club NEWS – AAUW

The Manhattan branch of the American Association of University Women held their December 10 meeting at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Village. Members enjoyed hearing Mystical, a registered Sweet Adeline quartet composed of tenor, Jessica Fritz, Wamego; lead, Deanna Barleen, Clay Center; baritone, Shannon Fritz, Wamego; and bass, Cathy “Dawes” Scroggs.  Mystical’s beautifully performed Christmas music was accompanied with a touch of humor.

President Nancy Bolsen called the meeting to order and reported the KSU-AAUW Partnership Committee composed of members Gayle Spencer, Tresa Landis, and Nancy met with Kerri Keller, KSU’s Director of Career and Employment Services on November 27.  They discussed $tart $mart: teaching women to negotiate for salary and benefits program.  Plans were made to hold the event at K-State in October, 2013.

The Archives Committee is continuing the process of identifying all AAUW materials at the Riley County Historical Museum.  At least four more boxes need to be reviewed and an in-depth appraisal made of the materials.

On November 15 the branch co-hosted, with the K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering (KAWSE), a national AAUW webcast of Graduating to a Pay Gap watch party.  This is the branch’s first on campus collaborative event.

Membership chair Barbara Gatewood said the branch website now has the most current news articles, board and branch minutes and newsletters.  She thanked Tresa Landis for her excellent help with the website.

Dede Brokesh encouraged members to contribute to the national association’s Education Foundation.  She described five scholarships offered through that foundation.  Treasurer Claudia Jones announced the Manhattan branch will be able to offer three $1000 scholarships this year to non-traditional women students attending K-State.

President Bolsen reported that she, Torry Dickinson and Joan Strickler met with Jesse Jasso, president of the local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta last week.  The Zeta national sorority was initiated at Howard University around 1920 to support the development of strong women who engage in community service.  The K-State chapter is now leading a Girl Scouts Beyond Bars troop composed of girls with a parent currently in or recently released from prison.  While Girl Scouts Beyond Bars is a national program, the K-State Zetas program is the only one in the nation run by university student volunteers.  They want to apply for an AAUW Community Action Grant to provide funds to be able to expand the scope of educational and other enriching experiences they can offer the Scouts and are requesting the local branch provide a letter of support with their grant application.  Joan Strickler made a motion to agree to the request, Rosalie Thompson seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

The president congratulated Mary O’Laughlin and Claudia Jones on their December birthdays.  She expressed her deep appreciation to all members for the work they have done in guiding, mentoring, sharing, participating, and keeping the Manhattan Branch AAUW alive and well in 2012.  She added, “Just think what 2013 will bring!”

The next meeting will be held on January 14 in the Cottonwood Room of K-State’s Student Union.  Members and guests will hear from Angie Miller, 7th grade math teacher at Eisenhower Middle School who received the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.  The Women of K-State have been invited to attend and have generously offered to provide coffee and dessert at the meeting.

Membership in AAUW is open to anyone holding an associate or equivalent (RN), baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited educational institution.  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.