Branch Briefs AAUW Mission Statement AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Birthdays December Rita Pilarski Terrie Mess Marcia Yochum Karen Hirn Kate Berley In this Issue President s Message 2 Public Policy 3 Interest Groups 4 Calendar 4 Fundraiser Photos 5 Newsletter of the Geneva Lake Branch Volume 68 Issue 9 December 2017 American Association of University Women Cordially Invites You to Our Holiday Celebration Thursday, December 14, 2017 Big Foot Country Club 770 Shabbona Drive, Fontana, Wisconsin Cocktails 6:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM Entertainment by Choral Students of Delavan High School 7:45 PM Holiday Caroling Lead by Sue Greben Cost: $35 per person Cash Bar Menu: Holiday Tossed Salad and Assorted Rolls Vegetable Lasagna Tenderloin Medallions Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce Coconut Ice Cream All Reservations must be received by December 7, 2017 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------Reservation Form for our AAUW Holiday Celebration NAME: PHONE: Name (s) of Guests: 1
President s Message What a fantastic fundraiser we had on November 17! A huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way and all those that attended, many with tables full of guests. A special thank you to our co-chairs Diane and Sharna who put in endless hours to assure the success of the event. Kudos to Kate and Karen and all their helpers with the raffle sales. The centerpieces were a big hit and dozens of our members donated items or helped with their construction. Thank you to Betsy for all the classy signs and table cards, Joan for taking pictures throughout the event, Sarah for taking reservations, our treasurer Alice for her support and expertise, and every single member that helped. This was a huge effort by the entire branch, and our efforts paid off. Not only did we raise more money than we budgeted, but we are gaining new members and greater recognition in the area. (See photos on page 5!) Thank you all. I hope you will all consider joining us for the Holiday Party on December 14 at Big Foot Country Club. It should be a joyous evening of good food, company, and entertainment celebrating another successful year. Happiest Holidays to you all and a blessed New Year. Geneva Lake Branch 2017-18 Board and Officers President: Gretchen McCarthy, 275-1054 danielgem3@charter.net President Elect: Pam Christensen, 248-3418, dchristensen9@wi.rr.com Secretary: Joanne Barrett, (630)631-9928 joanneebarrett@gmail.com Treasurer: Alice Hill, 742-3351, alicehillgpa@gmail.com Co VPs Programs: Joan Davis, 847-802-4090, joanlarryd@gmail.com Ann Reynolds, (630) 926-1129, AWDR@aol.com Co VPs Membership: Kate Berley. 630-638-4593, kmberley@comcast.net Karen Hirn, (815) 403-9656, Karen@SycamorePrecision.com Branch Briefs/ Message Angel: Bev Kitzmiller, 723-2302, kitzmillerbev@gmail.com 2
Public Policy The last 2017 issue of the AAUW magazine, Outlook, sent to the membership ONLINE on November 17, 2017, presents an overview of a new strategic plan being developed to address core issues in a new way. With input from branches and states, the plan will be ready in the summer of 2018 with the exact goals AAUW will be working toward and how these goals will be measured to determine if we are any closer to achieving them. We no longer want to face another decade of pay inequity or pervasive sexism. The national task force has begun its mission to answer the questions, Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How will we get there? Input from the membership to determine what is currently working and what is not will occur through listening tours, focus groups, and surveys. A business model is being developed to make the work possible with budgets reexamined for effective implementation. The plan will be drafted in March followed by opportunities for feedback from members before adoption by the board of directors next summer. Our Geneva Lake Branch members can become involved in the process by responding to surveys, focus groups, and comment periods that will be forthcoming. As the national board chair states, While we know we have accomplished much (in AAUW), we have many more barriers to eradicate, and that is in part where the strategic planning process comes in. It will enable us not only to focus on what equity means, but on how we can be successful in attaining it- on how we can be successful in breaking down barriers. Great Decisions 2018 The AAUW Geneva Lake Branch sponsors two (2) Great Decisions (foreign policy issues) discussion groups locally in February and March each year. The groups are listed below: 1. The Morning Group will meet at the United Church of Christ (UCC) in Williams Bay from 10 a.m. until noon on eight consecutive Thursdays: February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1, 8, 15, 22. 2. The Evening Group will meet at the UCC Church in Williams Bay from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on eight consecutive Tuesday evenings: February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13, 20, 27. Note: There is still time to join the Great Decisions 2018 discussion groups in February and March of 2018. Please see the October Branch Briefs for details and where to send the enrollment form. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact me (Maribeth Cousin maranco@charter.net or 262.379.0120). Thank you. 3
Interest Groups Bluestockings On Tuesday, December 19, at noon, we will meet at Jean Henderson s home in Elkhorn, to discuss Monticello by Sally Cabot Gunning. Ann Reynolds and Mary Lou Little will lead the discussion. Jean s cohostesses are Alice Hill and Marcia Yochum. Please bring a sandwich to share. If you plan on attending, please contact Jean in a timely manner at jeanjohnh@gmail.com or 262.723.5414. Bridge Afternoon bridge will be held at the home of Diane Thompson at 1 pm, December 18. Please let Diane know if you will be able to attend. 262-248-6476, billanddiane@charter.net Diane's address is N1757 Fair Oaks Road, Lake Geneva. There will be no evening bridge in December. Lunch Bunch TBD Culinary Questers Bev Kitzmiller hosts the Wednesday, December 6 CQ Cookie Exchange at 12:30. Members will bring three dozen cookies to trade with each other. There will also be opportunities to do some baking, make other holiday treats, and get creative decorating cut-out sugar cookies -- all while snacking on a few appetizers. There will be no CQ in January. We are looking for a February hostess. Calendar Dec. 6 12:30 pm Culinary Questers Bev Kitzmiller s Dec. 14 6:00 pm Holiday Party Big Foot Country Club Dec. 18 1:00 pm Afternoon Bridge Diane Thompson s Dec. 19 Noon Bluestockings Jean Henderson s Apr. 10 Big Read Luncheon Ivan s on the Square 4
Fashions of our First Ladies Friday, November 17, 2017 Geneva National Photos by Joan Lagerlof 5