Gulf Breeze
News and Updates
March, 2021
|
The Spring Equinox marks the first day of astronomical spring. This year, it falls on Friday, March 20, and will continue until the summer solstice. |
|
A Message from the Co-Presidents |
|
Dear Members,
The sun will come out …… Tomorrow!!! Although we live in the land of sunshine and blue skies, the cloud of Covid-19 has loomed largely over us for the past twelve months. Yet, with the promise of vaccines being realized and the hope that we will be able to resume some “normalcy” in our lives, we are hopeful!!
So, too, we are seeing the progress of our efforts in the activities of our AAUW Greater Naples Branch. The monthly Zoom Branch meetings are well attended with about 30% of our members attending. And plenty of room for many more!!! Our final meeting of this year is scheduled for Saturday, March 6th, at 10:00 a.m. and will be held via Zoom. Please let one of us know if you need any help accessing the link (included in this newsletter) as we would like as many members to attend as possible.
Our Social Media Policy and Guidelines Committee is well on its way to performing the task of managing the plethora of information in that area and directing our attention to the information that is relevant to the multiple social media platforms that are in operation. The Greater Naples Branch is excited to be engaged in a wide variety of platforms: FaceBook, YouTube, and Instagram, just to name a few. We hope to bring more awareness to these platforms and use them in a coordinated manner to grow and diversify our membership and promote the work of our branch.
The STEAM Committee has literally pushed full speed ahead to deliver STEAM in a Box and a variety of wonderful videos, which can be viewed on our branch’s YouTube channel, to enhance our 5th Grade girls’ virtual experiences. Likewise, our Public Policy Committee has stayed abreast of the flurry of legislative activity taking place at the state and federal level that involves our AAUW priorities. We so appreciate the in-depth analysis of Janet Welch and Carol Light who help our members stay well-informed on crucial issues.
The Charitable Foundation has worked diligently to ensure that the Branch is able to continue to offer scholarships and to provide ongoing funding for our educational programs, which we hope to continue in the coming year.
Our branch has continued to focus on themes of leadership and lifelong learning, as we cultivate meaningful opportunities for our members to build on their unique capacity as women leaders, regardless of their age or stage in life.
A fine example of this mission is our speaker on March 6th, Suzi Weinert. Suzi’s stories of bargain hunting in affluent areas as she traveled the country as a military wife and mother of five led her to a “third act” as a mystery writer. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Sisters in Crime. Her three books have now been developed into a series of 15 two-hour movies aired on Hallmark’s Movie and Mysteries Channel. She has accomplished a great deal and we are anxious to hear from her.
And, as we enter the brave and vulnerable world of Difficult Conversations, we are hopeful that authentic and constructive discussions will foster positive, vital changes in our branch, our communities and our world. As we tackle the hard work required to really understand another person’s lived experience, and truly embrace the fundamental meaning of inclusion, let us reflect on Audre Lorde’s wisdom: “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.” Let’s do the work, accept and celebrate our differences, and bridge the divide.
Hoping to see you all on March 6th!
|
|
Zoom Link for the March 6, 2021 Branch Meeting |
|
Jacky Territo and Karen Dempsey are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: AAUW Greater Naples Branch Annual Meeting
Time: Mar 6, 2021 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 821 9610 5610
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,82196105610# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,82196105610# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 821 9610 5610
|
|
Membership Matters, from Elaine Ward, Membership Director |
|
We welcome our newest members Abigale Fuller, Assistant Professor at Ava Maria University and Sara Weber, a graduate of Yale and Michigan Law School. We are happy to have them join us!
Let us Set Our Goal for Getting New Members for our Greater Naples Branch. Currently we have 96 members. How about " Our Combined Goal" is to work on it together to get over 100 members for our Branch.... We can do this... Reach out and have your friend join us at our Virtual Very Informative Branch Meeting. If they are guests and decide to join AAUW they can join at 50% off National Dues plus regular State and Branch dues. Invoices will be sent out to all Members for Dues Renewal the week of March 22nd. This is Also Our Goal to get our 96 members to Renew for 2021.
|
|
Revised Nominating Committee Report |
|
The Nominating Committee, comprised of Laura Candris (Chair), Rose DiBiasi, and Mary Schell is very pleased to present the following slate of candidates:
For election as Communications Director: Lynne Romito
Lynne Romito joined AAUW GNB in 2018. She joined AAUW in 1993 and also belongs to her Illinois AAUW branch where she was president for two years (1998-2000) and continues to be on the audit committee. In GNB, she has worked on the STEAM conference and participated in public policy activities. She belongs to the Great Decisions group. Professionally, she was in banking for most of her career. Besides being a bank auditor, she was a Second Vice President for Northern Trust Bank where she ran several operations departments.
For re-election as Finance Director: Mary Schell
Mary Schell joined the Greater Naples Branch in the 1990’s and was impressed with the commitment, compassion and responsibility of the members, who also enjoyed each other’s company. She participated in the following Branch activities: branch program co-chair, STEM participant and chair, Reading is Fun, public policy, book club, fund raiser dinners, and public demonstrations for women’s equity. Currently, she is Finance Chair, supported by Susan Barley as Treasurer--who is willing to continue in that role. Mary is willing to serve another term as Finance Director, but notes that "This is a great position in which a new member can become involved!!" Mary would be happy to step back if another member wishes to serve in this position.
For re-election as Membership Director: Elaine Wade
Elaine joined GNBAAUW in May 2015 and has been Membership Director since 2017. She is a member of the STEAM Committee and has been involved in the past STEM projects. She has been very active with Membership and Association activities over the years. Currently, she is co-founder of the Collier County Nurses with a mission to empower nurses in our community for personal, professional and leadership development. She is a Volunteer at NCH and was hired by NCH in 1996 to consult and initiate a School Nurse Program to get nurses in all of our Collier County Public Schools which at the time did not have nurses in their schools. She has been an active Board member for the Old Naples Association and continues to volunteer at events and meetings for members. She is a past President of the National Association of School Nurses and past President of the Vermont School Nurse Association.
In accordance with Article IX., Section 1.e. “Additional nominations may be made from the floor, provided that the consent of the person nominated has been previously obtained. The names of the persons so nominated shall be included on the ballot.”
As proposed by the Committee, Julie Olander has been appointed by the Board to Serve as Vice President/Program beginning July 1, 2021, completing the second year of Jacky and Karen's term: Congratulations, Julie!
Julia (Julie) Siler Olander joined AAUW GNB in 2013. She served on the Membership Committee and has participated in the Bridge Group, Non-Sequiturs, Movie and a Meal, as well as Jewelry-making. Julie is a successful artist, art instructor and arts manager who came to Florida from Massachusetts. She has also lived in Mississippi, Louisiana, and California. She loves travelling, dancing and the Arts in any form, and believes in helping her community, especially women. Julie has served on over 40 boards in various capacities, and served as VP of the Arts Council in Massachusetts and the SWFL Arts Council in Lee County.
****************
Opportunities to serve the Branch remain available, including Development Director and School & Community Relations Director. Please contact a member of the Committee to discuss.
|
|
Strengthening Lilly Ledbetter’s Legacy
Many of us remember the 2007 Supreme Court case Ledbetter vs. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The Plaintiff, Lilly Ledbetter, had been employed as an area manager at Goodyear in a position largely held by men. When she learned that she had been paid significantly less than her male counterparts with similar seniority and experience, she sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and won a judgment that was reversed on appeal. She lost her case at the Supreme Court, which ruled on technical grounds that she did not file suit 180 days from the date of the discriminatory policy that led to her reduced paycheck.
In her famous dissent, Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated, “The Court does not comprehend or is indifferent to the insidious way in which women can be victims of pay discrimination.” She called on Congress to act where the court had not.
On January 29, 2009, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This law permits women, as well as racial and other minorities, to challenge pay discrimination as long as they are receiving checks that reflect unequal treatment. RBG had a framed copy of the Fair Pay Act in her chambers.
AAUW supports passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act (PFA), which provides more tools for women to challenge pay discrimination and close the gender pay gap. Provisions include ensuring non-retaliation for disclosing wages, prohibiting the use of wage history to determine salary, requiring employers to show pay gaps between men and women are justified by a business necessity and related to the job, and equalizing remedies for gender discrimination to those given on the basis of race and ethnicity.
Let’s strengthen Lilly Ledbetter’s legacy by supporting passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act.
For more information, contact Public Policy Committee Co-Chairs, Carol Light and Janet Welch.
|
|
2021-2022 AAUW Dues
AAUW's 2021-2022 fiscal year ends on June 30, 2021. The dues renewal period begins in March and continues through June.
During the week of March 22, you will receive a dues renewal invoice from AAUW. Following the directions and with a couple of clicks you may renew online with your credit card.
This is the most efficient way to renew and saves the GNB finance volunteers time and accounting. However, if you wish to pay by check, you may do so by sending your check to AAUW Greater Naples Branch, PO Box 9742, Naples, FL 34101. Dues are $112 ($62 national + $12 state + $38 branch). $59 is tax deductible.
|
|
Great Decisions: The Future of Persian Gulf Security
The Persian Gulf remains tense with the regional power struggle continuing between Saudi Arabia and Iran. What are the historical influences that have led to these tensions? What role, if any, should the United States play? Is using military force a viable foreign policy option for 2021 and beyond?
The GNB Great Decisions group will meet on Monday, March 1, 2021, 7:00-8:45 p.m. via Zoom to discuss foreign relations in the Persian Gulf. Karen Clegg will be the discussion leader, and we will watch a brief video from the PBS Great Decisions series.
If you are interested in learning more about the group or ordering the 2021 briefing book, please contact Carol Light at 239-353-2189 or [email protected]. We hope you will join us.
|
|
NonSequiturs March Adventure:
Thursday March 11, 20215:15 p.m. (Note slightly earlier time)
Crafting with Judith MacGregor
Join us for a simple craft project. We will make decoupage pendants and enjoy outdoor companionship. Lanetta Warrenburg will host us outdoors on her lovely lanai at 3510 Ocean Bluff Court, Naples, 34120. Phone 239-910-8709. We will wear masks and social distance. Please bring your own boxed dinner, utensils, etc.. $5 will cover the supplies and drinks.
RSVP to Nancy Beights by Wednesday, March 10.
We can accommodate 10 participants, including our hostess and our artist.
The photo is from the February dinner meeting.
|
|
Friday Book Club Discussion |
|
The Friday Book Club meets next on March 12, 2021 to discuss The Night Watchman, a new novel by Louise Erdrich. Members continue to meet in person, observing mask and distance guidelines, but the location is TBD. All suggestions are welcome. RSVP to
Susan Becker.
|
|
Virtual Book Club Meeting |
|
A virtual discussion of the book, The Night Watchman, will take place on Saturday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m. Marcia O'Reilly will lead the discussion. Once again, Nancy Chism will host. The link is below. Please let Laura Candris know if you plan to participate.
Join from computer or mobile:
Meeting ID: 845 3879 9968
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,84538799968# US (New York)
+13017158592,,84538799968# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 845 3879 9968
|
|
Judith MacGregor is inviting you to a C and C via Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.
Topic will be "What I Did New During Covid"
Topic: Judith MacGregor's Zoom Meeting
Time: Mar 25, 2021 04:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 845 8747 5822
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84587475822# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,84587475822# US (Chicago)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 845 8747 5822
Judith MacGregor
410 991 9115
|
|
Have a Flair for Fundraising?
If you have a flair for fundraising, but perhaps are not ready to take on a board position, this opportunity is for you! The Branch is seeking a member or members willing to plan ONE event to raise funds for the Branch. This event need not be anything elaborate. The idea is to have a fairly simple (and hopefully fun) event (or a couple of events) to raise about $2500 for the Branch. In the past, such funds have been used to support Tech Trek and National. Want to learn more? Contact Jacky or Karen.
The Greater Naples AAUW Charitable Foundation, Inc, which supports the community service programs of the Branch, has posted its year-end report to the Branch for 2020 to the Members Only section of the website, at https://greaternaples-fl.aauw.net/foundation/. You may also contact Laura Candris for a copy. Some highlights:
1. In December, the McMahon Foundation made a $25K donation for an endowed scholarship fund for the purpose of generating one Local Scholarship per year. Like the other endowed scholarship funds, these funds (except for a small portion) are not immediately available but will fund scholarships for deserving local women, age 21 and over, for years to come.
2. 2020 was a different year in many ways; one of them was that program expenses for the Local Scholarship and Reading is Fun programs were lower than expected. Consequently, even though fundraising events were cancelled or postponed, the Foundation has funds for Local Scholarships this year, for a full Reading is Fun program next school year, for the STEAM program next year and for StartSmart and WorkSmart!
3. However, the funds for these important programs will need to be rebuilt via individual donations and fundraising events. Fundraising events are important to raise the organizations’ profile in the community—which should enhance member recruitment—and because every dollar generated by fundraising events is a dollar that Branch members do not need to contribute to keep the public service programs going.
|
|
This has been a year when our AAUW GNB has seen the introduction of increased social media platforms.
We have added You Tube, Instagram, a Blog, and Zoom to our current Website, Face Book, Media coverage and Gulf Breeze.
Because of this, it deems essential to establish Social Media Guidelines and Policies to ensure coordination and to protect against potential liabilities.
A Social Media Committee, comprised of nine members, has been formed to review and establish these goals. Many of the members are the primary monitors of the platforms and are familiar with the workings of each.
Donna Walker – Website; Carol Siwinski - You Tube; Chris Basler – Face Book;
Jeannine Stetson Hagedorn – Instagram; Maryanna Crawford – Newsletter and Media Experience;
Susan Barley – Policy; Lynne Romito; Julie Olander; Bonnie Butcheri.
Jacky Territo and Karen Dempsey have provided introductory and continued rationale, handouts, and guidance.
We urge all members to utilize the social media platforms. Links to these new platforms are below and will be on the Website.
Find GNB on Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aauwgnb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greater_naples_aauw/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCGSDJqkqqxqsj9cCEyUC
Blog: https://www.aauw-greaternaplesbranch-connect.com/
Website: https://greaternaples-fl.aauw.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
