2021-02FebruaryPerspective

AAUW February 2021 Perspective

February 2021 -- Volume 66, No. 7

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

(see articles below for more information)

Upcoming AAUW Petaluma events

Feb. 8 - General Meeting to approve amendments to Bylaws, 7:00-7:15 p.m.

Feb. 18 - ZOOM webinar with County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase, 2 p.m.

Other AAUW events

Mar. 20 - Tri-Branch Luncheon (Virtual), 11 a.m.

Mar. 22 - Training for AAUW Virtual Lobby Day

Mar. 24 - AAUW Virtual Lobby Day

AAUW Reminder: Virtual Meetings Only

Reminder: AAUW does not sanction in-person meetings at this time or for the foreseeable future.

February Program to Feature
Dr. Sundari Mase

Dr. Sandari Mase, Sonoma County Health Officer, will speak to us on Thursday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m. via ZOOM webinar.

Dr Mase will share with us her path from studying engineering at UC Berkeley to becoming the Health Officer in Sonoma County. She will share what it was like to arrive in Sonoma County during the very early days of the pandemic, and will discuss what drew her to public health. We have asked her to share advice for young women thinking about pursuing careers in science and specifically medicine and public health.

She will also provide us with an update on COVID 19, particularly as it relates to women, and information regarding the vaccine roll-out for our county.

We have invited members of Santa Rosa and Healdsburg AAUW to join us for this presentation.

If you have questions for Dr. Mase, please forward them to Stefanie Capps at [email protected] or Kris U’Ren at [email protected]

The ZOOM link to the program will arrive in your in-box on Wednesday, February 17.

For members who are unable to attend an afternoon session, the program will be recorded and available to members.

Program Co-VP Stefanie Capps

Coming in March: Virtual Tri-Branch Luncheon

Lunch Is On The Agenda!

Put the Tri-Branch Luncheon on your calendar for March 20 at 11 a.m.

Yes, we’ll be meeting by ZOOM, but there will be time to visit at your “table” with AAUW friends and members from Novato and Marin. Recipes will be circulated before the meeting so you can prepare your DIY lunch to enjoy while we listen to our speaker.

Dr. Cynthia Boaz of Sonoma State University will give us timely update on how reproductive rights impact a woman’s – and our society’s – quality of life. It will be a fun and informative time together, just like it is every year!

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSERS

We miss seeing you in the theater!

Check our website for digital streaming

cinnabartheater.org

Facebook Reminder

Please follow our AAUW Petaluma Facebook page. You will be automatically updated on events. If you "like" and/or "share" the post, it will go out to a wider audience!

Kris U'Ren.

President's Message

January 20, 2021. As I write today, I feel that we are starting anew. 2021 is still young. We have an administration that we can trust to work for unity and the good of all. Friends are getting the vaccine. Our history is being looked at with new eyes, and people are working through difficult conversations about justice – racial, environmental, social, economic. And daffodils are blooming.

I feel renewed by the new grass transforming the hills around Petaluma into green velvet. This happens every year, of course, but this year I am seeing beyond the beauty; I’m seeing new life and hope. When I was in high school, I had a boyfriend who was willing to bet that the California hills never turn green. “Nothing grows there,” he said with a teen’s confidence. He was a Bay Area native but had simply never noticed and, at 17, had other things on his mind!

The lesson: Take time to look at what is around you. Clear your mind. Find meaning in what you see. “For there is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.” (Words of America’s First Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman at President Biden’s inauguration.) Today is a new day. I want to be that light.

Co-President Jean Reed

FUNDS

The Non-Event Fundraiser is Here!

This is a special time of year. It is the time our branch raises funds for our scholarships to Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa J.C., as well as for national AAUW funds that count toward Named Gift Honorees and other national programs.

Each year we have raised enough money through the ‘Non-Event’ to award two scholarships to SSU recipients and to fund one scholarship for a SRJC recipient, all of whom are re-entry students. Our scholarships make a real difference in the supporting these students toward earning their degrees.

So, how you do you participate in the ‘Non-Event’?

It is easy. When you receive your ‘Non-Event Invitation’, simply write a check, designate where you want your support to go, and put it in the self-addressed envelope. Done! And you have not had to leave the comfort of your home while contributing to the many ways our branch stands behind AAUW’s commitment to advancing gender equity for women and girls through education and advocacy.

Please look at the donation designation information in your Invitation to determine where you prefer your gift to go.

Thank you for your generous support!

Any questions, please contact:
Sandy Benson, 763-1629/ [email protected]
Karen Johnson, 791-6568 / [email protected]

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Tech Trek 2021

Volunteers are needed to serve as coaches in a 3-hour morning core program for a week, or in 90-minute afternoon workshops for as many days as you would like.

There are three virtual camps currently scheduled for students all over California:

June 21-25
July 12-16
July 26-30

Build coaches will focus on guiding technology learning during the core course and should be familiar with or open to learning simple wiring and coding.

Social coaches will focus on administrative tracking and social learning during both the core course and afternoon or evening workshops.

Training and a stipend will be given for all coaching positions.
For a short video from a camper in the robotics program last August, click on this link: https://flipgrid.com/s/016446c71cc5

Applications for campers and coaches will be online this year and should begin soon.

We will be able to send at least 4 girls to virtual camp this year. Though the virtual camp costs less this year, there is an expectation that the fee for future residence camps will be rising. We are continuing to raise funds for Tech Trek. Any unused funds will be rolled over to the next year’s Tech Trek camp for our branch.

If you would like to donate,

Please make your check out to AAUW-CA SPF and write in “Tech Trek Petaluma Branch” on the memo line.
Please mail checks to: Michele Meyer, 2213 Mari Lane, Petaluma, CA 94954

Thank you,

Michele Meyer, Tech Trek Coordinator, AAUW-Petaluma branch

A United Front - Women’s Community Statement on

President Trump’s Removal

Statement from AAUW National:

"AAUW is proud to join in solidarity with leading gender justice and equity organizations in demanding that President Trump and his enablers be held accountable for the recent attacks on our democracy."

Click HERE to read the Women's Community statement endorsed by AAUW and posted on the national AAUW website.

Co-President Jean Reed

SCHOOL SUPPORT COMMITTEE UPDATE

One of AAUW Petaluma's goals this year is to help support schools during this pandemic. We continue to work toward that end by encouraging members to become mentors with Petaluma People Services Mentor Me Program. Two members, Jean Reed and Pat Riley, have been trained as Mentor Me volunteers and have been assigned Mentees. We are starting an incredible journey: supporting students who need a little more psychosocial support, via ZOOM for right now. Our site coordinators are holding our hands virtually, supporting us as we begin.

If you are already a mentor, please contact Jean Reed at [email protected] or 408-655-9616, or Pat Riley at [email protected] or 707-775-8163. It would be great for us all to connect and support/learn from each other.

We invite anyone who is interested in becoming a mentor to SIGN UP or contact [email protected] or 707-778-4798. A very rewarding experience awaits you.

Thank you to the members who have donated to the Petaluma People Services/Mentor Me Program in the name of AAUW. To date, we have donated over $900!

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you can send a check to PPSC at 1500 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 94952. Members can indicate AAUW and which fund they would like to support on their check. Members can also donate online at https://petalumapeople.org/donate/.

Pat Riley

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Phone: (707) 763-1515

Fax: (707) 765-0256
Email: [email protected]

Note on ZOOM meetings

For security reasons, ZOOM links are not included in the Perspective.

PROGRAMS – The ZOOM link will be sent to all members in an email the day before the event.
SECTIONS – Sections will send the link directly to section members. Be sure to RSVP so that you get the ZOOM link.
NEW MEETINGS – Contact Kathy Schmidt to set up a new ZOOM meeting.
ZOOM BY PHONE – For audio only, call 669-900-9128, enter Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.

Your Vote Matters

Brief Branch Meeting to Vote on Bylaws Amendments

February 8 at 7 p.m.

Please give us 15 minutes of your time. On February 8 at 7pm there will be a general meeting immediately before the monthly board meeting to vote on proposed changes to the Branch Bylaws. All members received an email with details of four changes that are necessary to clarify and simplify branch business.

Bylaws can only be altered if enough members vote. A link to the ZOOM meeting will be sent on Sunday February 7. Please join us for this important vote.

COMMENT ON THE WORK OF THE BYLAWS COMMITTEE

As someone long involved in bylaw amendment projects for a number of organizations, I thank the four of you for what I can only imagine was a daunting task. Riding the fine line between what is mandated by our branch’s long history and what is necessary in current conditions cannot have been an easy run.

Boiling the changes down to these and providing clear explanations is a tribute to your long immersion in the AAUW culture and concern with keeping the branch operational and meaningful in times of COVID-19.

Most sincerely,
Ann Fox

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Leah DeBerardinis, D.D.S.

511 Hayes Lane
Petaluma, CA 94952 hillcrestdentalgroup.net
(707) 763-2654

Title IX – Past, Present, Future

The Title IX Webinar – Breaking Down Barriers

can be viewed on the AAUW CA website (click here).

The webinar gives a history of Title IX and an update on the status of Equity in Sports and problems with recent changes to guidelines related to sexual assault and their use in K-12 schools.

I was honored to be included as a panelist to talk about actions taken by AAUW San Jose to support Title IX over the past several years. I hope you will take time to watch the webinar. 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

Please contact me if you are interested in working on commemorating this milestone.

Jean Reed

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

OPINION

AAUW National Racial Justice Town Hall

I participated in a National AAUW virtual racial justice town hall mid-January and for the first time changed my opinion on the concept of eliminating the degree requirement for membership in AAUW which will again be coming up for a vote. I now support a bylaw change and I’ll tell you why.

This has come up before, so I’ll start by going back to one of my prior objections – look at our name, I thought. The American Association of University Women; of course, we want an education requirement, or we’d have to change our name…

It was pointed out that even though there is no interest in changing our current name from AAUW, we have had more than one name in our history. The NAACP is an example of an organization whose name and goals have remained since 1909 even though the term “colored people” is one that I might have heard from my grandmother.
As for the “University” in our name, we transitioned to accepting college and then associate degrees to be more inclusive, so that’s been a stretch for some time.
And then there is that “Women” thing. We have enthusiastically accepted men who support our mission and goals for years as well.

Some other observations that were made by members of our national board of directors and other participants include:

Dropping the education requirement for membership doesn’t mean we stop supporting education as a way for women to advance and be financially strong and independent – it’s just that there are additional ways to succeed, such as through trades, many things related to computers, sales, etc. and those women and supporters also care about pay equity, paid leave, equal opportunity for advancement, just like those with college degrees.
We need to LIVE our mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy every time we get together and we lose ground when we fail to grant full membership equally with all who share that mission.
Restricted membership feels like systemic racism. More people of color aren’t able to attend college. The cost of college can be prohibitive and not all who want equity can qualify. Life circumstances play a role.
AAUW doesn’t qualify for some grants/funding that would support research and programs because we are exclusionary. We want to help women, but only accept some as members.

Learn more by clicking here.

Pam Granger, Public Policy Chair:

AAUW NATIONAL

Comment on Proposed Changes to National Bylaws

This spring (April/May) AAUW members will vote on changes recommended by the AAUW Board of Directors and AAUW Governance Committee that would eliminate the degree requirement for membership. Now through February 5, 2021, you can comment on the proposed changes. All submitted comments or proposed changes will be reviewed by AAUW’s staff and the AAUW Governance Committee.

More information is available here.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSERS

Historic Diversity of 2021’s Incoming Leadership

(Excerpt from AAUW National article. Read the full article HERE.)

As a new Congress comes together and a new administration takes power, there’s plenty of reason for optimism: for one thing, we’ll see unprecedented diversity among our 2021 leaders—and hopefully an unprecedented commitment to equity for all as well. There are record-breaking numbers of diverse women in Congress and in State offices. Biden has also fulfilled his promise to assemble the most diverse Cabinet in American history.

Honor Black History Month

Petaluma Blacks for Community Development is celebrating Black History Month with an exhibit called The Family.

Photographs of local residents can be seen in storefronts downtown all month.

Information on early Black families in Petaluma will be at the Arts Center and a virtual program will be presented on February 27, including music, dance and story-telling.

Take this opportunity to recognize the contributions of Blacks to our community.

MEMBER CONCERNS

GOOD NEWS!

KUDOS to member Elece Hempel!

The 1/21/21 issue of the Argus Courier notes that she is one of 100 Modern Governance 2020 honorees, a Diligent Corporation program shining light on leaders across the nation who help their health care organizations thrive and who “have demonstrated resilience, dedication and empathy in the face of complex and challenging times, when good governance matters more than ever.”

The article explains that Elece has been the Petaluma Health Care District’s board president since 2015 She has played a “vital role in advancing the district’s investment in and management of community health programs and steering the board through (the) complex negotiations and sale of Petaluma Valley Hospital.”

Please let Kathy Schmidt know of good news and not-so-good news for Member Concerns!

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSERS

212 2nd Street, Petaluma CA 94952

707-763-2727

petalumacoffee.com

Sheila Bride, Founder and CFO

[email protected]

Finance Report

Bank balances at the end of December were $5,142.81 in checking and $5,598.70 in savings.

I have reviewed our budget and spending as we are at the halfway point in our fiscal year, and there is no need to make any revisions at this time.

Corey Benjamin, VP Finance

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Summarized from Cathy Netz's minutes of the January 11, 2021, board meeting

Kathy Schmidt moved that the Policies and Procedures be approved as amended. Motion passed.

Rory Keller moved that the Bylaws should be changed to be consistent with the revised Policies and Procedures and that the parts of the updated P&Ps that are not consistent with the Bylaws should become effective as soon as the amendments to the Bylaws are approved at the general meeting. Motion passed.
Membership Co-VP Pat Riley reported that members will be asked to touch base with other members.

Membership Co-VP Dee Short reviewed the handling of donations to AAUW and local AAUW scholarships, and the conditions under which they are tax deductible.

Program Co-VP Stefanie Capps described plans for upcoming programs.

Public Policy chair Pam Granger described plans for AAUW Lobby Day, Equal Pay Day and renewed sponsorship of Petaluma Girls Softball (provided softball teams can play this season).

SRJC Liaison Doris Tolks reported that SRJC hopes to be back in class by September, and that the state budget contains additional funding.

The School Support Committee reported that two members have taken the mentoring class.

The Nominating Committee reported successful efforts so far.

President Rory Keller reported that website updates have been submitted to the webmaster.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSERS

In honor of Mrs. Helen M. Loorya

SRJC LIAISON

News from the JC

Update on the Petaluma campus of SRJC:

There will be expanded lab classes this spring.
Summer classes will still be remote.
The fashion design program will be moving to the Petatuma campus.
The construction training building will be completed by fall 2023.
The fitness center will be a COVID vaccination site for Sonoma County.
The science building is completed. (SRJC is looking for a donor to give it a name.)

SAVE THE DATE!

There will be no annual breakfast this year. However, on JUNE 3, there will be a virtual event from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The planning has already started. More to come next month.

If you have questions about the Petaluma campus, contact Doris.

Doris Tolks, Petaluma Campus Liasion

Gold Book Notes

Has your address or phone number changed since the Gold Book came out?

Be sure to notify Co-VP of Membership Dee Short (click here for her email address), so that your contact information can be updated in the membership database.
If you would like, we can publish your new address and/or phone number here in the Perspective, so that fellow members can manually update their Gold Books. Contact a newsletter co-editor: Anne Taylor (click here), Sandy Smethurst (click here) or Barbara Guggemos (click here),

Please be reminded that our branch directory is for use by AAUW members only and may not be used for recruiting or solicitation for other purposes.

Date of Connected in Place Section

Participants in Connected-In-Place agreed that the FIRST Tuesday of the month is more convenient. Please join for general conversation with AAUW friends. RSVP to Jean Reed to be put on the list for the monthly ZOOM link.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

SECTIONS

Call Patty Shribbs at 769-8961
with general questions or
ideas for new sections.
[email protected]

ACTIVE ZOOM SECTIONS

NEW! CONNECTED IN PLACE GROUP
Opportunity to chat and socialize
Meets 1st Tuesdays
Date: 02.02.21

Time: 10 a.m.
Chair:Jean Reed, [email protected]
RSVP with Jean

NEW! TED TALKS DISCUSSION GROUP
Meets 3rd Tuesdays
Date: 2.16.21

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Topic: Communication and Collaboration

Host: Kris U'Ren

Co-Chairs: Stefanie Capps [email protected] and

Mary Ann Kendall, [email protected]
RSVP with Stefanie Capps.

NEW! TRAVEL SECTION (meeting every other month on first Mondays via ZOOM)
Date:Monday 02.01.21
Time: 11 a.m.

Program: Travelling by Train
Co-Chairs: Wendy Porter, 795-9354

[email protected]
Cathy Burton, 763-9082, [email protected]
RSVP with Wendy.

Saturday Night Drama Reading

(Open only to those members who participated in the spring ZOOM mtgs. Only 10 books are given to us each month. If a second group wishes to gather with the same plays, please let Patty Shribbs or Kay know.}
Meets second Saturdays

Date: 02.13.21
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: ZOOM
Play: Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie
Chair: Kay Hardy, [email protected] or 981-7171

Evening Modern Literature
Meets 4th Mondays
Date: 02.22.21
Time: 7:15 pm (Meet & Greet) before discussion at 7:30
Place: ZOOM with MaryAnn
Book: A Woman is no Man by Etaf Rum

Chair: MaryAnn Kendall,

mkendall413@gmail.com or 781-3722

RSVP: with MaryAnn

Morning Modern Literature Group
Second Tuesdays
Date: 02.09.21
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: ZOOM with Barbara Crandell
Book: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Co-Chairs: Anne Trujillo [email protected] and Maureen Sheridan Scott [email protected]
RSVP: with AnneTrujillo, [email protected]

Dining Section “Eclectic Gourmet”
(ZOOM Cocktail Hours to be substituted)
Please contact Anne if interested.
Chair: Anne Taylor,: [email protected] or 774-6586

Walking Group- Fridays after work
Meets most Fridays
Time: Weekly Walking Challenges posted by email
Chair: Contact Rory Keller, [email protected] or 763-2072

Craft Group (at capacity)

SECTIONS ON HOLD DUE TO COVID OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH

DINING GROUPS

ART AND HISTORY
NEW AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
HIKING GROUP
GARDEN SECTION
BRIDGE SECTIONS

E x e c u t i v e B o a r d

ELECTED OFFICERS
Co-Presidents: Rory Keller and Jean Reed
Co-VPs, Program: Kris U'Ren and Stefanie Capps
Co-VPs, Membership: Pat Riley and Dee Short (Membership Treasurer)
Co-VPs, Funds: Sandy Benson and Karen Johnson
Vice President, Finance: Cory Benjamin
Secretary: Cathy Netz

APPOINTED OFFICERS, GENERAL

Hospitality: Norma Jean Walsh

Institutional Memory: Pam Granger

Parliamentarian: Barbara Guggemos

Public Policy; Pam Granger
Sections Coordinator: Patty Shribbs

SRJC Liaison: Doris Tolks

SSU Liaison: Patricia Webb

Tech Trek Coordinator: Michele Meyer

APPOINTED OFICERS, MEMBERSHIP
Database: Rory Keller
Membership Concerns: Kathy Schmidt
New Members: Patricia Souza

APPOINTED OFFICERS, COMMUNICATION

Facebook: Kris U'Ren

Gold Book Editor: Shayne Miller
Perspective Co-Editors: Anne Taylor, Barbara Guggemos, Sandy Smethurst
Publications Sponsors: Barbara Madick

Publicity: Stefanie Capps
Social Media: Stefanie Capps
Webmaster: Ray Hendess

Our web page is:

www.aauwpetaluma.us

Our mailing address is:
AAUW
P.O. Box 7054
Petaluma, CA 94955-7054