A highlight of the annual Branch holiday party in December was the announcement of the Name Grant Honorees for 2011-2012.  Criteria for nominations include such things as performing tasks beyond normal expectations and distinguishing themselves within the Branch or in the community.  Also, candidates selected have not received this nomination within the past three years.  Final selection was made by the Atlanta Branch AAUW Funds section of the Philanthropy Committee.

This year seven persons have been awarded a Name Grant Honoree certificate and pin in appreciation of their significant contributions to AAUW for 2011–2012.  Whenever a branch donates to the AAUW Funds, the national organization provides the branch with an  opportunity to honor those members who have given exemplary service to the branch. The names of those being honored are submitted to AAUW, and a pin and certificate are awarded to the honoree and the names of the branch members receiving this honor are maintained at the state and national level. For 2011–2012, they are:

The Milholland Family (Ellen, Joe, and Jim) honored for their many hours of book collections and time spent in the bookroom.  Ellen, an AAUW member at large, contributes her time credit to the Atlanta Branch.

Alta Birdsong for serving two terms as treasurer and for her many years of Branch leadership.

Barbara Buchanan for her many hours of service to Bookfair, especially recruiting and managing volunteers prior to and during Bookfair week.

Dot Ransom for serving as membership vice-president for five years and recruitment of new members.

Pam Antinori for initiating our Cool Scholars Signature Project and continuing her successful leadership in that program.

Mary and Darwin Womack for hosting our holiday party for several years and for Bookfair work.

Mary Lynn Merkle and Ruth Yurchuck for serving as Branch co-presidents for three years and helping to move the Atlanta Branch in new directions.

Our Branch has been enriched by the efforts of these  people, and we are happy to highlight their contributions

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

AAUW members are already educated women.  With less than two weeks before the general election, be an educated voter:  research the local, state, and national candidates and issues at local and state levels.  The AAUW national campaign, It’s My Vote: I Will be Heard, expresses the importance of women making intelligent decisions about governance and specific candidates.   Sample ballots are available at the Georgia Secretary of State website:  mvp.sos.state.ga.us.; you enter your name and county of residence to obtain the ballot for your voting place.  The AAUW website also has links to voting guides, and additional information is available at the Georgia League of Women Voters website.

Early voting is available at select locations.  So exercise your precious and hard-won right to vote!!

Our October Branch meeting will be held on Saturday, October 20, from 9:30 to 11:30 am at La Madeline (1165 Perimeter Center West, Suite 330), Dunwoody, GA  30034) .  If you wish to order breakfast, please plan to arrive and order by 9:30; the meeting will begin at 10 am.

This month’s speaker, Maja Hasic, will address human trafficking, a topic in which we have special interest.  She is the Anti-Human Trafficking Director at Tapestri Inc.

Many members have already received an evite to this meeting.  If you have not received any meeting notice, please notify the Hospitality Committee (hospitality@aauwatlanta.org).  Please indicate if you plan to attend by October 15.

The first meeting of the 2012-2013 Branch year will be held at Agnes Scott College  (141 E. College Ave,  Decatur, GA 30030) on Sunday, September 16, from 3 to 5 pm.   We will gather in the Rebekah Woltz meeting room.  The program will include a welcome from college representatives and a presentation by the students whom the Branch sent to the  2012 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) this summer.

This meeting is designed to acquaint potential AAUW members with our Branch so please plan to bring at least one guest.   Parking is available in the deck.

Please RSVP to hospitality@aauwatlanta.org by September 14.