AAUW Board Meeting Minutes, September 4, 2023

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
By Zoom
May 6, 2024, 5:30 – 6:40 p.m.

Present Online: Usha Reddi, Dede Brokesh, Marlene VerBrugge, Barbara Gatewood, Chris Herald, Martha Mather, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Paula Ripple, and Mary Stamey.

Usha opened the meeting with a preview of the May 13 branch meeting, which will include our 2023-2024 accomplishments. They are our programs, AAUW National recognition, International Women’s Day, and presenting at the AAUW regional conference.  Usha requested that at the May branch meeting Chris have printed information on our membership, both the number renewing and the names of new members so that we can become better acquainted. Members who have belonged five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years will be recognized at the meeting. A committee will begin planning in earnest for the 2025, 10-year anniversary, International National Women’s Day in March. Tresa and Claudia will present the amounts and names of scholarship recipients. Martha and Sujatha will report on AAUW cooperation with K-State, KSU students, and KAWSE. Mary will give the treasurer’s report and also talk about the books we’ve donated to the library in honor of our program presenters.

 Slate of officers:
President—Usha Reddi
President-Elect—Martha Mather
Treasurer—Barbara De Santo
Board Secretary—Paula Ripple
Branch Secretary–???
Membership—Chris Herald
Programs—Dede Brokesh, Lynn Ewanow, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Sujatha Prakash
Webmaster—Barbara Gatewood???
Diversity Officer—Sujatha Prakash
At-Large Director, two years—Kay Stith
At-Large Director, one year–???
Susanne moved to accept the slate of officers as presented; Martha seconded. The slate was unanimously accepted. It will be voted on at the Branch meeting on May 13.

In an email to the membership, Usha will ask for volunteers for the media and website officer positions, branch secretary, and at-large director in hopes that the present and future officers can meet and discuss the offices at or soon after the May meeting.

People will be able complete membership renewal at the May meeting. We will have President’s Awards and installation of officers as well.

Usha suggested June and summer social gatherings at a restaurant, Liquid Arts, Sip and Paint at Uncorked Inspiration, and/or coffee at A & H Farms.
The board retreat will be in July.

Usha shared the membership report that was sent with the agenda. We have 65 members. Chris suggested several ideas for developing a more cohesive membership, including having no formal program for the September meeting. It was suggested to have a setting and activities that would help members become better acquainted with each other.

Usha suggested giving new members a flower to recognize them.

A discussion arose on possibly changing venues for our meetings, but no decisions were made.

Minutes from the April board meeting were reviewed. Usha has the money from the IWD dinner that needs to be deposited. Dede moved and Marlene seconded approval of the minutes.  Motion passed.

Marlene suggested examining the International Women’s Day website for their ideas of activities. Usha said they have a toolkit. The 2025 theme for IWD has not yet been posted.  Barbara said that the purpose of IWD is to celebrate women; we could have American/local women as well as international women presenters. Dede suggested Brittney Griner as a speaker. Susanne suggested an American woman who is concerned about women internationally, Melinda French Gates.

Mary reported that Barbara De Santo is ready to take over as treasurer for the next year. Usha requested a printed yearly treasurer’s report to be available for members at the May meeting.

Webmaster Barbara reported that everything is up to date and the April minutes were in The Manhattan Mercury.

Marlene is working on a directory of our membership. Usha commented that we didn’t want to have too much revealing information online. Barbara said the most current membership information is under Members Only portion of the website.

Usha posted Chris’s STEM report for the board to read and thanked Chris for her efforts. Barbara mentioned its popularity on the website.

Martha looks forward to next fall and getting started with recruiting KSU students as AAUW student members. We have donated to KAWSE this year and will keep our relationship going with that group. We need to begin earlier to get out information on National Fellowship and Grants. Martha says it would be helpful to know who and how many applied to help our publicity for applicants.

Usha stated we have not had a student attend NCCWSL for several years. Barbara suggested contacting student organizations at K-State; they may be the best ones to go.  Mary suggested contacting The Staley School of Leadership. Marlene said the state may have money for attending.  It should be one of our goals to help an AAUW student member to attend.

Mary showed 100 Women in History  to be given as our final book of the year to Manhattan Public Library.  We spent $150 on books this year, which needs to be budgeted. Also, we should budget $200 on books for schools, as part of our STEM outreach.

Susanne offered to develop a list and description of program ideas for the May meeting so that members could comment on the ones that most appeal to them.

Barbara mentioned the many pictures taken this year and suggested having a looping video featuring all of our programs/meetings for this year. Board members chimed in on the good idea. (Note: Later Usha made a video of the year in AAUW Manhattan Branch which will be posted and also shown at our May 13, 2024, meeting.)

Business being concluded, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple
Board Secretary

Treasurer’s Report:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/chris+herald/FMfcgzGxStwJsvLcWGqrbhGDMmgZnmpm?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

Membership Report: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/chris+herald/FMfcgzGxTFTsXSfHkVpCHhVHQxDkKkTg?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

STEM Report:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/chris+herald/FMfcgzGxTFTsXSfHkVpCHhVHQxDkKkTg?projector=1&messagePartId=0.2

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
By Zoom
 April 1, 2024, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.

Present Online: Dede Brokesh, Usha Reddi, Marlene VerBrugge, Mary Stamey, Lynn Ewanow, Chris Herald, Sujatha Prakash, and Paula Ripple.

President Usha Reddi opened the meeting reviewing notes on the agenda. She especially emphasized the huge success of our International Women’s Day event with 71 attendees and a full room. The panelists were comfortable with the questions, and they expressed themselves fully and well. The audience was receptive and enthusiastic.

Mary, as treasurer for the event, referred to her emailed report for numbers (see attachment). The funds came from seven hundred dollars budgeted from our treasury, a grant from the Dow Center, and payment for meals. Expenses (e.g. hotel deposit, catering, printing, gifts for speakers) are listed on the report. Mary cautioned that we need to review our treasury processes to be sure people are promptly reimbursed, to set aside money for emergencies, and to hold money for scholarships. We currently have a healthy amount in the treasury, and we should be cautious and purposeful with spending. Dede had questions about the catering, charges, and expenses which were answered. The event, while it does not make money, is financially stable due to our budget, the grant we received, and the attendees’ payments for meals.

Usha opened the discussion to ideas for our IWD’s 10th anniversary. She plans to get much bigger grants (from $35,000 to $50,000), perhaps from AAUW, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, small donations, and other sponsors. We need to have the committee formed soon to get a speaker and begin planning. The board’s ideas included–

  • invite all past speakers, panelists, program presenters, past members, attendees, local officials, and create a kind of universal invitee list to keep in our records
  • consider the March 8 date which is the Saturday of spring break 2025
  • use a large venue like McCain or Forum Hall and/or multiple venues
  • make it a five to seven day event with smaller events added
  • send Save-the-Date cards early
  • work collaboratively with K-State and the community

Usha closed the IWD discussion by urging board members to begin thinking of nationally recognized women who could be both the keynote speaker and Landon Lecturer.

A nominating committee is needed for next year’s officers. We need a President-Elect, Secretary for board minutes, Secretary for branch minutes, Membership Chair, Program Chair, and Treasurer. Usha will send out an email to the membership regarding officers and a nominating committee. Usha will continue for another year as long as there is a President-Elect in place. Paula volunteered to continue as Board Secretary. Marlene said Barbara DeSanto will be Treasurer. Lynn Ewanow and Dede Brokesh will continue on the Program Committee; Susanne was not at the meeting and will need to be called; and Sujatha volunteered to be on the Program Committee. It would be prudent to add at least one more to the committee, preferably a new member. Chris volunteered to be Membership Chair again next year.  Usha will appoint the program committee to act also as the diversity officer since the programs they have planned have always had a wide range of diversity to align with National AAUW goals. The lack of a diversity officer was one of the deficiencies on our AAUW Five-Star National Recognition application.

Mary said we still need two Directors-at-Large, one for one year, one for two years.  This would be a good position for a new member. Concerns were expressed about members continuing on in officer positions due to the need to include more members and the need to have members trained and ready to step into positions so that turnovers in officers do not occur all at one time. We should consider including two or three people for each position. Usha mentioned that summer is a good time to train people and to keep people engaged with social get-togethers.

AAUW State Meeting, Women Making a Difference for the Future: Usha will attend in Newton this Saturday, April 6.

Chris Herald, Membership: Our membership is steady. A difficulty arises in keeping accurate membership numbers with the freedom to renew in any month. For accuracy Chris would prefer for members to renew in June. The dues are $93.00 yearly.

Paula Ripple, Board Secretary: The minutes were approved as read.

Mary Stamey, Treasurer:  We need to order more checks for the bank account. Mary will order. We need to add the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer to the account access.  Usha said we need to determine and examine the balances for membership dues’ amounts and for the optional meals’ amounts. Our bank balance is $9,453.00.

Lynn Ewanow, Dede Brokesh, Program Committee:  Dr. Rana Johnson, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Kansas State University, will speak on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Chris Herald, STEM: See attachment. Chris reminded us of the solar eclipse on Monday, Earth Day, the Pink Moon, the Kansas Science Festival, and the GROW workshop. Chris attended a KAWSE meeting and announced AAUW meetings and membership information and talked to individuals about the same.

Marlene VerBrugge, Yearbook: Marlene plans to update the membership with added information and then separate the sections into those that do not need constant updating and those that do need updating with address changes, awards given, officer designations, etc.

For May, we still are unsure of a place for dinner and meeting. The discussion that ensued resulted in the idea to have the dinner in the Bison Room at Meadowlark Hills. Usha will pursue finding the place.

Usha closed by encouraging board members to talk to AAUW Manhattan Branch members about assuming offices. Paula, Dede, and Usha will talk to specific people whom they know about taking offices. Usha will email a list of officers’ duties to help clarify discussions.

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple
Board Meeting Secretary

 

Attachments:

Treasurer’s Report:
Below is an incomplete  treasurer’s report.

2/29/24 Landmark Bank 10.00 Bank fees 10,003.78
2/27/24 5017 Sir Speedy Programs for Intl Women’s Day 36.23
2/25/24 5018 Hyvee Dinners fro 50 for IWD 1,552.30
3/4/24 5019 Hyvee Add’l IWD dinners 262.68
3/4/24 502 Marlene VerBrugge IWD supplies ++ 87.28
3/4/24 5021 Barbara Gatewood copies 27.29
3/7/24 5022 Steve’s Floral IWD panelists’ flowers 196.47
3/7/24 5023 Pfiefley’s Jewelers IWD panelists’ paperweights 160.00
3/27/24 5024 Mary Stamey Library books in honor of speakers 146.80

International Women’s Day

Income: 
Grant from Dow Center for Multicultural & Community Studies 1380
2023-2024 Branch budget   700
Members reimbursed the meals 1605
Total  3685
International Women’s Day 
Expenses:
Holiday Inn Hotel deposit   500
Hyvee 50 meals catered 1552.30
Hyvee add’l meals 262.68
Sir Speedy -programs   36.23
Marlene VerBrugge badge sleeves, name tags   87.28
Steve’s Floral- flowers for panelists 196.47
Pfiefley’s Jewelers-paperweight panelist gift 160.00
Total 2794.96
Difference           + 890.04
Bank Balance 4/1/24 9,453.82

STEM Report:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/Chris+Herald/FMfcgzGxSRGdVwbqjTjHZGFdxSZMswxC?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
126 Longview Drive
Monday, March 4, 2024, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.

Present: Marlene Ver Brugge, Barbara Gatewood, Mary Stamey, Chris Herald, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Lynn Ewanow, Karen Penner, Dede Brokesh, Martha Mather, Paula Ripple, and Linda Uthoff.

In Usha’s absence, Marlene presided over the meeting. We reviewed Usha’s agenda and reports were made of progress for the International Women’s Day event. We have 70 reservations; we have received the grant money and have paid the bills presented thus far. Promotions have been sent to both K-State and The Manhattan Mercury. Marlene will pick up the programs; USD383 and Manhattan City Council proclamations are set for this week; Usha has managed the flags and the purple ribbons; and members are in place to register guests and collect money for dinner. Donna Becker, a state AAUW officer will attend.

Barbara related the many methods she and Dede have used to promote our IWD event: AAUW Facebook page; K-State Today; posting online of Usha’s interview with KMAN; sending emails to multiple groups and people—past participants, sponsors, women’s organizations on campus; to clubs such as PEO; to community leaders; to local groups.  Next year we can all join in to send IWD information to groups with which we are involved and extend the team effort to promote this event.

Members should be at the Holiday Inn at the Campus for the event by 5:30 p.m.

The annual AAUW Kansas state meeting will be in Newton from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, and will be offered both in person and on Zoom.

Officer Reports

Chris Herald, Membership: We have two new members, both professors at K-State, Kelly Carter and Sherry Fleming. We have 59 members, but have a few members who have not renewed. Chris is still adjusting the directions for student members to join for free and has added a “check here” that says the student member would like to receive emails of the Manhattan branch minutes. She continues to tweet the AAUW information that appears on Facebook. Martha commented on the process and the problem of promotion with the information flow from AAUW National. She believes we will gain momentum now that the process is clearer. See attachment for full membership report.

Paula Ripple, Board Secretary: The minutes were approved as corrected by removing “Zarling” from Dr. Ana Mendonca’s name.

Mary Stamey, Funds/Checkbook: Mary reported that we have a little over $10,000 in the bank account, which includes the grant amounts for the IWD dinner event. She has been able to get on the website to garner the information she needs. A review of the checkbook reveals that over the last year the funds that have been spent and have come in are similar to our past financial history. We have paid $2,300 on costs for the IWD event. Several members have now been reimbursed and several have requested reimbursement.

Susanne Siepl-Coates, Lynn Ewanow, and Dede Brokesh, Program Committee:  Our April speaker will be Rana Johnson, K-State’s Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging. Lynn asked about the content of the business women’s panel at the February meeting and received complimentary and positive feedback. Members discussed possibilities of a restaurant for our May meeting which includes dinner.

Marlene reminded the board that we need to be thinking about officers for next year. Usha will appoint the nominating committee who will provide a slate of officers for the upcoming April vote with installation in May.

Linda Uthoff, League of Women Voters Liaison: Linda handed out brochures on LWV’s legislative priorities. She especially mentioned Medicaid expansion and health care, the death penalty, and being present at the Kansas State House to advocate for these priorities.

She mentioned the ways LWV has been trying to bring in younger members. LWV has implemented a gathering called Cocktails and Conversation on the first Friday of the month at 4:30 p.m., Bluemont Hotel.

Barbara will post LWV’s information on our website and Facebook page. LWV posted online about our International Women’s Day event.

Both groups have open meetings and yet both groups have concerns with the names of their organizations making them seem more exclusive than they actually are.

Lynn suggested connecting with students through her acquaintance Ira David Levy (Director of the Collegian Media Group at K-State) and also with leadership studies to gather the students’ ideas on attracting younger people to our organizations.

Barbara Gatewood, Webmaster: Barbara gave a shout out to Chris for her work in crafting the directions for students to join AAUW online without a charge. Members thanked Barbara for her diligent work on promoting our organization and the upcoming IWD event.

Chris Herald, STEM Report: See attachment. Chris noted that it’s Women’s History Month and detailed the links to STEM activities. She suggested that we might want to combine with LWV to have a few activities for young people at this year’s Kansas Science Festival on April 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. She is asking for people to consider volunteering for that day.

Marlene announced that this spring AAUW will again vote on whether non-degree-holding people may join AAUW. Members should watch for information in their emails.

Linda noted that advanced voting is now open in the Presidential Preference Primary, and citizens may vote at the Riley County Office Building from now until March 18 or on election day at the polls on March 19.

The meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple
Board Secretary

Membership Report link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nsCnmggPwSFsOYH7i_DAtLZNX7QIdAkYJetGYhl98fo/edit

STEM Report link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DJ9lsnR7ybZD9DTDGuJlNbHsAaqVlvfMre5xfzeK7is/edit

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Vista Drive-In
Monday, February 5, 2024, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.

Attendance: Dede Brokesh, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Chris Herald, Barbara Gatewood,
Marlene VerBrugge, Mary Stamey, Usha Reddi, Martha Mather, and Paula Ripple.

President’s Remarks: President Usha Reddi opened the meeting. She reported on the
well-attended League of Women Voters’ meeting on February 1 that hosted a journalist
from the Kansas Reflector.

AAUW Manhattan Branch’s International Women’s Day: Plans were reviewed for
the celebration and dinner to be held at 6:00 p.m. on March 8, 2024, at the Holiday Inn
at the Campus.
Panelists:
From Romania: Dr. Claudia Petrescu, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the
Graduate School, Kansas State University
From Poland: Agnieszka Lasko, graduate student in music, Kansas State University
From Brazil: Dr. Ana Mendonca-Zarling: Director of Manhattan Area Resettlement Team
From Iran: Vajiheh Shahsavari, graduate student in the Department of Curriculum and
Instruction, Kansas State University

Publicity: The event will have media coverage, be publicized locally, and will be livestreamed.
Candidates are aware that the focus is to celebrate their accomplishments in
the community. Usha said proclamations will be forthcoming from USD383 on March 6
at 6:30 p.m., and the City Commission of Manhattan on March 5 at 6:00 p.m.; member
attendance at these announcements is encouraged. Brandon Peoples, KMAN radio, will
host a radio spot for International Women’s Day on March 6 at 9:30 a.m. with Mary
Stamey giving the AAUW history. She asks for two more to do the radio show with her,
perhaps one panelist and one member. Tresa Landis will do the promotion on K-State
Today. Barbara and Dede have been working on publicity, including posters and flyers
to be posted in the community and on our website and Facebook page for the event.
They will need funds for printing flyers.

Dinner: Susanne had contacted Friendship House about catering the dinner. Their
proposal with charges for gratuities and additional fees added up to $33.00 per person.
Usha said we should keep the amount to $25.00. Barbara suggested that we could use
funds from the treasury to subsidize the meal, charging attendees $25.00 and AAUW
Manhattan Branch covering the remaining amount. By consensus members agreed to
set the amount charged to attendees at $25.00. Susanne will also check with HyVee.

Sponsors:
Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies
K-State Libraries
English Language Program, Office of International Programs
Marlene is working on name tags for the event, has ordered paperweights for the
panelists, and has bills to submit for these and previous expenditures.

Finally, Usha requested a meeting with the program committee and the panelists two to
three weeks in advance of the dinner event to discuss the event, the questions that will
be asked, the topics that will be covered, and to answer any questions.
February Program: we will host a panel of four Manhattan business women to be
held at Manhattan Public Library on February 12, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. Mary Stamey will
introduce the panel of speakers: Kristin Brighton, New Boston Creative Group; Mary
Fischer, Gaia Salon; Heather Hnidzil, Flight Crew Coffee; Stephanie Johnson, Maximum
Performance Physical Therapy and Fitness. Dede Brokesh will ask Tresa Landis to
moderate.

Reports:
Chris Herald, Membership: Chris said we will add two student members who joined
online. She also asked if the online registration for the meeting and dinner choices had
worked. Everyone agreed that it had worked well. She had submitted a written report:
February 2024 AAUW membership report:
Manhattan Branch has 57 current members There are 4 members that have not
renewed (Leena C, Rebecca H-B, Marcia H and Amie Norton) and have not been counted
in this total. Jackie Spears, Lei Wang and Lisa Bietau are our newest members who have
not been entered into the National website, but are counted in this total.

The National website, there were several members listed as “No” under membership. I
spoke to Angela Cooper at the National AAUW office and had my account fixed.
Sujatha fixed several, but Christina Hamilton-Bridge’s membership type is still blank.

A document was created for KSU students interested in joining AAUW. These step-bystep
dIrections are to be followed while online and offer free membership to National
AAUW. Our state requires a $3 fee. This new document was sent to Mary-Joy Pugh and
Heather Forster so they could join.

This is not a membership item, but I think I’ve been successful in creating a form we can
use for our monthly meal RSVP. It is a Google Document which will tally the answers to
all the questions and also send a copy of their responses back to the attendee. I hope
the President has access to the document. Sorry the link wasn’t activated before Usha
sent the group email.

Will continue to tweet the monthly meeting info. This month several women owned
businesses were tagged in the Tweet and Facebook posts.

Sent invitations to the same list from November (Gina Synder, Director of Downtown
Manhattan; LouAnn Getz, KSU grant writer & USD 383 educator; Tendai Gadzikwa,
KSU chemistry professor; Patricia Calvo, Eleanor Brayynock, K-State Society of

Women Engineers; Dr. Beth Pesnell, Education; Sherry Fleming, KSU professor;
Shanna Mittie, Johnson Cancer Research events Coordinator; Zelia Wiley, KSU
Diversity; Jessica Heier Stamm, KSU engineering professor), plus Caroline Kolins,
Assistant Director for Agriculture and Extension

Will ask guests to write in our guest book.

February birthdays belong to Dede, Cathy Hedge, Harriette Janke, Amie Norton and
Sujatha. Will hand out birthday stickers to these ladies.

Paula Ripple, Board Secretary: the January 3 board meeting minutes were submitted
by Karen Penner, Branch Secretary. Susanne moved and Pat seconded approval of the
minutes.

Sujatha Prakash, Treasurer: No report was submitted and reimbursements are still
due to members for costs they incurred. It was suggested that a written report be sent
to each meeting.

Barbara Gatewood, Webmaster: The website and Facebook page have current
information. Barbara sent a message to the Lifestyle Editor at The Manhattan Mercury
asking why our January 8 minutes had not been published.

Mary Stamey, Director-at-Large, suggested that our website contain archives to
display our history. Board members agreed and Webmaster Barbara said it could be
done.

Chris Herald, STEM: see attachment. Barbara complimented Chris on the number of
people who had accessed her report online, 69 hits.

Martha Mather, Fellowship and Grants: Directions to become a student member of
AAUW are now on the KAWSE website and can be posted on our website. Tara at KSU
has completed the paperwork necessary for renewing our CU partnership. Sujatha and
Martha will be the contacts. AAUW Kansas’s charge of $3.00, even though it can be
skipped, has caused a problem in registering. A coupon number must also be used to
avoid local membership fees. Members suggested contacting the state AAUW office, as
did AAUW National earlier in the process.

For the good of the organization: Usha noted that next year is the 10th anniversary of
our celebration of International Women’s Day and we should celebrate that with extra
recognition. Perhaps we could get corporate sponsors and plan for a bigger attendance.

Susanne attended a political meeting to honor Linda Morse for her service to the
community and while there, Susanne said she was so impressed to realize and it made
her proud how many women have contributed to leadership positions in this
community. She thanked Usha and other women. Usha confirmed this fact of leadership
and noted that women have been effective mentors to her, even across the aisle. This
aligns with all we do in American Association of University Women.

The next board meeting will be March 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., 126 Longview Drive.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple, Board Secretary

2024 February STEM newsletter
1. Engineering Week is February 18 – 24, 2024. This year’s theme
“Welcome to the Future” is about celebrating today’s achievements and
paving the way for a brighter and more diverse futur in engineering.
https://discovere.org/engage/engineers-week/

2. SciGirls Strategies: How to Engage Girls in STEM Each half-hour episode
highlights the processes of science and engineering, following a different
group of middle school girls who design, with the help of scientist mentors,
their own inquiry-based investigations on a variety of topics. They also learn
how rewarding and fun it is to work with their peers, and the shows’ female
mentors offer girls a glimpse of exciting STEM career possibilities.

3. As we look ahead to the possibilities and excitement of 2024, we at the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) want to share four simple ways that you can inspire and uplift girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the new year. You can get started with these four strategies today : Choose Toys that Break STEM Stereotypes, Showcase Diverse Women in STEM, Shift the Way You Talk About STEM, and Be an Ally. https://ngcproject.org/resources/4-ways-support-girls-stem-2024

4. February is African-American History Month Check out these resources from the Library of CongressAfrican Americans in Science and Technology internet resources and books for all mighty girls about inspiring women https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=28604 or this link from NASA Black History Month with crafts and resources to spark creativity and test your knowledge as you learn about the trailblazers who light the way for future generations.

5. NASA Space Place printable Valentine cards Print these wonderful NASA Space Place Valentine’s Day cards and give them to family and friends! Here
are two examples.

6. Feb. 7, 2024, is National Girls & Women in Sports Day! Join WSF in this nationwide celebration by finding an event near you and sharing your story with the hashtag #NGWSD2024. https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/ OR
https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org

7. https://interestingengineering.com/culture/sonar-may-have-spotted-amelia-earharts-missing-plane

8. Check out the moon phases at https://www.moongiant.com/calendar/february/2024/

9. FrogWatch is a citizen science program that collects data on breeding frog and toad calls. Participants should be 14+. Training will be held at Sunset Zoo and is comprised of two, three-hand is our classes on March 27, April 10 // 6:00pm – 9:00pm Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FW2024 For more information, contact Nicole Wade at wade@cityofmhk.com with FrogWatch in the subject line. Or visit our website http://www.sunsetzoo.com/270/FrogWatch-of-the-Flint-Hills.
A reminder about these opportunities for Kansas middle school and high school girls.

10. Join EXCITE to learn about STEM majors and opportunities on the K-State Manhattan Campus. High school students will be paired with a K-State student. Together they will attend classes/labs, tour campus, eat lunch at the Student Union and discuss what it’s like to be in a STEM major. Shadow Days:Wednesday, February 21st, Wednesday, March 27th, Wednesday, April 3rd,Wednesday, April 17th https://apply2.ksu.edu/register/KAWSE.EXCITE

11. Join GROW on March 2, 2024! Middle school students will participate in a variety of hands-on
STEM activities. Each activity will showcase a “STEM superhero” (past or present) and the
amazing contributions they made or are making in their field. Activities will take place from 9am
-3:30pm on the K-State campus in Manhattan, KS. The deadline to register is February 16,
2024. https://apply2.ksu.edu/register/?id=1c80901a-5b9e-4e0f-ae1a-bf97be35eadf

STEM Report submitted by Chris Herald

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
126 Longview Drive
January 3, 2024, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Attendees
Susanne Siepl-Coates, Lynn Ewanow, Usha Reddi, Marlene VerBrugge, Chris Herald, Martha Mather, Barbara Gatewood, Dede Brokesh, and Karen Penner.

President’s Remarks
The AAUW Manhattan Branch Board Meeting was held on January 3, 2024, at 126 Longview Drive, home of Karen Penner. President Usha Reddi called the meeting to order and made opening remarks. The Prairie Star is a good venue as we can pay for meals when checking in. Meals are better and the process is easier. The cost is $15.00, and checks can be made directly to the Prairie Star, so we avoid having to handle the money.

The February meeting will be at the Manhattan Public Library as we are having a panel of local businesswomen.

Usha has signed the contract for the International Women’s Day event to be held at the Holiday Inn on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Usha reviewed the report she is preparing for the Five Star National Award from AAUW. We meet four of the five criteria, the fifth being having a strategic plan. She will note that we are working on it. The report is due January 8.

Officer Reports
Chris – We have 57 members to date, including three not entered on the list. Four have not renewed. Dinner RSVPs will be made to an email address and will include location, meal provider, choices, etc. Reservations will need to be made by Thursday before the meeting.

Karen – Minutes were reviewed and approved as modified to include Susanne as one of the committee members for our branch event on International Women’s Day.

Susanne and Lynn – The program for January includes the police chief for KSU. However, he can no longer attend as he will be out of town for his sister’s funeral. Director Brian Peete of the Riley County Police Department will attend and present how the department works to provide safety for women. We will have a hybrid meeting with Zoom, livestream, and live options. The February meeting will be a panel of four local businesswomen. We reviewed questions Lynn had prepared to send to panelists so they can prepare pertinent remarks. It will be a hybrid session with Zoom, livestream, and live options.

The League of Women Voters will hold a meeting on February 1 with journalists from The Kansas Reflector.

Chris – She previously sent out her STEM report. An annual science fest is happening on April 27. We could have a table focused on science and partner with KAWSE.

Regarding E-affiliate memberships, Tara at KSU needs to remit $175.00 to AAUW National so that students can join without cost. Martha will contact Tara about this.

KAWSE will hold a GROW program for middle school students on March 2. Usha moved that we provide $100 to help support transportation for the event. The motion was seconded by Marlene and approved.

It was suggested that our branch might contribute to MART.

The next Board meeting will be Monday, February 5, 5:30 p.m. at Vista.

 Respectfully submitted,
Karen Penner
AAUW Secretary

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
126 Longview Drive
December 4, 2023, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Attendees:  Usha Reddi, Mary Stamey, Dede Brokesh, Marlene VerBrugge, Lynn Ewanow, Barbara Gatewood, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Martha Mather, and Karen Penner

President’s Remarks:
The AAUW Manhattan Board Meeting was held on December 4, 2023, at 126 Longview Dr., home of Karen Penner. President Usha Reddi called the meeting to order and made opening remarks. Usha has reserved the large upstairs room at the Holiday Inn at 17th and Anderson for the International Women’s Day event. There is a $500 fee to reserve.  Usha submitted a grant request to Leena Chakrabarti at the English Language Program and Office of International Programs to co-sponsor the event. The grant request for $1,380 is for the following:

Venue at the Holiday Inn – $500
Dinner for Panelists – $150
Flowers – $200
Gifts for Panelists – $200
Printing promotional items, flyers, programs, and poster board – $300
Ribbon for attendees to represent IWD – $30
TOTAL:  $1,380

Volunteers to serve on the IWD Committee are Dede Brokesh, Mary Stamey, Lynn Ewanow, and Marlene Verbrugge (nametags and paperweight gifts).  Usha will reach out to Sara Thurston to request her participation as a non-AAUW member of the committee. A suggested panelist is Vajiheh Shahsavari. She spoke out at last year’s event and is now serving as President of the Iranian Graduate Student Association at KSU. It was suggested to reach out to find Israeli and Palestinian representation as well. Possible themes for the 9th IWD event were discussed, including the theme from AAUW national, “Accelerating Equality and Empowerment” and the IWD national theme, “Inspire Inclusion”.

Recently, Usha Reddi, Chris Herald, Martha Mather, and Barbara Gatewood had a Zoom call meeting with Stephanie Rose from the Kansas Office of Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering (KAWSE). She discussed several KAWSE initiatives such as Girls Reaching Our World (GROW) and Explore Science, Technology and Engineering (EXCITE). GROW provides a Saturday workshop once a semester with professors in STEM fields for middle school students.  EXCITE provides a 3-day, 2-night summer workshop at K-State for high school students.  There is also a program called SUCCEED which works with high school students by providing them mentors, job shadowing opportunities, and networking opportunities with graduate students in STEM fields.  Stephanie had three requests for AAUW:

  1. AAUW was involved in the past and provided a pay equity workshop. This would be very beneficial, and she would like us to offer this again.
  2. Career chat panels or one woman in STEM in a male dominated field. A program for next time or a separate program all together.
  3. GROW and SUCCEED events are organized in partnership with other organizations. For example,  K-State students went to Washington Elementary to teach about DNA using candy.  She would like AAUW to partner with KAWSE and other student organizations on campus for STEM events.

Usha would like our branch to participate in some of these endeavors, perhaps next year.  We have time to discuss and to plan. Martha suggested that we could put information into their newsletter, such as scholarship notices. We could help make connections by inviting Stephanie Rose to our next branch meeting. Lynn suggested that groups get together to have a mixer and share information. We could also make financial contributions to help support GROW and EXCITE. Other suggestions were to sponsor a bus and be involved with the Leadership Conference next June.

Officer Reports

Chis – gone but she sent a report ahead of the meeting

Paula – gone

Dede – she invited the legislators to our next meeting. Twenty-one members have signed up for a dinner for the next branch meeting.  More may just come without the dinner.  Barbara will set up live-streaming for Facebook for the next meeting.

Susanne is collecting police bios for the January meeting and Lynn is obtaining speaker information for the February meeting. She has info from Mary Fisher, Stephanie Johnson, Heather Hnizdii, and will follow-up with Kristin Brighton.

Marlene is not printing an entire yearbook this year but will put together a list of members so we have ready access to that information.

Barbara reported on the use of the web information. There were many hits on Chris’s STEM report.

Mary suggested that the 2-year At Large Board member be responsible for book orders.

Claudia Jones as history archivist would be the appropriate person to make sure hard copies of minutes are taken to the Historical Society each year.  Minutes can be downloaded and printed from the website.

Usha would like to plan a member social sometime next spring.

Next Board Meeting will be Wednesday, January 3, 5:30 at 126 Longview.  Karen will be traveling in early February so another meeting place will be needed.

Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Penner
AAUW Board Meeting Secretary

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
126 Longview Drive
November 6, 2023, 5:30 to 7:45 p.m.

 Attendance:  Martha Mather, Karen Penner, Chris Herald, Lynn Ewanow, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Dede Brokesh, Usha Reddi, Barbara Gatewood, and Paula Ripple.

President Usha Reddi opened the meeting with a report on the Midwest Regional AAUW meeting she attended in St. Louis, Missouri. National President Gloria Blackwell reported she had visited the Sustainable Development program at the UN.  AAUW National continues to support issues of gender equity, reproductive rights, food insecurity, childcare, and housing.

Usha presented at the conference’s Swap Shop and generated interest in International Women’s Day with her description of our local dinner and panel event. The topic of retaining and recruiting members generated many ideas: find those women who are 55 and older, delegate tasks to all members to involve more people, require only national dues to make membership more affordable, use inclusive questions at pre-meeting dinners for icebreakers, and have casual get-togethers like a Happy Hour or coffee once a month. The idea of a new membership party in July was added.

Usha directed us to the Two-Minute Activist post on aauw.org to make AAUW heard. She asked for volunteers for a subcommittee to plan our local International Women’s Day dinner and panel in March. Chris commented that it would be a good event for new members. Dede Brokesh volunteered. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March will be an opportunity to market AAUW to the community.

Chris Herald, Vice-President of Membership: We have 58 members. Six people need to renew memberships in December, the renewal protocol is now one year from the date first joined. She enjoined everyone to keep inviting people to meetings. Due to a September 30, 2023, expiration date, ideas for the use of our three free memberships will need to be used in the future. (Update: November 8, Membership Chair Chris Herald reported by email that she had contacted Angela Cooper at AAUW National and received permission to use the three free memberships.)  Ideas were to provide memberships at a reduced race (not charging the $6.00 for state dues or $15.00 for local dues) for income-challenged people, young new members, and/or program speakers. Chris is able to update the membership on the AAUW National website.

Paula Ripple, Board Secretary: Paula reviewed the minutes with comments from members throughout.  Dede corrected the provenance of the women in history banners; they belong to the League of Women Voters. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes as corrected.

Treasurer’s Report: Not available at this time.

Lynn Ewanow, Susanne Siepl-Coates, and Dede Brokesh, Co-Vice Presidents of Programs:  At the November branch meeting, Usha will not preside at the business meeting since she will be participating as a legislator in the elected officials’ panel. Mary Stamey will conduct the meeting. Dede will introduce Tresa Landis who will give an AAUW overview of our interests and missions and then moderate the panel of elected officials. Martha commented that last year not only was Tresa’s beginning overview of AAUW most valuable, it also resulted in the elected officials’ responses to our ideals and missions.

Aaron Estabrook, Founder of Manhattan Area Resettlement Team and three of his colleagues, including the new Executive Director will present the program at the December meeting. A discussion of location and its compatibility with their presentation resulted in several questions. Members will be notified when all is settled.

The February program is a panel of local women business owners who will begin with self-introductions and their business journeys, followed by questions from AAUW members. Lynn noted that she is trying to get the biographies and information from the women now before the holiday season begins. Usha suggested looking at their websites for information.

Susanne reported that for the January program members will meet with Riley County Police Department and KSU Campus Police Department to learn about policies and approaches regarding the protection of women in our community.

Barbara Gatewood, Webmaster: Barbara showed the posting for the legislative panel that will appear on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AAUW.Manhattan/) and on the website (https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/).  Because of the problem of privacy and the singular audience of AAUW members, it was decided to limit the online portion of the November meeting to members on Zoom. Barbara said the web postings include three videos: the Sigma Xi lecture by Dr. Laurie McNeil , the October meeting, and the presentation by Usha at Midwest Regional AAUW Conference. Usha complimented Barbara on her attention to our web presence, noting the difference it makes. Barbara and Paula had watched Usha’s regional conference presentation. She represented us well.

Chris Herald, STEM:  Chris showed an example of the bookplates that have been put in the STEM books given to the USD383 by AAUW. The group complimented the design Chris chose, which was printed on bookplates by the USD383 Library Service. See attachment for Chris’s full report.

Martha Mather and Sujatha Prakash will serve as the new K-State – AAUW College andUniversity (CU) representatives and faculty advisors.

Martha Mather, National Fellowship and Grants: Usha thanked Martha for her excellent work in disseminating information about the scholarship availability.  Martha said perhaps we’ve done all we can for this year since the closing application date is November 15. We need to remember all that was done this year so as to institutionalize the process and include the ideas that were generated this year as we think about the 2024 deadline.  She suggested a flier with pertinent information and a webinar on how to apply for the scholarships.  If we can learn who applied, we can contact those people to get feedback about the process.

NEW BUSINESS: Martha said she has seen many people and organizations on campus addressing and acting on ideas and activities similar to our AAUW missions and activities, but these individuals/groups may be unaware of the full scope of what we have already established and accomplished.  Her dream is to be able to connect ideas and people in our group with these campus groups so that they can use and build on each other’s ideas in a way that will make the activities of all groups more effective. If we chose to make it a future priority, AAUW could use its history, strengths, national and local community ties, and existing organizational structure as a link with other individuals and organizations to coordinate a synergy that promotes our shared missions. Martha cautioned we want to be thoughtful about how we allocate our time, but substantial benefits could emerge with a measured input of AAUW time. Because of AAUW structure and experience, we have the potential to be the connectors that can make everybody more effective. KAWSE is one example of a group with similar goals.

As a case in point: one section in most university grant applications (e.g., broader impacts, outreach, engagement) requires applicants to identify how their research proposal will advance equity, education, and/or benefit the community.  Grant applicants know their specific research, but don’t often have a strong plan for the larger implications of their research. If AAUW (and other groups) created an organizational blueprint and framework for community interactions, campus groups and university researchers/educators could generate effective and broader impact plans that could help them become more involved in the education and exposure of younger students. It would make AAUW more influential on campus and lead to profitable interactions on all sides (and could potentially expand our membership base).

Usha emphasized our main focus is gender equity and also mentioned our STEM focus for students.  She gave many examples of children’s groups across the community to which we could give our support. We could have activities that expose underserved transient families and students in poverty to college and higher education.

Members discussed ideas to bring in teachers to meet with us or to the board retreat to visit with them about how we might support them without giving them more work to do.

Perhaps a group of AAUW volunteers could begin to work on these ideas of supporting and encouraging children into higher education and also the idea of supporting and offering help to elementary, middle school, and high school teachers.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

The December board meeting will be Monday, December 4, 2023. Karen graciously invited the board to continue to meet at her home, 126 Longview Drive. The January board meeting will be on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple
Board Meeting Secretary

Attachments:

Chris Herald, November 2023 membership report for AAUW Manhattan Branch

  1. Manhattan Branch has 58 members. Our newest members are Christina Bridges-Hamilton, Jane Dale, Barbara Mitchell, Jackie Spears, and Kay Stith. The November meeting information has been emailed to them.
  2. Sent emails to six members that have fall membership end dates reminding them to renew.
  3. Organized and held a meeting for our newest members on November 2 at 10:00am at the Manhattan Public Library
  4. Will continue to tweet the meeting info, ask guests to write in our guest book & hand out birthday stickers at each monthly meetings. November birthdays belong to Sydney, Tresa, Maurine and Paula.
  5. Invited these ladies to come to our November meeting
  • Gina Synder, Director of Downtown Manhattan
  • LouAnn Getz, KSU grant writer & USD 383 educator
  • Tendai Gadzikwa, KSU chemistry professor
  • New chemistry professor, Patricia Calvo
  • Eleanor Brayynock of K-State Society of Women Engineers
  • Beth Pesnell, Education (has class on Mondays in fall)
  • Maureen Olewnik, retired KSU professor
  • Sherry Fleming, KSU professor
  • Shanna Mittie, Johnson Cancer Research events Coordinator
  • Zelia Wiley, KSU Diversity
  • Jessica Heier Stamm, KSU engineering professor
  • Lisa Bietau, retired USD 383 educator

We need to ask members to write down potential members or that they bring a guest!  And use our 3 FREE memberships. Any ideas?

Note: I am finding it difficult to determine the exact number of members each month since renewal dates vary now. On 11/6, the number listed on the National website is 59 members, but we have a few new members and others that need to renew this fall. There are 3 members still listed that are not renewing ( Greta Baack, Randi Dale and Marlene Dick). So if all six members renew and the 2 newest members are included that brings us to 58 members.

Submitted by Chris Herald, November 6, 2023
Chris Herald, November STEM Report:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/cherald76%40gmail.com/FMfcgzGwHVJjLklRsMZsTgkPrWNkRrXs?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Vista Meeting Room
October 4, 2023, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Attendance: Usha Reddi, Sujatha Prakash, Karen Penner, Martha Mather, Marlene VerBrugge, Mary Stamey, Lynn Ewanow, Susanne Siepl-Coates, Barbara Gatewood, Paula Ripple. Dede Brokesh called in and came in person.

President Usha Reddi opened the meeting with her agenda remarks: members adjusted well to the double booking at the library at September’s meeting and were pleased with Radina’s meals. The League of Women Voters’ candidate forum will be on Saturday, October 7, 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the library, aired on KMAN, and available on the AAUW Manhattan Branch Facebook page. Sujatha volunteered to be a timer at the forum.

Usha introduced Martha Mather, new branch Fellowship and Grants chair, who announced the upcoming K-State chapter of Sigma Xi distinguished lecture by Professor Laurie McNeil, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. McNeil will present “Changing the Climate in Science” (gender and equity in physics education) at 9 a.m. on October 13, in McVay Family Town Hall at the Leadership Studies Building. She will speak at 3:00 p.m. on physics and music in Cardwell Hall; she is a musician as well as a physicist. Martha proposed an AAUW meeting with Dr. McNeil from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. between the two sessions and suggested a $200.00 sponsorship from AAUW. Lynn Ewanow moved and Karen Penner seconded that we sponsor the Sigma Xi distinguished lecture with $200.00; the motion passed.  Members agreed that a meeting with Professor McNeil would be advantageous and added that we would be supporting both the national and branch missions.

Usha related that at the USD383 school board forum a part of the Power Point presentation cited information from the AAUW national website on pay equity.

Planning will soon begin for the branch dinner and the panel for International Women’s Day.  Usha will ask for grants from the KSU Office of International Programs and also from national AAUW to split the cost. She will share this event, which has become our signature event, at the regional AAUW meeting on October 19, in St. Louis.

The AAUW Manhattan Branch will invite the Manhattan League of Women Voters to march with us in the KSU Homecoming Parade on October 27 at 5:00 p.m. with AAUW signs, voting signs, and candy to be distributed.

OFFICER REPORTS
Paula Ripple, Secretary: reviewed the minutes as presented in writing. They were approved as corrected with the term Doctor removed from Robbin Cole’s name.

Chris Herald, Vice-President of Membership: Chris emailed a thorough membership report, which is attached.

Sujatha Prakash, Treasurer: reported $1,953.00 income from 20 members paying dues and one renewing. She paid $250.00 for the science books given to USD383 elementary libraries for our STEM focus. The charge for the recently completed palm cards was $96.27, and a bill is still to come for the books that the branch gives to the Manhattan Public Library to commemorate our monthly program speakers. Mary Stamey shared the books that will honor the September speakers, Robbin Cole and Dr. Elaine Johannes, and October speaker, Candice McIntosh.

Lynn Ewanow, Susanne Siepl-Coates, and Dede Brokesh, Co-Vice Presidents of Programs: Dede will continue to ask for and relay biographies and topics from each program speaker for the minutes, the website, and Facebook page. She’s been inviting program speakers to join our meetings. She mentioned a banner that could be borrowed from the historical society depicting important women of Kansas, which will be appropriate for the February program of local women business owners. For the November program, Dede said Tresa Landis will introduce and moderate the legislative panel.  Susanne suggested having questions prepared for legislators, learning what committees they are on, and presenting our mission to them. Lynn announced the speakers for the February program: Kristin Brighton, Boston Creative; Heather Hnizdil, Flight Crew Coffee; Mary Fischer, Gaia Salon; and one of our members, Stephanie Johnson, Max Performance.

APPOINTED OFFICER’S REPORTS
Marlene VerBrugge noted there was no need for an AAUW Funds appointee. The treasurer can collect funds in the fall for the annual contribution to National AAUW’s Greatest Needs Fund. All funds collected go to Tresa who is on the state board for Kansas. She will send them to National AAUW.

Barbara Gatewood, Webmaster: Barbara posts the board and branch meetings’ minutes on our Facebook page (https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/) and branch website (https://manhattan-ks.aauw.net/) as soon as she receives them. All of the 2023-2024 subdivisions on our website, including branch programs, news, events, scholarships are up to date with AAUW national’s assistance.

Chris Herald, STEM: Chris emailed a report which is attached.

Mary Stamey, Directors-at-Large: Mary shared the children’s books chosen to be donated to Manhattan Public Library with the caveat that one book plate would be changed to the correct spelling of Dr. Johannes’s name.

COORDINATORS’ REPORTS
Faculty Advisor for the College/University Partnership for AAUW at Kansas State University: Advisors for the past few years have been Janet Carlson and Pat Hudgins. Marlene says we need at least one new person from KSU to act as Faculty Advisor. Pat Hudgins has retired and is not joining AAUW this year. Usha will need to ask Janet Carlson if she would like to continue as one of the advisors. Martha Mather said she would be the other advisor. Marlene will contact the office that sends in our College/University Partnership fee to see if they have the renewal from AAUW yet.

 Martha Mather, National Fellowship and Grants Chair: Martha shared the fellowship and grants information with Sujatha for the Physician Assistant Program and will contact KAWSE, K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering and the Vice-President for Research. (Update: After Martha contacted them, the Research office has put the information in their weekly review and highlighted the AAUW American Scholarship, and the Graduate School included the grant information in their newsletter.)

She advised that an eye-catching flyer with less information and links to complete information might be valuable, perhaps even a QR code. Karen suggested sharing information with the graduate student organization. Lynn suggested contacting the vice-presidents or assistant deans of colleges and departments. Barbara suggested printing and posting on campus the one-page summary of the grants and fellowship opportunities. Also, a weekly email newsletter could be sent out to faculty and it could be announced at the Sigma Xi presentation on October 13.  Dede suggested making an announcement on KSDB Wildcat 91.9, the college radio station.  She also advised that a technicality in the application dates prevents her daughter from applying when she is otherwise qualified.

 OLD BUSINESS
No old business.

NEW BUSINESS
The new business seemed to have been dispatched with reports and discussion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
October 9, 2023: AAUW Manhattan Branch Meeting, Manhattan Public Library, 5:15 p.m., supper; 6:00 p.m., meeting.
October 19, 2023:  AAUW Regional Conference in St. Louis, Missouri
October 27, 2023: AAUW Manhattan Branch and LWV participating in KSU Homecoming Parade, 5:00 p.m.

NEXT BOARD MEETING: Monday, November 6, 2023, 5:30 p.m., at Karen Penner’s house, 126 Longview Drive.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple
Board Meeting Secretary

ATTACHMENTS:
Chris Herald, 2023 October AAUW Manhattan Branch membership report:
We have 61 members with Rebecca Stark, Barbara Mitchell, & Kay Stith counted
In September I left flyers with Ellen’s Planted Tea, The Happy Hippie, Spark’s Burger Co and a few ladies that walk the neighborhood from KS Department of Agriculture.

Emailed in September & October

  • Gina Synder, Director of Downtown Manhattan
  • LouAnn Getz, KSU grant writer & USD 383 educator
  • Tendai Gadzikwa, KSU chemistry professor
  • New chemistry professor, Patricia Calvo
  • Eleanor Brayynock of K-State Society of Women Engineers
  • Dr. Beth Pesnell, Education (has class on Mondays in fall)
  • Dr. Jackie Spears, recently retired
  • Abbi, Dr. Marshall’s aide
  • Maureen Olewnik, retired KSU professor

Emailed this month

  • Sherry Fleming, KSU professer
  • Shanna Mittie, Johnson Cancer Research events Coordinator
  • Zelia Wiley, KSU Diversity
  • Christina Bridges Hamilton, new professor in Public Health
  • Jessica Heier Stamm, KSU engineering professor
  • Lisa Bietau, retired USD 383 educator

Wrote welcome letters to Rebecca Stark and Barbara Mitchell and sent cards to our 4 members that have not renewed (Sydney C, Pat H, Harriette J, Jennifer M).
Tweeted out the monthly AAUW meeting information and Sigma Xi STEM lecture,Changing the Climate in Science.

Participated in National AAUW Office hours on Sept 19.
1. We should use the export list to count our members (found under Affiliations, then Manhattan Branch, click on Manage Roster, then select Export) not the donation and renewal spreadsheet.
2. To use our free memberships we have earned with our increased membership – use the Shape the Future membership redemption form (attached).
3. Membership is extended another month due to some tech glitches (Oct 30).
4. The word “Future” appears in some members status because they have renewed beyond 12 months.
5. As Marlene was told, we do not have access to the list of KSU students that join.

We were not able to participate in Third Thursday. Only for artists can apply. I will continue to give out birthday stickers each month. We need to ask members to write down potential members or that they just bring a guest! My goal is to increase membership by 5, and we already have 3!!!

Submitted by Chris Herald, October 2, 2023

Chris Herald, 2023 October STEM newsletter for AAUW Manhattan Branch:

MY ACTIVITIES

      • I participated in Sunset Zoo’s monthly Science on Tap at the Manhattan Brewery Company. Several graduate students discussed their experiments at the Johnson Cancer Research Center. I emailed all six scientists, thanking them for sharing & suggested they sign up for Skype a Scientist (connects students with scientists virtually). https://www.skypeascientist.com/
      • I attended a physics lecture on September 18 from K-State alumni Hank Lamm, now an associate scientist at Fermi National Lab. Title of his talk “Look What You Made Me Do: How Particle Physics Demands Quantum Computers.” He was my son’s roommate while attending KSU. A second lecture is on Oct 3 .John C. Mather, Nobel Prize winner, will deliver a non-technical lecture “Opening the Infrared Treasure Chest with the James Webb Space Telescope” at 4:30 pm in Cardwell 101.
      • I met with Lucas Loughmiller, Director of Library & Instructional Media Services at USD 383 about our $250 STEM donation. I’ll deliver a check with some book suggestions. What are your thoughts about what is written on the book plate? Include our website?
      • On September 30th, the Kansas Forest Service held an open house, complete with

Smokey Bear and various tables with tree activities. I walked through the arboretum

located behind their offices with a very knowledgeable tour guide, Kim Bomberger.

Besides native trees, they take care of over 100 varieties of trees such as oaks, American linden, ash, beech, buckeye, cherry, spruce, pine and other evergreens. Scan the QR code below for a virtual tour. There is also lots of info at https://www.kansasforests.org/ I even came home with free wildflower seeds and a houseplant from the Master Gardeners.

STEM NEWSLETTER FOR OCTOBER
1. National AAUW program FREE STEMEd for Girls Program:Make sure the high school girls in your life are registered for our next free online session, College Search & Selection, happening on Wednesday, October 4 at 7 p.m. EST. We will be discussing
college prep, including financial aid, scholarships, college essays, and much more.Each session in this exciting series introduces girls to amazing women in STEM, engages participants with hands-on activities, and helps guide girls toward the areas that best match their skills and interests. Learn more and register today.
2. October 14 solar eclipse An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth, making the moon appear smaller than the sun which creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky. Chris Sorensen will give a presentation in the Flint Hills Discovery Center classroom at 10 a.m. Or come to Blue Earth Plaza anytime from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. where solar viewing glasses will be provided while supplies last, and telescopes will be set up for observing the phenomenon. We will have an approximately 70% eclipse, and it will be at its maximum around 11:45 a.m.
NASA lists safe ways to view this phenomenon https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2023/safety/
3. October 15 – 22 is National Chemistry Week This year’s theme is “ The Healing Power of Chemistry” resources at https://www.acs.org/education/outreach/ncw.html Celebrating Chemistry is a magazine designed to engage and educate studentsin grades 4-6 in the basic principles of chemistry. In the latest issue, you can find articles,
activities, and games to celebrate this year’s National Chemistry Week theme, https://www.acs.org/education/outreach/celebrating-chemistry-editions.html
Or check out these activities and professional development resources designed tostimulate interest, sense of relevance, and feelings of self-efficacy about chemistry.
https://nisenet.org/chemistry-kit
4. Parents & Teachers Pass on Math Anxiety to Kids Like a Virus. By spreading “damaging myths” about math, studies find adults are passing on math anxiety to kids and girls are especially affected. Experts offer tips to parents – including
normalizing math at home by reading math-themed stories and playing math games – to help build kids’ math competence and confidence.
https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=22508&ts=20230914
5. October 21, 2023 is International Observe the Moon Night Moon
resources and activities https://www.nisenet.org/moon
Moon Adventure Game https://www.nisenet.org/moongame
Native Sky Watchers – Two Eyed Seeing – NASA & Indigenous Astronomy – For the
Benefit of All https://www.nativeskywatchers.com/two-eyed-seeing-nasa.html
The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide compiled by Andrew Fraknoi
Audio stories about the Moon from Lunar Planetary Institute (LPI)
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/marvelMoon/tales/
Looking for more NASA science and skywatching tips
https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/
6. October 31 Halloween A collection of hands-on STEM activities for creating Halloween spooky science events. https://www.nisenet.org/halloween. A mighty girl guide to Halloween costumes for all ages https://www.amightygirl.com/halloween?ts=20230925
Create a Halloween pumpkin like a NASA engineer
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/create-a-halloween-pumpkin-like-a-nasa-engineer/
7. Scientists Tackle Taboo Subject of Periods in Polar Research. Polar research involves long research and close quarters, and women often struggle with
everything from sexual harassment, to lack of privacy when changing period products, to needing to ration tampons.The UK Polar Network is addressing these problems head on For a step-by-step guide to creating a DIY First Period Kit for your Mighty Girl so
she’ll feel prepared whenever her period arrives, visit https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=26183
To teach tweens and teens about period health and hygiene, we’ve featured a variety of books and other resources in our blog post ‘That Time of the Month’: Teaching Your Mighty Girl about Her Menstrual Cycle” at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11614
8. “Programs Nationwide Aim to Build Pipeline of STEM Experts” Brandon

Paykamian https://www.govtech.com/education/programs-nationwide-aim-to-build-pipeline-of-stem-experts
In 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expected that STEM occupations would grow nearly 11 percent from then until 2031, compared to about 5 percent for all other jobs. For the U.S. education system, the scramble is on to keep the nation competitive on a global scale and meet the growing demand for qualified professionals in information technology, data science, artificial intelligence and other STEM specializations.

Education officials and experts say partnerships between universities, schools, nonprofits and businesses will play a key role in establishing and supporting programs to train students and foster an early interest in STEM subjects, particularly among female and nonwhite students who are underrepresented in those fields.

AAUW Manhattan Branch
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2023, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

Attendance:  Usha Reddi, Chris Herald, Barbara Gatewood, Marlene VerBrugge, Karen Penner, Paula Ripple.

President Usha Reddi presided and began with a review of the minutes from the board retreat, which she had sent out earlier in the afternoon.

      • Thirteen board members attended and reviewed the goals and priorities.
      • Usha believes the Branch should apply for the Five-Star National Recognition through the national program, but no application or information has yet been posted.
      • The AAUW Manhattan Branch meetings will continue to be at Manhattan Public Library in a Zoom hybrid format, with the supper option continuing and rotating among Radina’s, McAlister’s, and HyVee.
      • Chris Herald, membership, reported that AAUW added 11 members last year. In the STEM report Chris said books on science will be given to the elementary schools.
      • Programs: many suggestions were given, and the program committee has contacted speakers and finalized each month’s program for the 2023-2024 year. Usha complimented their work.
      • Sujatha Prakash, the new treasurer, gave the details of the treasurer’s report prepared by Kathleen Jones. The current amount in the treasury is $7,741.00.
      • The branch will pay for meals for all presenters this coming year.
      • Usha requested funds for members of AAUW Manhattan Branch to attend regional and national AAUW conferences. Anisah Ari suggested adding other conferences that focused on women.
      • Four scholarships were given this year. Due to the $16,000 available, it was decided to raise our scholarship amount to $1,500.00 each.
      • Barbara Gatewood will continue to manage the AAUW Manhattan Branch Facebook page and website.
      • The yearbook will be available online, updated online, and a print version will be made available to the Riley County Historical Society.
      • Usha will attend the regional AAUW conference this October. She has applied for the Swap Shop and will speak about the AAUW Manhattan Branch International Women’s Day.

Usha asked about in-person board meetings.  Barbara suggested meeting in person at the beginning of the year to get acquainted. Usha suggested Vista as a meeting space.

Chris Herald, Membership: Only five members have not renewed; Chris has contacted each of them.  We’re losing a few members because of their other obligations, but they have asked to be included next year. Chris suggested an AAUW Manhattan Branch presence at Third Thursday, which is free but requires an application. Chris asked for emails of the scholarship winners in order to ask them to join our branch. She has handed AAUW palm cards to three women business owners and suggested the agriculture program as a source of possible members. Chris has emailed with former treasurer Amanda Gaulke and suggests sending a card of congratulations on her tenure and recent marriage.  We still have two free national memberships available; Anisah Ari was suggested for one, but state and branch fees will need to be paid. Chris’s goal is to increase membership by five. Usha suggests a mentorship, an orientation, or suggestions on how to participate for new members.

Usha welcomed Karen Penner and Paula Ripple as branch and board secretaries. They will share responsibilities and cover absences. Usha, Barbara, Karen, and Paula will meet tomorrow for information and guidance from Barbara. Usha commended Barbara for her credible and diligent work as secretary of AAUW Manhattan Branch.

Usha worked with Sujatha and Kathleen Jones on the budget. See proposed budget. Barbara has a $27.29 bill for reimbursement for International Women’s Day posters; Marlene has one also. Usha said they could be submitted now. Usha asked for a vote on the budget which passed.

No program committee members were present. Usha reported that, regarding meals,McAlister’s accepted orders on the day of the meeting; Radina’s asked for three days’ notice. We will try the rotation among McAlister’s, Radina’s, and HyVee to see which one works best. Usha reviewed the programs for the year by each month with the September meeting being Dr. Robbin Cole, CEO of Pawnee Mental Health Services, and Dr. Elaine Johannes, Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Professor in Community Health, discussing behavioral health resources for women. After Usha suggested that board members proof the program as presented before printing, Chris said the STEM information should be removed. Barbara had several suggestions about exact names, consistency of punctuation, and other editorial matters. Usha will send suggestions to Dede.

Usha asked if anyone had contacted Barb De Santo to bring her to the meeting.

The League of Women Voters will have a candidate forum on October 7 at the Manhattan Public Library. The city commission forum will be from 1 to 3 p.m.; the Board of Education forum will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The LWV has a meeting this Thursday and will recognize Usha with the Good Governance Award.

Barbara Gatewood, Facebook and AAUW website:  Barbara receives speaker information and photos from the program committee which she uses to prepare posts for Facebook, the website, and email announcements.  These are useful, along with the vitae, to the secretaries for preparing the minutes. In updating the website, Barbara has revised the About section and has posted all of the 2022-2023 minutes except for the March, April, and May board minutes.

She will post palm cards when they’re available and will continue to update the online branch presence as the year begins. On Facebook, Barbara has posted a new banner with the board members’ picture. She will post Chris’s STEM report. Facebook is up to date, and Barbara continues to refer to the national AAUW website to find information there that should be shared on our Facebook. Barbara noted that the application deadline for all seven categories of AAUW Fellowships and Grants will now be due on one date, November 15. The chart of the seven categories is on our Facebook page.  Barbara will share this information with Claudia Petrescu, new graduate school dean, to be shared with graduate students. Anisah volunteered earlier to add AAUW to LinkedIn and Twitter but has not contacted Barbara since August 14. Usha will contact Anisah.

Marlene VerBrugge, yearbook: Marlene has the original documents and will update the AAUW Manhattan Branch yearbook; however, this will be her last year. The long version of the yearbook has not been updated on the website. Usha asked if we have a record of the web traffic to see if people are using the program yearbook.

Chris Herald, STEM report: She will contact the head librarian of USD383 to decide on STEM books to be given to all 10 elementary libraries. The Mighty Girl website offers the           September activity, “Read a New Book”, a new resource called Alice in NanoLand, and an article on AI.

Announcements: Usha said the speaker at the League of Women Voters’ meeting on Thursday, September 7, Meadowlark Hills (6 p.m. meal, 6:30 presentation) will be K-State librarians speaking about AI. The League’s Candidate Forum will be held Saturday, October 7, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Manhattan Public Library. Usha said the Homecoming Parade is October 27 and asked if the branch wants to participate.

The next AAUW Manhattan Branch meeting will be on Monday, September 11, 6:30 p.m., at the Manhattan Public Library.

The next board meeting will tentatively be Tuesday, October 3, with the place to be determined.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Ripple
AAUW Board Meeting Secretary