We invite everyone to attend our February 4 Branch meeting, to be held from 11 am to 1 pm in Buckhead at the Gordon Biersch Brewery.  The program focus is public policy, and Diana Witt has arranged for representatives of Georgia Women for a Change and the League of Women Voters to discuss ways in which our organizations can collaborate on public policy issues of concern to all these groups.

This is a lunch event, and it is important to make reservations with our Hospitality co-chair Frances Smith (hospitality at aauwatlanta.org) by January 31.  Members can choose a roasted turkey and swiss sandwich or pasta marinara; specific items will be ordered at the restaurant. The cost of this lunch is $20.50, and checks are preferred.

The restaurant is located at 3242 Peachtree Road in a shopping area just one block south of Piedmont Road.  There is parking in the garage at the right of the restaurant.

Look forward to seeing you there!

The AAUW Funds Committee of the Atlanta Branch is pleased to announce the Name Grant Honorees for 2011.   They are:  Dr. Myra Carmon, Diana Dey, and Carol Fetters (in memoriam).  Their awards were part of the December Branch  holiday celebration.

Carol Fetters, a long-time Branch member, succumbed to cancer earlier in 2011.  For many years she hosted the Contemporary Literature Branch Interest Group.  She had been active in the Branch and was noted for her delightful personality and energy.

Dr. Carmon and Diana Dey worked hand in hand to establish our first collegiate organization branch at Georgia State University (GSU).  Their many hours of work and persistence made this possible.  They also devoted time and effort to organizing the fall Branch kickoff meeting at GSU, attracting members and potential members.  Both received a special certificate from AAUW and a pin acknowledging their contributions to the organization.

Their efforts have stimulated us and we look forward to their continuing efforts on behalf of the AAUW Atlanta Branch!

AAUW Atlanta Branch will hold its special December meeting on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at the home of Mary and Darwyn Womack, from 3 to 5 pm.   Members should plan to bring an item for the silent auction, and funds raised will go to the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund.  Board members should arrive at 2:30 to set up for the silent auction.  If you don’t have a special item to contribute for the auction, a “money tree” will be available so you can add support for LAF.

This annual event is always a special occasion, and members and friends can enjoy the wonderful goodies that the Branch Board members bring.   Consider bringing a friend who might be interested in joining our Branch.   Please notify Frances Smith (hospitality@aauwatlanta.org) if you plan to attend, and the names of any guests, by December 9.  See you there!

The November Branch meeting will be held on Saturday, November 12, from 10 am to 12 pm. at the offices of Cool Girls, Inc. (Suite A-220 of the Southern Dairies Office Park, 621 North Avenue NE, Atlanta 30308; phone 404.420.4362.) Andrea Hill, Director of Volunteer Services, will brief us on the programs offered to girls in our community. And Branch members Susan Diffenderfer and Pam Antinori will update work on our potential signature project with Cool Girls.

There will be a brief Board meeting from 9:30 to 10 am; please be prompt so business can be concluded before the general meeting. A light breakfast will be served at the beginning of the meeting.

While there is no charge for this meeting, members are asked to bring a $5 gift certificate to Target, Wal-Mart, or similar store to assist teens in the Cool Futures program with their holiday shopping.

Please RSVP to Frances Smith by Monday, November 7. Look forward to seeing you there!

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.

Thanks to the students in our Georgia State University (GSU) Collegiate Affiliate Branch (CAB) for hosting our September kickoff meeting at the GSU Student Center.   The students had an opportunity to meet our Branch members and to get a feel for how our business meetings proceed.  Special thanks to Dr. Myra Carmon, advisor to the CAB, who worked with Diana Dey, CAB president and with Betty Slater, Branch member for organizing the refreshments and program.

Two of the students whom our Branch supported in attending this summer’s the National Conference for  College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), Lauren Kenny and Diana Dey,  had a power point presentation highlighting some of the activities in which they participated.

Members of both branches took advantage of the opportunity to sign up for working shifts of the 52nd annual Bookfair to be held from October 2 through 10th at Perimeter Mall.  We need the help of everyone to make this year’s Bookfair a success, so please contact Barbara Buchanan to contribute your time.