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President's Message
Together we are stronger! Together we can make a difference!
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Dear AAUW Florida Members,
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Your dedication, energy, and passion for advancing equity for women and girls continue to inspire and strengthen AAUW Florida.
Celebrating Our Achievements Together
This year has been filled with remarkable milestones, from the approval of our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan to the continued growth and engagement of our branches statewide. None of these accomplishments would be possible without the commitment of our leaders, volunteers, and members who give their time, expertise, and hearts to this organization.
Thank You for Your Leadership and Participation
Whether you have hosted a Tech Trek event, led a Work Smart/Start Smart workshop, participated in advocacy efforts, or mentored emerging leaders, your contributions matter. Each action, big or small, helps create opportunities and open doors for women and girls across Florida. Your dedication exemplifies the spirit of AAUW: collaboration, empowerment, and progress.
Gratitude for Our Community and Partnerships
I also want to recognize the incredible support from our community partners, donors, and sponsors. Their generosity amplifies our work and ensures that AAUW Florida can continue making a meaningful impact. Together, we are building stronger communities, supporting higher education, and creating pathways for success.
Looking Ahead with Thanks
As we approach the end of 2025 and reflect on the year, let us celebrate our collective achievements and continue to move forward with optimism and purpose. I encourage each member to take time this month to thank a fellow volunteer, branch leader, or mentor who has made a difference in your AAUW journey.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of AAUW Florida. Your dedication, energy, and commitment inspire me every day, and I am honored to serve as your President. Together, we will continue to empower, elevate, and create lasting change.
With gratitude,
K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D.
AAUW Florida President
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Daylight Saving Time
November 2, 2025- Fall Back 1-hour at 2am
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On Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2:00 AM, most regions in the United States will end Daylight Saving Time by setting clocks back one hour. This marks the transition from Daylight Time to Standard Time.
Impact on People:
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More Morning Light: Mornings will be brighter, which can help with waking up and commuting.
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Earlier Sunsets: Evenings will get darker sooner, which may affect outdoor activities and mood.
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Sleep Disruption: The time change can temporarily disrupt sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.
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Safety Concerns: Studies show an increase in accidents and health issues around time changes due to sleep disruption.
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Final Call for Branch Leadership Information
2025-2026 Directory Branch Leadership Data Collection
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Attention all Branch Presidents!
This is the final call for Branch Presidents to complete the documentation to ensure your branches shine in the upcoming 2025-2026 State Directory. If you haven’t yet shared the names of your esteemed leaders, you likely received both a call and an email this week sending a friendly reminder. We kindly ask that you complete the required form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3En_44n2COylO6APFeuVlpTqROaYxRRT6ehRR9T2bzT8NSQ/viewform?usp=header) by the final deadline of Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
As we need to get the directory to membership, those who miss the deadline will unfortunately find their updated information left out, so let's rally together and make sure every leader gets the spotlight they deserve!
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Economic Empowerment Trainings
Connect, Learn, Grow- Webinars that Work for You
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AAUW offers the following award-winning virtual economic empowerment trainings- Work Smart, Start Smart, and Money Smart- that are specifically designed to address professional challenges faced by women. Check out the schedule for November-December 2025.
AAUW Work Smart:
Know Your Value and Get Paid – Training for early and mid-career professionals on negotiating for fair salaries, better benefits, and advancement opportunities.
AAUW Work Smart: Know Your Value and Get Paid
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Register Now
AAUW Work Smart: Develop Your Value Statement Deep Dive
Thursday, December 4, 2025
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Register Now
AAUW Start Smart:
AAUW Start Smart is specifically designed for college women entering the job market, teaching effective salary negotiation techniques to boost your confidence and negotiation skills.
AAUW Start Smart
Thursday, November 13, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET
Register Now
AAUW Start Smart
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Register Now
AAUW Money Smart:
The AAUW Money Smart program is aimed at providing all women with the personal finance information they need to ensure their own financial security.
AAUW Money Smart: Smart Future
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Register Now
AAUW Money Smart: Smart Foundations
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Register Now
These programs have already impacted over 190,000 women across the U.S., empowering them with confidence, knowledge, and skills.
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Florida Legislative Preview
November 18, 2025 (6pm); Registration Info Below.
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The Florida Legislative Session starts early this year. We will be going to Tallahassee for Lobby Days on Monday, January 26th and departing on January 28th.
Participants will be able to spend the night on the 26th and the 27th with a subsidy from the state budget for half the hotel rate. They will be provided with materials to take to their legislators’ offices.
Specific group activities will be dependent on the legislative schedule for that week, but we always try to visit and encourage the legislators who support our public policy principles. We will have a last-minute training session on Monday night and a dinner together at a restaurant on Tuesday evening. There will also be an allowance for travel based on mileage. Even with these subsidies, there will be considerable expense for lobby day's participants, so branches are encouraged to help these people with their expenses if possible.
In addition to Tallahassee lobby days, we are encouraging lobbying at home where groups from branches contact their local legislators (or legislative aides) during the times they are available. Approaching lawmakers with our agenda will count towards the Public Policy star, a part of the national AAUW Five Star program.
Don't forget about the Florida legislative preview on Tuesday November 18th at 6:00 PM. This is not just for lobby days participants, as we should all be aware of what the Florida legislature is doing.
Please register for the Forum at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/riFGhaSERpaWuLGzNL7yMw
Questions? Contact Public Policy Director, Pat DeWitt, Ph.D.
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Save The Date- September 25-27, 2026:
AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference 2026- Lancaster, PA!
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We are excited to announce the AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference 2026, hosted in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania! This conference is more than an event, it’s an opportunity to recharge, reimagine, and recommit to AAUW’s mission with friends old and new.
This gathering will bring together AAUW members from 13 states for a weekend filled with:
- Dynamic sessions on leadership, equity, and innovation
- Interactive workshops you can take back to your branch or state
- Conversations with thought leaders and changemakers
- Networking with members who share your passion for equity
- Celebrations and special events that make the weekend unforgettable
Why Lancaster? Where history meets modern charm!
- Fall festivals across the city
- Local wineries & craft breweries
- Great dining and coffee spots
- Central Market treasures & boutique shopping
- Easy to reach: Amtrak directly into Lancaster; Harrisburg International Airport, just 30 miles away
Exciting news!!!
- The room block for the AAUW Atlantic Regional Conference 2026 is now open!
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Reserve your space today: Click Here!
Direct Link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-
link.mi?id=1758841025555&key=GRP&app=resvlink__;!!FOfmI8qiWcWBHqypJtzENF0!
ytBxRkqyN8HUmuJfNYj3moemAZaTWjQRS8ylLvsig5HIJcjISQoNemYhW_UuKVYvRN
22-qcBnONMIkkCharFX4r224chUkg$
We look forward to you joining us in Lancaster in 2026!
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5-Star Program Advancement & Governance Criteria Changes
- We’re pleased to announce important updates to the AAUW Five Star Program that give branches more flexibility while strengthening our alignment with national priorities.
Advancement Star Update
- Branches may now count contributions not only to the Greatest Needs Fund, but also to the Defend Higher Education Fund or the Public Policy Fund toward their Advancement criteria.
- This change opens more meaningful ways for branches and members to support the areas they’re passionate about—while still fulfilling star-earning goals.
Governance & Sustainability Star Update
- Branches are required to update their bylaws by June 30, 2026 to reflect the changes approved by AAUW membership in 2023.
- By doing so, branches will fulfill one of the new criteria for the Governance and Sustainability Star.
Public Policy Fund Support
- We encourage branches and members to direct Public Policy contributions to the newly designated fund #4514, rather than the former fund #4337.
- This new fund fuels advocacy initiatives across key issues such as pay equity, student debt, Title IX, and increased mobilization of our Action Network.
It's Time for "It's My Vote!
- In November, AAUW is kicking off It’s My Vote!, our nonpartisan voter engagement campaign.
- To amplify this work, AAUW is pleased to announce that we are a Power Partner with the League of Women Voters on Unite & Rise 8.5—alongside the National Council of Jewish Women.
👉 Learn more about the partnership and how you can engage.
Recruitment Discounts and Waivers – Coupon Codes
- The Shape the Future Campaign discount of 50% off national dues for new members (those entirely new to AAUW or rejoining after two or more years) remains in effect.
- Use the coupon code STFFY26 at checkout.
- Coupon codes for AAUW College/University member students:
- CUStudentFY26 – Student Associates (undergraduates)
- CUGradStudentFY26 – Graduate Students
- Details available in Membership Matters
College/University Quarterly e-News
- AAUW College/University (C/U) e-News is curated content tailored for the interests of campus professionals, students, and AAUW C/U Relations officers.
- If you have a relationship with a C/U that is not currently a member, invite them to join us!
- C/U membership is $250, which includes:
- Two free national memberships for named faculty/staff representatives
- Unlimited free student affiliation for undergraduate and graduate students
- Want more info or help? Email connect@aauw.org
Affiliate Dues and Donations to AAUW
AAUW Development Department
P.O. Box 98045, Washington, DC 20090-8045
*Tracking numbers are needed to search for uncashed checks.
Community Hub Spotlight: Student Membership Renewals
- To retain a student membership type (Student Associate or Graduate Student) or to change from a student to a national membership, follow these steps:
- On the Personal Snapshot page
- Click the button next to the branch name and select Manage Roster
- On the Company Roster page, click Join Individuals
- Select the student from the dropdown and follow the remaining instructions
Branch-to-Branch Recruitment Idea(s)
- If you have recruitment ideas to share with other branch leaders, please email them to connect@aauw.org with the subject line:
- Branch-to-Branch Recruitment
Be sure to include your contact information so branch leaders can reach out for additional details.
Branch Members in GRACE: Attention Branch Finance Officers
- After October 31, all members with a Grace status on your branch rosters will be removed if their membership expired prior to July 2025.
- For Finance Officers, this means:
After this date, you must follow join instructions to reprocess these individuals.
They will no longer be accessible from the Renewals and Donations application.
AAUW State/Branch Affiliate Benefits — At No Cost!
- Federal Tax Filing of Form 990-N
- All AAUW-affiliated entities must file an annual IRS return.
- If your gross receipts are $50K or less, AAUW can file the 990-N when your Finance Officer submits the request form in the Community Hub between April 16 – October 15.
- Watch the 990-N Request Video
- Important Note: If you do not qualify to file the 990-N, explore other options at irs.gov.
- Speakers for AAUW Affiliate Events
- Elevate your events with a guest speaker from AAUW National!
- Make your request using the Speaker Request Form to invite an AAUW expert, staff member, or volunteer leader with content tailored to your audience.
Live Customer Support at Your Service
📞 Call 800.326.2289, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM ET
💻 Join Office Hours via Zoom:
Affiliate Website Support
- If your state or branch has an AAUW National-hosted website and needs assistance, support is available at no cost.
- Email: site-resources@aauw.org for help.
| | AAUW advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. | | | | |
