This is the first issue of Connections of 2019 and your Board wants to bring you up to date on the many things that are happening in the Branch, State, and National AAUW organizations.

Members have expressed that they would like to see fewer Branch meetings, so we skipped January. In February, our own Sandy Le Beau will speak on “Dr. Spock’s Kids”—please note the change in date to Saturday, February 16. Look for more details in this newsletter and we hope to see many of you at the Yardley-Makefield Library.

Your Board has been considering ways to increase membership. Many AAUW members are teachers or retired teachers. Many teachers do not feel that they can afford the $90 annual dues. Look below to see a proposal to offer teachers reduced dues. Getting new members involved in our efforts in the community is felt to be more valuable than the lost revenue from dues.

In other news, planning for the Girls’ Recognition Reception is starting with a meeting after the Branch meeting on Saturday, February 16. With the help of a $1,000 grant from J&J, we will make this year’s 23rd annual event really special. There are some exciting changes planned, including a change from a Monday evening to a Thursday evening.

The Cops ‘n’ Kids initiative continues to exceed expectations—look below for Mary Auker’s report on the project below. Come join us at one of our many local community events.

The Mature Women Scholarship Committee has chosen two outstanding candidates for the Peter and Kurland-Toney scholarships. Carol Kurland’s report appears below.

PAGES™ is coming up again on April 13. Volunteers are needed. More info below.

You can still donate to the Amy Lowenstein Scholarship Fund, either online by credit card or PayPal or by sending a check made out to “AAUW Makefield Area Branch” to Kathy Quinn, 7511 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119. Put “Lowenstein Scholarship” on the memo line.

Sharon Abrahams brings us another member profile. This one is of Kate Sweeney.

AAUW-PA is holding elections for three state officers this year and members can vote online or by paper ballot. Members can also vote at the February 16, Branch meeting. See details below.

Speaking of elections, the board is also seeking nominees for the Branch Board of Directors to serve a two-year term.

The Pennsylvania Legislature has already begun considering the 2019—2020 State Budget. PA Schools Work, a coalition of public school entities and organizations, like AAUW Pennsylvania, fighting for equitable, adequate funding necessary to support educational excellence, is looking for real stories about school funding problems to present to the legislature. See more information below in National and State News.

AAUW PA will be holding its Summer Retreat on Saturday, July 27. This is a great way to learn about AAUW and interact with others across the State.

Finally, there are still some nuts available for sale. These will be available at the February Branch meeting. Contact Kathy Quinn to reserve your bags of mammoth pecan halves and glazed pecans (gift bags).

Hoping to see you soon,
Kathy Shaginaw, February Acting-President