AAUW at Kansas State University First Official Meeting
The first meeting of the new student organization AAUW at Kansas State University (AAUW at K-State) was held on February 16, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. in the Leadership Studies Bldg., room 114. President Tara Terwilliger began with a PowerPoint presentation and self-introductions. Vice President Taylor Stebbins discussed reasons for joining AAUW: empowerment by gaining a competitive edge, ability to connect to support network, and access to powerful tools for action. AAUW’s mission of empowering all women and girls provides opportunities for making a difference and overcoming challenges to success. Tara reviewed Manhattan branch officers, co-advisors, AAUW partnership, and free memberships to K-State undergraduates. AAUW at K-State is now connected through social media (Facebook and Twitter), thanks to Advocacy Chair, Siba Khojah, and is online at the branch website https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/aauw-at-kansas-state-university/ ). The meeting minutes will be posted on Orgsync.
Front left: Cecilia Caceres, Anna Rackley, Tara Terwilliger, Siba Khojah, and Charissa Powell. Back left: Rebecca Youngblood, Taylor Stebbins, Reily Goyne, Corinne Stratton, Carly Wright, Anna Cook, and Glenda Leung.
Tara highlighted activities during Noorjahan Akbar’s campus visit, March 7-9 to mark International Women’s Day. This is an important opening event for our AAUW student organization. Students were encouraged to attend: March 7, 4 p.m., Welcoming Reception, International Student Center; March 8, 11:30 p.m., AAUW Student Luncheon, 201 Leadership Studies; 4 p.m., Empowering Women to Lead Worldwide, Forum Hall; 6 p.m., Branch Dinner, Holiday Inn. Class presentations are scheduled for: March 8, 9:30 (Leadership Studies), 1:05 p.m. (Women’s Studies), and March 9, 9:30 a.m. (Journalism).
The Young Voter Project, sponsored by the League of Women Voters this fall, was reviewed by Treasurer Reily Goyne. The goal is to increase the number of active, informed young voters for the 2016 election. Consider attending the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), June 2-4 at the University of Maryland. Leadership workshops, outstanding speakers, and networking are some of the highlights of this premier conference. The State Board is providing one $1,700 grant to attend with a March 15 (http://aauw-ks.aauw.net/scholarships/) application deadline.
Tara proposed attending the AAUW State Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 9, in Hesston, Knasas ($10 registration). The State will pay for gas for one carload. It is an opportunity to interact with other student organizations. Taylor reviewed plans for AAUW tabling in the Student Union during K-State’s Open House, April 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Assistance is needed in developing a creative display. Please sign up for a time slot to work. Contact Tara if you are interested in serving as Membership Chair or Social Media/Public Chair. The officers meet on Sundays at Radina’s. The next meeting is March 1 (4 or 8 p.m.). Suggestions are welcomed on possible social activities and future events. The meeting ended with a discussion on what you want to see this organization do. The members identified several key issues important to AAUW.
AAUW at Kansas State University
Officially Founded and Officers Selected
From left: Dr. Annelise Nguyen, Reily Goyne, Kseniya Chumachenko, Siba Khojah, Tara Terwilliger, Taylor Stebbins, and Dr. Glenda Leung
We are pleased to announce that AAUW at Kansas State University was officially founded on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at a 4:00 p.m. meeting in the Staley School of Leadership Studies, room 201. AAUW Manhattan Branch members and Co-advisors for the new student organization, Dr. Glenda Leung and Dr. Annelise Nguyen, coordinated the meeting and selection of officers. The new officers are: President: Tara Terwilliger (tara102@k-state.edu), Vice President: Taylor Stebbins (bstebbi@k-state.edu), Treasurer: Reily Goyne (argoyne@k-state.edu), Secretary: Kseniya Chumachenko (chumache@k-state.edu), and Advocacy Chair/Event Planner: Siba Khojah (skhojah@k-state.edu). They will serve for spring/summer 2016 and the 2016-2017 academic year.
The officers met on January 24 to start drafting the constitution for the new student organization and will submit it to the Co-advisors on February 1 for review and approval before submitting it to the SGA (Student Government Association) Office. The officers also will begin reviewing the application process for registering the organization with AAUW National. Key resources for registering a student organization at K-State and AAUW were reviewed by the advisors.
The officers expressed an interest in having a table at the Activities Carnival at the K-State Student Union on January 28, 7-9 p.m. AAUW Manhattan Branch Past President, Barbara Gatewoood provided information on the upcoming visit of women and human rights activist, Noorjahan Akbar on March 7-9 in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Noorjahan will give two presentations/discussions on March 8 in addition to the keynote address Empowerng Women to Lead Worldwide: Overcoming Political and Social Struggles in Forum Hall at 4:00 p.m. The officers agreed to host Noorjahan with a meeting and luncheon on March 8 in the Leadership Studies Building. (The event times are to be determined). A budget of $250 was allocated by Barbara for the event on behalf of the Akbar Planning Committee. Taylor Stebbins will make inquiries about room availability.
At the end of the meeting Barbara provided information to the students about the webinar on the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) on January 26, 7-8 p.m. CT. Interested students must register online (http://www.aauw.org) by 8 a.m. CT on the morning of the webinar. The students were encouraged to consider attending the NCCWSL Conference, June 2-4 at the University of Maryland. The Kansas AAUW Board has committed funds to support one or two students to attend. For more information about AAUW at Kansas State University, contact the Co-advisors: Glenda Leung (785-532-1181, glendaleung@k-state.edu) or Annelise Nguyen (785-532-4429, tnguyen@vet.k-state.edu).
Ten New Student E-Affiliates Joined During Welcome Week
August 2014
Barbara Gatewood and Janet Skochdopole had a wonderful experience promoting AAUW and meeting young women at the K‐State Union, Aug. 28 during Welcome Week. Ten E‐student affiliates were recruited from a wide range of majors. “As we spoke to students,” Janet said, “we recognized how relevant AAUW can be in providing encouragement for young women to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. The organization also provides a valuable opportunity for women in STEM to connect with other women having interests similar to their own.” Many of the students also expressed an interest in helping with the formation of the new student organization.
Janet, AAUW Fellowship and Grants subteam chair, talked with the students about AAUW educational funding opportunities, resources, programs, and student benefits. A free E‐student affiliate membership is open to all full‐time K‐State undergraduates because the university is an official AAUW university partner. Students can sign up online at www.aauw.org or a member can complete the application with the pertinent contact information (name, address, phone, and email) and academic information (degree sought and graduation date).
Smiles of Appreciation for Finals Weeks Goody Bags
May 2014
Scholarship House women look forward to enjoying Finals Week snacks
K-State students in the Clovia and Smurthwaite Scholarship Houses enjoyed the Finals Week Goody Bags prepared by the Manhattan Branch in May as a new activity for promoting AAUW.
About 120 bags, filled with delicious snacks and student membership brochures, were assembled by the branch and delivered to the students by our College/University (C/U) Representative, Kerri Keller.
Jean Lee and Nancy Bolsen prepare Finals Week Goody Bags
It was a great way to introduce these outstanding students to AAUW, recognize their achievements, and inform them about the E-student affiliate and Give a Grad a Gift membership options. Because K-State is an official C/U partner, all University undergraduates can join free online at www.aauw.org.
The Goody Bags were made possible through the very generous donation of snack items by Hy-Vee, Dillons, Ray’s Apple Market, and Wal-Mart. A specials thanks is given to the store managers and staff who took time to meet with us to discuss AAUW and help select a variety of appropriate items.
We hope to build upon this activity to better inform students about AAUW’s mission, member benefits, programs, and educational funding opportunities.