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South Atlantic Regional Director’s Message
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Director’s Message Update –May 15,
2004
The
POWER of AAUW
Springtime
in AAUW brought state conventions throughout the South Atlantic Region. I
was especially privileged to be a part of the excitement of the
Georgia,
North
Carolina
and South
Carolina
conventions and joined many friends in Florida
for that state’s celebration of its 75th anniversary. As I
traveled this spring, I saw first-hand, once again, the power of AAUW at
work.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its
mission. As members of this
organization, we pledge to do everything in our power to create an
atmosphere for change that will provide opportunities for the women and
girls who come after us. We are pledging to never stop learning and to
keep our minds and hearts open to new ideas, new ways to do things, and
new ways to ensure that education is a part of everyone’s life – female or
male.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its
advocacy. The rights of women
and families have been of concern to AAUW members for more than 100
years. Much of AAUW’s
advocacy is done by members like you at the grassroots level – writing or
talking to your legislators, speaking up at school board meetings,
providing information on voting records, writing letters to the editor, or
even marching on Washington
as many of you did on April 25. With all these efforts and others, you are
fighting for women and their families and for a political system that
recognizes the power - and the interests of women.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its leadership.
I continue to be awed by the commitment and dedication of the
leaders in our organization at all levels. There are so many, working so
hard and so long – and accomplishing great things. Peoples’ lives are
packed full of obligations to family, work and community. Finding time for
one more thing to be done is hard, and finding people willing to serve as
leaders is even harder. I admire all of you who continue to work for AAUW
despite the pressures that could pull you away from our work. I know that
your caring spirit and desire to make a difference are often the only
things that keep you going. Show your support to those who have stepped up
to be your leaders. Let them know that their work and their efforts are
valued and appreciated. And when you are asked to serve,
be willing to join the team, too.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its branches and states.
Whether
working in coalition with other groups and organizations or simply as a
branch or state, you are impacting the mission of AAUW as well. Programs
like statewide legislative days, student leadership conferences,
women-to-women summits, or technology or science camps for girls are just
examples of projects and programs that states are using to carry AAUW’s
purpose and mission forward.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its resources.
It
is amazing the amount and caliber of resources available to us as AAUW
members. Lots of time and talent have gone into the preparation of
materials to help us – whether as leaders or members. Training packets and
toolkits for membership, sister-to-sister summits, fundraising,
programming, and a wealth of other topics are readily available and nearly
always free.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its giving.
One
of the most awesome aspects about AAUW for me is the fact that not only do
our members give inordinate amounts of time, talent and energy to the work
of AAUW, but they also give of themselves financially. States in the South
Atlantic Region have a long tradition of strong support of the Educational
Foundation (EF) and Legal Advocacy Fund LAF) and are often found in the
top ten in per capita giving among all the states of AAUW.
For
the Educational Foundation donation year 2003,
Florida
ranked #3 and Virginia #9 in Top States in Total giving.
Georgia
ranked #2, South
Carolina
ranked #7, and Virginia
ranked #10 in Top States in Per Capita giving. McLean
Area (VA) Branch ranked #4 and Naples (FL)
ranked #5 in Top Branches in Total giving. Niceville-Valparaiso
(FL) ranked #6, Roswell-Alpharetta (GA) ranked
#7, and Falls Church (VA) ranked #8 in Top Branches in
Per Capita giving. The efforts we make for EF and LAF far exceed the
monetary – the projects and work funded by our dollars are changing lives
every day.
AAUW’s
power is reflected in its networking opportunities.
I
hope that you have never left an AAUW meeting – either in your branch, at
a state meeting, regional conference or Association convention, without
making a new friend, or learning more about the friends you have. The
women I have met in my AAUW life have meant, and will continue to mean, a
great deal to me. Never miss a chance to tap into the energy, talent and
dedication of the many AAUW members you know, or will meet – as well as
the other women whose lives cross yours along the
way.
And
lastly, AAUW’s power is reflected in its members.
All of this work could have never been accomplished without the
talents, time, energy, expertise and commitment of AAUW members
everywhere. Working wherever we are able – as leaders or members –
together we affect change in our communities, in our states, in our nation
and in our world.
Ours
is a powerful organization with a powerful
purpose filled with powerful
people!
Director’s
Message – Original 2003
AAUW President Nancy Rustad Among Leaders for
Regional Conference
American
Association of University Women President Nancy Rustad is among the leaders who
will keynote the program and events of the South Atlantic and Southeast Central joint regional
conference, June
11-13, 2004,
in Atlanta, Georgia, at the new Georgia
Tech Hotel and Conference Center.
The
conference theme is Woman Power and programs will examine
the purpose, power and progress of women as leaders, advocates,
philanthropists and mentors.
President
Rustad will join other women leaders in the arenas of politics, business,
athletics and international issues as a member of a panel of women as leaders.
She will also provide a keynote address and participate in a workshop on
leadership for AAUW members on Sunday morning.
The
conference will kick off on Friday evening with a panel of women authors
discussing the power of women’s words along with an author book signing, for
which women authors throughout the south are being invited to participate.
Universities
and colleges in both regions are being invited to send their top female student
athletes to be recognized with their peers in a special program. The student
athletes will join in all of the conference activities, which will give AAUW
members the chance to interact with the finest of our future.
Other
women leaders either confirmed or invited to participate in the conference
include Michelle Wetherald, AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund President; Jenny Higgins,
AAUW Educational Foundation Fellowship Recipient and student at Emory
University; authors Gail H. Evans of CNN, Jill Connor Brown and Dr. Dorothy
Shawhan; Dr. Lynn Hagan of Kuwait; Representative Kathy Ashe of Georgia; and
Elaine Hughes and Betty Bayless of AAUW Public Policy Committee.
Complete
program information, schedule of activities, registration form and hotel
reservation information is available on the conference web site – www.onedomain.com/aauw.
Along with links to web sites of all the states in the regions, the web site
also has links to Atlanta attractions and
cultural events in the event that you would like to make this a family vacation
destination.
Please
note that early-bird conference registration is due by May 10, 2004 – you’ll save $25 by
registering early. Registration is $125 and includes all materials, Friday
author event, Saturday breakfast, lunch and all - day breaks.
Also,
room reservations must be made by May 12, 2004 in order to secure
conference room rate. You cannot register online but can register by calling
hotel at 1-800-706-2899, Monday-Saturday, and requesting the American
Association of University Women room rate. Do not ask for AAUW rate,
as the rooms are not listed that way.
Watch for more information
in upcoming issues of your state newsletter and bookmark the conference web
site so you can stay updated on program plans as they are confirmed. You can
also feel free to contact me anytime for more information or questions.
Hope
to see you in Atlanta in June!
Ann
S. Terry
South Atlantic Regional Director
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