AAUW
AAUW Vision Statement: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.
AAUW Slogan: Because Equity is Still an Issue.
AAUW Strategic Process: During an 18-month period, AAUW and the Educational Foundation have been engaged in an extensive strategic process to address shared challenges and opportunities. Incorporating more than 11,000 members' voices, the strategic process identified AAUW's current structure as a barrier to attracting new members, strengthening our revenues, and accomplishing our mission. Adapting our structure is a necessary first step toward reclaiming our legacy as a relevant, vibrant organization.
This has lead to plans to reorganize the Association, over the next two years, into one organization, the AAUW, with a slightly changed Mission Statement, and a new Vision Statement for AAUW. The Educational Foundation merged with the Legal Advocacy Fund two years ago. The next step, through a two year transition period, ending in 2009, will find AAUW and the Educational Foundation merged into one organization.
An historic event occurred at the Association Convention in Phoenix, 2007, when the delegate body voted unanimously to approve adoption of a bylaws change that would provide for a two-year transition period, allowing AAUW and EF to merge into one organization by 2009.
AAUW Educational Foundation: The Educational Foundation, EF, was established in 1958 to increase AAUW's philanthropic activities and promote opportunities and equity for women and girls through research, fellowships and grants, and special awards. The Educational Foundation is one of the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women.
AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund: The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, launched in 1981, functions under the direction of the Educational Foundation, supports women and men seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. Programs include case support, a volunteer network of attorneys and social scientist, campus outreach, a public education campaign, and the LAF Speaking Out for Justice and Progress in Equity awards.
AAUW Diversity Statement: The Association's diversity statement reads: In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class. This diversity statement is to be printed in all branch, state, regional, and national publications.
Adelante! AAUW's diversity awareness and action program
AAUW HELPLINE: Can be reached by calling the toll free number, (800 /326-AAUW/2289).
AAUW Leadership Development DVD/CD: The new Leadership Development DVD/CD is designed to be an accessible training tool and resource for state and branch leaders on a wide array of AAUW programs and projects. We want this product to be a useful and effective tool for you, not only to empower current leaders, but to set the groundwork for future leaders as well.
The Leadership Development DVD/CD is a package containing seven video modules and a CD containing facilitator guides, discussion guides, and resource guides. The seven modules include:
Module 1: AAUW and the Future featuring Linda D. Hallman, Executive Director
Module 2: AAUW and Leadership
Module 3: Advancing Equity Through Advocacy
Module 4: Advancing Equity Through Education and Research
Module 5: Advancing the Mission Through Membership, Communications, and Marketing
Module 6: Advancing the Mission Through Philanthropy
Module 7: Financial Accountability
The video DVD material and the guides will assist you in developing a leaders' education program. While, together, the DVD and CD provide all of the resources you need to deliver an interactive session, of course, these tools may also be supplemented with local materials and information.
A webinar (audio and visual) reviews this DVD/CD resource, the components of the seven modules, and walks you step-by-step through using the materials to create an interactive session.
You will need to have the Netspoke Conference Player <ftp://leadershipDVD@aauwftp1.aauw.org/ConferencePlayerSetup.exe> installed on your computer in order to access the webinar. A link to this can be found on the AAUW Member Center under Leadership Development.
AAUW Member Center: The member only area on the Association web site, which provides links to other areas. Your member ID number gives you access to the Member Center. Click on Member Center at top of the AAUW Home page for access, type in your ID # in the log-in area to reach the introduction and helps in using the Center. Here you will find links to other areas, available to members on the web site.
AAUW's Print PSA Campaign: The American Association of University Women is pleased to offer its Because Equity Is Still an Issue public service advertising. This print ad campaign takes a fresh, clean, and contemporary approach, yet with a bit of an edge that is very much in sync with what is current in advertising, and with a focus on the facts that make our message clear--equity for women and girls is still an issue.
Newspapers and magazines are urged to download and use the print-quality PDF files. The PDFs are available in four-color and black-and-white versions and in a variety of the most popular sizes for media placement.
AAUW's PSAs are free and deliver three distinct messages:
For additional information or assistance please contact, Ashley Carr, Director of Communications and Marketing, AAUW at 202-785-7745 or Carra@aauw.org <mailto:Carra@aauw.org>.
AAUW Publications:
Magazines and Newsletters
AAUW Outlook: AAUW's national magazine. It includes articles and interviews focusing on education and equity for women and girls, book reviews, and excerpts, in depth profiles of outstanding women, community action projects, and legislative updates. This magazine comes to all AAUW members.
Public Policy
Capitol Hill Lobby Corps Briefings: Focuses on a particular piece of legislation that the AAUW Lobby Corp will be lobbying for that week on Capitol Hill. The briefing includes information like the legislation background , what the bill would accomplish, talking points, and the status of the bill.
Congressional Voting Record: AAUW has produced a Congressional voting record for every Congress since 1982, detailing how senators and representatives have voted on AAUW's Federal legislative priorities such as education, reproductive rights, and civil rights.
Legislative Agenda for the 110th Congress: The agenda includes supporting pieces of legislation in three main areas: expanding educational opportunities for women and girls, promoting women's economic security, and promoting and defending Civil Rights.
Public Policy Brochure: Discusses the AAUW Public Policy Program for 2007-2009 including the principles for action and biennial action priorities.
Public Policy Program: AAUW principles for action and biennial priorities. Order through AAUW member catalog. May also be read, downloaded, or copied from the Member Center.
Branch: The basic local unit of AAUW (do not use chapter or club).
Chair: Person in charge of conducting a meeting or gathering. Do not use chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson.
Choice:
Counterpart: A counterpart is a person who holds your position at a lower level of the organization. A state membership vice president is a counterpart of the Association Membership Chair. A branch membership vice-president is the counterpart of the state membership vice president.
EF and LAF Chairs: These branch and state officers' coordinate Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund program-fundraising activities.
Education and Equity: Choices for a Changing World
AAUW's portfolio of programs, including:
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards for U.S. and International Women Scholars: The AAUW Educational Foundation has a long and distinguished history of advancing educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe. One of the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women, the Educational Foundation is providing $4.5 million in funding for more than 250 fellowships, grants, and special awards to outstanding women in the 2008-09 academic year. Due to the generous contributions of AAUW members across the U.S., a broader community of women continues to gain access to educational and economic opportunities --breaking down barriers so all women have a fair chance.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AAUW MEMBERS MAY NOW APPLY FOR ALL FELLOWSHIP AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.
International Affiliations:
One Shared World: Hope is Our Common Language
A companion book, "Keeping the Promise: Five Benefits of Girls Secondary Education," that makes the case for promoting girl's high school education in the developing world. The PDF of the book can be found at <http://www.aed.org/Publications/loader.cfm>.
CARE <http://www.care.org/>: AAUW partner, CARE <http://www.care.org/>, is fighting global poverty.
More information available on the Association WEB SITE. To locate,
type International Connections in Enter Search Items, right upper side
of Home Page.
Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, VGIF: This group was formed by a group of AAUW and IFUW members in 1969 to assist college women in low per capita income countries to identify and implement solutions to a variety of problems confronting their countries. This was later broadened to encompass projects beyond those narrowly aimed at university women and to utilize a variety of conduits of aid. Today most of the projects funded by VGIF are for small sums which aid impoverished women to improve their lives and those of their families, through improving living conditions and aiding the women to become more financially independent. The majority of leaders of the VGIF are active leaders in AAUW. An endowment provides funds for management of the organization, while donations/dues go directly to fund projects.
Lobby Corps: The AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps is a contingent of AAUW members who volunteer to lobby on Capitol Hill on issues pertinent to the AAUW public policy agenda. Branch and state lobby corps work at local levels.
Memberships:
Our mission statement includes the promotion of equity for women and girls. To find out the direction we, as AAUW members, must take in promoting equity for women and girls, we must look to our association's stand on public policy. As private citizens we may take any stand on political issues we wish. As AAUW members we must look to our Public Policy program, to fully understand what our organization advocates as positive changes to be made in our society, and steps to be taken to achieve equity for all women and girls. This program is revised and voted on by all member delegates at our biennial conventions.
It is a statement of what we believe in, what we advocate in our communities, and what we base our branch programming on. Mission based programming is what AAUW is all about.
Regional Director: An officer representing a region and serving as a liaison to states and branches.
Shop AAUW/AMAZON.COM: By shopping at Amazon.Com, through the Association web site, AAUW members can help the Association increase its income. Go to the Association Home Page, scroll down towards the bottom of the page and click on the Support AAUW, Shop Amazon.com button. This will bring you to the Amazon.com online page where your purchases can then help to support the mission of AAUW, as Amazon.com donates a portion of AAUW member sales to the Association. An extra bonus to you - Amazon.com offers
great discount prices on books, videos, and many other items.
Support AAUW While Shopping On-line: Would you like to help AAUW in a big way? Buy something for yourself or someone else at www.iGive.com/AAUW. When you buy your everyday necessities at the iGive.com Mall, up to 26% of each purchase is donated to AAUW's Educational Foundation, at no cost to you! Check it out!
State Board Liaison: A state board member is assigned to serve as a liaison to a branch, so as to allow for a flow of information, about state board activities and initiatives, to individual branches and to assist the branch in any way needed.
Title IX: The law prohibiting sex discrimination by federally funded educational institutions. The statute prohibits discrimination by "sex", not by "gender".
Excerpts from an original document prepared by:
Patricia Jennings
AAUW of MI
Communications Director
Revised April 2008
- The American Association of University Women is open to all graduates who hold the associate's or higher degree or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university.
- The name was adopted in 1921 through the merger of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, (formed in 1881) and the Southern Association of College Women. AAUW is two corporations: the first is the membership Association; the second is the AAUW Educational Foundation, and the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, which completed a merger of the two corporations on June 30, 2005.
- AAUW and the Educational Foundation, as part of the Strategic Process, approved at the 2007 Association Convention, are working together, in the 2007-2009 biennium, to bring about the merger of these two corporations into one corporation, AAUW.
- AAUW membership requirements were changed at the AAUW 2005 Convention to allow graduates of two-year associate degree programs, or it's equivalent, such as three-year diploma programs in nursing, into full Association membership.
- Association membership includes more than 100,000 individual members, 1,300 branches, and 600 college/university institution members.
AAUW Vision Statement: AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.
AAUW Slogan: Because Equity is Still an Issue.
AAUW Strategic Process: During an 18-month period, AAUW and the Educational Foundation have been engaged in an extensive strategic process to address shared challenges and opportunities. Incorporating more than 11,000 members' voices, the strategic process identified AAUW's current structure as a barrier to attracting new members, strengthening our revenues, and accomplishing our mission. Adapting our structure is a necessary first step toward reclaiming our legacy as a relevant, vibrant organization.
This has lead to plans to reorganize the Association, over the next two years, into one organization, the AAUW, with a slightly changed Mission Statement, and a new Vision Statement for AAUW. The Educational Foundation merged with the Legal Advocacy Fund two years ago. The next step, through a two year transition period, ending in 2009, will find AAUW and the Educational Foundation merged into one organization.
An historic event occurred at the Association Convention in Phoenix, 2007, when the delegate body voted unanimously to approve adoption of a bylaws change that would provide for a two-year transition period, allowing AAUW and EF to merge into one organization by 2009.
AAUW Educational Foundation: The Educational Foundation, EF, was established in 1958 to increase AAUW's philanthropic activities and promote opportunities and equity for women and girls through research, fellowships and grants, and special awards. The Educational Foundation is one of the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women.
AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund: The AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, launched in 1981, functions under the direction of the Educational Foundation, supports women and men seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. Programs include case support, a volunteer network of attorneys and social scientist, campus outreach, a public education campaign, and the LAF Speaking Out for Justice and Progress in Equity awards.
AAUW Diversity Statement: The Association's diversity statement reads: In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class. This diversity statement is to be printed in all branch, state, regional, and national publications.
Adelante! AAUW's diversity awareness and action program
AAUW HELPLINE: Can be reached by calling the toll free number, (800 /326-AAUW/2289).
AAUW Leadership Development DVD/CD: The new Leadership Development DVD/CD is designed to be an accessible training tool and resource for state and branch leaders on a wide array of AAUW programs and projects. We want this product to be a useful and effective tool for you, not only to empower current leaders, but to set the groundwork for future leaders as well.
The Leadership Development DVD/CD is a package containing seven video modules and a CD containing facilitator guides, discussion guides, and resource guides. The seven modules include:
Module 1: AAUW and the Future featuring Linda D. Hallman, Executive Director
Module 2: AAUW and Leadership
Module 3: Advancing Equity Through Advocacy
Module 4: Advancing Equity Through Education and Research
Module 5: Advancing the Mission Through Membership, Communications, and Marketing
Module 6: Advancing the Mission Through Philanthropy
Module 7: Financial Accountability
The video DVD material and the guides will assist you in developing a leaders' education program. While, together, the DVD and CD provide all of the resources you need to deliver an interactive session, of course, these tools may also be supplemented with local materials and information.
A webinar (audio and visual) reviews this DVD/CD resource, the components of the seven modules, and walks you step-by-step through using the materials to create an interactive session.
You will need to have the Netspoke Conference Player <ftp://leadershipDVD@aauwftp1.aauw.org/ConferencePlayerSetup.exe> installed on your computer in order to access the webinar. A link to this can be found on the AAUW Member Center under Leadership Development.
AAUW Member Center: The member only area on the Association web site, which provides links to other areas. Your member ID number gives you access to the Member Center. Click on Member Center at top of the AAUW Home page for access, type in your ID # in the log-in area to reach the introduction and helps in using the Center. Here you will find links to other areas, available to members on the web site.
AAUW's Print PSA Campaign: The American Association of University Women is pleased to offer its Because Equity Is Still an Issue public service advertising. This print ad campaign takes a fresh, clean, and contemporary approach, yet with a bit of an edge that is very much in sync with what is current in advertising, and with a focus on the facts that make our message clear--equity for women and girls is still an issue.
Newspapers and magazines are urged to download and use the print-quality PDF files. The PDFs are available in four-color and black-and-white versions and in a variety of the most popular sizes for media placement.
AAUW's PSAs are free and deliver three distinct messages:
- The facts concerning pay equity for women and girls.
- Gender segregation still exist in traditionally male professions.
- Gender discrimination in higher education continues to be a barrier for women attempting to achieve tenure.
For additional information or assistance please contact, Ashley Carr, Director of Communications and Marketing, AAUW at 202-785-7745 or Carra@aauw.org <mailto:Carra@aauw.org>.
AAUW Publications:
Magazines and Newsletters
AAUW Outlook: AAUW's national magazine. It includes articles and interviews focusing on education and equity for women and girls, book reviews, and excerpts, in depth profiles of outstanding women, community action projects, and legislative updates. This magazine comes to all AAUW members.
- Convention Today: Daily newsletter from the AAUW National Convention.
- EdEqChange: Bi-weekly memo to member leaders to facilitate discussion and collaboration in furthering and refining our strategic dialogue.
- Fund Facts: An AAUW newsletter for fund raisers. Find under Advocacy, Legal Advocacy
- LAF Update: A newsletter providing updates on cases adopted by the Legal Advocacy Fund.
- LAF Express: A monthly e-newsletter providing updates on all the latest activities, deadlines, and programming resources of the Legal Advocacy Fund.
- Membership Matters: An e-newsletter sent approximately six times a
- Mission in Action: A bi-monthly e-bulletin conveying information on today's hot issues; opportunities to speak out online and through local branches; and updates on the work of AAUW, the Education Foundation, and the Legal Advocacy Fund, nationwide.
- Students Speak Out: An e-newsletter written by students for students, focusing on current topics in women's studies and on campus and providing updates on events and opportunities at AAUW.
- 2007 Program Theme Highlights: Education as the Gateway to Women's Economic Security - A one page brief discussing a national platform of programs and initiatives focused on women's economic security.
- Envisioning the Future: Education as the Gateway to Women's Economic Security - AAUW's current programmatic theme overview brochure.
- 21st-Century Recognition Best Practices Database - A database list of states and branches that are models of excellence and reflect AAUW's Mission and Call to Action.
- Conference of State Leaders -. Download workshop materials from the 2006 conference and the 2004 conference.
- Grassroots Advocacy Leadership Training Workshop 2007 - A publication designed to train AAUW members in the skill to be grassroots advocacy leaders intheir branches and communities.
- Guide to the Shape the Future Membership Campaign - A quick overview of the Shape the Future Campaign and how it works.
- Membership Growth Workshops - Powerpoint presentations and other materials designed by AAUW and the AAUW Membership Committee that offers ideas, resources and strategies to help you grow your branch.
- Reaching Out to College Students - A brief list of ideas and suggestions for AAUW branches trying to reach out college students.
- Recruiting College and University Partners - A guide to AAUW branches on how to recruit college and university partners.
- STEM Programs for AAUW Branches - A list of programs focused on girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that AAUW branches can start from scratch.
- Working Together - Mission-based Program Brochure - Contains mission-based activities and programs and programs for AAUW branches.
- Teleseminars - Guides for teleseminars, which are when participants join a conference call while following along on the interbet as presenters share documents, web pages, and other visuals.
- Style Basics - A style guide for AAUW print and web publications.
Public Policy
- Fact Sheets and Position Papers: Details of AAUWs positions on current federal policy issues and the facts that support AAUW's advocacy.
- Action Network: Free to anyone who has an e-mail address, wants to know what is going on in Washington, and needs a simple and easy way to take action on issues they care about. Find it online under Advocacy, Public policy.
Capitol Hill Lobby Corps Briefings: Focuses on a particular piece of legislation that the AAUW Lobby Corp will be lobbying for that week on Capitol Hill. The briefing includes information like the legislation background , what the bill would accomplish, talking points, and the status of the bill.
Congressional Voting Record: AAUW has produced a Congressional voting record for every Congress since 1982, detailing how senators and representatives have voted on AAUW's Federal legislative priorities such as education, reproductive rights, and civil rights.
Legislative Agenda for the 110th Congress: The agenda includes supporting pieces of legislation in three main areas: expanding educational opportunities for women and girls, promoting women's economic security, and promoting and defending Civil Rights.
Public Policy Brochure: Discusses the AAUW Public Policy Program for 2007-2009 including the principles for action and biennial action priorities.
Public Policy Program: AAUW principles for action and biennial priorities. Order through AAUW member catalog. May also be read, downloaded, or copied from the Member Center.
- The Two-Minute Activist: A site that offers you a menu of AAUW priority issues set up so that you can make your voice heard in Congress. First, take one minute to read about the latest issue in Congress. Then take one more minute to personalize a pre-written AAUW message to e-mail to your member of Congress.
- Two-Minute Activist link. Includes information on staying informed, spreading the word, and what is happening in Congress on the current date.
- Washington Update: A weekly bulletin for AAUW public policy chairs offering an insider's view on the public policy process. Archives of Washington Update are now online back to its inception in the fall of 2004.
- Woman-to-Woman Voter Turnout Manual: The second edition covers topics like voter turnout techniques, recruiting, building coalitions, and registering voters.
- Equity Issues in the News will also soon be sent to members and non-members, who subscribe to receive this information, on a weekly basis. We feel that Equity Issues in the News--both on AAUW news coverage and in general, is one of the ways AAUW can clearly demonstrate that...equity is still an issue.
- Also New: On the homepage, top right side, click on Quick Links, What's New to discover the latest news coming from AAUW. Don't need to wait for the OUTLOOK!
- Additional resources, such as reports, guides and Tool Kits are available on the Association web site through the Member Center.
Branch: The basic local unit of AAUW (do not use chapter or club).
Chair: Person in charge of conducting a meeting or gathering. Do not use chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson.
Choice:
- Anti-choice: The preferred term for those who oppose reproductive choice.
- Pro-choice: Supportive of the full range of women's reproductive rights.
Counterpart: A counterpart is a person who holds your position at a lower level of the organization. A state membership vice president is a counterpart of the Association Membership Chair. A branch membership vice-president is the counterpart of the state membership vice president.
EF and LAF Chairs: These branch and state officers' coordinate Educational Foundation and Legal Advocacy Fund program-fundraising activities.
Education and Equity: Choices for a Changing World
AAUW's portfolio of programs, including:
- Signpost: A guide to Creating Gender-Fair Schools
- Transitions Conferences for women considering a return to school
- AAUW Tech Check for Schools
- Woman-to-Woman: A Community Dialogue on Social Justice
- Sister-to-Sister Summits
- Diversity/Adelante!
- Leadership Development
Fellowships, Grants, and Awards for U.S. and International Women Scholars: The AAUW Educational Foundation has a long and distinguished history of advancing educational and professional opportunities for women in the United States and around the globe. One of the world's largest sources of funding for graduate women, the Educational Foundation is providing $4.5 million in funding for more than 250 fellowships, grants, and special awards to outstanding women in the 2008-09 academic year. Due to the generous contributions of AAUW members across the U.S., a broader community of women continues to gain access to educational and economic opportunities --breaking down barriers so all women have a fair chance.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AAUW MEMBERS MAY NOW APPLY FOR ALL FELLOWSHIP AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.
- American Fellowships support women doctoral candidates completing dissertations and scholars seeking funds for postdoctoral research leave or for preparing completed research for publication. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. One-year postdoctoral research leave fellowships, dissertation fellowships, and summer/short-term research publication grants are offered.
- Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor's degree and who are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Community Action Grants provide seed money to individual women, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations, as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Eleanor Roosevelt Teacher Fellowships are awarded to women K-12 teachers who develop innovative curriculum projects designed to encourage girls' interest and achievement in math, science, and technology.
- International Fellowships are awarded for full-time graduate or postgraduate study or research to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Selected Professionals Fellowships are awarded to women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who intend to pursue a full-time course of study (during the fellowship year) in designated degree programs where women's participation traditionally has been low.
International Affiliations:
One Shared World: Hope is Our Common Language
- Celebrates the power of women to promote change. The One Shared World campaign seeks to engage American women in thinking about and supporting the many public and private efforts that help people in developing countries live better, healthier, and more productive lives. The campaign offers resources for women, their friends, and colleagues to learn more about development assistance, find tools to encourage others to get involved, or discover a personal way to do more to end global poverty.
- Research shows that educating girls is one of the best investments in development. When girls are allowed to attend high school, fewer become teenage mothers or infected with HIV/AIDS and more join the workforce so incomes increase and economies grow. The issue is highlighted in two new online resources:
A companion book, "Keeping the Promise: Five Benefits of Girls Secondary Education," that makes the case for promoting girl's high school education in the developing world. The PDF of the book can be found at <http://www.aed.org/Publications/loader.cfm>.
CARE <http://www.care.org/>: AAUW partner, CARE <http://www.care.org/>, is fighting global poverty.
More information available on the Association WEB SITE. To locate,
type International Connections in Enter Search Items, right upper side
of Home Page.
Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, VGIF: This group was formed by a group of AAUW and IFUW members in 1969 to assist college women in low per capita income countries to identify and implement solutions to a variety of problems confronting their countries. This was later broadened to encompass projects beyond those narrowly aimed at university women and to utilize a variety of conduits of aid. Today most of the projects funded by VGIF are for small sums which aid impoverished women to improve their lives and those of their families, through improving living conditions and aiding the women to become more financially independent. The majority of leaders of the VGIF are active leaders in AAUW. An endowment provides funds for management of the organization, while donations/dues go directly to fund projects.
Lobby Corps: The AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps is a contingent of AAUW members who volunteer to lobby on Capitol Hill on issues pertinent to the AAUW public policy agenda. Branch and state lobby corps work at local levels.
Memberships:
- Honorary or 50-year life members: Granted by the 1959 convention to any AAUW member who has been a member for 50 years. This membership is available by application. The applications are available from the HELPLINE. Branches and states may wave dues for honorary life members.
- Member at Large, MAL: AAUW members who affiliate directly with the Association as an AAUW member. MALs pay dues directly to the Association.
- Dual Member: A member of more than one branch who pays dues in each branch and pays Association dues through the primary branch. Where the branches are in the same state, the member pays state dues through the primary branch; otherwise, the member may be required to pay dues for both states.
- College/University, CU: AAUW's membership category for higher education institutions.
- Student Affiliates: Student affiliates are enrolled in a regionally accredited two-or-four-year higher education institution. Student affiliates are not AAUW members and therefore pay small fees rather than dues. At-large students affiliate with the national Association for a fee of $17.00. Student branch affiliates work directly with an AAUW branch, and branches and state divisions, who offer student affiliations, set their own small fees.
- Paid Life Members: Any Association member who pays the current fee for life membership, which is twenty times the current yearly dues.
- Community Partners: These are courtesy memberships for persons in the community who support the AAUW mission but are ineligible for AAUW membership. They may participate as full branch members, with the following restrictions: they may not serve as elected officers or committee chairs, but as CO-chairs, and they may not vote. College graduates are not eligible to become community partners but must join AAUW as regular members.
- Association Dues provide members with national news through various AAUW publications, as well as the every member magazine AAUW Outlook. They also provide for paid lobbyist working for legislative changes for women and families, and online opportunities to contact elected representatives in Washington. Members have access to member only insurance plans, and have the opportunity to participate in the Association national conventions and regional conferences.
- The Association web site maintains a Member Center. Registering, using your membership ID #, gains you access and provides you with many resources.
- State Dues bring you information on legislation at the state level, lobbying state lawmakers on issues affecting women and families, leadership training for state and branch officers, an annual subscription to Michigan AAUW and the opportunity to attend Annual Conventions, as well as state conferences and district workshops.
- Branch Dues afford you opportunities for fellowship with other university women. It brings you the branch directory, the branch newsletter, monthly branch programs, membership in interest groups, the opportunity to contribute to national and local educational funds and scholarship by participating in fund raising activities such as annual book sales, It also provides opportunities for networking with other AAUW branches in the district and other community action groups.
Our mission statement includes the promotion of equity for women and girls. To find out the direction we, as AAUW members, must take in promoting equity for women and girls, we must look to our association's stand on public policy. As private citizens we may take any stand on political issues we wish. As AAUW members we must look to our Public Policy program, to fully understand what our organization advocates as positive changes to be made in our society, and steps to be taken to achieve equity for all women and girls. This program is revised and voted on by all member delegates at our biennial conventions.
It is a statement of what we believe in, what we advocate in our communities, and what we base our branch programming on. Mission based programming is what AAUW is all about.
Regional Director: An officer representing a region and serving as a liaison to states and branches.
Shop AAUW/AMAZON.COM: By shopping at Amazon.Com, through the Association web site, AAUW members can help the Association increase its income. Go to the Association Home Page, scroll down towards the bottom of the page and click on the Support AAUW, Shop Amazon.com button. This will bring you to the Amazon.com online page where your purchases can then help to support the mission of AAUW, as Amazon.com donates a portion of AAUW member sales to the Association. An extra bonus to you - Amazon.com offers
great discount prices on books, videos, and many other items.
Support AAUW While Shopping On-line: Would you like to help AAUW in a big way? Buy something for yourself or someone else at www.iGive.com/AAUW. When you buy your everyday necessities at the iGive.com Mall, up to 26% of each purchase is donated to AAUW's Educational Foundation, at no cost to you! Check it out!
State Board Liaison: A state board member is assigned to serve as a liaison to a branch, so as to allow for a flow of information, about state board activities and initiatives, to individual branches and to assist the branch in any way needed.
Title IX: The law prohibiting sex discrimination by federally funded educational institutions. The statute prohibits discrimination by "sex", not by "gender".
Excerpts from an original document prepared by:
Patricia Jennings
AAUW of MI
Communications Director
Revised April 2008
