Masthead
December 2010
In This Issue
KAAUW Calendar
Potluck & a Film
Address Updates
Branch Officers
AAUW Member Benefits
Help Wanted
Dec. Branch Meeting
President Obama Recognizes AAUW
Public Policy
Book Club
LAF Gift Wrapping
News



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Kingston AAUW Calendar
Kingston AAUW Calendar
 
Tues. Dec. 7, 3 pm
AAUW Board Meeting

Fri., Dec. 10, 3:30 pm to closing
Giftwrapping for LAF
Volunteers needed.

Sunday, Dec. 12, 5pm
Potluck & a Film

Tues. Dec. 14
2pm - Book Group
4pm - Holiday Party - see article

Fri., Dec. 17, 3:30 pm to closing
Giftwrapping for LAF
Volunteers needed.


Sun. Jan. 9, 5pm
Potluck & a Film

Tues. Jan. 11, 3pm
Branch Board Meeting

Sat., Jan. 15, 1pm
Branch Meeting, KAL
Transitioning to a More Healthful Diet: the joys and benefits of eating vegan, Roberta Schiff, Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society

Tues. Jan. 18, 1 pm
Book Group


Trips for Scholarships

Spring trips - planning underway. Contact Vivi Hlavsa with your suggestions.


Make the KAAUW google calendar a favorite and you'll always know what's happening. Integrate it with your own google calendar. Print it.


Potluck and a Film
Intimate Strangers

On Sunday, December 12, we'll watch Intimate Strangers, a 2004 film directed by Patrice Leconte and starring Fabrice Luchini, Beno�t P�tr�, Ludovic Berthillot:

   
A Frenchwoman tells her marital troubles to a man she mistakes for a psychiatrist, and soon they form an unusual relationship.

January 9th film - Dear Frankie
 
I hope you can join us. Best wishes--ViVi

Branch Member Address Updates
Branch Directory

Those directories that were not picked up at a meeting have all been mailed out now.  Please let me know of any errors or updates and they will be published in the newsletter, as well as updated in the membership data base.  I have extras for any new members.


Thanks,

Sheila


Quick Web Links
2010-2011 Kingston Branch Officers
Leadership

President - Bette Nitzky
VP, Programming - Beverly Sloane
VP Membership - Ruth Bean
Treasurer - Jane Riley
Recording Secretary
- Carol Leib
Corresponding Secretary - Joan Reis

Committees
Bus Trips - ViVi Hlavsa
Communications - Ruth Wahtera
Directory - Sheila Beall
Diversity - Arlene Bruck
Educational Foundation - Doris Goldberg & Gloria Sender
Historian - Virginia Kohli
Hospitality - Pat Stedge and Ginger Yaple
International - Rokki Carr
Legal Advocacy Fund
- Dolores LaChance
Publicity - Rosalie Zimmerman
Public Policy - Susan Holland
Telephone Tree - Dorothy Henry

Click on a link to see a photo and profile. See your directory for phone numbers and email addresses.

Kingston AAUW Communication Committee
Ruth Bean
ViVi Hlavsa
Susan Holland
Doris Licht
Ruth Wahtera, Editor

If you have something you would like posted on either the Kingston AAUW or the Unofficial Passions site, e-mail the information to a committee member.

AAUW Member Benefits
Discounted Pet Insurance
Adopt a Pet
Photo by Heypatrick
We are passionately devoted to our pets!

While it's hard to anticipate accidents and illnesses,
VPI Pet Insurance makes it a little easier to be prepared for them.

From routine office visits to significant medical incidents - even cancer - your AAUW membership makes this coverage more affordable!

 
Help Wanted
Apprentice Editor
Keyboard
Photo by John_A_Ward
Focus editor needs help! If you would like to learn about producing an on-line e-newsletter, I'll teach if you'll help.

If you like to write, I'll help you find ideas.

If you like photography, we'll publish your images.

Contact Ruth Wahtera for more information. 

About AAUW

AAUW's Value Promise
By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

AAUW's Mission
AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

Greetings!
Bette
First off, I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and invite you to celebrate with us on December14th.

We are so blessed to live in this beautiful region of New York. I hope you have plans to celebrate with friends and family this festive holiday and start with your friends here at AAUW.

I want to thank Beverly Sloane for a wonderful November meeting, over 30 people attended. The speaker, Diana Chesnel, gave a terrific talk on being a Latin Quarter dancer. We were all interested in her memories of an exciting time. I give both Bev and Diana an "Atta-Girl" for a fascinating afternoon.

Our December holiday meeting next week promises to be a great time to visit with all our members and friends. This year we are increasing our fundraising efforts for scholarships, Legal Advocacy, and international women's issues at the party.

We'll hold a 50/50, offer baked goods and small items for sale, and maybe a couple of silent auction items. I hope you will help with both donations and purchases. Is there a delicious food item or a hidden treasure you can donate?

I hope to see you all there. Bring your friends

Your president,
Bette Nitzky

PS -- If you haven't yet volunteered for some gift-wrapping time at the mall, please call Dolores LaChance to get on the schedule. See her note below.

December Branch Meeting
Backstage Preparations for the Show: Preparing for our holiday productions

Holiday Party! Branch Meeting
Tuesday Afternoon, December 14, 2010
Kingston Library
4 pm  Celebrate with friends, shop, indulge
5 pm Program

Andrea Newman-Winston

Rita Kogler Carver
Rita Kogler Carver & Andrea Newman-Winston

Emmy award winning lighting designer Rita Kogler-Carver and stage manager (and AAUW member) Andrea Newman-Winston will share stories and tips for preparing for major productions. While their productions take place in the theater, on TV, or the Olympics, you can apply many of their strategies in planning your major productions - holiday festivities, weddings, special parties, for example.

Kogler Carver won her Emmy for lighting design for the 2000 Sidney Olympics.  She has worked extensively on Broadway and television productions, including the Montel Williams show. Semi-retired now, she is the artistic director and producer for the nonprofit Dragonfly Performing Arts Center in Green County.

Newman-Winston began her theater career in Boston and has focused on teaching theater arts and managing local theater productions. Both began their backstage careers at a time when both lighting and stage management were considered men's roles.

You can see the results of their planning at the current Dragonfly production of "It's a Wonderful Life,"  a musical version presented as a 1940's radio drama, December 3-5, 10-12

Re-Gift to Support Breaking Through Barriers

Santa with present

Donate a gift. Shop for a gift.
Proceeds to benefit the branch's philanthropy fund.


Bring a new, re-gifted, home-made, hand-crafted, gently-used, or delicious gift. Please put a fair price on it.

Bring cash and friends prepared to purchase and party.

Make this your holiday contribution toward breaking through barriers for women and girls -- Education, Legal Action, Advocacy


President Obama Recognizes
AAUW's Leadership Role on Paycheck Fairness Act

Matz with President Obama
AAUW Maatz (center) with President Obama
President Barack Obama personally thanked AAUW's Lisa Maatz and acknowledged AAUW's leadership role in advocating for the Paycheck Fairness bill at a special Roosevelt Room meeting held after the Senate vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Maatz, who sat next to the president, was among the guests invited to the White House on November 17 for a discussion with high-ranking officials and leaders about how to close the wage gap, create jobs, improve family economic security, and address work-life balance issues.

Senate Avoids Discussion of Paycheck Fairness
Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, wrote in a post on the White House Blog on November 17:

If you heard that a proposed bill got 58 votes in support and 41 votes against, you'd think that would be a good thing, right? Not in the United States Senate, where the Paycheck Fairness Act died when a vote to move the bill forward failed by just that count -- 58 to 41, two votes short  of the 60 votes required.  It is the very same bill that passed in the House with bipartisan support in January 2009. Today, only Democratic senators voted to support Paycheck Fairness for women -- not a single Republican voted to allow the Senate to move forward. It is notable that the first vote after the election in which the American people sent a clear message that they want Washington to work better, the Republicans blocked a common sense measure aimed simply to help ensure that women get the pay they deserve.


The White House blog includes a video clip of the president talking with Maatz and other equal pay advocates. AAUW's hard work on the bill was also recognized in statements released by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ms. magazine , which quoted Maatz in its President Meets with Women Leaders story.

No Giving Up
As advocates for paycheck fairness for women and minorities, AAUW members are both patient and determined. We will continue our work and remember those senators who don't support it when we go to the polls.


Public Policy Committee
Film and Book Series
Half the Sky book cover
Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn
and My Sister's Keeper


So, what should the branch do?
  • Adopt a school?
  • Manage a micro-loan fund?
  • Support a hospital?
  • Other ideas?
     
There are many possibilities and the board is preparing to set some priorities. If you have thoughts about what to do or where to focus, make your voice heard.

Drop a note to Susan Holland or give her a call. By joining together we may be able to make a greater impact.

For more information, contact Public Policy Chair Susan Holland.
Book Discussion Group
Annual Poetry Discussion
Magnetic Poetry
Magnetic Poetry by surrealmuse



December 14,  2pm:
  Join us before the Holiday Party when we will read and discuss poetry selections assembled by Vivi Hlvasa.
--Judee Irwin

Next Up:
Birdsong by Sebastian Falks, January 18, 2011 
 

Gift Wrapping for Legal Advocacy
Gift
Gift photo by katielips

AAUW's Legal Advocacy Fund, commonly referred to as LAF, works to combat sex discrimination in higher education and the workplace by supporting cases that have the potential to make a difference for all women.
 
This year we will again take part in the holiday gift wrapping project at the Hudson Valley Mall . We have been assigned two Fridays, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, from 3:30 pm 'til closing.
 
Those of us who participated in the past have found it to be a rewarding enjoyable means to raise funds for this worthy cause. Everything is so well organized with different size boxes , lovely holiday wraps, and a variety of bows to easily make gift wrapping a surprisingly creative experience, and it is fun to see what other people buy for gifts. Do volunteer, with a friend if you can.
 
Call Dolores LaChance at 246 4507  or email
[email protected]

 

News and Celebrations

Fellowships and Grants Deadlines
Fellowships and grants deadlines are fast approaching! Do you know anyone who needs higher education funding or grant money for an innovative, community-based project for girls?  Check out AAUW's upcoming application deadlines.


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Would your family like to adopt a family less fortunate than your's for the holidays? Amy Cole, the supervisor of the Family Education Program in Ulster County run by Family Services, Inc. is looking for people like us to bring the spirit of the holidays to the families and children they serve. These are families struggling financially but would like to give their children a traditional meal and gifts, whether they celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa.


The Family Education Program provides support and parent education to families who are at-risk. By teaching parenting skills and reducing family stress, we help parents develop the resources they need to provide a safe and stable home for children,   prevent child abuse and neglect, improve communication, and rebuild relationships.


You can contact Amy directly at 331-5641 x 223, or the program assistant, Denise Parent at extension 221.

 

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AAUW Public Policy Fund Pins and a Bonus

For the first time at AAUW, you can show your support for advocacy for women and girls and get a tax deduction.  Contribute $100 or more to the AAUW Public Policy Fund  and receive the fund's first annual pin.  As a special bonus, we will mail you a copy of the book Secrets of Powerful Women (a $14.99 value) personally signed by Lisa Maatz, AAUW's director of public policy and government relations. Lisa is among the women  members of Congress, journalists, actors, CEOs, and activists  who each wrote a chapter of the book, and she will ask one of the other authors to sign your book as well. Please support this crucial work with a tax-deductible contribution through our secure website


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Who Is XXX?
Have you seen a name in this newsletter and wanted to match the name to a face? Well, you can, now. Whenever we have a photo and/or profile on our website, the newsletter will include a link that will lead you to it. We'll add more information and additional members as we are able. See those member profiles already added here.

Wish your profile had a better picture or different words? Check out your profile on the blog and send additional or corrected text or replacement pictures to the editor.

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Barnes & Noble ends affinity pricing: The AAUW portal site on Barnes and Noble.com closed earlier this week (sorry, just finding out myself). AAUW headquarters does not currently have a retail bookseller affinity partnership that generates proceeds to benefit AAUW. The following message now appears on the Barnes and Noble site:

 

Due to our recent site-wide price reductions, the discounts previously available to you only through a dedicated portal are now available to all customers at BN.com. Therefore, this portal has been discontinued. We encourage you to shop BN.com and take advantage of our everyday low prices.