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Each New York State branch is asked to submit the name of an emerging leader to be recognized at the State Convention. This award is presented to branch leaders who are first term board members or officers or AAUW members who demonstrate leadership potential through their enthusiasm, creative ideas, and commitment to AAUW’s mission.
Every year we recognize new branch leaders who worked on branch projects, chaired events, raised money for various causes, planned programs, served on board positions and were involved in their communities.
Applications for 2012 are available now - either print or fill out online.
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Joan Monk
District Council Director
District Coordinators are the link between the AAUW NYS Board and the
branches. They chair the Fall district meetings, coordinating the efforts of the participating branches. Contact information for them is available on the "contact us" page.
Some documents have been written up to help in planning the district conferences. District 6 Coordinator Claire Regan has put together a guide to organizing a district conference. In addition, District Director Joan Monk has provided a conference worksheet.
Here is a summary of the 2011-2012 conferences:
The NYS District I Fall Conference, hosted by the Dunkirk-Fredonia Branch, was held at JCC North Campus on October 8th. The focus of this meeting was the film “Iron Jawed Angels”. Katja von Garnier's " film tells the remarkable and little-known story of a group of passionate and dynamic young women, led by Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and her friend Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor), who put their lives on the line to fight for American women's right to vote. Rose Sebouhian, President of the local League of Women Voters moderated the discussion. A special thanks to Pam Westman and her team as well as the District I Coordinator, Mary Lenda and branch presidents for making this event a success.
The NYS District II Fall Conference, hosted by the Rochester Area Branch, was held on October 29th at The Perkins Mansion. The theme was “Wishes, Wisdom, Ethics & Integrity.” Members discussed the need to be more vocal in letting candidates and the general public know how we feel. This includes writing letters to the editor and communicating with candidates. Lack of disrespect, civility and integrity were also part of the dialog. As always, members enjoyed sharing information about branch activities and projects. Rave reviews were received at the end of this inspiring day! Thank you to Marilyn Tedeschi (District II Coordinator), her team and the District II branch presidents for making the District II Fall Conference a most enjoyable and successful experience.
The NYS District III Fall Conference became the Spring Conference to be held on March 31, 2012. Branches in this district are looking forward to the conference theme, “Women’s Roles in 18th Century Colonial Life in America:
How Did They Do It All?” SUNY Binghamton’s downtown campus is the conference location. A special thanks to the Southern New York Branch team as well as the District III Coordinator and branch presidents for their flexibility and commitment to grow AAUW.
The NYS District IV Fall Conference did not occur due to complications created by Hurricane Irene.
The NYS District V Fall Conference was hosted by the Westchester Branch on October 29th, at the Unitarian Church in Hastings on Hudson, NY. The wintry mix that arrived on t Justice Mary Werner, he scene added a bit of intensity and drama to our day. The agenda included sharing by District V branch presidents and state board members and in attendance. Roli Wendorf raised funds for LAF with a beautiful basket that reinforced the conference theme of “Communication.” The keynote presentation by Mary Lou Walker, author of “Speak Easy,” encouraged use of her rules to bring you to new heights, in conversation and in life. As you learn how to ‘speak easy” on matters high, low and in between, you will break away from stale, mundane, and repetitive talk and develop a new and enduring source of self- enjoyment. Two sets of workshops included Visibility, Digital Photography, Membership and Branch Incorporation. Special thanks to Claire Regan, District V Coordinator, all the District V branch presidents, and especially Marilee Sheuneman who coordinated this event.
The NYS District VI Fall Conference was held at the St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, Long Island on October 23rd. Members enjoyed the informative and stimulating keynote speaker, Justice Mary Werner. This mother of 7 children, returned to college at the age of 40 to get her law degree in 1977. She has received numerous awards and rose to District Administrative Judge of Suffolk County. Thank you AAUW Islip Area and Smithtown Branches for co-hosting this event. I would like to thank Erna Cunningham, District VI Coordinator and the District VI branch presidents for making this Fall Conference educational and fun.
The NYS District VII Conference will be held at Jefferson County Community College on March 3, 2012. It will be hosted by the Jefferson County Branch and this year’s theme is “Bully Culture: Understanding it and Overcoming It.” Holly Kearl will be the keynote speaker. Special thanks to Jennifer Ball, District 7 Coordinator for putting this together. I am looking forward to learning more about this timely topic.
Below are the writeups of the 2010 conferences:
The NYS District I Fall Conference, hosted by the Jamestown Branch, was held at Chautauqua Institution on October 16th. The theme of this meeting was “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”. As always, we heard about the other branches’ activities and learned much from hearing about the different women who were discussed at this meeting: Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman presidential candidate, and Marian White, archaeologist, were presented by the Buffalo Branch; Katherine Stoneman, lawyer and Bertha Stoneman, Botanist were presented by the Jamestown Branch; Ann Burns, the first woman chief of police, was presented by Dunkirk-Fredonia Branch. These women accomplished much in the face of adversity. A special thanks to Dr. Mary Lenda and her team as well as the District I branch presidents for making this event such a success.
The NYS District II Fall Conference, hosted by the Rochester Area Branch, was held on October 30th at The Perkins Mansion. The theme was “Leaders Leading Leaders” and we heard about AAUW State and National Leadership and Development Programs and "Working Together to Lead the Way" from distinguished speakers including our very own AAUW NYS president, Eileen Hartman, Helen Jae and Marilyn Tedeschi. The mansion history and tours were facilitated by Vickie Fumia and other branch members. I would like to thank Marilyn Tedeschi, Helen Jae, Vickie Fumia and the District II branch presidents for making the AAUWNYS District II Fall Conference a most enjoyable and successful conference.
The NYS District III Fall Conference was hosted by AAUW Oswego Branch leadership on October 2nd. According to our AAUW NYS president, Eileen Hartman, the conference was an absolutely outstanding and the location was lovely with the Oswego River and Lake Ontario outside the windows of the restaurant. Special thanks to Helen, Juanita, Marilynn as well as other branch leaders who outdid themselves in organizing such a successful conference. Special speakers included national and state leaders such as Nancy Mion, Mildred DeWitt and our new state Public Policy Director Kathy Gorr. The tour of Oswego following the conference was also a delightful addition and opportunity to see the highlights of the town and SUNY campus. The keynote speaker gave us a researched and insightful look at human trafficking, adding in her personal observations from trips abroad. Professor Michael Ruddy, who spoke about elections and politics, connected us to his viewpoints and personal journey and experiences. A special thanks to the Oswego Branch president and her team as well as the District III branch presidents for making this conference special and for moving our AAUW mission forward.
The NYS District IV Fall Conference was hosted by the Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown Branch on October 23rd at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown. The main presenter was Carol Tomlinson, RN, BS, a Community Health Educator at HealthLink Littauer and an instructor of Arthritic Tai Chi. Carol talked about many women’s health issues including heart disease and the 7 risk factors that you can control; the effects of diet and exercise in our daily lives and the importance of laughter in managing stress. She demonstrated Tai Chi and the benefits for arthritis, balance, stress, and mindfulness. Thank you to the leadership of the AAUW Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown Branch as well as the presidents of the District IV and its leadership for an informative conference on women’s health issues.
The NYS District V Fall Conference was hosted by AAUW NYC Branch on October 31st at their beautiful brownstone. We had a successful, well attended and enriching conference. It included branch sharing of their "My Sisters' Keeper" NYS initiatives, advocacy for public policy, fund-raising for EF, LAF and our District V conference through book sales and signing by our keynote presenter Jacqueline Wales and recruitment of one or two new members to AAUW. Distinguished speakers included Amrita Bahl on the work of Project Sehat and Global Help, Dr. Lisa Clark on NYS's "My Sisters' Keeper" initiatives, Marilee Scheuneman and Roli Wendorf on $tart $mart Pay Negotiations. My very own workshop on "Happiness, Loving yourself and Finding your Purpose" was well received by our members and friends and we had fun sharing our core values, passion and purpose. We all enjoyed the warm hospitality of our lovely Ida Crawford Stewart and the entertainment of Dr. Helen Yalof, Elizabeth Levy, Miriam Levenson and Ken Laufer. The meals and the break-out refreshments also emphasized AAUW's diversity principle with food items from all parts of the globe prepared in-house under the leadership of NYC branch, Black History Co-chair, Daphne Griffin. It was cap-stoned with the cutting of the conference theme cake by the keynote presenter and District V leaders. I would like to thank AAUW NYC Branch president Dr. Nkechi Agwu and her team including Dr. Ada Okika, Dr. Carol Huie, Daphne Griffin, Europa Wilson-Agwu for hosting this conference. Special thanks to all the District V presidents including Mildred DeWitt, Dr. Lisa Clark, Marilee Scheuneman & Claire Regan and all those who made this conference such as success.
The NYS District VI Fall Conference was held at the Farmingdale State College on October 23rd. We all enjoyed the speakers including Debra Cooper from CARE, Eileen Breslin from the NAWBO & Barbara Roberts from the WPO. Also, we heard from Nancy Mion about Long Island’s Congressional Voting Record. I personally enjoyed this conference because I had the opportunity to share my 2010 NCCWSL experience and to meet two of the students, Philana Thorne and Rachel Cadet from Dowling College who attended the National Conference of College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). Philana and Rachel were sponsored by AAUW Islip Area Branch and they shared with us their NCCWSL life changing experience. Thank you AAUW Islip Area Branch for making a difference on these young girls’ life. I would like to thank Erna Cunningham, District VI Coordinator and the District VI branch presidents and other branch leaders including Nancy Mion, Diane Haney, Norma Plett, Carol Eve Morawski for hosting and making this Fall Conference educational and fun.
The NYS District VII Fall Conference was held at Clarkson University on October 21st. The Theme was Do You Like What You See? How to Engage the Social Impact of Media on Girls and Women? The conference was sponsored by the NYS Jefferson County Branch and St. Lawrence County Branch. A special thanks to the District VII branch presidents for making this event such a success!
The 2009 conferences were also well received:
District 1 - "Advocacy"
District 2 - "In and Out of this World"
District 3 - "Education - Our Bridge to the World"
District 5 - "Empowering Women in the 21st Century"
District 6 - "Breaking through Barriers"
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