Ohio Public Policy E-Newsletter, November 2008
From Jackie Evangelista, jevangelista@roadrunner.com
Ohio Public Policy Chair

Hello Branch Presidents, Public Policy Chairs, and Stand-ins:

I am so happy to report that we now have public policy chairs in 31 Ohio branches. I have gone through the new AAUW/Ohio Yearbook and added a few new chairs that I did not know about. I have also added some "stand-ins"– usually the president–in the branches that do not list public policy chairs. So, if you are a new recipient of this newsletter, WELCOME! Branches still have time to appoint a public policy chair and let me know her name and contact information. Of course, anyone who wishes to receive the newsletter may be added to the list. Just let me know of your interest. Jackie

MEETING SUGGESTIONS

Review the AAUW Congressional Voting Record, 110th Congress. The Association Public Policy and Government Relations Department sent out copies to branch presidents this month. I hope your branch received them and handed them out. This important project tracks votes on legislation related to AAUW’s priority issues in the areas of education, economic security, civil rights and budget.

Consider summarizing the results related to our two Senators and your local Congressperson in your five-minute branch meeting presentation and/or in your branch newsletter before the election. Briefly explain which votes were examined. If you won’t be meeting before the election, consider e-mailing the results to your members. If you didn’t receive a copy, you can read the document.

If you haven’t handed out copies of the 2007-09 Public Policy Program Brochure yet, remember that you can order copies at shopAAUW.org for just shipping and handling. The Association Public Policy Committee is currently considering suggestions for additions to or changes in the AAUW Public Policy Program. If you have any ideas, please e-mail to them and I will be sure they are forwarded to the right person.

GREAT BRANCH ELECTION WORK

I am thrilled to report that 10 branches responded to my query about the election-related work they did. Six branches either sponsored or co-sponsored candidate nights–Circleville, Champaign County, Delaware, Logan County, Oberlin and Zanesville. Three branches–Dayton, Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst, and Lima held election related programs at their meetings. And Cleveland Branch got very involved in a major voter turnout project.

Cleveland Branch Public Policy Chair Helene Cushenan reports that all members were given registration forms and absentee ballot request forms, which they gave to those who needed them anywhere they went–churches, buildings, grocery stores, and coffee shops. For the first 100 people she contacted, Helene provided a stamp and mailed the forms herself. Branch members also partnered with the League of Women Voters and Ohio Votes. Working with this coalition, branch Program Vice President Candy Guy mobilized her workplace to hit the streets and register voters every day. The coalition has sponsored numerous major Get Out the Vote programs.

EXCITING ASSOCIATION NEWS

WASHINGTON - AAUW has won a two-year, $249,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch a major study of the causes and dynamics behind the low participation of women and girls in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. This is AAUW's fourth grant from NSF.

Set for a 2010 release, the study has the potential to garner public support for policies to even out the disparities in the higher-paying, male-dominated STEM fields, in which women are woefully underrepresented.

"Our report will sound the alarm," said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE. "As a nation, we can't afford to take baby steps toward achieving parity, especially when we're facing a shortage of professionals in the STEM fields. How can we stay competitive in the global economy when half of our population isn't fully engaged in those areas?"

SAD NEWS

Younger Americans Are No Longer Gaining in Education Level

A new report, the 23rd edition of "Minorities in Education," shows that for the first time in many decades, the current young generation will not bypass the previous generation in educational advancement. The study, done by the American Council on Education, found that the percentage of young adults aged 25 to 29 and older adults aged 30 and above with at least an associate degree in 2006 was about the same, approximately 35 percent. For Hispanics and American Indians, young adults have even less education than previous generations. (From the AAUW Washington Update.)

PLEASE NOTE

A post-election conference call with the Association Public Policy Department will be held for all members on Thursday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m. EST. Director Lisa Maatz, an Ohio native, and other members of the staff will share what the results of the election mean for AAUW. A great way for public policy junkies to spend a little time. Mark your calendars! Details to follow in Washington Update.
Inform yourself by going to the Issue Advocacy section of the AAUW Web site.

• Give a 3-5 minute report at every meeting updating members on current issues and priorities.
• Publish an article about public policy or an Action Alert in each of your newsletters. These can be taken directly from the AAUW Web site to save time and be forwarded by e-mail to your editor. If you don't have a newsletter, consider developing an e-newsletter, which is much easier to create than a printed newsletter and much less expensive!
• Order handouts from ShopAAUW. Fifty copies of the AAUW Public Policy Program as well as membership, student affiliate and Legal Advocacy Fund brochures can be ordered for postage and handling only.
• Sign up for the AAUW Action Network and forward the AAUW Two-Minute Activist Alerts and the AAUW Washington Update to your fellow members when you receive them.
• Encourage non-members to sign up for the AAUW Action Network by taking copies of the sign-up flier to public meetings and fund raising events. Download it.
  

Remember that to access the following links, you will need your AAUW membership number, which can be found on the label of Outlook magazine:

• Read the AAUW branch public policy chair job description at: http://www.aauw.org/About/leadership/brppchair.cfmhttp://www.aauw.org/About/leadership/brppchair.cfm.
• Read the AAUW Branch Public Policy Chair Resource Manual, which is packed full of ideas, at: http://www.aauw.org/member_center/tools/upload/BPPC-Manual.pdf.http://www.aauw.org/member_center/tools/upload/BPPC-Manual.pdf.
• Explore the AAUW webpage entitled "Public Policy Resources for Branches and States" at: http://www.aauw.org/member_center/branches_states/publicPolicyResources.cfm.
  LATEST ISSUE: AAUW WASHINGTON UPDATE