At the last board meeting, we talked about Signature Projects for the branch. The board is recommending an international and local project. Stay tuned for all the details at the September 12 meeting.

Adopted at the 2009 AAUW National Convention, the concept of One Member, One Vote moved AAUW national elections beyond a delegate-only process to an every-member opportunity.

Under One Member, One Vote, members can now propose and discuss bylaw changes, resolutions, and Public Policy Program amendments online and “meet” the candidates through biographies, video, and candidate links.

An all-member notification will be sent by e-mail on Thursday, August 5, but many members do not have or use e-mail, or limit their use, so member leaders are urged to provide this information to all branch and state members through each of your various information channels.

In addition to frequent website and other online updates, key information will be available to all members in the Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer issues of AAUW Outlook as well.

Please log in, https://www.aauw.org/resource/one-member-one-vote/ explore the One Member, One Vote online system, and familiarize yourself with the process. A Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQ) https://www.aauw.org/resource/one-member-one-vote-faq/ is available to assist you.

To access the online system from the AAUW home page, click on Member Center (in the top right corner), log in with your member ID, and then select One Member, One Vote.

As a reminder, members can find their member ID on the AAUW Outlook mailing label or by using the Member ID Lookup link, https://svc.aauw.org/recore/inc/member_id_lookup_wp.asp which is also available from the log-in page of the Member Center.

AAUW Atlanta is making a fresh start with plans underway to revamp the branch. Audrey Salgado of the AAUW Leadership Corps has worked with the board to evaluate our present operations and structure. Changes in the AAUW bylaws allow branch structures to meet the needs of the members in that area rather than following a prescribed system of positions and programs.

We are looking for a stronger, healthier branch as a result of the deliberations.

Betty Slater reports that two students from area colleges  represented their respective schools at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders held on the University of Maryland campus, June 3–6. Thanks to the efforts of many Atlanta Branch members, we earned the funding from the book fair proceeds that supports sending these students to a gathering of this caliber.

Janet Sexton from Oglethorpe University is a sophomore mathematics major. Elizabeth Brandt from Emory University is majoring in Accounting, Finance, and African Studies. She will be Emory’s Student Government President in 2010. We look forward to them being a part of our branch.

Huiping Du (center) with Mary and Darwin Womack after receiving the Emerging Leader award.

Huiping Du was named AAUW of Georgia Emerging Leader for 2010! Huiping was given this award at the state convention on Friday evening, April 23. She has helped the Atlanta Branch in so many ways. She has freely taken photographs of so many of our functions as well as serving as co-chair of the Finance committee, working with Bookfair, and serving as the co-chair for our Holiday Tea.

She has helped Georgia State University as President of the Chinese Student Union. She will be representing Georgia State University as she goes to China to recruit students to attend Georgia State University. She has used her photography skills to help others. The Atlanta Branch is so proud to support this Emerging Leader.

(back row) Betty Slater, Mary Lynn Merkle, Lynn Fountain, Ruth Yurchuck, Diana Witt, Phyllis Miller, Kay Collins; and (front row) Huiping Du, Mary Womack, and May Ruth Bradberry.

2010 was a very good convention for Atlanta Branch. Our Branch was represented by twelve people: Huiping Du, Diana Witt, Kay Collins, Ruth Yurchuck, Phyllis Miller, Lynn Fountain, Betty Slater, May Ruth Bradberry, Mary Lynn Merkle, Marie Bonheur-Gulotta, and Mary and Darwin Womack.

Betty Slater—College and University Representative for us as well as the State—formed and facilitated a fine panel of college and university professors who shared much information about the status and role of women in higher education.

We received many certificates of excellence both for our efforts at building membership and for our contributions to the Educational Foundation funds.

A highlight of Friday’s banquet was Huiping Du’s receiving the 2009 Emerging Leader award. Flanked by her good friends Mary and Darwin Womack, she was lauded for her many efforts on behalf of AAUW and its mission.

Atlanta Branch’s Lynn Fountain served as chair of the Bylaws Committee, an important responsibility since there were so many opportunities and necessities for change as a result of the 2009 national convention.

May Ruth Bradberry continues into the second year of her term as AAUW of Georgia treasurer. All in all, it was an energizing convention! And we thank members of the Cobb County Branch and the State Board for their help in making it so!