be on the Association Web site. Our shared values were the thing that attracted Linda to AAUW. We believe that education is the door to opportunity, and women are the purveyors of this value. But our work is far from over. We have not done enough. AAUW's value promise includes:

• We expect a fair chance to compete.
• We seek measurable change.

• Equity is not a privilege; it's a right.

Ruth indicates that AAUW is in the middle of a strategic design process. A strategic process roadmap was published in 2006. It's a reinvention of AAUW for the 21st century. The value promise is what we promise to anyone who wants to join us, fund us, or collaborate with us. It answers the question, "What's in this for me?" It's a promise of value. AAUW is a value-based community-based organization (CBO).

What will the strategic design do? It will cause us to change from a federation to an association. AAUW's legacy has been: "Study. Action." We will see ourselves as citizens of AAUW. It includes a responsibility for us to reach out. AAUW will embrace the five Fs: fast/flat/flexible/focused/friendly.

Ruth ended her presentation with this question: "Are you up to it?" Her answer was a resounding Yes!

Convention 2008: Bylaws Briefing (Friday, April 4)

A new AAUW CA organization was approved at the 2007 Convention in Ontario, CA. Instead of electing directors with portfolio to the 2008-09 board, we will be asked to elect 16 directors this weekend. Once elected, the 16 will elect a president, a secretary, and a financial officer. The other 13 directors will serve in other capacities, such as AAUW CA EF director, as appropriate for her/his talent and interests.

With this new construction, which may impact branch leadership roles in the future, AAUW CA Parliamentarian Jo Harberson recommends that we make minimal changes to branch bylaws at this time. However, branches are asked to change references to "international interests" to "international affairs" to reflect language now used in Association documentation.

Welcome to AAUW CA's Convention 2008

The Sonoma County Double Tree Hotel offers a welcoming staff and warm chocolate chip cookies at check in! It that's not reason enough to be here April 4-6, read on.

Friday, April 6, 2 p.m.: Incoming branch presidents received training, over tea, from a variety of AAUW CA leaders following a welcome by Association President Ruth Sweetser, visiting from the Chicago area. Topics included:

• AAUW CA President Donna Lilly announced that California boasts 13,875 branch members, 5,100 members at large, and approximately 40 college/university members.
• AAUW CA Parliamentarian Sandy Kirkpatrick says that the basic building block for a branch is a meeting. She emphasized the importance of parliamentary procedure in having effective meetings. She recommends that we buy the $7 Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, in Brief for incoming board members. A parliamentarian does not express an opinion and does not vote. Sandy's mantra: "Parliamentary procedure ensures fairness."
• Jo Harberson, AAUW CA Bylaws Chair, indicates that a strong branch starts with a strong board. Be aware of three branch documents: bylaws, policies & procedures, and standing rules. Consider reviewing/revising bylaws in odd-numbered years and P&P in even-numbered years. Start and end meetings on time. (Don't reward latecomers and early leavers by adjusting the agenda to their schedules.)
• AAUW CA Educational Foundation (EF) Vice President Carolann Ford answered questions we have about branch EF assessments. AAUW CA branches are billed a nominal fee based upon branch membership headcount. The branch assessment originated years ago when we had our own state endowments. Now with EF funds collected at fundraisers and as donations going to the national foundation, branch assessments stay in the state and can be used to complete endowments that require less than $10K to complete.
• Additional notes:
• To conform to Association language, change references to "international interests" to "international affairs" in bylaws and other branch documentation.
• Branches complete separate branch officer reports for AAUW CA and for the Association.

May 4 Healdsburg Homes Tour benefits education

18^th Annual Healdsburg Walking Tour of Historic Homes

From squatters’ settlement to luxury wine country destination

150 years of California architectural history will be open to the public Sunday, May 4, 1-4:30pm

Six vintage homes and gardens within walking distance of the downtown pla za wil l showcase distinctive architectural styles, including 1915 Craftsman, 1915 Mission, 1885 Queen Anne, and 1913 Bungalow. The afternoon self-guided tour features docents at each home. Guests will check in at the Healdsburg Museum, 221 Matheson at Fitch Street from 1:00-4:30 pm. Tickets are $30.00 in advance and $35.00 day of the tour. Proceeds help fund individual scholarships and help support Healdsburg area public schools. For more information and questions call 707-474-0313 or visit the website at www.healdsburgaauw.com. Ticket purchase is available online after March 15, 2008. Please make checks payable to AAUW and send to P.O. Box 1064, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Come to an AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Luncheon

Come hear Coach Michael Burch share his compelling story of his fight for the women wrestlers at the University of California, Davis:

• Northern California Luncheon at Capitol Plaza Holiday Inn, Sacramento, Saturday, February 2, 2008. Reservation deadline is January 24. See information and registration.
• Southern California Luncheon at Kellogg West Conference Center & Lodge, Pomona, Sunday, February 3, 2008. Reservation deadline is January 23. See information and registration.

It's election season!

Oh. You noticed. The Association has specific policies that apply to elections, including the endorsement of candidates, running for office, hosting candidate forums, and the use of the AAUW name. See the Association's complete policies on Candidates for Public Office and Use of Name.