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The Keystoner
Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Volume 82, No.3 SEPT. 2014
Leader Log
Dot McLane, AAUW-PA President
You know a good leader when you see one. But sometimes you fail to see the good leader in yourself. What qualities make a good leader? That’s difficult to say. If you google leadership skills you will come back with hundreds of workshops on how to build your skills, but no one can capture all that a good leader is in a few skills, those intangible qualities. We all have leadership qualities in us, different ones surely, but we all have the potential to be leaders none-the-less. Being a leader does not necessarily mean becoming an elected officer or committee chair, it is more about a personal style that demonstrates your commitment, your passion, your dedication to what you believe in.
So why do our branches and states often struggle with finding someone to be that leader? Perhaps you have been asked to take on a leadership role and you have been reluctant to do so for fear of the time commitment or been there done that, or maybe you don’t feel you can do a good job. I’m asking you that the next time you are asked, to consider it carefully, don’t automatically say no, think about the difference you can make, the impact you can bring to the role, and ask yourself how important is AAUW to you? AAUW needs all its leaders if our organization is to sustain itself and grow. Say yes, share your talents, dare to lead.
October 18th District Meetings Focus on Common Core Curriculum and Pay Equity
Branches, mark your calendars! There will be three fall district meetings across the state, all planned for Saturday, October 18th. To double-check the district your branch is located in, the district list is included on page 4.
District meetings provide a chance for branches to exchange ideas, and learn more about the AAUW-PA priority issues for this year—Economic Sufficiency/Pay Equity and Education/Common Core Curriculum. Lunch will be included and reservations are required. For meeting details, visit http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/branches/, or contact your district coordinator:
Central District—Cathy Wieland, [email protected] Eastern District—Martha Czop, [email protected]
Western District—Nancy Weinstein, [email protected] Cheryl Towers, [email protected]
Serving AAUW Branches Throughout Pennsylvania
http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/
July Retreat Focus: Fundraising Policies and
Advocacy Coalition Partners Seventy-one AAUW members from across the state attended the AAUW-PA July 12th retreat in Lewisburg.
Laura Stepp McNulty, AAUW National, led an informative discussion on the newly revised fundraising policies for branches. She proved to be a good listener, and adept at answering any and all questions. Her presentation is available at http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/files/2012/02/Fundraising-Policies-and-Guidelines-Laura-Stepp-July-2014.pdf. Complete policy guidelines are available at http://www.aauw.org/resource/frcpolicies/.
Deborah Swerdlow (right), AAUW Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator, focused on how AAUW branches can educate and mobilize their members to take action on AAUW’s advocacy priorities, and Tam St. Claire and Nancy Morrill of the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition discussed the value of building coalition partners. To view their presentations: http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/files/2012/02/Coalitions-for-AAUW-PA-Summer-2014.pdf. State Public Policy Chairs
Deb Swerdlow energized the group with her remarks.
Laura Stepp McNulty, AAUW VP of Annual Giving, updated the branches on national fundraising policies.
(see RETREAT, page 4)
Page 2 The Keystoner
AAUW-PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Dot McLane
Program Vice President Talat Azhar
Membership Co-VP Linda Tozier
Membership Co-VP Jackie Heaney
Secretary Susan Norris
Finance Officer Susan Donahue
Administrative Director & Keystoner Distribution
Patricia Byerly [email protected]
District Coordinator (Central) Cathy Wieland
District Coordinator (East) Marcie Czop
District Co-Coordinators (West) Cheryl Towers
Nancy Weinstein [email protected]
College/University Liaison Deb Roney
AAUW-PA Funds Chair Rosemary Baker
Keystoner Editor Connie Schroeder
Public Policy Co-Chair Toni Hoffman
Public Policy Co-Chair Susan McNamara
(See BOARD, page 3)
Talat Azhar Resumes AAUW-PA VP Post
Since Michele Buford’s election as 2014-2016 Program Vice President at the AAUW-PA annual meeting this spring, she has resigned for personal reasons. Best wishes, Michele.
Outgoing Program VP Talat Azhar (State College Branch) has graciously agreed to resume her post for one more year. Talat’s primary responsibility is to plan the program for the annual meeting, which will be held next in State College in April, 2015. She welcomes programming suggestions and help. She may be reached at [email protected]. Welcome back to the AAUW-PA board, Talat.
AAUW-PA Testifies at Pay Equity Hearing
AAUW-PA was pleased to provide testimony on pay equity at a hearing of the Democratic Policy Committee on July 30, 2014 in City Council Chambers at City Hall in Philadelphia. The hearing was called by Representative Maria Donatucci and Representative Erin Molchany for legislators from across the Commonwealth as they consider two bills that amend Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law passed in 1959 which prohibits discrimination in rate of pay.
HB 1250 raises fines on employers who violate the provisions of the act. HB1890 prohibits wage differentials based on sex and firing an employee for lodging a complaint of unequal pay or disclosing their amount of pay. Barbara Price testified for AAUW-PA. Others testifying were Terry Froman, Managing Attorney of the Women's Law Project, Caryn Hunt, President, Pennsylvania Chapter of NOW, and Natalie Sabadish, Research Analyst at Keystone Research Center.
AAUW Levittown-Lower Bucks Branch member Barbara Price (center) with Representative Mary Jo Daley of Montgomery County and Brian Sims of Philadelphia, co-sponsors of HB 1890 before the Democratic Party Committee Hearing. Representative Daley is a new member of AAUW.
Significant Branch Anniversaries July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015
Pittsburgh—120 years (1895)
Beaver Valley—85 years(4/16/1930)
Butler—80 years (10/29/1934)
Allentown—75 years (1939)
Fox Chapel Area—55 years (1959)
West Chester—55 years (12/1959)
Branches celebrating a milestone anniversary: please send your celebration
plans to [email protected]. We’d love to pass them along.
Page 3 Volume 82, Number 3
AAUW-PA Vision
AAUW-PA will be a welcoming and
inclusive organization that serves as a
significant resource and powerful
advocate for Pennsylvania branches
and members in their work toward
achieving AAUW’s mission and vision.
(BOARD, from page 2)
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Bylaws & Nominations Chair Barbara Price
Conference Coordinator & Archives Committee Chair
Linda Robbins [email protected]
Social Media- Visibility Coordinator
OPEN*
Immediate Past President Margaret McGrath
aauwpaimmediatepastpresident @gmail.com
OFF-BOARD POSITIONS
Conference Registrar Sherry Crassweller
Annual Meeting Yearbook Kathy Quinn
Outstanding Woman Chair Suzanne Kerlin
Website Coordinator OPEN*
Leader on Loan Program Dot McLane/Pat Byerly, above
*If you are interested in filling an OPEN position on the AAUW-PA board, contact Dot McLane, [email protected].
Putting the Fun in Fundraising
Rosemary Baker, AAUW-PA Funds
As you plan your branch programming for the year, and as you think of AAUW Funds, think of FUNdraising. Combining fundraising with mission-based program and community outreach, you’ll be able to accomplish multiple goals. To follow are a few ideas to consider.
HOST A MOVIE —You can use film to educate your community and introduce them to your AAUW branch through www.Tugg.com. Tugg secures the theater for you, determines the number of tickets that need to be sold, and helps you promote your event. You could partner with another branch or community organization to sponsor such an event. Two film recommendations are The Invisible War and Miss Representation.
HAVE A PARTY! — Ask members to host a get-together in their home over wine and appetizers, with a suggested donation to AAUW Funds.
AUTHORS’ LUNCHEON — Invite local authors to share their background and latest book(s) over lunch. Ticket sales would include a donation to AAUW funds, and more funds could be raised through door prizes or silent auctions.
With the exception of one 501(c)(4) fund, all contributions to AAUW Funds are fully tax deductible and you can donate online at www.aauw.org/contribute/. As you think of AAUW Funds think of FUNdraising. For more fundraising ideas: visit:
http://www.aauw.org/resource/fundraising-ideas/
AAUW Fellowship Recipients Announced
Congratulations to the following Pennsylvania women who have been offered AAUW National Fellowships for 2014/2015. We hope branches will reach out and welcome recipients living nearby.
American Fellowships —Sarah Bishop, University of Pittsburgh —Britney Brinkman, Chatham University —Dana Cuomo, Penn State University —Deirdre Kelleher, Temple University —Yun Li, University of Pennsylvania —Shatema Threadcraft, University of PA
Career Development Grants —Niken Astari-Carpenter, Penn State University —Jasmine Jones, University of Pennsylvania —Adrienne Muth , Carnegie Mellon University —Megan Smith , Reading Hospital School of Health Science —Linda Tapsell, Drexel University
International Fellowships —Marina Kudasova, Lehigh University
AAUW Fellowship Office: (202) 728-7602, [email protected]
Statewide Education Resolution Group to Meet
The Education White Paper Study Group that formed during the 2014 Annual Meeting is holding discussions regionally throughout the fall. The resolution was printed in the last Keystoner on page 3: http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/files/2012/02/AAUW
-PA-Keystoner-E-News-May-2014-2.pdf
We will meet in State College on November 8th, 10am—2pm, at the Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen Street. Contact Martha Czop, [email protected] if you plan to attend. There will be a status update, discussion of priorities, and a plan for moving forward. Education Policy Leadership Center president Ron Cowell will speak and serve as a resource. All interested AAUW-PA members are invited to attend.
Page 4 The Keystoner
AAUW Summer Retreat Memories
Linda Robbins (Allentown) found the perfect license plate for her trip to the AAUW-PA board meeting.
Tam St. Claire and Nancy Morrill from the Bucks County Advocacy Coalition attended the meeting, and Tam built a strong case for the power of forming coalitions. Left, Nancy visits with AAUW-PA board member Susan Donahue (Lansdale).
Dot McLane (Lansdale) led the first meeting of her 2014-2016 term as AAUW-PA president.
Central District Carlisle
Clearfield Area Gettysburg Harrisburg
Huntingdon Lebanon Valley
Lock Haven State College
Towanda York
Eastern District Allentown Bethlehem Doylestown
Eastern Delaware County Easton
Hazleton Lansdale
Levittown-Lower Bucks Makefield Area
NE Montgomery County Philadelphia Pocono Area
Pottstown Area Reading Scranton
Valley Forge West Chester-Chester
County Western District
Beaver Valley Bradford
Butler California
Erie Fox Chapel Area Greensburg Area
Indiana Johnstown
Murrysville Area North Hills-McKnight
Pittsburgh Washington
http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/files/2012/02/20140724-All-
Attending an AAUW-PA fall meeting
means building connections.
Representatives from 23 branches attended the summer retreat.
Levittown-Lower Buck Branch members, Martha Czop and Barbara Price, joined the state board this summer. Martha is the new Eastern District coordinator, and Barbara is the Bylaws & Nominations Chair.
Left, Billie Willits and Sally Kalin, both of State College, discuss some of the new ideas presented at the meeting.
Right, Johnstown Branch attendees Georgia Yeager and Barb Zaborowski enjoy a light moment at the meeting.
It was a good, info-packed day!
(RETREAT, page 1) Toni Hoffman and Susan McNamara discussed state priorities and the Impact Grant.
Page 5 Volume 82, Number 3
2014-15 AAUW-PA PUBLIC POLICY Toni Hoffman and Susan McNamara, AAUW-PA Public Policy Co-chairs
AAUW-PA is honored to have been awarded an AAUW National Impact Grant Award for a third time. As women and members of AAUW, some of us fear that too much testing is harming the love of learning we want schools to inspire in our grandchildren, boys and girls. We wonder whether daughters everywhere will ever earn the salaries that provide for good child care or even a decent retirement.
We understand the degree to which public policy decisions can be affected by voter turn-out. The priority issues of this year’s AAUW-PA Impact Grant—Economic Sufficiency/Pay Equity and Education/Common Core Curriculum—and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) speak directly to these concerns. The grant provides for programs, events, and projects that will inform our understanding of the issues, encourage our collaboration with organizations and individuals sharing our goals, and prepare us to advocate for those public policies and legislation that will effect change. (see PUBLIC POLICY, page 8)
Barbara Price, AAUW-PA Nominations Chair
AAUW-PA is seeking nominations for the following officers to fill 2015-2017 terms on the State Board, except for the position of Program Vice-President which will be a one year term for 2015-2016. Program Vice-President: Responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and reporting mission-based programming activities, and building connections between the components of AAUW programming. Membership Vice President: Responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and reporting membership activities and supporting branches and their efforts to maintain and grow membership. Secretary: Responsible for keeping the official records of the state including all meetings of the state, the board of directors, and the executive committee. Finance Officer: Responsible for planning, directing, and documenting the financial matters of the State and preparing a proposed annual budget for approval at the summer board meeting.
The state board meets four times annually: in July, October, January, and at April’s State Convention or Annual Meeting. Board expenses for attendance at meetings are paid by AAUW-PA.
To apply for any of these positions, please complete the Candidate Application which is posted on the AAUW-PA website and return it with a photo to Barbara Price, [email protected] (e-mail is preferred) or send to 133 Liberty Drive, Langhorne, PA, 19047 by October 1, 2014. To recommend a candidate, get a copy of the form or obtain more information, contact Barbara Price by e-mail or at (215) 943-7110 (home) or (215) 208-1475 (cell).
AAUW-PA Call for
At the AAUW-PA summer retreat, Susan McNamara, AAUW-PA Public Policy Co-chair, offered ways for branches to include public policy in programming. Mini-grant applications are available at http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/advocate/, and are due September 12th.
Amanda Holt Update: Rollercoaster Ride
In 2012, we shared the inspiring story of Amanda Holt, whose research led to a Supreme Court decision that changed state legislative districts across Pennsylvania. For her efforts, Amanda was recognized this May with a Public Service Achievement Award from Common Cause. Since the first ruling, the PA Supreme Court ruled that “there was insufficient evidence to show unconstitutionality in the redistricting maps drawn by the Reapportionment Commission (LRC).” While Amanda commented that “it is undeniably disappointing that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court failed to rule the LRC’s final plan unconstitutional,” she still finds positives from the experience. Learn more at www.AmandaE.com.
An Allentown resident, Amanda recently applied to become a Lehigh County Commissioner when a seat became vacant, with seventeen months left to serve. Although she has never held an elected office, Amanda was chosen over fifteen other candidates, including three former county commissioners and several other candidates with experience as elected municipal leaders. Read more:
http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/amanda-holt-of-upper-macungie-appointed-lehigh-county-commissioner/26876944
The Keystoner Page 6
BLAST from the PAST Linda Robbins, AAUW-PA Archives Chair
As I sort and organize the records and
documents of AAUW-PA, I have noticed
gaps in the data and also board and branch
members have asked if I have located a
particular item. After a board discussion, we
have decided to challenge the board and
membership to locate these “lost souls.”
As branch members, you can assist us in our
endeavor. Many past state officers are no
longer members of AAUW, have moved or
passed on. As dedicated members, please
contact these women, or their spouses or
children, to learn if they have any AAUW
material. We will transfer these materials
back to state archives, to fill in the gaps.
Our history is rich and we are working hard
to fill in the gaps and to keep the memories
alive for current and future members. We
will all be enriched by your attempts.
ARCHIVES MYSTERY: Buried in our AAUW-PA archives, we found this photo from a past branch book sale. Please contact Linda Robbins, [email protected], if you can identify the women or the branch!
Deb Roney, AAUW-PA College/University Liaison
Fall is the perfect time to be connecting with college students in your area. To follow are some ways to connect and work with colleges, community colleges, and universities (C/Us). First, get the name of the C/U representative from the state C/U liaison ([email protected]) or find a contact through offices such as the Provost, Dean of Students, Women’s Studies, etc.
SHORT-TERM: Share AAUW membership benefits: http://www.aauw.org/
membership/college-university-partner/for-students/. Share information about National Conference of College Women
Student Leaders (www.nccwsl.org) and AAUW-PA scholarships (http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/connect/collegesuniversities/).
Offer students free or reduced-price branch memberships.
For a list of longer-term ideas for joint programming and collaborations with college students and groups, visit http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/connect/collegesuniversities/#college and/or contact Deb Roney, C/U Liaison, [email protected].
AAUW-PA Student Advisory Group to Form Plans are underway for an AAUW-PA Advisory Council, composed of college students who will serve as AAUW ambassadors to their schools, advise the AAUW-PA board on the needs of college students, and lead gender equality projects on their campuses. A small committee of branch members will coordinate the activities of council and mentor them. Stay tuned for details in the next Keystoner.
New College/University Players
Lock Haven University—Co-presidents of Lock Haven University’s student AAUW organization, Tiffany Stamm and Felicia Baker (right), lead a group of sixty women students. They sponsored a Smart Start workshop at LHU this April.
Penn State University, University Park An AAUW student organization has also formed at Penn State, University Park, and plans are underway to sponsor a Smart Start workshop this fall. Contact club president Jordan Glover, [email protected] for details.
AAUW-PA Student Blog Let’s talk about it!
Check out our new AAUW-PA Student Blog: http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/category/students/
College
Page 7 Volume 82, Number 3
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Lebanon Valley
On October 20th, our branch will host a program on Title IX, which will be targeted towards
school boards, branch and community members. We are excited!
AAUW State College Branch member Peg Pennepacker is our guest speaker, and will discuss the importance of Title IX at the high school
level. Peg is the Athletic Director of State College Area School District. She has been an athletic director for 23 years, and is an advocate for Title IX at the high school level. She serves as the Title IX consultant for the Pennsylvania Athletic Directors Association.
In addition to the impact that Title IX has had on athletics, it has opened educational opportunities that were previously closed to women. Join us for this engaging and lively program.
Contact Cathy Wieland for the program time and location at [email protected].
—Cathy Wieland
WESTERN DISTRICT
Fox Chapel
For the past six years, our branch has awarded the Chatham Women Ready to Lead Career Launching Awards to up to three women seniors at Chatham College. Recipients of the $1,000 grants must to be in good academic standing (3.0 G.P.A.), majoring in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics), and demonstrating financial need, as determined by the college financial aid office. This year’s grant recipients were all active in campus organizations and activities, worked or had research experience in a STEM field, and found time for volunteering. Helping these women, who have demonstrated career goals in STEM, at a time when they are in need of a boost to begin their careers or further their education, was our goal in developing these awards.
—Nancy Weinstein
Branch Bits and Pieces
Submissions for Branch Bits and Pieces are welcome! Please send to [email protected].
EASTERN DISTRICT
Lansdale
This spring, our branch honored two members for their outstanding contributions to the branch.
Jan Westcott, a 50-year member, joined in 1974 as a young mother. Jan taught school for 39 years, chaired the branch fundraising book sale and participated in many interest groups and activities.
In 2012, Jan suggested a new fundraising event, the Vacation, Dinner and Entertainment Auction, which became a successful fundraiser. This year, it raised $10,000 for scholarships.
This spring, 40-year member Carolyn Murphy received the first Branch Lifetime Achievement Award. Over a long teaching career, Carolyn taught in Chicago, Nashville and then Lansdale.
Carolyn has initiated and participated in many branch programs, has been active in branch fundraisers and served as branch Program Vice President and President. In 2012, she helped plan and execute a gala 50th anniversary celebration for our Branch.
—Lee Wolfe
Mark Your Calendar
September 15-30 AAUW-PA Conversations with branches
Saturday, October 11 International Day of the Girl—http://dayofthegirl.org/
Thursday, October 16 PA Conference for Women, PA Convention Center—Philadelphia paconferenceforwomen.org
Saturday, October 18th AAUW-PA District Meetings—see page 1.
AAUW-PA Keystoner Quarterly Newsletter
Your branch news is vital to the success and impact of this quarterly newsletter. Please send your AAUW news and views to Connie Schroeder: [email protected]
AAUW NATIONAL Phone: (800) 326-2289 Web: www.aauw.org/ E-mail: [email protected]
AAUW PENNSYLVANIA www.aauw-pa.aauw.net/ http://twitter.com/aauwpa
Stories Due: Nov. 1 Feb. 1 May 1
Publish Date: Dec. 1 Mar. 1 June 1
The Keystoner
Website Submissions Please send submissions for the AAUW-PA website to Patricia Byerly, [email protected].
Reporting an Address Change
E-newsletter Subscribers: E-mail address changes should be sent to the person in your branch who manages the e-mail list.
Paper Subscribers: Address changes for paper newsletter subscribers should be sent to Patricia Byerly at [email protected].
Paper or Electronic Keystoners? We continue to improve upon our Keystoner distribution, and from here forward, branch president(s) will receive an electronic copy of the Keystoner, to distribute to branch e-subscribers, and one paper copy for photocopying.
Please review and send your updated list
of paper newsletter subscribers with addresses to Patricia Byerly, [email protected] by October 1st. Paper newsletters will not be sent to members of branches who have not supplied the list by this date. Thank you!
(PUBLIC POLICY, from page 5)
Branches have already received applications for Mini-Impact Grant awards to help support these goals. Mini-grants will be for $100 each, and we plan to award them to ten branches. We encourage members to get involved now with planning branch public policy projects. Look for Save the Date notices about district meetings that promise quality programs and will energize all the branch initiatives on this year’s public policy issues. Plan to attend! Check out Impact Grant updates, resource lists, and tips on tools available on AAUW-Pennsylvania’s website under the Public Policy tab: http://aauw-pa.aauw.net/advocate/.
Whether your branch is large or small, has been in the past very active in the area of public policy or not, we hope you’ll help us reach the 2014-2015 Public Policy Goal of having every AAUW-PA branch sponsor at least one Public Policy issue related event or activity this year.
Use what women earn in your county to plan a Pay Equity event this year!