AAUW Petaluma Branch · Volume 53 No. 10 · June 2008
erspective
P
Joanne Garvey: Our newest Named Gift Honoree
Petaluma, CA
O
n May 15, 2008, at our Installation Gen-
eral Meeting, long-time AAUW member
Joanne Garvey was honored as
our 2007-2008 Educational Foundation
Named Gift Honoree. Her daughters, Kathleen
and Sheila, enjoyed seeing their mom receive this
high honor. Joanne was truly surprised and
quipped that she only did "fun things," not real
work, for the branch. We respectfully disagree!
Joanne has served as Hospitality Chair, Program
Vice President, New Members Chair, Antiques and
Collectibles chair for a number of years, and made
significant contributions to EF and LAF.
In the nomination,
comments about Joanne
included, "fabulous can-
didate," "loyal [branch]
member," "splendid to
work with," "creative, en-
thusiastic, flexible and
willing," and "Joanne is
just one of the nicest
people I've ever met."
Congratulations, Joanne!
Nancy Sutton,
2008-2009 EF Vice President
AAUW focuses on Mission-Based Programs
M
ission-based pro-
gramming was a buzz
word at the AAUW
California state con-
vention in April. The mission
statement of AAUW reads:
AAUW advances equity for
women and girls through advo-
cacy, education and research.
Research presented in a fall 2006
report indicates that the AAUW
core mission of education and
equity has taken a backseat to
other broad, general topics of
member interest. It was found
that this approach undermines
and distracts the membership
from elevating the mission of
education and equity.
Failure to focus on the AAUW
mission in programming results in
the organization losing what
makes it unique among other
groups supporting
women’s issues.
Programs highlight-
ing many noble
causes such as en-
vironmental issues,
world peace, and land mine re-
moval confuses the public about
our purpose.
Branches were asked to evaluate
programming: Does it advocate,
educate or promote equity?
What is the outcome of the pro-
gram? Does it attract new mem-
bers? Does it really involve cur-
rent members? Does it mentor
members for leadership roles? Is
the success of the program
measured? Are the costs and
energy expended justified?
The National website has many
ideas for meetings. In 2005 a
theme of “Education as the Gate-
way to Women's Economic Secu-
rity” was launched. Economic
security is one of the top issues
of interest and concern for all
women. This topic’s crosscutting
appeal transcends demographic
differences with high interest lev-
els among members and non-
members, spanning age, race,
income, and regional differences.
The new theme is intended to
focus our work as the continued
leader in equity and education for
women and girls, proving that for
all of our accomplishments, eq-
uity is still very much an issue.
It will be inspiring to follow this
exciting focus on the AAUW mis-
sion personalized for the Peta-
luma Branch issues and interests
in the upcoming year.
Pam Granger, Branch Delegate