Utah Annual Branch Report 2010

Please complete each applicable section to describe your branch activities, completed or planned, from June '09 - May '10

Please select one or more of the following headings and describe a related branch activity

Advanced Equity for Women and Girls through research.

Wasatch Branch has been diligent in providing information for members about current research studies for women including Dr. Susan Madsen's, Utah Women and Education Project. Copies were made available to members at a general meeting. Also, members are given an overview of current AAUW projects at each meeting, thanks to the national web site and e-mail updates from AAUW.

Advanced Equity for Women and Girls through education.

Approximately a dozen branch members volunteer at Westminster College's AWE+SUM camp every July where 8^th grade girls learn more about math, science and technology. There is always an educational element to our guest speakers at general meetings. In April the speaker was Christi Palmer, Chapter Leader of Slow Food Utah who discussed Sustaining and Supporting Locally Grown Foods.

Advanced Equity for Women and Girls through advocacy.

We co-sponsored a well-attended legislative political panel with Salt Lake Branch and Utah Girl Scouts. The panel members were impressed with the pertinent questions posed by the audience.

In February, Utah Girl Scout CEO, Elaine M. Pace spoke to us about “Finding the Woman's Voice and told of projects where mentors help girls to be their best.

Enhanced AAUW's visibility in community.

Two successful events, the Utah Authors' Reception in October, where three local authors read excerpts from their books, and our fund raising Wreath Sales for the holidays, helped raise our visibility. The Reception was held at the Salt Lake City Library and the public was invited. We also send representatives to the Utah Women's Legislative Council.

Promoted Diversity.

In November, Julie T. Abouzelof, U. of U. history department, spoke on “Women of Power in the Middle East,” a fascinating power point presentation. In March, Dr. Theresa Martinez spoke about College Access for Underserved Students and told members about two projects she continues to work with and develop: Kids Court at Rose Park Elementary and Healthy Choices at Riley Elementary.

Recruited new members.

Most of our prospective members are personally contacted by a branch member and invited to join. We also have a branch information tri-fold brochure we distribute each year.

Developed branch leadership.

The branch September meeting is always a potluck provided by branch officers where members are given an overview of each office and committee and asked to volunteer. It is, additionally, the LAF fund-raiser event. Also, a very successful member-service pizza party was held in January where we planned for the coming year and asked for volunteers to fill the officers' board, which we completed at the party. Small groups brainstormed ideas for member participation in the coming year.

Tell us a little about how your branch was founded.

Wasatch Branch of Salt Lake County began organizing in the fall of 1980 as a need for a branch that met in the evening to serve residents in the southern part of Salt Lake County became evident. Under the guidance of Mary-Anne Fox, Division Membership Vice President, the branch was officially chartered by the Association in April of 1981 with eighteen members. In 2006 the branch published and distributed a branch history booklet to commemorate our 25^th year. Three charter members, Carolyn Bailey, Leona Blackbird, and Carol Sawaya are still active in the branch.