CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
(see articles below or newsletter for more information)
Past newsletters are here
(see articles below or newsletter for more information)
Past newsletters are here
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
(See articles below for more information)
AAUW Petaluma Events
April 22 - New Date! Celebrate the Earth - Try the Train! 10:15 - 2:00
May 18 - Installation of officers for 2025-26 and Named Gift Honoree award, Lucchesi Community Center, 12:00 - 2:00
Other AAUW Events
April 2 - Deadline for reservations for AAUW Marin event on Apr. 12
April 12 - AAUW Marin program: Afternoon Tea with author Jazmin Darznik, Key Room, Homeward Bound, Novato, 2 - 4 pm
April 26 - AAUW CA Annual Online Conference via Zoom, 10 am - 2 pm,
Community Events
April 2 - Join or Die film, Petaluma Women's Club, 7pm
April 26 - Building Futures Event: Opening of the Construction Training Center at SRJC Petaluma, 4 - 7pm.
(See articles below for more information)
AAUW Petaluma Events
April 22 - New Date! Celebrate the Earth - Try the Train! 10:15 - 2:00
May 18 - Installation of officers for 2025-26 and Named Gift Honoree award, Lucchesi Community Center, 12:00 - 2:00
Other AAUW Events
April 2 - Deadline for reservations for AAUW Marin event on Apr. 12
April 12 - AAUW Marin program: Afternoon Tea with author Jazmin Darznik, Key Room, Homeward Bound, Novato, 2 - 4 pm
April 26 - AAUW CA Annual Online Conference via Zoom, 10 am - 2 pm,
Community Events
April 2 - Join or Die film, Petaluma Women's Club, 7pm
April 26 - Building Futures Event: Opening of the Construction Training Center at SRJC Petaluma, 4 - 7pm.
AAUW Safe Meeting Guidelines
Follow all state and local guidance. It is expected that anyone who is not fully vaccinated will wear a mask and maintain physical distance at all times. Stay home if you are feeling sick. Bring a mask, so you are prepared if masking is requested.
Follow all state and local guidance. It is expected that anyone who is not fully vaccinated will wear a mask and maintain physical distance at all times. Stay home if you are feeling sick. Bring a mask, so you are prepared if masking is requested.
FUNDS ANNOUNCEMENT
Non-Event Continues through the End of April
Many thanks to the 29 AAUW Petaluma members who have contributed to this year’s Non-Event as of this writing. We are grateful for your support. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and our main support for student scholarships for local high school and college students and for AAUW Funds and AAUW National, other than dues of individual contributions.
If you didn’t receive a letter from Petaluma AAUW Funds or if you’d like another copy, please contact either of us at [email protected] or [email protected].
Funds Co-VPs Marlene Abel and Rory Keller
Non-Event Continues through the End of April
Many thanks to the 29 AAUW Petaluma members who have contributed to this year’s Non-Event as of this writing. We are grateful for your support. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and our main support for student scholarships for local high school and college students and for AAUW Funds and AAUW National, other than dues of individual contributions.
If you didn’t receive a letter from Petaluma AAUW Funds or if you’d like another copy, please contact either of us at [email protected] or [email protected].
Funds Co-VPs Marlene Abel and Rory Keller

APRIL PROGRAM
*** RESCHEDULED – NEW DATE *** Celebrate the Earth: Try the Train!
Tuesday, April 22 10:15 am to 2:00 pm
Petaluma Downtown or Petaluma North SMART Station
Train ride and lunch
RSVP to Jean Reed
Southbound train at Petaluma North station, January 2025
Photo by User:Pi.1415926535,
posted on https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157850146
*** RESCHEDULED – NEW DATE *** Celebrate the Earth: Try the Train!
Tuesday, April 22 10:15 am to 2:00 pm
Petaluma Downtown or Petaluma North SMART Station
Train ride and lunch
RSVP to Jean Reed
Southbound train at Petaluma North station, January 2025
Photo by User:Pi.1415926535,
posted on https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157850146
Did you know that gasoline powered vehicles are among the most significant sources of air pollution? According to the Union of Concerned Scientists and the US Environmental Protection Agency a common passenger vehicle will emit 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, and for each gallon of gasoline burned about 8,887 grams of CO2 are generated. Our (gas) vehicles also create other hazardous by-products. Clearly, anytime we can use other forms of transportation we are helping our planet.
The AAUW EcoEd Section invites you to explore one of these alternatives, Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART). Specifically, we’ll discover how relatively easy it is to get to the Sonoma County Airport aboard SMART. Meet at either Petaluma Downtown or Petaluma North Station at 10:15 am on Tuesday April 22. Parking for the day is free. We’ll start with a brief orientation before boarding the train. At the airport, we’ll relax and have lunch before making the trip back home.
If you are over 65 your ride is free. Younger folk will pay a nominal fare. Please download the Clipper and Ride Pingo Apps ahead of time. We’ll demonstrate use of both Apps and collectively order shuttle rides for the group.
Dorothy Patch-Kennedy and Jean Reed
The AAUW EcoEd Section invites you to explore one of these alternatives, Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART). Specifically, we’ll discover how relatively easy it is to get to the Sonoma County Airport aboard SMART. Meet at either Petaluma Downtown or Petaluma North Station at 10:15 am on Tuesday April 22. Parking for the day is free. We’ll start with a brief orientation before boarding the train. At the airport, we’ll relax and have lunch before making the trip back home.
If you are over 65 your ride is free. Younger folk will pay a nominal fare. Please download the Clipper and Ride Pingo Apps ahead of time. We’ll demonstrate use of both Apps and collectively order shuttle rides for the group.
Dorothy Patch-Kennedy and Jean Reed

UPCOMING SRJC EVENT
AAUW MEMBERS INVITED TO ATTEND
Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma campus, has a new building dedicated to the Construction Training program and they are celebrating on April 26, 2025 from 4 to 7 pm.
Tickets available at: https://petaluma.santarosa.edu/buildingfutures.
AAUW MEMBERS INVITED TO ATTEND
Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma campus, has a new building dedicated to the Construction Training program and they are celebrating on April 26, 2025 from 4 to 7 pm.
Tickets available at: https://petaluma.santarosa.edu/buildingfutures.
PRESIDENT"S MESSAGE
Goldfish Story
Rumor has it that Patsy Knight loves to tell stories. Here is one of them.
On a normal day, students went into a classroom, and all the desks were arranged in a circle in the middle of the room. The instructor was super scary that day. The instructor stated. “You are not allowed to move, speak, or get up. Anyone who does fails the class.”
Everyone was terrified. In the middle of the circle on one desk was a bowl with a goldfish. The instructor took the goldfish out of the bowl, and put it on the middle of the desk and then walked out.
Everyone looked at each other. “What do we do?”
After a few minutes a student got up and put the goldfish back in the bowl saying, “The —— with it!”
Lesson learned! This is a pivotal time for everyone to make a decision: what do you want to do now? Many ways to attack a problem with many solutions - you have the choice!
Co-President Patsy Knight
Goldfish Story
Rumor has it that Patsy Knight loves to tell stories. Here is one of them.
On a normal day, students went into a classroom, and all the desks were arranged in a circle in the middle of the room. The instructor was super scary that day. The instructor stated. “You are not allowed to move, speak, or get up. Anyone who does fails the class.”
Everyone was terrified. In the middle of the circle on one desk was a bowl with a goldfish. The instructor took the goldfish out of the bowl, and put it on the middle of the desk and then walked out.
Everyone looked at each other. “What do we do?”
After a few minutes a student got up and put the goldfish back in the bowl saying, “The —— with it!”
Lesson learned! This is a pivotal time for everyone to make a decision: what do you want to do now? Many ways to attack a problem with many solutions - you have the choice!
Co-President Patsy Knight
Nominating Committee Report and Election Announcement
Thank you to the Nominating Committee for their diligent work in putting together a proposed slate of nominations for our elected officers. The election for the offices of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Presidents of Membership, Programs and Funds, will take place in mid-April via electronic vote. Watch for an eblast with information about casting your vote.
If you wish to make a nomination “from the floor” prior to the election, please contact Patsy Knight, Chair of the Nominating Committee by April 5th.
Officers Nominated for Election
Thank you to the Nominating Committee for their diligent work in putting together a proposed slate of nominations for our elected officers. The election for the offices of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Presidents of Membership, Programs and Funds, will take place in mid-April via electronic vote. Watch for an eblast with information about casting your vote.
If you wish to make a nomination “from the floor” prior to the election, please contact Patsy Knight, Chair of the Nominating Committee by April 5th.
Officers Nominated for Election
- Co-President: Joanne Rooney and Marlene Abel
- Co-VP Program: Charlene Nugent and Patsy Knight
- Co-VP Membership: Sheila Garvey and Stefanie Capps
- Co-VP Funds: Rory Keller and Camille Sauve
- VP Finance: Adrienne Kulasingam
- Board Secretary: Patricia Souza
The Rest of the Slate! The Nominating Committee also found members for our appointed positions. As you can see, it takes many hands to do the work of the branch. Thank you to members who have stepped up (in many cases, again!) to keep our branch strong and running smoothly.
Appointed Positions 2025-26
Appointed Positions 2025-26
- DEI Coordinator: Alexandria Torres
- Hospitality: Michele Meyer and Noellene Sommer
- Parliamentarian: Barbara Guggemos
- Public Policy: Pam Granger and Jean Reed
- Sections Coordinator: Patty Shribbs
- SRJC Liaison: Kathy Schmidt, Doris Tolks
- SSU Liaison: Kris U’Ren
- Tech Trek Coordinators: Dorothy Suarez, Jean Reed, Hilary Blyth
- Database Manager: Rory Keller
- Membership Concerns: Kathy Schmidt
- New Members: Jan Everidge
- Facebook/Social Media: Kris U’Ren
- Gold Book Editor: Patti Pritchard and Mary Ann Kendall
- Publications Sponsors: Leslie Maze
- Perspective: Barbara Guggemos and Anne Taylor
- Publicity: Open
- Webmaster: Ray Hendess
- Zoom Coordinator: Open
AAUW on YouTube
Did you know that you can access webinars presented by AAUW CA on YouTube?
Just go HERE and click on “Subscribe.”
You can drop in to hear 35 AAUW Fellows give quick descriptions of their post-graduate work, learn how to use Instagram, catch up on AAUW positions, and more.
Did you know that you can access webinars presented by AAUW CA on YouTube?
Just go HERE and click on “Subscribe.”
You can drop in to hear 35 AAUW Fellows give quick descriptions of their post-graduate work, learn how to use Instagram, catch up on AAUW positions, and more.
Mission Statement
AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls, through research, education, and advocacy.
Diversity Statement
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team and board of directors.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
Economic Security – Pay Equity
AAUW offers free on-line salary negotiation training. Sign up for Work Smart
Copyright © 2003
Petaluma Branch
American Association of University Women
Web Design by Ray Hendess
AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls, through research, education, and advocacy.
Diversity Statement
In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks an inclusive membership, workforce, leadership team and board of directors.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, geographical location, national origin, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
Economic Security – Pay Equity
AAUW offers free on-line salary negotiation training. Sign up for Work Smart
Copyright © 2003
Petaluma Branch
American Association of University Women
Web Design by Ray Hendess