President’s Message
AAUW NC Annual Meeting Highlights
A. 15 branches in attendance, 3 fellows, 2 Jacksonville attendees – JoAnn and Connie
B. Amendments to by-laws: 1) President and Branch Advocate elected in odd years, Vice-president and Treasurer elected in even years; 2) nominating committee will be eliminated and those duties will be handled by the presidents’ council
C. Passed a Resolution of Commitment to Ratify ERA-NC and to commit $500 to their efforts
D. The White City by John Claude Bemis was awarded the NC Juvenile Literature Award 2012. AAUW NC purchased copies to be given to each branch’s public library. The White City is the third book in a trilogy that is geared to 5th grade through middle school readers. Mr. Bemis’ first book in the trilogy, Nine Pound Hammer won this award in 2010.
E. AAUW National updates from Julia Brown, Director-at-Large: 1) LAF supported 11 cases/committed $100,000 in legal support in 2012; 2) $4.3 million was awarded to 278 recipients in fellowships and grants (3 spoke at our meeting); 3) 125th anniversary of Education Foundation; 4) new AAUW logo now appearing on all materials (see above); 5) “It’s My Vote” now moves to keep electees accountable.
F. Fall regional meetings being planned for late September/early October. (Wilmington closest to Jacksonville. Details TBA.)
G. Branch projects: Letters to the editor re AAUW, who we are, what we do, issues that matter to us
H. National Convention in New Orleans: June 9-13. Want to go? www.aauw.org
I. Wine and Wisdom: Branches had bragging rights detailing their neat projects, big fundraisers & clever ideas.
What a great meeting! The central location was convenient for all members. Meals were delicious, topics were helpful. Updates from National reps Julia Brown and Deborah Swerdlow were timely. Most appreciated was the opportunity to reconnect with members from across the state. If you have questions about any of the issues mentioned, I will gladly answer them at our next gathering.
– JoAnn
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OUR NEXT MEETING: April 22, 3:30 p.m. – EARTH DAY! We will be cleaning up Richard Ray All-American Park in the Commons. WEAR: Comfortable clothes, shoes, hat. BRING: Gardening gloves, “grabber” if you have one, plastic grocery bags (easier to carry), snacks/water for yourself. DIRECTIONS: Take Western Blvd. to the Marine Chevrolet/Toys-R-Us intersection. Turn onto Gateway South. Take the next left on Commons Drive. Parking for the park is immediately on your left. There is a restroom and shaded area for your comfort.
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YOU ARE INVITED: The Onslow Literacy Council cordially invites you to attend their ribbon cutting on Saturday, April 20, 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. Their new location is 200 Valencia Drive, Jacksonville. We regularly contribute books to their library and auction items to their fundraisers. Contact Connie for more information: 910-346-8223 or cgo@ec.rr.com .
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2013 MEETING DATES AND PROGRAMS*
April 22, 3:30 p.m. – Earth Day – Clean-up at Richard Ray All-American Park, the Commons, Jacksonville. Details above.
May – Jacksonville Regional Branch Annual Meeting. Details TBA.
June 9-13 – AAUW Biennial Convention, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA. Former Senator Olympia Snowe will receive the 2013 AAUW Achievement Award in New Orleans and you can be there! The third longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, Snowe earned nationwide recognition as a leading policy maker in the U. S. Senate. In addition to receiving the award, Snowe will sign copies of her memoir, Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress (Weinstein Books).
*Locations will be announced closer to the meeting date.
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REMINDER: Our branch website is available 24 hours a day with our branch newsletters, current and past, and the latest information on what we are doing. So if you accidentally erase this e-mail, don’t worry. We are still here! Go to www.jacksonville.aauwnc.org .