In today’s update:

• Are You Registered to Vote?
• BGSU Food Pantry Donation Request
• Extend the 2020 Census Deadline
• Applications for 2021–22 National Fellowships and Grants Now Open
• Upcoming Events
• Notice of Potential Dues Increase for AAUW National

Are You Registered to Vote?

The November 3 General Election is just 63 days away. The deadline to register to vote in Ohio is October 5. Check your voter registration or register to vote. You can also request your absentee ballot or sign up to be a poll worker.

BGSU Food Pantry Donation Request

Students in the Master of Public Administration program, in conjunction with Dr. Shannon Orr, are working to open a food pantry on the BGSU campus. The food pantry will partner with two regional food banks as the primary source of food. They are soliciting donations to purchase and provide personal hygiene items (pads, tampons, deodorant, etc) and items to support mothers or expecting mothers (baby formula, baby food, diapers, etc). Our branch will donate $250 to purchase items.

If you would like to support this project with a donation, please go to bgsu.edu/give. In Step 2, select the option to “designate your gift” and search for “Food Insecurity Support Fund.” In the notes section, please add that you are a AAUW Bowling Green Branch Member so that the money can be used for personal hygiene items and items for mothers. The food pantry is not able to accept donations of physical items at this time. They are planning a hygiene drive for 2021.

Please contact Sydney Downing (sdownin@bgsu.edu) with questions.

Extend the 2020 Census Deadline

The data collected during a census is used to inform congressional seats and the distribution of federal funding for vital services. In April, the Secretary of Commerce formally requested an extension of the statutory reporting deadlines to address challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. After initially receiving bipartisan support, the request has now been rejected by the White House. Urge your Senators to act to ensure that everyone is counted in the 2020 Census.

From AAUW Washington Update

Applications for 2021–22 National Fellowships and Grants Now Open

Do you know any women pursing postgraduate studies, furthering their careers, or working on a program to benefit women and girls? Point them to national’s fellowships and grants applications. Deadlines run from November to December.

From AAUW Mission & Action

Upcoming Events

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming AAUW or community events!

AAUW Ohio Fall Summit Kick off: Women’s Rights and Advocacy 100 years after Selective Suffrage – September 12, 10am – 12pm, online event

• Register for this Free Event

SEEN+HEARD: Conversations About Sexual Assault, Abuse and Rape – Open through September 25, Dorothy Uber Bryan & Red Door Galleries

• This exhibition features 16 powerful portrait series of men and women sharing details of sexual abuse and assault, photographed as they tell their stories by Cleveland area artist Honey Lazar, and accompanied by sound and video recordings of those stories.
• Learn more about the exhibit, new hours, and COVID-19 safety procedures.

AAUW BG Branch Fall Welcome and Outstanding Women Awards – September 26, 10:00-11:30am, online event

• Join us to learn more about branch events for the years and the winners of the 38th Annual Awards to Outstanding Women.
• Registration details to come

Candidates Forum – October 4, 7-9pm (doors open at 6:30pm), BGSU Bowen Thompson Student Union Ballroom and online option

• There will be a virtual component to this event if you do not want to attend in person. The in-person event will follow COVID-19 best practices. More details to come.
• Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Bowling Green (LWVBG), League of Women Voters Perrysburg Area (LWVPA), BGSU Votes, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Bowling Green Branch, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, and BGSU Retirees Association
• If you have questions about the event, please contact Ellen Dalton, Chair, Voter Services, LWVBG, 419-575-9159, edalton@bgsu.edu

AAUW Ohio Fall Summit Part 2 – October 10, 10am – 12pm

• Save the date for the 2nd part of the Fall Summit – more to come

Notice of Potential Dues Increase for AAUW National

The AAUW National Board of Directors will consider and vote on a change in Individual Member dues at their upcoming Board meeting on October 16, 2020. Any increase would take effect on July 1, 2021. The Board will consider two different options:
A. An increase to take effect on July 1, 2021, of an amount between $3 and $10.B. An increase to take effect on the 1st of July of each of the next three fiscal years of between $3 and $10 each year.

The selection of option A or B and the exact amount of the increase for the option chosen will be determined by the board at its October meeting. Any change to Individual Member dues will impact paid Life Membership as well, since AAUW’s bylaws require paid Life Membership to equal 20 years of annual dues. The Board is not considering a change to College/University Member dues at this time.

Membership dues cover between 15% and 20% of AAUW’s annual budget. While AAUW’s expenses increase annually, in recent years dues have not increased with enough regularity to keep pace with expenses. Increasing Individual Member dues will help AAUW cover more expenses, including important functions like the Connect team, critical technology and infrastructure such as the website and Member Services Database, and other member support.

Please send any comments regarding this dues increase to connect@aauw.org no later than Friday, September 25, 2020. All comments will be reviewed by AAUW staff and the Board of Directors prior to the Board’s vote.

From AAUW National