Recently I bought a book to send to my Granddaughter who is a freshman in college.

It begins with the question:



“Have you ever wondered why you are here?”

That is the question that I often ask myself, whether I am on the golf course, traveling to visit

family, enjoying a new adventure, participating in a meeting, or just sitting still. And now I am

posing that question to you:

Why are you here... a member of the AAUW Greater Naples Branch?

Maybe you have been a member in a previous location or have found a group of women whose

mission aligns with your beliefs, values, and attitudes; perhaps you enjoy the comradery and fun

you have in special interest groups; or the purpose you have in our stellar programs. Whatever

your response, the fact that you are here is the reason that our Branch is thriving. Your

presence at Branch meetings, participating in programs and groups, your ideas and suggestions

are invaluable to the continuation of our success. Above all, the leadership skills that you have

demonstrated in previous experiences are greatly needed as we seek to fulfill elected and

appointed positions on our Board. Please consider sharing these skills we endeavor to fulfill a

succession plan for the future of our organization.

From Jacky Territo, Your President

As the book that I described ends, “And because you are here........anything is possible!!”

From MAYBE. A STORY ABOUT HIDDEN POTENTIAL IN ALL OF US Written by Kobi Yamada

GulfShore Opera General Director Steffanie Pearce to Speak at the Meeting

of the

AAUW Greater Naples Branch on February 3!

The Greater Naples Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) will

meet on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Our keynote speaker will be Founder and General

Director of GulfShore Opera Steffanie Pearce. With over 30 years of experience in the field

of opera, Ms. Pearce is a producer, director, performer and teacher of the great art form.

Before focusing her energy on producing and directing opera, Ms. Pearce enjoyed a long

international singing career.

The meeting will be held at the Collier County Education Association, 6710 Lone Oak Blvd.,

Naples, FL 34109, off Airport-Pulling Road. Registration and refreshments are at 9:30 a.m.

and the program and meeting are from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

Happy New Year – 2024

Membership for our AAUW GNB stands, at this point, at 89.

Several events have been planned, beginning with MLK Day on January 15 th .

We would like to reach out to those who show interest in AAUW at our table,

( along with our Greater Naples Branch Rally Sign) during the MLK Parade.

Those who sign up will be given Wristbands, along with trifolds and candy.

A report of the MLK Day event, stated a lot of conversations was transpired.

Eighteen people signed up for further contact and the Foundation can expect

some perspective scholarship candidates.

We would like to thank all the support we had from the members, and from - Ardel Nelson,

Laura Candris, Linda Epstein, Denny Maguire, Rose Di Blasio and Nancy Dick.

Membership Director, Chris Basler, feels that we have made our presence in the community

known and that our branch will grow because of today’s event.

Also, a tea for new members and people who expressed interest in our organization is being

planned sometime in February.

Thanks to all!

Bonnie Butcheri

2023 Tax Deductible Donations

Dues: $69 or $34.50 (Shaping the Future members)

Donations: AAUW Fund, Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, AAUW Florida Tech Trek. Acknowledgement notices have been sent.

Note: In-kind and monetary donations (including the holiday auction) to the AAUW Greater Naples Branch are not tax deductible.



Public Policy: Schools and Libraries in the Crosshairs

Interested in Public Policy? We need one or two new directors to lead our committee for the next

two years, beginning July 1, 2024. For more information, please contact Carol Light.

Also, the Public Policy committee is forming a subcommittee on education to monitor our local

school board and advocate when needed to ensure our public schools promote quality learning

experiences, academic freedom, and compliance with Title IX and other laws. This

subcommittee will also focus on public post-secondary education, which was radically changed

last year by new legislation designed to eliminate tenure, women’s studies, Black history

courses, diversity training, and DEI considerations in personnel actions.

The Collier County public schools recently earned an “A” rating from the state for the seventh

year in a row. However, in November, 313 books were removed from CCPS libraries and

classrooms in accordance with HB 1069 passed last year. On a more positive note, in December,

after months of discussion, the Collier County School Board voted 3-2 not to move ahead with

an invocation at board meetings, which currently begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and a

moment of silence.

Meanwhile, the Collier County Board of Commissions voted in October to immediately cancel

our libraries’ membership in the American Library Association (ALA) due to political and other

concerns voiced by a member of the Florida Citizen’s Alliance and “Moms for DeSantis.”

Collier became the third Florida county to do so.

Sign up to receive emails from AAUW and become a Two-Minute Activist at

https://www.aauw.org/act/two-minute-activist/.

If you would like to join our education subcommittee or have any questions, please contact Carol

Light, Public Policy Director.

The Great Decisions group will meet on Monday, February 5, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the North Collier

Government Center community room at 2335 Orange Blossom Drive (behind the headquarters

library). This month’s topic is Mideast realignment.

If you are interested in learning more about the group, please contact Carol Light.

The Non-Fiction Book Club's

next meetings are:

- February 22, 2:00 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Book selection: The Great

Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration by Jake Bittle, 368 pages.

Discussion leader: Carol Light.

- March 25, 2:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Book selection: to be determined.

- April 22, 2:00 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Book selection: to be determined.

If you need further information, contact Karen Clegg, at her e-mail address or phone number listed in the Member's Directory.

   National's workshop to facilitate salary negotiations and help close the wage gap will once again be held at the FGCU campus. Date is March 19 and the time is usually 3pm and location to be decided. If you are interested in getting trained to present or you just want to watch, contact Judith MacGregor jamacgregor101@gmail.com or Jeannine Stetson jstetson@naplestrustcompany.com 



The Friday Book Group will meet, February 9, 2024 discuss Trust, by Herman Diaz. Contact Susan Becker for information and details.

The STEAM committee is in need of someone who is comfortable with spreadsheets.

She will receive and compile the registrations for our 5th grade girls for the 2025

STEAM program.

We have a template already, so the job is very straightforward.

It needs to be somebody who is in Naples during December and January.

Please contact Charmaine Klein or Nancy Beights

Our precious 5th Grade girls will thank you!

February Gathering

Thursday February 15 at 5:30

Judith MacGregor’s condo in Bonita Bay

We will make an easy keepsake bracelet, or just watch and enjoy,

and take one of Judith’s.

$20 covers the cost of supplies, dinner and drinks.

Food and Beverages will be provided,

so bring your fun self and enjoy the fabulous view.

RSVP to Judith by noon Wednesday 2/14,

who will answer your questions and provide details.