2022-10OctoberPerspective

AAUW Petaluma October 2022 Perspective

October 2022 -- Volume 68, No. 2

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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

(see articles below for more information)

Upcoming AAUW Petaluma events

October 5 - Candidate Forum: Mayor and City Council District 3, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

October 10 - Candidate Forum: City Council Districts 1 & 2, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

October 19 - October program: Voting Rights, Democracy at Risk?, 6:30 p.m.

Other events

October 19 - League of Women Voters Zoom forum on California Propositions Pros and Cons, 2:00 p.m.
California Propositions "Get Out the Vote" letter-writing parties

OCTOBER PROGRAM

VOTING RIGHTS - DEMOCRACY AT RISK?

Johannes van Gorp, Ph.D., an instructor in history and political science at the SRJC, will speak with us about the surge in voting rights-related legislation across the country and the impact on us all.

Date/Time: October 19, 6:30 p.m.

Location: Petaluma Library Community Room, 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma

There are a number of programs in October related to voting: In addition to forums specifically on candidates and propositions that will be up for a vote in local elections in November, our branch is also offering this program which will take general look at what is happening in the country concerning voting rights.

Please join us and invite your family and friends to this talk on an issue that may change this country as we know it..

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS / PUBLIC POLICY

UPCOMING VOTER FORUMS

In election years, our branch’s October program has traditionally been a candidate forum that we have co-sponsored with the League of Women Voters and have held in the Petaluma City Council Chambers, with one of our members serving as moderator.

This year, with Covid still a concern, our members will be able to watch two jointly sponsored Petaluma candidate forums online, as well as a third LWV program on California Proposition Pros and Cons.

Forums in which Petaluma AAUW members can participate as Zoom webinar attendees:
_________________________________________________________
Petaluma Mayor and City Council District 3
Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. Click HERE for ZOOM link
_________________________________________________________
Petaluma City Council Districts 1 & 2
Monday, October 10 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. Click HERE for ZOOM link
_________________________________________________________
California Propositions Pros & Cons
Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m.
RSVP to [email protected] to receive the ZOOM link

Other possibilities for watching the forums:

Live stream on SONOMA LWV FACEBOOK LIVE (click HERE for link)
Live stream on SONOMA LWV YOUTUBE (click HERE for link)

Get the Facts Before You Vote

If you cannot attend the forums, go to www.votersedge.org/ca. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Voter’s Edge California is a comprehensive, non-partisan online guide to elections.

AAUW CA has taken a position supporting

Proposition 1 (provides a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom, including the right to an abortion) and
Proposition 28 (requires funding for K-12 art and music education).

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

In Honor of Mrs. Helen M. Loorya

Does your Gold Book information need to be updated?

Please take a minute to check your entry in the current Gold Book to see whether it is correct.

If you need to make any changes, notify Co-VP of Membership Dee Short (click HERE) so that your contact information can be updated in the membership database before we issue the next Gold Book..

President's Message

All of a sudden, it feels like Autumn! We kicked off the 2022-23 year at our Fall Social. Our mission -- advancing equity for women and girls through education, advocacy, and research -- was clearly in evidence throughout the event. Tech Trek and NCCWSL participants as well as one of our scholarship winners shared their experiences and were a testament to our educational support of young women and girls. Postcards were written and simple ways to advocate were presented. And there was a great deal of research going on at the Refreshment Table (amply supplied by Norma Jean Walsh) as to which cookies were the tastiest.

At the heart of it all, and what now feels very special to me (after two plus years of the pandemic), is the simple act of coming together -- renewing our friendships, laughing together, sharing confidences, meeting and making new friends. Check out the smiles in the group photo from the Social! It was so fun!

The sense of community, friendship, and support for each other is how we can take care of ourselves while carrying out the important work ahead.

And we do have important work ahead. I can’t remember a time when the mid-term elections were so important to our democratic nation. Reproductive rights are on the ballot. Voting rights are on the ballot. These are key issues for AAUW. It can seem overwhelming, but we can do something!

Check out the opportunities to learn about candidates for Petaluma mayor and city council, as well as the state propositions co- sponsored by League of Women Voters.
Attend our October program, Voting Rights: Is Democracy at Risk?
Be an advocate from your own home by signing up for AAUW’s Two Minute Activist, https://www.aauw.org/act/two-minute-activist/
.
Explore organizations such as Vote Forward: https://votefwd.org. Vote Forward offers a way you can help boost voter turnout by writing letters targeted to places where voting rates are low.

We can make a difference by drawing inspiration, strength, and, most importantly, joy from each other as we advance equity for all.

Co-President Stefanie Capps

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Cinnabar Theater

3333 Petaluma Blvd.North

Petaluma, CA 94952

Check our website for show schedules.
cinnabartheater.org
(click HERE)

Fall Social Report

About 55 people, including new and prospective members and guests from our Tech Trek and NCCWSL programs, attended the Social on September 18, 2022. With Co-Presidents Anne Taylor and Stefani Capps presiding, Anna Taylor was awarded her 50-year certificate and an Honorary Lifetime Membership in AAUW.

This year, 2022, was the first in-person Tech Trek camp since 2019. Four of those Tech Trek campers summarized their camp experience and what it meant to them.

Our SSU scholarship recipient, Kit James, and our 2019 NCCWSL awardee, Leticia Garcia Arango, talked about their education and future path.

We enjoyed snacks, visiting with old and new friends, and hearing about programs in the year ahead of us. If you missed the Social, please be sure to keep an eye on the program listing in the Gold Book and keep up with notices in Perspective.

This year's Fall Social was held at Cram Hall, St. John's Episcopal Church on 5th St.

During the program, members and guests sat at tables with flower centerpieces donated by members of the Garden Section.

Co-Presidents.Stefanie Capps and Anne Taylor welcomed members to this first program of the 2022/23 year.

See articles below for additional information and photos.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

SCHOOL SUPPORT COMMITTEE

Calling All Retired Teachers!

We have all heard that our schools face the challenge of catching up from time lost due to Covid. Schools are looking for more support for students.

At McKinley School, the Reading Specialist has asked for help from retired teachers who could listen to children read. The Mentor Me School Site Coordinator at McKinley, Kathy O'Sullivan, is also asking for reading help in the library. Please contact Kathy at 707-364-2228 or [email protected] if you would like to volunteer to help in the library or classrooms.

If we have enough interest from our retired teachers, we will connect with reading specialists in other schools. Thank you in advance for your willingness to share your expertise!

Pat Riley, 707-775-8163 or [email protected].

AAUW Petaluma Program Schedule 2022-2023

"Breaking Through Barriers"

Here are the subjects and dates of programs planned for this coming fiscal year. This list is also available in your new Gold Book. Articles about individual upcoming programs will also be published in each month's Perspective.

Program Co-VPs Jean Reed and Rory Keller.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

212 2nd Street, Petaluma CA 94952

707-763-2727

petalumacoffee.com

Sheila Bride, Founder and CFO

[email protected]

AAUW Petaluma at the Petaluma Arts Center

Honoring Women: Our Families, Our Heroes, Our Friends

In the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, AAUW Petaluma is pleased to participate in the Petaluma Arts Center (PAC) tribute, “Honoring Life: Love and Remembrance.” This exhibition at PAC aims to embrace different cultures in our community. A number of community organizations, including AAUW, will showcase their alters. The exhibit will be on view from October 6 to November 5.

AAUW Petaluma's altar is being assembled by a group of AAUW members who met with Artist and PAC Curator Irma Vega Bijou, an expert in Dia de los Muertos alters, to learn about traditions worldwide. The AAUW participants in this exhibit have been inspired by the lives and actions of women who have walked before us. With this communal altar, we honor family members who have guided us and recognize public figures who have had an impact on our lives. For most of us, it was the first time we have shown our remembrance in this way. The process of selecting items with personal meanings while working together has brought us individual solace and communal joy.

Please visit the Petaluma Arts Center during the month of October. It is open

Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 4 p.m. For more information, see https://petalumaartscenter.org/news/opening-reception-for-honoring-life-love-and-remembrance

Co-VP, Programs, Jean Reed,

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.

Archiving Our History

AAUW Petaluma is currently embarking on a project with California Revealed, a California State Library initiative that helps public libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, and other heritage groups digitize and preserve documents which underscore our place in California History. This is a project that will take awhile.

First, at the suggestion of California Revealed, we are preparing to submit our Scrapbooks/ Photo Albums for preservation.

We currently have six photo albums. Please help us find the other, more complete albums from the past. If you have one or know someone who does, please let us know. At this time, we cannot take any loose photos or other items. We can reevaluate after our albums have been accepted.

Thank you to our committee: Doris Tolks, Theresa Haire, Kathy Schmidt, Debbie Daunt, and Pam Granger.

For more information or any questions, contact Pat Riley, [email protected]; 707-775-8163 (phone and text).

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Phone: (707) 763-1515

Fax: (707) 765-0256

Email: [email protected]

SRJC NEWS

At the Fall Social, SRJC Liaison Doris Tolks introduced Leticia Garcia Arango, an SRJC graduate and past recipient of our branch's scholarship for AAUW's National Conference for College Women Student Leaders.

Leticia, who went on to graduate from UCLA in May 2021, described her experience at NCCWSL and how it helped her in her career choice and subsequent college studies.

Leticia is currently working for CalWorks at SRJC and plans to go for her Master's. Good work and congratulations, Leticia.

ZOOM Coordinators

Do you need assistance setting up a hybrid meeting or do you have technical concerns? Click HERE to contact Patti Prichard.
Do you want to use our branch's Zoom account for a meeting and need to be added to the Zoom schedule? Click HERE to contact MaryAnn Kendall.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Tech Trek Report

In-person Tech Trek camp at SSU resumed this past June after two years of virtual activities prompted by the Covid epidemic. Our branch sent five girls to Tech Trek STEM camp in June 2022

At our Fall Social, Tech Trek Coordinator Michele Meyer introduced four of the five girls our branch sponsored this year. Each gave an account of some of their favorite classes, how they enjoyed meeting dorm mates and the excitement of being in college dorms and on the “ginormous” SSU campus.

Michele also thanked branch members who volunteered at the camp in various positions, especially the Dorm Moms".

A big thank you to all who have supported Tech Trek each year, as it is made possible through donations and fundraisers.

If you would like to make a donation, please make out your check to AAUW CA - SPF, with "Tech Trek" written on memo line.

Checks can be sent to Michele Meyer, Tech Trek Coordinator, Petaluma Branch; 2213 Mari Lane, Petaluma, CA 94954.

At Tech TrekCamp, June 2022

Back row: Camp Co-Director Patsy Knight, campers Paola Resendiz Valdez and Allyson Buot and dorm mom Jan Schmidt

Front row: Daizy Flores and Daniela Aranda

Tech Trekkers recounting their experiences at the Fall Social

Left to right :Allyson Buot, Cynthia Peter (both from Kenilworth Jr HS); Daniela Aranda (St Vincent’s Elementary); and Paola Resendiz Valdez (Cinnabar School).

Not pictured:Daizy Flores (Cinnabar School). (Photo by Stefanie Capps)
.

AAUW member and Petaluma Mayor Teresa Barret meets Tech Trekkers Cynthia and Allyson.

Tech Trek Coordinator Michele Meyer with Allyson and Daniela at the Tech Trek table.

NOTE ABOUT 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 chairs will send the link directly to section members. Be sure to RSVP so that you get the ZOOM link.
NEW MEETINGS – Contact Patti Prichard o set up a new ZOOM meeting.
ZOOM BY PHONE – For audio only, call 669-900-9128, enter Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Leah DeBerardinis, D.D.S.

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

Funds Report

We are excited about an AAUW CA Funds event coming in October and are encouraging members to attend one or all of the virtual meetings. See what your AAUW Funds dollars support.California fellowship and grant recipients will be discussing topics such as sustainable environments, global migration, and refugee studies.

You can sign up for one or all events. The website is https://www.aauw-ca-org/aauw-2022-funds-events/. It is also interesting to read the speakers' bios which you will also find on the website.

And we report that AAUW Petaluma has $2,795.01 in its Funds account this month.

Jan Everidge and Marlene Abel, VP Funds Co-Chairs

SSU Scholarship Recipient Speaks
at Fall Social

At the Fall Social, Funds Co-VP Jan Everidge introduced Kit James, our SSU Scholarship recipient for the 2022-2023 school year.

After 30 years in the fashion industry, Kit is making a late-in-life career change to public service.

Kit has two sons in college, is pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration, and is also working part time for the Department of Labor. She is one busy woman!

SSU LIAISON

Mentor a College Student!

In our ongoing quest to reach younger women, we are piloting a program at SSU. We want to pair women from the basketball team with women in the community.

If you would like to mentor a woman college athlete, please let me know.

We are just starting this program, so we don’t know what form it will take.You certainly do not need to know about basketball! We want the young women to feel connected with the community - maybe listening is all that will be required! Please consider joining me in making this new program a success!

Kris U’Ren, SSU Liaison
[email protected]

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Finance Report

Over the summer, the 2021/2022 fiscal year financial records were reviewed by Eileen Simard and reported to be in order.

The Proposed 2022-2023 Budget published in the September Perspective (click HERE) was subsequently approved by the AAUW Petaluma membership at our September meeting.

The balance in the checking account was $5,490.85 as of August 31 and the savings account balance was $5,608.03.

Corey Benjamin, VP Finance

Anna Taylor - Lifetime Member

At the Fall Social, Co-President Anne Taylor, presented a 50-year certificate to Anna Taylor, along with an Honorary Lifetime Membership in AAUW.

Anna joined AAUW in 1971 and since then has served in nearly every officer position in our branch, including two years as branch president from 1979 to 1981.She is a past Named Gift Honoree, and continues to be an active member in 2022/23, much appreciated as a kind and friendly presence at branch meetings and section activities.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Facebook / Instagram Reminder

Our January Title IX panelists suggested that our Branch needed to go where young people live.

We now have an Instagram Page! It is easy to start a personal Instagram account, just download the app. You don’t have to post, just follow other accounts especially ours - aauw.petaluma

We need members to follow both our Instagram and Facebook page! Share the info with others

Kris U'Ren

Member Concerns

Get well wishes and hugs go out to Patsy Knight who was sent to the Petaluma Valley emergency on September 17 and transferred to Kaiser in Terra Linda on the evening of the 19th. I’ve spoken with her and she is joking as usual, but there is no diagnosis as of this writing on 9/20/22. Cards are welcome.

Belated Birthday Wishes to Shirley McDonald on her 100th birthday on September 7. Shirley is a founding member of our branch. Thank you, Shirley, for your vision and for sharing your life with us.

Kathy Schmidt
[email protected]

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Want to help? PPSC always needs volunteers!

Consider:

Meals on Wheels
Petaluma Bounty
Mentor Me
iRIDE Driver
Administrative Support
Disaster Volunteer

Call 1 707 765-8484 or click HERE to volunteer or get more information

SECTIONS

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

Please note: We have volunteers to help with mentoring if anyone wishes to start a new section!

ACTIVE ZOOM SECTIONS

Ted Talk Discussion Group

Open to everyone

Meets 3rd Tuesday every other month

Date: 11.17.22
Time: 3:00
Topic: TBD

Co-Chairs: Stefanie Capps [email protected] and

MaryAnn Kendall, [email protected]

Evening Modern Literature

Hybrid meeting - ZOOM option or in-person

See Face 2 Face entry below for current meeting information

GROUPS MEETING FACE 2 FACE
(with Covid guidelines in place)

BRIDGE SECTIONS

Wednesday Bridge Group (beginners welcome)
Meets 1st Wednesday
Date: 10.05.22
Place: TBD
Chair Diana Brown, [email protected]
(707) 774-4968

Thursday Bridge Group
Meets 3rd Thursday at 1 or 7 p.m.
Date: 10.20.22
Place: TBD
Chair: Jane Jernigan, [email protected], (707) 778-0543, [email protected].

Friday Bridge Group
Meets 2nd Friday
Date: 10.14.22
Chair: Claire Pass, [email protected],
(707) 763-9075

DINING SECTIONS

Eclectic Gourmet
Please contact Anne Taylor if interested.
Chair: Anne Taylor, [email protected] or (707) 774-6586

Out to Lunch Bunch

Wednesday group meets 2nd Wednesday
Date: 10.12.22
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Place: Mi Pueblo el Centro on Kentucky St.

Thursday group meets 1st Thursday
Date: 10.06.22
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Place: Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery
Co-chairs: Jan Everidge, [email protected] and Laverne Stout, [email protected]

LITERATURE SECTIONS

Evening Modern Literature Group

Hybrid meeting: Zoom option offered
Meets: 4th Monday
Date: 10.24.2022

Place: 12 Fair Street

Time: 7 p.m. (Meet & Greet at 6:45)
Book: The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Hosts: Pat Riley/Patti Schofler
Co-Chairs:

Patricia Souza, [email protected] and Patti Prichard, [email protected]
RSVP: Pat Riley, [email protected] or Patti Schofler

Morning Modern Literature Group
Meets 2nd Tuesday
Date: 10.11.22
Time: 10 a.m.

Place: Home of Noellene Sommer
Book: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

Co-Chairs: Anne Trujillo [email protected] and Maureen Sheridan Scott [email protected]
RSVP: Maureen

WALKING SECTIONS

Friday Afternoon Walking Group
Meets most Fridays
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Chair: Contact Rory Keller at [email protected] or (707) 763-2072

Hiking Group
Hikes are starting up again! Anna offers several dates for hikers to choose from. Contact her if interested.
Next Hike Date: 10.23.22
Time: 9:15 a.m.
Place: 124 Howard St. (gather for carpool)
Chair: Anna Taylor, [email protected]. (707) 763-7952

MISCELLANEOUS OTHER SECTIONS

Art and History
Meets third Fridays

Place: Museum of Sonoma Co. in Santa Rosa

Event: Collective Arising; The Insistence of Black Bay Area Artists

Date:10.21.22
Time: TBD
Carpool options: TBD
Chair: MaryAnn Kendall [email protected], (707) 318-7050

Garden Club

Date: TBD
Co-Chairs: Diana Brown, [email protected], (707) 774-4968 and
Patricia Souza, [email protected], (707) 921-8499

MAKE IT Crafts Group

Bowl Painting Party to support Petaluma People's Services

Date: 10.12.22

Time: 10 a.m.

Place: Kris U'ren's home
Host: RSVP with Kris, [email protected]

Chair: Kris U’ren, [email protected].
(707) 763-2529

New Members Section

Date: TBD

Time: TBD

Chair: Pat Riley

Title Niners
Take action to support legislation
Meets 3rd Wednesday
Date: 10.19.22
Time: 1 p.m.
Contact: Jean Reed, [email protected]

GROUPS AT CAPACITY

Craft Section: Cardworthy
Waiting list availbable
Meets first Wednesdays
Chair: Corey Benjamin, [email protected]

Saturday Night Drama
Meets second Saturday
Date: 10.08..22
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: ZOOM
Play: TBD
Chair: Kay Hardy, [email protected] or
(707) 981-7171

Travel Section

Meets every other month on first Monday via ZOOM
Topic: TBD
Time:11 a.m.
Co-Chairs: Wendy Porter, (707) 795-9354, [email protected]
Cathy Burton, (707) 763-9082, [email protected]
RSVP with Wendy

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ELECTED OFFICERS
Co-Presidents: Anne Taylor and Stefanie Capps
Co-VPs, Programs: Rory Keller and Jean Reed
Co-VPs, Membership: Pat Riley and Dee Short (Membership Treasurer)
Co-VPs, Funds: Jan Everidge and Marlene Abel
Vice President, Finance: Corey Benjamin
Secretary: Pat Hanson

APPOINTED OFFICERS, GENERAL

DEI Coordinator: Kathleen VonRaesfeld

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: Kris U'Ren

Tech Trek Coordinator: Michele Meyer

Zoom Team: Patti Prichard and MaryAnn Kendall

APPOINTED OFFICERS, MEMBERSHIP
Database: Rory Keller
Member Concerns: Kathy Schmidt
New Members: Pat Riley

APPOINTED OFFICERS, COMMUNICATION

Facebook/Instagram: Kris U'Ren

Gold Book Editor: Shayne Miller
Perspective Editors: Sandy Smethurst and Barbara Guggemos
Publications Sponsors: Dorothy Suarez

Publicity: Patricia Souza
Webmaster: Ray Hendess

Our web page is:

www.aauwpetaluma.com

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

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