AAUWIA Branch Recognition 2006

Hats Off!! To the Branches that hosted forums for Quality Child Care Lasts a Lifetime (QCCLL) The branches are:

Algona
Charles City
Decorah
Des Moines
Keokuk
Ottumwa
Tipton

Recognizing Iowa Branch Achievements in 2005-2006

Algona  --  It’s All About Networking!
President Jan Mullins

• Co-sponsor of a Networking Event for women who own or manage businesses

• Sponsored a QCCLL Forum

• 91% of Branch members are connected via e-mail and receive announcements and bulletins this way
• Network with community leaders to develop and read PSAs on the radio during Women’s History Month.

Ames    --    Putting Our $$ to Work!
President Carol Miller

• Participated with Worldly Goods, an international fair trade store in downtown Ames, for a holiday shopping night (20% profit).
• Donated funds to help Middle School girls attend the Road Less Traveled
• Fundraiser for LAF at annual December Musicale and Bake Sale
• A program at the mosque in Ames addressed diversity and women in Islam
• Donated to the Waverly branch to send women students to the NCCWSL 2006 - Summit on Sexual Harassment: Leading Change on Campus and Beyond

Atlantic    --    Supporting Quality Childcare!
President Gail Morse

• Provided scholarships for all staff of Matthew's House Christian Child Care Center, the only licensed child care center in Atlantic, to attend training required by licensing standards. 
• Discussion Group about Women Pioneers
• Co-sponsored a 5th grade girl to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador Program, an International program that met in Canada to promote better understanding
• Contributed to the Waverly branch for their sponsorship of students to attend NCCWL
• Contributes to EF

Calhoun County    --    Encouraging Excellence
President Mary Voith

• Honoring senior girls from the county who excel in scholarship, citizenship and leadership
• Panel of young professional women present, "Campus to Career: an Evening of Mentoring"
• Fundraisers for EF and LAF

Cedar Falls    --   Honors Emancipation and Diversity!
President Pat Higby

• Joined with United Sisters of Waterloo to uplift women of color of all ages
• Booth at Freedom Fest to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation
• Family fun, Picnics, Prizes
• Co-Host of 3^rd Powwow at UNI
• Contributions to EF and LAF
• Invite people from the community to join in diversity discussion topics
• Branch Website

Cedar Rapids    --    A Decade of Open Minds, Open Doors Conference!
President Kathy Kittredge

• Co-sponsor with Coe College for 10^th annual science, math and technology conference
• A "Give A Grad A Gift" reception for 15 Coe graduates in science & math fields
• Co-sponsor of "Beyond Rubies" women’s conference
• Co-sponsor of legislative forums
• Readers’ Theatre: Reviving the Heroines of 1850
• Contributions to EF and LAF
• Branch Website

Charles City    --    Volunteering and A Fundraiser that is fun!
President Norma Brietbach

• Recognition of 4^th and 8^th grade girls who excel in math and science
• Showcasing Charles City requires many volunteers
• Fundraiser: "The Curse of the Hopeless Diamond"
• EF contributions and local scholarship

Clarion    --    Provides Positive Role Models
President Syl Funnell

• Junior-Senior Girls and mothers attend a professional panel by women in "less typical" professions
• Brunch and panel led by college students for mothers and daughters in the top 10% of graduating class
• EF and LAF Silent Auction, "One Woman’s Trash is Another’s Treasure"!
• Maidrite supper fundraiser for three $200 scholarships
• Readers’ Theatre on Women's’ Suffrage

Clinton    --  Celebrating Clinton’s 150 Year Anniversary!
President Laura Liegois

• During the celebration they walked in the parade with the AAUW banner.
• Co-sponsored with the Clinton Chamber the legislative coffee sessions.
• Fundraised for local and national scholarships.
• Big fundraiser: Sponsor of a bus trip to Chicago to see the King Tut Exhibit

Davenport/Bettendorf    --   Putting Values into Action!
President Rita Sterling

• "Show Me The Money!" Paycheck Negotiation Workshop for Women to learn:
• Skills in the workforce and how to market those skills, interviewing and wage negotiations, benefits and salary packages and role playing.
• BIG Wal-Mart Demonstration to create a big push for the Fair Share for Health Care Bill.
• Health Care House Party includes Leadership Training with "Working Families Win"

Decorah    --    Seeking Understanding and Making a Difference!
President Elizabeth Kaschins

• Sponsored Forum on QCCLL
• Programs with "Quality Child Care" theme: the status of child care in our three-county area; medical care for children and the placement of children at risk; visit to the new child care facility at Northeast Iowa Community College and the pre-school and Montessori schools; and talking with child care providers about their issues.
• Volunteering services to the area HAWC Partnership
• Up-to-date on state and national issues and involvement politically including letter writing campaign
• Co-sponsored with LWV: a school board candidate forum and a clean election forum.

Denison    --    Denison Area Branch Brags!
President Norma Coret

• Fall picnic in the park attracted new members.
• Middle School Principal presented pros and cons of "No Child Left Behind"
• Annual luncheon for 21 Senior Women for academic excellence
• Noteworthy accomplishments in spite of the loss of newly elected president, Regina Lally
• Networking with community educators and advocates to prevent sexual abuse
• Seminar for Junior and Senior girls on prevention of domestic abuse

Des Moines    --    Awareness of Diverse Populations
President Leora Thomas

• Hosted a QCCLL Forum
• Discussions and programs to promote global/diversity understanding
• Council for International Understanding: immigrant populations in our city and the difficulties that the women have becoming a part of our society. 
• Workshop on "Ethical Wills" (as opposed to material or financial wills) examined our own values and philosophies. 
• EF event: Holiday Tea at the Chamberlain House at Wesley Acres

Ft. Madison/Burlington    --    Supporting Each Other!
President Deanne Robinson

• Supporting each other through year of ups and downs of work, family responsibilities and health concerns
• Annual garage sale
• Scholarship for senior woman

Indianola    --    Math Magic and Science Secrets!   
President Sue Edwards

• Co-sponsor with Simpson College for conference attended by sixty-two 3^rd and 4^th grade girls
• Contributions to EF
• Interesting programs with an international emphasis
• Cultural understanding
• Appreciation of friendships

Iowa City    --    Strategic Planning
President Melanie Guentzel

• Strategic plan for mission driven programming
• Contributions to EF and local scholarship
• Ordered "Drawing the Line" research reports for dissemination at University
• Fundraising
• Visit to Women’s Archives at U of I
• Branch Website

Keokuk    --    Equity is Still an Issue!
President Dev Kiedaisch

• Cosponsored a QCCLL Forum
• Cosponsored with BPW: Women in History Celebration: dinner and the movie "Iron Jawed Angels"
• Fundraiser, Annual Book Fair, for Educational Foundation, a local scholarship, and for an economic education program for abused women through the Tri-State Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse

Marshalltown    --   Launching a New Project!!
Leadership Team Facilitators, Pam Swarts & Mary Giese

•  Branch Leadership Team structure promotes shared ownership
• Action Projects included mentoring, connecting with college age women, planning the implementation of a pilot project "Latinas Toward Success"
• An activity for sharing news from each member’s life opens each meeting
• LAF and EF contributions
• Host to 2006 State AAUW Conference

Oskaloosa    --    Strong Women Wanted!
President Pat Kitzman

• Annual book sale raises $3500-3800 for EF
• Scholarships for young women to attend William Penn College
• Readers’ Theatre: Reviving the Heroines of 1850
• Legislative issues forums
• Co-hosted a multicultural panel of newcomers representing Jamaica, Lithuania, Japan, Taiwan, Spain and Nicaragua
• Branch Website

Ottumwa Area    --   Community Forum Shapes Goals!
President Joan Thompson

• Sponsored a successful QCCLL Forum
• QCCLL Goals for the year 2006-2007 include: awareness, educating the community and seeking legislation
• Shape the Future (wine and cheese event) gained four new members
• A 50-year member, Carol Sovern held a High Tea in Albia for members and prospective members.
• Reader’s Theater, ACT II of The Select Society, about the first ladies from the Civil War to the time of the 19th Amendment as an EF fundraiser

Palo Alto    --    Fundraising & Scholarship
President Alaire Nielson

• Guest day brunch and program with prospective members
• Picnic and program at the nature center
• Annual book sale for a scholarship for a senior girl

Pella    --    Community Service
President Sonja Van Dusseldorp

• Coordinate collection for UNICEF
• Contributions to EF

Siouxland    --   Nominated an Outstanding Faculty Member!
President Mildred Bach

• Shared the EdEqchange each month
• Garage sales for scholarships.     
• Newcomer invitational meeting  
• WINGS: A Math and Science Conference for 8th grade girls
• Programs on Women's’ Rights in Arab, Hispanic and other cultures.  
• Donated supplies to a women's shelter.    
• Contributed to the Educational Foundation

Tama/ Toledo    --   Continues a 20 year tradition!
President Sherry Hotchkiss

• Recognizes academic achievements and leadership skills for seniors at "High School Young Women of the Year" event. Also honors 6 middle school girls who excel in math and science.
• Awards a $250 scholarship to a young woman who is going to continue her education in math or science.
• Co-sponsors a $1000 scholarship in memory of Kathleen Lierley Eppler, a former member of the branch.
• Fundraiser is holiday garland sales

Tipton    --   County-wide Scholarship Booklet!
President Susan Lorenzen

• Support of EF and LAF is a high priority
• Updating, publishing and distributing a county-wide scholarship booklet for every senior
• Programs planned and presented by members or their guests
• Meet in homes or churches
• Long-term friendships endure!

Washington    --    Support for Women Scholars
President Linda (Kitch) Shaster

• Hosts the National Honor Society induction for Washington High School
• Awards two college scholarships

Waterloo    --    Trips, Mystery Theatre and Fundraising
President Shiela Bullock

• Trip to Burr Oak, IA to visit Laura Ingles Wilder’s home
• Dinner and theatre: "A Murder Mystery"
• Support of local community center
• Music camperships
• Fundraisers
• Contributions to EF and LAF

Waverly    --    Sponsored 2 young women for the Leaders’ Conference!
President Beth Fullwiler

• Partnered with Cedar Valley Friends of the Family (Waverly's women's/children's shelter)
• Created awareness: marched, carried signs and passed out literature in the Wartburg homecoming parade
• Fundraiser: sold angels made by shelter staff and volunteers at Annual Christmas on Main Street.
• Awareness for sexual assault awareness month.
• With help from other branches sponsored two Wartburg College students for the AAUW national student leaders’ conference.
• Paid to transport twenty Waverly-Shell Rock 6th grade girls to the "Taking the Road Less Traveled, a Career Conference for Girls"

Webster City    --    Scholarships
President Shirley Greufe

• Fundraising: Younker’s Day and Dutch Gardens bulbs
• Scholarships to two local students
• Support the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center

*****

"A reminder that small events collectively make powerful differences in the lives of women and girls."         Jan Mitchell, Marshalltown Branch

AAUWIA expresses appreciation to the Marshalltown AAUW Branch and the Convention and Visitors Bureau for hosting the 2006 Annual AAUWIA Meeting and Conference.

If you want more information about any of these branch projects, find the e-mail for the current president on the Branch Presidents page.

 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.