August 2024

President's Welcome and Message

AAUW Florida…Moving Forward with Fortitude…

“If we can see it, we can achieve it!”

Welcome to Auspicious August and Membership Year 2024-2025! 

I am excited, honored and humbled to serve as your President! 

As we begin the new membership year, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our 2023-2024 board members. A special thank you goes to our Immediate Past President, Bea Holt. Under her leadership, AAUW Florida advanced with successful programming, including state-wide regional conferences and a Pathways to Leadership project. Bea, we are truly grateful for your service and will miss your grace and leadership.

We had a successful start to the year with the transition of our board. Moving forward with determination, we will continue to focus our programming on AAUW’s mission: “To advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.” With this mission in mind, we are committed to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and transparency in our programming, while aligning strategically with AAUW National.

In June, I had the pleasure of meeting individually with each board member. I was humbled by their expertise, programming ideas, and dedication to the AAUW mission. In July, we met as a group for a successful virtual team-building session and a short business meeting. We have a strong and motivated board, and I am looking forward to a successful and collaborative year!

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 AAUW Florida Board! Your willingness to serve is deeply appreciated!  

Sincerely,

K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D.

AAUW Florida President

If you’re interested in any of the listed vacancies, please email K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D. for specific position details. Your service is needed and greatly appreciated!

For more information contact:

Mary Gatta, Ph.D., AAUW FL Co-Public Policy Chair

Pat DeWitt, Ph.D., AAUW FL Co-Public Policy Chair

2024-25 Nominating Committee Meets, Selects Chair,

and Begins Search for 2025-26 Board Candidates

Members of the 2024-25 Nominating Committee were elected at the recent State Annual Meeting. All Committee members are current or past-presidents of their respective Branches.

Nominating Committee Members:

• Chair: Juanita Zwaryczuk (Lake Wales)
• Members: Marcia Hill (Bradenton); Elie Bozzone (Flagler); Susan Wagner Carter (New Smyrna Beach); & Jane Wattick (Northern Palm Beach)
• Alternate: Jacky Territo (Naples)
• Advisors: Bea Holt (Past President) & Diana Sells (Past Committee Chair)

According to the State’s Bylaws, the following officers are elected in odd-numbered years: president-elect, director for program, director for finance, and director for public policy. Co-directors may also be nominated. Nominations from the floor are welcome at the Annual Meeting.

Explore your pathway to leadership opportunities with AAUW-FL! Contact Chair, Juanita Zwaryczuk, to learn about open Board positions, eligibility, and the application process.

Empowering for Equity: Atlantic Regional Conference

$1,000 Sponsorships Awarded to

Three Members to Attend the AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference in September 2024!

Exciting News! Three members have been awarded $1,000 sponsorships to attend the AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference in Richmond, VA, this September 2024!

Out of five applicants, the AAUW-FL Board selected:

• Marjorie Fontalvo (Sun City Center)
• Pamela Phillips (New Smyrna Beach)
• Demetrix Rostick-Owens (Tampa)

Congratulations to our winners, who will represent us at the Conference in September. Two additional applicants are on a waiting list.

The Conference offers sessions on trending topics that address issues that truly matter. Participate in engaging “Swap Shops” to exchange ideas and strategies with AAUW members from the northern border to the Everglades. The weekend promises a blend of learning, support, and fun. Don’t miss this chance to connect and grow with fellow AAUW members!

For more details about the Regional Convention, visit our website: AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference at https://www.aauwatlanticregionalconference.com/..

Hope to see you there!

Bea Holt

AAUW Logo Items for Purchase

Deadline for Submitting an Order is September 29, 2024

The funds raised by these sales will be used for expenses of the AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference, with any excess to be donated to AAUW’s Greatest Needs Fund. Our AAUW logo creations are for sale regardless of whether you register for the Conference.

• Ordering by September 6th: Your order must be picked up at the conference or you can arrange for it to be mailed to you by emailing the mailing address—as below.
• Ordering after September 6th: Your order can only be mailed directly to you by emailing the mailing address to Suzanne Rothwell.

Branches can order multiple items as branch member purchases and member/speaker gifts, which will be shipped to a single home address.

Shape Our Future: Come Work with the AAUW Florida Finance Committee

Join the AAUW Florida Finance Committee! We collect $12 in annual dues per member, with spending decisions made by the AAUW Florida Board based on recommendations from the Finance Committee. These funds support Lobby Days, Tech Trek, FloriVision, our website, leadership development, and administrative expenses.

As a member of the Finance Committee, you’ll recommend financial management, communications, and budgeting strategies. We’ll also serve as a bridge between AAUW national and the branches. If you are or have been a branch treasurer or have other financial experience, please contact me to discuss participating in these important decisions. I encourage members from both small and large branches across the state to join.

Thanks,

Ellen Roche

Treasurer

301-237-3641  

The AAUW Florida Public Policy Education Forums

Wouldn’t you like more in-depth information on the important issues facing Florida from an equity-focused viewpoint? Then be sure to attend as many AAUW Florida Issue Forums this year as you can.

All sessions start at 6:00 PM, are open to AAUW members and guests and require pre-registration.

You will need to RSVP for each session individually. Once you RSVP you will receive a Zoom link for the session. If you have any questions, contact Mary Gatta, Ph.D., Co-Public Policy Director, AAUW Florida.

Grant Funding for Branch Programs and Projects

Does your branch have an AAUW mission-based program or project idea that needs funding? Apply for an AAUW FL Project Grant! Grants range from $100 to $500 to support the AAUW-FL mission and help women and girls achieve their full potential. Proposals must have a direct community impact and align with AAUW-FL’s purposes.

Want to pair up with another branch? Two branches collaborating on a larger project can apply for up to $1500. Applications are due by October 1, December 1, or February 1. Reviews will occur before final approval at the subsequent Board meetings.

Guidelines and instructions, as well as all applicable forms are provided on the AAUW FL website, on the Branch Resources page.

Questions? Contact Diana Sells, Director for Program.

Bolster Your Pathway to Leadership - Today!!

For information contact: 

K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D. - AAUW Florida President 

Demetrix Rostick-Owens, Ed.D. - AAUW Florida and Tampa Director of Communications

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