Category Archives: Branch Events

Minutes- September 2023

MINUTES FROM OUR SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, AAUW MEETING
Present: Judy Baillere, Susan Baker, Connie Bradley, Pam Buchanan, Aimee
Burgin, Lynda Carpenito, Pam Corrigan, Lindsay Dmytro, Janice Gowland, Jennifer
Grenier, Connie LaBelle, Anne Lovett, Sara McClain, Esther Mummert, Maggie
Nettleton, Constance Parent, Susan Quemore, Carol Sabol, Carole Scofield, Nancy
Stevick, Patti Knepler (guest)
Absent: Helen Bickett, Maria Brent, Susan Dixon, Dorie Gilchrist, Pat Haines,
Kathleen Herbert, Lauren Kaltwasser, Brenda Marlin, Luci Nurkowski

1. Sunshine Fund – Pam moved, Judy seconded, and we passed the motion to
rename this fund as the Friendship Fund. Previously the intent was that a
fruit basket costing approximately $80-90 would be sent to a member
experiencing the loss of a spouse or child. When a member was sick or in
the hospital, the membership would be notified and encouraged to send
cards. Please let Sara or Carol know about happenings in your or a
member’s life that we can support, help, and celebrate. Annie and Judy
have volunteered to take care of member notification and follow-up action.

2. Allocations Fund – We currently have $1,301 in our bank account. At our
January Brunch and Business Meeting, Saturday, January 13 th , at noon, at
Janice Gowland’s home, 1774 Harrison Court, Turnersville, we will decide
if and how we might allocate funds for local charities.

3. Operating Dues – Esther moved, Susan Q. seconded, and we passed the
motion to set our dues at $100 for our chapter costs. We will revisit our
budget at the January meeting to review our expenditures. Please mail a
check for $100, written out to AAUW – Gloucester Chapter, to Pam
Buchanan, 306 Belmont Court, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062, as soon as you can
but no later than December 31 st .

4. Interest Groups
a. Membership – Lauren will continue to keep our directory updated
and respond to new member inquiries. For everyone’s updated
information: Connie Bradley’s new address is: 238 Huntly Lane,
Williamstown, NJ 08094
b. Book Club – Janice will continue to organize our book club meetings.
Upcoming – Discussions of The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
and Victoria Christopher Murray, Friday, September 29 th , 2:00
discussion at Connie Bradley’s new home (address above); 7:00
discussion at Lynda’s home, 566 Jefferson Road, Mullica Hill.
c. Movie Group – Lauren will continue to organize movie group
discussions. The next movie to be discussed is “Barbie” at Aimee’s
home, 5 Stable Drive, Sewell, on Monday, September 25 th at 2:00.
d. Event Planners – Helen and Judy will continue to plan activities for us
to enjoy, including Happy Hour��. For your information: SCUCS has a
trip on November 8 th to visit the Morgan Library and Museum in NYC,
relevant to our most recent book club book, The Personal Librarian.
As of Wednesday, September 13 th , there were 7 spaces still available.

5. Upcoming Events and Meetings
a. Coming of Age Celebration – Celebrating Carol Sabol, Annie Lovett,
and Aimee Burgin. Tuesday, October 17 th , 4:00, at Aimee’s home, 5
Stable Drive, Sewell. Committee members are: Jennifer (chair),
Aimee, Sue Dixon, Judy, Sue Baker, and Esther.
b. Winter Holiday Gathering – We decided to include spouses/partners
for a fee to be determined. Aimee has, once again – thank you!,
offered her home for this event to be held, Friday, December 15 th , at
4:00. Annie and Pam C. will look into catering options. Lynda will
organize desserts. Committee members are: Pam C and Annie, co-
chairs, Aimee, Lynda, Carol Sabol, Nancy Stevick, Lindsay, Connie P.,
Helen Bickett, and Sara
c. January Brunch and Business Meeting – Janice Gowland has offered
her home, 1774 Harrison Court, Turnersville, on Saturday, January
13 th , at noon. Committee members: Janice (chair), Maria, Esther,
Kathleen H., Sue Baker, Sara

d. Spring Fling and June Business Meeting – Details to be determined at
our January meeting.

6. Inclusion of Spouses/Partners – Spouses/partners will be included at our
Winter Holiday Gathering for a fee to be determined. In the past they have
always been included at our Spring Fling.

7. Maintenance of our AAUW Website – Nancy Stevick has volunteered to
update and maintain our AAUW Website. She has also volunteered to
create a newsletter to be published on our website as well as distributed to
our members via e-mail. Many thanks to Nancy going forward, as well as to
Carole Scofield for publishing our newsletter for many years in the past.

8. Rowan Shop – Esther will continue to collect donations for Rowan
University students. If you wish to make a monetary donation, please write
out your check to Rowan University Foundation, with Rowan Shop written
on the memo line.

9. Courtesy – As a courtesy to all of our organizers and members, please,
respond to emails promptly and make every effort to attend events to
which you have rsvp’d. If you have a necessary change in plans, be sure to
contact the organizer so arrangements can be modified.

10. Completion of Registration for AAUW – If you have not already done so,
please renew your AAUW national, state and chapter membership. We
attempted to help at our meeting, but you might need to log on to
establish a new password. Once done so, hopefully the process will go
more smoothly. Please contact Sara or Carol if you require more assistance.

Jennifer moved, Nancy seconded, and we passed the motion to adjourn. Please
let Sara know if anything was incorrectly stated or accidentally omitted in the
minutes so they can be corrected.
THANK YOU ALL FOR ATTENDING. SEE YOU SOON!

Meeting Minutes

June 14, 2019

Meeting Minutes for Gloucester County AAUW

President Jen Grenier opened the meeting with a brief review of the previous year.  She reminded everyone of Alice Paul Night in Suffrage White, August 24, 6-8 pm.$20 is due to Susan Quemore by June 21 or tonight!

September Gathering

Sue Dixon volunteered to chair this planning committee.Luci Nurkowski will host the event with her husband, Paul. The date is the Saturday after Labor Day, September.  The theme is Woodstock Revisited. The planning committee will to meet in July choose the menu, activity and décor. A signup sheet for the committee was passed around.

The group voted by ballot that the event will be a fundraiser and members will bring the refreshments. The committee will decide on the price.

Coming of Age Celebration

Inductees this year are Chris Smith and Pam Buchanan. The date will be in October.  A signup sheet was circulated for the planning committee.

Singles Supper Group

Sue Dixon suggested the new interest group.  It will be a supper hosted by members who are single, defined as living alone.  An evening of games will follow the meal.  A signup sheet was circulated.  Sue will be in touch with interested, eligible members very soon.

Treasure’s Report

Janice Gowland presented the report.  We have a healthy balance of $4,254.56 after expenses.

Thanks to the diligence of Jen and Janice we have been granted status of nonprofit.  This is important for tax purposes.

Membership Report

Connie LaBelle reported we welcomed two new members, Lauren Kaltwasser and Connie Parent.

Food Bank Update

Dorie Gilchrist reported on the success of our involvement with the food bank at Rowan University. In our third year, we make substantial donations of food and toiletries twice a year.  Chris S. volunteers but reports there is not a big need for more volunteers. Pam B. suggested we explore other ways we can help students in need.

Tech Trek Update

Sara McClain reported a successful year.  Please see attached report.  To facilitate the process next year, Pam B. and Judy will identify the right person to contact in each school.  Sara will serve as chair next year, but will step aside if someone else would like to take the job on.

Scholarship/Fundraising

Aimee Burgin presented her report.  Please see it attached to these meeting minutes. As per the January 19th business meeting we voted to discontinue awarding local scholarships and to donate as follows:

  1. $1100.00 to the Alice Paul Institute. This amount will sponsor four girls to attend the APPI summer program.
  2. $2,000 to the National Education Foundation
  3. The remaining $900.00 would be awarded locally. We gave the donation to Tech Trek.

Aimee also reported that $1,000 was awarded to a Rowan graduate student from funds that were allocated many years ago by the now defunct original AAUW of Gloucester County.  About $11,000 to $12,000 remain in that account.

Sunshine Fund Report

Jennifer reported that support for our members going through difficult times has increased.  Pam B. and Janice expressed their appreciation of the support they received.

Book Group

There has been talk of forming a second Book Group to meet in the afternoon. We will decide at our September meeting if this is something we want to do.

Officers for 2019-2020

Nominated by Sue Dixon and elected for new terms of 2 years:

  1. Vice President of Membership: Connie LaBelle Second by Maria
  2. Vice President of Programs: Susan Quemore Second by Brenda

Retiring as treasurer after nine years of service, Janice Gowland.

Nominated and elected to serve out remaining one year of Janice’s term: Annie Lovett

Continuing to serve as elected officials: Sue Dixon, secretary and Jennifer Grenier, president

Continuing to serve in voluntary positions: Carole Scofield (she has been doing this job for around 20 years), newsletter and Luci and Paul Nurkowski, Directory

Concluding their terms: Program Chairs: Pam Buchanan and Sara McClain

Jennifer thanked all of those who worked to make our year so successful.  There were many rounds of applause from the members.

Adjournment

Brunch and Business Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2019

A.  Welcome: Jennifer Grenier

The Gloucester County AAUW met Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the home of Sara McClain for a lovely potluck brunch, business meeting, and “white elephant” gift exchange.  Jennifer Grenier, President, opened the business meeting with a welcome to the members. Present were: Judy Balliere, Shirley Beleff, Helen Bicket, Connie Bradley, Maria Brent, Cathy Brettman, Pam Buchanan, Aimee Burgin, Melanie Caron, Lynda Carpenito, Pam Corrigan, Lindsay Dmytro, Dori Gilchrist, Janice Gowland, Jennifer Grenier, Kathleen Herbert, Annie Lovett, Brenda Marlin, Sara McClain, Esther Mummert, Maggie Nettleton, Luci Nurkowski, Susan Quemore, Carole Scofield, and Chris Smith.

 

B.  Treasure’s Report – Janice Gowland

  1. Balance- We ended 2018 with a balance of $6,163.
  2. Status of Nonprofit application: We were informed in September that we had lost our 501c3 status because the national AAUW had failed to submit our information.  The president and treasurer were requested to complete a new application.  The national AAUW has paid our $600 application fee.  To date all information was accepted and it is currently being processed.  We should hear by mid-March of the results.
  4. C. Membership Report – Connie LaBelle

We welcomed three new members in 2018: Helen Bickett, Cathie Brettman and Melanie              Caron.  Each new member shared a bit about themselves.

D. Food Bank Update –Dorie Gilchrist

Dorie reported that the Rowan Food Bank, which is now in its third year, has doubled its number of users and is now also providing students with nonfood items.  Students with a Rowan ID card may use the Food Bank once a week and fill up one hand basket of items.  The Bank is open M-F including class breaks.  The students have been VERY grateful for the Food Bank’s support of their education.

Chris Smith reported on her work at the Food Bank.  The volunteer job is for two hour periods.  Chris has sorted donations and worked the front desk, usually working with the director and sometimes with another volunteer.  Dorie will be sending our members the application for volunteering there if they wish to join Chris.

The Way Forward Planning

  1. Sunshine Committee Proposals – Jennifer Grenier, Chairperson

        a.  When a member has a negative significant life event, she is to notify the president or a                 friend of hers, who then will notifies the president.

The president will then pass along the information to the members along with the                          person’s address and contact information. Members are asked to send a text, email or                  written note to the member thus showering her with caring!

A motion was made to accept proposals a and b by Maria Brent that was seconded by Carole Scofield

Vote: Passed unanimously

b.  In the event of the death of a member, her spouse, significant other, children or                            grandchildren (immediate family) , in addition to a card etc. from members our chapter                will send a gift basket of fruits and breads, platters of meats, cheeses and/or vegetables                or provide a donation to a charity designated by the bereaved. The actual                                        remembrances will be determined by the Sunshine Committee (currently consisting of                    Jennifer Grenier, Maria Brent, and Lindsey Dmytro) up to $80, which will come from our                    treasury.  If you would like to join this committee please contact Jennifer.

A motion to accept proposal c was made by Maria Brent seconded by Pam Buchanan

Vote: Passed unanimously

2.   Fall Gathering (FG) Proposal –Luci Nurkowski, Chairperson

         a.  Eliminate the “sit down dinner” approach to this event, in favor of providing appetizers                 and desserts with limited table seating available.

b. Create a robust planning committee that would go beyond the menu to plan theme,                      activity and décor.  The event might include memorabilia, music, costumes, photo booth,              and trivia contest.  The Fall Gathering proposal committee suggests the theme of                            50th  Anniversary of Woodstock for the 2019 event.  The chosen theme would, however,                be up to the FG planning committee.

 A motion made to accept both proposals a and b by Maggie Nettleton and seconded by Sara McClain

Vote: Passed unanimously

Location –Luci Nurkowski has volunteered to host this event. We will have a committee signup sheet at the June business meeting.

  1. Scholarship Thoughts – Aimee Burgin, Chairperson

The committee reported that:

a.  The number of scholarship applications has fallen about 50% over the last 3-4 years.

b.  The awardees are at the top of their class with high SATs.

c.  We have a difficult time getting non-traditional women to apply despite that the Rowan                advisors and staff are informing students of the opportunity. One year we had no non-                traditional applicant at all.

d. This past year one recipient had not cashed her check for $1000 in six months until she               was tracked down and informed it would be invalid soon if she did not cash it. She did.

e. We seldom get a thank you for the scholarships.

FYI:  The current scholarship process:  The chairperson sends out letters to all the guidance offices in the Gloucester County high schools as well as putting the application is on our website.  The applications have a deadline.  The scholarship committee then reviews all the applications to select the recipients.  The chairperson then sends out an award letter and check to the senior and notifies the high school of their recipient.

The Scholarship committee made the following proposals:

a. We discontinue our scholarship program and place the money elsewhere.

After discussion and a motion to discontinue the scholarship program was made by Aimee Burgin, seconded by Connie Bradley. The unanimous vote was to discontinue our scholarship program.

b.  Proposals to what our Gloucester County AAUW would support:

 Proposal 1. We award 50% of our raised funds (usually between $3,000-6,000) to the National AAUW for use for the:

i.  Legal Advocacy Fund

ii. Education Fund

iii. Justice for Women

iv.  Research

v.  Workshop for Leadership Skills

vi. Tech Trek

The Scholarship Committee would meet annually to make the recommendation as to which fund(s) to which we would contribute.  The final decision would be made at the June business meeting.

A motion was made to accept this proposal by Cathy Brettman and seconded by Susan Quemore. 

The motion was approved unanimously.

Proposal 2: Our chapter would provide scholarships @$275 this year for 4 high school girls to attend the Alice Paul Professional Leadership Institute (APPLI) College & Careers Program as described below.

(Teen girls will prepare for their futures in the APPLI  program. This dynamic four-day program includes college campus and workplace visits to meet female professionals at area companies. Girls participate in workshops on the college application process, gain interviewing skills, and learn how to finance their college education. They also talk about how to choose the right (and realistic) school that matches your goals, develop their resume, refine their business etiquette and more. The last day of each program features a networking practice session with professional women from a variety of fields and interests.  This is a life-changing program for teen girls!
The APPLI program takes place at Paulsdale (128 Hooten Rd., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054). API provides bus travel for all of the field-trips to college campuses and workplaces. Participants will be required to wear business professional clothing each day. Girls should bring a lunch each day but API will provide snacks, a light breakfast, and other refreshments throughout the day. API also provides all participants with a tote-bag, folder, and business cards.)

A motion was made to accept Proposal 2 by Pam Buchanan and seconded by Dorie Gilchrist. 

The motion was approved unanimously.

Update from Susan Quemore: I talked with the Alice Paul Institute and they would be thrilled to have our support for the APPLI this summer.   When I asked how they reach out for applicants, I was told that they do an E-Blast and also news releases.  I indicated that we would be partial to helping Gloucster Co girls, she said that we could request news releases in the paper(s) of our choice.

Proposal 3: The balance of our funds would be awarded TBD possibly for NJ Tech Trek, sponsoring a college student for the AAUW leadership conference.  Ideas and the choice would be made at our June business meeting.

A motion was made to accept Proposal 3 by Aimee Burgin and seconded by Mel Caron. 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 Tech Trek Update Sara McClain, Chairperson

  • As of our meeting, 18 Gloucester County Middle Schools had been contacted by our team of 8: Sara McClain, Maria Brent, Kathleen Herbert, Maggie Nettleton, Carole Scofield, Judy Baillere and Susan Quemore to nominate girls for the Tech Trek STEM program at Stockton College this summer.  Guidance counselors and teachers have been contacted.  Connie Bradley, a former principal, suggested contacting the superintendents too.  Sara did this following our meeting.  The deadline for nominations is February 1.  To date we have three nominations.  The next step will be for the nominees to apply.  Our Tech Trek team will be contacting the nominees to help them apply if needed.  Their applications are due March 1st.  Team members will then interview the nominees for selection.  The number of nominations will determine how many girls we may select.

*A final count of nominations was six.

  1. Spring Fling Plans – April 13
    1. Appetizers – Pam Buchanan
    2. Desserts- Judy Baillere
  2. Dates to remember-
    1. January Book Group    January 25 Becoming– Michelle Obama
    2. February 12 – Positive Aging Luncheon
    3. February 23 Reader’s Theater, Judy Baillere’s 1:00 or 1:30 PM, “Ginger and Spice…..”
    4. February 22 Book Group- 19 Minutes, Jodi Picoult – Sara McClain
    5. March 12- Positive Aging Luncheon
    6. March 29 Book Group- Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate- Susan Quemore
    7. Game Night?
    8. April 9 – Positive Aging Luncheon
    9. April 13 Spring Fling
    10. April 17 Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday
    11. April 26 – Book Group – The Library Book, Susan Orlean – Judy Baillere
    12. May 14- Positive Aging Luncheon
    13. May Grounds for Sculpture
    14. May 31 – Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens – Connie Bradley
    15. June  14 End of Year Dinner
    16. June 28 Book Group – Unsheltered, Barbara Kingsolver – Kathleen Herbert
    17. August – Alice Paul Women’s Equity Pop-Up Picnic
    18. Adjournment
    19. Desserts and Recycling Gift Exchange