Minutes of Long Valley Branch AAUW Annual Meeting on August 9, 2008

Potluck Brunch at Rosalie Wigle Residence

 

Attendance: Cheryl, Susan, Maggie, Sara, Jackie, Vandy, Linda Corder, Gayle Wilde, Joann, Nana, Gwen, Rosalie, Marilyn, and Kathleen. Linda Klind was unable to attend.

 

While everyone was dishing up to eat, Kathleen displayed the art piece donated by Debra Facchin which we will raffle at the Roseberry Ice Cream Social on Aug. 30th.  Ticket packets, assembled by Linda Klind, were available for each member.  Marilyn encouraged that each member sells her allotted tickets so we can earn near market value from the donated item.  Debra’s piece, Whirling Circles-One Woman’s Journey, is priced at $1000.

 

Future of our Branch:  Cheryl voiced concern about the vitality of the Branch.  Difficulty scheduling meetings and poor response to her e-mails has lead her to question the members’ commitment to the organization.   Although very busy, multiple members stated their commitment to the AAUW mission and felt that the Branch fills a needed function in the community and should continue even if it meant limiting projects. Discussion eventually lead to dropping the spring Women’s Art Show 2009 which Caroline Valle is no longer chairing. Sara pointed out that the show fulfilled the goal to expose local women’s art and has spawned local art organization and other shows and exhibits.  Perhaps we will do the Art Show every other year or pass it on to another organization.

 

Marilyn presented her budget “blueprint” and reported that we have $8,155.35, enough   to forego the Art Show fundraiser for a year.  See attached spread sheets.

 

Review of offices and other project coordinator positions:

            V.P. of Membership—Linda Klind has agreed to continue another year.

 

            Web Site –Linda Corder will continue to maintain the site that members feel is still relevant.  The web site has been free the last two years due to partnering with other server users, but in the future will run approximately $150 annually.

 

            Public Policy Coordinator—Inactive position previously covered by Pat Rhoads.

 

            Treasurer—Marilyn Arp agrees to continue.

 

            V.P. of Programs—Caroline Valle has chaired the Art Show with assistance from Linder Corder and Rosalie Wigle on other miscellaneous events. Since the Art Show is cancelled for 2009 and most other projects are chaired by those who have a passion for that issue, it was decided to eliminate this position.

 

            V.P. of Community Projects—created and chaired by Gretchen Bates, who has since moved away, to specifically support the free Community Health Clinic.  She successfully completed the recyclable shopping bags fundraiser for the clinic.

 

            President—Cheryl agrees to continue another year.  Everyone, please reply to her e-mails so she won’t think she is talking only to cyber space.

 

Raffle and Ice Cream Social: Scheduled on Labor Day Week-end, Sat. August 30 from 12:00 to 4:00.  Linda Klind is chairing this event and will bring the voter registration material, art piece and raffle tickets for sale.  The raffle will take place at 4:00.  Jackie has an 8 ft. table and large red umbrella and Valley County Democrats can provide an easel. Jackie will work from 11:30 set-up through 1:00.  Vandy will work 2-4:00 and Gwen whenever she is needed that day.  Cheryl encouraged volunteers to find another person to work with them.

 

Holiday Dinner:  Usually on the first Wed. of December.  Joann and Nana will plan the dinner and Maggie will do the raffle.  Sean, formerly from BabbleFish, is now working at the Golf Course and would be happy to host our social events.

 

Women in History:  Susan coordinated the last one and Maggie and Susan agree to continue leadership.

 

Annual Meeting:  Cheryl wants to get it back on schedule.  Tentatively scheduled for Sat. June 13, 2009, potluck brunch at Betty Weida’s house on the lake from 9:30 to noon.

 

Membership Directory and Newsletter:  Betty has agreed to continue with this. Discussed obstacles to keeping e-mail addresses current when members switch servers.  Vandy pays for short term forwarding.

 

Membership Socials: Next social is scheduled for September 15th 5:30 to 7:00 at the Golf Course.  Decision made to omit the November social due to tentative Candidate Forum in October.  Marilyn mentioned that our membership is going to be down to 30 from a high of 40 this last year.  Retired baby boomers are our best source of members since the young women are doing other things.

 

Pros and cons discussed on possible Candidate Forum for legislative and county commissioner candidates.  Marilyn feels that the media coverage of these local races is inadequate.  Public turnout for these forums is best if there is a controversial issue.  Jackie agreed to consult with Marilyn about an October forum to be scheduled at least one week before the Star News runs its candidate overview.

 

The High School Recognition Program is Leslie’s.  We will continue to budget for it if she wants to continue.

 

New Business: Marilyn reported that our EF monies go to students like the MDHS graduate, Jean Helen Burns, recipient of a $30,000 award for post doctoral research. She met and impressed members at a reception at Bistro 45 this summer.

 

Cheryl would like someone to assume the responsibility of news releases to the press.  Joann agreed to take this job if information is provided to her.  Marilyn will coach her on Press Release format.

 

Gwen spoke about the Summer Board mtg that was hosted in McCall in July, reminding everyone that all members are invited to attend.  She and Marilyn attended the State Conference in Orofino and benefited from several interesting speakers. Gwen encouraged all to take advantage or these events to better understand the broader mission of AAUW and to get re-energized.  The Winter Board mtg is in Boise on 1/30/09 -2/2/09 and the Nat’l Conference is in St. Louis June 26-29th 2009.

 

Nana announced that there are 4-5 core Adelante Book Club members but they would like to see more. She encouraged women to come even if they have not read all of the book being discussed.  Next monthly meeting is a potluck at Nana’s house to discuss Passionate Nomad.

 

Tentative schedule for the Fall 2009 Kick Off Brunch is Sat. Sept. 19, 2009 from 9:30 – noon.

 

Linda moved, Vandy seconded that we accept the “conceptual budget” as written by Marilyn less the $1500 projected income from the now cancelled spring Art Show.  That will reduce our unappropriated funds to $4,919.19   The budget passed unanimously.

Gayle moved and Jackie seconded that we accept as officers and coordinators all those previously discussed.  This also passed unanimously.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

 

Kathleen Eastman