The annual Branch Holiday Party will be held on Sunday, December 9th, from 3 to 5 pm at Mary Womack’s home.  It is a time to celebrate what our Branch has done in 2012 and to look forward to the new year.   Name Grant honorees will be announced at this meeting, always a great event.   Be sure to bring items for the silent auction to support the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.  There will be a short business meeting to vote on the General Fund Budget and the AAUW Funds Awards.

Members should have received an Evite to RSVP for this event.  If not, please contact hospitality@aauwatlanta and let us know you will be coming.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, AAUW staff, and the entire AAUW community, we express our sincere concern for members, their families, and their friends who have been affected, directly and indirectly, by Hurricane Sandy. Our thoughts are with those who have lost homes, property, businesses, and places of employment and perhaps even a loved one. Many of you have inquired about AAUW staff, and we are happy to report that, other than a few inconveniences such as power outages and detoured commuter routes, all are well.

We also thank the women and men who placed themselves in harm’s way throughout the storm to respond to emergencies. Our first responders are selfless individuals who often perform thankless jobs, and members who perform these duties should especially be recognized.

Please be assured that we will continue to stay connected through our shared membership — and our commitment to the AAUW mission. Although many directly affected by this natural disaster still do not have communication, we welcome and encourage any updates from you as recovery efforts continue. We are particularly sensitive to the impact on women and children, who may be especially affected by this natural disaster. Your efforts to share our message with fellow members and supporters in your state are appreciated.

Our thoughts remain with you and all AAUW members nationwide who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath.

Sincerely,

Linda D. Hallman, CAE
AAUW Executive Director

The annually awaited Atlanta Symphony Decorators’ Show House and Gardens is scheduled to be held from April 21^st to May 13^th (closed Mondays).  Camille Yoh, chair of volunteers, asked Atlanta Branch for help.  Betty Arden, our Branch contact, set Friday, April 27^th, as Atlanta Branch day.  Morning, afternoon, or both are available.

For those who would like to participate but are unavailable on April 27^th, your help on any of the other dates will be appreciated.

If you are able to volunteer for the Show House, contact Betty Arden Travel@AAUWAtlanta.org

Our upcoming Branch meeting on March 24 promises to be a very special experience.  We will gather at Spelman College, one of Atlanta’s premier women’s colleges, and hear from Dr. Geneva Baxter, Associate Dean of Spelman (and an Atlanta Branch member) about the history of Spelman College.  The meeting will be held in the Suites Dining Room beginning at 11 AM.

Lunch will follow the program, and features a “Salad Sensation” buffet featuring chicken, tuna, garden pasta, potato and tossed salads, assorted breads, beverage and dessert.  The cost is $13.00.

Directions to Spelman:
From I-75/85 North and South:  Take I-20 West and exit (#55B) at Lee Street.  Turn right onto Lee Street and continue through the next traffic light (Westview Drive). You will see a large parking lot on the right-hand side. Turn right into the first driveway and you will approach the gates of Spelman College.
From I-20 West Exit (#55A) at Lowery Blvd. Cross Lowery Blvd. and continue on Oak Street to the next traffic light. Turn left onto Lee Street and cross the bridge over I-20 and continue through the next two traffic lights. You will see a large parking
lot on the right-hand side. Turn right into the first driveway and you will approach the gates of Spelman College.
From I-20 East Exit (#55B) at Lee Street. Turn right onto Lee Street and continue through the next traffic light (Westview Drive). You will see a large parking lot on the right-hand side. Turn right into the first driveway and you will approach the gates of Spelman College.
From Downtown Atlanta:  Take Peachtree Street south to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and turn right. Continue on M.L. King Jr. Drive to Northside and turn left. Continue on Northside through next four traffic lights (passing Burger King on the right). Turn right at the fifth traffic light (Westview). Continue on traffic at the corner
of Westview and Lee Street. Turn right unto Lee Street; then turn right into the gate of Spelman College
Parking:
There are public safety booths located at both gates of the College. Upon your arrival, the public safety officers will inform you of where to park and give other directions and instructions as needed. Members can park in the Fine Arts lot, which is the first parking lot on the left after you pass the security checkpoint.
If members want to park in the parking deck, the entrance is on the right after you pass the security check point. If you use the parking deck, park on the second level and exit from the rear. The exit will lead them directly to the Suites, which will be on their right. Student volunteers will direct participants to the Suites Dining Room.

Please notify Frances Smith hospitality@aauwatlanta.org no later than Monday, March 19.  We look forward to seeing you at this most informative meeting!

The GA AAUW Fall Board meet­ing begins 8:45 am Sat­ur­day, Octo­ber 22, 2011 at Shorter Uni­ver­sity, Riverdale Cam­pus (south of the air­port). Pat DeWitt made arrange­ments for GA AAUW to use the facil­i­ties. This is the loca­tion where the 2010 Sum­mer Lead­er­ship meet­ing was held.

Deb­bie Kar­vey, Co-President said, “Lau­rie and I hope to see you there … offi­cers and mem­bers, all are welcome.”

Impor­tant busi­ness will be dis­cussed as well as value added pro­grams and GA AAUW updates. Please down­load the reg­is­tra­tion form and direc­tions and return by Octo­ber 18. There is no need for a lunch selec­tions this time as there will be an assort­ment of sand­wiches for lunch.

Attending the June 2011 AAUW Convention was a great experience.  A summary of highlights from the convention will appear in the September newsletter.  I have also prepared an extensive report of Convention activities by event, and you can easily move through the attached document to read those portions of greatest interest to you.