2024-04AprilPerspective

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April 2024 - Volume 72, No. 8

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
(see articles below for more information)

AAUW Petaluma events

Apr. 2-3 - AAUW CA Lobby Days
Apr. 17 - April program, Ellis Creek Wastewater Recycling Facility, 10-11 am:

Community events

April 14 - Blue Zones Project Petaluma Kickoff, SRJC Petaluma, 12:00 - 3:00

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.

“Where Does It All Go?”

April 17 10-11 am

Ellis Creek Wastewater Recycling Facility, 3890 Cypress Drive, Petaluma

Earth Day falls in April and encourages us to take action to preserve and protect our precious planet. This year we’ll be focusing on water. Most people have some idea about how clean water gets to their house. What they often don't understand is what happens to the used water (aka, wastewater) that's created when washing dishes, flushing toilets, or doing other water-using activities at home or at work.

Petaluma has invested in an innovative, efficient water recycling system that is good for residents, good for business, and good for the local environment. You will be impressed with the clean site and complex technologies. Don’t worry, it’s not dirty or smelly!

We will be standing and walking for about one hour so wear comfortable shoes. Bring your own water (in a re-usable bottle, of course). After the tour, you can stop for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants (Pub Republic, Dandy Sando and Lili Kai) or join some of us to walk the trails around the ponds. Please RSVP so we can arrange docents for the tour.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

For more information about
Healthy Petaluma District & Foundation,
formerly Petaluma Health Care District,

Click HERE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Rumor has it that the fellow teachers at Patsy Knight’s elementary school created beautiful flower boxes in front of their classrooms for open house.

Patsy has the ability to kill all flowers, plants and even cacti so she devised a new method —- thinking outside the box. She planted or stuck in the ground a variety of all kinds of fake plants. The problem being that during a very sunny day the flowers tended to sag and even melt. But April is a time to plant seeds hoping they will grow.

My new seed to plant and give all the proper care is GOV TECH. Gov Tech’s goal is to address the shortage of women in the halls of power. GOV Tech is an on-line program for junior and senior high school girls that introduces them to the world of public service and elected office through inspiring speakers and interactive activities. The program culminates in a group competition to create a realistic campaign simulation.

If we participate, we are going to need facilitators for the breakout rooms during the 7 sessions which are held on Saturdays from 10-12:30. This year the sessions started at the beginning of February and ended in March with the competition. Stefanie and I watched the presentations live this year and the girls were amazing. You can see this year's competition winner here.

So put on your gardening outfits, spread a little fertilizer for new sprouts, water and select any of the many projects AAUW offers for you to participate in this year as well as next year!

Co-President Patsy Knight

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.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

212 2nd Street, Petaluma CA 94952
707-763-2727
petalumacoffee.com

Sheila Bride, Founder and CFO
[email protected]

Nominating Committee Report

Slate of Elected Positions

Thank you to this year’s Nominating Committee for their hard work and the myriad phone calls made as we put together a proposed slate for next year’s officers. There are many positions, both elected and appointed, but you can see that many hands make light work (plus we have a lot of fun!) Our Branch is made up of so many talented and busy people, and we appreciate all of you who said “Yes!” when asked to serve.

Stefanie has agreed to stay on as Co-President for another year, but we continue to look for a President-Elect who would act as an understudy to the President’s position, and who would then be ready to step in as a Co-President the following year.

Corey Benjamin, Chair, Nominating Committee

(707) 971-0547

[email protected]

NATIONAL AAUW

AAUW Election on Open Enrollment for Membership Starts April 3rd!

Watch your inbox for your link to vote in the 2024 Bylaws amendments to open AAUW membership to anyone supporting our mission. Voting will take place from April 3 through May 15th.

AAUW members are being asked to vote on eliminating the college degree requirement for membership in AAUW. The sole requirement for joining AAUW would then become support for our purpose of advancing equity for women and girls. Neither our name nor our mission will change, just the degree barrier to joining us.

This change will align our membership practices with our purpose and enable us to include members with the diverse backgrounds and perspectives needed to achieve our purpose in today's world.

Open enrollment will facilitate recruiting new members. Doing away with the degree requirement eliminates the discomfort and embarrassment that accompanies inquiring whether a person is “eligible” to join.

It is important to vote! We last voted in 2021. Only 25% of the membership voted. Of those who voted, 63% voted yes. A 2/3 majority is needed to approve the changes.

If you are in doubt about whether AAUW National has your email, you can log in to your record in the Membership section of the AAUW website to double check.

For more information on this proposed change, check out the AAUW website, and the website of Open Up AAUW.

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

MARCH PROGRAM

2nd Annual Film Fest Was Amazing!

Our Petaluma Branch successfully hosted our second annual Film Fest last month. The reactions we heard immediately afterwards were that the event ran smoothly and that our audience enjoyed the films- particularly the ones about a transwoman competing in the Iditarod, North Shore Betty who was the 73 year old fearless bicyclist, the transmen group and the runner who overcame injuries from a 150 foot fall. Our audience also appreciated hearing from the Women's Soccer Coach from Sonoma State University, Emiria Slazmann.

Our branch was very supportive of this venture. A request for volunteers went out to your board and the slots were filled in less than 24 hours. Many AAUW members attended and brought friends and family. Other folks stepped up to help at the event. Thank you!

We worked with a new film company this year, No Man's Land, which works to celebrate women and diversity in outdoor adventures, while featuring female writers, directors and producers. The company is women owned and run. They were responsive to all of our requests.

The festival was financially successful and raised approximately $2200. We are still processing final reimbursements, so we don't have the exact dollar amount yet. We sold 130 tickets and gave free tickets to our sponsors, OutWest Garage and Jenny Belforte Realty, and volunteers at Mentor Me.

Your planning group is already planning for our third year!.

Marlene Abel, Co-VP Funds

FUNDS REPORT

Progress on the Non-event

The Non-event fund raiser is well under way. We have heard from 38 members already and have received checks in all categories. We are also getting many book recommendations, and that too is gratifying. Thank you so much for giving generously to our local and national funds in support of women and girls. The fundraiser will continue through April, so if you have not donated yet, there is time!

Lose the return envelope? Instructions? In brief, checks can be made payable to AAUW Funds, SSU Foundation, SRJC Foundation, or PEF all of which are tax deductible as allowed by law. Checks to Petaluma AAUW Funds support all of these other funds but are not tax deductible.

Mail checks to Marlene Abel, 133 Maria Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954.

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

Has your Gold Book information changed?

If your contact information in the Gold Book has changed, please contact Co-VP of Membership MaryAnn Kendall (click HERE) so that our membership database can be updated.

Would you like your updated contact information to be published in the newsletter?
If so, contact co-editors Barbara Guggemos (click HERE) and/or Anne Taylor (click HERE).

REMINDER: The Gold Book, our membership directory, is for use only by the membership and may not be used for recruiting or solicitation.

Membership Report

Please welcome several new members to our branch. Shan Evans, Julie Rudolph, Denise Tolls, Nikki Lundberg, Leslie Maze and Lenore Wemstrom have recently joined. We look forward to learning more about them and invite them to join in our meetings and sections.

Our current membership in good standing count is 143.

MaryAnn Kendall & Patti Pritchard, Membership Co-VPs

TECH TREK NEWS

Tech Trek is June 23rd-29th. Members, please mark your calendars to hopefully participate in Camp Franklin at Sonoma State.
Here are some opportunities to help: Dorm moms, classroom monitors, event volunteers. Sign up on this link to volunteer and find out more.

Dorothy Suarez and Hilary Blyth, Tech Trek Coordinators

Finance Report

As of February 29, the balances in our accounts were:

Checking: $4,911.07

Savings: $5,616.45

Corey Benjamin, Finance VP

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

A PODCAST DESIGNED TO GUIDE THOSE DESTINED TO WORK IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY

Join Amy Gutierrez and Celeste Gehring as they interview women in the sports industry.

LISTEN NOW
www.youtube.com/@girlgigpodcast

SECTION NEWS

AAUW NEW MEMBERS COFFEE

4th Thursday of each month at Riverfront Cafe

Next gathering: April 25, 10:00

Coffee, conversation, and great company! A chance for our new members to meet one another, and for all branch members to welcome them to the Petaluma branch of AAUW

All branch members are welcome to come to meet new members. No need to RSVP.

We will gather outside, weather permitting, or inside if it's chilly or rainy.

Hilary Blyth

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, Social Media Chair

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

In Honor of Mrs. Helen M. Loorya

SRJC PETALUMA - BLUE ZONES PROJECT PETALUMA KICK-OFF

April 14 12 pm to 3 pm

Information from SRJC Liaison Doris Tolks:

Come and learn how Petaluma is working toward becoming a Blue Zones Community and get inspired to improve your health and well-being in the places where you work, live, learn, and play.

There will be fun activities, great tastes, music, art, movement, lessons, and connection. Let's Live Better, Longer Petaluma!

RSVP by clicking HERE

Volunteers Needed

A community-wide well-being event does not happen without the community! If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please sign up HERE. Volunteer shifts are available with the flexibility to pick the shift and activity that's best for you! So sign up today and join us for one of our volunteer information sessions on March 25th or April 4th (in-person and virtual sessions available).

Butter & Eggs Days Parade Walking Group

Come walk in the Butter and Eggs Days Parade with Blue Zones Project Petaluma! We would love to have 50 community volunteers join us in a walking group through Historic Downtown Petaluma. Receive a free Blue Zones Project Petaluma t-shirt to wear in the parade and be a leader in our movement creating a healthier Petaluma.

Link to register for the Walking Group: Click HERE

Section Spotlight - Climate Action Studies Section

Climate Action Report

Six of us from the proposed Climate Action Studies Section (CASS) met on March 24 to view the film “Need to Grow”. We were inspired by the do-able solutions presented to combat climate change.

We saw a green power house that produces electricity while regenerating soil, urban gardens built on concrete, seed banks in elementary schools, and more.

The group is hosting Ted Talks on April 16 at 4pm (RSVP to get the ZOOM link). We encourage you to attend the Blue Zones kickoff on April 14 from 12-3pm at SRJC (free) and/or the Los Cien Environmental Justice program on April 17at 5pm at the Lucchesi Center (Tickets $25). If you are interested in supporting a Climate Action Studies Section within the branch, please reply to Suzanne Clarke. Branch Policy requires that we document interest before creating a new Section.

Jean Reed

SINCERE THANKS TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Phone: (707) 763-1515
Fax: (707) 765-0256
Email: [email protected]

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 Zoom Coordinator 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.

Section Spotlight

Art & History Report

On March 15, we enjoyed a lovely day at the Di Rosa Museum of Contemporary Art in Napa. We toured two indoor galleries then walked outside in the fields through the outdoor sculpture park - and finally, enjoyed our lunches outside under the trees. Our docent Iris was delightful.

Thank you to Norma Jean for setting it up!

It was also wonderful to have two new members of AAUW Petaluma with us today - Shan and Nora. What a great day!

Section Leaders Melanie Donahoe and Cathy Netz

SINCERE THANKS TO
OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

Cinnabar Theater
3333 Petaluma Blvd.North
Petaluma, CA 94952

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

SECTIONS

Call Patty Shribbs at (707) 769-8961 with general questions or ideas for new sections.
[email protected]

ACTIVE ZOOM SECTIONS

TED Talks Discussion Group
Open to everyone
Meets 3rd Tuesday, (every other month)
Date: 4.16.24

Time: 4 pm

Host: Suzanne Clark

Topic: Climate Change

Chair: Stefanie Capps, [email protected]

Evening Modern Literature

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: 4.03.24
Place: TBD
Chair Diana Brown, [email protected]
(707) 774-4968

Thursday Bridge Group
Meets 3rd Thursday at 1 or 7 p.m.
Date: 4.18.24
Place: TBD
Chair: Jane Jernigan, [email protected],
(707) 778-0543

Friday Bridge Group
Meets 2nd Friday
Date: 4.12.24
Place: TBD
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
Thursday group meets 1st Thursday
Date: 4.04.24
Time: 11:45
Place: River Front Cafe, 224 B St., Pet.
Wednesday group meets 2nd Wednesday Date: 4.10.24

Time: 11:45

Place: Alfredo's Italian Restaurant,
1426 E. Washington St., Petaluma
Co-chairs, Jan Everidge, [email protected] and Laverne Stout, [email protected]

LITERATURE SECTIONS

Evening Modern Literature Group
Meets 4th Monday
Date: 4.22.24
Place: Home of Jeannette Anglin

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Book: Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas
Host: Jeannette
Co-Chairs::Patricia Souza, [email protected] and Rory Keller, [email protected]
RSVP with Jeannette: [email protected]

Morning Modern Literature Group
Meets 2nd Tuesday
Date: 4.09.24
Time: 10 a.m.
Place: TBD
Book: The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear

Host: Dorothy Suarez

Chair: Anne Trujillo [email protected]t
RSVP: Dorothy, [email protected]

WALKING SECTION

Friday Afternoon Walking Group
Meets most Fridays
Time: 4:30 p.m.(DLS)
Chair: Rory Keller, [email protected] or

(707) 763-2072

MISCELLANEOUS OTHER SECTIONS

Art and History

Meets 3rd Fridays

Tomales History Center (docent led tour)

26701 CA-1, Tomales, CA
Date: 4.19.24

Lunch: Valley Ford Creamery

Host: Wendy Porter

Wendy will send out further details

Chairs: Melanie Donahoe, [email protected],

Cathy Netz, [email protected]

RSVP with Cathy Netz

Garden Club

Spring Planting and growing vegetables

Date: Wed. 4.24.24

Time: 12 noon

Place; Home of Patricia Souza

Bring your lunch. beverages and dessert provided

Please RSVP to Patricia

Co-Chairs: Diana Brown, [email protected],

(707) 774-4968 and
Patricia Souza, [email protected],

(707) 921-8499

MAKE IT Crafts Group

Small weaving project

Date: TBD

Time: TBD

Chair: Kris U'Ren.[email protected]

Title Niners
Meets 3rd Wednesday

Date: 4.17.24
Contact: Jean Reed, [email protected]

New Members Section

NEW! Meets 4th Thursday

We encourage all branch members to join in and welcome our new members!

Date: 4.25.24

Time: 10-11:30

Place : River Front Cafe, 224 B St. Petaluma

Chair: Jan Everidge, janeveridge@yahoo.com

GROUPS AT CAPACITY with waiting lists or sub lists available

Travel Section

Meets every other month on first Monday via ZOOM (waiting list available)
Topic: TBD
Time:11 a.m.
Co-Chairs:

Wendy Porter, (707) 795-9354, wendyporter14@gmail.com
Cathy Burton, (707) 763-9082, aauw@catherineburton.com
RSVP with Wendy

Saturday Night Drama (Temporarily at capacity) (sub list available)
Meets second Saturday
Date: 4.13.24
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: ZOOM
Play: TBD
Chair: Kay Hardy, [email protected] or

(707) 981-7171

Craft Section: Cardworthy

Substitute List available

Meets first Wednesday

Chair: Corey Benjamin, corey.benjamin@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE BOARD

ELECTED OFFICERS
Co-Presidents: Stefanie Capps and Patsy Knight
Co-VPs, Programs: Jean Reed and Joanne Rooney
Co-VPs, Membership: Patti Pritchard and MaryAnn Kendall (Membership Treasurer)
Co-VPs, Funds: Marlene Abel and Rory Keller
Vice President, Finance: Corey Benjamin
Secretary: Pat Hanson

APPOINTED OFFICERS, GENERAL
DEI Coordinator: Kathleen VonRaesfeld
Hospitality: Michele Meyer and Noellene Sommer
Parliamentarian: Barbara Guggemos
Public Policy; Pam Granger
Sections Coordinator: Patty Shribbs
SRJC Liaison: Doris Tolks
SSU Liaison: Kris U'Ren
Tech Trek Coordinators: Dorothy Suarez and Hilary Blyth

APPOINTED OFFICERS, MEMBERSHIP
Database: Rory Keller
Member Concerns: Kathy Schmidt
New Members: Jan Everidge

APPOINTED OFFICERS, COMMUNICATION
Facebook/Instagram: Kris U'Ren
Gold Book Editor: Shayne Miller
Perspective Editors: Barbara Guggemos and Anne Taylor
Publications Sponsors: Dorothy Suarez
Publicity: Patricia Souza
Webmaster: Ray Hendess
Zoom Coordinator: Kathy Schmidt

AAUW Petaluma

210 West St, 94952, Petaluma

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