Welcome to the Spokane Branch

......Tana’s Tidbits......

Well, February is “Heart” month. A month designated to giving a card that shares a loving thought about that special loved one in our life, or sharing a box of chocolates with a good friend, or simply letting people know how much you appreciate their hard efforts in whatever it is that they continually do for others. And it is that third part that I want to focus on in this message: Showing appreciation for the efforts from others.  To do that, let me tell you about the incredible efforts given by others in AAUW.

Your Board Members are extremely hard at work paying attention to their responsibilities. This January Board meeting, and it was only eleven days into 2010, was filled with reports. The Community Projects Mini Grant applications have already been sent out to different agencies in the region with a deadline of February 15. Thanks to Lisa Langelier for that prompt effort. Plus Annie McKinley’s leadership efforts for her Scholarship committee are well underway.

     And then there is what I call the BIGGEE. Under the direction of Dollars for AAUW Scholars committee chairperson, Pamela Brown, individual committee members have already begun their specific tasks designing and ordering raffle tickets, sending out business letters asking for donations for raffle prizes, coordinating luncheon plans with the Red Lion River Inn, seeking free entertainment, and trying their best to be fiscally responsible in these stressful economic times knowing businesses and branch members do not have as much giving power as in past years.  Pamela’s guidance has brought the committee together for extra meetings that have been productive in creative thinking about how we can make this event fun and still raise the necessary monies to support the two scholarships, the Girl’s State Leadership Awards, and to designate our annual $500 donation to AAUW Funds.  And all of you members have a responsibility to start saving your money for the luncheon, sell raffle tickets when they arrive in the mail, think about Elegant Elephant items to give, or plan a basket to donate for the silent auction with a friend. We need all of our members to come out to this May event that supports scholarships for women.

     I sincerely appreciate the remarkable efforts that the Branch Board Members do for others.  The outstanding programs planned that we have had, the dedicated secretary skills that produce the minutes that the Branch lives by, the accurate monthly financial reports provided, and the on-going collection of news articles given for our monthly newsletter, along with all the other Board Members who faithfully do their responsibility each and every month.

     I thank you, our members, who continually come and support the board members’ efforts.  Everyone in this organization owns a piece of commitment to the Branch’s success.  In the month of February I challenge all members to thank each member for their efforts that are given to make our Branch successful.

ASSOCIATION NEWS…I encourage you to read “In That Moment I Knew” in the AAUW Annual Report 2009 that was sent to you.  It re-affirms the AAUW mission, the challenges, and the direction that your Association Leadership has for their goals. 

STATE NEWS…There is still time to register for Lobby Day, which is January 26 in Olympia.  The State nominating committee announces the following openings for state officers:  President, Membership VP, and Finance VP.  If you are interested, please call Florence Young.

BRANCH NEWS…A thank-you goes to Florence Young for volunteering to chair the By-Laws and Policy Manual revision that is mandated by Association and due by May, 2011. I continue to appreciate each warm day that comes our way.

Tana