aauw - n n · 2017. 10. 23. · program: aauw nys summer leadership conference date: fri-sun.,...

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Volume 22 • Issue 3 October/November 2017

J A M E S T O W N B R A N C H

BRANCH LEADERSHIP

Co-Presidents:

!" Janet Forbes

!" Elaine Damsteegt

Program Co-Vice Presidents:

!" Kathleen Colby-Leonard

!" Wendy Present

Membership Vice President:

!" Brenda Johnson

!" B. Dolores Thompson

Educational Foundation Vice

President:

!" TBA

Legal Advocacy Fund Vice

President:

!" Debbie Illig

Recording Secretary/

Publicity:

!" Phoebe Forbes

Corresponding Secretary/By-

Laws:

!" Janet Johnson

Treasurer:

!" Charlotte Carlson

Diversity:

!" Chris Ahlstrom

Education & Equality:

!" Michele Compton

!" Maggie Irwin

International Relations:

!" Maxine Castiglione

Public Policy:

!" B. Dolores Thompson

Publicity:

!" Rita Brown

Historian:

!" Elaine Damsteegt

!" Elaine Rissel-Muscarella

Newsletter:

!" Connie Pilato

!" Shirley Sanfilippo

I want to welcome you to the 2006-07 AAUW-Jamestown Branch year. We have many exciting opportuni-ties and events ahead of us over the next several months. The new pro-gram theme for AAUW is “Education as the Gateway to Women’s Eco-nomic Security”. We will be focus-ing on this theme throughout the upcoming year.

My vision for this year is that we will grow our membership, increase the involvement of both experienced and new members, improve commu-nication throughout the Branch, ex-pand our mentoring both within the Branch and in the community, ex-tend our outreach to Jamestown Business College, and implement strategic planning.

We have a strong and committed Board of Directors and Committee Chair-people who have volunteered their time and talents to the service of AAUW and our Branch. I want to offer a heartfelt Thank You to all those who said “Yes!” when asked to serve. We will be working to-gether over this next year to expand and grow our Branch both in num-bers and involvement.

Four of our Jamestown AAUW Branch members attended this year’s AAUW-NYS Leadership Conference which was held at the Delta Lake Conference Center July 14-16, 2006. Elaine Damsteegt, Co-President; Kathi Colby, Program

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

JAMESTOWN BRANCH LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION

AAUW VALUES AND SEEKS DIVERSE LEADERSHIP

NOVEMBER—DECEMBER 2006 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 2

Co-Vice President; Connie Pilato, TWIGS Editor and AAUW-NYS FO-CUS Editor; and I participated in this weekend of leadership training. We enjoyed great opportunities to network with other AAUW leaders across the state and learn much more about AAUW at both the state and national levels.

AAUW will be celebrating our 125th An-

niversary this November. It is an ex-traordinary milestone of achievement for our dynamic women’s organization. You will be hearing more about the celebration of this anniversary through-out this fall.

We have all heard the phrase that when selling a house, the three most important factors are location, location, location. In building a dynamic AAUW Branch, the three most important fac-tors are membership, membership, membership. Each and every member of our AAUW-Jamestown Branch is an active member of our Membership Committee. The most frequently of-fered reason why a person joined AAUW is because they were invited by a friend. I want to ask that each of you become an active participant in our Membership Committee by inviting

Calendar of Branch Events

October 24, 26 & November 1, 2017 • 7 p.m.League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County, Meet the CandidatesLocations vary, see page 7.

October 30, 2017 • 5:30 p.m.Interclub Council Meeting, Guest Speaker: Noah Goodling, Fenton History Center DirectorMarvin House

November 4, 2017 • 9:30 a.m.Theme: Immigration: The Effects on Women and Their LivesMichaels Banquets, 4885 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, N.Y.

November 11-12, 2017Annual What’s New Fair Hamilton Student Center, Jamestown Community College

November 15, 2017 • 6:30 p.m.The Many Faces of Addiction: No One Cause, No One SolutionCommunity Education ForumScharmann Theatre, Jamestown Community College

November 15, 2017 • Time TBAAAUW-JCC Educational Partners/ Women’s Issues Advisory BoardThe Hunting Ground FilmHamilton Collegiate Center, Student Union, Jamestown Community College December 14, 2017 • 6 p.m.Holiday CelebrationLandmark Restaurant, Jamestown

February 17, 2018 • 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.Get in the GameJamestown Community College Athletic Complex

March 14, 2018 • Time TBADream It Do It STEM WarsJamestown Community College Athletic Complex

In This Issue

We’re on Facebook!

Please visit our Facebook page and Like us.

Find our page by typing in AAUW Jamestown Branch in the Search space at the top of the page.

Calendar …………………………p 1

Program Schedule ………………p 2

President’s Message ……………p 3

Public Policy ………………………p 3

Interclub Council Meeting ………p 3

Dining Divas ………………………p 4

District 1 Fall Conference ………p 5

What’s New Fair …………………p 6

Meet the Candidates ……………p 7

Community Forum ………………p 8

Women’s Issues Advisory Board p 9

About the AAUW …………………p 10

Branch Leadership ………………p 10

Below are the dates articles for TWIGS need to be received by.

Jan/Feb Issue: 12/16/17

March/April Issue: 2/24/18

May/June Issue: 4/14/18

Mark your calendars

Volume 22 • Issue 3 October/Nobember 2017

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AAUW Jamestown 2017-18 Program Schedule

Goals - Mission-Based to recruit new members, retain and engage current members, & social impact.

Program: Branch Year Kick-Off Potluck Date: Tues., 9/19/17 Location: Celoron Community Center 47 Dunham Ave., Celoron Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm Program: 100 Years of Women's Suffrage in New York State Date/Time: Sat., 9/23/17 10 am Location: Bemus Point U. Methodist Church Speakers: Shannon Risk & Traci Langworthy Host: Chaut. Co. Historical Society Program: Women in Manufacturing Date: Thurs., 10/19/17 Location: Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant Time: 9:00 am - noon Dream It! Do It! Middle and high school women Program: Candidates Forum w/LWV/JCC Date: Tues., 10/24/17 Location: Jamestown Community College Sarita Weeks Room Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm Speaker: Local candidates Program: AAUW District One Conference Host: Buffalo Branch Date: Sat., 11/4/17 Location: Michael's Banquets, Hamburg Time: 10:00 am - afternoon Program: What's New Fair Date: Sat., & Sun. 11/11 & 11/12/17 Location: JCC Hamilton Collegiate Center Time: Sat: 10 am-5 pm; Sun: 11 am-3 pm Program: Our Community Stands Together The Many Faces of Addiction: No One Cause, No One Solution Date: Wed., 11/15/17 Location: JCC Scharmann Theatre Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm

Program: Holiday Celebration Date: Thurs., 12/14/17 Location: Landmark Restaurant 516 W. 4th St., Jamestown Time: 6:00 pm Program: Get in the Game Date: Sat., 2/17/18 Location: JCC Athletic Complex Time: 8:30 AM – 4 PM Program: Dream It Do It STEM Wars Date: Wed., 3/14/18 Location: JCC Athletic Complex Time: TBD Program: Tech Savvy Date: Sat., 3/17/18 Location: UB's North Campus Time: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Program: AAUW NYS Convention Date: Fri-Sun., 4/20-22/18 Location: Radisson Hotel Corning, NY Program: Membership Social Date: Wed., 4/25/18 Location: James Prendergast Library Time: 6-8 pm Speaker: TBD Program: Annual Dinner Date: Tues., 5/22//18 Location: Landmark Restaurant 516 W. 4th St., Jamestown Time: 6 p.m. Program: AAUW NYS Summer Leadership Conference Date: Fri-Sun., 7/20-22/18 Location: Cazenovia College Cazenovia,NY


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President’s MessageBy Christina A Marsh, AAUW Jamestown Branch President

The Annual Pot Luck Branch Kick-Off Dinner was well attended on Septmeber 19th. We decided to bringback the Brown Bag Auction in order to raise funds for LAF/EOF. I, by default, became the auctioneer and had so much fun playing the part! We raised about $230 from the event! Everyone appeared to have a wonderful time and enjoyed the many delicious dishes. We have some AMAZING cooks in our branch! Those of us that attended Summer Leadership in Cazenovia shared with the group about our experiences.

The board has discussed going digital with our directory; it should make it much easier to keep the information current. We are still in the process of getting that together so stand by.

Let me mention that in this issue of TWIGS you will notice our new leadership for the 2017-2018 year. There are a

couple spots we need filled. One is the LAF/EOF co-chair. I am jumping in with Emily McVey right now but would appreciate someone to take this on with her.

The other position is the International Issues Chair. How interesting does that sound? There are certainly pertinent and timely happenings currently affecting women internationally.

Additionally, if you have an interest in a position that is filled, please ask for more information. Many positions have room for co-chairs or would appreciate mentoring a member.

Our calendar is filled with many activities so I hope everyone has a chance to attend something!

INTERCLUB COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2017

5:30 P.M. MARVIN HOUSE

GUEST SPEAKER:

NOAH GOODLING

FENTON HISTORY CENTER DIRECTOR

“FENTON HISTORY CENTER: PAST

AND FUTURE I N JAMESTOWN”

MENU:

GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE

(IMPORTED CHEESE,TOMATO, BACON, HAM AND APPLE)

CHILI WITH CORN BREAD

COOKIES

COST: $13.00

PLEASE RSVP BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 TO MARCIA BLISS ([email protected] OR 487-2468.

REMEMBER WE NEED A MINIMUM OF 20 PEOPLE!

Public PolicyB. Dolores ThompsonWe have the good fortune to live in a country which recognizes many individual freedoms and rights. One of these is the right to vote for the political leaders of our various government levels.

However, those rights carry with them our responsibility to exercise them. If we fail to use them, we can lose them. Far too many people throughout the world do not have the right to choose their leaders. They have no voice in the laws which they must obey or suffer the consequences. We also have the responsibility of being informed voters - of knowing who the candidates are and what their thoughts are on the issues which are of importance at all levels to the County’s residents.

In November we will be voting on the leaders of our County government. Elsewhere in this Twigs you will find pertinent information on the Candidate Forum featuring candidates for our county government. Our AAUW branch coordinates this event with the Chautauqua County League of Women Voters and with the Political Science Department at JCC. The LWV presents a similar program in the Dunkirk/Fredonia area, usually during the same week, which is also open to all County residents.

Please mark this important date on your calendars now - we hope to see you on Tuesday, October 24 at JCC beginning at 7 pm.


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DISTRICT 1 CONFERENCE

AAUW Buffalo Branch Presents

Immigration: The Effects on Women and Their Lives

Saturday, November 4, 2017 10:00 am (check-in begins at 9:30)

Michaels, 4885 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, NY 14075

$24 person includes lunch

RSVP by October 25, 2017

Reservation Form

Name:

Branch:

Phone:

Please send this form no later than October 25, 2017 and check payable to “AAUW Buffalo Branch” in the amount of $24 per person to :

Melissa White 38 Embassy Square, #8 Tonawanda, NY 14150

For Questions, please contact Melissa White, District 1 Coordinator at: [email protected] or 716.984.3592

AAUW District I Fall ConferenceBy Janet ForbesOur AAUW District I Fall Conference will be held on Saturday, November, 4, 2017 at Michaels Banquets, 4885 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, NY. It will begin at 9:30 am with registration and the program will start at 10 am. The theme is Immigration: The Effects on Women and Their Lives.

Speakers will include:Diane O’Brien has been an English as a Second Language teacher for over 20 years for immigrant and refugee students. She will be discussing how political and economic turmoil in the world has altered the migration patterns into the United States and Western New York. She will be looking at the resulting student population changes in grades K – 12.

Madee Greely is originally from Burma, she left Burma and lived for a time in a refugee camp in Thailand until she was able to complete the steps to emigrate to the United States. She will share her experience with us.

Alexandra (Andy) Smith is the President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Group. A tireless volunteer she will be discussing the myths vs reality of the lives of immigrants. She will also be focusing on the DACA issue.

Tony Agnello is the President of the Friends of Afghanistan. He served in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. He has been back twice since 9/11 helping to forward gender equity educational initiatives.

Rosanna Berardi of Berardi Immigration law.

Registration is due no later than October 25, 2017. A check payable to “AAUW Buffalo Branch” for $24 along with the registration information with name, Branch name, and phone # can be sent to Melissa White, 38 Embassy Square, #8, Tonawanda, NY 14150.


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The 62nd annual What’s New Fair is upon us and if you have not been following our Facebook page, you have missed some of our members showing the world what AAUW is all about. Co-chair Emily McVay, a new member, has been helping us boost our social media presence to attract a new generation of What’s New Fair fans.

The WNF will take place on November 11 and 12 at the Hamilton Center at Jamestown Community College. As members of the Jamestown Branch of AAUW, you have received your packet with your member letter, admissions tickets and raffle tickets. Santa and Mrs. Claus are going to be with us again and the Gingerbread House will again be in operation.

Co chair Kathy Stanton has been busy with the registration and recruitment of the merchants for the fair. She has done

What’s New FairBy Mary Lee Talbot

several live chats on Facebook with returning merchants who are helping us celebrate and advertise the WNF.

We need all of you to volunteer time at the Fair, provide some backed goods for the Sweet Shoppe and to help keep our AAUW local dues low by donating new and gently used items to the AAUW Members Table at the Fair.

The What’s New Fair has been providing scholarships for women going on for more education for 61 years. Several of our members were recipients of these scholarships, including Rita Brown and Christiana Marsh, our current president. When Janet Forbes or Dolores Thompson call you to ask you to volunteer to be at the Fair, please say yes. You, too, will have the joy of helping women from Jamestown Commuity College and Jamestown Business College achieve their dreams.


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The League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County invites the public to attend three events to meet the candidates for positions in Chautauqua County, Dunkirk, and Fredonia. The first event, jointly sponsored by the Jamestown chapter of the American Association of University Women and the Political Science Department of Jamestown Community College, will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24 in the Weeks Room at JCC in Jamestown. There the audience will be able to question candidates for County Executive, Republican George Borrello and Democrat Michael Ferguson, and candidates for County Clerk, incumbent Republican Larry Barmore and Democrat challenger Leeann Lazarony. Candidates in the only two contests for County Legislator representing Jamestown will also appear: Democrat Frank Besse and incumbent Republican David Wilfong running to represent District 11, and incumbent Republican Elisabeth Rankin and Democrat David Paul Reinhardt running for District 12. Many of these candidates are sponsored by additional parties, as is true of candidates appearing in the debates in Dunkirk and Fredonia described below.

The second Meet the Candidates event will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, in the courtroom in Dunkirk City Hall. On the platform will be the county-wide candidates who previously appeared in Jamestown, joined by candidates for County Legislature from District 1: Republican incumbent Kevin Muldowney and Democrat Jim Palmetier. It is hoped that the three remaining contestants for Dunkirk City Judge will also appear, although the community was able to question two of them during the debate preceding the September primary. Only two seats on City Council have been in play: Ward 1, where Mr. Welka has withdrawn, and Ward 2, where the challenger, Shaun Heenan, is unable to appear at the debate. Because LWV rules forbid “empty chair” debates, Ward 1 candidate Donald Williams and Ward 3 candidate Adelino Gonzales, both Democrat incumbents, will be present and available for individual questioning but will not be on the platform.

The third Meet the Candidates event will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1 in the Fredonia Opera House. The public will be able to question candidates for County Clerk, Barmore and Lazarony, and candidates for County Legislature from District 3, Democrat Bob Dando

Meet the CandidatesBy Minda R. Amiran

and Republican incumbent Robert Scudder. Also present will be candidates for Town of Pomfret Board, Democrat incumbent Brett Christy and Republican Michael Reynolds. A crowded platform will also hold candidates for 4-year terms as Village Trustee (2 openings): Republicans Roger Britz and incumbent Doug Essek and Democrats Leslie Wille and Steve Yunghans. Running to complete the term of former Trustee Roger Ruckman are Democrat Michael Barris, Republican Dale Ricker, and non-party candidate Ronald Lee Sellers.

As is well known, the LWV time-keepers are strict about keeping the candidates’ statements brief so that many members of the audience can ask questions. Candidates are also encouraged to question one another in true debate form. In this election, several of the candidates are relatively unknown to the public, so it is all the more important for voters to inform themselves of their views. It is to be hoped that all three Meet the Candidates forums will attract lively audiences. As always, these events are free and open to all.


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The Many Faces of Addiction: No One Cause, No One Solution

AAUW- Jamestown is partnering with the Healthcare Action Team (HCAT) and the Mental Health Association (MHA) to host a community education forum for the public, Our Community Stands Together - The Many Faces of Addiction: No One Cause, No One Solution, on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 6:30 pm. at Jamestown Community College Scharmann Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Featured speakers include: Karen McElrath, PhD., Professor of Criminal Justice at Fayetteville State University, NC; Dr. Davina Moss-King, PhD, Positive Direction and Associates; Leanne Luka-Conley, Deputy Commissioner, Chautauqua County Department of Health

Community Forum Our Community Stands Together

By Janet Forbes

Share in the fun at our regularly scheduled dining out events.

This AAUW special interest group is called “Dining Divas.” This is open to all AAUW members, guests and the community. This is a great tool for member recruitment, member retention and engagement.

The first step in membership recruitment is sometimes joining an interest group - since this is our only active interest group, we need to get a pipeline to membership.

So spread the word. Send a simple note out “I’m going to chosen restaurant for dinner with some friends from AAUW, I would love for you to meet them.”

Another message to non-members would be - “Get to know us, then learn more about AAUW and what it does through our dinner conversations then maybe become a member.”

For more information contact Kathy Colby: [email protected]

and Human Services; Chief Harry Snellings, City of Jamestown Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police; Pastor Luke Fodor, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and Andrew O’Brien, Consultant, UPMC Chautauqua WCA.

The panelists will discuss the link between opioid addiction and sex trafficking, impact of addiction on pregnant women and newborns, access to care, treatment options, spiritual support, stigma, medication-assisted treatment, and action steps we all can take to curb this community-wide epidemic.

Plan to attend, invite others, and learn more about what we can all do to make a positive difference in the lives of our families and youth. For more information or to find out how you can help with this event, contact Janet Forbes, [email protected] or 716-490-2616.


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AAUW – JCC Women’s Issues Advisory Board By Yvonne Makl Members of the AAUW-JCC Educational Partners /Women’s Issues Advisory Board continue their proactive participation in the Jamestown Community College 2017 fall semester events.

The committee currently attends a monthly meeting with the EmpowerMe! Club. EmpowerMe! students are committed to raise awareness in all issues regarding the rights of students regardless of sexuality, race, religion, or gender. They continue to plan a multitude of events intended to raise awareness and educate students on campus. Our committee currently looks to increase our progressive development in working with students on women’s issues.

Fall Events: #Shine The Light on Domestic Violence October is National Domestic Violence Awareness MonthWednesday, October 11, 2017 • 12 - 1 p.m.Hamilton Collegiate Center, Student Union Sponsors: Title IX Steering Committee, Campus Life, AAUW, Salvation Army Anew Center & EmpowerMe! Club.

*A special thanks to Linda Fellows, AAUW Membership, who also participated and helped us with the AAUW information table!

The Hunting Ground Film An expose’ of rape crimes on U.S. college campuses, their institutional cover-ups and the devastating toll they take on students and their families.Wednesday, November 15 • Time: TBAHamilton Collegiate Center, Student Union Sponsors: Title IX Steering Committee, Campus Life, AAUW.

Next issue of TWIGS… Look for details on the goals and immediate objectives of the AAUW/JCC Educational Partners Committee for 2018. We are exploring progressive avenues of committee development for high impact and increased participation on the collegiate student level.

Who Can Join AAUW?A graduate holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate or higher degree from a nationally accredited educational institution is eligible for membership.

Contact: Linda Fellows, 716-665-6863 or Mary Keeney, 716-664-4758

Our 170,000 members and supporters span local and virtual communities, cities and college campuses, all over the world. On campuses, we foster the next generation of women in leadership and in the workplace. After graduation, we

mentor, fund, and support educational and professional development. From college through career and beyond, we’re working to change the future.


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Branch Leadership 2017-2018

Executive Board--(Elected Officers)President ……………………… Christina MarshProgram VP …………………… Janet ForbesMembership Joint VPs ……… Linda Fellows Mary KeeneyEOF VPs ………………………… Emily McVey Christina MarshLAF VPs ………………………… Emily McVey Christina MarshPublic Policy …………………… B. Dolores ThompsonTreasurer ……………………… Shirley SanfilippoRecording Secretary ………… Ruth Wahl

Committee Chairs

NYS BOD Liaison: NYS Membership VP ………… Barbara SarverNYS Member/Finance Liaison Pheobe Forbes

Communications Publicity …………………… Keri Brown TWIGS Editor ……………… Leslie Calimeri

National Website: www.aauw.org

State Website: www.aauw-nys.org

Jamestown Website: http://jamestown-ny.aauw.net

AAUW Mission The American Association of University Women advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

AAUW Diversity In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.

AAUW Vision AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls.

AAUW Value Promise By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so all women have a fair chance.

About the AAUW

Directory …………………… Debra Eck Social Media ……………… Kathy Colby Member Communications … Maggie IrwinSTEM …………………………… Janet ForbesNominating Committee ……… Linda FellowsHospitality ……………………… Dixie Segal Scholarship …………………… Wendy Present Rebecca Nystrom Yvonne MaklDining Divas …………………… Kathy Colby Historian ………………………… Elaine RisselInterclub Council ……………… B. Dolores ThompsonCircle of Distinction …………… B. Dolores ThompsonEducation Partners …………… Valerie Champlin Yvonne Makl Get In the Game ……………… Wendy Present RaeLynn DeAngeloWhat’s New Fair: ……………… Kathy Stanton Mary Lee Talbot Emily McVeyInternational Issues Open Position

aauw - n n · 2017. 10. 23. · program: aauw nys summer leadership conference date: fri-sun.,...

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