February 2025

It’s the month of Valentine’s Day, and the opportunity for appreciation that goes along with it.  I know I’m sending hearts to all of you for all that you do for each other and our community.

In early January, our branch received a delightful notice that we have been recognized for excellence in realizing AAUW’s mission of achieving gender equity for women and girls.  We were applauded by Diane Owens, member of the National Board, and past President of AAUW California who said in part “I want to congratulate you, your branch board and the entire Nevada County Branch membership for earning 4 Stars this past year!”

The “stars” refer to the Five-Star Program which was created by AAUW National a few years ago to highlight branches that are making significant strides in the many dimensions of organizational excellence.  There are five broad categories with a set of criteria for each:

• Advancement – membership growth/retention, fund development
• Public Policy/Advocacy
• Governance/Sustainability
• Programs
• Communications

This is truly an honor.  Last year, only 21 of the 1,000 branches nationwide and 5 of the 116 in California earned 4 stars. This honor reflects the breadth of our branch programs, vibrant communications vehicles, growth in membership, and active participation in our community, among other achievements. You can read more about the criteria on the AAUW National website. 

As we move into the 2025 year, the Board will be taking a closer look at the criteria and identifying opportunities for continued growth and improvement. As always, let us know your thoughts and suggestions.

—Carol McMillan, Co-President

January 2025

At our September Branch meeting, members completed a survey inquiring about skills one had to offer our Branch. Almost all attending members responded. You identified an impressive range of skills from baking to bookkeeping, from graphic design to database development. To my delight, as a professional strategic planner, even strategic thinking was noted. Now, the work begins to match your talents and interests with the Branch’s needs.
As Carol noted in the December Lodestone, the Nominating Committee will begin their work in January. The Nominating Committee is tasked with recruiting Board members, but they also are ‘talent scouts’ and assist with identifying where your skills and interests may be needed in roles from leader to committee member.
More and more, the work of the Branch is carried out by committees. While there is a leader that reports to the Board, the committee shares the work (and the fun). For example, the Local Scholarship Committee and Tech Trek Committee will soon kick off their recruitment phase. Without scholarship/applicant readers and interviewers, this process could not happen. Similarly, the Branch Programs Committee work together to pull off eight robust Branch meetings/events a year. Do you see the tables decked out and the food ready when you come to a Branch meeting? Thank a Facilities or Hospitality team member. The Membership Committee reaches out to new members and members in need. The Communications team is responsible for our vibrant website, Lodestone, and AAUW articles you read in the Union and on Yubanet. And there are even more opportunities to check out in public policy, historian, photographers, etc….
This year, we want to focus on the Fund Development Committee. This mighty group is responsible for recruiting businesses to sponsor our meetings and events. They will soon design a fundraising strategy to support scholarships in the upcoming year.
On a personal note, I joined the Branch in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Being new to Nevada County, pandemic isolation left me without a way to meet people. When I heard that our Branch was starting a strategic planning process to address how to move forward post-pandemic, I asked to be involved. I am so glad I reached out. That act of volunteering was the beginning of many enriching friendships and a chance to use my skills for a worthy cause.
The Nominating Committee is searching for leaders and workers at all levels and across all committees. We LOVE self-nominations. If interested reach out aauwnevadacounty@gmail.com.
Help us work together to empower girls and women!
—Diane Kellegrew, Co-President