State Convention Business -- April 25, 2009
The following members were elected to serve as state officers for 2009-2010:
President: Andrea WeisbergProgram Chair: Diane TelfordMembership Chair: Jennifer KernTreasurer: Jenifer AmblerPubic Policy Chair: Louise LuringEF and LAF Chair: Kathy CorraoInternational Affairs: Peg GalganoWebsite, Newsletter and Bylaws: Gudrun HutchinsIn a separate motion, Susan Stein was elected as president-elect and to serve as president from 2010 - 2012. Susan will be living in New Zealand during part of her year as president-elect and will keep in touch by email. She plans to return to Brattleboro in 2010.
Andrea Weisberg announced that AAUW of Vermont will be supporting two Middlebury College Students to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders with $500 each. The young women are Sydney Alfonso and Ashley Cheung. Both are active participants in the Sister-to-Sister program sponsored by the Middlebury Branch and Middlebury College. Liane Barrera spoke briefly about the two young women and the Sister-to Sister program which is now in in fifth year.
Patricia Ho, the New England Regional Director and a Director-at-
Large of the national AAUW board, gave an update on the Bylaws
to be discussed and voted at the St. Louis Convention in June. She
used a chart of current AAUW programs to explain that nearly all
programs and activities would fall under the new tax deductible
umbrella organization to be named AAUW. A smaller subsidiary, to
be named the AAUW Action Fund, will contain lobbying and election-
related functions. The Educational Foundation will no longer exist as
a separate entity after July 1; the fellowship and grant functions and
endowments will be part of the AAUW umbrella organization.
As a result of the restructuring, most of out national dues will be tax
deductible in the future. For 2009-2010 national dues will be $49; of
this total $46 will be tax deductible and $3 will be designated for the
AAUW Action Fund.
Patricia emphasized that the core mission of education and equity
for women and girls will not change. In fact, the more streamlined
organization will make it easier to concentrate on the mission.
Patricia discussed some of the specific bylaws to be discussed,
possibly amended, and voted on. Some of the key provision are: Patricia Ho
Restructure AAUW so that it is one corporation with a small subsidiary and governed by oneboard of directors.Provide much more flexibility to branches and states to have the structure that works best forthem. The only officers required by national will be an administrative contact and a financialcontact.Give every member a vote in electing the AAUW Board of Directors, approving the Public PolicyProgram, and amending the AAUW Bylaws in the future. Welcome into AAUW membership all who support our mission by eliminating the requirement thatmembers have an earned degree. (This proposal is controversial. Vermont members are split onthis issue, although several Vermont branches and the state accept community members withouta degree.)
