Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
As so many of us are whirling through the holidays and gathering to celebrate with friends and family, there is also a sense of looking forward to the promise of a new year.
Accomplishments in 2014 are successes to celebrate: Many branches and members are to be applauded for successful fundraising book sales and activities, Sister to Sister Summits, contributions to local scholarships, community involvement and projects, achievements in public policy advocacy as well as AAUW Funds philanthropy.
At a local level there are branches working towards renewal and new beginnings, as well as developing programs to engage members and guests to expand the mission of AAUW to promote equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. We continue to stand up and be counted, because equity is still an issue.
At a state level, AAUW of Georgia is looking forward to branch members gathering in Valdosta for our state convention in April. The host branch, Valdosta, is planning a warm reception the evening of Friday, April 24th that will be a lively gathering of old and new friends and an opportunity to share memories and make new friends. On Saturday, April 25th, the convention will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Valdosta. The program will include guest speaker from national, local guest speaker(s), a documentary film and interaction with AAUW student members. Please plan to share in this time together and mark it on your calendar … carpooling will make a difference in your travel plans.
Please look for the Cherokee Rose Newsletter to come out in February with news from around the state as well as detail information and registration form for the state convention. Please submit any branch articles to Cherokee Rose Editor, Deborah Van Petten (dvanpett@valdosta.edu) no later than 1/20/15 if you want your branch news to be included in the February issue.
At a national level, it is an AAUW Convention Year. This year it is in San Diego, June 18-21. Have you already registered? Register by January 15th to get the lowest rate. AAUW of Georgia hopes that there will be many branch members from across the state that will plan to attend. Consider taking some extra time and explore San Diego together and with family and friends. Please go to www.aauw.org to get detail information and register.
Enjoy your holidays, have a safe and joyful time,
and we look forward to all our times together in 2015!