Logo: AAUW St. George Utah Branch

March 2014

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Ruthie Allen: Co-President, AAUW

We had a fabulous Fashion Show in February at Entrada Country Club with fashions from White House Black Market and the Entrada Pro Shop. Gloria Prahl was happy that we raked in the monies to help us buy scholarships for many lucky young ladies for the July e-SMART camps.

In February we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and President Obama mentioned equal pay in his State of the Union Address. The Super Bowl also had a cute puppy and a Budweiser horse commercial but the Goldie Blox ad for STEM toys for girls was more inspiring! 

Our branch also has many more exciting things to look forward to in the coming months. Our Garden Tour sponsored by us, the Lady Lions, Dixie State University and the St. George Garden Club is around the corner at the end of April on the 26th. The tea for the scholarship recipients of the Garden Tour is coming up April 10th at the DSU Alumni House at 2:00 p.m. AAUW is in charge of refreshments so cookies, water, sodas, napkins and small plates are appreciated. These things can be dropped off at 1:30 p.m. or earlier. The Annual Meeting in April will have an exciting talk about Public Policy and LAF/EOF from Lisa Bratton. May will be here sooner than we think and we will be awarding all our scholarships to deserving ladies.

March 8  was International Women's Day, an event that has been running since 1908. This year the United Nations marked the day with the theme of "Equality for Women." Celebrations ranged from those of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political, and social achievements.

Don’t forget Love Utah Give Utah on March 20th which benefits many non-profit organizations including ours and for e-SMART and AAUW scholarships. You can give for 24 hours.

With love and inspiration from the AAUW St. George Sisterhood.

Your Co-President,
Ruthie Allen

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COMMITTEE NEWS

Please submit committee updates no later than the 7th of the month to be included in that month's newsletter. No forms - just send a regular email message with your item in the message itself or as an attached document. Submissions should be sent to: lysa@river-rd.com

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

In accordance with Article VI. Section 1. of the Bylaws of the St. George, Utah Branch of the AAUW, a nominating committee of three members was assembled and chaired by Past-Co-President, Pam Wootten. She was joined by Branch volunteers, Shannon Anderson and Erin O'Brien. Their charge was to find nominees for elected co-officer positions for the 2014 – 2015 year. Four meetings of the Nominating Committee were held January 14, January 28, February 3, and February 11, 2014. Below is their slate of elected co-officers for 2014 - 2015:

Office Nominees Term

Co-Presidents Marianne Sorensen 1 year
  Donna Howell 2 years
Co-VPs: Program Angela Thoburn 1 year
  Kayla Koeber 2 years
Co-VPs: Membership Joyce Spinelli 1 year
  Lynne Carlquist 2 years
Co-VPs: Finance Bonnie Boling 1 year
  Mary Hatch 2 years
Co-Secretaries Vicky Jennings 1 year
  Kay Ackerman 2 years

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GARDEN TOUR

Garden Tour Committee is looking for homes and hostesses for the April 26th event. The Tour starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. Four hostesses are needed for each home. Two for the morning shift and two for the afternoon. They are also looking for homes with nice gardens in the downtown St. George area to be on the tour. Tickets will be available to sell in April and any help you can provide with that will also be appreciated! To volunteer or, recommend homes or, sell tickets for the event please contact Em Diefenderfer 435-817-1018, em@quantumvitality.net

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eSMART FASHION SHOW

Gloria PrahlThe Fashion Show Results: Our total as of now is $11,639.25! Whoopee! Thanks to all of you who helped make this event such a huge success! The committee worked hard (as usual) this year and we had a great crowd. If you were there, you probably felt the enthusiasm as I did.

eSMART: We are currently collecting applications…a little short of girls as usual, but we have a number of women working to fill in the empty spots. Instructors are mostly in place, with most of last year's instructors returning for another year. We will be looking for volunteers to work in camp…and  making some changes in the way we use you! More on that later. :-)

Thanks for all of the support our branch has shown in the past, and hopefully will continue to show. Obviously, we couldn’t do it without that support as well as the support from DSU.

Gloria

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EVENTS CALENDAR

Calendar items will run until the event has occurred. Please submit your event no later than the 7th of the month you want the notice to start. No forms - just send a regular email message with your item in the message itself or as an attached document. Send to: lysa@river-rd.com

March 20, 2014

 

WE WOMEN WARRIORS

In celebration of Women’s History Month, DOCUTAH and the Utah Women in Higher Education (UWHEN) invite you to honor the courage and leadership of women near and far and join them in a special screening of WE WOMEN WARRIORS: Strengthening Courage and Leadership on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Dixie State UniversityEccles Main Stage Theatre.

Video: We Women Warriors

This is a FREE event! A reception from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. will take place prior to the screening at 7:15 p.m. and a panel discussion will follow the film. AAUW members will be present representing the organization and the eSMART Camp for Girls. If you are interested in helping to promote AAUW at our booth, please contact Erin O’Brien at obrien@dixie.edu

Attend and experience leadership and networking opportunities for women in a variety of classifications including but not limited to: students, academic professionals, corporate professionals and women in business working to make it on their own.

Make the weekend a retreat and book your stay at Red Mountain Resort. Use the code UWHEN at time of booking and receive a 25% discount. Discounts for spa treatment will be available at the event.

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March 20, 2014

 

LOVE UTAH GIVE UTAH - SUPPORT AAUW

Video: e-Smart Commercial

ONLINE GIVING IS ALIVE AND WELL! AAUW is registered with LoveUTGiveUT@utahcf.org. You can make a tax deductible donation any day and support either Esmart or Scholarships.

March 20 is a special "giving day" with a statewide 24 hour fundraising event. We are looking for businesses (small or large) that would like to match donations of more than $100. We already have several qualifying pledges and we'd really like to get them matched! :-)

Giving Day: Support AAUW Scholarships + Esmart

If you can match donations, have a suggestion of someone who might do so, or know of business (or two, or three!) who would like to support education -- especially for girls -- please contact either Shannon Anderson shannon4623@gmail.com or Gloria Prahl e-smart@infowest.com for assistance.

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March 20, 2014

 

GREAT DECISIONS

Great Decisions - Thursdays at the Library"Energy Independence" is the topic of this month's Great Decisions discussion group. Meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday,March 20 in Conference Room A at the St. George Branch Library. There is a copy of the study guide in the reference library on the 3rd floor. Guides may be ordered from The Foreign Policy Association at: www.fpa.org. The cost is $20.00. Great Decisions is open to the public and new members are always welcome!

Please contact Carol Sawaya at: carol@thesawayas.com for more information.

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March 27, 2014

 

UPPITY WOMEN

Mad as a March Hare Madness

Thursday, March 27 -  5 pm-ish
Entrada Country Club
(no host cash bar)
Enter from the Snow Canyon gate, tell the guard you are an Uppity Woman.

Rummage through your closet and bring the bravest, nuttiest, least well known, most impulsive and spontaneous you.

Can’t wait to see you (and meet her) there!

Dress unsuitably please

Please RSVP to Kayla by March 26 only if you want to say "hello."

Save the Date for Future Adventures in Uppityhood
Wednesday (yes Wednesday) April 16
Thursday, May 22
Thursday, June 19

 

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April 7, 2014

 

MEMBER LUNCH

Laws, Action & Advocacy: Our Annual (we mean) Business Meeting and Luncheon

Angela Thoburn AAUW Program Co-ChairPlease join us for our most important meeting of the year as we report on Branch activities, vote on our slate of officers and approve our budget for the coming year. Learn about plans for the Branch’s future and AAUW national level efforts to advocate for women and girls.

Marianne Sorensen: Co-President, AAUWWe especially invite our many newer members to join us for a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our Branch and its history in Southern Utah. We were not always such a robust, large group – at one time almost disbanding – and this April we will salute the long time members who kept us going to become the dynamic organization we are today.

Kayla Koeber, AAUW Program Co-ChairWe stand on the shoulders of those who went before us…and we honor those fine women who fought for the equity we enjoy today by lending a hand and sharing our hearts with those who follow behind.

The luncheon will be held at New Promise Lutheran Church, 244 South Valley View Drive, St. George, and per tradition, will be potluck style.

 In lieu of our usual $16 luncheon fee we ask members to make an equivalent (or greater!!) donation to AAUW’s EOF and LAF (Educational Opportunity and Legal Advocacy Funds) so that AAUW Ruthie Allen: Co-President, AAUWNational can continue the incredibly important work it does on behalf of girls and women.

Please save the date, watch for your normal luncheon invite and register as usual (no payment will be required) so we know how many to plan for. Potluck dish requests will be included in the invite.

Thanks for being a part of the heart of AAUW. We look forward to celebrating our sisterhood with you!!!

Kayla Koeber and Angela Thoburn (Programs Chairs) and Marianne Sorensen and Ruthie Allen (co-presidents)

March Luncheon Highlights

March 2014 Luncheon: Markne Wright, Sue Wilson, Marianne Sorensen, Gay Cunningham

"At the current rate of change, it will take women an additional 75 years to achieve true equality in the workplace."  Asked by guest speaker Mary Anne Holladay when that claim was made answers ranged from 1890 to 1990. Correct answer: 1993.

March 2014 Luncheon: Carol Sawaya, Jeannette Johnson, Carol Day, Jean Volz

Mary Anne delivered an engaging presentation on the "State of the State of Utah (address) for women, females, in Education."  She made the good seem better, the bad - less bad and the ugly, changeable. And she gave some excellent tips for designing an effective Power Point presentation (red ink is bad!) and what not to wear ..... like new platform shoes! Seriously, it's an important issue and Mary Anne made clear the need to get education support networks in place as early as possible for girls.  

If you were unable to attend the luncheon Mary Anne will be speaking at the State Convention May 17.

March 2014 Luncheon: Lolita Hagio, Barbara Brahm, Jean Volz, Ruth Allen

Pictures courtesy of Dorothy Engelman

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April 10, 2014

 

Scholarship Awards Tea

The Tea will be held in the Alumni House at DSU. Starts at 2:00 p.m. and will last about an hour. Open to the public. Street parking available. For more information please contact Em Diefenderfer 435-817-1018, em@quantumvitality.net

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April 26, 2014

 

Garden Tour

Downtown St. George, 10a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the Opera House social hall. Tickets are $10 per person and go on sale in April. Contact Em Diefenderfer 435-817-1018, em@quantumvitality.net for more information.

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May 17, 2014

 

STATE CONVENTION

Amy BlackwellMark your calendar now for the 2014 Utah State Convention to be held in St. George on May 17th. Amy Blackwell, our regional AAUW Representative, will be our keynote speaker. The topic: "Moving Forward in '15"  what opportunities can we seize next year to advance equity for women and girls?

AAUW and AAUW Action Fund Director Amy Blackwell, BS MA, owns and operates a marketing and communications company in Castle Rock, Colorado. She is a certified facilitator of $tart $mart Salary Negotiation Workshops and a member of the new AAUW Colorado eNetwork virtual branch, Blackwell lends her public policy expertise to the Colorado Pay Equity Commission, Rocky Mountain PBS's Women and Girls, and to AAUW Colorado's volunteer lobby corps and grassroots member mobilization efforts. Amy has helped several nonprofits, including her local domestic violence agency, to revitalize and to reach new audiences of clients, donors, and volunteers.

Mary Anne Holladay

Mary Anne Holladay is the lunch time speaker and will talk about "Women and Education: Utah's Best Practices." Mary Anne Holladay has over 30 years of experience in leadership, strategic consulting, and organizational development. She is the president and CEO of Holladay & Associates, a firm specializing in strategic planning and organizational assessment. She is actively involved in community service through organizations such as United Way of Salt Lake’s Women’s Leadership Council and Intermountain Therapy Animals. Mary Ann has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an MBA from the University of Utah.

Tara Dunn a two-time candidate for  St. George City Council will lead a  workshop: How to Run for Elected Office. Tara ran for St. George City Council in 2011 and 2013 and although she was not elected, her story is one that will be of interest to all. She will tell attendees why she decided to run, how she ran her campaigns and what she learned from both experiences

Please make plans to attend this exciting event. If you would like to work on the Convention Committee please contact Rosemary Hargrove: hargroverosemary@yahoo.com

Click here to register online.

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IN THIS ISSUE

President's Message

Things to Come

Committee News

Nominating Committee

Garden Tour

eSmart Fashion Show

Events Calendar

Great Decisions

Member Lunch

Uppity Women

Scholarship Awards Tea

Garden Tour

State Convention

Etcetera

Luncheon Schedule

Distinguished Woman of the Year

Branch Contacts

Your Support Team

It's Good To Be The Osprey

Programs Survey

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MEMBER LUNCH

The St. George Branch Program and Membership Meeting Luncheons are held on the first or second Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, located at 185 S 1470 E, St. George, UT 84790.

Lunch is $16.00 per plate and features educational speakers that are of interest to our membership. Doors open at 11:00 a.m.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

Luncheon Schedule
Spring 2014

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Distinguished Woman of the Year

The Board is accepting nominations for our branch's Distinguished Woman of the Year.

Deadline for submission is April 7, 2014

The recipient will be honored by the state organization at the state convention in May.

Is there someone--not necessarily a member of AAUW--that has made significant contributions to society at the local, state or national level and who you would like to honor by nominating for this award?

Contact either Ruthie Allen or Marianne Sorensen for a one-page summary of involvement and accomplishments that serves as the nomination form.

We'll want to know about her commitment to women’s equity and advancement, her commitment to education, her volunteer contributions, her professional achievements, and her contributions to AAUW's areas of interest.

Deadline for submission is April 7, 2014, and the recipient will be selected by the Board on April 14.

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CONTACTS

BRANCH OFFICERS

Co-Presidents

Ruth Allen
858-231-3362

Marianne Sorensen
435-986-2128

Co-Vice Presidents

Programs

Kayla Koeber
435-986-8956

Angela Thoburn
435-272-4657

Membership

Joyce Spinelli
435-668-509

Lolita Hagio
435-652-3012

Finance

Donna Howell
970-819-4462

Bonnie Boling
435-773-6410

Co-Secretaries

Gail Winterfeld
801-232-2423

Vicky Jennings
435-628-5952

Archivist/Past President

Pamela Wootten
435-669-2161

Newsletter & Tech Guru

Lysa McCarroll

Public Policy

Lisa Bratton
435-862-6781

Scholarship Committee Chair

Shannon Anderson
801-201-7507

E-Smart

Gloria Prahl
435-674-2824

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WHO TO CONTACT IF...

You have troubles registering for luncheons, and other tech-related questions:
Lysa McCarroll

Your contact information changes: Joyce Spinelli

You need to register for a luncheon but the deadline has passed:
Kayla Koeber

You would like to submit an item for the newsletter:
Lysa McCarroll

You have questions about the website:
Dawn McLain

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AAUW
PROGRAMS SURVEY

As Co-Chairs of Programs our goal is to produce AAUW luncheon presentations that not only relate to our core AAUW mission but also interest, inspire and challenge our members while promoting a strong sense of community.

We want to hear from you… what you liked this past AAUW year, what worked, what didn't, what we focus on next year, changes we should consider.

Let's use our collective brains to make 2014/2015 the best program year ever.

We will distribute a Programs Survey at the April 7th (We Mean) Business Annual Meeting and Luncheon and send the same out with the April newsletter for those who cannot attend.

Please help us by thinking about what you would like to see, hear and discuss next year and then filling out the survey for us.

We encourage you to think big, out of the box and as creatively as you wish. After all, uppity women ALWAYS have great ideas (and an opinion), don’t we?

Thanks in advance for your help. See you at the April luncheon!

Angela & Kayla

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Miscellaneous pics from 2014-03 Luncheon

April's Member Lunch on the 7th will be our traditional Potluck business meeting at  New Promise Lutheran Church
244 South Valley View Drive, St. George

Although there is  no charge for this luncheon we ask that you donate the usual fee to our Educational Opportunity  & Legal Advocacy Funds.

Good Stuff

It's Good To Be The Osprey

This is either a very hungry bird or it has a large family to support.

Video: Osprey The Ultimate Fisher

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Anonymous*

*or any AAUW Woman!

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