club NEWS – AAUW
The September meeting of the Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women was held at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. President Nancy Bolsen called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. following a dinner catered by Hy-Vee. She announced the meeting would be a brief one following the program to allow everyone time to explore the Center.
Program chair, Tresa Landis, introduced the speaker, Melissa Kirkwood, Development director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center (FHDC), as well as a member of AAUW. Kirkwood holds a degree in communications/public relations from Ft. Hays State University. Prior to her role at the FHDC, she spent 15 years working with grant management and writing, marketing and public relations. Immediately before joining the Center staff a little over a year ago, Kirkwood was director of the Children’s Miracle network for the Via Christi Foundation serving 54 Kansas counties.
Kirkwood said she attended an open house on the Konza Prairie about a week after coming to town and that was a great way to begin her work. The purpose of the FHDC is to inspire visitors to celebrate, explore and care for the Flint Hills. In an effort to accomplish this the Center has emphasized a partner-to-partner relationship with many local, regional and national leaders in reaching out to all segments of the community and State. An estimated 109 groups have participated in the planning and creating of the Center and more than 100 persons volunteer their time to work there.
Members were encouraged to explore the exhibits including the immersion theater and the new temporary exhibit, Forces, “The Shaping of Manhattan, Fort Riley and Kansas State University 1853-1917.”
Membership chair Barbara Gatewood explained pictures taken by the photographer during their time at the Center are to be added to the Manhattan AAUW website. She displayed new brochures and membership information materials available for distribution to interested persons.
The next meeting will be held at the First Congregational Church with the program featuring Jackie Hartman, Chief of Staff and Director of Community Relations, Kansas State University. She will tell of plans for K-State to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2013.
Membership in AAUW is open to anyone holding an associate or equivalent (RN), baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Student Affiliation is open to anyone who does not already hold an undergraduate degree and is enrolled in a two or four year regionally accredited educational institution. Students enrolled at K-State may receive a free e-Student affiliation. For more information, go to http//manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com or contact Barbara Gatewood at 539-8804.