April 2024
Continuing on the Path to a Successful Year


There is much to be done before we can call this AAUW year of activities and innovations
 a “Wrap”.

Regional Conferences: The Northeast and Northwest Regional Conferences have taken place with 41 members from 11 Branches coming together to mix and mingle while sharing their recent successes and learning how to carry on with public policy initiatives even in the ‘off-season’.  During the Pathways to Leadership Project introduction, participants explored how to approach the situational challenges that Branch leaders often face.

In the next few weeks Regional Conferences will be held in Venice, SW Conference and North Palm Beach, SE Conference. 

National Voting: Voting begins on April 3rd for AAUW National Bylaw to remove the education requirement for membership. Branch members eligible to vote will receive an email with a link that allows them to Vote. Paper ballots with instructions will be sent to those members without email addresses. Voting ends May 15, 2024. Voting results will be announced soon after.

The AAUW National website, AAUW.org is the best source of information about the proposed Bylaw change.  Some Branches are holding special round-table discussions to explore the change in the membership requirement. The State Board encourages every eligible member to cast an informed VOTE!

Annual Meeting May 16th: Join your fellow members on Thursday, May 16th, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom. There is a quorum to be met, therefore, Registration instructions will be sent via email in early May. 
The Annual Meeting agenda will include;
-Election of Officers for 2024-2026,
-State Directors’ Reports,
-Election of three members to serve on the State Nomination Committee for 2025-2026.
 Please consider volunteering to serve or to nominate someone to serve, with their permission.  

The Annual Meeting will be followed by participation in a Town Hall with a representative from AAUW National.

The April issue of the State’s Newsletter, FloriVision, will hold more detailed information on the upcoming AAUW Florida’s Annual Meeting.

Continue to Support Tech Trek: The two 2024 Summer Tech Trek Camps for rising 8th grade girls are at full capacity with a short waiting list. Your financial support will assure the Tech Trek Camps will continue to thrive for years to come.


 Be an Active and Engaged AAUW Member - Working Toward Equity for All
President.
AAUW FL

Campers have been selected and notified. Thank you to branch volunteers who interviewed and scored the applicants. Both camps are full and we have a short waiting list.

Branches should be working hard to raise funds for the camps. Each camper costs about $1200 for housing, food, classes and supplies. We look to all branches to help fund this statewide initiative but branches who participate should provide for their girls.

We have a letter ready to be emailed to businesses or members to ask for donations. This donation letter needs to be emailed rather then printed in order for the embedded links to work. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TOdbJnEDynfmpMxRHKxp-70Z8T9DO6gK997jdlVAmsE/edit?usp=sharing

Please remember all donations for Tech Trek must be done via the Zeffy link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/9e097894-8842-4c4f-bf3a-3fe5cb750ba7 or by check made out to AAUW FL Supporting Foundation. Our mailing address is AAUW FL Supporting Fnd, PO Box 126, Palm City, FL 34991. Funds should be sent as soon as possible as bills will need to be paid starting in April.
AAUW Florida Public Policy

Public Policy Forum: Voting And Voting Rights
April 18
6 pm
Wouldn’t you like more in-depth information on the important issues facing Florida from a nonpartisan but equity-focused viewpoint? Would you like to be able to ask your own questions of experts regarding these issues?

Be sure to attend our final Public Policy Forum of the year.

We are excited to have Debra "Debbie" Chandler join us to talk about voting and voting rights here in Florida. Debbie is the co-President of the League of Women Voters, Florida and will share important information on voting here in Florida. 
Come learn about the latest in voter rights, restoration and what you need to know as we approach the elections in August and November. 
Debbie will be speaking on Thursday April 18th at 6pm on Zoom

Please attend this VERY important discussion! 

Here is the facebook invite to share on your pages-- https://www.facebook.com/events/1463760117545036?ref=newsfeed


Hope to see you on April 18th on Zoom!
An Update on Reproductive Rights in Florida
You may have already heard but on April 1, the Florida Supreme court ruled that Amendment 4, to limit government interference with reproductive rights in Florida, meets the requirements for placement on this year’s ballot. Floridians WILL get a chance to vote on the amendment in November. AAUW Florida is a partner organization on this work, and thank you for all you did to help get the signatures needed and spread the word. A million Floridians, across political parties, signed petitions to get the amendment on the ballot.

The Court also ruled that Florida's Constitution's privacy protections do not extend to abortion. This will allow Florida to ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. This law will be effective in the next 30 days. The only thing that will overturn this, will be if Amendment 4 gets 60% of Florida voters approve it in November

We will be back in touch as we get more information.
For information contact: 
Bea Holt - AAUW Florida President: aauwflbholt@gmail.com
Kay Lee Smith - AAUW Florida President-Elect: aauwflksmith@gmail.com

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