“THE BRANCH CONNECTOR”
A monthly newsletter for branch presidents
Iowa American Association of University Women
March 2007

Contents: Information about Four special workshops at annual conference, Two Association guests; experts and knowledgeable staff, One Big fund raiser, plus An invitation to go to Willmar, MN. &  a reminder about email addresses and registration deadlines

INFORMATION WHICH APPEARS HERE HAS NOT APPEARED ANY PLACE ELSE!  PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION QUICKLY WITH OTHERS!
A BROCHURE WITH ALL CONFERENCE INFORMATION IS SENT AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THIS EMAIL!

FOUR EXTRAORDINARY WORKSHOPS! IDEAS TO TAKE HOME!

Program Vice President, Sandra Keist Wilson, just announced the final plans for four concurrent workshops to be held Saturday afternoon at the Annual Conference of AAUWIA in Marshalltown April 21. The workshops will be offered only once during the day. Bring four people from your branch so you can take advantage of all the good, relevant information available for branch use by having a representative at each workshop. Then everyone AT HOME will be “in the know”!

A Grassroots Advocacy Workshop will be offered. Sarah Hanuske, State Public Policy Chairman will act as facilitator for a workshop designed to provide skills that are needed for better grassroots advocacy in branches and communities.  Four small group exercises are focused on branch education and advocacy; meeting with an elected official; planning an issue forum; and working with the media. (This is a program that can be replicated in your branch.)

“One shared World”, topic for a “Program in a Box” will be presented by Gloria Blackwell, Staff Liaison in the    Association‘s International Affairs office in Washington. Blackwell’s presence at the Iowa annual conference has been enabled by a special grant which AAUW recently received. (This too is a program which can be replicated in local branches.)

 “Network against Human Trafficking”, presented by Alex Orozco, director of the only advocacy group of its type in Iowa; will help participants understand this difficult topic about which we need to be informed. Orozco was successful this year in getting legislation passed this year at the state house enabling prosecution of those found to be involved in trafficking. VP Wilson writes, “The only way to stop this travesty on human rights is to be informed because it is happening right here in Iowa.”

“Relation aggression among females” will be presented by Kathy Nesteby, Coordinator of the Iowa Gender Specific Services Task Force, a group of juvenile justice professionals within the state of Iowa advocating equitable services for girls with or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. If you’ve ever wondered why “if relationships are so important to girls why they use them against each other” then this is a workshop you will want to attend.

TWO  ASSOCIATION GUESTS AT CONFERENCE MEETING

In addition to featured speakers, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Marsha Ternus, and EF Fellow, Marta Maldonado, we will have two Association staff members as speakers and guests, Lisa Maatz, Director of Public Policy and  Gloria Blackwell, Staff Liaison for International Relations.

CALLING ALL LEADERS!

Friday afternoon, April 20, between 12 and 3 p.m. (before the conference begins) Several experienced AAUW leaders, including Jan Mitchell, Marshalltown, Mary Ann Ahrens, West Des Moines will conduct a workshop designed for branch leaders. The Marshalltown branch has agreed to provide a dessert bar and coffee for the session.

FOR IOWANS AND BY IOWANS

The name of the Silent Auction 2007 to be held at the annual conference tells it all. EF director, Lida Sigg, and LAF Director, Carol Cooper urge you to “scour” your local artisans studios, vintage jewelry shops, specialty candy stores, vineyards and find items made by Iowans for Iowans to bring to the silent auction.

INVITED TO WILMAR!

The weekend after your conference in Marshalltown, April 27 -29 you are invited to hear Association president, Ruth Sweetser, when she speaks at the Minnesota state convention in Willmar. Registration materials are on the  MN. website www.aauwma.org.

DEADLINES: IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

·        Conference issue of the Initiative -------in your hands on or near March 15^th.

·        Deadline for conference registration------- April 11.Your registration must be postmarked by that date. Send registration to Diane Edwards, administrative assistant, 403 N.E. 11 St. Clarion, IA 50252. Email edwardsp@mchsi.com.

·        Hotel Reservations for conference at special rates at either conference hotel Best Western or Super Eight----- March 31

·        Registration for Association convention can be found at the website address, www.AAUW.org.

·        Meeting for Iowans going to Association convention at the end of Iowa conference April 21.

·        Report forms with information about incoming officers due in my hands no later than May 15; in Association office by June 1. Officer report forms can be downloaded at member services on the web page, www.AAUW.org.

EMAIL UPDATES NEEDED

As we try to keep our records and communication channels open, it is important that any changes in e mail addresses be forwarded both to me as well as to Diane Edwards. Thanks! Dr. Janet Heinicke, State President, AAUWIA. 1302 West Boston Ave. Indianola, IA.50125. Email janetheinicke@earthlink.net.

I thank you for all that you do for AAUW. Let’s keep the passion for the AAUW strong in our hearts and minds!