AAUW General Information

Board Meetings

Board Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month except July, and any member may attend. If you wish to address the Board at one of its meetings, please contact the one of the Co-Presidents Meise Fahsl or Sue Garland in advance. This will allow us to adjust the Board's agenda accordingly.

Branch Activities

Branch Activities are held throughout the year for the entire membership and include educational and entertainment programs in addition to branch business. Watch the Branchline each month for details of each program.

Membership

Membership is open to those graduates holding an associate or equivalent, baccalaureate, or higher degree from a qualified educational institution. Undergraduates enrolled in regionally accredited two- or four-year institutions may become Student Affiliate Members. The Springfield Branch also welcomes those without degrees as Community Members. They have full local branch membership privileges except that they may not vote or hold board positions.

New members are welcome at any time. Renewals of membership dues are payable by June 1 for the membership year of July 1 through June 30. Membership dues for 2008-2009 are $73. Student Affiliate dues are $20, and dues for Community Membership are $45. Life Membership dues are $24 year, which is the Branch and State dues portions, after making a one-time payment of $980 (the Association dues of $49 times 20 years).

Members may attend any branch meeting or interest group meetings. Guests are welcome to attend any two functions before joining. Names of prospective members should be given to the membership vice-president, Judith Schmidt, who will send them AAUW information and an invitation to join. If your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, or degree information changes, please notify one of the membership vice-presidents promptly.

Educational Foundation

The AAUW Educational Foundation funds innovative research on girls and education, community action projects, and fellowships and grants. The foundation works to advance education and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change.

AAUW Educational Foundation fellowship and grant recipients are outstanding scholars, teachers, mentors, and role models for women and girls. Through the generous contributions of AAUW members and friends, the Foundation provides support for recipients as they conduct research, earn degrees, and advance professionally. Historically, the Springfield Branch has strongly supported the Foundation with contributions raised through a major annual event.

Executive Board Members 2008-2009

Educational Foundation

The AAUW Educational Foundation funds innovative research on girls and education, community action projects, and fellowships and grants. The foundation works to advance education and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change.

AAUW Educational Foundation fellowship and grant recipients are outstanding scholars, teachers, mentors, and role models for women and girls. Through the generous contributions of AAUW members and friends, the Foundation provides support for recipients as they conduct research, earn degrees, and advance professionally. Historically, the Springfield Branch has strongly supported the Foundation with contributions raised through a major event.

Local Scholarships

The Springfield Branch has established six local scholarships: four at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) and one at St. John’s College (nursing)and one at Lincoln Land Community College. The schools award the scholarships to students who meet the following criteria: they must be women returning to school in degree programs, and they must live in Sangamon County or in a nearby county without an AAUW branch.

Two of the scholarships at UIS are now fully endowed and the Branch is building endowments for the remaining two scholarships. Proceeds from the annual Used Book Sale (also supported by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) and the Quilt Raffle fund these local scholarships.

AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund

AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF), a separate fund within the Educational Foundation, provides funds and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education. LAF was established in 1981 to promote equity for women in higher education. Since then, LAF has provided funds to assist women with sex discrimination suits in academia across the country. This year’s LAF fund-raisers will include a silent auction at the Fall Coffee and a Garage Sale; they will be featured in upcoming Branchline issues and at branch activities.

Public Policy

Public Policy informs branch members of new or continuing state and federal legislation; encourages branch members to support AAUW’s public policy and to follow bills deemed legislative priorities; and alerts members when input to legislators would be most effective.