For many years, our branch's final meeting of the year was a mini progressive dinner with appetizers at Marilyn's house and dinner and desserts across the street at Kristen's house. Last year, our membership numbers exceeded the seating capacity of our longtime hosts, and the dinner previously known as the "Moveable Feast" was held at the fixed location of Artworks. I am happy to report that we currently have a five-year record high membership of 35, which means we are again holding an Immoveable Feast in the lower level of Artworks. Please bring either a dish or beverage to share for a potluck dinner. There's no shame in bringing a take out pizza or a package of Oreo cookies if that's the best you can muster near the end of a busy week.

Dinner will be followed by our Annual Meeting. The primary business of the meeting will include election of officers and voting to approve revised bylaws. The draft bylaws were distributed in a separate email on April 11, but are also included below for your convenience. Please review the proposed changes prior to the meeting. Updated language in the first seven bylaws is from National following the last round of approved bylaws amendments, and all affiliates are required to adopt those bylaws without local changes.

If your membership is on the traditional July 1-June 30 renewal cycle, the annual meeting provides a convenient opportunity to pay by check if you prefer that method of payment to renewing online. 2024-2025 dues will be $94, which includes $72 for national membership, $12 for AAUW of Michigan, and $10 for branch dues.

If you ordered a t-shirt but haven't received it yet, Kathi will have remaining orders with her at the meeting to distribute.

All members should have received an email message on April 3 with information on how to vote in the AAUW election currently in progress. AAUW of Michigan distributed an email a few days later with additional details including information about whom to contact if you did not receive the email with the link to the online ballot.

In addition to electing board members to the national organization, the ballot includes an important proposal to eliminate the current bylaws requirement of holding at least an associate degree to become a member of AAUW. 

AAUW attempted to eliminate the degree requirement and open membership to anyone who shares a commitment to the AAUW mission just a few years ago, but the proposal needed to be approved by 2/3 (66.6%) of the voters, and only 63% of voters approved. Just six members of the Big Rapids branch voted in that election. I'm sure we can improve our participation rate in this current election. We have talked in our branch many times about how awkward it is to tell someone who expresses interest in AAUW that they can't join because they lack a degree. Here's our opportunity put an end to those uncomfortable conversations.

If you have not yet voted, please check your email In box for your ballot, and take a few minutes to vote in this important election!

When Ferris State University holds its Distinguished Faculty & Staff Awards program on April 18, Julie Alexander will be honored with not just one, but two awards! Julie will be receiving the university's Distinguished Service Award and the Helen Gillespie Ferris Outstanding Woman Leader Award. Julie is the Director of Accessibility & Disability Resources at Ferris. Congratulations, Julie!

I taught German for several years at Morley Stanwood High School, stayed home for ten years with young daughters and then initiated the German program at Ferris State University where I taught for 27 years before retiring in 2011. Highlights of those years include leading three study abroad trips to Germany and winning the Distinguished Teachers Award in 1999. My interests include reading, music, singing, and most of all, travel. While I was teaching, we "had" to spend time in German-speaking countries, so that I could practice. Since retiring, Paul and I have traveled extensively in Europe, Africa and Central America. We have trips planned to the Canadian Rockies in August and Greece next February.

My work career was with the Michigan Court system – starting at the local level as the Friend of the Court for Isabella County at a time when the appointment was made by the Governor. I stayed in that position until I made a move to the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO -the administrative arm of the Michigan Supreme Court) in Lansing and worked in the Friend of the Court Bureau. After a few years there, I moved to the Region I office for SCAO and managed a staff that worked with the trial courts in 7 counties in southeast Michigan, including the largest Circuit Court in the State in Wayne County – 64 judges! 



Upon retirement in 2002, I moved along with my husband, Bruce Fredrick, to Canadian Lakes. My daughter and her family lived in Weidman at the time and it brought us closer to them. It didn’t take long for me to get bored and started my second “career” as a community volunteer. I joined the General Federation of Woman’s Club (GFWC) – Big Rapids and subsequently have served as local secretary and president, district president and state chair, serving the state president and remain an active member. Other volunteer opportunities over the years have included board and leader membership for Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity, WISE and the Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Foundation Board. As part of assuring quality care for women and others, I was an active participant in the capital campaigns that brought digital mammography to the Big Rapids Hospital and the building of the Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center in Reed City.  I currently serve on the board of directors for Our Brother’s Keeper shelter and Project Starburst. I am active in my church – the United Church of Big Rapids – where I serve as the church clerk (an appointed/not employed position) and on the Church’s Mission Commission.

Family is very important to Bruce and me with our “blended family” of 3 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Our daughter and her husband live in rural Isabella County; our oldest son lives in Ohio; and our other son and his wife live in Norfolk, VA. Our oldest granddaughter lives in Washington, D.C. with her wife, and her sister resides in St. Ignace with her husband and three children. Our other 2 grandchildren live and work in the Columbus, Ohio area.

  

My passion for service has always leaned to those least able to advocate for themselves – children, elderly and those with limited access to needed resources. Women are at the heart of these issues – whether as a mother trying to care for her children or balancing work and family or escaping an abusive situation or having enough resources for care in her later years. I applaud the work of AAUW to help women position themselves to meet their needs during all aspects of their lives as they work to support and care for others.

AAUW-Big Rapids | AAUWBigRapids@gmail.com