The overall theme is unity and the tagline, is WE ARE ONE! Many AAUW Minnesota branches also have a long history. What better time to unite harmoniously, share ideas, and come together? Minnesota branches have submitted information describing the most outstanding program offered in the last two years and the most successful fundraiser to benefit the community or AAUW's Greatest Needs Fund. It will be included in the convention program. If you want to include a newsworthy branch history fact or anecdote that would be great.

Please email your responses to Linda MacLeod (lmariemac1949@gmail.com) by March 15, 2022.

Finally, after a year or more of isolation, the convention offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate AAUW and all of our Minnesota members! Please save the dates and plan a short road trip to Central Minnesota. We will welcome you with open arms!

Parliamentarian: Barb Wonson Liukkonen has agreed to be the official parliamentarian for the convention.

Communications: Every Minnesota branch president or board representative was contacted last summer to ascertain that convention communications could be sent directly to members via email. Packets were sent electronically and hardcopies mailed via the postal service for branch duplication. Electronic attachments should be downloaded, saved to a computer, then re-attached for emailing to members. Attachments don't always go to the recipients when forwarding messages. Direct branch-to-branch communications should help to promote the convention.

AAUW Fundraiser: Many members that were contacted expressed their support in selling T-shirts, hoodies, and totes (the official AAUW logo is screened in white on a navy background) as a fundraiser to benefit AAUW. A promotional flyer is included in the convention packet. Members who can't attend will be able to participate in the fundraiser. Hopefully, an attendee can deliver purchases to those who can't come. Inventory will not be stocked because the orders will be placed per order and prepaid. Some branches may want to purchase these classy items and have a drawing to raise funds for AAUW on their own - a great idea by Cyndy Agle (Grand Rapids).

Registrations: There are three ways to register; designated branch members can copy forms from the packets and mail them via the postal service, registration forms can be downloaded from the Saint Cloud Area Branch website, printed out, and mailed. All registrations will be processed when received by our Finance VP. The checks should be made out to: AAUW St. Cloud and mailed along with the full payment to: AAUW St. Cloud, P.O. Box 7694, St. Cloud, MN 56302. One check is sufficient for all the convention fees/meals/ fundraiser items.

Saturday Afternoon Branch-Team Presentations (2:00-4:00): Instead of workshops in separate spaces, presentations on four topics will be offered to the general assembly. Convention attendees can choose the ones they're interested in, or stay for them all.

The presentations will be conducted by branch-member teams as follows:

1. Recruiting and Sustaining Membership - Pat Obstarczyk (Saint Cloud), Kathleen Kohler (Minneapolis), Wendy Williams & Dr. Bonnie Edwards (Duluth)
2. Strategic Plans, Policy Booklets, and Bylaws - Linda MacLeod (Saint Cloud) & Teresa Sagen (Ely)
3. Fundraising Events - Cindy Leigh & Joyce Hummel (Saint Cloud), Pam Lande is securing expert(s) members (St. Paul)
4. Website Development - Barb Wismer & Rene Kaluza (Saint Cloud) and Colleen LaBanc (Brainerd).

Each presentation will be about 30 minutes long and backed-up with a master PowerPoint. These topics should be helpful and interesting for everyone. We can learn a lot from each other.

The program cover-art was created by a professional graphic artist, Collin Hummel. It's modern, reflects our values and the following message: AAUW Minnesota WE ARE ONE Saint Cloud Area (MN) Branch, Since 1922

We would like to thank the AAUW Minnesota Board for the opportunity to host the 2022 State Convention and especially Deanna and Cyndy from Grand Rapids for their encouragement and advice.

The Resolutions Committee, comprised of Bonnie Edwards, Linda Sutton, Veronica Johnson, and Jan Carey, began the Resolutions process on December 10, 2021, addressing the need to communicate the process to branch members. Resolutions are primary examples of the work of AAUW and its ongoing advocacy and pursuit of the public policy priorities of AAUW. The process was published in THE PINE. Individual branch presidents and public policy contacts received an email posting outlining the process. That email was sent on December 13, 2021. It informed contacts of the bylaws, process, and timetable.

According to the State by-laws, resolutions must be submitted 60-days before the Annual Meeting (convention), i.e. April 29-30, 2022.

AAUW MN Resolutions Timeline:

January 2022

• Branches create Resolutions

February 2022

• Submit Resolutions to AAUW MN Resolutions Committee chair for review by the Resolutions committee

March 2022

• AAUW MN Resolutions Committee reviews submissions, communicates findings with the maker of resolution resolutions edited if needed & finalized for publication.

March 29, 2022

• Final Resolutions published to AAUW MN Branches thirty (30) days prior to AAUW MN Annual Meeting/Convention

April 29-30, 2022

• AAUW MN Annual Meeting/Convention; Resolutions presented for adoption.

Submissions

Branches were directed to Submit Resolutions, during February 2022, using the Submission Form attached to the email posting. Submissions were to be addressed to:

Jan Carey, AAUW MN Resolutions Committee chair

403 Highland Drive

Hibbing, MN 55746

or

jmcfree@aol.com (preferred)

To complete the process, Resolutions reviewed and approved are presented for approval by a vote of the delegates at the Annual Meeting, April 30, 2022.

In accordance with the AAUW MN State By-laws, Article XVIII, Sec. 4; f 6, Resolutions will be accepted from the floor during the Business meeting, April 30, 2022.

Thank you to the branches for your submissions and thank you to the committee members for participation and review.

Well done everyone!

AAUW MN Public Policy Program establishes policy directives that will guide members, inform AAUW MN’s Legislative agenda, while serving AAUW’s mission to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy.

In accordance with AAUW MN Standing Rules V.Officers/Chairs; B.Specific Duties; Sec.6h, the following AAUW MN Public Policy Priorities are presented to the delegates for approval.

AAUW MN Public Policy Priorities 2022-24

1. Economic Security for All Women

• Equity in the workplace
• Equal Pay
• Enforcement of anti-discrimination statutes
• Security in retirement
• Access to job training for career development
• Work-life balance, including access to quality affordable childcare and paid sick and caregiving leave

2. Equal Access to Quality Public Education for All Students

• Vigorous enforcement of Title IX
• Adequate and equitable funding at all educational levels, including pre-school and post-secondary
• Instruction in STEM fields
• Opposition to the use of public funds for schools that do not meet public school civil rights and accountability standards

3. Social and Racial Justice for All Members of Society

• Self-determination in reproductive health
• Equal access to quality affordable health care
• Freedom from violence in all its forms and wherever it occurs, including racially-motivated violence
• Guarantee of civil and constitutional rights for all
• Protection and expansion of voting rights

Needless to say, this has once again been an extremely challenging year. Nearly all advocacy was conducted remotely, via ZOOM or other social media outlets. Despite the circumstances, State Public Policy Chair (SPPC) monthly meetings with AAUW National continued. Local & state advocacy was achieved virtually, in print, and via phone calls.

Goals accomplished & completed in 2021-2022

• engaged members and developed outreach strategies to AAUW National & State Public Policies and Issues
• attended monthly AAUW national SPPC ZOOM meetings
• coordinated information outreach and advocacy activities
• continued statewide Email communications to PP branch chairs
• provided Public Policy updates for publication in The Pine.
• provided Public Policy updates for the AAUW-MN website
• attended local/regional political candidate meet/greets via ZOOM platform
• attended ZOOM meeting “Protecting Our Vote Minnesota and Nationwide”, led by Sen. Klobuchar and Steve Simon-MN SOS, January 11, 2022
• attended virtual ERA Coalition March “Rise Up4ERA”, January 27, 202
• published and reported AAUW MN public policy branch events and activities to
• AAUW national outreach personnel
• Convened the first AAUW MN Public Policy Branch Chairs/Contacts ZOOM meeting
• planned a virtual 2021 AAUW MN Legislative Day

Visioning for 2021/2022:

This is my final year as VP Public Policy. However, until June 30, 2022, I will continue to use social networking and technology to create channels for communicating AAUW Public Policy Priorities. Taking a cue from SPPC training sessions and the new national website, I envision an AAUW-MN Public Policy program that will invigorate members and promote advocacy using the following actions:

• publishing selected Public Policy webinars, video resources, and tools provided by AAUW National and other States;
• sharing State Net Legislative tracking postings with branch chairs;
• communicating with AAUW MN branch public policy chairs/contacts;
• distributing pertinent National Public Policy webinars to Branch PP chairs;
• continuing ZOOM, or other online communication platforms, for meetings with branch chairs.

Moving Forward – Collectively Advocating

AAUW needs you and your branch! We are in dire need of an Annual Meeting Host Branch for Spring 2023! This will be your Branch’s opportunity to shine!

At long last, we are returning to closer form to normal, even our AAUW life! Our 2022 AAUW Annual Meeting in St. Cloud on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, demonstrates that desire and effort for moving forward. This meeting means we have to start our search for the 2023 location!

This is a call to all Minnesota AAUW Branches to have a discussion with your Board Officers and your general membership about your desire and ability to host 2023

AAUW Minnesota Annual State Meeting (formerly the State Convention). These annual meetings are very worthwhile and if you have never been they abound in inspiration and hope for the future.

Assistance abounds to help ensure the success of your event, we all want that!

For information and further information about holding the annual meeting Deanna Ensley, VP Programs, (360) 333-0228, deannaensley@yahoo.com.

May 24–26, 2022

Early Bird Registration Opens February 8, 2022

(Early Bird Registration Ends March 18, 2022)

AAUW of Minnesota and AAUW Minnesota Branches announce scholarships for the virtual National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, NCCWSL 2022. Want to apply? Look under Branches to find an AAUW Branch near you, or contact any board member.

More information on our website.

A decision was made by the AAUW MN Board to package all the opportunities for branches to apply for assistance or opportunities in one document. Whether you get the information “Helping Our Branches” via technology or a single printed copy sent to each branch, we hope you take the opportunity to apply for the Strategic Planning Grant or Zoom License Grant, the NCCWSL opportunities for young college women to attend leadership training, awards for high school or college students for their work in the community and their leadership skills, having a Leader On Loan, or checking out Branch Officer Seminars on zoom.

We want to support our branches and we have budgeted funds for several activities supporting our mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.

Find out more information and download the booklet from our website.