Volume 41, Issue 1 September 2016
FROM THE PRESIDENT – Thanks for time, talents and commitment!
First of all, a huge thank you to Arlene Wheaton for her faithful task of editing of the Timberline. No one can say with more authority that she cannot publish what she does not receive. Thank you for your grace in this holiday weekend late entry.
Second, thank you to Deanna Ensley who will graciously assume the role of receiving our email reservations for dinner at our monthly meetings. Once again, she can't reserve for those for whom she does not receive responses.
Third, at the meeting we will bid farewell to several members: Linda Bauer, Margot Chatterton, Jan Hatch, Mary Singsank, Lynn Uzelac, and Elizabeth White, who due to some changes in their lives will be discontinuing membership in our local branch. We hope that they will continue to be advocates for women, wherever they are.
Fourth, we will celebrate landmark anniversaries for current members. National has sent lapel pins to be presented to them:
5 years: Regina Hawkinson, JoAnne Bakken, Cyndy Alge, and Nancy Elgroth
10 years: Carol Rasmussen, Elizabeth White, Audrey Erdman, Jean Halverson,
Nancy Salmi, and Joan Solberg
30 years: Jean Hoshal
50 years: Colleen Nardone
Fifth, Anita Firman will be selling her beautiful, handmade stationery to raise money for scholarships. She is continuing her journey to recovery from knee surgery.
Finally, this is a huge learning curve to become your president. Please be patient, and rather than talking about me, please talk to me.
Sincerely, Marva Jean Hutchens
“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it,
I am not going to be silent.” - Madeleine Albright, U.S. Secretary of State, 1997-2001
** BRANCH NEWS **
September 19 Dinner Meeting & Program
Location: United Methodist Church, Grand Rapids
SOCIAL: 5 PM DINNER: 5:45 PM BUSINESS: 6:15 PM PROGRAM: 6:30-7:30 PM
COST: $13
Reservations due to Deanna Ensley by Wed., Sept. 14. Call 218-301-0315 or email deannaensley@yahoo.com
COST: $13
Reservations due to Deanna Ensley by Wed., Sept. 14. Call 218-301-0315 or email deannaensley@yahoo.com
TOPIC: Mother Nature Needs Our Help
Speaker: Dr. Eric Grimsrud
Speaker: Dr. Eric Grimsrud
Dr. Eric Grimsrud, retired Chemistry professor from Montana University, is a nationally respected presenter and author about care of the earth and climate change. He is the brother of AAUW member Dr. Alice Stark and is in our area during the summer months and is staying later than usual in order to speak to us.
The issue of climate change has been of concern for several decades and now intensifies every year with increased reports of extreme and unusual weather patterns. The purpose of this presentation will be to increase understanding of the scientific basis of climate change and to discuss our options for addressing it.
AAUW Grand Rapids Branch Programs for 2016-2017
The Program Committee has arranged for 12 Grand Rapids Branch monthly meetings, which are intended to relate to our mission and the public policy of the organization. Emphasis is on the importance of working for equity at all levels of public economic, social, and academic affairs. We are open to your ideas for presenters and subjects and appreciate you cooperation with our evaluations and surveys.
Usually we meet on third Monday evening of the month at the United Methodist Church meeting rooms. However, the November and December evening meetings will be held on the second and first Monday, respectively. The December meeting will at the Eagles Club; the May meeting will be at the Sawmill Inn. January and February meetings will start at11:30 AM and be held at the Sawmill Inn, as they have for the past few years. Summer meetings are held during the day at members’ homes.
The newsletter and our member directory list the times, places and program topic for each month. Our meetings are announced in the local newspapers, and the public is often invited to attend the program part of our meetings. You are asked to make a reservation for all meetings. There is a charge for the meals. Guests are welcome. Read your monthly AAUW newsletter for meeting information! Questions and ideas can be directed to the Program Co-chairs, JoAnn Bakken or Marilyn Rossman.
** INTEREST GROUPS **
Are you interested in starting an interest group? Great! Any member may start an interest group. An interest group can meet monthly, weekly and for any length of time. The members determine their own agendas and arrangements for meetings The meetings are open to all AAUW members and their guests. The member directory has more information about the current active interest groups and there are five of them — AAUW Bridge, Literature Discussion-Wednesday, Literature Discussion-Monday, Public Policy, and Walking & Talking. There has been interest in developing a writing group and special interest day group. Sign-up sheets will be available at the September meeting. Members are encouraged to go to the national AAUW website for ideas and resources for ideas on other interest groups. Contact program co-chairs Joanne Bakken or Marilyn Rossman with questions.
BRIDGE
This group meets May-December, first Thursday of the month at the Majestic Pines bistro.
LITERATURE – Wednesday group
This group meets at 10:30AM on 2nd Wednesday, Grand Rapids Library, September-May. Contact is Barbara Zimmer, 327-0911 or kbzimmer@q.com
This group meets at 10:30AM on 2nd Wednesday, Grand Rapids Library, September-May. Contact is Barbara Zimmer, 327-0911 or kbzimmer@q.com
Sept. 14: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
LITERATURE – Monday group
Group meets on 1st Monday at 10:00 AM at Grand Rapids State Bank Annex. Contact is Jan Hill, 246-979 orjmhgkh@paulbunyan.net
No meeting in September; because of Labor Day, we met in late August.
No meeting in September; because of Labor Day, we met in late August.
PUBLIC POLICY
The Public Policy Group currently meets on the second Thursday of the month from 4:00 to 5:30 PM in the KAXE meeting room. The purpose of the group is to explore issues relating to our mission and the AAUW public policy statement which talks about the value promise, the vision statement and the diversity statement. The national statement is in your member directory.
Locally, we take a broad view of the issues related to equity and justice and the intended and unintended consequences of legislation. We have speakers, read books and discuss current information from newspapers and magazines. Equal pay, voting, leadership for women students and in the election process, support for title 9, and respect for all are not only AAUW policy issues but concerns for all of us.
Our first meeting this fall is on Thurs., Sept. 8, when we plan to go to the SPRUCE PROJECT near Marcell. Jean Halverson has arranged a tour of the project to start at 11 AM led by one of the research staff members. We encourage any and all members and friends to meet at the Grand Rapids Public Library by the Smiley face at 10 AM to carpool (about a 45-minute drive). See more information below.
The group will meet again on at 3:45 PM on Sept. 19, just before our branch meeting, to plan for the year. There is a request for us to plan a public forum for school board elections. As it will be outside our scheduled activities, we will discuss this further. For any questions, contact Marilyn Rossman at 326-6775 or mbro@paulbunyan.net
WALKING & TALKING
Currently, our group meets Wednesday mornings at 9 AM. Location is planned week to week and the group is notified by email. We welcome new walkers to join us whenever they can. We walk for 1 to 1 1/2 hours and then have coffee. We generally walk in the Grand Rapids area but have taken road trips to other parts of the county. Walkers of all levels are welcome but know that the talking is a part of the experience so we are not a race-walking group. As the weather cools, we'll move the time of the walks to 1 PM. The day of the walk switches to Tuesday for the cooler months. If you want to be added to the group, send your email to k.karls@yahoo.com
Experimental Forest Tour – Sept. 8
The AAUW Public Policy group has arranged for any interested members and/or family members that would like to tour the SPRUCE project in the Marcell Experimental Forest north of Grand Rapids. According to USDA Forest Service research scientist Randy Kolka "This is the grandest, most ambitious climate-related experiment ever attempted on the planet"...Since 2009 over 100 100cientists with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other scientists, graduate students and post-docs are working on it. It is an effort between the USDA Forest Service, Oak Ridge National Laboratory of TN, and US Dept. of Energy.
The project will measure how peat land ecosystems respond to changing temperatures. Ten 35- foot chambers have been constructed and warmed to different temperatures to study the effect of the temperature changes on the peatlands and to measure the amount of CO2 and methane that is released under different climate conditions. And all of this in our own back yard. It is impressive.
We have arranged a tour and explanation of the project for Thurs., Sept. 8 at 11:00 AM at the project site. We encourage and invite interested members and friends/family to meet at the Grand Rapids Public Library at 10:00 AM, Sept. 8 (by the Smiley face north lot) to pool rides. You may call Jean Halverson at 218-327-9158 or Nancy Raymond at 218-326-1113 with any questions, or look online at http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/ef/
“THANK YOU AAUW” from STEM Scholarship recipients
Our Branch paid for four kids to go to Science-Technology-
“Thanks so much for my scholarship to go to ICC’s Summer Engineering Camp! It was so much fun! My team built a car without wheels that could work on water too! This was my 4th year going to the camp, but my first year going to senior high camp. I’m going into the 10th grade. I learned a lot!” – Nikki Stottenberg
“Thank you very much for providing the scholarship for Ella Palmer. She had a great time. What a wonderful experience for her! Thank you again for giving Ella such an opportunity.” – Mary Palmer (Ella’s mom)
GRAND RAPIDS AAUW FINANCE REPORT
v To streamline the flow of information, the Board has requested that financial reports be submitted to the members on a quarterly basis.
v The new reporting process will begin at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year (next month).
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August 2016
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July 2016
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v 92 members have paid their dues. 4 members pending. (08.31.2016)
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Based upon 08.10.2016 Bank Statement
General Checking Account: $7,463.46
Savings Account: $ 1,698.56 (2nd Qtr: 06.30.2016)
v Total Cash on Hand: $9,162.02
Income - Meeting Fees: $ 0
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Based upon 07.13.2016 Bank Statement
General Checking Account: $7,820.80
Savings Account: $ 1,698.56 (2nd Qtr: 06.30.2016)
v Total Cash on Hand: $9,519.36
Income - Meeting Fees: $ 72.00
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COMBINED STATUS OF DEDICATED FUNDS: $59,113.34
v Local Scholarship Itasca Community College Foundation: $31,403 Updated May 31, 2016
· $ 19,088 – Endowment: Permanently restricted funds
· $ 12,315 - Temporarily restricted funds: Non-endowed
v Community Foundation: Grand Rapids AAUW
Anniversary Scholarships:
· GRACF (Endowed Fund): $ 25,616.17
· GRACF (non-endowed) $ 2,568.11
YTD Total Donations in Fiscal Year 2016-2017: $0
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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS – Best Wishes!
1 – Vera Jean Marinucci 4 – Jan Miland 5 – Cyndy Agle
7 – Sharon Phelps 9 – Marybeth Olson 14 – Nancy Salmi
16 – Lois Bendix, Jan Bilden, Jean Hoshal 21 – Betty Brandt 26 - Mac Custer
AAUW GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH MEETING
August 29, 2016, 3:45 PM, United Methodist Church
Members in attendance were the following: Jean Hoshal, Sharon Quern, Mac Custer, Jan Hil, Marva Jean Hutchins, Jan Miland, Cheryl Vogel, Jo Ann Bakken, Nancy Raymond, and Marj Lavalier
Our new president, Marva Jean Hutchins opened the meeting with members introducing themselves, stating their position on the board and telling a summer highlight.
The board meetings will be held at The First United Methodist Church and not necessarily every month.
Kathy Pliska and Dorothy Church are doing hospitality at the meetings.
A lengthy discussion was held about the bylaw that states that National membership is open to anyone holding an associate or equivalent (RN), baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The feeling in our group is that we want to be more inclusive and have anyone that promotes our mission. We don’t want to exclude anyone that is promoting education. It was decided that the members that are going to the regional conference in Ely on September 10th will talk to members from other chapters to see what they think and do. A motion made by Marj and seconded by Jo Ann, states that our chapter will remove the national bylaw, written above, from our booklet and state that we welcome anyone who supports education for the development of women. It passed. The bylaw has already been eliminated from the membership folder.
Marilyn made a motion, seconded by Cheryl, that a committee be formed to contact other branches to encourage a more liberal definition of membership in the state and national organizations. It passed.
A discussion was held about Cheryl’s quarterly report. It will include the income, which includes dues, fundraisers, proceeds from dinners and donations for scholarships. The expenses will be listed. The finance committee will look carefully at each item, but she will simplify the quarterly report to the general membership. The goal is to be transparent and as concise as possible.
Thank you notes were read from STEM summer participants. Some were boys, but our intent was to have girls. We will get it done earlier next year and talk to school science teachers so that it will be all girls. We need to emphasize that we welcome additional donations for the STEM program or scholarships. The donations could be memorials or just from the kindness of members. There are many members now that make extra donations, which are greatly appreciated.
New interest groups are always welcome.
The next board meeting will be the fourth Monday, September 26, at 3:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Jan Miland Secretary
ADVANCING EQUITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS – FOR MORE INFORMATION
