Vol. 5 Issue 1

2015-2016

enewsletterE

Branch Bark

American Association of University Women

Executive Committee:

President - Jenny Andrews

Presidents Elect - Pat Fosdick &

Jackie Sheldrick

Secretary - Janet Miller and

Mary Ann Charron Co-Chair's

Finance VP - Deb Ensign

Program Co-VPs - Samantha

Mayo & Jackie Luke

Membership VPs - Jo Russell,

Joanne Geise, & Norma Dudiak

Nominations - Jan Emery and

Mary Anne Charron

Newsletter Editor - Phyllis

Heaberlin

Battle Creek, MI

AAUW e-newsletter September 2015

SEPTEMBER BRANCH MEETING

enewsletterE

BranchBark

WHAT: 2015-2016 KICK-OFF MEETING

WHEN: SEPTEMBER 14TH, 6:00 p.m. mixer,

6:30 p.m. program begins

WHERE: ART CENTER OF BATTLE CREEK,

265 East Emmett St.

Take time before and after the membership welcome-back meeting to view the new exhibit "Please touch the Art". Experience this exhibit through hands-on art activities, games, building and art toys plus viewing original and reproduction art work. Visitors will learn about the how's and whys of art while they have the opportunity to be creative. The Art Center is handicap-accessible.

Hibiscus

Note from Edie Walter: Recently I had the privilege

of meeting a wonderful young lady - Brandy Morgan. She is a graduate of Lakeview High School

and Western Michigan University. She is now starting her first year at Michigan State University's College of

Veterinary Medicine. The Battle Creek Community Foundation awarded her 3 scholarships: Dr. Mathikere

& Lily Rajachar Memorial Scholarship, the Edite Balks Walter, MD, Scholarship and the Margaret L. & Virginia

M. Hensley Scholarship. The late Lily Rajachar was a long time AAUW member and Edie is still participating

in Battle Creek Branch activities. Our Branch can be proud because not only did we provide 2 AAUW

scholarships, but also there are several members who personally support women students.

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

September 14th marks the beginning of another new year working with AAUW

Battle Creek members to fulfill our mission to advance equity for women and

girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

On Monday, September 14th I invite you to join me at the Art Center of Battle

Creek to learn more about the conversations members have had throughout the

summer centering around five focus areas:

Scholarships

Local Programming/Partnerships

Sponsorship/Branding

AAUW National Funds

Fundraising

The goal is to add some very intentional ‘actions’ behind each of these areas,

which members have expressed are important to them personally and to the

longevity of the organization. If you recall, last year at this time, I asked each of

you to consider ‘why’ you joined this organization. I am hopeful these five focus

areas will allow each of us to find our niche within AAUW BC and leave us

feeling fulfilled by our time and money spent to be members.

To help keep this momentum strong we have created a new committee,

appropriately titled, Strategic Focus Committee. I will discuss this further at our

first meeting, including our new on-going Scholarship Committee.

In October you will approve the 2015/2016 budget, which has been organized

with expenses falling under each of these five categories – along with the

percentage of our budget attributed to each focus area.

I believe these are all steps in the right direction and I am excited for more

conversations and ideas to develop throughout the year! So, please bring a friend

and join me at 6:00 p.m. for a mixer and art exhibit at the Art Center of Battle

Creek – the actual program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Until then…relish what is left

of our summer!

Jenny Andrews

AAUW BC President

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AAUW Fall Conference

2015 Innovative Leadership III: Leadership Essentials Conference - Why You Should Attend

Forgive us. Many of you will be enjoying haunted houses, corn mazes, parties, trick-or-treating, ghost tours and the telling of spooky tales with family, friends and your community on October 31. And, because this year’s leadership conference falls on Halloween, that will preclude many of you from attending. Unlike past years, October posed some scheduling challenges for many AAUW members including our hosts – the Northville-Novi Branch. We thank them and appreciate their willingness to help plan this year’s conference which promises to be another engaging, educational and hopefully fun filled day.

So, for those who can attend, why should you? Consider the following five benefits for yourself as an AAUW member leader:

1. Get an outsider’s perspective on some of your most pressing leadership challenges

Sometimes we need outside advice to stimulate our thinking, new ideas, and ways of achieving our goals. AAUW of Michigan leadership conferences offer participants the opportunity to hear distinguished local, state and national women leaders share their ideas and solutions, including those from some of our most knowledgeable and talented branch and state member leaders.

2. Develop a network that you can re-connect with once your return to your home branch location

An outside network can be invaluable, new people, new ideas, and access to a broader network. Think about previous conferences (this or others) that you’ve attended and the conversations you engaged in that led to a new association and resource that helped you work through a current leadership challenge. You might not have met that person had you not gone to that conference or workshop.

3. Develop a connection that might help you with future challenges.

As member leaders of an organization that supports meeting the challenges women and girls face in society, forming connections with people that can offer help or resources be they in-kind donations, services, products or people is important. You never know who you might meet that might know someone with just the skill set you need or can offer.

4. Step back, sort through, think creatively, reflect, re-invent and experience your AAUW work from a

whole new perspective.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to think bigger and more creatively when you get away from the day-to-day issues that rule your days? Perhaps you are looking for a fun and engaging way to attract new members. Need to identify programs that spark discussion and action on local, state, national or global issues. Or, need to enhance online skills like Facebook, Twitter, or the effective use of the organization’s website. May be form a mastermind group that explores and brainstorm a challenge and take what you learn back to your branches. New perspectives are priceless!

5. Learn something that changes your life (in a good way!).

Come to the Innovative Leadership III: Leadership Essentials conference with big intentions for yourself. You never know what you might learn about yourself or the work you do. Why not discover something that makes a huge difference for you both personally, as a member leader, or both!? AAUW member leaders are challenged with the mission to make a difference in the lives of women and girls. Leadership development training is in many ways a professional or personal gift to yourself that can help you give an even greater gift to those you serve.

Save the date, and join AAUW of Michigan and the Northville-Novi Branch as we host Innovative Leadership III: Leader Essentials, 8:30 a.m., Saturday, October 31 at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel. Registration is now open. Details about how to register and conference activities can be found in this newsletter and at the AAUW of Michigan website conference page [www.aauwmi.org/conference]. Look forward to see you there!

Janet Watkins, Program VP

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WRITERS' GROUP

BOOK CLUB SIMPLY DELIGHTFUL

DINING GROUP

This is directed to all "food lovers". There will be an organizational meeting of the Simply Delightful Dining Group on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Jackie Inglett 's home, 11 Heather Ridge Road. Bring your ideas for a successful 2015-16 year and your favorite appetizer to share. Please sign up at the September 14th meeting at the Art Center or contact Jackie Inglett(jacquelyninglett@att.net or 963-2505) to indicate your interest. Seriously consider joining this group!

The Writers Group will meet on Tuesday, Sept.

15 at the home of Jackie Sheldrick from 4 - 6 PM.

Even if you have never tried writing before,

please join our fun, interesting, and non-

judgmental group and bring your writing. Any

theme is acceptable. Social issues are one idea?!

We shall meet at the book site for the first

meeting, on Tues. September 29th at 6:00 p.m.

We will choose a battle Creek reads book then.

We're meeting earlier to get home before dark

due to time and seasonal change.

The plan for the night of the meeting is to

choose a book for the next meeting in October,

discuss books read over the summer, and

possibly draw up a schedule for next meetings

and where we will be having these meetings.

Mary Peacock buried by incoming books for book sale.

ad

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CULTURED PEARLS NEWS: Theatre,

Art, Music, Dance, Films, Museums, Fine

Dining, etc.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

STITCHERY AND HOBBIES

Oct. 3, 30 , BCSO "Just Dance",, Grand

Rapids Ballet, a spectacular season opener

Dec.5. 2015. 7':30 p/m/ . "BBBC Holiday

Concert ". (Buy tickets now.)

Aug.27-Sept 6,"The Will Rogers Follies", call

731-4121 at the Barn Theatre for tickets

Sept. 18-27, WhatADo Theatre, "August:

Osage County", www.whatado.org., call 282-

1953

Aug. 27 - Oct. 24, '"Nunsett Boulevard",

Cornwell's Dinner Theatre, Call 781-4293

Art exhibit: A new art exhibit at the

Continental Bakery began on Aug. 30th (until

Nov. 30) featuring the work of artist

Glendalynn Doom-Specht. Her dog, (Sue,

below) uses the media ink stipple

Welcome back! It's been a long summer, but it's

time to get crafty again. Jackie Luke invited me to

some cool kid's activities at the Art Center, and I

did some weaving with my summer school class,

but my knitting project has been sitting in the

corner getting lonely. We'll still be meeting the

second Wednesday this year, but our first meeting

with be pushed back a week, in case any new

members would care to check us out. So bring

your knitting, crocheting, sewing, needle point,

scra9pbooking, or whatever else your crafty

hearts desire; and join us for some good company

and good snacks on Wednesday, September 16th,

at 7:00 p.m. All of our meetings are at the home

of Lillian Jones, 120 Christy Drive. Email me if

you have any questions at smayo138@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there! - Sam

3 Phyllis Heaberlin 16 Marilyn Burtrum

6 Jenny Andrews 20 Janine Derks

7 Judy Gronewold

10 Joy Spoor

12 Arathi Badarinath

14 Carlene Zollner 27 Karen Strand

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Two New Standing Committees

The Board of Directors took action at their Aug. 10 meeting to establish two new standing committees.

These committees are described below and will be inserted into the Policies portion of the Member

Directory for 2015-2016. In addition the previously established Scholarship Committee will remain

within the Branch Policies and now titled Scholarship Selection Committee. Following are the

committee descriptions and purposes:

Strategic Focus Planning Committee

This committee will focus its efforts on exploring new and exciting ways to partner with local persons

and/or entities to collectively further the mission of AAUW Battle Creek. Members will strategize

around five primary focus areas: Scholarships, Sponsorships and Branding, AAUW National Funds,

Community Projects and Involvement and Fund Raising.

Scholarship Oversight Committee

This committee consists of 2-3 appointed members for the purpose of receiving relevant updated

information from the Battle Creek Community Foundation and to help the Foundation better meet our

goals.

It will serve as a liaison with local colleges and universities, will be responsible for communicating with

them annually regarding the Branch’s scholarship, will send a press release early in the year to publicize

the scholarship application process, annually seek Board approval for the amount of the scholarship's)

allocation and recommend the funds be transferred to the BCCF for that fiscal year.

Any questions you may have regarding either of these committees may be directed to President Jenny

Andrews or brought to full membership at an appropriate Branch Meeting.

Pat Fosdick

By-Laws Chairperson

I never thought I would be a recipient of the Branch’s Friends are There Interest Group, but I have to

tell you that it is a tremendously gratifying feeling to receive so much concern, caring and love from so

many you. I can tell you for certain that I would not have made it as rapidly and as well as I have

without your care. The visits, the cards, the calls, the food and the gifts are beyond belief and only

make me more certain that we are “sisters” in every respect. Thank you and I only hope I don’t forget

when it comes time to give back.

Pat Fosdick

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The September Used Book Sale will take place from September 10-13.

Donations have been flowing into the book site by the box full and car load!! We are anticipating a very busy

week for book sorting and shelving as the sale date approaches. With everyone’s help, we can make this

the best sale and fund raiser ever! We have organized and presorted many books which only need to be

shelved or placed in the boxes on the tables. Please join us for some light work and great camaraderie.

There are approximately 120 boxes of books to sort and shelve right now with more coming every

day. We desperately need all the help we can get right now. (See photo on page 4.)

Sorting & shelving dates are: Monday 8/31 – 2-5 with Joanne

Tuesday 9/1 - 1:30-4:00 with Chris Phillips*

Wednesday 9/2 - 9:30-12:30 with Carlene Zollner

Thursday9/3 – 9:30- 11:30 with Joanne and 1:30-4:00 with Chris *

Saturday 9/5- 10-2 with Mary Peacock

Monday 9/7 – 12-4 with Norma & Joanne

Tuesday 9/8 - 1:30-4:00 with Chris *

Wednesday 9/9 - 10-4 with Norma & Joanne

*You can call Chris to see what time she will be there, she is doing barrels and personal things

too – besides working at the book site 3 days a week. 968-9014, cell 317-1026

The barrels will be pulled by the 31st of Aug. If you know anyone who needs to donate books they can call

Jackie Sheldrick (269-979-2344) who will arrange a meeting time at the site when they can drop off their

books. Books can also continue to be dropped off anytime at Burnham Brook (now called the Kool Family

Center). The book house there will continue to be available even after the sale. (P.S. We need a volunteer

to store the book house until next August.)

We are asking members to sign up to work the sale. Most of the days we need members to be either

“greeters” or “helpers”. Greeters help to greet customers as they arrive & take email or phone number

information so we may contact them for future sales, and briefly explain the sale if they are first time

customers. Helpers assist customers locate book subjects, refill empty boxes and shelves, provide

assistance for customers who may need help getting books to their cars, and answer questions about the

AAUW and provide information on the organization and membership. Please call Jackie Sheldrick to

sign up to work the sale at 269- 979-2344. You can sign up for one, two, three or more hours on any

given day, depending on the schedule needs for that day. Jackie has the schedule.

Bookmarks, flyers (8.5 x 11), and handbills (3 x 5) are available at the site if you would like to pick them up

and hang them in your favorite places. Please give them to your family, friends, and neighbors to come to

the sale.

Yard signs (about 18) will be available for pick up at the book site on Thursday 8/27 to post around town.

When you pick up yard signs please sign the clipboard indicating how many signs you took and where

you will place them. Please place them in the community at really busy, visible locations by September

3rd, if at all possible. Please put out in safe places where they won’t be thrown away.

Thanks to all the people who have lugged books from their barrels to their cars and then on into the book site –

Chris & Bruce Phillips, Janet Miller, Jo Russell, Jan Emery, Jackie Luke, Jackie Sheldrick, Jill Robins, Edie

Walters and Norma. Special thanks to the faithful who have come to sort every week - Carlene Zollner and Chris

Phillips. Many other people who often come to sort are Susan Bond, Jo Russell, Jan Emery, Jackie Luke, and Janet

Miller. We can’t do it without you.

Thanks for all your help – the sale is coming together again!

Joanne Geise & Norma Dudiak - Book Sale Co-Chairs

September 10th (Thursday) is the “early bird” or pre-sale date; and a $20 entry fee is charged for that day only.

The hours are 10-5. We are expecting lighter foot traffic - mainly book dealers and more serious book buyers.

September 11 & 12 (Friday & Saturday) will be regular sale days. On the 11th (Friday) the hours will be 10-7,

and on the 12th (Saturday) 10-5. We are trying our first evening hours for working folks to attend.

September 13th (Sunday) will be half price day, and the hours will be 10-5.

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Phyllis Heaberlin, Newsletter Editor

420 Potter's Drive

Battle Creek, MI 49015

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