Currently, an AAUW member in Texas pays $45 for Association dues, $10 for AAUW TX dues and $10 - $16 for local branch dues -- a total of $65 - $71 per year. Many people I've recruited have reacted with "Is that all you pay in dues?" However, I've had current AAUW members tell me that folks are not re-newing because the dues are too high.
What do you think?
Monday, October 30, 2006
It's Just One Line in Our Public Policy Statement
I hear time and time again that branches have lost members because AAUW supports pro-choice. I find this curious: Our public policy statement is 3 pages long, of which only a couple of lines speaks to reproductive choice: "To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates choice in the determination of one's reproductive life." Does one throw away the rest of the public policy statement because of a couple of lines? I don't believe every single line in my political party's platform, but I believe in the majority of it. I don't believe every line of the discipline of my church, but I believe the majority of it.
My question: is this a legitimate excuse for leaving AAUW or is it a convenient excuse?
My question: is this a legitimate excuse for leaving AAUW or is it a convenient excuse?
AAUW Members Resistant to Change
One branch president in Texas,who has brought in a number of new members to her branch, was questioned by a long-time member "How do we know these new people share our values?"
Another branch president has recruited members from diverse populations, has established coalitions with local colleges civic organization, and, in general, has breathed life into a branch that was struggling. However, she has been met with resistance every step of the way from long-time members.
Then there was the branch leader who wanted to (1) establish a local scholarship; (2) engage students from the local community college; and (3) reach out to foreign women who wanted to learn more about the American life style before they returned to their native countries.
What is going on here? Have we forgotten that our membership requirement is only a baccalaureat degree or an associate, or equivalent, degree. We don't ask a new member about his or her values!
Have we forgotten our diversity statement: "In principle and in practice, AAUW seeks and values a diverse membership"?
Have we forgotten that many of us joined in our 20's and were looking for a different type organization that is meaningful to us now. Don't we owe it to the women of our state to create the type of organization that our young women are looking for?
Another branch president has recruited members from diverse populations, has established coalitions with local colleges civic organization, and, in general, has breathed life into a branch that was struggling. However, she has been met with resistance every step of the way from long-time members.
Then there was the branch leader who wanted to (1) establish a local scholarship; (2) engage students from the local community college; and (3) reach out to foreign women who wanted to learn more about the American life style before they returned to their native countries.
What is going on here? Have we forgotten that our membership requirement is only a baccalaureat degree or an associate, or equivalent, degree. We don't ask a new member about his or her values!
Have we forgotten our diversity statement: "In principle and in practice, AAUW seeks and values a diverse membership"?
Have we forgotten that many of us joined in our 20's and were looking for a different type organization that is meaningful to us now. Don't we owe it to the women of our state to create the type of organization that our young women are looking for?
Mission vs Institution
One of the surprising results of the values discussions AAUW conducted nationwide during the past year is that the majority of our members value the institution of AAUW over the mission of AAUW. If you agree with this, what part of the institution is particularly valuable to you?
New Mission Statement
Just this week, we learned that the AAUW and Educational Foundation Boards of Directors approved a single mission statement for the two organizations: "AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research." How do you feel about this change?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
