Website: www.rockfordarea-il.aauw.net October 2018

The Initiative — October 2018 page 1 of 9

AAUW EVENTS CALENDAR 2018-2019 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Wednesday, Oct.24: 5:30pm at Regents Hall, Rockford University – Candidates Forum

Friday, Oct.26: 12:00pm at Capri Restaurant (E. State St.) – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, Nov.2: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup – Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina Kamer

Saturday, Nov.3: BRUNCH 9am-12pm at Town Hall Center, Wesley Willows – SPoRT Makeup: Created by Women to Fund a Women’s Museum

Wednesday, Nov.14: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Tuesday, Nov.20: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Friday, Nov.30: 12:00pm at India House (E. Riverside) – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, Dec.7: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup – Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina Kamer

Saturday, Dec.8: 11:00am at Giovanni’s – Holiday Luncheon

Wednesday, Dec.19: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Friday, Jan.4: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup – Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina Kamer

Tuesday, Jan.15: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Wednesday, Jan.16: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Friday, Jan.25: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, Feb.1: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup – Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina Kamer

Saturday, Feb.16: 10:00am at Rockford Art Museum – Lecture & Box Lunch – Regional Women Artists – Amy Ortiz, Ph.D., RAM Lecturer

Tuesday, Feb.19: 12:45pm – Book Beat

(2018—2019 Calendar continues on final page)

Many thanks go to Rockford Branch members Dr. Erin Fisher, Linda Auman and Faye Marcus for outstanding programs in September and October. Dr. Fisher gave a talk on the Neuropsychological Consequences of Trauma and the benefits of using yoga and meditation to combat PTSD. Many of us have shared her remarks with friends and family.

Linda and Faye facilitated the panel on the Family Justice Center at St. Mark Church. Judge Rosemary Collins, Mayor McNamara and Jennifer Cacciapaglia shared their passion for helping to curb the violence in our community.

Three members attended the District 4 and 5 Conference in Wheaton and heard an excellent talk by a female VP of Distribution Systems at ComEd. “Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow,” “take risks” and “create your own luck” were quotes from her talk. She cited the “He for She” movement where men in a company stand up for women in the company and ask why women and minorities aren’t represented on boards, etc.

Next up in the year comes a Brunch and fun time with SPoRT Makeup on Nov. 3. Invite your daughters, granddaughters, neighbors and friends to come with you to check out the makeup created by women this past summer for the “Peaches” celebration.

On Dec. 8, we will gather for the holiday luncheon and to benefit AAUW’s National General Fund. Harpist Fiona Hunt will provide the music.

The 36th Annual Networking Luncheon in Deerfield will be Jan. 26 at 11:30 a.m. Wendy Pearlman, Associate Professor of Political Science at Northwestern University and author of We Crossed a Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria will speak on “Comparative Politics of the Middle East.”

Welcome to new members Erna Colborn, Colleen Felts and Sandy Pearson. We are so glad to have you participate in the mission of AAUW: advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, research and philanthropy. Erna has also consented to be the Board Secretary. Hurrah!

Be a Peach and sign up for one of the branch teams. A list can be found on page 5 of this Initiative. We would love to have more people participate in the work of the branch and we have some exciting things coming up with the 90th Celebration next year and our sponsorship of the AAUW Work Smart program.

Judy Schultz and Barbara Simon, Co-Presidents

The Initiative — October 2018 page 2 of 9

Our Upcoming Events

Guests are welcome at all events. Let’s invite interesting and active women to our events!

The Initiative — October 2018 page 3 of 9

Join us Saturday, November 3rd: 9am – noon

Wesley Willows Town Center Auditorium

4142 Johns Farm Rd., Rockford AAUW Rockford Branch members Sheryl Hall and Christine Haeggquist have led the development of this exciting

new makeup line.

Saturday’s program will include a review of the entire makeup line with selected makeovers and sale of the

complete line in time for the holidays. SPoRT™ makeup will offer a 5% discount on purchases up to $50.00 and a

10% discount on purchases over $50.00. SPoRT™ makeup will donate 5% of final sales to AAUW Rockford for their

National Fund.

The Initiative — October 2018 page 4 of 9

PUBLIC POLICY – FAYE MARCUS

AAUW and the midterm election! YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE.

November 6, 2018: The midterm elections will be here very soon, AAUW’s public policy priorities will be on the ballot in

many ways. From paycheck fairness to paid leave, access to reproductive health care to education funding. There is so

much at stake in this election. It is vital that women and men vote. Politicians and policy makers at all levels of

government-local, state, federal- routinely make decisions that affect our lives every day. That is why our local branch of

AAUW collaborates with other organizations to have candidate Meet and Greets and Forums. An educated electorate is

vital to our democracy.

• AAUW and AAUW Action Fund are dedicated to making sure that everyone is registered and ready to vote. You

can go to www.aauwaction.org to find various issue-oriented resources.

• Are you or a friend or relative not sure about the voting process? Rock Valley College will be hosting VOTING 101

at the RVC Student Center Atrium on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 12 noon.

• Research your vote by going to the LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTER’S nonpartisan voter guide at

www.illinoisvoterguide.org Just follow the prompts to get information.

• Get more information about the candidates for the 16th Congressional District.

Come to the candidate forum on Wed. Oct.24 at 5:30 p.m. at Rockford University-Burpee Hall. This is being

sponsored by AAUW-Rockford and Rockford University.

How can you vote?

Early voting is now accessible until Nov. 5 – the day before Election Day. If you live in Rockford, go to the Board of

Elections on 6th St. If you live in Winnebago County, go to the County Clerk’s office on Elm St. If you live in Boone or Ogle

counties or elsewhere, contact your county clerks’ office.

Vote by mail-contact your election office to request a mail ballot. This is especially important for someone who is ill or

disabled in some way.

Of course, you can vote in person on election day Tuesday, Nov.6.

More information is available at www.canIvote.org.

Research shows that people are more likely to vote if they have a plan. Help friends and family vote by helping them

access this information and even go with them to vote. And if you or anyone you know experiences a problem at the polls,

call the ELECTION -PROTECTION HOTLINE at 1-866-OUR-VOTE to get help or to report the problem.

It doesn’t matter which method you use to vote.

The essential thing is to VOTE.

The Initiative — October 2018 page 5 of 9

BRANCH ACTIVITIES

Round Table Discussion Group

10:30am, Friday, Nov.2 & Dec. 7

at Katie’s Cup

Noon on Friday, Oct.26 at

Capri Restaurant & Pizza

(313 E. State St.)

Book Beat

Tuesday, Nov. 20 & Feb. 19

at 12:45pm

Branch Board Meeting, 6:30pm

Wednesday, Nov.14 & Dec.19 at

Wesley Willows Town Hall

AAUW ROCKFORD BRANCH ONLINE CALENDAR

BOOK BEAT READING LIST 2018

Book Beat meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 12:45pm. Please call the hostess if you would like to attend.

Nov. 20 Churchill by Paul Johnson

Reviewer: Ruth Siegfried

Hostess: Karen Shifo

2019 Dates

Feb. 19

Mar. 19

April 16

May 20

June 18

2018-2019 ROCKFORD BRANCH TEAMS

Programs Zoe N.

Diana V.

Regina P.

Karen H.

Katy P.

Faye M.

Mary W-B

Judy S.

Barbara S.

Strategic Planning Barbara S.

Sharon B.

Judy S.

Regina P.

Sheryl H.

Christine H.

Kathe H.

Rockford U. Partnership

Mary W-B

Marilen L.

Faye M.

Barbara S.

Stephanie Q.

Judy S.

Karen H.

Funds

Sheryl H.

Katy P.

Barbara

Judy S.

Diane K.

Membership

Christine H.

Sharon B.

Jackie P.

Jean H.

Jo S.

Scholarship

Diane K.

Marsha A.

Jackie P.

Dale D.

Linda A.

Feliz D.

Kathe H.

90th Celebration

Sharon B.

Judy S.

Barbara S.

Sheryl H.

Christine H.

Faye M.

Media & Marketing Kathe H.

Marsha A.

Ramona C.

Sharon B. & Christine H.

Work Smart Karen H.

Christina Kamer

Barbara S.

Judy S.

Janet H.

Faye M.

Be a Peach! Let Judy or Barbara know that you would like to participate on a team.

The Initiative — October 2018 page 6 of 9

Treasurer’s Report —Katy Paterson October 17, 2018

DID YOU KNOW? ● You can download our entire year’s calendar in

printable format here.

● Branch bylaws are also posted on our website.

● AAUW members receive a discount at Office Depot and

OfficeMax stores.

● If you smiled for a Branch event photo, you might be

featured on our site. Check the “PHOTOS” menu

option!

BOARD MEETINGS Board meetings are shown on our online calendar and are normally held on the third Wednesday of the month in the Board Room at Wesley Willows Town Center, 4142 Johns Farm Rd., Rockford. Meetings start at 6:30pm and usually end by 8:30pm.

Members are always welcome to attend.

WHEN DID YOU LAST CHECK THE BRANCH

WEBSITE?

● We publish new content from AAUW National on our

local website each month. You can read the latest

articles on our site under the “NATIONAL” menu

option.

● There is a calendar for branch events available under

the “LOCAL BRANCH” menu option.

Operating Fund

Beginning Balance $4,247.92

Receipts

Schnucks Scrip Rebate

Dues

Donations

20.24

773.00

4.00

Disbursements

Dues

Program

86.00

30.00

Ending Balance @ October 17, 2018 $4,955.16

Scholarship Fund

Beginning Balance $10,005.12

Receipts

Donations 80.00

Disbursements

Scholarships 4,000.00

Ending balance @ October 17, 2018

We have 65 members.

$10,085.12

HOW CAN 10 = 100? Like to shop? ✓ Shop online? ✓ Want to help increase branch finances? ✓

Register and shop using the eScrip Online Mall, linked on our website home page.

Be sure to welcome our newest members

– Erna Colborn, Colleen Felts, and Sandy

Pearson.

Website: www.rockfordarea-il.aauw.net October 2018

The Initiative — October 2018 page 7 of 9

Y VOTE Karen Hoffman

In October 2017 a group of millennial African Americans asked me to give a talk about empowerment. During the meeting I

spoke about the power of the vote. Some of the people in attendance stated that they had never voted and wanted to know

why it was important. That began a joint program between Beautiful Beginnings, AAUW, League of Women Voters and Rockford

Housing Authority.

We decided as a group that we needed to educate people on the power of their vote. Beautiful Beginnings was the sponsor

group. Rockford Housing Authority graciously gave us access to their developments so that we would have a space to gather

and sent out the invitations to current candidates for the Rockford area. The League of Women Voters enrolled or updated

already-registered voters and AAUW members, including Faye Marcus and I, acted as MC and hostess to the events.

What we found was that it was fairly easy to get those in the Senior/Disabled high rises to attend, but very difficult to get

millennials in the family developments to come to meetings. What we did find was that the staff at the developments were very

interested and they – for the most part – became our audience. It seems they also did not understand the importance of voting.

We conducted six sessions and afterwards discussed whether to try again for 2020. We decided that while we had not met our

original goal of the millennials in the community, we nevertheless were a success with the staff. After some discussion we have

decided to move forward next election, but with a different approach. We have already begun to work on the issue.

I must add that while things didn't turn out as planned, something magical happened. Children who attend the Home School

Program run by Beautiful Beginnings were brought to the meetings as part of their civics education. They attended three

sessions and listened intently. It should be mentioned that these were all children who had troubled backgrounds and were

unable to attend local schools because of their issues.

Our third meeting was held at Rockford Police District 3. Because of their backgrounds they were terrified of entering the

building believing that the police were their enemy, but while there their anxieties were put to rest. At the end of the last

meeting, the children asked to speak. For three meetings they had listened to the candidates and now they wanted the

candidates to listen to them.

One of the young girls who was having difficulties because her family came from a shelter in Chicago, nervously got up to speak.

She stated that what she had learned during the meetings was that there were many people in the community that truly cared

about her and that she had decided after listening to everyone that she wanted to finish school, go to college, become a lawyer

and eventually a judge. She wanted to be like Ann Dempsey. Another young woman who is 17 and homeless said because of the

meetings, she has resolved to finish school, go to college and get involved in the criminal justice system. And then the only

young man in the class spoke. He stated how scared he had been to even enter the building, but after listening to Sheriff Gary

Caruana, he thought that he might like his job. He decided he also needs to stay in school and go to college to be able to

eventually become a deputy.

Things did not end there. The 17-year-old girl began working on Sara Dady’s campaign. Maurice West has continued to meet

with the children and recently gave them a tour of Rockford University to keep them inspired, and I am continuing to meet with

the students to help resolve supportive issues. I have also gotten them engaged with the Friends of the Coronado. You have

seen these children on the news and you will be seeing more of them. They are truly inspirational. Our goal was to inspire

millennials, but instead we have inspired a future generation to not only vote, but to get and education and to work towards a

future.

The Initiative — October 2018 page 8 of 9

Celebrate the holiday season Let’s enjoy the season with good friends, great food, and holiday cheer!

[

You are invited to our wonderful holiday luncheon on Saturday, December 8th. It will be at Giovanni's, 610 N. Bell School Road, with registration and social from 11:00-11:30, luncheon at 11:30, followed by a performance at 12:30 by harpist Fiona Hunt, who is a student of Nanette Felix. The deadline for receipt of your RSVP form and check in the mail is Saturday, November 24. The price per person is $25. Print out and clip the attached form, indicating your name and your choice of entrée. Mail the form and your check, payable to AAUW Rockford Branch, to Diana Vlase, 400 Sheridan Dr., Loves Park, IL 61111.

Print this page, fill in your name, choose an entrée below, write a check, and mail your reservation by Tuesday, Nov.20.

The Initiative — October 2018 page 9 of 9

AAUW EVENTS CALENDAR 2018-2019

(continued from front page)

Wednesday, Feb.20: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town

Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Friday, Feb.22: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, Mar.1: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup –

Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina

Kamer

Tuesday, Mar.19: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Wednesday, Mar.20: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town

Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Friday, Mar.1: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup –

Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina

Kamer

Tuesday, Mar.19: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Wednesday, Mar.20: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town

Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Saturday, Mar.30: 1pm at Lakeside Shelter House

(4188 Lakeside Dr.) - Lisa Day, Farrier

Friday, Mar.29: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, Apr.5: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup –

Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina

Kamer

Tuesday, Apr.9: Equal Pay Day

Tuesday, Apr.16: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Tuesday, Apr.16: 6:30pm at Fisher Chapel (Rockford

University) – RU Global Studies Program – Maria Diemer,

RU Coordinator

Wednesday, Apr.17: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town

Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Friday, Apr.26: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, May 3: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup –

Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina

Kamer

Friday & Saturday, May 3-4 – AAUW-IL State

Convention – Springfield

Wednesday, May 15: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town

Center – Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Saturday, May 18 11:00am at Forest Hills Country Club

– Annual Meeting and Luncheon, STEM Scholarship

Awards

Tuesday, May 21: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Friday, May 31: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

Friday, June 7: 10:30am at Katie’s Cup –

Round Table Discussion Group — Led by Dr. Christina

Kamer

Tuesday, June 18: 12:45pm – Book Beat

Wednesday, June 19: 6:30pm at Wesley Willows Town

Center – AAUW Rockford Branch Board Meeting

Friday, June 28: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

Tuesday, July 16 at the University Club –

Tip the Bartender 2019

Friday, July 26: 12:00pm at TBD – Let’s Do Lunch

If you’d like to help with this newsletter, please contact Kathe Heyer to volunteer.