Co-Presidents’ Message
June, 2020
Greetings from Coronavirus Quarantine,
This has been a different spring for all of us. We have missed so many things: graduations, weddings, worship services, interest groups, not to mention in person AAUW monthly meetings. We are still trying to determine how to honor our scholarship recipients this year. It would be so nice to be able to meet the young women who represent our future. Your board is working hard to make sure we can continue our branch business and keep everyone safe. We will communicate any meeting plans as soon as they are finalized.
Thanks to all who voted in the online election for the 2020-2021 board. We still have several open positions that you can fill. Just contact Terry Whaley or Elaine Novak if you are interested in taking any of these board positions:
• Co-President
• Board Secretary
• Publicity
• Newsletter Co-Editor
It is that time of year! Don’t forget to renew your membership for next year by June 15. Your dues support the national, state and local AAUW organizations. Please include a completed membership form (last page of this newsletter) to indicate if you agree to the media release so we can include pictures of our events in publicity documents. See information about dues and our mailing address in the reminder article on page 2.We have included a draft Strategic Plan for next year on page 4. This is the first version and we need your input. Please review it and make comments to any board member. The board will discuss it at the meeting on June 9. The draft is based on the areas of emphasis outlined in the AAUW National Strategic Plan, but we want it to reflect the local priorities. Let us hear your ideas for the goals for AAUW Georgetown next year.
It is hard to believe this is my last president’s message. I have enjoyed being your co-president for the last two years. Pat Rehm could not have been a better mentor and Elaine Novak has been a wonderful support this year. Elaine is going to do a great job leading our branch next year. Please help and encourage her as she guides this great group to accomplish our future goals.
Thanks for all you do!
Terry Whaley
May, 2020
Greetings,
I hope this finds you safe and healthy. This pandemic has upended both personal and AAUW business. Staying at home must be a significant challenge to such a dynamic and active group as ours. Unfortunately, all events and meetings will be cancelled for the remainder of the business year. With optimism, we will be able to begin again in August with our usual enthusiasm and support for the organization.
Thanks so much to Brenda Scholin for planning the March Style Show. We missed a great time, and will look forward to a successful event next year. How much fun it would have been to see the grandchildren who had planned to participate.
Thanks to everyone who voted in the AAUW Georgetown election. The online election was needed due to the cancellation of our Annual Meeting in April. Your officers will have a significant challenge next year with the pause in business we have had this year. Please plan to support them to keep AAUW Georgetown a strong and significant entity in our community.
One other casualty of the pandemic was the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders sponsored by AAUW National. Our SHARE grant from AAUW Texas will be saved for use for travel expenses next year. Hopefully, we will be able to sponsor another candidate to attend this conference in the spring of 2021.
Our Strategic Planning meeting planned for May will have to be re-scheduled. If you have goals that you would like to include in the plan of work for the 2020-2021 please contact Terry Whaley or Elaine Novak so we can include them in a proposed plan for next year. The plan needs to reflect the ideas and concerns of the membership, so your input is welcome.
As mentioned elsewhere in the newsletter, it is time to renew our AAUW dues. Just a reminder to renew to support our branch, AAUW Texas, and AAUW National.
Stay safe and reach out if there is something you need. Thank you to board members who have reached out to our membership to check on everyone. We are all in this together.
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
April, 2020
Safe greetings,
I hope each of you is safe and healthy in this time of uncertainty. Regrettably we were not able to have our Spring Style Show due to the ongoing medical emergency of coronavirus. Many thanks to Ellen Flynn, our Treasurer, for processing the refunds for the Style Show tickets so quickly.
Again, due to the current situation, we will be cancelling our April Annual Meeting where we would have elected our slate of officers for the 2020-2021 business year. Our election will be held online. Please plan to vote for these volunteers who will insure the future of AAUW Georgetown.
Election Slate- Elected Officers
Co-President- Elaine Novak
Co-President- _________________
VP Membership-Kathy Hamilton
VP Membership- Lynne Hester
VP Programs- Pat Perkison
VP Programs- Connie Munoz
Secretary Board Minutes- Aileen Bailey
Secretary Branch Minutes- Christine Kavadas
Treasurer- Helen Elkins
Appointed Positions
Newsletter Co-Editor- Mary Allen
Newsletter Co-Editor _________________
By Laws- Pat Donica
Webmaster Linda Kisinger
Scholarship Chair- Karen Limbaugh
Duck Race- Pat Rehm, Mary Allen
Publicity- ______________________
Style Show- Brenda Scholin
Historian- Pat Rehm
Public Policy- Marsi Liddell
New Position- Social Media __________
As you can see, we still need a Co-president, Co-newsletter editor, Publicity chair, and a new position – Social Media chair. Please think about helping to fill one of these positions. None of these offices is difficult, especially when shared with a colleague. Your service to the organization will help AAUW Georgetown continue to be a success.
As we come to the end of another successful AAUW Georgetown year, we want to thank each of you for your support. Your hardworking board has guided the organization, and we have had fun along the way. Our organization will continue to support the mission of supporting the equality of women and girls for years to come.
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
March, 2020
Have you found your lucky four-leaf clover yet? With everything that is getting green in my back yard, I expect to see some lucky four-leaf clovers soon…….hope springs eternal! The pink tulip tree in my neighbor’s back yard is already blooming. This is my favorite time of the year! Hope you enjoy it as well.
Our former scholarship recipient, Alexis McCammon, is working to secure her plane ticket for the National Conference of College Women Student Leaders, May 27-30 in Baltimore, Maryland. This is such a great opportunity for her to meet her counterparts and then join us this fall at one of our monthly meetings to share with us what she experienced at the conference. I know we will all support Alexis in this worthwhile endeavor.
The Duck Race Committee continues to move forward with some very worthwhile efforts. If you know of an area business that should be approached, let someone on the Duck Race Committee know or contact Pat Rehm, co-chair (512-876-4211), and a committee member will go with you to visit and dialogue with this worthy area business. Our efforts to secure financial support for our scholarship recipients happens one contact at a time. Please know that your efforts have helped a future area female with her goals!
Brenda Scholin, Style Show Chair, continues to organize and collect items for the upcoming Saturday, March 21, Style Show. Call Brenda at 512-731-6627 to coordinate your donation to the Purse Auction held at the end of the Style Show. The Style Show will be held at Berry Creek Country Club starting at 10 am. Pat Perkison, 512-943.0557, has tickets, $35 per person. Please contact her and select your table mates so you can have a great experience at the show!
In the meantime, reach out to your AAUW fellow members and encourage them to participate in our wonderful branch. We have a lot to accomplish, and we believe we have the right mix of members to get things accomplished! Remember: We are only as strong as our weakest link!
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
February, 2020
Greetings in 2020!
Now that we are past the holiday flurry, we will be gearing up to finish this year and starting the planning for next year.
Two things that need to be accomplished this month are the selection of board officers for the 2020-2021 year, and review of the strategic plan. The nominating committee will meet in January to start recruiting next year’s board. Please consider a board position to help our organization meet future goals.
Thank you to the members who were able to attend the Strategic Plan review on January 22 at the Georgetown Library. We’ll share results of that meeting at a future date.
One goal for this year is to secure a SHARE grant from AAUW Texas (info at aauw-tx.aauw.net/share) to support sending a participant to the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders in University Park, Maryland. The application was submitted to the state. The registration fee will be paid by AAUW Georgetown and the SHARE funds used for travel. The Scholarship committee headed by Marsi Liddell is identifying a previous scholarship winner to sponsor for this conference. This will be a great learning opportunity for one of our previous winners.
SAVE THE DATE
The AAUW Texas 2020 Convening will be held in Pflugerville, April 17-19. AAUW Austin and AAUW Georgetown are part of the planning committee and hope to have a good showing of local members to support this state event. Please mark your calendars.
Let’s finish this year strong by attending the branch meetings, supporting the Style Show in March, and electing a strong board for next year. The success of the branch depends on your participation.
Thanks for all your support.
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
January, 2020
We hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. The Holiday Tea was a great success thanks to our wonderful hostess, Connie Munoz and everyone who contributed delicious goodies. Hard to believe 2020 is upon us and we have to start the planning for the 2020-2021 business year.
The Nominating Committee will be seeking volunteers to serve in several board positions. Thanks in advance to any current board members who are going to continue in their positions. If you have a talent that you are willing to share with the group, please consider stepping up and becoming a board member.
Elected positions:
Co-President
Co-Membership VP’s
Co-Programs VP’s
Co-Secretaries
Treasurer
Appointed positions:
Newsletter Editor
By-laws Chair
Webmaster
Social Media Coordinator (New)
Scholarship Chair
Duck Race Chair
Publicity
Style Show Chair
Historian
Public Policy
We are planning on getting an early start on organizing the details of the Duck Race, our primary fundraising event. We already have several members interested in helping with this event. Please let Elaine Novak or Terry Whaley know if this is something you would like to work on.
March is a special month because we will host our Style Show at the Berry Creek Country Club. A new idea for this year is to have some children or grandchildren model spring fashions. Please let Brenda Scholin know by January 31 if your youngsters would like to participate. Should be a lot of fun for the kids and the parents. The Style Show is on March 21, and $35 tickets will be available at the January and February meetings. Invite your friends and family to join you at this fun event.
Have a wonderful new year!
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
December, 2019
The holidays are upon us. Hope you and your family and friends have a wonderful hanksgiving. Then Santa will be just around the corner. Before that, please join us at our holiday tea on December 15 from 2-4 pm at the home of Connie Munoz. We will enjoy some treats and visiting with our AAUW colleagues. The joint AAUW Austin and Georgetown meeting was a great success. Around 20 Georgetown members made the trip to hear Dr. Anna Greybeal’s presentation on The Politics of Climate Change. She is the founder of the Austin chapter of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby.
Participating in the AAUW Texas SHARE program to provide funds for a participant in the NCCWSL (National Conference for College Women Student Leaders) convention is one of our Strategic Plan goals. The application is now available on the AAUW Texas website. The Scholarship Committee has agreed to help select the candidate. We will need a couple of volunteers to manage the application process. Please contact Terry Whaley or Elaine Novak if you are interested in helping with this goal to enhance the educational opportunities for a woman college leader.
Another opportunity will be the AAUW Texas Biennial Convening, April 17-18 in Pflugerville. Several AAUW Georgetown members are on the planning committee. Please save the dates and watch the newsletter for announcements about volunteer opportunities.
Thanks to all who participated in the planning session on November 12 for our financial goals for future scholarship funds. The Board will review all the suggestions and report back to the members at a future meeting for consideration. Continue to let us know if you have ideas to help maintain the generous grants we have provided local high school students. Your support is critical to the success of this important goal.
Happy Holidays!
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
November, 2019
My goodness! It is only November, and AAUW Georgetown is already actively into our fund raising for this year. I know that our membership is rolling up their sleeves and are doing all that they can to make this year’s scholarship awards as much as it can be next May! Georgetown girls are so fortunate to have this funding assistance toward their college goals.
Our participation in the Sun City Garage Sale on October 5 all morning and the Duck Race on October 12 at the San Gabriel Park at 11 am are clearly energizing our membership to be raising those scholarship dollars for our lucky scholarship recipients next spring. Wow, what an exciting way to begin our annual fund raising! We still have seven more months for added fund raising activities!
Terry Whaley made a gorgeous Christmas quilt and offered it to our AAUW branch as the door prize at our October 21 monthly meeting (see below). The lucky door prize winner, Mary Allen, will enjoy it during this Holiday Season. The door prize proceeds of $70 will contribute to the Georgetown Scholarship Fund.
On another level, it is time for our membership to ALL take notice of changes in the funding source for our annual college scholarships. All members of AAUW Georgetown are invited to attend a Planning Meeting on Tuesday morning, November 12 at 10 – 11:15 am. Please see the notice in the November Newsletter. We need your ideas and your participation. This will be our first planning meeting, so please share your ideas to make the AAUW Georgetown branch even better than before.
In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful fall temperatures and some of the leaves changing color! See you in November!
Co-Presidents:
Elaine Novak
Terry Whaley
October, 2019
Hope you have had a great summer and are ready for a great AAUW Georgetown year. We now it is time for the heat to leave us and for cooler fall temperatures to move in. As the cooler temperatures come, so do the programs and activities we have planned for this year.
We have a Strategic Plan that includes three (3) new goals for this year all of which provide members with an opportunity to get involved:
1) Participate in State AAUW Share program during the 2019-2020 business year. Committee to be established by October 1, to manage, process, and meet deadlines funding.
The SHARE program is a grant opportunity that will support a young woman leader to attend a national conference.
2) 80% of AAUW Georgetown membership will participate in the Work Start program and forward the online link to 10 potential participants by December 31, 2019.
Work Smart is a free online program from national AAUW to teach how to negotiate salary increases, but is useful for anyone.
3) Partner with one of the following: Texas State University, Southwestern University, Austin Community College, Fort Hood, or ROCK Center to sponsor a Start Smart workshop during 2019-2020 business year with universities or organizations providing fees required by National AAUW. Establish a non-board committee by November 1, to manage the process by developing a relationship with one of these universities.
Smart Start is a training program for anyone entering the workforce. We would like to continue the work we started last year at Southwestern.
Please consider working on one of these opportunities. The work of AAUW is only done by involved and active members. We need the efforts of everyone to accomplish our goals.
October is a very busy month. The Garage Sale is October 5, and the Duck Race is October 12. Both are important fundraisers for our scholarships. You are welcome to attend or contribute to these events.
Co-Presidents:
Elaine Novak
Terry Whaley
September, 2019
AAUW Georgetown Branch Members,
Welcome back to a great AAUW Georgetown year! Hope to see you participating in our many events and meetings. It is an opportunity to meet other like-minded women, learn about the community at monthly meetings, and support young women with scholarships through our fundraising.
Upcoming Events:
September 16 (Monday) – Monthly Branch Meeting
October 5 (Saturday) – Kiwanis Garage Sale Fundraiser
October 12 (Saturday) – Duck Race Fundraiser
We have lots of opportunities to get involved.
Strategic Plan:
A committee met on August 8 to formulate a Strategic Plan and goals for the membership for
next year. Please read the document on page 5. We will vote to approve the Strategic Plan during the September membership meeting. Please forward any ideas or comments to:
Terry Whaley or Elaine Novak .
Member Recruiting:
We hope you enjoyed our Membership Coffee on Saturday, August 24. Please continue to
spread the word about AAUW to friends, neighbors, colleagues. New members ensure the future of the organization, so help recruit women who want to be part of a dynamic organization that works to insure better educational and employment opportunities for
all women.
National Update:
If you are interested, the Two Minute Activist is an easy way to support political action initiatives. This month it is supporting action on raising the Minimum Wage.
Two-Minute Activist:
Raise the Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage hasn’t budged since 2009. As a result, millions of workers across the country — particularly women — struggle to make ends meet. On July 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Raise the Wage Act, which would gradually lift the minimum wage over the next several years. Now it’s up to the Senate to move
this critical legislation forward.
ACT NOW TO SUPPORT THE RAISE THE WAGE ACT
Looking forward to seeing you in September,
Co-Presidents:
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak
August, 2019
AAUW Georgetown Branch Members,
We hope you are having a wonderful summer. We will be interested to hear about all the interesting adventures you had during the break from our regular meetings.
Your board has met during the summer to begin planning for a great program year and the Finance Committee has drafted a budget for your approval in September. Our three planned fundraisers are: the Kiwanis Garage Sale (October 5), the Duck Race (October 12), and the Style Show (March, date to be announced). We hope you will be able to participate in each event.
One of the first things we need to do is draft a Strategic Plan for next year and set goals for the branch to work toward. Elaine Novak and Terry Whaley are inviting each of you to participate in a planning session on Thursday, August 8 at 6:00 pm in the Keller Williams office at 1003 S. Austin Ave. in Georgetown. Our three areas of emphasis are: Utilizing Resources, Developing Relationships, and Developing Partnerships.
We need your input to set realistic goals, but also to work on what the branch members think is important. We know from the survey we completed earlier this year that scholarships and women’s issues are at the top of the list, but any further guidance you can give the board about your ideas will be very helpful in completing a plan of work. If you cannot participate in the planning session, please feel free to e-mail any ideas or comments to Terry Whaley at whaleyterry@gmail.com or Elaine Novak at enovak12001@yahoo.com.
Our Membership Coffee is on Saturday, August 24 from 10-12 at the Cowan Creek Amenities Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way, in Sun City. Please spread the word to friends, neighbors, colleagues. New members insure the future of the organization, so help recruit women who want to be part of a dynamic organization that works to insure a better educational and employment opportunities for all women.
Looking forward to seeing you in August,
Terry Whaley
Elaine Novak