AAUW-PA Convention: “Small Branches, Big Ideas”

One of the workshop sessions discussed theme-based annual and seasonal programs for branches with small memberships called “Small Branches, Big Ideas.” This session explored the potential to appeal to and expand outreach and membership recruiting to broader, more multi-faceted audiences.

Some of the ideas presented during this jam-packed session included the following:

  • Voter registration and candidate education drives: These types of events will be particularly relevant to conduct during mid-term and general election seasons. In addition, small branches like Makefield Area can sponsor them in conjunction with other nearby branches and with larger organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Fair Districts PA, etc.
  • Sponsorship of school board and other candidate forums:  Again, these are activities that our branch can do with other branches and local/regional organizations
  • Gerrymandering events with Fair Districts PA: Currently there are a number of legislative initiatives in the PA House and Senate on redistricting. With a spotlight of state and national attention being shone on this issue, it might be an ideal time to align sponsorship of such events with efforts to promote more awareness of AAUW and membership in our branch.
  • Education: Public policy and grass roots advocacy. We can ask our members to contract legislators on the key issues that AAUW is involved in statewide and nationally. This can take the form of calls, emails, postcards, etc. on issues such as pay equity, women’s issues, redistricting, etc.

Growing Your Chapter: The Small Branches, Big Ideas session presented many excellent ideas on how to expand membership in small branches. The days of recruitment via ladies’ luncheons, teas, bridge and book clubs are heading into the sunset. Many branches are experiencing similar issues/problems/challenges we are: aging and dying members, women with very busy work-family schedules, lack of a local university from which to naturally draw members. Also, older members may not be as savvy with the social media sites and activities, so that much of what we are developing may not reach or have an impact with them.

The advice received from this session and speaking with other members was that we have to target an age/diversity demographic and meet them where they live/work/play.

Everything we do should be within the parameters of AAUW goals for advocacy around key themes: education, economic, political and social welfare opportunities for women, such as healthcare, pay equity, etc.

Some Suggestions for Expanding Membership and Community Outreach/Awareness:

  1. Strengthen Coordination/Cooperation with local advocacy groups: Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition, League of Women Voters, Fair Districts PA, other non-profit advocacy groups that advance the cause of women and girls through education, philanthropy, research, etc. Do refreshments, get members involved, set up a table with membership materials, promote.
  2. Coordinate activities with the national/state themes each year: Smart Negotiating Workshops, Equal Pay Day awareness events, Women’s Health Means Health for All, Keep Families Safe, etc.
  3. Increase presence at local colleges, which means Bucks County Community College (BCCC). Have events, serve food, try to integrate students into events. Attempt to get those who receive scholarships more involved/integrated into our branch.
  4. Work Closely with Institutional Partners: again, BCCC. We get two free national memberships for every partner. Have a few monthly meetings/branch events at institutional partner location. Doylestown branch, for example, has their monthly meetings and other events at Delaware Valley College, which gives them free meeting space.
  5. Focus on themes relevant to our area: The growth of suburban poverty, for example.  For many of the more rural branches, Women’s Health Care in Rural PA has been a popular topic. “Deeper in Debt” for college students. We can still do this as a branch program, but it will no longer be a state program going forward
  6. Use “Shape the Future” events for more member recruitment. These have to be public forum events where we can be present and will be able to offer ½ price memberships to state and national organizations. Ideas: have a brunch with a good speaker, publicize the heck out of it. Sponsor a Book Review event with books that support the AAUW mission. For example, we could do a Book Review Event with a speaker/reviewer at Barnes & Noble, or at The Corner Bakery Café. Use social media, radio stations, local papers, “Patch News” Neighbors.com, etc. to get the word out on these activities/events.
  7. Sponsor a “Start Smart” workshop:
  8. Fundraising: send letters to local corporations looking for donations, in-kind, etc. tied to our local events/activities. Landsdale branch has a sample letter for fundraising that has been successful for them.
  9. Make use of State and National Resources for key themes for events, activities: these include PA Campaign for Women’s Health; Draw the Lines & Fair Districts PA; Deeper in Debt; Equal Pay Day; etc.

AAUW Makefield Area Board Secretary Patti Reali-Santoro attended this year’s state convention on behalf of the branch and prepared this report on the highlights.