Branch code: CA0076
Name of branch: Palo Alto
Your name: Roberta L. Riedel
Your AAUW member identification number: 2439211
Your branch position: President
Your street address: P.O. Box 60653 City: Palo Alto State: CA ZIP: 94306-0653
Day phone: 650-299-8996
E-mail: bobbie.riedel@stanfordalumni.org

Community Action Star

Yes! Our branch has undertaken a community action project related to education and equity for women or girls. Our project included a diversity component related to people from at least one of these groups (taken from AAUW's diversity statement): race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Our project was implemented prior to April 20, 2000.

Name and Purpose of Project: Beijing+5 Local Preparatory Conference. The purpose of the local conference was to prepare for the Regional Preparatory Conference called by the President's Interagency Council on Women and the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor. More specifically, the purpose was to prepare a report on how our local counties implemented the California Women's Agenda Report (i.e., the California application of the Platform for Action from the 4th UN Conference on Women, Beijing 1995); to assess what still needs to be done; and to identify the three areas of most crucial concern for action in our local counties in the year 2000.

• We included a diversity component by targeting for involvement at least one population underrepresented in our branch and identified in AAUW's diversity statement. To receive this star, you must check this item and indicate the diverse population(s) you targeted: Women under 40; all women of color
• Our project involved both AAUW and at least one other group in the community, listed here: California Women's Agenda; Santa Clara County Office of Women's Advocacy; Women's Intercultural Network
• We included a membership development strategy, described here: We included a visibility strategy, briefly described here: We used multiple organizations' membership lists to publicize the event. Distribution included the network of organizations that make up the California Women's Agenda and the Women's Intercultural Network; the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Advocacy mailing list; graduate student e-mail network at Stanford University; and various women's email lists within local corporations. Publicity included mailing and distributing "Save the Date" cards and conference registration forms, and e-mail alerts.

What was the project's impact in the community? How did your project promote education and equity within your community? What strategies did you use to target the diverse groups indicated?

Five local counties were represented by the women who attended the conference. We developed plans of action for achieving full equity for women through the Beijing Platform for Action. The conference was spearheaded by our branch members, and was done in coalition with a diverse network of women's organizations.

Public Policy Star

Yes! Our branch has engaged in ongoing public policy advocacy and voter education efforts in preparation for the 2000 AAUW get-out-the-vote campaign, as demonstrated by having conducted more than one of the following activities. Activities were ongoing, continuing throughout the year.

• We regularly communicated with branch members through newsletters, meetings, e-mail, fax, and/or telephone trees about congressional action on AAUW's priority public policy issues.
• We worked in coalition with diverse organizations to inform women about the impact of congressional action on women, children, and families.
• We informed local media about the impact of congressional action on equity for women and girls.
• We visited, called, e-mailed, or wrote letters to public policy decision-makers concerning AAUW's priority issues.
• We were involved in activities such as candidates forums and issues forums such as a Women's Summit on Social Security.

Please briefly explain the major points of the components you checked above and specify the issues you addressed. Who were your organizational partners in this effort? What was the impact of your branch's participation? Did your members learn new advocacy skills and strategies? Please attach documentation. If necessary, you may also attach one additional page.

1. We informed our members about AAUW public policy issues and encouraged action in several ways. We published "Get the Facts" and other AAUW public policy program and reproductive choice information in each issue of our branch newsletter. We established a branch e-mail distribution list, and sent the "Get the Facts" alerts to our branch e-mail list. We also publicized a neighboring branch's Social Security Summit in our branch newsletter, which our branch members attended.

2. We recorded a public service announcement on social security reform on our local cable TV channel, which was aired throughout the fall.

3. Three branch members lobbied our U.S. Senators and Congresswoman on social security reform at AAUW Association Convention Lobby Day.

4. We co-sponsored three candidate forums with the League of Women Voters during the fall (for our city council and school board races). We co-sponsored a candidates' fair prior to the California primary, also in conjunction with the League. We also held a branch program meeting that focused on campaigning for public office as a woman; it featured a panel of four elected officials, who are also branch members, speaking about running for public office. This branch meeting was specifically held to encourage more women to run for public office.

Social Justice Star

Yes! Our branch worked with people who differ from us with respect to gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or physical ability to support work on social justice issues such as gender equity, race relations, democratic government, economic opportunity, intellectual freedom, quality education and health care, human rights in the United States and in other countries, security for older Americans, and inclusive public policies.

We conducted social justice work by (check all that apply):

• Informing branch members about social justice issues for diverse groups in the community, and encouraging action on those issues through letter-writing campaigns, demonstrations, projects, and community forums. Social justice issues for diverse groups: Domestic violence Means of informing branch members: Used our woman-to-woman community forum as our branch program meeting that month; also taped a similar program that was aired several times on our local cable TV channel Action encouraged or taken: Increase awareness of factors involved in domestic violence and ways to help victims of domestic violence; recognize domestic violence as an international health issue
• Working in coalition with diverse organizations to assess the key social justice issues facing various populations in the community. Diverse coalition organizations: Key social justice issues in our community identified:
• Holding a Woman-to-Woman community dialogue that included partners from diverse groups and addressed a critical social justice issue. Please attach documentation such as a brochure and publicity.
  Date of event: April 15, 2000
  Partners: Support Network for Battered Women; YWCA; Center for Domestic Violence Prevention
  Social justice issues addressed: Domestic violence

Membership Star

Yes! Between Feb. 1, 1999, to Feb. 1, 2000, our branch achieved the following:

• We increased our membership by at least a net 5 percent.
  Membership as of Feb. 1, 1999: 352
  Membership as of Feb. 1, 2000: 313
  Net increase of branch: -11.1%

OR

• We matched or increased our Feb. 1, 1999, membership total plus achieved one of the following
  We recruited a new college/university institution member
  Date recruited:
  Name of new institution member:

OR

• We established a new student affiliate satellite Name of satellite: OR We maintained a current student affiliate satellite Name of student satellite:

OR

• We established a campus-based, workplace, or Internet satellite.
  Name/location of satellite:

Please briefly describe strategies that helped to increase your membership. You may attach documentation and an additional sheet.

Membership counts are based on the Association Feb. 1 membership count reports. Annual branch members, paid and honorary life members, student affiliates, dual members, and associate members are counted. Paid life members have paid current Association dues multiplied by 20. Honorary life members have paid Association dues for 50 years, and either they or their branch has applied for honorary life status. Student affiliates are undergraduates enrolled in regionally accredited two- or four-year institutions. College/university members are accredited institutions of higher education. Dual members hold membership in more than one AAUW branch.

Fundraising Star

Yes! We achieved the fundraising star through at least one of the following:

• We contributed at least $3 per member to the Association to support programmatic activities.
  Total Association contribution: $868.81
  Association per capita contribution (total contribution divided by Feb. 1 membership count): $2.47

AND/OR

• We contributed at least $3 per member to the Legal Advocacy Fund.
  Total LAF contribution: $4,725
  LAF per capita contribution: $13.42

AND/OR

• We contributed at least $25 per member to the Foundation.
  Total Foundation contribution: $9,000
  Foundation per capita contribution: $25.57

Total number of branch members per Feb. 1, 1999 count: 352

Contributions to LAF and the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Contributions to the Association are not tax deductible because of the Association¹s advocacy and lobbying efforts. Contact the HELPLINE for the amount credited to your branch. The contribution recognition year runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 1999.

Visibility Star

Yes! Our branch attained local visibility through media outreach for branch community action projects, public policy efforts, or work on social justice issues. All four criteria must be met to attain the star:

• Our projected audience included nonmembers.
• Outreach to the media extended beyond meeting notices
• Targeted media included outlets such as newspapers, television, radio, or other organizations' newsletters. Documentation from this program year--April 21, 1999, to April 20, 2000--is attached.
• Documentation clearly displays the date and media source and includes press clippings, news releases, a list of local targeted reporters, a mailing list used to send a public service announcement, a media kit, a phone log of media contacts, an interview list, or evidence of television or radio coverage.

Leadership Star

Yes! Our branch has undertaken leadership development.

We attach at least two of the following (documents must be attached):

• a written branch plan of action with a timeline and measurable annual goals
• a written branch leadership transition plan to identify, recruit, train, and retain new leaders for leadership positions within our branch
• a written strategy for incorporating and promoting leadership education and development into the program activities of our branch

1999-2000 Application for Branch 5-Star Status
AAUW Palo Alto Branch, CA0076
Additional Information and List of Attachments

Community Action Star

See the flyer from our branch newsletter, January 2000, for a copy of the information that went into the program brochure for the Beijing+5 Local Preparatory Conference. Additional community action projects we undertook this year included:

• Co-sponsorship with the YWCA of Study Circles for Racial Understanding (three 5-session series beginning October 1999 and again April 2000), and the “Toward Racial Harmony: A Community Action Call” public dialog (see YWCA press release dated October 11, 1999 and program flyer)
• Sponsorship of two middle school girls to AAUW-CA Tech Trek Science Camp, as well as volunteer assistance in the planning and execution of the camp, and local publicity (see article from our branch newsletter, September 1999 issue; and article in Palo Alto Daily News, July 10, 1999 edition)
• Participation with Los Altos-Mountain View branch and the Girl Scouts in Tech Time science program for elementary school girls (see article from our branch newsletter, February 2000)
• Follow up to last year’s Sister-to-Sister Summit with a cable TV program and interview with Summit attendees; this cable program won a finalist award at the Western Regional Public Access Conference in October 1999 (see write-up of our cable TV program series)

Public Policy Star

The following attachments provide details about our public policy efforts this year:

• Communication with branch members about congressional action on AAUW’s priority public policy issues through the following newsletter articles: Reproductive Choice Under Attack, September 1999; Public Policy Section: California Universal Health Care Bill, October 1999; California Contraceptive Law, November 1999; Bill Threatens Public Education, December 1999; Voter Education: AAUW-CA Positions on CA Propositions, February 2000; Outlook for the Year 2000, February 2000; Family and Medical Leave Act, March 2000; Reproductive Choice News: Bill Threatens Woman’s Right to Choose, April 2000; Reproductive Choice Interview, April 2000
• Public Service Announcement (PSA) about social security reform on local cable TV: see PSA Days letter from Mid-Peninsula Access Corp and text of recorded announcement
• Social security reform lobbying of Congress: see article from our branch newsletter, September 1999
• Three candidate forums in October 1999 with the League of Women Voters: see article from our branch newsletter, October 1999 and advertisements in Palo Alto Weekly, Friday, October 1, 1999 and Friday, October 22, 1999; a candidates’ fair with the League of Women Voters: see flyer; publicity and attendance at Los Altos-Mountain View social security summit: see article from our branch newsletter, October 1999; branch program on running for public office: see flyer from our branch newsletter, March 2000

Social Justice Star

The following provides details about our social justice efforts this year:

• On February 9, we taped a cable TV show about domestic violence (see write-up of our cable TV program series).
• We leveraged this show by inviting the same panelists back to a Woman-to-Woman dialog on April 15, and held the program as both a community dialog and our program meeting; (see the program flyer for our dialog on domestic violence).
• Airing of the cable TV show was delayed to late March and early April to coincide with the community dialog. We distributed the program flyer at local libraries, Support Network for Battered Women, YWCA, Center for Domestic Violence Prevention, East Palo Alto Police Department, East Palo Alto Women’s Resource Center, and several other East Palo Alto locations. East Palo Alto is a neighboring city whose population is predominately African American, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander. We also sent the flyer and press releases to several newspapers (however this application is due before we will know whether it will result in any newspaper articles).
• On April 20, we used the taped film at a second community dialog held in conjunction with a 2-week-long Herstory Literacy event at Stanford University. We included a membership development component as part of our participation in the Herstory Literacy Fair.

Visibility Star

The following items contributed to wide visibility in the local community for our branch:

• We produced and directed a 6-program series called “AAUW Let’s Talk” for local cable TV (see write-up of our cable TV program series and attached TV listings from the Mid-Peninsula Public Access Corp/Cable Co-op, Palo Alto Weekly, and Palo Alto Daily News).
• Branch member Anne Saldich, member of the Palo Alto Weekly’s Board of Contributors, wrote a column about the LAF-sponsored Crangle vs. Stanford University discrimination suit and trial; this article generated over $1,300 in contributions to LAF from the local community (see article in Palo Alto Weekly, March 15, 2000).
• We submitted press releases to local newspapers about the Tech Trek, Science Camp at Stanford, our branch Membership Brunch featuring our award-winning Sister-to-Sister Summit video, and our branch program on micro-credit loans featuring Betsy Brill and Ken Kobre. We succeeded in getting articles printed for two of the three events (see article in Palo Alto Daily News, July 10, 1999; San Jose Mercury News, February 15, 2000; Palo Alto Weekly, February 11, 2000; Stanford Report, February 16, 2000).
• We taped a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about social security reform on local cable TV; it was aired throughout the fall of 1999; (see PSA Days letter from Mid-Peninsula Access Corp and text of recorded announcement).
• Through our co-sponsorship with the League of Women Voters, we advertised our candidate forums in local newspapers; (see advertisements in Palo Alto Weekly, Friday, October 1, 1999 and Friday, October 22, 1999).

Leadership Star

Our branch board of directors focused heavily on strategic planning this year. We held a full-day, facilitated board of directors “off-site” in June that provided leadership and strategic planning training. We dedicated 5 of 10 boards meetings on strategic planning this year. Through this effort we achieved the following:

• A vision statement for the branch, which we used to drive our Strategic Plan and Leadership Plan.
• Strategic Plan 1999-2002; it includes timelines and goals for each of the three years. (See attached plan.)
• Leadership Plan 1999-2000; it includes measurable actions for recruiting, training and retaining leaders, and a strategy for incorporating leadership development into our branch activities. (See attached plan.)

  Palo Alto Branch History, 1960-1990

AAUW Palo Alto

P.O. Box 60653
Palo Alto, CA 94306-0653
aauw-info@aauw-paloalto.org