President's Message

At the State Convention in the spring and the Leadership Conference in July, we elected a new slate of officers. (See the roster of current elected officers.)

During the Leadership Conference, we heard from several members who had been to the AAUW National Convention in Washington, D.C. They had been energized by the event and were happy to share their experiences. Perhaps the most notable happening was the broadening of membership to include anyone with an associate degree or its equivalent.

Ruth Z. Sweetser of Illinois was elected AAUW president. I want to include the following obtained from the AAUW web site:

"Sweetser points to research released by the AAUW Educational Foundation in January that revealed that in every state in the nation, women with four-year college degrees continue to earn, on average, $17,600 less than men with the same level of education. In 2003, research from AAUW also indicated that women continue to remain largely pigeonholed in traditional occupations that do not offer significant room for advancement, higher salaries, and financial security.

" 'Our work will focus on bringing equity into all aspects of women's lives, from the classroom to the boardroom,' said Sweetser. 'AAUW has been a leader in promoting equity and lifelong learning for women and girls throughout its history and this is another way for us to make our mark.' "

Lidia Avila, from Arizona, was elected Rocky Mountain Regional Director. We welcome Lidia and thank her for leadership in our region. Arizona is also of note because the 2007 AAUW National Convention will be held in the Rocky Mountain Region. Mark your calendars now for June 29 to July 2, 2007, in Phoenix.

While at our Nevada Leadership Conference, our members adopted the theme Education is the Gateway, which is broader than the Association's new biennial theme, Education as the Gateway to Women's Economic Security.

Much of what transpired at the convention in Washington, D.C., can be found on our web site, www.aauw.org. Those of you who have access to the Internet may want to see all that is included there. In Nevada, we also have a web site, www.aauwnv.org, which we are in the process of revamping and revitalizing.

It's a great AAUW year. I look forward to seeing you.

Mary Jane Evans
AAUW Nevada President

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AAUW Nevada Elected Officers

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Membership--Membership Eligibility Changes

The voting members who attended the AAUW National Convention this last June in Washington, D.C., voted to expand individual membership to include graduates holding an associate or equivalent degree. The name of the Association will not change.

With diverse membership as both a rationale and a goal, it is hoped that this change will open new avenues to achievement and not restrict participation based on the amount of formal education. It is not just the degree requirement that makes AAUW different. No other organization is like AAUW because of our mission of equity for women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.

Furthermore, the members at convention concluded that the nature of education and equity has changed and that our membership must change with it in order for us to remain a true agent of change in the battle for equity. The change also offers AAUW the opportunity to serve a new group of women whom we are sure will add enthusiasm and diversity to our organization as we move forward toward the future.

Also at convention, the Association leadership announced a new programmatic theme, Education as the Gateway to Women's Economic Security, and both the Educational Foundation and the Association boards voted to make major investments in new programming during the next year, based on the firm belief that we must build new programs to attract new members as well as critical outside funding. The theme will encompass three areas of programmatic focus: campus, financial literacy, and workplace equity. New programming details will be announced incrementally throughout the next year through EdEqChange, Mission in Action, AAUW Outlook, and the web site.

At present the membership of AAUW is a little more than 100,000 members and 1,300 branches. Hopefully, the change in eligibility requirement will help those small branches who are facing disbandment because of the lack of baccalaureate members. Those branches that receive associate members will have the opportunity to lend support and encouragement to help those members acquire baccalaureate degrees.

During the last several years, AAUW Nevada has lost three branches and the membership numbers have declined. I challenge the present membership and branches to discover why a member resigned and, more importantly, why someone is not interested in becoming a member. Why does Nevada have so many MALs and why aren't the faculties at the local community colleges and universities members? What aren't we doing, or, more importantly, what are we doing wrong?

Shirley Hoffman
AAUW Nevada Membership VP

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State Convention 2006

Mark your calendars now for the 2006 AAUW Nevada State Convention. This three-day event will be held the weekend of April 21 -23 at the Silver Legacy in Reno.

The theme this year is Education is the Gateway. Friday night enjoy a welcome reception and special event at a colorful Reno landmark. Saturday and Sunday will be packed with inspirational speakers and activities.

Don't forget, this is a great way to network with your fellow branch members! Look forward to seeing you at this event.

Sarah Britt & Carleen Ernest
AAUW Nevada Program VPs

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Rocky Mountain Region Report

I am still excited about the 2005 AAUW National Convention, Purpose, Power, Progress, held in Washington, D.C. It was highlighted by wonderful speakers such as Jehan Sadat, Nancy Pelosi, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Madeline Albright. Ruth Sweetser, from Illinois, was elected Association president, and Barbara O'Connor is president for the Educational Foundation. The Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) has been linked with the Educational Foundation and will not have a separate board.

Kathryn Frost was introduced as the new Executive Director. However, after the convention, she submitted her resignation, effective August 1, because of health problems. Former LAF president Michele Wetherald will serve as the interim Executive Director of AAUW, effective August 8, 2005. A search committee will be formed to fill the Executive Director vacancy.

You will be interested to know that delegates voted to expand membership to include graduates who hold an "associate or equivalent" degree. This provides an opportunity for us to increase our membership.

I appreciate the support of the Rocky Mountain Region delegates in voting for me to serve as regional director. We are planning our Regional Conference to be held June 9-11, 2006, in Casper, WY. Please mark this date on your calendars and plan to attend. It will be fun and will provide an opportunity to discuss issues important to our organization. Our new AAUW theme is Education as the Gateway to Women's Economic Security. Our Regional Conference will address the work that remains in ensuring economic security for women and girls. Your ideas and input are welcomed.

I am looking forward to working with you in moving Rocky Mountain forward toward meeting our goals-because "Equity is Still An Issue."

Dr. Lidia Avila
AAUW Rocky Mountain Regional Director

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Public Policy Report
Capitol Hill Lobby Day, 2005

On June 27, 2005, five AAUW Nevada members, along with hundreds of other AAUW members, took AAUW issues to their congressmen and -women. AAUW members were briefed on Social Security by Barbara Kennelly, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and a former U.S. representative from Connecticut, and on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act by Jane Oates, senior education advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Byllie Andrews, Flo Bedrosian, Joyce Destefanis, Doris Dowden, and Linda Sekiguchi met with legislative assistants in both Senator Reid's and Senator Ensign's offices and with Representative Jim Gibbons in his office.

Public Policy Resources

All AAUW members are encouraged to stay informed on the national issues that affect AAUW's mission of promoting equity and education for all women and girls. The following resources are available online. Members can also contact the Public Policy and Government Relations Department by calling 800-608-5286.

Action Alert. This monthly publication provides an overview of congressional or executive branch action on AAUW priority issues. An online subscription is available for members at www.aauw.org/issue_advocacy.

Action Network. You can make your voice heard to members of Congress in just two minutes-one to read and one to act. AAUW members can find detailed information on legislation currently under consideration in Congress at capwiz.com/aauw.

Position Papers. These contain information and effective avenues for action on important issues. See www.aauw.org/issue_advocacy.

AAUW Congressional Voting Record. The AAUW Voting Record informs AAUW members of positions taken by their senators and representatives on AAUW's federal legislative priorities. Copies of the voting record for the 108th Congress are available on the AAUW website.

Byllie D. Andrews
AAUW Nevada Public Policy Chair

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Educational Foundation

AAUW Nevada completed a very successful year in supporting the Educational Foundation. The state contributed a total of $16,490.94 to the Foundation, broken down as follows:

• Jean Ford/ Florence McClure (NV) American Fellowship: $6,938.53
• Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships: $2,168.00
• Jan Evans Research & Projects Grant: $6,834.41
• International Symposium: $550.00

Reno Branch is to be congratulated for completing the Jan Evans Research and Projects Grant, which is now fully funded with $35,124. The Jan Evans Research and Projects Grant, along with the research & projects grants from the Las Vegas Branch, the Reno Branch, Sue Wagner (Reno), and Elsie Manning (NV), will now all be used to fund individuals and organizations throughout the United States each year.

The Jean Ford/Florence McClure (NV) American Fellowship now has $29,462. It will be fully funded when we reach $100,000. If each branch commits to the goal of raising $25.00 per member per year, we would be able to fund this fellowship within 10 years. Remember, the sooner we reach full funding, the sooner we can start helping a woman achieve her goals. Just imagine helping a Marie Curie or a Margaret Mead or a Judy Resnick! What could be more exciting? Once the fellowship is fully funded, we will have that opportunity every single year.

Congratulations to the Boulder City Branch for winning the Hannah Clapp Educational Foundation Award, which is given to the branch that makes the highest contribution per member to the Foundation. Boulder City donated $104 per member!

Congratulations also to the Reno Branch, which won the Elsie Manning Educational Foundation Award for the branch that contributes the highest dollar amount to the Foundation. Under the guidance of Martha Jessup and her dedicated committee, the Reno Branch was able to contribute a total amount of $6,634.41. With the addition of donations from some individual members, the Reno Branch contributed a total of $7,269.41.

It's time to start gearing up for our fall fundraisers! Remember the Educational Foundation runs on a calendar year. All contributions for 2005 must be sent in to the Foundation by December 31, 2005. I am sending out contribution forms to each branch. You must submit a contribution form along with any funds. Keep a copy of that report for your branch files and be sure to send me a copy for the state files.

If you have any questions e-mail me or call me. Let's have a successful 2005!

Arlene R. Summerhill
AAUW Nevada Educational Foundation Chair

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In the Branches

Fallon

The Fallon Branch held its annual meeting on May 14 at the Depot Casino in Fallon and installed the elected officers: Wilma Miers (President), Pat Getto (Program VP), Catherine Southern (Membership VP), Carol Roeder (Treasurer), and Deana Terrell (Secretary)