AAUW MANHATTAN BRANCH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
April 3, 2017
Vista Drive-In, 11:30 a.m. (lunch), 12:00-1:30 p.m.

PRESENT:  Joan Strickler, Maurine Pruitt, Connie Noble, Claudia Jones, Barbara Gatewood, and Karen Tinkler.

MINUTES: The minutes from the March 6 meeting were approved with minor corrections for clarification.

TREASURER’S REPORT:   Claudia Jones gave the Treasurer’s Report for March 2017.

Beginning Cash Balance       $2,709.75
Total Income                                813.50
Total Expenses                         1,519.58
Cash balance March 31           2,003.67

The branch awarded two STEM scholarships; one presented to a 7^th grade girl and the other presented to an 8^th grade girl, at a cost of $125 per student.  The STEM program will be held this June at KSU.  GROW GREEN will be held on April 21.  Claudia will make the announcement at the April 10^th meeting.  The membership will be asked to vote on how these monies are to be used.   Barbara Gatewood discussed the cost of traveling expenses for Carley Wright, our NCCWSL award winner who will be traveling to Maryland to attend the event in June.  Following discussion, Barbara moved and Joan Strickler seconded the motion for the board to present to the membership at the branch meeting the question of the branch donating $200 toward Carley’s traveling expenses.  The motion passed. Claudia reported that Leena Chakrabarti joined our branch the evening of the International Women’s Day event.

PROGRAM VICE PRESIDENT: Connie Noble reported that the program for the April branch meeting will be Social-Emotional Health and Challenges.  There will be two guest speakers: Katrina Porter from Katies’s Way and Christiana Schadegg from No Stone Unturned.   Discussion followed regarding a gift for the speakers.  Karen had visited with them by phone to see if they needed any items; she has not heard back.  After further discussion Maurine Pruitt moved that they present them with a gift of $25.  Joan Strickler seconded the motion; the motion carried.  Karen will check to see if there is any items that they could use.  Connie then reported on the progress of the May Wrap-It Up meeting.  She plans to check to see if the room at Meadowlark has been reserved and the cost of the meal.  There will be a silent auction; Jane Mullen and Dede Brokesh offered to set it up, etc.

STATE LIAISON: Following a discussion it was decided that the branch did not officially need a state liaison as a permanent member of the board.  News from the state will continue to be passed on via email.

INTEREST GROUPS: Joan Strickler reported that there has been a lack of interest in Book Talk. There will be no planned meetings for the rest of this year. The branch will wait to see if there is any interest in the future to start it up again.

PUBLIC POLICY:  Maureen Pruitt reported that the League of Women Voters will meet the second Thursday of April at 11:30 at The Little Apple Brewery, lunch is optional.  She did not know who the speaker would be at this time. She will report further at the April 10^th meeting.

STUDENT GROUP: Barbara Gatewood reported that the Program and Meeting of the student group scheduled for April 13 may have to be cancelled.  Time is running short and there are still many things to plan and do. The meeting place has been changed to the Union.  Tara and Carley are both planning to attend the state AAUW meeting on the 22^nd of April.  Tara will be one of the speakers. Barbara will update the branch in regard to their April meeting.

NEWSLETTER: Barbara reported that perhaps we need to “downsize” our newsletter.  It requires a lot of time to do; plus members have not seemed to be that interested in reading it. It will be downsized next year to two pages which may also include introductions of new members.

OLD BUSINESS: The branch is still in need of a president and a direct-at-large. There will be questionnaires available at our branch meeting; returning of the questionnaires has been slow.

NEW BUSINESS: Karen will ask that Branch officers and the committees to prepare an end of the year report to present at our Wrap-Up meeting in May.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Tinkler, Acting Secretary.

AAUW MANHATTAN BRANCH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
March 6, 2017
Vista Drive-In, 11:30 a.m. (lunch), 12:00-1:15 p.m.

MINUTES: The minutes from the February 6 board meeting were approved as distributed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Claudia Jones/Shauntia Rippee’ reported donations received from members at the February 13^th Branch meeting.  Report on expenses for International Women’s Day event.

PROGRAM VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Connie Noble and Tresa Landis gave Updates on International Women’s Day activities.

STATE LIAISON REPORT: Nancy Bolsen reported that Carley Wright was  the Kansas NCCWSL Scholarship winner.  She also gave updates on state meeting in Johnson County on April 22, 2017 and the AAUW National Convention.

INTEREST GROUPS:  Joan Strickler reported on February 28^th Serendipity group and gave update on the Archives Committee

MEMBERSHIP:  A New member coffee will be held March 11, 2017 at the Blue Stem Bistro from 10:30 AM to 12:00.  An invitation was sent out by email on March 1^st.  Karen Tinkler, Maurine Pruitt, and Barbara Gatewood are the hostesses.  Any board member who would like to attend and meet potential members is welcomed.

NEWSLETTER: Thank you, Barbara Gatewood or all of the hard work you have done “chasing down all of your stories!!”

OLD BUSINESS: We are still in need for someone to fill the offices of President, Membership Vice President, and Director at Large.  Members present at the February meeting voted to hold the Silent Auction at our end of the year meeting in May.  We will be need someone to set-up and organize the auction this year because Jan Freeby said that she no longer can take on this project.

NEW BUSINESS: Karen will need the names of all of our new members for the 2016-2017 year to list on the Kansas Star Award forms to be turned in to the state by April 1^st.  Discussion about GROW GREEN findings. Any other new business?

AAUW MANHATTAN BRANCH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
January 3, 2017
Vista Drive-In, 11:30 a.m. (lunch) 12:00–1:30 p.m.

PRESENT: Karen Tinkler, Maurine Pruitt, Marilyn Bunyan, Jean Lee, Connie Noble, Barbara Gatewood, Joan Strickler and Claudia Jones

MINUTES: The minutes of December 5, 2016 were approved as corrected and posted online.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Claudia Jones reviewed December 2016 financial transactions. Copies of Treasurer’s Report will be placed on each table at the January 9, 2017 branch meeting.

Beginning Balance, Dec 1, 2016                                   $2,290.42
Total Income                                                                    $   190.00
Total Expenses                                                                $   246.84
Ending Cash Balance, Dec 31, 2016                             $2,233.58\

STATE LIAISON: Discussion focused on 2017 AAUW State Meeting, April 22 in Overland Park at Johnson County Community College and AAUW National Convention will be June 14-17 in Washington, D.C. Funds will need to be raised to support a K-State student’s expenses to attend NCCWSL at University of Maryland in June, 2017.

BYLAWS UPDATE: Updates will be submitted electronically by January 31, 2017. Discussed whether the elected officers and appointed officers needs to match our annual directory. It was decided that our branch needs the flexibility to appoint officers as members are willing to serve.

PUBLIC POLICY: Jean Lee invited interested members to attend LWV Lunch-With-League’s upcoming program January 19, 12:00 noon at Little Apple Brewing. Dr. Joseph Unekis, K-State Professor Emeritus, will present a history and discussion of the Electoral College system.

Jean Lee also attended a ‘Women for Kansas’ meeting that emphasized finding and encouraging young, local women willing to serve on local boards in Manhattan and Riley County. The experience gained serving on local boards will prepare participants to run for elected positions.

AAUW FUNDS: Joan Strickler stated that our members donated $360.00 for AAUW National during December 2016.

INTEREST GROUPS: Great Decisions will meet Thursday, January 5, 10:00, Meadowlark.  Book Talk will meet at January 13, Library, 10:00. Serendipity meets January 24, Meadowlark. Speaker is Pam Oehome.

MEMBERSHIP: A second coffee will be held at Blue Stem Bistro on January 15, 3:00, to recruit potential members to AAUW. Connie Noble will send an invitation to potential members that have recently attended Branch events. Membership information will be available and a video will be shown that highlights AAUW’s mission.

Two new members have recently joined our Manhattan Branch: Jan Carlson and Suzanne Porath

VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT: Connie Noble reviewed January and February Branch Dinners & Programs and 6:00 venues.
January 9, Trinity Presbyterian,  A Kansas STARBASE in Your Hometown, Becky Catlin, Director,  Manhattan Academy
February, 13, First Congregational Church, Unconscious Bias, Patricia Hudgins & Mary Stamey Recommended reading: The current newsletter posted the link to the Spring 2016 Outlook article: “The Science behind Implicit Bias”. Copies of the article will be available at the January Branch meeting for members who do not have web access.

NEWSLETTER: Barbara Gatewood reviewed the January-February newsletter articles and links. Assignments were made for submitting needed materials for the March-April-May edition. Deadline is February 15.

OLD BUSINESS: Branch Fund Drive ideas were solicited. A raffle approach was mentioned in lieu of Silent Auction. Planet Beach is willing to donate a $50 gift certificate for the cause. Securing interesting prizes will be discussed again.

Community Fair is February 4, 2017 in Manhattan Town Center. Registration deadline is Friday, January 13. Volunteers will be solicited at the January 9 Branch Meeting to attend our table at the fair.

To increase our visibility in the community, Barbara Gatewood will submit photos of our AAUW activities at the Community Fair and Career Closet to the Manhattan Mercury.

Ellyn Mulcahy, director, master of public health program, K-State VMC, informed Karen Tinkler that she will be submitting an AAUW Community Action Grant to hold a women student leadership event at Manhattan Area Technical College. She asked Karen to be a student mentor at MATC. Karen Tinkler will follow up to determine if additional support from our branch is needed to review proposal.

Respectfully submitted,
Connie Noble, Acting Secretary

AAUW MANHATTAN BRANCH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
December 5, 2016
Vista Drive-In, 11:30 a.m. (lunch), 12:00-1:45 p.m.

PRESENT: Nancy Bolsen, Marily Bunyan, Barbara Gatewood, Claudia Jones, Jean Lee, ConnieNoble, Maurine Pruitt, Shauntia Rippee, Joan Strickler, and Karen Tinkler

MINUTES: The minutes were approved as printed with the following additions or changes:

• AAUW had representatives at an information table during the October 9 League of Women Voter’s Candidate Forum. Interested parties were able to pick up brochures about AAUW and visit with local AAUW members.   Anyone that expressed an interest in our local branch was asked to sign a form and they will receive more info about our local branch along with a membership form.
• MEMBERSHIP correction – change the word letter to membership packet in the 3^rd

Nancy moved and the board approved the minutes with the above correction and additions. Marilyn will make the changes and re-send out the minutes.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Claudia Jones presented the November 2016 treasurer’s report. The beginning balance was $2,304.34; total income was $12.00; total expenses were $25.92 and the ending cash balance was $2,290.42.

SCHOLARSHIP:   Barbara Gatewood asked if one of the KSU Non-Traditional Scholarships could be used for a traditional student at KSU. This discussion was tabled for research in the spring as it involves locating documentation as to how the scholarships were set up and what all would be involved to make that change if the branch so desired.

STATE LIAISON REPORT: Nancy Bolsen shared the following information:

• The Kansas AAUW State Board wishes to send one Kansas College/University woman to the NCCWSL Conference at the University of Maryland, College Park, May 31-June 3, 2017. The state board has a Kansas NCCWSL scholarship application process but the scholarship is not fully funded. The Kansas AAUW State Board voted to assist the NCCWSL Scholarship winner with conference expenses up to $750.00 to attend the nation’s premier leadership conference for college women.   Anyone wanting to help with funding this scholarship should mail their donation to Carolyn Dwire, AAUW Treasurer, 700 North Washington, El Dorado, KS 67042. Put NCCWSL in the memo line.
• The 2017 Kansas AAUW State Conference will be held at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), in Overland Park, KS at College Boulevard and Quivira on April 22, 2017. The event will be co-hosted by the AAUW@JCCC student organization and the Kansas

AAUW State Board. Conference information and registration forms will be available at http://aauw-ks.aauw.net/ and in the February 2017 AAUW Kansas Bulletin.

• AAUW’s National Convention will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 14-17, 2017. Registration rates: Best Value = $549.00, Early Bird = $625.00, and Regular = $675.00. The best Value registration rate ends January 14, 2017. Thousands of AAUW members attend this convention every other year to network, learn new skills, and gain insight and inspiration. Pre and Post-convention tours are also available.

Nancy hopes that Jessica van Rankin, the KSU Student Body President, could attend NCCWSL.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Connie Noble reported that the December meeting will be at the Trinity Presbyterian church. The music trio, “the Church Ladies” will be first on the schedule for the evening as they have two other programs to present that evening. There will be a $5.00 cover charge for the refreshments of hot beverages and cookies.   Members are to bring a small gift for a gift exchange.  The January branch meeting will also be at the Trinity Presbyterian church with the dinner being prepared by the church ladies organization.   The February branch dinner moves back to the First Congregational Church with Mary Stamey and Pat Hudgins presenting the program “Unconscious Bias”.

INTEREST GROUPS:  Joan Strickler reported that Serendipity will not meet in December. Book Club and Great Decisions will both meet in December at their usual times and locations.

ARCHIVES:  Joan Strickler reported that the committee will eventually be asking the general membership for assistance in locating items missing in the museum AAUW archives.

MEMBERSHIP: Maurine Pruitt sent out packets to people that signed up on the interest sheet at the LWV Forum in October as well as women that attended the summer coffee and that had not joined our branch. The packets included the bulletin “Empowering Women” as well as a cover letter, membership form and a program list of our branch meetings.   Karen has set up a tentative date at the Blue Stem Bistro for a membership recruitment “coffee” at Blue Stem Bistro on Sunday afternoon, January 15, from 3-5 p.m. Candy White has volunteered to do another Wine and Cheese get-together for our new members in the spring.   Maurine submitted expenses for reimbursement for the membership packets that were sent out. Nancy moved and Joan seconded that Maurine be paid.   Motion passed and a check was written to Maurine for the amount of $61.34 to cover printing, envelopes, and postage.

PUBLIC POLICY: Maurine reported that the League of Women Voters will be hosting John Carlin at the November meeting. She reported that Debbie Nuss had done a great job coordinating everything for the Candidate’s Forum in October. The League may not meet in December.   The January 19^th Lunch with the League will be at Little Apple Brewery at 11:30. The topic will be Electoral College Info.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS: Various fundraising ideas were discussed. A raffle for raising money for general operating expenses included prize ideas such as a steak dinner for two, a day at the spa, and/or massage certificates. It was suggested that members check with the salons they use to find out what options are available. Shauntia will talk to Body First to what they could do to help out.

STEM CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS:   We are making inquiries to find out if K-State or the school district is having Stem Camp this coming summer. Claudia will contact Chris Herald at Eisenhower Middle School. Marilyn volunteered to help Rebecca Bahlmann to help facilitate stem scholarships if the camps are held this year.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT:  Karen reminded us to bring business clothing to the January meeting to donate to the Career Closet at K-State.

Karen thought maybe we could have a female police officer attend a K-State AAUW meeting to inform the students on tips to best protect themselves from an attack. This could also be used as a joint meeting program for our branch and the K-State branch or as a fundraiser open to the community.

COMMUNICATIONS: Barbara reported that the branch website has been totally updated with new pictures, updated minutes and treasurer’s reports, current contact info, and membership dues.

AAUW@ K-STATE:  Barbara informed us that the Elect Her program has changed from national AAUW to an organization called Running Start. The AAUW at K-State had submitted an application for the Elect Her program to AAUW national and when Annelise Nguyen had e-mailed to check the status of their application, she was told that they would have to re-apply to Running Start. Annelise contacted Running Start and the student organization is in the process of re-applying for the program.

Annelise reported to Barbara that the student organization would like permission to help subsidize new graduate students that want to join AAUW for the first time. The initial dues for a first time grad student are $18.81. This covers the National AAUW dues. The state and local dues are waived for a first time grad student. The board agreed that it was up to the student organization if they wanted to do this.

MISC:  Barbara complemented Maurine on her excellent articles for the Manhattan Mercury and the website.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Claudia Jones, Acting Secretary

AAUW MANHATTAN BRANCH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
October 3, 2016
Vista Drive-In, 11:30 a.m. (lunch), 12:00-1:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Nancy Bolsen, Barbara Gatewood, Claudia Jones, Connie Noble, Joan Strickler, and Karen Tinkler.

MINUTES:  The minutes from the September 6, 2016 board meeting were approved with minor corrections.

 TREASURER’S REPORT:  Claudia Jones presented the Treasurer’s Report for September 2016.  The beginning balance was $2,810.81, total income was $352.50, total expenses were $611.10, and the ending cash balance was $2,552.21.

Claudia Jones recommended that her two extra sets of notecards be give to speakers.  Barbara Gatewood suggested that the sets be subdivided into smaller packets and will bring the plastic sleeves to the upcoming branch meeting.

The board unanimously approved Barbara Gatewood’s reimbursement request of $119.61 for the software program Pages for preparing the branch newsletter.

VICE PRESIDENT FOR PROGRAMS REPORT:  Connie Noble reported that 19 people have made reservations for the October 10 branch meeting.  Mary Stamey will introduce the speakers.

Work is still being done on the International Women’s Day event on March 8, 2016.  A panel forum is being considered.  She is reviewing the International Speakers Bureau List from K-State’s International Student Center for possible international panelists.  Possible discussion topics are what is it like to be a woman in their countries and cultural insights.  Also being considered are a group coffee for the morning, box luncheon for a University leadership group, and/or a branch dinner at the Holiday Inn.

The November 14 meeting will be held in the Flint Hills Room, K-state Union.  Kelly C. Sartorius will present a program on Lessons in Leading: Midwestern AAUW and Its Influence on Women’s Higher Education.  The event is co-sponsored with Women of K-State.  The Women of K-State will pick up the cost of the refreshments.

INTEREST GROUPS:  Joan Strickler reported that some of the new members have signed up for the Book Talk and Great Decisions interest groups.  She noted that participation in the interest groups is a great way to get to know members in a smaller group.  Joan will announce the meeting dates/times and circulate a sign up sheet at Monday’s branch meeting.  She also is looking for a DVD player and will check with Meadowlark.

BYLAWS:  Nancy Bolsen reported that additional revisions need to be made in bylaws by January 31, 2017.   The first seven articles in the branch bylaws must be identical to those in national’s.  Marilyn Bunyan and Nancy Bolsen will make the needed revisions.  Karen should have received an email about the needed changes and a separate sheet on how to use the model bylaws.

 PUBLIC POLICY:  Karen shared Maurine Pruitt’s updates on the voter registration opportunities in Manhattan conducted by the Riley County League of Women Voters.  On National Voter Registration Day, 101 new people registered to vote and 214 registered at Leadership Studies.

Joan Strickler and Barbara Gatewood attended the Women for Kansas meeting on October 1.  Joan provided and overview and reported that sample ballots are available online at http://www.rileycountyks.gov, but are district specific.  Rep. Sydney Carlin discussed on the importance of keeping the current judge election system.  Barbara has asked Mayor Usha Reddi to write a special article on the election for the November/ December branch newsletter.

The members attending the Candidates Forum on Sunday, October 9 are Nancy Bolsen, Barbara Gatewood, Jean Lee, Debbie Nuss, Maurine Pruitt, Joan Strickler, and Karen Tinkler.

MEMBERSHIP:  Barbara Gatewood distributed the following AAUW Dues Schedule for review.  All board members were in agreement that the schedule reflected accurately what had been discussed and approved at previous state and branch meetings.

 AAUW Dues

 COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:  Barbara Gatewood distributed and reviewed the list of items for the November/December 2016 branch newsletter.  The list has been sent electronically to the contributors with a reminder of the October 15 due date.

ARCHIVES TEAM:  Joan Stickler reported that the committee will meet in November to continue their work.

 STATE LIAISON:  Nancy Bolsen presented the following an AAUW State Liaison Report.

1. The State Board is unable to fill Public Policy, VP Membership, and C/U Partnership positions. It also will be looking for President-Elect, Treasurer, and VP Program positions for 2017-2019.
2. Bylaws (national) now changed; information (revisions in branch bylaws) due January 31, 2017. Available online are a new bylaws model and how to use it.
3. The State Bulletin will be coming out later in October.
4. Goals of State Board:
   1. Host State Conference April 8 or 22, 2017 – working on Kansas City location, theme, exciting speakers, etc.
   2. Obtain and share state legislative healthcare issues that could affect the state membership.
   3. Direct focus on helping branch leadership with membership and programs.
5. NCCWSL application is coming out in late October. The State Board will probably provide $600-650; branches, individual donors, and students will need to provide the rest.  Must apply early for NCCWSL Scholarship.
6. Registration for the National Convention opened October 1. It will be June 14-17 in Washington, D.C.
7. Add copies of Barriers and Bias: The Status of Women in Leadership to tabling displays.
8. National Conference of State Legislatures report complied by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University has this information about women in government in states in our area:
   2005. Kansas has fewer female state lawmakers in 2016 than in 2005.
   2006. Oklahoma has the fewest female state lawmakers and has never elected a female to the House of Representatives.
   2007. Missouri and Arkansas have never elected or appointed a female governor.
9. The National Violence Policy Center has released statistics on domestic homicide rate per 100,000 females for states in our area: Kansas 1:17, Oklahoma 1:94, Missouri 1:26, and Arkansas 1:39.
10. A new monthly state e-bulletin is being published by AAUW. Keep up to date on what is happening in your state and subscribe to this great resource.
11. October 30 deadline for filing group exemption IRS Tax Filing.

Nancy also provided a National Update – Fall 2016, which is included as an attachment.

OLD BUSINESS:  Karen Tinkler reported that Annelise Nguyen will be giving another talk on here breast cancer research on October 21.

NEW BUSINESS:  There was some discussion regarding the need for a fund raising project to raise funds for our “general operating” costs.  Also discussed was whether or not to have another wine and cheese event for recruiting new members and having a breakfast in honor of Katie before she leaves for Italy.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Gatewood, Acting Secretary