F L O R I D A
September 2022
Hello, from Bea Holt, President AAUW-Florida!

I’ve been a resident of Florida and a member of the Venice Branch since I retired in 2010 as an insurance company executive in Connecticut, my home state.

Like most of you, in AAUW I found like-minded women with whom I shared a resolve to make this world a better place for women and girls. Over the years, I have made wonderful friends and shared heart-warming successes as together we raised funds for scholarships and saw young girls go off to spread their wings at Tech Trek Camp. We had fun too. I started a Special Interest Group, “Outdoor Adventure” and together; we biked, kayaked, went horseback riding and conquered a zip line and obstacle course that was a mighty challenge. I’ve been an AAUW Legacy Circle member since 2015 and I encourage you to look into leaving a legacy too.

All along I have sought leadership positions within AAUW at the branch and state levels always with an eye on the future. I try to build consensus, make changes and keep moving forward. My goal is to always make a difference. As president of AAUW-FL, I will work to establish communication/cooperation and creative interactions between the State organization and Branch members across Florida. Building relationships with National AAUW leaders is another essential step in my role as State President and as a newly appointed member of the AAUW Advancement Committee, I am on my way. The unified purpose among AAUW members across the country is to achieve equity for women and girls in all aspects of their lives. 

I am most concerned with the future of not just the bold and brightest among us …but those women and girls without a voice or a vision of a brighter more economically secure future for themselves and their families.

I pledge to work with you and for you to make this world a better place for those we serve in the spirit of AAUW.

Bea Holt 🌺
Your Vote Is Your Voice
We Can Change the Conversation!
 
Since 1881, AAUW has been a leading voice promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW encourages women voters to get involved in the political process and gain a better understanding of legislative actions impact on our lives.  

Congressional races are particularly important this November. Redistricting after the 2020 Census has changed the boundaries of many Congressional districts. In the current partisan climate, it is imperative that we are aware of what is at stake in both our national and state elections. Due to redistricting your current member of Congress may no longer represent you. Check the Florida State website to find your elected official in Florida. Please be sure you are informed on the candidates for Congress in your district. As you sort through candidates’ platforms, please reflect on priority issues affecting women and evaluate the candidates’ positions relative to these issues.

 Since this is an election year, consider making your October program a focus on the election. You may want to consider a Candidates Night. AAUW branches may host candidate forums to which ALL major-party candidates in that election are invited. AAUW branches with 501(c)(4) status must make a thorough and good faith effort to ensure the participation of at least two candidates for a specific office but may proceed with a forum if only one candidate accepts. AAUW branches with 501(c)(3) status may only proceed with a candidate forum event if at least two candidates have accepted the invitation.

Here are resources to get helpful, non-partisan information:

Lastly Register to vote, if you haven’t already! And if you have recently moved you need to update your information with your County Supervisor of Elections!  
Your Vote Is Your Voice…Be Heard!
Mini-Grants are now known as Project Grants:
Funding for Branch Programs and Projects

Does your branch have an idea for an AAUW mission-based program or project that requires funding to carry it to fruition? Apply for an AAUW FL Project Grant!  These grants will provide applicants with funds in the amount of $100 to $500 to advance the AAUW-FL mission and/or provide opportunities for women and girls to achieve their full potential.  Any AAUW-FL branch may submit a proposal that has direct community impact and follows the stated purposes. 

New this year – Any two branches who choose to work together on a larger project may apply for up to $1500. See the Guidelines and Instructions page for more information.
Application forms may be submitted to meet one of three deadlines: October 1, January 1, March 1. Time will be needed to review the applications prior to final approval at the Board meetings on October 27, January 26, and March 23.
Guidelines and instructions, as well as all applicable forms are provided on the AAUW FL website, on the Branch Resources page.


AAUW Florida Tech Trek
The 2022 Tech Trek Camp was again a virtual one held from the June 18th 4pm orientation to June 24th.  With COVID’s future so uncertain we felt we needed to return to the virtual format for camp for the safety of our campers and staff.  This summer’s virtual camp was very successful! The campers learned a lot of new things in their classes, met new friends and acquired news skills.

The girls selected one core course of 10 or 12 hours and 4 1 1/2 hour workshops to attend during camp.. The core courses were: Computer Science Discoveries, Qualcomm Wearable Tech, Climate Change, Structural Engineering and Neuroscience. The workshops were Social Media, Everglades and Climate Change, DNA, My Place in Space, Digital Environment, Chemistry, Fitness, Flip Grid, Bullet Journal, and Rube Goldberg.

Every day there were panel discussions by professional women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The girls were invited to ask questions of these women after they explained where they worked and what they did. There were also virtual college tours conducted by a student at that institution.

The last program at camp was a wrap up session about the camp activities for campers, teachers and family members. Some campers talked about and displayed their projects while they spoke enthusiastically about their entire camp experience. The wrap up was a fascinating example of what can be achieved virtually. If you would like to see this presentation, go to https://flipgrid.com/5e3992b4.

Support Tech Trek 2023
Federal income tax-deductible contributions for the two 2023 camps may be mailed to Tech Trek, c/o AAUW Florida Supporting Foundation, Inc, PO Box 2938, Jupiter,FL 33468. Checks must be made payable to the AAUW Florida Supporting Foundation, Inc. with Tech Trek noted on the memo line. 
AAUW FL Tech Trek (STEM) Camp and the AAUW FL Supporting Foundation are looking for people interested in becoming involved with camp planning and delivery.

AAUW FL Tech Trek 2022-23 needs:
  • A Treasurer who will handle paying bills, balancing check book and submitting all the necessary state and federal tax reports for our 501 (c)(3) You can live anywhere in the state as long as you have access to a Wells Fargo Bank. Our current treasurer is willing to work with the new one.

  • Teachers to do 12 hour STEM core courses that will be taught in the mornings the week of camp. Camps will be at Stetson in DeLand and FAU in Jupiter during June 2023.

  • Teachers to do 90 minute STEM workshops in the afternoon. Workshops should be hands on. Materials will be provided.

  • Nurse who would be willing to live on each of the campuses for the week of camp and handle our medical needs.

  • Women who have camp experience that would be interested in working with our planning committee and spending time at camp during June. (Would love to have someone with some counseling background.)

If any of this interests you, contact Sue Slone, Tech Trek Camp Coordinator @ techtrekfl16@gmail.com
A Legacy of Equity 

You are encouraged to include AAUW as part of your personal legacy through a gift in their estate. These legacy gifts—or planned gifts—offer flexibility and other benefits. Options include will bequests, partial beneficiary designations and charitable gift annuities. For more info, click here.
To learn more, contact the AAUW  Planned Giving Department at 877- 357- 5587or Legacy Circle Team member, Patricia Ross, at paross@aol.com.

Together, we can ensure a better future for girls and women!
Congratulations to Florida's 5 Star Program Branches
  • 5 Stars: Greater Naples
  • 4 Stars: St Augustine
  • 2 Stars: Daytona Beach
Membership Renewal
  • Individual members can renew now on the AAUW Community Hub https://my.aauw.org/onlinejoin  If you have not already signed in to this new database, please start by resetting your password.

  • AAUW National dues ($67) + AAUW Florida dues ($12) + Branch dues (varies by Branch). $64 of the $67 national dues is tax-deductible; $3 of the national dues payment is not deductible because it supports the AAUW Action Fund’s section 501(c)(4) Lobby Corps and election-related activities. The annual dues year is July 1 through June 30:  https://aauw-fl.aauw.net/files/2022/04/FL-Dues-chart-2022-23.pdf

  • Branches collecting dues are advised that functionality for processing for group renewals is now available. National has posted written instructions – and the video tutorials from both trainings are all posted online on the Systems Update page: https://www.aauw.org/new-systems-update/ To find the written instructions (both in pdf documents), you scroll down to the Resources.
While the information is shared directly with some branch leaders, I encourage all members to take a look. Many important and interesting updates are shared here.
A marble statue of Mary McLeod Bethune was recently unveiled in Statuary Hall in Washington DC. A bronze version of the statue was also installed in Daytona Beach. AAUW FL is recognized as a donor on base of the statue in Daytona, due to anonymous donation in our name.
Since 1888, AAUW has funded the educations of countless women so they could follow their dreams. From astronauts to zoologists, the recipients of AAUW’s fellowships, grants and awards represent nearly every imaginable field of endeavor.  AAUW is providing $6 million in funding to more than 320 fellows and grantees in the 2022-23 award year. These exceptional recipients will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls. Recipients in Florida in 2022-23

Applications for AAUW’s fellowships and grants are open! Spread the word to deserving women and organizations! https://bit.ly/3uR6ZhB
For information contact: 
Bea Holt - AAUW Florida President: aauwflbholt@gmail.com

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AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy.