Moving The Mission Forward
by Jann Mirchandani, AAUW NYS Program VP
August, 2007

It’s been said that any program that is not mission-based only serves to confuse both members and non-members about who we are and what AAUW is all about.
I like this idea because it really helps me to stay focused. What do you think the branch is focused on? What do you think it should be focused on? The best way to move the mission forward is to focus on issues that matter to us personally – that affect our own branch members.

As members, I encourage you to work with branch leaders to concentrate on issues that are significant to you as individuals, are vital to women and girls and can make a difference in your community. Ideally, those involved in the various programs and committees will meet and create a programmatic theme for the branch where all of these concepts come together. One event building on another to create momentum and increasing the impact AAUW makes in the community.
Have fun while you work. Introduce a quirky theme to make your point. Eileen Hartman, our energetic and enthusiastic Membership VP, came up with the idea to use Wimbledon as our backdrop for our membership/programming presentation at Delta Lake. It tied in nicely with our economic security work since the women’s champion earns (finally!) the same as the men’s champion. We had fun with it, wearing visors and bringing our tennis racquets. Members answering questions earned tennis balls with a prize for the most tennis balls. Our presentation was about how to connect membership and programming and getting onto/working with area campuses. But how it was presented was fun and irreverent.

By remaining focused we will move the AAUW mission forward. By having fun we can maintain our energy level, and give a boost to others, so we can continue to move the mission forward.

As always, I am here to help you and answer any questions you may have. 914-245-8568/program@aauw-nys.org

“What Can I Bring?”
by Jann Mirchandani, AAUW NYS Program VP
September, 2007

Over the Labor Day weekend my husband and I hosted a BBQ at our home. We had family coming in from out of town and friends stopping by from up the street. And do you know what everyone asked when they received their invitation? “What can I bring?”

We didn’t want to do the usual hot dogs and hamburgers, so I already had a menu planned, so I had people bring whatever it was they enjoyed. And the food selection was all the better for it.

Why do I tell this story? Because I want you to ask “What can I bring to AAUW?”
Branch programming, the AAUW lifeblood, does not just happen. It is the end result of a lot of work, usually done by a relatively small group of dedicated members.
But just think about how much better it would be with you in the mix.

You don’t need to quit your job or send the kids to boarding school or estrange yourself from your significant other to make time to lend a hand.

Ask what jobs need to be done for a program your branch is holding this year. Maybe some phone calls need to made. Or perhaps there are copies to run off that you can do on your lunch hour. There are always a myriad of smaller tasks that must be attended to for a program to be successful.

So the next time you go to a great AAUW program ask the event organizers “What can I bring?” AAUW will be all the better for it.