TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS 2014
This year the AAUW—TUS partnered with the League of Women Voters and the Women’s Commission to have an information table at the Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB). Thanks to Sue DeArmond’s offer, we took our material to her home to have her deliver it to our table early on March 15. She also loaned us some strong, large Bungee cords to hang our banner in the tent. Sue is with the League of Women Voters group (LGWV). Again, with Sue’s help we were able to organize our table with material from all three groups, and hang the banner well.
Both Saturday and Sunday were warm days for Tucson. The warm weather helped bring record number of people to TFOB and visit our table. AAUW—TUS also had pamphlets and information from the Tucson Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). We received comments from visitors that the information went with the booth’s theme, “Women’s Groups for Change.” The candy handouts also encouraged people to stop by!
We had a notebook for visitors to sign up for more information. Over the two days, we collected a total of 29 names. Our membership team will be doing some follow up on these names. We also had a visitor who advised she wanted to help with the AAUW Running & Winning activity.
Altogether, ten of our members volunteered to help at the table, including myself and Shirley Muney, who also volunteered for the Women’s Commission . We had a good mix of women helping each other, providing information and pamphlets to our visitors. With three groups and usually four people at the two tables, we found it better to help each other, if a break was needed. This was a good exercise to learn about the LWV, WC and YWCA.
If we choose to participate in the TFOB again, here are some recommendations:
- Bring a flat of water to share with the booth participants; maybe unmeltable candy
- AAUW—TUS invest in a tablecloth or two to make our booth presentable
- Make sure we have plenty of current material to handout. May have to order material; should be done at least two months’ in advance. Request funds from Treasurer, if needed
- Check with the Casas Adobes and Green Valley Branch for some of their handouts
- Have our table volunteers sign up for two hour shifts; works better especially with parking limitations. (Parking is free for everyone, but some of the areas may require a longer walk to our booth site)
- Two AAUW members per shift would help for needed breaks
- Request that the people asking for more information PRINT their names and contact legibly
Thanks to our booth volunteers: Lois Runyon, Nancy Woodling, Marie Miller, Betty Jett, Connie Harrison, Rita Skillman, Georgia Armstrong, Carol Dow, Shirley Muney
Nieves M. Miljure
Rocky Mountain Regional Conference
AAUW Nevada will be the host state for the 2014 Rocky Mountain Regional Conference, which will be held in Reno, Nevada on June 6-8, 2014. This conference is held biannually on even-numbered years. The states that are members of the Rocky Mountain Region are Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. Montana and Idaho were not members of the original Rocky Mountain Region but have been asked to join this next conference.
The AAUW NV State Council and the Nevada Branch Presidents met in August 2013 to begin planning the conference. AAUW NV members plus the Rocky Mountain Region states will receive updates as the planning proceeds. Anyone interested in assisting in the planning process please do contact AAUW NV State President, Joyce Destefanis or a branch president.
Lois Sands Mitsch recipient Maria Mobasseri tells us about the STEM program that the LSM grant is funding for summer 2014. Maria is at Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois and is the first LSM grant recipient for 2013-14. The 2014-15 recipient will be announced August 1.
Updated news from Maria Mobasseri, March 12, 2014:
Thank you very much for sending me the link. We are starting our planning for local advertisement and awareness of the summer camp as well as recruitment of the girls into the program. We will keep you posted on our progress via pictures and videos.
Thank you.:-))
Maria
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Tucson Festival of Books ~ March 15-16. E-mail Nieves for information.
- SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Fair) at the Tucson Convention Center ~ March 11. Liz Baker, Executive Director, is looking for judges for K-12 science projects. Click here for more information
Highlights of AAUW—Tucson Members’ Luncheon Meeting
March 8, 2014 — Old Pueblo Grill
Joan Donnelly gave a summary of our February 8 Fund Raiser Activity. Total Funds raised for EOF was $2,855.00 This year’s fund raiser was one of the best in AAUW—TUS’ fund raiser activities.
One of our guests, Pat Likins, gave an information presentation on ITN Greater Tucson, Dignified transportation for Seniors. ITN Greater Tucson is an affiliate of ITNAmerica, a national network of non-profit transportation providers. The organization provides membership for Elders and those adults with limited vision who may be needing transportation to medical appointments. Members can book a ride to go anywhere in ITN service area 24/7. Drivers are primarily volunteers. Rides cost $1.50 per mile after a $2.50 pick-up fee. More information on ITN Greater Tucson can be found at www.itngreatertucson.org; or you may call 520 209-1645.
Ms Kelly Fryer, Executive Director of Tucson YWCA gave a powerful presentation on YWCA’s work in the community. YWCA Tucson’s statement of “eliminating racism, empowering women” is very similar to our AAUW mission and vision that our luncheon members discussed how we could work with YWCA. AAUW—Tucson offered to take some of YWCA’s brochures and information for handouts at their information booth at Tucson Festival of books. More information on YWCA Tucson can be found at: ywcatucson.org
ITN Greater Tucson and YWCA Tucson have helpful resources to help make Tucson a better community.
Membership Luncheon will be help on March 8, 2014 at Old Pueblo Grille on Alvernon from 11:30am-1:30pm. See the March Sentinel (members only) for lunch choices and reservations and speaker information.
‘Educator Says Lawsuit Only Option Left in Fight for Fair Pay’
Watch the Maria Shriver January 15, 2014 NBC Nightly News interview with Aileen Rizo here.
On December 14, 2013 the branch membership held its Holiday Luncheon at El Sabbar Shrine. The Tunecatchers, directed by David Hernandez with Jane Rohwer at the keyboard, entertained with holiday music.
AAUW—Tucson Community Action
By Nieves M. Miljure
On November 20, 2013, Co-Presidents, Betty Jett and Nieves Miljure responded to an invitation from the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona. This activity is called an Investiture Ceremony; one exercise to be held at Katherine Van Buskirk Elementary School. They accompanied Michelle Higgins, MS, Senior Director of Education & STEM Relations, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona. At 1:30 pm., after school was out, the students gathered in the gym-cafeteria. While waiting for the event to begin, Betty and Nieves were able to meet and greet the arriving parents, some grandparents, and brothers and sisters. They noted that the young couple next to them had two daughters moving up from the Daisy level. Kim Flores, the leader for this activity advised that there are 44 students involved in this after school activity: 19 Daisies (K to lst grade); 15 Brownies (2nd/3rd grade); and 10 Girl Scout Juniors (4th/5th grade). The latter being the oldest of the group. Kim advised that the girls met and worked on projects each Wednesday for about 1 ½ hours.
After this traditional “moving up” to the next level was completed, the two younger groups of girls performed a skit with songs to celebrate. Some of the group participated in a “Gorp” assembly, putting together the gorp in a very traditional GS manner. Lastly, the girls all celebrated with their parents and shared their gorp treats, along with Nachos and juice.
The activity was a good learning experience and fun. It is good to note that the girls have many traditional Girl Scout songs to share in these types of activities.
AAUW Tucson Branch is proud to participate in community activities, and to see how we can help young ladies, have fun, and meet some of our team goals!
AAUW Tucson Branch LUNCHEON MEETINGS 2013-2014
All luncheon meetings are held from 11:30am – 1:30pm or as otherwise noted.
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2013
Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, 14301 E Speedway Blvd., 85748
Speaker: Betty Stauffer, Executive Director of Literacy Connects
- OCTOBER 12, 2013 11:00am-1:00pm
Hungry Fox, 4637 E Broadway, 85711
Speaker: Kim Thompson, VP of Philanthropy, EMERGE!
- NOVEMBER 16, 2013
Amber, 7000 E Tanque Verde, 85715
Speaker: Vern Lamplot, Executive Director of Patronato Foundation
- DECEMBER 14, 2013
El Sabbar Center, 450 S Tucson Blvd., 85716
Holiday Luncheon with entertainment
- JANUARY 11, 2014
Mountain Oyster Club, 6400 E El Dorado Circle, 85715
Speaker: Claudette Haney, AAUW-AZ President
- FEBRUARY 8, 2014
Hilton East, 7600 E Broadway, 85710
AAUW Tucson Branch Annual Fundraiser
- MARCH 8, 2014
Old Pueblo Grille, 60 N Alvernon, 85711
Cultural Interest and Diversity Event
- APRIL 12, 2014
Acacia, 3001 E Skyline Drive, 85718
Annual Meeting
- MAY 10, 2014
Mountain Oyster Club, 6400 E El Dorado Circle, 85715
Recognition Luncheon/Introduction of incoming officers and chairs