The Pine - Feb 2019
The Official Publication of AAUW MN
The Convention Issue!
- MN State Convention - An Overview
- Optional Activities
- Conference Schedule
- Registration Form
- Silent Auction Information
- The Speakers
- Saturday Workshops
- Work Smart
- Communications
MN State Convention "It’s in Minnesota Women’s Nature"
The AAUW Grand Rapids Branch and the AAUW Minnesota State Board cordially invite all AAUW members of Minnesota to attend the 2019 State Convention in Grand Rapids, MN from Friday, April 26th through Saturday, April 27th, 2019.
Friday Activities
- A Work Smart Workshop will be offered on Friday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- Registration will begin Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Timberlake Lodge and Event Center and continue on Saturday until 1:00 p.m. Free parking is available.
- We will begin with optional activities at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, which include a visit to the MN Historical Society Forest History Center, the Itasca Historical Center, or the Judy Garland Museum.
- A social hour with a cash bar will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Kathy Annette, President/CEO of the Blandin Foundation.
Saturday Highlights
- Officer Training will be offered Saturday morning from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.; and the Opening Ceremonies will begin at 9:10 a.m.
- We will hear from our LAF speaker before our business meeting.
- Our AAUW lunch speaker will be our own Karen Kirkwood, an AAUW National Director.
- Our varied and informative workshop sessions will be in the afternoon.
Silent Auction Information
- The “Garden Theme” Silent Auction will be open throughout the convention.
- Silent auction items can be brought in Friday afternoon and set up from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.
- The Silent Auction will be open from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. for preview on Friday and open on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. and remain open until 4:15 p.m.
Accommodation Options
- A block of rooms has been reserved at the Timberlake Lodge.
- Lodging is also available at the Super 8 motel which shares the same parking lot with the Timberlake Lodge.
- Information and rates for making your reservation are on the Registration Form.
Optional Activities
Minnesota Historical Society Forest History Center
2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids
The Forest History Center brings the history of the area alive. Discover the history and ecology of the north woods through hands-on exhibits and activities. See how the lumberjacks lived and worked. Visit this recreated 1900-era logging camp featuring a blacksmith and lumberjacks. Discover the moored river “wanigan,” a floating cook shack and bunkhouse used by river drivers when moving logs down to the mills. (Access weather permitting) Learn how rangers spotted fires from the state’s only 100-foot fire tower and how they communicated where the fires were burning. There are also five miles of trails and learning programs. Don’t miss the 8-minute theater experience about the Cloquet / Moose Lake fire, complete with accounts from survivors. There is a gift shop with unique gifts and souvenirs to take home. Cost is $15.00 and includes transportation to and from the site. If you choose this activity, please indicate it on your registration form.
Judy Garland Museum and Home
2727 Pokegama Avenue, Grand Rapids
The Judy Garland Museum is one of the first celebrity museums to open in the United States in 1975. The Judy Garland Museum was founded by Jackie Dingmann as a way to honor this great 20th Century artist, and Grand Rapids native, Judy Garland. The new 15,000 square foot Museum observed its grand opening in June 2003. Paired with the Children’s Discovery Museum, the Judy Garland Museum provides the largest collection of Judy Garland & Wizard of Oz collectibles. You can visit the restored Judy Garland Historic House next door to the museum and the Memorial Gardens and Gazebo. The museum features educational exhibits, interviews and Judy singing some of her signature songs. Highlights of her life include her birth certificate as issued by the Itasca Hospital. The Museum store has vintage albums, books and CD recordings, as well as Ruby Slipper jewelry. This is an optional activity to do on your own. The entrance fee is $10.00.
Itasca Historical Society
201 N. Pokegama, Grand Rapids
http://www.itascahistorical.org/
In 1948, a group of concerned citizens realized that in fast-changing times, there is a need to preserve the rich and intriguing history of Itasca County. Thus, the Itasca County Historical Society (ICHS) was formed. After a few moves to larger quarters, the Society purchased its current home. The new location houses the Itasca Museum, Gift Shop, the Karjala Genealogy and Historical Research Center, and preservation room filled with all its objects. There is a very good display of “Grace,” Minnesota’s official picture. The museum visit is free; you just sign the guest book. Of course, donations are always welcomed.
2019 AAUW of Minnesota State Convention Schedule
Friday, April 26, 2019
9:00 State Board Meeting
12:30 Start Smart Workshop (2 hours)
1:00 Registration: Timberlake Lodge, 133 SE 17th Street, Grand Rapids (until 5:30)
1:00 Silent Auction items setup (until 5:30)
2:00 Optional Activities (3 hours)
5:00 Social Hour & Cash Bar
5:30 Silent Auction Opens for preview
6:00 Welcome and Recognition of Legacy Members
6:15 Banquet
7:00 Speaker: Dr. Kathleen Annette
8:00 Recognition & Awards
Saturday, April 27, 2019
8:00 Officer Training (1 hour)
8:30 Registration & Silent Auction Opens
9:10 Opening Ceremonies
9:10 Welcome by State President Lisa West
9:10 Pledge of Allegiance9:10 Welcome by Grand Rapids Co-Presidents and Visit Grand Rapids
9:30 LAF Speaker
10:30 Break and check out silent auction items
10:45 Business Meeting
11:45 Lunch and check out silent auction items
12:30 AAUW National Speaker: Karen Kirkwood
1:30 State President
1:30 Announcements and Invitation to 2020 Convention
1:45 Break and check out silent auction items
2:00 Breakout Session One
3:00 Break and final time to bid on silent auction items
3:15 Breakout Session Two
4:15 Silent Auction Closes
4:20 Pick up and Pay for Silent Auction Items
4:20 Second Business Session, if necessary4:20 Convention Ends - Complete Convention Survey
Silent Auction Information
"Garden Theme"
Once again we have the opportunity to raise money for AAUW Funds, through the annual Silent Auction at the AAUW Minnesota State Convention. Branches throughout the state contribute items for auction and receive credit for the amount that is donated by the highest bidder. This year there will be a Garden Theme.
Suggestions for auction items include:
- bouquets of flowers,
- garden totes,
- sunhats,
- gardening tools,
- watering cans,
- books on gardening or flowers or birds,
- wind chimes,
- bird feeders,
- seeds or plants,
- gardening gloves, and
- objects decorated with flowers/plants/birds.
Themed baskets are always a hit and make great gifts.
Get a few members together and start your planning early. Make it fun and be creative. We want the room to look like Spring!
Other auction items may be brought too. We ask that all items be new or “gently used.”
The Details
- Silent Auction set-up at Timberlake Lodge will be from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019.
- It will be open for preview viewing from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening during the Social hour.
- The Silent Auction will open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and be open throughout the day, until 4:15 p.m. when the auction closes.
- Payment may be in cash, by check or with a credit card.
The State President, Lisa West, will send convention information to all branches. Included in the information will be a form to be completed by each branch - identifying the auction items and including a value for each item.
This information is sent to the Grand Rapids Silent Auction Chair identified on the form. This will help plan for space needs for each branch. Your prompt return of the form to the local chair will be appreciated.
The Speakers
Dr. Kathy Annette President
CEO Blandin Foundation
Women Power
What’s Next?
A lifelong resident of rural Minnesota, Dr. Kathleen Annette is a recognized leader at local, regional and national levels. Kathy grew up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and is enrolled with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, where she received her medical and undergraduate degrees. She is the first woman in the Minnesota Ojibwe Nation to become a physician.
Kathy retired from federal service after 26 distinguished years, having served as Deputy Director of Field Operations of Indian Health Service, based in Bemidji. In this role, she supervised and lead Area Directors across the United States, including 48 hospitals and 238 health clinics, serving 1.9 million American Indian patients, and 15,000 federal employees.
Kathy’s many honors/awards include Presidential Meritorious Awards and a Presidential Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Government, the national American Indian Physician of the Year award, Quality of Place Award issued by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, and the Jake White Crow National Award, presented by the National Indian Health Board -- the only federal employee to be so recognized. She was inducted into the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame at Bemidji State University in 2006, and into the Academy of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 2005 (the first woman so honored). She also sits on the Bush Foundation Board of Trustees.
One of the major events of her career was serving as the on-site coordinator and leader in the response to the Red Lake High School shootings in 2005. A representative of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Kathy assisted the community in the aftermath of this tragedy, immediately and long-term. For her service, the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation bestowed honorary membership -- an honor received by only three individuals.
Kathy is a long-time partner of the Blandin Foundation, having served as a board member for 12 years (1991-2003) and chaired and participated in the Foundation’s American Indian Advisory Committee (2004-2011). She is an alumnus of the first Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program cohort in 2001.
Karen Kirkwood
AAUW National Director
An AAUW Update
She has been employed as: a special education teacher; a legal advocate for a battered women’s shelter; the owner of a home-based, small business; the office manager for the Minnesota Education Association; and a mental health practitioner for toddlers with autism.
In addition to her AAUW experience, Karen has served on several volunteer boards and committees in her community.
Saturday Workshops
Workshop Session One
Saturday: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Session A: “From Minnesota to the End of the Earths” Cathy Davies is the only woman rider, among 12 motorcyclists, riding around the world and talking with the women she meets. Cathy will reveal what they're saying about issues affecting women. And, Cathy will provide introspection about the role of women in the 51 countries in which she's ridden.
- Session B: “A Woman’s Place in the World: Submissive-Objectification-Equality” Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women, will talk about the place of women in the world. She is the former Executive Director of Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, also known as the “Duluth Model.” She has participated at two United Nations Expert Meetings related to domestic abuse.
- Session C: “You Don’t Look Like A Veteran” Chris Magnusson, Sergeant, US Marine Corps Veteran, identifies the challenges women veterans face, from being invisible, to employment and housing, and relative to MST and PTSD. Minnesota is home to 29,000 women veterans who served in all branches of the military, times, and places.
- Session D: “Branch Finances, Legal and Branch Concerns” AAUW Treasurer, Beth Nienow and Finance Chair, David Kirkwood, will identify the differences between a 501(c)3 and 501(c)4, and why you should know the difference. Does your branch need to file a 990 form? Beth and Dave will discuss help available to branch treasurers.
- Session E: “The Picture Grace: Minnesota State Picture” Lilah Crowe, from the Historical Society, will present the interesting history of "Grace," the 100-year old, Minnesota State Picture.
- Session F: “Walking into Spring” John Latimer will present photos of the natural things that can be found in the woods in late April. He'll discuss the changes he's seen in the environment over time. Will the photo walk inspire you to stop at the Garden Theme Silent Auction and be ready to do some planting in the Spring?
Workshop Session Two
Saturday: 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
- Session A: “From Minnesota to the End of the Earths” Cathy Davies is the only woman rider, among 12 motorcyclists, riding around the world and talking with the women she meets. Cathy will reveal what they're saying about issues affecting women. And, Cathy will provide introspection about the role of women in the 321 countries in which she's ridden.
- Session B: “Funerals, Food and Toilettes: A Humorous Look at a Woman’s Place in the World” Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women, will talk about the place of women in the world from a unique perspective.
- Session C: “You Don’t Look Like A Veteran” Chris Magnusson, Sergeant, US Marine Corps Veteran, identifies the challenges women veterans face, from being invisible, to employment and housing, and relative to MST and PTSD. Minnesota is home to 29,000 women veterans who served in all branches of the military, times, and places.
- Session D: “Gender Pay Program” Every AAUW branch should host a program on Gender Pay. Karen Kirkwood, AAUW National Director, will identify a Gender Pay Program that should work for any branch , large or small.
- Session E: “The Picture Grace: Minnesota State Picture” Lilah Crowe, from the Historical Society, will present the interesting history of "Grace," the 100-year old, Minnesota State Picture.
- Session F: “Positive Genius! Positive Psychology for Leaders” This presentation for Leaders will be given by Peg Lonnquist, AAUW Membership VP. Research shows that happier people are more productive, better decision-makers, more creative, have less stress, experience fewer health problems, and are more successful. Learn some easy strategies to increase your members’ happiness
Work Smart Session
Work Smart is a workshop created for working women, designed to help women negotiate for a new job, a raise, or a promotion. The AAUW MN State Board is offering this program to working members, but also for branch representatives interested in sponsoring Work Smart that want to learn more about the workshop. All participants are expected to participate in the process.
Workshop presenters are Karen and Dave Kirkwood.
The workshop is limited to 40 participants. Participants attending to learn more about Work Smart will be limited to one person per branch, unless the 40 workshop positions are not filled. Applications for participation will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Applications from branches that want to send more than one person to learn about Work Smart will not be notified that a second participant from their branch is accepted until after the submittal deadline.
The application deadline is April 17, 2019.
Submit applications to State Program VP, Mary Ann Lucas Houx, and not as part of the Convention Registration Form.
- First Name:
- Last Name:
- Email Address:
- Cell Phone:
- Street Address:
- Apartment or Suite #:
- City :
- State:
- Zip code:
- AAUW Branch:
Are you aware that your branch can apply for a grant to sponsor a Start Smart or Work Smart workshop? ___ Yes ___ No
Please complete the digital form or send the following information and email it to:
Communications Update
- Our updated website
- The New Pine coming out monthly (September - May)
- Facebook Page
- An email message to all members (if needed)
We want to hear from you, so let us know what is happening at your branch.
To submit information for the we have created a form for you to complete. If you haven't completed an online form, there is a short instructional video on the form you may watch. Additionally, you may email me directly at cyndyharrison@msn.com. Please include AAUW Minnesota in the subject line.