Friday, April 22, 2005

Woman-to-Woman Summit

Panelist:

• Jacqueline Fredericks (Moderator), Affiliate Governor-Women Lawyer’s Association of San Luis Obispo County; Board of Governors of California Women Lawyers
• The courts should reflect the people and serve the people.  The current California trend is 75% men and 25% women judges.
• Participate in an active letter-writing campaign to the governor’s office and ask why he is not appointing more women judges.
• Kimberly M. Smith, Associate State Director of AARP California Chapter
• Social Security System needs to be strengthened not replaced.
• AARP supports:
• Investing part of the Social Security surplus so that it earns higher returns than those offered by U.S. Treasury bonds.  That way we strengthen Social Security while sharing the risk of investing. 
• Raising the cap on the amount of wages taxed to support Social Security to cover the same share of wages as in the past.  That would gradually raise today’s cap of $90,000 to approximately $140,000.
• Making Social Security a truly universal system by including all newly hired state and local government workers in Social Security.
• AARP does not support private accounts.  Because less money would be flowing into Social Security, the guaranteed and inflation-adjusted lifetime benefits would have to be cut.  Private accounts can lose money and will be expensive to create this new system—first to keep our commitments to current retirees and again to pay into the private accounts.
• Handout
• Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet: Social Security and Women
• Myths and Truths about Social Security
• Eileen Boris, Professor and co-president Women’s Studies Program, UC Santa Barbara
• April 19 is “Pay Equity Day,” the day when a working woman’s earnings supposedly catches up to those of a working man of the previous year. 
• The American woman earns about 74 cents for every dollar the average man earns.
• When comparing men and women with comparable education and qualifications, the pay gap narrows to about 87 cents for every dollar a man earns.
• The wage gap exists because many women and people of color are still segregated into a few low-paying occupations.  Studies show that the more an occupation is dominated by women or people of color, the less it pays. 
• Pay inequity creates a retirement gap that victimizes working women
• Margaret Crosby, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California
• Reproductive Choice
• Elmy Bermejo, Chair of the State Commission on the Status of Women; special assistant to President pro Tempore, Senator Don Perata; board member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equity
• Handout: Many term limits for women in the Legislature expire within the next four years (see handout).
• Encouraged women to run for political office.

Business Session I

• The nominated slate of candidates for the offices of AAUW-CA was elected into their respective offices. 
• Co-President Elect: Rita Wustner ( Walnut Creek ) and Donna Lilly
• Finance Vice President: Letitia Corum ( Martinez )
• Membership Vice President: Jane Stanley
• LAF Vice President: Rozanne Child

Saturday, April 23, 2005

Business Session II

• AAUW-CA Finance Report
• As of 3/31/05, the state budget looks as follows:
• Budgeted for 15,500 members at $16 = $248,000
• Actual was 13,800 members at $16 = $220,800
• Net budget shortfall of $27,200 from dues revenue.  To realize organizational cost savings, the office was relocated at a savings of $13,100.  To date, 90% of 04-05 estimated revenues received.
• State continues to look for more cost efficient methods to run the organization grow membership, monitor expenses.  With good management, will not need to dip into the reserve account.
• Reproductive Choice
• Chris Winter, AAUW-CA Reproductive Choice Chair, and Alisha Wilkings, Public Affairs Manager of Planned Parenthood, presented up-to-date research and actions that are helping and hurting reproductive choice options for women. 
• Public Policy advocate Charlotte Newhart gave AAUW’s current stand on The Minor’s Access to Reproductive Services and the EC Pharmacy Program, as well as the state of our present state legislatures. 
• We are urged to work within our communities to inform and arouse community action.  Go to www.saveroe.com to sign the petition opposing anti-choice judges.  This is a national issue.

• Updated 2005-2007 AAUW California Public Policy Priorities.  Will be posted on state website.
• Resolutions debate on IFUW
• In 2004, AAUW Board sent letter to IFUW President announcing decision regarding inability to pay dues of $200,000 from the 2004-2005 budget based on severe budget constraints.   About 5% of budget goes to IFUW.  AAUW dues consist of about 40% of IFUW’s budget.
• Some branches very passionate and wrote Resolution for AAUW CA to urge AAUW to work and maintain relationship with IFUW and pay the IFUW dues, restore funding in 2006 budget, urge AAUW to review expenses of IFUW and publish its results and negotiate affiliate contributions.

District Meeting

• Received EF/LAF certificates

EF & LAF Gala Dinner

• Pat Washington-LAF Plaintiff vs. San Diego State University
• Washington claims discrimination was the underlying factor that led to her tenure denial on the basis of race and sex combined and in retaliation for complaining about the discrimination and pay inequity under California state laws. 
• California Superior Court dismissed the lawsuit on April 8, 2005. The trial date had been slated for May 6.  The judge felt that there was not enough evidence to support the claims and go to trial.

• 2004 Contributions – Clayton Branch
• EF Total $1391 ($22.08/member)
• LAF Total: $525 ($8.33/member)

Sunday, April 24, 2005

• 2004-2005 Branch Recognition Program – slide show featuring branches that submitted Program Recognition application with photos.  Also included Branch Milestones.
• Keynote Speaker: Marilyn Yalom, author “The Birth of the Chess Queen”

Save the Date: April 28-30, 2006 AAUW CA Convention in San Jose DoubleTree