Dot Ransom, Membership Vice President, has yet to hear from a number of current members regarding renewal of dues for 2011-2012. Everyone who renews their membership before June 30 (that means checks to Dot before that date) will pay the current membership dues of $77.

Members renewing or joining after June 30 will pay annual dues of $87, as AAUW of Georgia has voted its first dues increase in over 10 years. So do yourself a favor–renew your membership NOW!

Contact Dot at membership@aauwatlanta.org if you have questions.

The May 14, 2011 Branch meeting, held at the Ansley Golf Club, was a festive occasion. Stephanie Davis, Executive Director of Georgia Women for a Change, one of the community organizations with which we partner, reviewed accomplishments of our collaborative efforts and described some policy issues where our membership can be involved in upcoming months.

Members also heard updates from task force members working on our potential signature projects. Sharon Bevis-Hoover and Colleen D’Alessandro spoke about the CARE national conference. Tami Anderson described the work needed to focus a project on commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Barbara Buchanan and Susan Diffenderfer related work done with Habitat for Humanity.

AAUW of Georgia Co-President, Debbie Karvey, installed elected Branch officers for the coming year. They are: Mary Lynn Merkle and Ruth Yurchuck, interim Co-Presidents; Sharon Bevis-Hoover, President-elect; Pat Bevis, interim Program Chairman; Board secretary, Diana Witt; and General meeting secretaries, Blondie Chitunya-Wilson and Betty Slater. Lynn Fountain will chair the Nominating Committee, assisted by Huiping Du, Nikita Boston, and Blondie Chitunya-Wilson.

Plans for our 2011-2012 activities will be developed at the joint meeting of our current and incoming Board to be held on June 14.

Please join us in another year of progress in redefining our Branch!

As we come to the end of the current Branch year, it is time to renew your membership in AAUW Atlanta Branch. 2011-2012 dues for for national, state, and Branch are $77. Our Membership Vice President, Dot Ransom, is looking forward to receiving your dues checks at our May 14 brunch at Ansley Golf Club.

We look forward to seeing all of you on May 14 with your dues checks in hand!

All AAUW members are eligible to vote in the 2011 election for AAUW President, Vice President, and members of the Board of Directors. You will also be voting on proposed bylaws amendments and the Public Policy Program. For information about the candidates, the bylaws amendments, and the Public Policy Program, check the spring/summer issue of AAUW Outlook or the AAUW website.

You should have received a ballot from national which indicates your membership number and vote PIN; if you have questions, contact AAUW at 800.826.2289 or email connect@aauw.org.

You can vote online or by mail–Just follow the directions on the ballot you have received. Online voting ends at 9 pm on June 17; paper ballots must be postmarked by 11:59 pm on May 31.   Let’s have 100% participation of Atlanta Branch members in this election!

The 2010-2011 Branch year has been an eventful one.  Members will gather at Ansley Golf Club in the Williamsburg Room on Saturday, May 14, at 9 am to celebrate the progress made during this year and to elect and install officers for the 2011–2012 Branch year.

As in the past, we will gather for the wonderful brunch featuring delicious breakfast items.   The business meeting and installation of officers by Debbie Karvey, AAUW of GA co-president, will follow.  The cost of the meal will be $25 per person, including tax and tip.

Please make your reservation by May 9 by notifying Frances Smith at hospitality@aauwatlanta.com.  We look forward to seeing you there!

The Nominating Committee presents the Board’s recommendation for the Branch’s consideration in preparation for the voting that will occur at the May 14 Branch Meeting. Installation of officers will also occur at this meeting. Your attendance at this meeting will be very important.

This announcement should come with sound effects of horn and drum roll. Women coming forward and offering their services to the Atlanta Branch will impress you as being awesome and more than qualified. Each in their own right are really cool and forward thinking…..just the sort of women we need to lead our new organizational structure.

Interim Co-Presidents for one year

Mary Lynn Merkle and Ruth Yurchuck

President- Elect

Sharon Bevis-Hoover

Interim Program Vice-President

Pat Bevis

Recording Secretaries

Board…Diana Witt

Branch…Blondie Chitunya-Wilson and Betty Slater

Sharon Bevis-Hoover will bring valuable career experience, knowledge, skills and communication on the cutting edge to our leadership. Her qualifications will allow her to guide and direct us into the future as a remodeled organization, a Branch that conducts goal oriented business efficiently and speedily.

Each of the other candidates are all known to you due to their recent service to the Atlanta Branch in meaningful leadership positions. We thank each of them for their desire to continue in an important leadership role.

If you need to ask the Nominating Committee any questions about these Candidates please contact the head of the nominating committee, Connie Eshenour.