club NEWS – AAUW

The annual “meeting of celebration” of the Manhattan branch of the American Association of University Women was called to order by the president, Nancy Bolsen, in the Meadowlark Hills Community Room on Monday, May 12.

Nancy welcomed new member, City Commissioner Usha Reddi to the branch.

Among the accomplishments of the year, the branch has added 20 new members since July 1, 2013, and expanded its electronic presence through Gmail and significant additions to the website.

Two important projects were highlighted.  The branch brought to K-State AAUW-WAGE $tart $mart workshops which resulted in training 13 workshop facilitators as well as approximately 150 K-State students in learning to negotiate for salary and benefits effectively.  The branch also hosted the AAUW State annual meeting in Manhattan. Nancy Bolsen was elected president of the State branch.

Three $1,000 scholarships were awarded to non-traditional women students at KSU.  Finals week “goody bags” have been distributed to 110 students in the Clovia and Smurthwaite Scholarship houses.

New officers elected were Barbara Gatewood, president; Maxine Coffey, president-elect; Mary Stamey and Carole Hay, vice-presidents programs; Nancy Bolsen, vice-president membership; Katie Kingery-Page, secretary; Patricia Floros and Connie Noble, directors-at-large.  Tresa Landis and Joan Strickler were named appointed directors.  Treasurer Claudia Jones continues in her office.

Jan Freeby announced Nancy Bolsen had been selected this year’s outstanding member.  Nancy presented the president’s award to Barbara Gatewood.  Marilyn Bunyan and Helen Janes were honored as 50 year members of AAUW.  The meeting ended with the annual silent auction.

AAUW meetings will resume in September.  Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.

club NEWS – AAUW

Dr. Jackie Spears spoke on the topic, “Kansas Leads Next Generation Science Standards Development”, at a meeting of the Manhattan branch of the American Association of University Women on April 14. Spears is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Director of the Center for Science Education in the College of Education at K-State. The meeting was held at the First Congregational Church.

She is involved in the development of what is known as Common Core Standards in the area of Science. Spears explained there has been a problem with great variances in standards among the states. Common Core is an effort by the states, not the federal government, to develop a nationwide standard. It does not entail a nationwide curriculum, but standards to be met so a child can move from one state to another and be prepared to transition into that new school.

President Nancy Bolsen called the business meeting to order. Olivia Collins reported that the State AAUW meeting held on April 12 in the Leadership Studies Building at KSU, received very favorable feedback. Dr. Noel Schulz delivered the keynote address, “Advancing Women Through AAUW and K-State – Thriving, Not Just Surviving”.

Tresa Landis reported the $tart $mart workshops, helping women to learn to negotiate salaries and benefits, continues to be very popular. Workshops held to date are filled quickly. Several graduates have reported how much the training helped them with negotiations in obtaining their current employment situation.

Claudia Jones announced applications for the three $1,000 scholarships the branch offers for non-traditional women K-State students are now being reviewed.

The next meeting will be held in the Community Room at Meadowlark Hills. It will be a celebration with member recognitions, installation of new officers and a silent auction.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan should go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

President Nancy Bolsen of the Manhattan branch of the American Association of University Women called the meeting to order following dinner at the First Congregational Church.

Connie Noble introduced the speaker, Dr. Sue Zschoche, Associate Professor of History at K-State. Zschoche spoke of the evolution of women’s rights in America. During the time of the American Revolution our country operated under the principles of English Common Law. A married woman did not have a legal existence separate from that of her husband. She could not own property in her own name. If her husband died the wife could not become the guardian of her own underage children. This was the situation when Abigale Adams wrote her husband John to “remember the ladies”.

It wasn’t until the 1800’s that there was a realization that, for the benefit of the family and the country, it was important that women be educated.

Barbara Gatewood presented the nominating committee’s recommendations for a slate of officers to be voted on at the next meeting: President-Elect, Maxine Coffey; Program Co-Vice Presidents, Mary Stamey and Carole Hay; Membership Vice President, Nancy Bolsen; Secretary, Katie Kingery-Page; Director-at-Large, Connie Noble.

Claudia Jones announced the deadline is April 1 for submission of applications for AAUW’s three $1,000 scholarships offered to non-traditional women students attending KSU.

The next meeting will be held Monday, April 14, at the First Congregational Church.  Dr. Jackie Spears will speak on the topic “Kansas Leads Next Generation Science Standards Development”.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan should go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

The Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women met Monday, February 10, at the First Congregational Church.

Tresa Landis introduced Jodi Kaus, director of Powercat Financial Counseling at K-State. Kaus earned her bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from K-State and a law degree from the University of Kansas. She also holds the designation of Certified Trust and Financial Adviser (CTFA). The financial counseling program is a peer-to-peer program where students studying financial planning or financial services offer counseling to fellow students. As director, Kaus works with two graduate assistants and 16 peer financial counselors.

According to Kaus the average undergraduate student at K-State faces $24,892 in debt upon graduation. Some 52% of students are recipients of federal loans. Through the program they can receive help and information on budgeting, credit use, identity theft, managing debt and loan management as well as how to prepare for the transition to work and issues involving marriage and money.

President Nancy Bolsen called the meeting to order. She encouraged as many members as possible to plan to attend the AAUW Kansas Annual Meeting which will be held in Manhattan on Saturday, April 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the Leadership Studies Building on the KSU campus.

President-elect Barbara Gatewood said AAUW members can give recent college graduates a free one-year membership within two years of graduation at no cost. A short paragraph about the program will be added under the “Join Us” section of the branch website.

Program chair Tresa Landis announced the next meeting will be held March 10 at the First Congregational Church. Dr. Sue Zschoche, an associate professor of history at KSU, will speak on the topic, “Celebrate Women’s History Month”.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan should go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

Nancy Bolsen, president of the Manhattan branch of the American Association of University Women, called the meeting to order Saturday morning in the Cottonwood Room of the K-State Student Union.  Program chair Tresa Landis introduced the speaker, Dr. Sonya Britt, assistant professor and program director of personal financial planning at KSU.

According to Britt’s research, arguments over family financial matters can become some of the hardest to resolve in a marriage.  This becomes particularly problematic when one partner tends to be a “spender” and the other a “saver”.  Financial disagreements early in a marriage may continue for years to come.  She finds 80% of couples hide spending from each other.  Women are more likely to do so over clothes or gifts.  Men tend to spend on alcohol and music.

Britt believes premarital counseling should be required, and include financial issues.

Scholarship chair, Claudia Jones, introduced the winners of this year’s $1,000 scholarships.  The winners are Emily Hess, Shana Schmidt and Angel Alvarado.  Branch scholarships are given yearly to non-traditional women students returning to school to complete their education.  Often women put aside their education after the birth of children and return to complete degrees when children are older.  AAUW’s scholarship fund is established with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.

Claudia Jones also introduced Loriel Cross who personally funded one of AAUW’s scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year.

AAUW meets again Monday evening, February 10, at the First Congregational Church.  Jodi Kaus, program director of Powercat Financial Counseling at K-State, will discuss college financial planning.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan should go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

The Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women met Monday, December 9, at the Manhattan Arts Center.  President Nancy Bolsen reported Barbara Gatewood is leading an effort to bring the national organization’s “Elect Her – Campus Women Win” program to K-State.

The workshop trains college women to run for student government. As the result of trainings held at 38 sites around the country, 88% of the attendees who went on to run for student government offices won their races.

Connie Noble has agreed to handle meeting reservations for the branch and Jean Lee will serve as public policy chair. Lee encouraged members to let our Kansas legislators know they support equal pay legislation. Women in Kansas earn only $0.77 cents compared to each $1.00 for men.

The Manhattan High School POPS Choir, led by Chad Pape, impressed members with high quality, holiday themed vocal and dance routines.

The next meeting will be held Saturday, January 11, 2014 for a 9:30 a.m. brunch in the Cottonwood Room of the K-State Student Union. Dr. Sonya Britt, director of personal financial planning at KSU, will speak on “Women’s Income Contribution:  The Correlation with Money Arguments and Relationship Satisfaction.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan should go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

Dr. Kerri Day Keller, Director of Career and Employment Services at K-State, spoke on the topic, “Rosie’s Legacy:  Women in Today’s Workforce” at a meeting of the American Association of University Women held Monday, November 11, at the First Congregational Church.  Rosie symbolized women’s many contributions during WWII.

CES services are designed to meet the career and workforce development needs of KSU’s more than 24,000 enrolled students, as well as that of alumni, employers, faculty and administration.  Keller was very much involved in AAUW’s recent $tart $mart workshops focused on helping women students learn to negotiate salary and benefits levels.

Dr. Keller said 72 million women are in the workforce in the United States today and women are projected to account for 5l% of the growth in the 2008-2018 labor market.  Only 2% of women hold the rank of CEO compared to 98% of men.  Women working full-time earn 82% compared to men.

The meeting was called to order by the President Nancy Bolsen.  She noted a motto of AAUW, as it appears on the national website is, “Pay Equity and Workplace Opportunity is a Simple Matter of Fairness”.

Meaghan Morton, website coordinator, gave a presentation on updates to the branch website as well as the national website.  Barbara Gatewood thanked Carol Shanklin, Dean of KSU’s Graduate School, for her help in getting information out on the many fellowships and grants available to women through AAUW.  Applications are available at www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards/.

Tresa Landis announced the next meeting will be held December 9 at the Manhattan Arts Center featuring the Manhattan High POPS Choir.  Persons wishing further information about AAUW may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaaw@gmail.com, or contact Kathy Borck at 785-776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

The Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women met Saturday, October 5, for a brunch and a brief business meeting at the First Congregational Church followed by a tour of the Museum of Wonder exhibit at KSU’s Beach Museum.

Tour guide, Richard Dean Prudenti, explained the exhibit was divided into non-touch and touch areas.  Most objects are owned by the University.  They are grouped in what might appear to be unusual settings to encourage people to relate to the objects in new ways.  He noted the “no labels” way of relating can be disconcerting to people used to reading explanations of various exhibit objects.

Tresa Landis, membership vice president, reported 106 K-State students have signed up for the $tart $mart workshops made available to AAUW partner institutions through AAUW National and, locally, the Manhattan Branch.  Two student workshops are to be held October 6 and 7 followed by an October 8 training of facilitators who can lead additional workshops on campus.  The workshops focus on helping students learn to negotiate salary and benefit levels.

Barbara Gatewood has been making on campus contacts with information about fellowships and grants available through AAUW and finding a very receptive audience.  The National organization is providing $3.7 million in fellowships and grants to advance educational, professional and economic opportunities for women.

The Branch will meet next month on Monday, November 11 at the First Congregational Church.  Dr. Kerri Keller, Director of Career and Employment Services at KSU, will speak on the topic, “Rosie’s Legacy:  Women in Today’s Workforce.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email

The Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women met Saturday, October 5, for a brunch and a brief business meeting at the First Congregational Church followed by a tour of the Museum of Wonder exhibit at KSU’s Beach Museum.

Tour guide, Richard Dean Prudenti, explained the exhibit was divided into non-touch and touch areas.  Most objects are owned by the University.  They are grouped in what might appear to be unusual settings to encourage people to relate to the objects in new ways.  He noted the “no labels” way of relating can be disconcerting to people used to reading explanations of various exhibit objects.

Tresa Landis, membership vice president, reported 106 K-State students have signed up for the $tart $mart workshops made available to AAUW partner institutions through AAUW National and, locally, the Manhattan Branch.  Two student workshops are to be held October 6 and 7 followed by an October 8 training of facilitators who can lead additional workshops on campus.  The workshops focus on helping students learn to negotiate salary and benefit levels.

Barbara Gatewood has been making on campus contacts with information about fellowships and grants available through AAUW and finding a very receptive audience.  The National organization is providing $3.7 million in fellowships and grants to advance educational, professional and economic opportunities for women.

The Branch will meet next month on Monday, November 11 at the First Congregational Church.  Dr. Kerri Keller, Director of Career and Employment Services at KSU, will speak on the topic, “Rosie’s Legacy:  Women in Today’s Workforce.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com or contact Kathy Borck at 776-6297.

club NEWS – AAUW

D.C. Hackerott, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, addressed the topic “A Woman’s Guide to Money Matters” Monday, September 9, at a meeting of the American Association of University Women held at the First Congregational Church.

Hackerott has been an advisor with Edward Jones for more than 13 years and is a Certified Financial Planner as well as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist.  She received her Master’s degree in Economics from K-State and taught in KSU’s Economics and Finance Departments for nearly six years.

She noted that 61% of private wealth in the United States is in the hands of women and, at some point, almost 90% of women will be responsible for managing their own finances.  Women make up about one half of today’s workforce and approximately 46% are the breadwinners of the family.

Women tend to be more cautious investors than men, much less interested in the newest “hot” stock tip.  She said, as a result women generally are the more successful investors.

The Manhattan branch is bringing the national AAUW $tart $mart workshop to K-State on October 7.  The effort is in cooperation with KSU and the WAGE Project and is designed to equip college women with the knowledge and skills they need to negotiate salaries and benefits.  On October 8, the national organization will hold a Training of Trainers workshop to instruct participating faculty and staff to conduct future such workshops through K-State.  Each workshop is restricted to 40 participants.  Some 91 students have enrolled.

Manhattan’s AAUW branch will host the Kansas State Annual Meeting of AAUW on April 12, 2014.  Dr. Nancy Bolsen, Manhattan’s branch president, will become the president of the Kansas branch at that time.

The Manhattan branch will hold its next meeting on Saturday, October 5.  A business meeting and brunch at the First Congregational Church at 9:30 a.m. will be followed with a trip to the Beach Museum of Wonder exhibit honoring KSU’s 150^th Anniversary.

Rosalie Thompson, Dede Brokesh and Kathy Borck were honored for their efforts in membership recruitment.  Approximately 70 women now belong to the Manhattan branch.

Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net, email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com or contact Kathy Borck at 776-6297.