branch briefs - aauw
TRANSCRIPT
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Branch Briefs Newsletter of the Geneva Lake Branch
Volume 71 Issue 4 October 2020
AAUW
Mission Statement
To advance gender equity
for women and girls
through research,
education, and advocacy.
Wash Your Hands!
Wear A Mask!
Socially Distance!
Stay Well!
In this Issue
President’s Message 2
Public Policy 3
Interest Groups 4-6
Calendar 7
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P resident’s Message
Happy Fall to All!
There is so much happening with changes in the air. We watch the leaves fall, the
little animals collecting food for the winter, our gardens grow and wither, our
friends moving, or leaving for places with warmer climate. We use technology
much more than we have ever done before, but with these changes and a cultural
shift, we prevail. Our Branch is keeping up with all its traditions and the AAUW
mission. I am inspired by the resilience and planful activities that are occurring
by our many committees. How beautiful friendships are with people
congregating outdoors for different AAUW activities or collectively attending
programs on ZOOM. The biggest challenge we are working on now is the Voters’ Forum scheduled
for October 8 at 7 pm via ZOOM. The Forum will introduce you to local candidates for federal and state
positions. It is an educational program, not a debate, for us to get to know the candidates as they introduce
themselves and following will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions of the candidates. It is a
time to be cautiously mindful. I hope you have been reading AAUW’s national reports and suggestions
about the importance of the changes in governance and why it is so important to have a voting plan. We
are feeling the shifts, and whatever the outcome, it is our responsibility to remain an active and engaged
civil society. Please send any questions you may have for the candidates to me at [email protected].
Remember to send your request to attend the Forum to me at [email protected]. Please help spread
the word about the Forum. Your request to attend is your registration, and you will receive the ZOOM link
shortly before the event.
Thank you for your support. I especially wish to thank Kathy Walsh, Chair of the Public Policy Committee
for the work the committee is doing; and to Bev Kitzmiller, who does more than you can imagine. Thanks
to all who keep our Branch effective and alive!
Sincerely,
Roberta
Geneva Lake Branch 2019-20 Board and Officers
President: Roberta Rohdin Killian 262-245-9268 [email protected]
President Elect: Vacant
Past President: Sharna Ahern 262-275-5817 [email protected]
Secretary: Ann Ruff 617-763-0534 [email protected]
Treasurer: Lisa Gilstrap 262-275-5477 [email protected]
Co VPs Programs: Pat Schenk 262-248-8217 [email protected]
Vacant
Co VPs Membership: Terri Cronin 847-942-9873 [email protected]
Pattie Stejskal 847-477-9227 [email protected]
STEM: Valerie Schmitz 920-205-4116 [email protected]
Sheila Venteicher 262-245-9178 [email protected]
Branch Briefs/ Message Angel: Bev Kitzmiller 262-723-2302 [email protected]
Website Manager: Judy Moser 262-394-5047 [email protected]
Facebook Manager: Mary Winingham 608-395-5485 [email protected]
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Public Policy
By Kathy Walsh
Our Voters’ Forum, October 8th, will help inform you about
local candidates. There are a lot of issues at this level in the
election: pay equity, funding for schools, Fair Maps support,
affordable health care, immigration ….. Change starts at the state
level; these races are very important! Be informed before you
vote!
Hope all of you have a PLAN for voting! November 3rd is a short
time away! In addition to voting November 3rd, there is early
voting in WI. Check with your clerk to find out the times your
polling place is open for you to vote early in person. If you choose
to vote by absentee ballot, you can go to myvote.wi.gov to track
your ballot. Whichever allows you to feel safe and that your vote
is secure! VOTE!
Gerrymandering vs. Fair Maps program to be presented October 27
Join us Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 pm as Matt Rothschild of the Wisconsin
Democracy Campaign presents information about gerrymandering. Learn about the techniques
used to tilt districts in favor of one party over another (Wisconsin toward the Republicans;
Illinois toward the Democrats) and how gerrymandering drives today’s political polarization and
reduces the power of citizens in a democracy. Discover gerrymandering’s hidden costs and
explore alternative methods for creating legislative districts, such as the Iowa model. Find out
about citizen campaigns to end gerrymandering.
Sponsored by the Janesville Branch of the American Association of University Women
and the League of Women Voters of Janesville.
Contact [email protected] for an invitation to this virtual event or visit the
League of Women Voters-Janesville’s website for more information and a link to register.
Founded in 1995, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
watchdog group dedicated to clean government. They track money in politics and advocate for
campaign finance reform and other policies that will make real the promise of democracy.
Matt Rothschild is the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Prior
to joining the Democracy Campaign at the start of 2015, Matt worked at The Progressive
magazine for 32 years. For most of those years, he was the editor and publisher of The
Progressive. While there, he wrote a book entitled You Have No Rights: Stories of
America in an Age of Repression. And he edited an anthology, Democracy in Print: The
Best of The Progressive, 1909-2009.
Submitted by
Pat Phillips
608-436-3050
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Interest Groups
Lunch Bunch By Diane Thompson
LUNCH BUNCH at noon on October 13th at Linn Park Pavilion. Linn Park is located across
from Reek Elementary School on the southeast corner of Lake Shore Dr. South(South Shore Dr.)
and Maple Ridge Rd. The entrance to the park is on Maple Ridge Road. Please bring your lunch
and drink, dessert will be provided. After lunch there are many trails to explore. If you plan on
coming call ( 1-262-248-6476) or email Diane Thompson([email protected])
Pics from SEPTEMBER LUNCH BUNCH IN THE PARK
WHITE RIVER COUNTY PARK .
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Bluestockings
By Bev Kitzmiller
October Bluestockings will be held at noon on Tuesday, October 20, at Edgewater Park (Across
from Café Calamari) in Williams Bay. Judy Johnson will lead the discussion of This is
Happiness by Niall Williams. Contact Doris Mosser at [email protected] or 262 275 6090 if
you plan on attending. Remember to bring your own lunch.
Pics from September Bluestockings Courtesy of Joan Lagerlof
Date Book Leader Hosts/Coordinators
11/17/20 The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
Doris Mosser Karla Tildahl on Zoom
12/15/20 This Tender Land by William Kent Kruger
Marcia Yochum
Roberta Killian on Zoom
1/19/21 A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Patti Stejskal Pam Christensen on Zoom or Walworth Library
2/16/21 Evicted by Matthew Desmond Jean Henderson
Carolyn Langner
3/16/21 The Latehomecomer by Kao-Kalla-Yang
This year’s Big Read book
Roberta Killian
Roberta Killian
4/20/21 The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes Diane Thompson
Bev Kitzmiller
5/18/21 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Pam Christensen
Sharna Ahern
6/15/21 The Girl with Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Kate Berley Kate Berley & Terri Cronin
7/20/21 The Nickel Boys by Colton Whitehead
Bev Kitzmiller Diane Thompson
8/17/21 Book Selection for 2021-2022 Nan Voss Judy Johnson, home or park; Doris Mosser, Patti Stejskal
9/21/21 The Splendid and the Vile by Eric Larson
Kathy Walsh Kathy Walsh
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Get Moving By Gwen Clausius
Tuesday, October 6 Around the Lake Hike
Meet at Fontana Community Church at 8:00 with your sack
lunch, water, and can-do attitude for the 21 mile
hike. There are several bathroom spots along the way
including a stop at Karen Hirn’s on the final stretch. If you
prefer to hike half of the lake, you can go to Lake Geneva
with us and have a pick-up there. We will hike the north
shore first. If you have further questions, contact Gwen at
[email protected] or call Gwen at 275-2533.
Halloween Hike October 27 at Susan Anderson’s
Susan has great paths around her property that are decorated for
Halloween. The hike will take less than an hour but goes through
woods. Her address is 7230 S & D Townline Road, Delavan. Meet at
11:00, we’ll hike and then eat our sack lunch around her fire pit, and
Susan will have hot cider for us.
RSVP to [email protected] or call Gwen at 275-2533
Don’t Let the Quarantine Grinch Steal
Your Holiday Spirit From Joan Davis
After a delightful afternoon with the Lunch Bunch gals, I made an
offer which I want to share with all AAUW members. Many of you
may know that I present programs for community college, libraries
and community groups- lately all on Zoom format. I have a new
program just in time for the holidays: Don't Let the
Quarantine GRINCH Steal Your Holiday Spirit."
I've created this program because so many are wondering how if and how we'll "do" holidays
this year with so many of our usual plans and activities cancelled. If you're one of those, do
consider setting aside a little time for yourself on Tues. Dec 8th to learn how experts advise
revamping our holiday celebrations this year---and perhaps add a few tips of your own.
Plan to light a scented candle, grab a cup or stemware filled with your favorite festive beverage,
munch on a couple of cookies (healthy ones, of course!) and join me. A little philosophy,
occasional laughs, and some sharing. Not exactly the usual festive AAUW holiday party, but a
chance, nonetheless, for friends to gather and share some holiday spirit.
If you want to join me send me an email at [email protected]/ and I will reply with the
link for the Dec. 8th noon program.
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Calendar
October 2 – 8:00 AM – Around the Lake Hike
October 8 – 7:00 PM – Voters’ Forum – Zoom
October 13 – Noon – Lunch Bunch – Linn Park
October 20 – Noon – Bluestockings – Edgewater Park Williams Bay
October 27 – 7:00 PM – Fair Maps – Zoom
October 27 – 11:00 AM – Halloween Hike – Susan Anderson’s Delavan
December 8 – Noon – Holiday Program