AAUW C o rt l a n d B r a n c h November, 2017 NEWSLETTER I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : President s Update 1 Dec. agenda 2 Photos of Nov. meeting Gift ideas 3 Tech Savvy 3 Membership Form 4 Announcements 5 Our Mission: To advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research 2 President s Update Our December 4th holiday celebration is at the YWCA beginning at 5:30pm with punch and small bites followed by dinner at 6pm catered by M&D Deli. Please let Maryann know by Wednesday, November 29th, if you will be attending (mgambitt@gmail.com; 607-423-8356). Figuring out what to do about a meal and location for our meeting in light of the Elks policy and staff changes presented quite a challenge. But, Maryann Gambitta stepped up to that challenge and found some great options. After quite a bit of deliberation, with input from Maryann, Sara Earl, and Dottie Fowler, we made a decision about a menu and venue that appeared to work best. We will have heavy hors d oeuvres similar to what we ve had in the past for this event: finger sandwiches, salads, Swedish meatballs, dessert and beverages. There will be a very short meeting (see agenda on page 2). Remember to bring items to auction and books to sell that would make good holiday gifts for yourself and others; bring your wallet to purchase some of those items. Speaking of gifts We will have some surprise guests. Jennifer Jones and Jane O Shea will join us to talk about their books, especially their most recent. Jennifer and Jane are local authors who met while working for the Homer School District. Jennifer has written several children s realistic fiction chapter books geared for upper elementary readers including Rocky Road and Mrs. Ryan You re Ruining My Life. Jane s book, Westcott s Tale, revisits life in 19 th century Central New York State by examining the bestselling novel David Harum. Recently they both ventured into a new area. Jennifer has written the text for their children s picture book, Forest Feast, An Adirondack Mystery, and Jane has illustrated it. Their books will be available for purchase and signing.
Agenda for Dec. 4th AAUW Cortland branch meeting to be held in the YWCA Osborn Room at 14 Clayton Ave. Cortland 5:30-7:30 pm Minutes (Lenore Schwager) Treasurer s Report (Mary Ellen Bloodgood) Committee Reports Tech Savvy (Janet Ochs ) Scholarship (Patricia Pollack) Old Business Flower Sale (Sheila Cohen) See flier New Business Venue and Meal Preference for spring meetings (Maryann Gambitta) Making Announcements (Sheila Cohen) Our November branch meeting included a panel discussion from Mardis Kelsen, Linda Jones, Kathie Arnold and Mary Ann Discenza The women shared their experiences in the world of politics and challenges they faced based on their gender. Good discussion and thoughts. Thank you all for your insights!
Looking for a Gift? Why not buy an AAUW membership for someone near and dear? I am buying a Buffalo branch membership for my daughter-in-law as a holiday gift. I first got her a free national membership when she graduated from college and she has said how much she enjoys getting the email news from AAUW on issues such as equal pay. See form on page 4 for Cortland membership. Check the AAUW website for others. Books always make great gifts! Below are some ideas for books for young children. TOPS Gift Cards make handy and useful gifts for the postal carrier or the hair dresser or your neighbor. It is also an important fundraiser for our branch. Please see Ellen Wright to order your cards. Non-profits The Bridges for Kids tree tags are in the YW lobby, Salvation Army tags are on trees in the grocery, purchase a gift card for clients in the Aid to Victims of Violence Safe Dwelling, give a friend play tickets to CRT, or make a donation to the charity of your choice. The many non-profits in Cortland help make this community better for us all. Please support them. This month, AAUW member Janet Ochs had her class of SUNY Cortland students work with a group of 10 girls from the YWCA GEMS (Girls: Empowered, Motivated, Successful) program. The girls are 12-14 years old and come from challenging home situations. Jan s students played games manufactured from a 3D printer. The girls learned and had fun. This event was part of our Cortland branch s Tech Savvy agenda. THANK YOU JANET!
AAUW CORTLAND welcomes new members! Join Us Today! Name MEMBERSHIP: National AAUW dues: $49 New York State AAUW dues: $13 Cortland Branch dues: $13 Total: $75 AAUW dues are partially deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Income Tax purposes. WHO CAN JOIN: Membership in AAUW is open to anyone holding an Associate s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sara Earl, Membership VP. forrestandsara@gmail.com 607-423-1011 Address: Telephone: E-mail: Education (College/University, State, Campus, and Degrees) Graduation Date: Why Join AAUW. because equity is still an issue Please tear this section off and mail it with your check payable to : AAUW Cortland Branch to: Mary Ellen Bloodgood, Treasurer P.O. Box 124 Little York, NY 13087
ANNOUNCEMENTS Women Working Together-WWT Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 Speaker: Jo Shaffer Why have there been no great women artists? Shaffer s continued interest in this provocative question continued throughout her 30 years as SUNY Cortland s Art History and Art History Visual Resources Coordinator. Come hear her thoughts! Lunch is $13, payable at the door Cash or check to Linani s Buffet style service begins at 11:45 A.M. Sponsored by the YWCA Cortland, CNYArts and the Cultural Council of Cortland County Please RSVP to 753-9651 or mary@cortlandywca.org MEET THE PEOPLE YOU ELECTED Thursday November 30 5:00-7:00 pm, Finger Lakes Tasting Room, 31 Main St., Cortland NY A Making Democracy Work event sponsored by the Cortland League of Women Voters This month, Cortland County voters elected new people to represent us in local government and reelected others to continue serving. The election is the first step. To represent you, elected officials need to hear from you. As voters, we have a say throughout the year, not just on election day. Come to the Finger Lakes Tasting Room on Thursday, November 30 th to talk with the people you elected, share your views and hear theirs. When: Thursday, November 30, 5:00-7:00 pm