SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY MAY 19th
AAUW GOLF TOURNAMENT and BUFFET DINNER
Come and join the branch fundraiser! Our 3rd annual Golf Tournament and Buffet dinner is set to take place at theQueensbury Country Club, 907 State Route 149, Lake George on Saturday, May 19th! Tee off will start at 10:00 am, entry fee is $80.00 ($58.00 for Queensbury C.C. members) and includes greens fees, cart, prizes and buffet dinner. The Putting Contest will be available throughout the day - try your skill for $5.00. There will also be a Silent Auction. If you are not a golfer, we invite you to come for the Buffet Dinner, which will start about 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! The cost is $30.00, which includes a beef, chicken, and pasta entré, salad, vegetable, dessert, and coffee.
The registration form for the Golf Tournament and for the Buffet Dinner are available online or contact me. Please note that golf and dinner reservations are due by May 7th!! If anyone is available to help out the day of the tournament, please call Jan Ritter. Jan Ritter, Tournament Chair
THURSDAY, MAY 31 - BRANCH BANQUET
Please join us in celebrating another year's accomplishments at our Annual
Dinner Meeting, which will be held on Thursday, May 31 at
6:00 pm at the Fort William Henry Hotel, Canada St., Lake George.
All are welcome to attend, including members, spouses, and friends. Social
time will be from 6:00 to 6:30 pm. Dinner will begin at 6:30 pm. The
Awards Presentations and Installation of Officers will follow dessert.
The Program Planning meeting will be held on Monday, June 4th at 9:00 am at the home of Anne Horwitz. ALL MEMBERS are welcome to attend and share their suggestions for programs for our monthly meetings next year. If you can’t attend and have an idea or question, please phone or email one of the Program Co-Chairs: Anne Horwitz or Jan Ritter. If you would like, bring a bag lunch in case the meeting goes beyond noon.
SUMMER PICNIC PLANNED - WEDNESDAY, JULY 18
Please save the date, Wednesday, July 18th, at 4:00 pm, for our AAUW summer picnic. This year it will again be held at Cindy Farbaniec’s home, 38 Bluebird Way, Bolton Landing. All members, spouses, and friends are welcome! Please call Cindy by July 12th if you plan on attending. Let her know if you’ll be bringing a main course, a salad, or a dessert to share. We will serve a ‘potluck’ dinner at 5:30 pm.
It’s easy to get to Cindy’s home: Take the Northway to Exit 22, then proceed north on Lake Shore Drive (Rt. 9N) approximately 7.5 miles. Watch for a cemetery, then the Villa Napoli Restaurant. Turn right onto Bluebird Way and follow the road to the lake.
Hope to see you all there.
BOARD NOTES
The May Board Meeting is scheduled for THURSDAY, May 17th at 3:00 pm in the Community Room of Crandall Public Library. If you cannot attend, please notify Myrna Jantson or Ann Mathewson.
Please give or send any yearbook updates to Emily O'Hare, Membership Co-Vice President.
Myrna Jantson, Co-President
NEED A RIDE TO BRANCH EVENTS?
Do you need a ride to any of our meetings? Please contact your Membership Co-VPs, Emily and Doris. We will make arrangements for car pooling. Please do not hesitate to call us. This is a WONDERFUL way to meet new people and to get better acquainted with those whom you might have already met. Try this out, but remember, we need a little time to make arrangements. Emily O'Hare & Doris Stoll
The 70th NYS AAUW Convention was held at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa in Rochester, NY on April 20-22. Our branch was well-represented by Co-Presidents Myrna Jantson and Ann Mathewson, as well as by Board Members Jan Ritter, Nan Scinta, and Doris Stoll.
The keynote speaker was Kathy Helm, a former Major in the Army Nurse Corps who has an MA in Healthcare Administration as well as an Army Medal of Commendation. Currently Maj. Helm serves as the chair of the AAUW Action Fund Lobby Corps in the U.S. Capital, as well as serving as President of the Capital Hill AAUW Branch.
Another impressive speaker, Dot McLane, AAUW Director-at-Large, gave an informative speech on “AAUW's Impact on the Past, Present and the Future.” Jane Roberts, Co-Founder of 34 Million Friends of UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], an American grassroots organization which supports global family planning and reproductive health initiatives, started her grassroots movement in 2002 in order to improve the health, education, and human rights of the World's women and girls. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. Ms. Roberts shared some of her experiences during her presentation. (We were fortunate to have her at our dinner table the evening prior to her presentation.)
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY, D-28th Dist), Chairwoman of the influential House Committee on Rules, one of the most powerful women in the U.S. House of Representatives AND the first woman in history to hold this position, was scheduled to give the Keynote Address Saturday evening. Unfortunately, a freak accident seriously incapacitated her. A colleague of hers, Congresswoman Kathy Hobul (NY, D - 26th Dist.), graciously spoke to the audience in her stead.
The theme of the Convention, "The Future of the Women's History Trail," featured several speakers, who discussed the numerous contributions of Susan B. Anthony, Harriett Tubman, and Elizabeth Gage.
The NYS Convention also offered many workshops. These included: The Haudenosaunee ( Iroquois) Influence on early American Feminists; Harriett Tubman, Champion of Freedom; Uncrowned Queens; Elizabeth Cady Stanton Lived and Worked Here; Chautauqua Women: Inspiration and Influence on Chautauqua and the Nation; Seneca Army Depot, Peace Encampment, The Temp Economy: From Kelly Girls to Permtemps; and Clean Money, Clean Elections.
We attended the optional Susan B. Anthony House Tour on Friday, April 20th. Deborah Hughes, executive director of the Susan B. Anthony House in Rochester, was our guide. Ms. Hughes gave a timeline of Ms. Anthony’s life, spoke about Susan’s relationship with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and concluded with a ‘light’ discussion about the importance of a woman's purse.
During the Convention the NYS Election of Officers was held. The following were elected for the 2012 - 2013 term: President: Mary Lou Davis ( Poughkeepsie Branch), Program VP: Melissa Guardaro (Rockland County Branch) and Educational Opportunities Fund VP: Doris A. McLallen ( Jefferson County Branch).
Finally, there were also some changes made to the NYS AAUW By-Laws: The EOF VP and the LAF VP will be merged and will become the AAUW Funds VP. An LAF Director will be elected. There will not be an EOF VP nor an LAF VP beginning with 2013. Myrna Jantsen, 2011-2012 Co-President
EQUAL PAY / PUBLIC POLICY DAY
It has been reported that women in New York State, on average, earn less than $0.83 for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. Nationally women earn $0.77 for every dollar earned by their male counterparts!
On April 17, Myrna Jantson, Jan Ritter, Lita Phelps, and Nancy Hill attended the Equal Pay / Public Policy Day in Albany, NY. There, some 28 members of various NYS AAUW branches heard from NYS Assemblywomen, Ellen Jaffee (D, 95th Dist.) and Addie Russell (D, 118th Dist.). The key issue they addressed was PAY EQUITY!
AAUW members had scheduled appointments with Assembly and Senate Representatives. The Adirondack Branch met with Sen. Betty Little and Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward to ask them to spearhead “Pay Equity” to the floor for action.
OUTCOMES of that visit:
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo proclaimed April 17, 2012 as Equal Pay Day in the State of New York;
Assembly Speaker, Sheldon Silver, joined with Assemblyman Wright, Chair of the Labor Comm., and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee to mark National Pay Equity Day by passing legislation aimed at ending discrimination in the workplace.
Four bills were passed by the Assembly including 1) the NYS Fair Pay Act, which raised the NYS minimum wage to $8.50/hour; 2) & 3) bills to implement state / federal policy of fair and equal pay for equivalent value of work; 4).a bill which directs the president of the Curl Service Commission to study and publish a report evaluating public employers’ wage disparities related to job titles segregated by gender, race, and/or national origin of the employees bearing that title! Nancy Hill, Branch Equity Director
AAUW OUTLINES PRIORITIES, RECOMMENDATIONS WITH NEW FEDERAL POLICY AGENDA
Top policy goals include fair pay and educational and workplace opportunities
Linda Hallman, CAE, Exec. Director of AAUW, stated, “...Given the nation’s ongoing economic struggles, there is no better time to capitalize on the unique strengths of women as workers and caregivers. Investing in women is smart economics as we are the crucial drivers of the countries financial recovery. Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations added, “ . . .women are clear about [the economy and job creation. They] make up more than half the workforce, and as such, are an important part of the 21st-century economy. . .”
Some of the highlights from AAUW’s 2011-12 federal policy agenda include: Expanding educational opportunities, Promoting economic security, and Ensuring civil rights. Adapted from AAUW Washington UPDATE, Mar. 17, 2011
In response to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which says the pay gap has narrowed one cent to 78 cents on the dollar, AAUW has launched a grassroots campaign with a clear message: "Keep the Change until Women Have Real Change." While this is the narrowest the wage gap has ever been, it's still only an additional one cent on the dollar. While women have been hard at work to earn their extra penny, Congress has failed to pass legislation that would give women effective equal pay protections. In light of this development, AAUW and our friends will tell Congress: "Keep the Change until Women Have Real Change."
See the AAUW Pay Equity page for current information.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Check out all the current discounts included with your AAUW membership (the linked page has details about each affinity partner). With each purchase AAUW receives a royalty, which is used to support our programs and services, including community programs, leadership development, NCCWSL, and branch resources. Be sure to access the partners' sites from the AAUW page and take advantage of the discount codes offered by some. List of benefits is from the AAUW web site as of January, 2012
Please call the hostess if you plan to attend or have questions.
MORNING LITERATURE
This group meets at 9:30 am on the second Wednesday of most months. See the Branch Calendar listing for the current schedule. New members are always welcome when this group gathers to hear one person give a book report, we have a guest author talk, we share poetry or talk about a topic of interest. Contact Joyce Smith for further information.
EVENING LITERATURE
The group meets monthly, usually on a Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Please contact the hostess if you plan to attend.
See the Branch Calendar listing for the schedule of the next few meetings. Our plans through July 2012 are below, and in a pdf file here:
TUES., MAY 15 - 7:00 p.m. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot - at home of Mary Strycker
TUES., JUNE 19 - “America, America” by Ethan Canin - at home of Jan Ritter
JULY - MEETING TO SELECT TITLES FOR AUG. 2011 - JUNE 2013
Every member is welcome to join us for the meetings and if you would like to bring a friend, please do as you will find that our book discussions are always interesting. For further information, contact Elayne Leonelli.
GOURMET GROUP
The group will not be meeting in May. In June we will probably go to the Cafe Adirondack in Pottersville.
Rachel Quackenbush
Southern Comforts: A Play by Kathleen Clark
May 11 (Fri.) & May 12 (Sat.) eve. at 8:00 pm, May 13 (Sun.) matinee at 3:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 21 Weeks Road, Queensbury.
Award winning playwright Kathleen Clark has written this story about a widow and widower who meet later in life and find a way into each other’s hearts.Southern Comforts is a beautiful exploration of the intimate workings of all relationships.In a sprawling New Jersey Victorian home, a taciturn Yankee widower and a vivacious grandmother from Tennessee find what they least expected - a second chance at love. Their funny, awkward, and enchanting romance is filled with sweet surprise and unpredictable tribulation. Told with warmth and perceptive humor, this off-Broadway success is an affecting, late-in-life journey of compromise and rejuvenation, of personal risk and the rewards of change. Actors Marilyn Detmer and Barry Streifert perform as Amanda Cross and Gus Klingman. Submitted by Elaine Leonelli, who adapted it from a recent production near Seattle, WA: http://www.islandssounder.com/entertainment/122391274.html
Questions? call Kendra Schieber at 518-744-7396
GIVE A GRAD A GIFT
AAUW members can now give a recent grad - a friend, daughter, granddaughter, or niece - a free AAUW membership. At no cost to you or her! Your grad will receive a one-year member-at-large membership - a $49 value. She can join a branch at any time but will be responsible for paying branch and state dues.
Visit the aauw.org website, click on Member Center, sign in with your member number; then click on Membership Campaigns, Give A Grad A Gift. Complete the online form or download a form to mail. You'll find your member number on your Outlook mailing label, or you can look it up on the site.
Mary King, Assistant Treasurer
INTERNET NOTES AND LINKS
Please share this digital newsletter with your friends and prospective members!
CLICK FOR A CAUSE - At The Breast Cancer web site, click on Fund Free Mammograms
to help raise funds for underprivileged women's services. It's supported by the sponsors,
who donate funds in exchange for advertising. You'll find it at www.thebreastcancersite.com.
At the top of the page, you'll find tabs that link to other causes,
including Literacy, Hunger, and Child Health.
AAUW ISSUES - Legislative resources are available to all of our members. Often we do not pay attention to politics until an issue is raised that will impact us in some manner. There is a wealth of information on legislative issues available on the web sites of both the national and state AAUWs. You'll find policy statements and information on current legislation which the association and state division are supporting or opposing. On the Association web site, the ACT tab will lead you to the issues.
On the NYS AAUW site, check out the Public Policy section for more information on AAUW issues.
SIGN UP YOUR FRIENDS AND AAUW COLLEAGUES FOR ACTION NETWORK!
Action Network is a convenient and effective way to pressure Congress to act on equity for women and girls. The more people in the Action Network, the more effective AAUW will be. Anyone can sign up for Action Network, AAUW members and nonmembers alike. It is an excellent way to introduce potential members to AAUW's advocacy.
By visiting AAUW's Action Network you can print out flyers to sign up friends, family and co-workers to the AAUW Action Network. These flyers are great to use at branch events, community events, etc.
Want to write to your elected federal or state officials right now?
Enter your ZIP code and click on GO, and you will reach an AAUW page with links to forms to send e-mail to them and more.
POLITICAL ACTION "QUICK CLICKS" -
Check out these web sites which will provide information on where your elected officials stand on the issues and how you can contact them.
www.aauw.org - Under ACT, go to the Two-Minute Activist to read about the latest issue in Congress and then e-mail your opinion to your representative.
www.vote-smart.org - This is a non-partisan website informing voters about candidates and public officials in five categories: backgrounds, issue positions, voting records, campaign finance, and performance.
Source: Sister Branch, Carlisle, PA newsletter
AAUW ONLINE AT AAUW.ORG -
Have you visited our national AAUW web site? The Member Center offers immediate clicks to all the membership information you need, as well as today's hot issues of concern to women and girls and a "Take Action Now" button for you to make your voice heard in Washington. You'll also find quick links to convention, ShopAAUW, publications, and much more. You can even update your membership record online. Check it out at www.aauw.org!
AAUW IS NOW ON FACEBOOK -
You're invited to join a growing community of AAUW members who are connecting with each other on Facebook.com, a popular social networking site. Why would you do this?
To learn - social networking sites have the potential to help you filter the information overload and pick out items recommended by your friends
To teach - there are 50 million people on Facebook, most of whom (sadly) have never heard of AAUW. To reach out to them with information about pay equity, our partnership with CARE, our funding opportunities, our legislative priorities and all the rest that we do, we need more interested members to do the legwork involved in getting our message out.
To connect - share tidbits with AAUW members, relatives, and other friends through Facebook's wide range of communication tools. As life gets busier, alternatives to "let's do lunch" help build and maintain connections and add a rich texture to long-distance relationships.
AAUW-NYS ON FACEBOOK - Whether or not you have a Facebook account, you can visit AAUW NYS's Facebook page. Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/AAUW.NYS Take a look around. Facebook members can share information and make comments. Source: NYS AAUW FOCUS, Spring 2011 issue
AAUW JOINS THE BLOGOSPHERE -
AAUW recently launched an online blog, AAUW DIALog (AAUW Discussion, Information, Advocacy Log), to provide timely commentary on current news and events and the way they relate to AAUW's mission. Periodic entries from guest "bloggers," including outstanding AAUW members, fellowship and grant recipients, and donors, will help illustrate the work of AAUW at all levels. AAUW joins several states and branches already using blogs to spur dialogue and spread the word about our critical work. All visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts about the issues covered in the blog. Stay up-to-date on all the latest! Visit the AAUW blog regularly at blog-aauw.org Source: AAUW Mission & Action e-News
Marjory Moeller, Branch Newsletter Co-Editor and Webmistress
Mission Statement: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.
AAUW Value Promise: By joining AAUW, we belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.
Vision Statement: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.
Diversity Statement: In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.
PUBLICATIONS ONLINE
The quarterly newsletter of our state AAUW, NYS Focus, is online,
as well as the national AAUW Outlook magazine.
The branch newsletter will be posted each month as soon as it is printed, generally several days
before the branch meeting. If you would like to be notified by e-mail when the new issue is
available, send us an e-mail with your request.
AAUW PRINCIPLES
