Barb Duran, AAUWMI President

barbduranaauw@gmail.com

313-300-1710 (Cell)

Your state board is also working on revising the AAUWMI Strategic Plan to ensure that we are on track with the national AAUW Strategic Plan in partnership with the Five-Star Program and the Branch & Affiliate Reports that we are all responsible for completing by the end of the fiscal year.

Last but certainly not least, a Past Presidents' Advisory Council of past AAUWMI presidents has been formed that will be available to assist branches with support and resources for member growth and leadership development, as well as other challenges that a branch may encounter.

You will be hearing from one or more of our past state presidents soon, to see what help your branch needs and how the advisory council can assist with ideas, recommendations and resources to strengthen your branch during the next 12-18 months.

This renewal means it is a great time to explore the AAUW National Strategic Plan. We have featured it in articles and talked about it for a couple of months now, but I continue to be inspired by the clarity of the messaging and how it brings back into focus the “Why” of AAUW and our work. If you have not seen Gloria Blackwell’s video summary, I urge you to check it out. The entire page at National’s site lays out the vision and the application to the entire organization really well. I hope everyone reads it and takes it back to their boards to consider how your branch can integrate it into the coming year and the future.

While we are thinking about the new, or rather renewed, vision for AAUW from the top down, I will also direct you to National’s website for AAUW’s 5 Star Program. The suggestions and process are laid out clearly and the lift for branches of any size is not very burdensome. It is an excellent way to help you and your branch members with the goals and actions of National, which we know some branches have struggled with in recent years before it was established. This does not just fall on you though! AAUW of Michigan’s whole board is here to help you with everything from Programs to Membership!

I look forward to meeting with all of you this year during our quarterly branch presidents' meetings. Dates for those meetings are included in the list of “Important Dates” near the end of this email. The next meeting is November 18, and a reminder message with a Zoom link will be distributed prior to that date.

Thank you all for stepping up to leadership positions within your branches. I am so excited and proud to work with you all over the next two years to advance AAUW's mission of advancing equity for women and girls!

Barb

Members of AAUW of Michigan have the opportunity to review and propose amendments to the AAUWMI bylaws each year. Amendments help ensure that we keep pace with the most current governance practices and that we are operating in a way that is consistent with the will of our membership.

Now is the time to examine the AAUWMI bylaws and propose amendments that your affiliate members believe will help AAUWMI remain responsive to our members, focused on our mission and current in our practices. The AAUWMI bylaws are posted on the AAUWMI website.

The deadline for submitting proposed bylaws amendments is January 31, 2027. 

1. The state may adopt and amend bylaws related to state affairs, but such bylaws shall not conflict with AAUW BYLAWS.
2. A phrase, a sentence or a whole article may be amended.
3. Reasons should be stated to explain why the recommendation is being made.

Procedure for Adoption (AAUWMI Bylaws, Article XX)

Members may propose amendments to the AAUWMI bylaws by completing the Bylaws Amendments Form. It shall be distributed by November 1 and shall be sent to the AAUWMI Bylaws Director by January 31^st.

The provisions of these bylaws not governed by the AAUW BYLAWS may be amended at the state annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting, or by electronic or mail ballot, provided written notice shall have been sent to the members at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. 

An amendment to the bylaws at the state annual meeting shall become effective and binding on all AAUWMI affiliates.

Use the second page of the AAUWMI Bylaws Amendment Proposal Form to submit proposed amendments to the AAUWMI Bylaws, using a separate form for each proposed amendment.

For more information, please contact: 

Jan Van Gasse

AAUWMI Bylaws Director

W5745 River Meadows Lane

Norway, MI 49870

(906) 396-2747

janicevangasse@gmail.com 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: January 31, 2027 

AAUW of Michigan Public Policy Principles

2025-2027

AAUW is non-partisan but not values-neutral. We fight to remove barriers and biases that stand in the way of gender equity. Public Policy Principles and Priorities underscore AAUW’s mission to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. 

AAUW of Michigan Public Policy Principles are developed by the AAUWMI Public Policy Committee in alignment with AAUW Public Policy Principles and Priorities (2025-2027) and approved by the AAUWMI Board. 

If a member is not receiving AAUW emails, they should check the email address in their Community Hub member record to make sure it is correct. Contact State Services Manager Leah Monger if you need help. Someone who isn’t receiving AAUW emails and whose email address is correct in the Hub should update their AAUW email subscription through this resubscribe link.

If anyone in your branch isn't receiving AAUWMI emails, please ask them to submit this form to resubscribe.

Thursday, October 8 – Latina Equal Pay Day

Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET – AAUW of Michigan Board Meeting* (via Zoom) – (Includes confirmation of nominating committee members and receipt of financial review report).

Saturday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET – Coffee & Conversations with AAUWMI Bylaws Director Jan Van Gasse; Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PeLIXhU5T2GXFaj_tCEMUg

Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. ET – Past Presidents’ Advisory Council (via Zoom)

Tuesday, October 20 – Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day

Sunday, November 1

• Announce Nominating Committee and distribute AAUWMI Board Nomination Form
• Distribute Bylaws Amendment Form

Saturday, November 14, 9:00 a.m. – Meet the Author Webinar “Flipping the B.I.T.C.H. Switch (via Zoom) – To register: https://bitchswitch.net/

Wednesday, November 18, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. E.T. – Branch Presidents' Quarterly Meeting with AAUWMI President Barb Duran (via Zoom)

Thursday, November 19 – Native Women’s Equal Pay Day

Tuesday, December 15 – Fall/Winter Newsletter distributed

Wednesday, December 16, 7:00pm – 8:00 p.m E.T. – Past Presidents’ Advisory Council (via Zoom)

Saturday, December 19, 9:00a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ET - Coffee & Conversations Holiday Edition; Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PeLIXhU5T2GXFaj_tCEMUg

Saturday, January 9, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET – AAUW of Michigan Board Meeting* (via Zoom)

Saturday, January 16, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET – Coffee & Conversations with AAUWMI C/U Director Alankrita Pandey; Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PeLIXhU5T2GXFaj_tCEMUg

Sunday, January 31

• Board Nominations (in writing) due to the Chair of the Nominating Committee
• Deadline for submitting proposed Bylaws Amendments

Saturday, February 20, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET – Coffee & Conversations with AAUWMI Membership VP Eva Habib; Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PeLIXhU5T2GXFaj_tCEMUg

Wednesday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. E.T. – Branch Presidents' Quarterly Meeting with AAUWMI President Barb Duran (via Zoom)

March 1-31 – Women’s History Month

Saturday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – AAUW of Michigan Board Meeting* (via Zoom)

Monday, March 15 – Winter/Spring Newsletter distributed

Saturday, March 20, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET – Coffee & Conversations with AAUWMI Finance VP Carol Arnosky; Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PeLIXhU5T2GXFaj_tCEMUg

Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. E.T. – Past Presidents’ Advisory Council (via Zoom)

Saturday, April 17th – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. - AAUW of Michigan Annual Meeting (via Zoom) 

Saturday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET – Coffee & Conversations: Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PeLIXhU5T2GXFaj_tCEMUg

Wednesday, May 26, 7:00pm – 8:30pm E.T. – Branch Presidents' Quarterly Meeting with AAUWMI President Barb Duran (via Zoom)

Tuesday, June 15 - Spring/Summer Newsletter distributed

Wednesday, June 23, 7:00pm – 8:00pm E.T. – Past Presidents’ Advisory Council (via Zoom)

*Any member of AAUW of Michigan is welcome to attend Board meetings. Please send an email to Barb Duran (barbduranaauw@gmail.com), President, if you would like to attend a meeting, and she will send you the details.

Elected Officers/Executive Committee

Appointed Directors

AAUWMI Administrative Staff

AAUW of Michigan | aauwmistateservices@gmail.com