There are no sunny skies in today’s weather forecast.   But that should not deter you from voting in the run-off elections today!  In addition to some local elections,  there are judicial candidates running for the Georgia State Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals.  These courts make decisions that affect ALL of us, so please exercise your privilege to vote.

The  December Branch meeting will be held at the home of Mary Womack on December 12 from 3 to 5 pm and is our traditional holiday party for Branch members and their guests.    National Fellowship and Grant winners from Georgia have been invited.  It is also the time when we recognize our Name Grant Honorees for 2010, people who have made special contributions to our Branch.  Please let Frances Smith know if you are coming and if you are bringing a guest.

Members are asked to bring items for  a silent auction, and proceeds will be donated to Refugee Family Services (RFS).  Members of the Board are asked to arrive at 2:30 pm and bring snacks and finger food for all to enjoy.

This year’s Bookfair was a great success, thanks to the efforts of many Branch members.   The traditional Bookfair celebration will be held on Saturday, December 4 at 10:30 am at the home of this year’s Bookfair chair, May Ruth Bradberry.  Members of all the metro Branches who contributed to Bookfair by picking up books, working in the bookroom, or volunteering at the actual Bookfair event are invited to attend.

May Ruth asks that you bring your favorite breakfast/brunch goodies to share.  Please let Frances Smith, our Hospitality co-chair, know by November 30 if you are coming.  For more information, please send an email to the Branch co-presidents.

Our November Branch meeting will be held at CARE headquarters (151 Ellis Street NW, Atlanta) on Saturday, November 6, 2010, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m.   The meeting will include a tour of  CARE and the opportunity for continued discussion with Helen Robinson, CARE Marketing Alliance Manager.  Helen provided members and guests a preview of the work CARE does in reaching out to women and girls at our September membership tea.  The meeting will give members a chance t0 explore what would be involved in potential partnership with CARE.  We look forward to seeing you there!

The Cobb AAUW Branch extends an invitation to all Atlanta Branch members to attend a program on Tuesday, November 9, at 7  pm.  The speaker will be Hilda Tatom, Director of the Incentive Program for the Fulton County Juvenile Justice Center.  Shirley Mills, Cobb branch President, says Hilda is a passionate advocate for the young black men and their families who do not graduate from a Fulton County high school.

The meeting will be held at the Mansour Center, 995 Roswell Street, in Marietta.  This should be a stimulating program and please consider attending as your schedules permit.

Election Day,  November 2,  is right around the corner.  It is your responsibility as a citizen to cast your vote for the candidates of your choice.

AAUW does not endorse candidates but encourages all women to seek information about the candidates for various offices and other ballot issues.  Sites such as the League of Women Voters (www.lwvga.org) can provide  information about the candidates in their own words, and you can obtain a sample ballot for your area.

And don’t miss the special feature, The Suffragist, found by clicking on the Vote tab.  It highlights the work of our foremothers in making the vote possible for women.