As summer comes to a close, I am excited to see the commitment of AAUW Maryland members who are working to change the climate for women and girls in Maryland. At the June and July board meetings, members agreed to a series of action items to enhance the State’s role of recruitment and retention through advocacy and education.
We will increase member participation and AAUW-Maryland visibility in the Public Policy area by advocating for Post-Secondary Education Child Support Supplement, a Howard County Branch initiative; support other AAUW priorities , including Fair Scheduling, Sick Leave, and Equal Pay; get out the Vote; and advocate for Title IX; encourage each branch to have a Title IX Coordinator. During the upcoming legislative session, we are planning a “Day in Annapolis” for AAUW-Maryland members.
We will increase state membership by 10% by establishing an on-line Maryland community that will target national members and AAUW Maryland members whose branches have been disbanded; increasing visibility of AAUW-Maryland at local, regional and state events; creating a state brochure; and forging relationships with like-minded organizations, the military community, and women’s professional groups.
Finally, we will promote communications and celebrate AAUW Maryland’s 75th Anniversary in April 2017. We will encourage every branch to send members to the National Convention in Washington, D.C. in June 2017; continue to be the platinum sponsor of the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) Women of Distinction Ceremony and increase publicity about NCCWSL to branches and colleges/universities; and begin a Start Smart Initiative.
I encourage all members to attend the October 15 state meeting in Bethesda. Our guest speakers will be Kate Black , from the Younger Women’s Task Force DC, an initiative to involve members who are under 40 in AAUW’s mission. She will discuss the Start Smart/ Work Smart Program, their work on salary negotiation, and the successes and challenges they faced. And we will hear form two dynamic women student leaders who will share their experiences at NCCWSL. Early Bird” registration must be postmarked by October 1st. More information.
