2012 AAUW Strategic Plan

Austin, Minnesota Branch Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015 March 9, 2012

# VISION GOAL ACTION RESPONSIBLE TIME
1 We continue to support efforts to combat violence, bullying, and harassment against women, girls and other minorities at home, in school, and in our communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Create a higher level of awareness to reduce violence, bullying, and harassment against women, girls, and other minorities. Respond for those who do not have a voice:

  • Question suspicious activities/conversations;
  • Contact law enforcement officials to investigate the situation; OR
  • Take time to talk to someone you suspect is a victim, and refer her to area resources, and be her voice (if necessary); and
  • Educate others through informative programs, speaker presentations, book selections and films.
 Board & Membership

 

 Ongoing

 
2 We encourage personal & academic success through higher education.

 

 Assist traditional and non-traditional students attain a college education by providing annual scholarships.

 

Educate our membership and the community of the barriers students face today by offering monthly programming that inspires change.

 

Contribute to EF/LAF.

 Participate in fundraising events to support our AAUW scholarships:

  • Partner w/area businesses to raise money & awareness (annual);
  • Austin Public Library’s book sale (annual); and
  • Austin House Tour (biennial).

 

 

Continue fundraising to support

EF/LAF.

 Branch EF/LAF,

Membership

Vice Presidents, and Membership

 

 

 

 

Branch EF/LAF,

Membership

Vice Presidents, and Membership

  

Annually

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annually

Austin, Minnesota Branch Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015 March 9, 2012

# VISION GOAL ACTION RESPONSIBLE TIME
3 We advance equity for women, girls, and other minorities. Increase participation of our members in lobbying for equity.

 

Promote community equity awareness.

 

Provide monthly programming that addresses local issues that educate our membership about barriers that still exist in our community.

 

Remind our youth that their mothers and grandmothers paved the way to equal access and opportunity for women and girls.

 Continue to:

  • Inform all members of emerging issues.
  • Encourage membership to participate in legislative reform.
  • Promote use of Action Alert website.
  • Partner with Austin High School officials to offer the annual Women’s History
    Month project contest and
    assembly.
  • Work with the Austin Welcome Center staff to learn of ways we can assist new-comers from all cultures transition to Austin.
  

Public Policy Chair

Public Policy Chair

 

Membership

 

Women’s History Month Co-Chairs & Membership

 

Membership

  

Ongoing

 

Ongoing

 

 

Ongoing

 

Annually

 

 

 

Annually
4 We support equity through a growing branch membership. Invite others to come to a meeting or attend a small group activity (morning & evening book clubs, just come (to lunch), knitting group, arts & entertainment, great decisions, or travel club).

 

Increase membership and meeting attendance 5% to10% annually.

 Continue to:

  • Mentor members and potential members with personal contact.

 

  • Work with Riverland Community College President to continue its AAUW partner membership, and provide space for our programs and events.

 

Keep members engaged and informed through communication via newsletters, e-mails, website, and personal visits/calls.

  

Membership

 

 

 

Membership

 

 

 

 

Board members & Membership

  

Ongoing

 

 

 

Ongoing

 

 

 

 

Ongoing

 

Newsletter May 2012

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

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April 2012 Newsletter

Southern Highlights

Volume 10 Number 7 April 2012

Shaping the World One Woman at a Time


 

 

 

Marijo Alexander and Liz Richardson, Co-Presidents

Co-President’s Thoughts

 

As our 2011-2012 year is winding down, let me remind you of a few opportunities for involvement. Our state convention at Ruttger’s Resort is coming up April 27 – 29. We are allowed five delegates and have $500 to help pay expenses. If you would like to stay to enjoy golfing, hiking, or shopping, the resort will allow delegates to stay three days previous and three days after for the reasonable rate of $69 per night. The Pine lists the many activities of the convention. Names need to be submitted by April 20 – please let Marijo or me know if you would like to attend.

 

The book sale with Friends of the Library is also that week-end. Now is the time to choose books you would like to donate and drop them off at the library. Thanks to Laura Tjomsland for coordinating this effort with the library.

 

We were treated to a delightful program in March by four international students entitled “It’s a Small World.” On March 15 a few of us were able to attend “Miz Wizard’s Science Secrets” assembly at the high school. Jane Curry (Miz Wizard) was an entertaining guest at dinner the evening before. Carolyn Bogott and Peggy Benzkofer are already searching for next year’s program candidate. Ideas?

 

At our April 10th meeting, winners of the high school Women’s History Month project will present their entries. They interviewed local women whose careers are in math, science, engineering, medicine or technology. Don’t miss this!

 

A big “thank you” is due Eunys Kloempken who came to the rescue when we were sent a request for “Conformance of AAUW State and Branch Bylaws with the 2011 AAUW Bylaws Revisions and Recent Changes in the Laws of Washington, D.C.” When our bylaws needed updating in 2009, Eunys worked on changes. I was confident she was the person to tackle this huge task again. She painstakingly made the changes, and after our bylaws are reviewed by our board, they will be sent on to Barb Link, our State Bylaws Chair.

 

Mark your calendars for May 8th, the day for our spring banquet at the Historic Hormel Home when we wrap up the year and look forward to the 2012-2013 year.

 

Liz Richardson

Co-President

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March 2012 Newsletter

Southern Highlights

 

Volume 10 Number 6 March 2012

Shaping the World One Woman at a Time


 

 

 

Marijo Alexander and Liz Richardson, Co-Presidents

Co-President’s Thoughts

Since I have been away care-giving the last two weeks, I missed our last program. I believe it was very timely. It was timely because this fall the “marriage amendment” to Minnesota’s constitution will be on the ballot for its citizens to decide how they wish to treat another issue of equal rights.

 

You recently received the spring issue of the Pine. Please keep abreast of what is happening in AAUW statewide by reading it. What the state organization is doing and what is happening in other affiliates concerns us too.

 

I hope you are finding time to participate in at least one of our small groups. In them you not only are learning and sharing, but also becoming better acquainted with fellow members, a real bonus.

 

An exciting program is being planned for our branch in March. We will be celebrating Women’s History Month at high school assembly and at our membership meeting. Read specifics in another article and plan to attend.

 

Liz Richardson

Co-President

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