Birmingham Branch Annual Meeting, April 8, 2009
REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS

President                                                                                             Charlotte Mahrt
As I complete my fourth and final year as president, I look back on another year during which our branch has based its activities and programs on supporting the AAUW mission.  The success of the book sale together with the Patron/Donor Fund provided the resources for us to support the Educational Foundation, Legal Advocacy Fund, local scholarships and community organizations that support our mission.  EXPLORATHON and the Women in Transition Conference encourage young students and more mature women to see the advantages of further education and to develop plans to make their dreams come true.  A review of the reports of the various committees will demonstrate to you that we, as a branch, are blessed with dedicated and committed members.  My thanks to the board and all members who have contributed their time and efforts to make this a successful year!

 Vice President – Program                                                               Anne Nagel
 Our programs this year have been varied and interesting.  We began the year with our “Each One, Bring One” open house.  Some of the other highlights were 1) Pegg Roberts from Freedom House, 2) Kay McGowan Givens on Racial Discrimination, 3) musicians from the DSO, 4) Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry, 5) Andrew Arena from the FBI and 6) Nettie Seabrooks on the DIA.  We are looking forward to our speaker on women’s issues in May.

 Vice President – Membership                                                         Sally Kendrick
 Birmingham Branch has had another wonderful year!  Beginning with Each One, Bring One in September, we have added twenty-two new members!!!   Fifteen of them came from members bringing their friends, neighbors, or work associates to our September meeting.  Our latest new member joined at the March meeting!  It is clearly our members who are our best recruiters!!  Keep your smiles on, hands open and welcoming, and be ready to tell everyone how great being in AAUW is—because you make it so!!  Thank you for making this a great year!

 Recording Secretary                                                                          Pamela Hoffman
 As secretary of the AAUW Birmingham Branch, I take the minutes at the board meeting and any special meetings the branch president would call.  After preparing the minutes from my notes, I send them to Charlotte to proof and correct; she then sends them to the board.  Carol Pyke then distills them for the newsletter.  I make additional corrections as directed by the board.

Corresponding Secretary                                                                   Andrea Zalewski
According to the Birmingham bulk mail department, beginning in August, 2008, we have bulk mailed 8 monthly periodicals,  We have spent a total of $259.69 for all 8 mailings.  The individual costs have varied from $31 to $33.  We now have 2 more months of mailings.  Unfortunately, the periodical postal rates will be increased in May when I do my last mailing.  The post office could not provide me with the information yet on the exact amount of the increase.  On 3/19/2009 I deposited an additional $80 in the AAUW postal account. 

 I spoke with Tom Papandrea at Oakland Print  on 3/18/09 and he assured me that our printing costs for the monthly bulletins will remain the same despite any small changes in weight or in the number of bulletins requested.  I do not receive the bills but he stated originally that each month he would charge us $111 for each print job.  Apparently, Tom has lowered the print cost to $110.  He is definitely providing a wonderful service at a very low price for the AAUW  Since we do not have a written contract with Oakland Print to lock us in on a rate, our print jobs may be subject to a price increase in the 2009-2010 season.

 At this point, Treasurer Sue Longstreet has received bills for $850 for all of our bulk mailing needs in the 2008-2009 season.  She has paid all the bills when they have been received.  .

 Breakdown of billings that Sue has paid or reimbursed:
   $   205.00 Zip Printing which I paid on 8/21/2008 for September bulletins
        205.00 Zip Printing which I paid on 9/23/08 for the October bulletins
        120.00 deposit I made to the AAUW postal account on 10/11/2008
        100.00 deposit I made to the AAUW postal account on 1/23/09
        220.00 to Oakland Print for November & December 2008 bulletins
  $    850.00 Total Billed

We will owe Oakland Print for the months of January through June 2009, when I will mail the June bulletin.  
Consequently, AAUW still owes:
$   660.00 for 6  months printing
       80.00 for the postal account
$   740.00 total remaining costs

$   740.00
     850.00
 $ 1590.00 Total Projected bulletin expenses for 2008-2009

My projection for next year is as follows:
$   350.00 for mailing costs based on a possible average monthly fee of $35 for 10 mailings
   1200.00 for printing based on a possible increase to $120 for each months print job
       46.00 in postal strapping
 $1596.00
     100.00   for possible extra costs that may be incurred
$1696.00 total costs for Birmingham bulk mailing

 I did not request reimbursement for the postal strapping for 2008-2009 because I, along with all the other bulk mailers I met, hoped that the requirement for strapping would be temporary.  It isn't. I will not be requesting reimbursement for sympathy cards and postage, get well cards and postage, and the postage costs for the occasional bulletin that has to be sent through ordinary mail because I consider these to be petty cash items.

 Percentage of AAUW members receiving mailed bulletins versus Internet bulletins
Membership has grown to approximately 315 members while the number of mailed bulletins has ranged from 245 to 248.  Consequently, 79% of members are still receiving their bulletins through the postal service.  As more members become comfortable with using computers, the percentage of members requesting for their bulletins to be mailed will decrease.

 Treasurer                                                                                           Sue Longstreet
 Careful spending, combined with funds carried over from 07-08 fundraisers, allowed us to spend almost 70% of this year’s income on scholarships and community donations.  The remainder has paid for administrative expenses, programs, insurance, newsletters and yearbooks.  The final 2008-2009 treasurer’s report will be included in the 2009-2010 yearbook published this summer.

 REPORTS OF SPECIAL EVENTS

 Book Sale                                                        Pam Hoffman, Dorie Marshall, Jean Walker
 The book sale was held on September 12-14 at the Masonic Temple in Birmingham.  Over 500 persons attended.  Barrels went out just after Memorial Day.  Once again, we were able to set up the sorting site at the Bloomfield Hills Schools’ Farm Activity Building.  Our sorters and barrel collectors worked diligently over the summer.  Fifteen volunteers made 44 trips for home pick-ups.  Six agencies/AAUW members collected 1,381 books for charities.  We had some print publicity, an ad on Book Sale Finders.com and over 5,000 bookmarks to advertise.  School sales were held on Friday and Saturday.  School sales were $6,234.25.  Teachers were limited to $75 worth of books.  The total profit from the sale was $13,262.07.

 Explorathon 2009                                                                                       Jean Walker
On April 1st, 2009, the 17^th annual EXPLORATHON: Expanding Horizons for Girls in Science and Math project was hosted by a coalition of four groups:   AAUW Birmingham Branch Foundation Inc, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Detroit Country Day School and the Ford Motor Company Fund. It was the 30^th Birmingham Branch program since its inception as “Yes, You Can!

This day consisted of 53 workshops and conversations with 72 women scientists and engineers from the greater Birmingham-Bloomfield community.   These presenters used their expertise, experience and education to inform and connect with eighth to eleventh grade students to inspire an interest in the science, math, engineering and the health care fields. The presenters used their own experiences to make students aware of opportunities available for women in these areas.   The workshops provided small-group hands-on experiences giving insight into many career fields.  Some of the activities  included working with compressed air-operated tools, ‘dissecting’ old out-dated computers, searching for archaeological artifacts, examining live transparent tadpoles under magnification, studying x-rays and PET scans, extracting pigments from soda pop, comparing DNA strands, creating polymers, doing in vitro fertilization of frogs, setting up a computer network and observing the working of a hybrid car. We also expanded well into the health care fields with presentations by Doctors, Nurses and Physical Therapists.

EXPLORATHON again received a grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund. This enabled us to continue to reach out to provide student scholarships and fund 26 schools with bus subsidies.  We also received a grant from the George S. & Helen G. Deffenbaugh Foundation.

            Over 120 Birmingham Branch members contributed to their time and efforts to this event. In January 3200 registration brochures are mailed to all schools, private and public, in the tri-county area as well as to individuals requesting to be included on our mailing list. This day-long event requires many of our members donating hours of service to provide the organization for the program, lunch, registration, signs, scheduling and workshop aides.  We had DCDS students earning community service hours as hall monitors and guides. Our member volunteers serve as aides in the 45 minute workshops, the catered lunch, and as aids in the hallways.  There is a concurrent seminar for Teachers which includes discussion time with our keynote speaker and two workshop experiences.

                Our keynote speaker for 09 was Mindy Koch, Resource Management Deputy for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She presented her work with Great Lakes shorelines, hazardous waste, solid waste and groundwater discharge programs.  She was delightful, insightful and very well received by all.

                Extra help on hand for the event at DCD  included faculty, kitchen staff, custodial crew, security and parking lot staff, Audio-visual and/or Informational Technology consultant, and the projectionist for the auditorium Keynote presentation. 

                This event is one of the Birmingham Branch’s outstanding contributions to the community and to the mission of AAUW.  It encourages young women to study and enter the fields of STEM-science, technology, engineering and math.

 Women in Transition Conference                                                      Carol Pyke
 On Friday, November 7, approximately ninety women attended the fifth Women in Transition Conference held at Baker College in Auburn Hills, developed and planned by AAUW Birmingham, Waterford/Pontiac, and Oakland Branches along with representatives from Oakland Community College, Baker College and the Oakland County Workforce Development Division.

 The keynote speaker was Reverend Faith Fowler, Pastor of Cass Community United Methodist Church and Executive Director of the Cass Community Social Services in Detroit.  Following the keynote speech a series of people expert in their fields discussed such topics as “Where Are the Jobs?” and “Career Exploration – How Do you Know What’s Right for You?”  Counselors from Baker College and Oakland Community College spoke about admissions, and representatives from various skilled trades overviewed opportunities for women in their respective areas. 

 The participants left with renewed hope and specific goals, knowing that there is more to their future than perhaps they had realized before the conference.

 ADDITIONAL BOARD REPORTS

 Dues Treasurer                                                                                  Bev Pintar
The dues treasurer is responsible to collect the yearly dues, keep an accurate list of members for the directory, submit these payments to the Birmingham AAUW treasurer and submit this information and dues payment to the Association.  The AAUW Birmingham Branch has a total of 315 members on March 11, 2009.  At this time last year, there were 322 members.

 Educational Foundation                                                                     Peggy John
 With our donation of $12,864 to the Education Foundation in support of the Joyce Hanston Manby Research and Projects Fund (#4315), we are 1/3 of the way towards the completion of this endowment.   Named honorees were Suzanne Flury Longstreet and Carol Young Pyke. We donated $2,565 to the Legal Advocacy Fund; over $700 was from the “adoption” of quilts created by Piecemakers and Creative Needles and given to Children’s Hospital.  The branch was first in the state in donations to LAF and second in donations to EF.

 Study/Interest Group Coordinator                                                  Tina Whited
As coordinator, my two big social responsibilities are the summer luncheon and the September Open House.  The first event is geared toward getting all of the group chairs together and receiving the individual schedules for the coming year as well as thanking them for their efforts.  The Open House is a great recruiting event, showcasing all of the different activities and showing all AAUW Birmingham has to offer.

 My monthly responsibilities are to coordinate all of the times and dates of each activity's monthly meeting times and events to be entered into the news bulletin.  We have activities in the following areas: Book Club, Home and Garden, Arts and Humanities, Social and Political groups, On the Town events and Bridge/Games groups.

 Public Policy                                                                                       Karen Linnell
In looking back over 2008, I find we did more than I thought.  We studied all the ballot proposals and provided education to the membership.  Alas, the one we felt the most strongly about—healthcare for all Michiganians—did not garner sufficient signatures to make it onto the ballot.  We had a speaker on stem cell research, another of the ballot initiatives.

 We partnered with the League of Women Voters to register voters at the Department of Human Services each week from July – September.  We were invited to join the League as a cosponsor of a forum on judicial reform.  We also cosponsored a candidate forum for the 9th Congressional District attended by 300+, including a film documentarian.

 We encouraged all our members to contact Congress to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by drawing attention to the issue of pay inequity by providing cookies with a bite out of them at our April meeting along with a fact sheet about the legislation.  We also spoke out about pay equity at the Oakland County Women’s Commission.  We are delighted to report that the bill became law as the first piece of legislation that President Obama signed into law.

 Leadership/Personnel (Data Base)                                                     Carol Ringvelski
 As Leadership/Personnel chair, I have 1) formed and participated on the nominating committee the purpose of which is to find members to serve in various positions on the board, 2) kept a personnel file of all members on a spread sheet which can be desegregated to assist board members and committee chairs in selecting members for divergent tasks, 3) worked cooperatively with the dues treasurer to collect and retrieve member information.

 Program Coordinator                                                                                  Louise Taylor
 This year the program coordinator committee reserved sites for the monthly luncheon meetings in a variety of locations: The Heathers, Plum Hollow Country Club, Bloomfield Open Hunt Club, McCormick and Schmick, The Iroquois Club, Centerpoint Marriott and Andiamo’s.  Each luncheon menu and venue was chosen to fit within the branch’s guideline pricepoint of $24.00.

 

Public Relations                                                                          Barbara Gash, Ruthan Brodsky
Our media coverage last fall consisted of good articles in several newspapers.  To start the year there was an article on our September open house.  The Eccentric published a lengthy story about the book sale.  Two calendar listings were sent out, but were not published.  As the year progressed, less and less was being printed in the local papers so we are trying the online approach.  Fresh ideas for publicity are welcome in this changing world!

 

International Relations                                                             Cheryl VanZetten
Currently there are 24 female leaders among the 192 country members of the UN.  This year we learned the personal and political challenges of such current global leaders as Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Yugoslavia Premier Milka Planinc and Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga.  In studying the contributions of these and other notable women leaders such as Golda Meir, Maria Aquino, and Indira Gandi, one finds it is impossible to teach the history of their native countries without recognizing their significant achievements and their responses to their countries’ call in war and peace.  During the next season, we will continue to study the lives of 20th and 21st century global women leaders.  This group meets on the first Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m. and looks forward to welcoming any interested AAUW members who wish to enrich their knowledge of global foreign affairs.

 Bulletin                                                                                                Carol Pyke
The Bulletin is published monthly and distributed by e-mail or the US Postal Service as requested by members.  Each month the contents include information about the various interest groups, a summary of the board meeting and an announcement of the details of the next luncheon meeting.  Other articles are included that are newsworthy dealing with the mission of AAUW.  The newsletter is not published in July and August.

 Education/Equity                                                                                Cindy Clement
I represented our branch at the Birmingham Public Schools’ CECAC meetings.  During the networking time I reported on our branch’s activities related to education (e.g. Women in Transition Conference and Explorathon).  I informed our board about educational issues and wrote an article for the newsletter.

 Hospitality                                                                                          Colette Stager
Our AAUW Birmingham Branch luncheon meetings have been a whirlwind of exciting speakers, delicious food, and picturesque settings.  Attendance has been consistently averaging 66 members in attendance during the past six luncheons.  The highest attendance was at our December luncheon at the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club with 85.  The total attendance has been 396.  We have two more membership luncheons to go, and I’m hoping we pass 500.

 I want to thank our membership for its promptness with their reservations and special cards and letters that have made my first year as chair pass so smoothly.  Joanne Brown’s creative centerpieces added to our festivities.  It’s been a pleasure meeting and greeting you at the hospitality table.

Legal Advocacy Fund—LAF                                                             Linda Schnorbus
Our branch contribution to LAF of $2,565.00 was the highest in the state.  LAF, a program of the Educational Foundation, partners with other civil and women’s rights organizations to support strategic litigation that affects women in all workplaces.  Through our campus programs and online resource library, LAF educates campuses and the general public about barriers faced by women and the legal rights, policies and strategies that can help to eradicate sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace.

 Fund Raising for 2008-2009                                                             Carlene VanVoorhies
In these difficult economic times, fund raising was even more of a challenge than usual.

 Summer, 2008
An email survey was conducted, to ask the Birmingham Branch members their preferences for activities.  A mixed bag of results came back, including ideas for a game event.  There was minimal interest in some activities that had been held in prior years, such as the wine tasting, so this event was not repeated.

 November, 2008
The first eBay-a-thon was held, on 11/8 and 11/15, to benefit the Foundation, raising over $1,000.  Excellent service was provided by Main Street Auctions.

 On 11/19, a gold party was held.  A $25 tax-deductible donation gave each participant a light supper, and individual appraisal from Frank Yanke, of Yanke Jewelers.  Four attendees sold gold at the party, generating $100 for the Foundation.  Participation was much lower than the 20 or so attendees we anticipated.

 February, 2009
On 2/11, the Boutique and Game Event was held.  Ten vendors were invited to participate this year, down seven from last year.  This seemed to be about the right number of vendors, and about half of them did very well in sales.  Games offered included Scrabble, Crossword puzzle, Bunco, Bananagrams, Scattergories and Tri-Ominos, as well as Bridge and Mah jongg.  The 57 members attending had a great time, but attendance was well below expectations, despite four months of intense promotion to members.  We, and the vendors, could have easily accommodated 20 additional participants.  A total of $757.24 was raised for Branch operating funds.  I recommend moving this event to March/April to possibly improve attendance.

 April, 2009
The second eBay-a-thon, facilitated by Main Street Auctions, will be held on 4/18 and 4/25.  Funds generated from this event are designated for the Foundation.

 May, 2009
Button dolls, purchased from Sunshine Acres, will be sold at the State convention.  The dolls cost $191.  They are priced at double their cost, so $191 will go to the Branch operating fund, if all are sold.

 Thank you to Charlotte and the board members for their strong support.  Detailed notes are included in the fund raising chairman’s notebook.

Diversity                                                                                             Regina Collins
The Diversity Chair keeps the branch members informed of community activities associated with the Birmingham-Bloomfield Race Relations and Diversity Task Force.  She attends the planning meetings and presentations and helps them develop programs as they relate to women and girls.  She makes them aware of AAUW’s programs such as Explorathon and Women in Transition.  She greatly appreciates the branch’s nominating her as Diversity Champion for 2009.

Website                                                                                               Anita MacSorley
The name of the Birmingham Branch website has been changed to www.aauwbirmmi.org.  We have removed the dash to make in simpler; the old name will work for the time being, but please update your bookmarks, favorites, and notes to show the new name.

We continue to feature upcoming events and special items of interest on the home page, with links to additional information.  This year on the site, we included fillable application forms for Explorathon, convenient for the applicant and much easier for us to decipher.  The calendar of events pages displays the schedule for our regular monthly meetings and luncheons plus other programs of interest to our members.  The updated strategic plan is in the “For Members” section.  The number of hits to the site has grown steadily to an average of 88 requests for pages per day.

 Bylaws and Policy Chair                                                                    Carol Wiseman
The bylaws and policy committee consisted of the chair, parliamentarian and president.  We met during the summer and reviewed any changes to the bylaws and policy voted upon by the board during the previous year.  The bylaws chair prepares the changes and has the revisions available for all board members at the first meeting of the new board.

 Parliamentarian                                                                                 Diane Schrift
This appointed officer has assisted the branch president and membership as needed in preparing for meetings and has answered pertinent policy and procedural questions when requested during meetings.  She has presented a “Parliamentary Moment” at each board meeting so as to keep board members informed and on track with proper parliamentary procedures.  Additionally, she has chaired the Strategic Planning Committee which annually reviews the plan.  The revised plan was then prepared and submitted for posting on the branch website.  Her parliamentary law education has continued, as required by this position, and she is in her second term as president of the Louise Saks Parliamentary Unit of Birmingham, MI.  She also served as a member of the AAUW of Michigan’s Bylaws and Resolutions Committees.

Nominating Committee                                                                      Linda Schnorbus
The Nominating Committee of Cindy Clement, Bev Pintar, Carol Ringvelski, Callie Schmidt and Linda Schnorbus, chair, present the following slate for the 2009-2011 branch officers:

            President---------------------------------Pam Hoffman
            VP-Program-----------------------------Penny Cambier
            Corresponding Secretary--------------Andrea Zalewski
            Recording Secretary-------------------Lorraine Clay (one year to complete unexpired term)

 

AAUW BIRMINGHAM BRANCH FOUNDATION, INC.

Sally Doty

 During 2008 the foundation has been working to enable the branch more flexibility in attracting monies to fund AAUW mission-based programming.  Joint projects of the branch and foundation such as the book sale generated most of these funds.  We also instituted another type of fundraiser this year.  We have had an Ebay-athon collection and sales utilizing the Main Street Auction business in Madison Heights.  Our members and some friends have donated goods to be sold on line.  The listing and paperwork are all taken care of by the business.

 We have also received grants from outside organizations: The Ford Motor Company Fund, the George S. & Helen G. Deffenbaugh Foundation, the Oakland County Workforce Development and the Oakland County Employment Diversity Council.  Individuals celebrating birthdays and other holidays and remembering loved ones also donated funds.

 We are happy to welcome two new directors to the board.  The board now consists of Sally Doty, president; Jean Walker, recording secretary; Peggy John, treasurer; Jody Kuhn, Charlotte Mahrt, Sue Longstreet and Coco Siewert, directors.  The board remains committed to working with the branch to increase our opportunities for mission-based activities.

 

Revised 04/19/09