In this issue...
President's Message
State News:
- Annual Meeting postponed to June 4
- Nominating Committee Report
- Make Your Vote Count
- Why I Donate
- News from the Charitable Trust
National News:
- National's New Member Services Database
- NCCWSL scholarships available
Other News:
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Research
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Education
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Advocacy
Equity
for all
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All volunteer organizations struggle to find new board members with the time, energy, and commitment to carry out their missions, and AAUW is no different. Our AAUW NJ board has tried to pare down the work needed to operate AAUW NJ and maximize the impact of the board members’ work, but still we have exhausted our current board. To try to discover if there is any way to enlist more new board members, the Executive Committee of our board met with branch presidents and other branch leaders to explore the question, “Why should AAUW NJ exist?” See the meeting notes for the full report of this soul-searching discussion.
Thank you nominating committee: Jacqueline McGuinness, Sally Goodson, Carol Cohen, Gail Davis, and unofficially, Pat Baroska, for your continued, diligent efforts to find our next AAUW NJ leaders, and thank you to Sharon Suber and Karen Kaplan who have volunteered to take positions! See the Nominating Committee report below for the slate of directors. HOWEVER, without a new president and treasurer, AAUW NJ will have to cease operations. I would be very sad to see us lose momentum on our state-wide projects such as Tech Trek, the Woman As Agent of Change Award, our diversity and inclusion workshops, voting impact initiatives, and especially the camaraderie of working together with talented women.
What will happen without a state AAUW organization?
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Without AAUW NJ, Equity projects would cease or be left for individual branches, especially projects like Tech Trek, Work Smart, and mentorship programs with local colleges;
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Without AAUW NJ, there would be a lack of unity for public policy issues in New Jersey - state is the best level to serve as an umbrella for public policy issues in New Jersey;
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AAUW NJ board members would no longer provide collective administrative support to branches dealing with National’s systems, and National values input and feedback from AAUW NJ leaders;
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Without AAUW NJ, excellent branch programs and projects would not reach a larger audience;
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Without AAUW NJ, there would no longer be the ability to organize state-wide gatherings - the comradery of state-wide gatherings is important to connect members to AAUW;
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Without AAUW NJ, a state website would not be maintained and a state newsletter would cease. The AAUW NJ Charitable Trust relies on the state website for members and branches to apply for grants.
Because the Executive Committee is still searching for a way to keep at least a minimal AAUW NJ operation going, at least for one more year of recovery from pandemic burnout, we have postponed the Annual Meeting until June 4th, when we have already scheduled an in-person leadership meeting, watch for details in a separate communication. In the meantime, the Executive Committee is meeting on April 4th to plan how to proceed. The full board of directors will be meeting on April 27th to decide on the items of business for the Annual Meeting.
We are happy to report that some branches have begun to meet in-person again. Congratulations to the Northern Monmouth County Branch on your successful interbranch program hosted at Brookdale Community College and shared on Zoom.
Looking forward to seeing you in-person again soon,
Karen Brown, President
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Save the date:
AAUW NJ
Annual Meeting 2022
Saturday, June 4th
10:00 am
The AAUW NJ Annual Meeting is postponed from April 30th to June 4th. Details to follow in a separate announcement.
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Nominating Committee Report
The following are the positions to be elected for the 2022-2024 Fiscal Years:
- President/Co-Presidents: Open
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VP Programs: Karen Kaplan
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VP Membership: Diane Crawford
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VP Communications: Sharon Suber
- Central District Coordinator(s): Open
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Southern District Coordinator: Jackie McGuinness
- Nominating Committee Member (2022-2023)
- North District Representative: Open
- Central District Representative: Open
- South District Representative: Open
Position Continuing 2022-2023:
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Northern District Coordinator: Diane Crawford
Nominations for our open positions will be taken from the floor at our Annual Meeting April 30, 2022. Prior consent of the nominee is required.
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MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
In 2020 a Census was taken in the United States, which resulted in changes to many voting areas. To fully understand these changes, check out the second article in our voting series, Where Do You Go to Vote In Person? on our website.
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Why I Donate
There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm of a 15-year-old! I met Emma three years ago when she interviewed as a rising 8th grader and applicant to Tech Trek, the STEM camp held at Stockton University in conjunction with AAUWNJ. As a young woman interested in marine biology and environmental studies, she was described by her science teacher as inquisitive and motivated, able to take on a leadership role, and a student who could work well collaboratively. I remember her essay well. Pollution and global warming were great concerns and she wanted to be part of the solution to this serious problem.
Emma and I spoke recently about her experience at Stockton and she told me it is something she will never forget - the beautiful lake in early morning, Professional Women’s Night when she got to speak to women who worked in the STEM field, and the lasting friendships she made with like-minded girls. She continues to be interested in STEM activities and is studying chemistry, animal behavior, and space. Her dream would be to attend Stockton University as an undergraduate and continue her studies in science.
I see a great future for Emma and the countless other girls who attended Tech Trek in the past. Your generous donation makes it possible for young women and girls to be exposed to wonderful life changing programs like Tech Trek and put them on a path to achieve their goals in the field of STEM.
Nina Del Collo, Funds Director
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News from Charitable Trust
Grant Program
Congratulations to the AAUW Atlantic County Branch!!
Last month the Charitable Trust awarded a $750 grant to support their “Tutoring for Educational Equity” program. This unique initiative helps women in two underserved groups in Atlantic County to attain their educational goals. It supports prospective teachers of color by helping them pass teacher certification tests, and also supports women who have experienced trafficking or partner violence to pass the GED test for high school proficiency. The grant provides funding for study materials and for test registration fees. The added bonus for the tutoring program is to diversify the teaching force as well as the percentage of high school credentials for women of color. Lastly, the AAUW tutors work collaboratively with other community organizations to identify candidates and to support their other needs.
Equity in education is one of AAUW's key missions. The Trust Grant Committee was impressed with AAUW Atlantic County members’ creativity, compassion, and collaboration in developing this unique mission-based program.
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New National Member Services Database
Continue to be patient as National’s staff works with the vendor of the new database system to iron out the kinks.
Watch for emails of “AAUW Membership Matters” with links to the recordings of the training sessions.
In the meantime, you can reach out to AAUW Connect at connect@aauw.org or call 202.785.7782 weekdays, 10am-5pm ET.
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National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL)
A couple of scholarships to attend AAUW’s National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) are still available from AAUW NJ for students attending a NJ college or university.
NCCWSL is three days of leadership training, inspiration and networking. Students interested in applying for an AAUW NJ scholarship to attend should send their resumes to aauwnj@gmail.com no later than April 22. Accepted applicants will be reimbursed up to $175 upon providing the registration receipt confirming payment.
If you have a candidate and would like to nominate her for a scholarship, email aauwnj@gmail.com and put NCCWSL in the subject line.
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Summer is coming...
Get your AAUW t-shirt today!
AAUW NJ Members...
Please consider branch support and camaraderie, and show off AAUW spirit throughout New Jersey. Our AAUW NJ fundraiser is going strong. Presently we only have selected sizes available. (S, M, XL and 2XL). Ready for immediate mail commitment or pick up can be arranged.
Cost is $20 per shirt
- Will be mailed to you upon receipt of cash or check.
- $5 discount per shirt if picked up (in Howell, NJ).
For questions contact Patricia Baroska, Central District Coordinator, College University Relations.
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If your branch is forwarding the AAUW mission in some way, please share your activities with aauwnj@gmail.com. We want to celebrate you!
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See what's happening on our social sites
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