Southern Highlights

Volume 10 Number 8 May 2012

Shaping the World One Woman at a Time

 

 

 

Marijo Alexander and Liz Richardson, Co-Presidents

Co-President’s Thoughts

 

As you read this I will be attending the State Convention at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge and Resort. The Brainerd and Grand Rapids branches have planned a full week-end of activities that includes speakers, workshops, awards, lunches, and business sessions.

 

Marijo and I thank all who served on our Board this year. As Marian Wright Edelman so aptly stated: “Service is the rent you pay for being.” Each one of you has lent time and talents to advance the causes of AAUW.

 

Special thanks to retiring board members: Nel Zeller (with the help of Kari Bain) brought us outstanding programs, Marsha Kuehne (and Barb Hunter) increased our membership during the past two years, Gerry Rustad preserved our history with artistic flair in scrapbook form, and Sue Grove (serving with Bonnie Rietz) led our Educational Foundation activities. Sue continues has served also as state membership chair.

 

Thanks to house tour co-chairs Gerry Rustad and DedaRae Graber and excellent member participation we made record-breaking profits last fall. This enabled us to help a few students with their college costs.

 

Thanks to Marijo Alexander for her endless energy and foresight as she co-chaired the presidency with me and plans to serve another year.

 

And thank you to each of you for being a member of our local branch. We hope to see you at our annual spring banquet on May 8 at the Hormel Historic Home when we install new officers and look forward to another productive year.

 

THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO FOR AAUW!

 

Liz Richardson

Co-President

May Program

As Program Co-Chairs, we would like to thank you all for your wonderful attendance at this year’s programs. It is a much more enjoyable and worthwhile experience to plan programs when they are well attended. Our final program for this year will be our May Banquet, which will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 8 at the Historic Hormel Home. The meal cost is $12.99 and will be a buffet consisting of the following:

-Chicken

-Carved roast beef

-Fresh fruit salad

-Catalina vegetables

-Dinner roll

-Garlic/parmesan mashed potatoes

-Cheese cake with assorted toppings

There is no formal program planned. We have decided to use the time to socialize and celebrate another successful year and each other! We hope to see you there.

Nel Zellar & Kari Bain

Program Committee Co-chairs

 

Small Groups

These groups are open to any member wishing to attend.

 

Morning Book Group

The AM Book Group will meet on Thursday, May 17th at 9am at Perkins. The book selection for our discussion is In the Garden of the Beasts, by Erik Larson. We welcome new members at any time; please call Lois McConnell at 433-8101 with questions or suggestions.

Great Decisions

We will meet on May 21st, 1:30 P.M. at Riverland East. The usual date, May 28th, is Memorial Day.

Evening Book Group

 

We will be discussing The Distant Hours by Kate Morton on Monday, May 7^th at the home of Sue Grove at 7 PM. Please RSVP to Sue at sgrove@riverland.edu. On June 4^th we will meet at Kathy Kester’s home to make book selections for the 2012-2013 book year.

 

Just Come

 

Just Come Luncheon Group will meet at the Austin Country Club on Friday, May 4th, at 11:30. Please contact Dorothy Krob by Tuesday, May 1st, at sdkrob@charter.net if you are interested. We always welcome new people.

 

Travel Group

The AAUW Travel Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 P.M. Below is our schedule for May and the summer months. We invite you to join us. Please either call DedaRae at 433-7897 or email (drgraber@charter.net) to let her know if you plan to attend. Thank you very much. We hope to see you there.

 

On May 10th, we will meet at Marsha Kuehne’s home and she will share information on her trip to Italy.

 

On June 14th, Kirsten Lindbloom will share her experiences from traveling in Ghana. We will meet at Gail Minerich’s home.

 

On July 12th, we will meet at Sue Grove’s home and she will share information on her travels in France.

 

On August 9th, we will meet at Ann Odegaard’s home and Ann will share information on her travels throughout the Southwest of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

Public Policy

Marines Open Combat Leader Training to Women
Women will be eligible for the first time for the Marine Corps’ Infantry Officers Course, which is how Marines become combat leaders. The Marine Corps will also open to women roughly 400 non-infantry jobs including amphibious assault, artillery, and low-altitude air defense. The Marines overall are less than 10 percent female.

 

AAUW advocates programs that provide women with education, training, and support for success in the work force, including nontraditional occupations and the armed forces.

 

Study: Food Stamp Program Reduces Poverty
A study by the Department of Agriculture found that the food stamp program reduced the poverty rate by nearly 8 percent in 2009. The food stamp program serves more than 46 million people in the United States. Enrollment in the program grew significantly during and immediately following the recession, with a 45 percent increase from January 2009 to January 2012.

AAUW promotes the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons. Essential to that well-being are an economy that provides equitable employment opportunities, reduction of poverty, a livable wage, quality affordable dependent care, paid family and medical leave, decent and affordable housing, quality affordable health care, and a clean and healthful environment. To achieve economic self-sufficiency for all women, AAUW advocates for strengthening programs, including welfare and career and technical education to improve postsecondary education access, career development, and earning potential.

 

-As Written in AAUW’s Washington Update

 

 

AAUW Board Meeting

April 10, 2012

 

AAUW Board met at Riverland Community College. Present were Marijo Alexander, Kari Bain, Sue Grove, Evelyn Guentzel, Barb Hunter, Marsha Kuehne, Ruth Monson, Laura Tjomsland, Mary Kay Wilson and Nel Zellar. Secretary’s report was approved.

 

Mary Kay reviewed the 2012-2013 Membership Dues and 2012-2013 Budget. Membership dues will remain at $65, and are payable at the May 8 banquet (cash or separate check). Since Mary Kay’s term as Treasurer expires in May 2013, the Board is looking for someone to shadow Mary Kay next year and take over the position in 2013.

 

Spring Banquet will be held on Tuesday, May 8 at the Historic Hormel Home. Nel will confirm the price of the meal and will publish the price and the menu in the May newsletter. In place of a program, members will have time to socialize.

 

The State AAUW Convention will be held April 27-29, and members are invited to attend. Donations of wine and wine-related items (especially items that represent Austin and Mower County) are needed to fill a silent auction basket. Contact Marijo or Sue Grove about your items. Money raised from the sale of the basket will be credited to the Austin Branch.

 

Austin Branch Bylaw changes were reviewed. Sue Grove will check with Barb Link, State Bylaws Chair, about some concerns. Proposed bylaws with changes will be sent with the May newsletter.

 

The following appointed officer positions for 2012-13 (2 year terms) are open: Education co-chairs, Historian, Newsletter, Public Policy, Visibility/Publicity and Annual Book Sale, and Women’s History Month co-chairs. Members can contact Marijo or Liz if they are interested in a position.

 

Motion was made and seconded to use remaining funds ($500) from AAUW scholarship to supplement students in need, at the discretion of Riverland counselors. Motion carried.

 

Laura gave an update on the AAUW/Friends of the Library Book Sale. Volunteers are still needed for the afternoon of Saturday, April 28.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Monson, Secretary

PROPOSED BUDGET 2012-2013
	ESTIMATED
	RECEIPTS
	2012-2013
RECEIPTS
Membership Dues	3,900.00
Fund Raiser-House Tour B/4 Exp.
Estimated Carry Over	6,000.00
Other Fund Raiser	1,000.00
Fund Raiser-Book Sale	1,500.00
Total Receipts	$ 12,400.00
	PROPOSED
	BUDGET
	2012-2013
EXPENSES
National Dues	2,940.00
State Dues	540.00
AAUW Funds	850.00
Advertising	100.00
Candidate Forum	50.00
Directory	25.00
Fund Raiser	100.00
Gifts	100.00
Hospitality	50.00
Insurance	150.00
National Convention	1,000.00
Newsletter	15.00
Postage	50.00
Scholarships	2,000.00
Space Rental	150.00
Speakers/Programs	300.00
State Convention	500.00
Women’s History Initiative
Awards	225.00
Program	1,000.00
Miscellaneous	50.00
Total Expenses	$10,195.00
Proposed Budget Receipts
Versus Expenses	$2,205.00

 

 

 

 

 

AAUW Monthly Financial Report
April 2012
Period: 4/1/12-4/30/12
Opening Balance:		$6,440.28
Income:
Total Income:	$0.00
		$6,440.28
Disbursements:
Total Disbursements:	$0.00
Closing Balance 4/30/12		$6,440.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mission Statement: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.

 

Vision Statement: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.

 

 

Southern Highlights Editor: Rae Dawn Rao

rao_raedawn@yahoo.com

Minnesota State Website:

http://www.aauwmn.org

The Pine Editor: LouAnne Hoppe

Association Website:

http://www.aauw.org

Association e-mail: info@aauw.org