Dear Members,

Happy fall… or winter, depending on where you are in this great and weather-diverse State of Minnesota!

The AAUW MN Board met on October 5th and made a decision regarding a 2020 State Convention. There will be no State Convention; but instead, an annual meeting will be conducted in late April. Statewide members will be welcome to attend the meeting, but we’ll also be “televising” it in some way so that members can gather and watch the meeting from there remote locations. Ballots for electing Board members, voting on resolutions, and voting on possible bylaws or standing rules changes will be mailed to members and/or voting will be available online. There are many details to work out at this point, but I’ll provide updates as this meeting takes shape.

Plans for an AAUW Regional Convention are well underway. Some early information for you all to consider is that the Regional Convention of 11 states, from Indiana and Michigan, down through Missouri and Oklahoma to Texas, will be held in the Quad Cities – Moline, Illinois, June 18-20, 2020. The Convention will begin mid-day on June 18th and extend through mid-day June 20th. The preliminary registration cost is around $175. And with the recent State Convention cost of $165, this is a great deal, relative to the caliber of speakers and programming being assembled, including Kim Churches, AAUW CEO on Thursday night. Hotel rooms will cost $145 (including taxes and fees), and if split by at least a couple of people, is also a nice price. I hope all of you will consider attending this somewhat historic, first of this many states, Midwest AAUW Regional Convention. More details to come…

Branch Presidents will be contacted by members of the AAUW MN Board to receive your thoughts and ideas about a variety of AAUW MN topics. The Board wants to enhance communication and understanding about State grant offerings and get your feedback on other topics. Please take the time to talk to or respond by email to the State Board member who contacts you.

And lastly, the AAUW MN Directory is being printed as I write this. Six paper copies of the Directory will be sent to each branch to be distributed among Branch Board members as each Branch see fit. Branches should feel free to make additional paper copies and distribute them to Branch members who need one.

Stay warm, and as always, please let me or any AAUW MN Board member know if you have questions or need help with anything.

Take care --

Lisa

October Quote: “Don’t just stand for the success of other women – insist on it.” ~ Gail Blanke

AAUW MN Public Policy Update

Jan Carey, AAUW-MN VP Public Policy

Yes, it’s time to prepare and ready branches to submit Resolutions. The information published here will be posted to Public Policy branch chairs/designees in the coming weeks. But here is a quick update. It’s never too early to start preparing a Resolution.

What is a Resolution and why do we have a Resolutions process?

We write and pass a resolution because it is a formal document that makes a statement about an issue that is so important that AAUW-MN wants to have a record of it. A resolution strengthens public policy priorities. It may also honor someone or group. As a reminder, here are the 2019/2021 AAUW Public Policy Priorities.

How is a Resolution written?

View the PowerPoint presentation I prepared for the State Convention. You may download it as a PowerPoint and use it a branch meeting.

EXAMPLES: At the State Convention two resolutions were passed. The implementation section of each Resolution will require action by the VP Public Policy and the Public Policy Committee.

The first resolution was from the Ely branch.

Whereas, be it resolved - AAUW Branches will actively support and advocate for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment within Minnesota and nationally. Activities to achieve this may include but are not be limited to:

• Branches educating their members about the Equal Rights Amendment to include for example, visiting the ERAMN.org website, and watching “Equal Means Equal” or “Legalize Equality” videos
• Letter/postcard writing campaigns to Minnesota and U.S. Legislators advocating for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment
• Personal visits to both Minnesota and U.S. Legislators advocating for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

The Ely branch Public Policy Committee is drafting an action plan for branches, as a follow-up to the resolution, supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. The action plan for branches will most likely include urging branches to show the DVD given to them at the convention, contacting state senators to urge them to support the House Bill passed March 7, 2019 which was to place the ERA amendment on the November 2020 General Election ballot. I will distribute the action plan to branch public policy chairs/designees.

The second resolution was presented by the Duluth branch.

Whereas, be it resolved - The State Board of AAUW Minnesota will encourage its branches to stay informed on the progression of DACA legislation and the impact it has on education in Minnesota. Policy chairs will inform State and Federal representatives of AAUW’s studies of correlation between education and a more productive life.

How is a Resolution submitted?

A resolution form is completed and posted to Jan Carey, via email or US Postal Service. [See "Resolution" file button below] The deadline will be published in the coming weeks.

Watch for Public Policy updates in your email box, PINE issues and/or AAUW-MN Website. An AAUW-MN Public Policy Committee has been established to assist in a 2020 MN Legislative Day and promoting specific public policy priorities.

Ever vigilant and for the Association,

Jan Carey, AAUW-MN VP Public Policy