| AGJ NEWSLETTER |
| Upstate Update AMSTERDAM * GLOVERSVILLE* JOHNSTOWN BRANCH SHARING THE VISION |
- The American Association of University Women advances equity for women and girls
through advocacy, education, and research.
- In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be
no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age,
sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.
April/May 2010
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President’s Message
Hi Ladies,
I hope everyone had a chance to be outside last weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather. Hard to believe they are
actually calling for snow showers on Saturday!
Thanks to Dianne Kierpiec for our Trivia Night! That was so much fun – even if my team did come in last! We
will definitely need to do that again!
I learned after the last meeting that Eileen Hartmann, our NYS President will not be able to join us at our April
meeting after all. She has a family conflict. But, I am looking forward to Maria Ellis being with us that evening
and her talk on “Developing Leadership Skills amongst our AAUW members”. If there is anything that you would
like Maria to address, please let me know before convention so I can pass it along to her. Please send your
reservations to me as soon as possible.
Please make note of the announcements in the newsletter about the upcoming board meeting and the garage sale. I
would like to encourage any and all members to attend the board meeting and share your thoughts, ideas, and
complaints – whatever they may be. I would rather hear things from you personally rather than second hand!
When I started in September, I told you all that this was going to be a learning experience for me, and I want to
know your thoughts!
Other than that, just enjoy your month, and I look forward to seeing all of you on April 26, if not before!
Best,
Helen
April Board Meeting
When: Wednesday – April 21
Where: Johnstown Historical Society
– across from Post Office
Time: 5:30 p.m.
This is an open meeting – please come and share your thoughts to help our branch grow! --Helen
Martin
April Dinner Meeting Reminder
When: Monday – April 26
Where: Holiday Inn – Johnstown
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Flyer Attached
--Helen Martin
BIG CHANGE!!
The May meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, at the Johnstown Public Library. (This earlier start time is
necessary since we will need to be out of the library by 8 p.m.)
Laura Channell could not do the Wemple and Edick’s program because she is not well at this time. We hope to
reschedule her for next fall.
A retired English teacher friend of mine--Janet Northrup--who wrote a book called Founding Women which is
about Chautauqua and the Chautauqua Women's Club has luckily agreed to present. Her husband, a FM graduate
and originally from Amsterdam, has a meeting at the college on that Wednesday morning. We can meet at the
Johnstown Library and have dessert and maybe even have ice cream. So I'm looking for dessert makers...if you
can and will do that, or will provide lemonade or something, please let me know.
Janet has already done her presentation for the Rochester AAUW, and this summer will do it at the Louisa Mae
Alcott House in Concord, Mass. The Rochester AAUW was so enthused that they have rented a bus and will
journey to Chautauqua. Janet is retired from Fairport HS and is sort of finding a new career quite by accident. And
she is finding out about lots of women from the hotbed of NYS that worked to get the right to speak in public, etc.
Several US Presidents and their wives have visited Chautauqua. Hope to see you all there. --
Sandra Maceyka 736-5130
Welcome New Members
It seems our membership is increasing due to a “member-get-a member” approach to recruitment. Our newest
members, Eileen Wrightsman, Jane Isabella and her mom Eleanor Isabella joined recently for the special 15 months
for 12 months dues offer. Their memberships will continue until June of 2011! --Liz Russo
New Member Bios:
Eleanor Isabella were recruited by Sandy Maceyka to join our branch. Jane lives in Johnstown and is a graduate of
Art Institute of Boston. Eleanor (Sunshine) also lives in Johnstown and has a business degree from St. Rose.
Eileen Wrightsman was invited by Gloria Kimball to attend the January meeting on Asian Symbolism and decided
to join. She was part of the “yellow team” at our recent Trivia night. She received her BA in Education from
SUNY Plattsburgh in 1968. She is a retired teacher from the Mayfield School District. Eileen volunteers at the
Gloversville Library and is on the Hospital Auxiliary. Her hobbies include weaving, knitting, golfing, cross-county
skiing, snow shoeing, and bowling.
Note: If you plan to bring a guest to any of our upcoming meetings, please contact Membership VP Liz
Russo so that a prospective member packet and name tag will be ready for them.
Time to Renew Approaching (FORM)
A reminder that our AAUW fiscal year runs from July - June. Therefore, those renewing their membership
are requested to pay their dues by June 1.
The fee to renew before June 1 will be $64. Membership renewals received after June 1 will cost $70. Save
money; renew on time! --Liz Russo
Win a Free AAUW Membership!
As a result of taking part in the National AAUW “Shape the Future” membership recruitment program last
fall, our branch earned 3 free National AAUW memberships since we recruited over 6 members. Two of
these free memberships will be raffled, one at our April and one at our May meetings. Chances will be $2
each or 3 for $5. Funds raised will be used for branch recruitment expenses. –Liz
AAUW Dorothy Anderson Wemple Literary Award
The AAUW Dorothy Anderson Wemple Literary Award is available to all high school seniors in Fulton,
Montgomery, and Hamilton Counties who will be pursuing a 2- or 4-year college degree upon graduation. Students
applying will be required to write a 300- to 500-word essay on the topic “If Not Now, When?”
According to Literary Award Chair, Rosemary Leo-Pappas, in writing their essays, scholarship applicants are asked
to consider the fact that Costa Rica is the most recent sovereign nation to elect a woman Head of State in an
election which follows more than 25 other nations who have elected women to the office of Head of State. Essays
should include a discussion of why the USA has not also elected a women as Head of State, and what it will take
to elect the first woman President of the United States. Entries will be judged on literary form, research, and clarity
of thought.
Entries should be submitted to high school guidance departments who along with area English teachers have
received information regarding the award. To ensure objective judging, neither the name nor the school should
appear on or be included in the essay. A separate sheet with student’s name and school, college they plan to
attend, and the counselor’s signature should be submitted with the entry. Deadline for the AAUW scholarship
application is April 23.
The $300 award is given annually by our branch in memory of Dorothy Anderson Wemple who was a member of
AAUW for over 50 years and a member of our local branch since its inception in 1967. Dorothy Anderson
Wemple, who died in 2007, was an English teacher at Knox Junior High School in Johnstown and was a past judge
for the essay contest which began in 1991. –Liz Russo
GARAGE SALE
When: Saturday, May 15
Where: Shirley Luck Senior Center, Main Street, Johnstown
Time: Set-up – Friday, May 14 – 5:30 p.m.
Sale – Saturday, May 15th - 8 a.m.
Workers are needed for set-up and sale day! If you have merchandise to sell but can’t be there, please
contact Helen at helenmartin74@yahoo.com or 762-7638 no later than Saturday, May 7 to arrange pick-up
or drop-off. Same applies if you are able to work either or both days! --Helen Martin
11th Sister to Sister Summit Approaches
The annual Sister to Sister Summit for middle school girls is set for Tuesday, May 18, at FMCC. Each year, for 11
years, volunteers from our Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown branch of AAUW have worked tirelessly to bring
this Summit together for young teen girls in our tri-county area. The Summit features fourteen workshops for the
girls to choose from during the three morning workshop sessions and a cap-note presentation after lunch. Over 200
girls from 17 schools in the tri-county area are expected to attend.
This year’s volunteer summit workshop presenters and their topics are as follows:
Fast Food Nutrition, Jean Budlong - Cooperative Extension
Dealing with Stress, Darlene Rose - Northville Central Schools
Sexual Decision Making, Christie O’Callaghan-Leue - Mohawk Hudson Planned Parenthood
Addiction Panelists from Montgomery Co. Drug Court with Claudia McDuffy
Friendship/Bullying Issues, Rene Carr - Fulton Co. Mental Health
Self-Protection, Michael Campos - ZenDoKai Martial Arts
Self-Image/Body Image, Cassie Walters - Mohawk-Hudson Planned Parenthood
Relationship Violence, Martha Lasher Warner - Pres. of Friends of Lisa Ellen Warner
Adventure/Leadership Games, Laurie Snell - Edinburgh School
Creative Art Experience, Kari Laubscher - College of St. Rose
Animal Rescue, Joan Nehrbauer - Brennan Humane Society
Yoga/Pilates, Sue Williamson - Wells Central School
“Zumba” - Patty Brown - Fitness Instructor
Theater Games/Self Expression, Jason Radlin - Theater Instructor FMCC.
After lunch, the girls will join together in their home school groups. Each group will be joined by a SUNY Albany
grad student. The Cap-Note speaker, Sandra McGarraugh, from the SUNY Center for Government and Civil
Society, will then lead the group in thinking about the role of women in our society today. The grad students will
then help each group process the day’s activities and help the girls make plans for using the information in their
lives and back in their home environment.
Stewart’s Shops has graciously donated $1,000 which will pay for the commemorative t-shirts for the participants.
Our branch has also received a $700 grant from The Montgomery County Youth Bureau. In addition, several area
businesses and organizations have also donated to make this program possible.
Branch members on the committee include: Anne Campos, Dianne Kierpiec, Barbara Nigro, Sue Summerfield,
Melanie Pombrio, Liz Russo, Gloria Kimball, Mary Ann Abad, Sandy Maceyka, and Paula Carnevale.
--Liz Russo
Public Policy
PAY CHECK FAIRNESS ACT H.R.12, S 182
The Pay Check Fairness Act has passed the House and is in the Senate. Your lobbying can help to get it through.
Here is a summary of what the act will do. The act clarifies acceptable differences in pay by making employers
demonstrate that a wage gap has a business justification. It allows for reasonable comparisons between employees
within a clearly defined geographical area to determine fair wages. It would prohibit employer retaliations against
workers who inquire about employer's wage practices or disclose their own wages. The act strengthens penalties for
equal pay violations. Women can obtain the same remedies to discrimination as those based on race and national
origin.
The legislation would increase staff of EEOC to better identify and handle disputes, provide educational programs,
technological assistance to employers and develop salary negotiation training for women and girls. An Equal
Opportunity Survey would mandate federal contractors to submit data on employment practices (hiring, promoting,
termination, and pay).
AAUW.org is an excellent source for information, and it is simple to click onto the two minute activist and voice
your opinion to your senator.
--Michele Acquaro
Remaining 2010 Programs:
April 23-25
NYS AAUW Convention
Otesaga, Cooperstown
Contact Helen Martin
Monday, April 26
Annual Meeting at Holiday Inn
Maria Ellis, NYS District Coordinator arr & res Helen Martin 762-7638
Monday, May 11
Dessert Buffet at Johnstown Library
Janet Myers Northrup, “Founding Women: Inspiration and Impact on Chautauqua and the Nation”
arr & res Sandy Maceyka 762-5130
Tuesday, May 18
11th Sister to Sister Summit at FMCC
Anne Campos & Dianne Kierpiec
Tuesday, June 8
Arkell Museum Tour
Catered light supper
Since Michele Acquaro has agreed to take the Asst. Treasurer position, we are in need of someone to chair the
Public Policy committee that Michele has taken care of for many years. Please let me know as soon as possible if
you are interested - Michele will work with whoever takes it over. –Helen Martin
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
*April 15
ECS Women’s Symposium Recap
Meeting
5:00 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
ECS Women’s Consortium Meeting
5:30 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
*April 20
Final Sister to Sister Summit Plan-
ning Meeting
3:30 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
*April 21
AAUW Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. at Johnstown Historical
Society
*April 23
Deadline for AAUW High School
Scholarship/Essay Contest
*April 23 - 25
AAUW-NYS Convention
Cooperstown
(www.aauw-nys.org/convention)
*April 26
AAUW Annual Meeting
5:30 p.m. Johnstown Holiday Inn
Speaker - AAUW NYS District
Council Director, Maria Ellis
*May 11
Dessert Buffet
6 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
Speaker - Janet Northrup, author of
Founding Women
*May 14 -15
AAUW Garage Sale
Johnstown Senior Center
*May 18
11th annual Sister to Sister Summit
FMCC
*May 28
Johnstown Memorial Day Parade
6:30 pm
Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown AAUW 2010-11 BOARD
Positions with * are elected every 2 years with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms
Positions with ** are to be elected this April
The other positions are appointed
*PRESIDENT: HELEN MARTIN
**VICE-PRESIDENTS:
**PROGRAM: SANDRA MACEYKA
**MEMBERSHIP: PHYLLIS NICOLELLA
**EDUCATION FOUNDATION
EF - KAYE SCHRADER
LAF - GINNI MAZUR
SECRETARIES:
*RECORDING SEC / BY-LAWS: SUE SUMMERFIELD
ASSISTANT SEC: SUE CHADWICK
CORRESPONDING SEC: BARBARA TAYLOR
MEMBERSHIP BOOKLET: GLORIA/SANDY
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: GLORIA KIMBALL - Y
WEB EDITOR&INTERNET CONTACT: LAURIE FREEMAN
**TREASURER: BARB NIGRO
ASSISTANT TREAS: MICHELE ACQUARO
PAST PRESIDENT: MELANIE POMBRIO
COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY RELATIONS: LAURIE FREEMAN
PUBLIC INFORMATION: LIZ RUSSO
There are SOME openings, please contact me if you are interested. Sandy Maceyka
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: DIANNE KIERPIEC
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE:
CULTURAL: BONNIE VAN WIE
DIVERSITY: MARYANNE ABAD
WOMEN’S ISSUES
CAROL COWNIE - Yes
ED EQUITY/SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
MATH&SCIENCE 7&8th GRAD: MARIE WOJESKI & LINDA ZILKA
HS-LITERARY: ROSEMARY LEO-PAPPAS
COLLEGE/FMCC: TERRY CONAWAY/ELLIE FOSMIRE
HISTORIAN: GINNI MAZUR
OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH: HELEN MANDATO
PUBLIC POLICY/ EQUAL PAY: MICHELE ACQUARO-No
SISTER TO SISTER COORDINATORS: ANNE CAMPOS & DIANNE KIERPIEC
VOTER EDUCATION: Rosemary Leo-Pappas
NOMINATING: SANDY/GLORIA/GINNI
TIME KEEPER/HOSPITALITY: AUDREY BOWMAN
NYS District IV Representative: LINDA HAMMOND
Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown AAUW - 2010-11 BALLOT
Please check on the line for yes, or WRITE IN another name, and return to Sue Summerfield. Thanks.
(BALLOT)
VICE-PRESIDENTS:
PROGRAM:
_____ SANDRA MACEYKA
_____ other?___________________
MEMBERSHIP:
_____ PHYLLIS NICOLELLA
_____ other?___________________
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
______ EF - KAYE SCHRADER
_____ other?___________________
_____ LAF - GINNI MAZUR
_____ other?___________________
TREASURER:
_____ BARB NIGRO
_____ other?___________________
ASSISTANT TREAS.
_____ MICHELE ACQUARO
_____ other?___________________
Willing to volunteer for a committee?
AMSTERDAM-GLOVERSVILLE-JOHNSTOWN AAUW
2010-2011 Membership Renewal Form
Name: ________________________________________________
*****PLEASE NOTE ANY CHANGES AND COMPLETE THE PAGE BELOW*****
Address: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________
Institution(s), Degree(s), and year(s) of graduation:
________________________________________________
Email Address: ________________________________________________
************************************************************************
Please Check One of the Following:
_______ I have enclosed $_______* for dues before June 1, 2010. *($ 64)
_______I have enclosed $_______ ** dues after June 1, 2010.
*$70)
(*Subject to revision re AAUW National and State assessments.)
_______ I have enclosed $_______* for dues as a Life Member.
(*To become a life member one pays 20 times the current national dues plus the current yearly state and
local dues yearly)
________ I am resigning membership in AAUW.
My reason(s) is/are as follows:
____Family obligations ____Moving out of the area ____Dues amount ____Meeting topics
Other (please specify):_________________________________________________________
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
If you are interested in serving on a committee, please indicate by putting an X by the name of that
committee.
Committee descriptions are available from membership chairperson.
____Program ____Community Outreach ____Finance ____Membership ____Historical
____Nominating ____Cultural ____Public Policy ____International Issues ____Diversity
____ Educational Equity/Scholarship ____LAF - Legal Advocacy Fund ____ Sister to Sister
***Make your check payable to AAUW and send this form along with your check to:
Barb Nigro
484 Co. Hwy. 122
Gloversville, NY 12078
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
AAUW May Meeting (flier)
Where: The Johnstown Public Library - Community Room
When: May 11th 6 p.m.
Cost: $5 Checks made out to AAUW
Dessert Buffet
Speaker: Janet Myers Northrup “Founding Women: Inspiration and Impact on Chautauqua and the Nation” Chautauqua
Women’s Club Est. 1889
Reservations due to Sandy Maceyka by April 28th
Name: _____________________ Phone: _____________________
Bringing Something?: __________________________________
Guests Welcome: _______________________________
Amount enclosed: _________________________________
Sandy Maceyka, 100 E 6th Ave., Johnstown, NY 12095 736-5130
The Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit adult education center and summer resort located on 750 acres (3 km²) in
Chautauqua, New York, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Jamestown in the western part of New York State. The Chautauqua
Institution Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was further designated a National
Historic Landmark. It was founded in 1874 by inventor Lewis Miller and Methodist Bishop John Heyl Vincent as a camp for
Sunday school teachers. The Institution has operated each summer since then, gradually expanding its season length and
program offerings organized around the four pillars: arts, education, religion and recreation. It offers a wide range of
educational activities to an average of 75,000 people, in residence on any particular day during the season, and another
145,000 during the season attend public events, including popular entertainment, theater, symphony, ballet and opera. The
Institution also includes school of Special Studies, and a residential music program of intensive study is offered to students on
the verge of professional careers who audition for admittance into Chautauqua's schools of fine and performing arts. The
physical setting of the Institution defined its development as an assembly. The grounds are situated on the west shoreline of
upper Chautauqua Lake. The early tent camp assembly gave way to cottages and rooming houses, and then hotels and
eventually condominiums. But much of the pastoral summer retreat on the lake survives. In 1973 the National Park Service
recognized the institution's historic importance by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places
. In 1989, the Department of the Interior designated it a National Historic Landmark District , consisting of most of the
Institution property between NY 394, formerly NY 17J , the lake and (roughly) Lowell and North avenues.[2][3]
Institution programs Summer admission to Chautauqua is by "gate ticket" which allows entrance into the grounds, use of
Smith Memorial Library, use of public beaches and parks, and attendance at lectures and concerts. There is an additional
charge for some courses, for films shown at the Chautauqua Cinema, for opera and theater tickets, and for use of the golf
course and tennis courts.
Weekly programs: Programs offered during the week at Chatuauqua include a devotional service and a lecture on a social,
political or academic issue in the morning, an afternoon lecture on a religious topic, and an evening program. This evening
Amphitheater event may be a symphony concert by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, a dance program by the
Chautauqua Ballet Company, or a program by a special guest artist. During most weeks, there is at least one opportunity to
catch an opera and a play, both put on by Chautauqua's resident summer companies. Operas are performed in English at
Norton Hall, a 1930s era art deco structure. There are also regularly scheduled organ recitals on the George Gershwin visited
Chautauqua as a summer refuge to compose parts of his Concerto in F in a small wooden piano studio and give its first public
performance.[]
The program for each week is built around a unifying theme, such as world events. Chautauqua has been visited by United
States Presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Bill Clinton, and by other prominent Americans including Booker T. Washington,
Karl Menninger, Tom Ridge and, in 2006, Al Gore.[4] Franklin D. Roosevelt's historic "I hate war" speech was delivered
from the podium in the Chautauqua Amphitheater (1936).[5]
The Institution's grounds, located between New York State Route 394 and Chautauqua Lake, include public buildings (such as
the 6,000-seat Amphitheater), administrative offices, a library, a movie theater, a bookstore, hotels, condominiums, inns,
rooming houses, and many private cottages. There are about 400 year-round residents, but in the summer the population
swells as many as 10,000 at any one time. The Institution is largely a pedestrian community, with bikes and scooters seen
everywhere and a 12 mph speed limit for cars. There are several parking lots located on the periphery of the grounds.
Hi Ladies,
I hope everyone had a chance to be outside last weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather. Hard to believe they are
actually calling for snow showers on Saturday!
Thanks to Dianne Kierpiec for our Trivia Night! That was so much fun – even if my team did come in last! We
will definitely need to do that again!
I learned after the last meeting that Eileen Hartmann, our NYS President will not be able to join us at our April
meeting after all. She has a family conflict. But, I am looking forward to Maria Ellis being with us that evening
and her talk on “Developing Leadership Skills amongst our AAUW members”. If there is anything that you would
like Maria to address, please let me know before convention so I can pass it along to her. Please send your
reservations to me as soon as possible.
Please make note of the announcements in the newsletter about the upcoming board meeting and the garage sale. I
would like to encourage any and all members to attend the board meeting and share your thoughts, ideas, and
complaints – whatever they may be. I would rather hear things from you personally rather than second hand!
When I started in September, I told you all that this was going to be a learning experience for me, and I want to
know your thoughts!
Other than that, just enjoy your month, and I look forward to seeing all of you on April 26, if not before!
Best,
Helen
April Board Meeting
When: Wednesday – April 21
Where: Johnstown Historical Society
– across from Post Office
Time: 5:30 p.m.
This is an open meeting – please come and share your thoughts to help our branch grow! --Helen
Martin
April Dinner Meeting Reminder
When: Monday – April 26
Where: Holiday Inn – Johnstown
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Flyer Attached
--Helen Martin
BIG CHANGE!!
The May meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, at the Johnstown Public Library. (This earlier start time is
necessary since we will need to be out of the library by 8 p.m.)
Laura Channell could not do the Wemple and Edick’s program because she is not well at this time. We hope to
reschedule her for next fall.
A retired English teacher friend of mine--Janet Northrup--who wrote a book called Founding Women which is
about Chautauqua and the Chautauqua Women's Club has luckily agreed to present. Her husband, a FM graduate
and originally from Amsterdam, has a meeting at the college on that Wednesday morning. We can meet at the
Johnstown Library and have dessert and maybe even have ice cream. So I'm looking for dessert makers...if you
can and will do that, or will provide lemonade or something, please let me know.
Janet has already done her presentation for the Rochester AAUW, and this summer will do it at the Louisa Mae
Alcott House in Concord, Mass. The Rochester AAUW was so enthused that they have rented a bus and will
journey to Chautauqua. Janet is retired from Fairport HS and is sort of finding a new career quite by accident. And
she is finding out about lots of women from the hotbed of NYS that worked to get the right to speak in public, etc.
Several US Presidents and their wives have visited Chautauqua. Hope to see you all there. --
Sandra Maceyka 736-5130
Welcome New Members
It seems our membership is increasing due to a “member-get-a member” approach to recruitment. Our newest
members, Eileen Wrightsman, Jane Isabella and her mom Eleanor Isabella joined recently for the special 15 months
for 12 months dues offer. Their memberships will continue until June of 2011! --Liz Russo
New Member Bios:
Eleanor Isabella were recruited by Sandy Maceyka to join our branch. Jane lives in Johnstown and is a graduate of
Art Institute of Boston. Eleanor (Sunshine) also lives in Johnstown and has a business degree from St. Rose.
Eileen Wrightsman was invited by Gloria Kimball to attend the January meeting on Asian Symbolism and decided
to join. She was part of the “yellow team” at our recent Trivia night. She received her BA in Education from
SUNY Plattsburgh in 1968. She is a retired teacher from the Mayfield School District. Eileen volunteers at the
Gloversville Library and is on the Hospital Auxiliary. Her hobbies include weaving, knitting, golfing, cross-county
skiing, snow shoeing, and bowling.
Note: If you plan to bring a guest to any of our upcoming meetings, please contact Membership VP Liz
Russo so that a prospective member packet and name tag will be ready for them.
Time to Renew Approaching (FORM)
A reminder that our AAUW fiscal year runs from July - June. Therefore, those renewing their membership
are requested to pay their dues by June 1.
The fee to renew before June 1 will be $64. Membership renewals received after June 1 will cost $70. Save
money; renew on time! --Liz Russo
Win a Free AAUW Membership!
As a result of taking part in the National AAUW “Shape the Future” membership recruitment program last
fall, our branch earned 3 free National AAUW memberships since we recruited over 6 members. Two of
these free memberships will be raffled, one at our April and one at our May meetings. Chances will be $2
each or 3 for $5. Funds raised will be used for branch recruitment expenses. –Liz
AAUW Dorothy Anderson Wemple Literary Award
The AAUW Dorothy Anderson Wemple Literary Award is available to all high school seniors in Fulton,
Montgomery, and Hamilton Counties who will be pursuing a 2- or 4-year college degree upon graduation. Students
applying will be required to write a 300- to 500-word essay on the topic “If Not Now, When?”
According to Literary Award Chair, Rosemary Leo-Pappas, in writing their essays, scholarship applicants are asked
to consider the fact that Costa Rica is the most recent sovereign nation to elect a woman Head of State in an
election which follows more than 25 other nations who have elected women to the office of Head of State. Essays
should include a discussion of why the USA has not also elected a women as Head of State, and what it will take
to elect the first woman President of the United States. Entries will be judged on literary form, research, and clarity
of thought.
Entries should be submitted to high school guidance departments who along with area English teachers have
received information regarding the award. To ensure objective judging, neither the name nor the school should
appear on or be included in the essay. A separate sheet with student’s name and school, college they plan to
attend, and the counselor’s signature should be submitted with the entry. Deadline for the AAUW scholarship
application is April 23.
The $300 award is given annually by our branch in memory of Dorothy Anderson Wemple who was a member of
AAUW for over 50 years and a member of our local branch since its inception in 1967. Dorothy Anderson
Wemple, who died in 2007, was an English teacher at Knox Junior High School in Johnstown and was a past judge
for the essay contest which began in 1991. –Liz Russo
GARAGE SALE
When: Saturday, May 15
Where: Shirley Luck Senior Center, Main Street, Johnstown
Time: Set-up – Friday, May 14 – 5:30 p.m.
Sale – Saturday, May 15th - 8 a.m.
Workers are needed for set-up and sale day! If you have merchandise to sell but can’t be there, please
contact Helen at helenmartin74@yahoo.com or 762-7638 no later than Saturday, May 7 to arrange pick-up
or drop-off. Same applies if you are able to work either or both days! --Helen Martin
11th Sister to Sister Summit Approaches
The annual Sister to Sister Summit for middle school girls is set for Tuesday, May 18, at FMCC. Each year, for 11
years, volunteers from our Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown branch of AAUW have worked tirelessly to bring
this Summit together for young teen girls in our tri-county area. The Summit features fourteen workshops for the
girls to choose from during the three morning workshop sessions and a cap-note presentation after lunch. Over 200
girls from 17 schools in the tri-county area are expected to attend.
This year’s volunteer summit workshop presenters and their topics are as follows:
Fast Food Nutrition, Jean Budlong - Cooperative Extension
Dealing with Stress, Darlene Rose - Northville Central Schools
Sexual Decision Making, Christie O’Callaghan-Leue - Mohawk Hudson Planned Parenthood
Addiction Panelists from Montgomery Co. Drug Court with Claudia McDuffy
Friendship/Bullying Issues, Rene Carr - Fulton Co. Mental Health
Self-Protection, Michael Campos - ZenDoKai Martial Arts
Self-Image/Body Image, Cassie Walters - Mohawk-Hudson Planned Parenthood
Relationship Violence, Martha Lasher Warner - Pres. of Friends of Lisa Ellen Warner
Adventure/Leadership Games, Laurie Snell - Edinburgh School
Creative Art Experience, Kari Laubscher - College of St. Rose
Animal Rescue, Joan Nehrbauer - Brennan Humane Society
Yoga/Pilates, Sue Williamson - Wells Central School
“Zumba” - Patty Brown - Fitness Instructor
Theater Games/Self Expression, Jason Radlin - Theater Instructor FMCC.
After lunch, the girls will join together in their home school groups. Each group will be joined by a SUNY Albany
grad student. The Cap-Note speaker, Sandra McGarraugh, from the SUNY Center for Government and Civil
Society, will then lead the group in thinking about the role of women in our society today. The grad students will
then help each group process the day’s activities and help the girls make plans for using the information in their
lives and back in their home environment.
Stewart’s Shops has graciously donated $1,000 which will pay for the commemorative t-shirts for the participants.
Our branch has also received a $700 grant from The Montgomery County Youth Bureau. In addition, several area
businesses and organizations have also donated to make this program possible.
Branch members on the committee include: Anne Campos, Dianne Kierpiec, Barbara Nigro, Sue Summerfield,
Melanie Pombrio, Liz Russo, Gloria Kimball, Mary Ann Abad, Sandy Maceyka, and Paula Carnevale.
--Liz Russo
Public Policy
PAY CHECK FAIRNESS ACT H.R.12, S 182
The Pay Check Fairness Act has passed the House and is in the Senate. Your lobbying can help to get it through.
Here is a summary of what the act will do. The act clarifies acceptable differences in pay by making employers
demonstrate that a wage gap has a business justification. It allows for reasonable comparisons between employees
within a clearly defined geographical area to determine fair wages. It would prohibit employer retaliations against
workers who inquire about employer's wage practices or disclose their own wages. The act strengthens penalties for
equal pay violations. Women can obtain the same remedies to discrimination as those based on race and national
origin.
The legislation would increase staff of EEOC to better identify and handle disputes, provide educational programs,
technological assistance to employers and develop salary negotiation training for women and girls. An Equal
Opportunity Survey would mandate federal contractors to submit data on employment practices (hiring, promoting,
termination, and pay).
AAUW.org is an excellent source for information, and it is simple to click onto the two minute activist and voice
your opinion to your senator.
--Michele Acquaro
Remaining 2010 Programs:
April 23-25
NYS AAUW Convention
Otesaga, Cooperstown
Contact Helen Martin
Monday, April 26
Annual Meeting at Holiday Inn
Maria Ellis, NYS District Coordinator arr & res Helen Martin 762-7638
Monday, May 11
Dessert Buffet at Johnstown Library
Janet Myers Northrup, “Founding Women: Inspiration and Impact on Chautauqua and the Nation”
arr & res Sandy Maceyka 762-5130
Tuesday, May 18
11th Sister to Sister Summit at FMCC
Anne Campos & Dianne Kierpiec
Tuesday, June 8
Arkell Museum Tour
Catered light supper
Since Michele Acquaro has agreed to take the Asst. Treasurer position, we are in need of someone to chair the
Public Policy committee that Michele has taken care of for many years. Please let me know as soon as possible if
you are interested - Michele will work with whoever takes it over. –Helen Martin
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
*April 15
ECS Women’s Symposium Recap
Meeting
5:00 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
ECS Women’s Consortium Meeting
5:30 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
*April 20
Final Sister to Sister Summit Plan-
ning Meeting
3:30 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
*April 21
AAUW Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. at Johnstown Historical
Society
*April 23
Deadline for AAUW High School
Scholarship/Essay Contest
*April 23 - 25
AAUW-NYS Convention
Cooperstown
(www.aauw-nys.org/convention)
*April 26
AAUW Annual Meeting
5:30 p.m. Johnstown Holiday Inn
Speaker - AAUW NYS District
Council Director, Maria Ellis
*May 11
Dessert Buffet
6 p.m. Johnstown Public Library
Speaker - Janet Northrup, author of
Founding Women
*May 14 -15
AAUW Garage Sale
Johnstown Senior Center
*May 18
11th annual Sister to Sister Summit
FMCC
*May 28
Johnstown Memorial Day Parade
6:30 pm
Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown AAUW 2010-11 BOARD
Positions with * are elected every 2 years with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms
Positions with ** are to be elected this April
The other positions are appointed
*PRESIDENT: HELEN MARTIN
**VICE-PRESIDENTS:
**PROGRAM: SANDRA MACEYKA
**MEMBERSHIP: PHYLLIS NICOLELLA
**EDUCATION FOUNDATION
EF - KAYE SCHRADER
LAF - GINNI MAZUR
SECRETARIES:
*RECORDING SEC / BY-LAWS: SUE SUMMERFIELD
ASSISTANT SEC: SUE CHADWICK
CORRESPONDING SEC: BARBARA TAYLOR
MEMBERSHIP BOOKLET: GLORIA/SANDY
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: GLORIA KIMBALL - Y
WEB EDITOR&INTERNET CONTACT: LAURIE FREEMAN
**TREASURER: BARB NIGRO
ASSISTANT TREAS: MICHELE ACQUARO
PAST PRESIDENT: MELANIE POMBRIO
COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY RELATIONS: LAURIE FREEMAN
PUBLIC INFORMATION: LIZ RUSSO
There are SOME openings, please contact me if you are interested. Sandy Maceyka
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: DIANNE KIERPIEC
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE:
CULTURAL: BONNIE VAN WIE
DIVERSITY: MARYANNE ABAD
WOMEN’S ISSUES
CAROL COWNIE - Yes
ED EQUITY/SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
MATH&SCIENCE 7&8th GRAD: MARIE WOJESKI & LINDA ZILKA
HS-LITERARY: ROSEMARY LEO-PAPPAS
COLLEGE/FMCC: TERRY CONAWAY/ELLIE FOSMIRE
HISTORIAN: GINNI MAZUR
OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH: HELEN MANDATO
PUBLIC POLICY/ EQUAL PAY: MICHELE ACQUARO-No
SISTER TO SISTER COORDINATORS: ANNE CAMPOS & DIANNE KIERPIEC
VOTER EDUCATION: Rosemary Leo-Pappas
NOMINATING: SANDY/GLORIA/GINNI
TIME KEEPER/HOSPITALITY: AUDREY BOWMAN
NYS District IV Representative: LINDA HAMMOND
Amsterdam-Gloversville-Johnstown AAUW - 2010-11 BALLOT
Please check on the line for yes, or WRITE IN another name, and return to Sue Summerfield. Thanks.
(BALLOT)
VICE-PRESIDENTS:
PROGRAM:
_____ SANDRA MACEYKA
_____ other?___________________
MEMBERSHIP:
_____ PHYLLIS NICOLELLA
_____ other?___________________
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
______ EF - KAYE SCHRADER
_____ other?___________________
_____ LAF - GINNI MAZUR
_____ other?___________________
TREASURER:
_____ BARB NIGRO
_____ other?___________________
ASSISTANT TREAS.
_____ MICHELE ACQUARO
_____ other?___________________
Willing to volunteer for a committee?
AMSTERDAM-GLOVERSVILLE-JOHNSTOWN AAUW
2010-2011 Membership Renewal Form
Name: ________________________________________________
*****PLEASE NOTE ANY CHANGES AND COMPLETE THE PAGE BELOW*****
Address: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________
Institution(s), Degree(s), and year(s) of graduation:
________________________________________________
Email Address: ________________________________________________
************************************************************************
Please Check One of the Following:
_______ I have enclosed $_______* for dues before June 1, 2010. *($ 64)
_______I have enclosed $_______ ** dues after June 1, 2010.
*$70)
(*Subject to revision re AAUW National and State assessments.)
_______ I have enclosed $_______* for dues as a Life Member.
(*To become a life member one pays 20 times the current national dues plus the current yearly state and
local dues yearly)
________ I am resigning membership in AAUW.
My reason(s) is/are as follows:
____Family obligations ____Moving out of the area ____Dues amount ____Meeting topics
Other (please specify):_________________________________________________________
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
If you are interested in serving on a committee, please indicate by putting an X by the name of that
committee.
Committee descriptions are available from membership chairperson.
____Program ____Community Outreach ____Finance ____Membership ____Historical
____Nominating ____Cultural ____Public Policy ____International Issues ____Diversity
____ Educational Equity/Scholarship ____LAF - Legal Advocacy Fund ____ Sister to Sister
***Make your check payable to AAUW and send this form along with your check to:
Barb Nigro
484 Co. Hwy. 122
Gloversville, NY 12078
Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.
AAUW May Meeting (flier)
Where: The Johnstown Public Library - Community Room
When: May 11th 6 p.m.
Cost: $5 Checks made out to AAUW
Dessert Buffet
Speaker: Janet Myers Northrup “Founding Women: Inspiration and Impact on Chautauqua and the Nation” Chautauqua
Women’s Club Est. 1889
Reservations due to Sandy Maceyka by April 28th
Name: _____________________ Phone: _____________________
Bringing Something?: __________________________________
Guests Welcome: _______________________________
Amount enclosed: _________________________________
Sandy Maceyka, 100 E 6th Ave., Johnstown, NY 12095 736-5130
The Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit adult education center and summer resort located on 750 acres (3 km²) in
Chautauqua, New York, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Jamestown in the western part of New York State. The Chautauqua
Institution Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was further designated a National
Historic Landmark. It was founded in 1874 by inventor Lewis Miller and Methodist Bishop John Heyl Vincent as a camp for
Sunday school teachers. The Institution has operated each summer since then, gradually expanding its season length and
program offerings organized around the four pillars: arts, education, religion and recreation. It offers a wide range of
educational activities to an average of 75,000 people, in residence on any particular day during the season, and another
145,000 during the season attend public events, including popular entertainment, theater, symphony, ballet and opera. The
Institution also includes school of Special Studies, and a residential music program of intensive study is offered to students on
the verge of professional careers who audition for admittance into Chautauqua's schools of fine and performing arts. The
physical setting of the Institution defined its development as an assembly. The grounds are situated on the west shoreline of
upper Chautauqua Lake. The early tent camp assembly gave way to cottages and rooming houses, and then hotels and
eventually condominiums. But much of the pastoral summer retreat on the lake survives. In 1973 the National Park Service
recognized the institution's historic importance by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places
. In 1989, the Department of the Interior designated it a National Historic Landmark District , consisting of most of the
Institution property between NY 394, formerly NY 17J , the lake and (roughly) Lowell and North avenues.[2][3]
Institution programs Summer admission to Chautauqua is by "gate ticket" which allows entrance into the grounds, use of
Smith Memorial Library, use of public beaches and parks, and attendance at lectures and concerts. There is an additional
charge for some courses, for films shown at the Chautauqua Cinema, for opera and theater tickets, and for use of the golf
course and tennis courts.
Weekly programs: Programs offered during the week at Chatuauqua include a devotional service and a lecture on a social,
political or academic issue in the morning, an afternoon lecture on a religious topic, and an evening program. This evening
Amphitheater event may be a symphony concert by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, a dance program by the
Chautauqua Ballet Company, or a program by a special guest artist. During most weeks, there is at least one opportunity to
catch an opera and a play, both put on by Chautauqua's resident summer companies. Operas are performed in English at
Norton Hall, a 1930s era art deco structure. There are also regularly scheduled organ recitals on the George Gershwin visited
Chautauqua as a summer refuge to compose parts of his Concerto in F in a small wooden piano studio and give its first public
performance.[]
The program for each week is built around a unifying theme, such as world events. Chautauqua has been visited by United
States Presidents from Ulysses S. Grant to Bill Clinton, and by other prominent Americans including Booker T. Washington,
Karl Menninger, Tom Ridge and, in 2006, Al Gore.[4] Franklin D. Roosevelt's historic "I hate war" speech was delivered
from the podium in the Chautauqua Amphitheater (1936).[5]
The Institution's grounds, located between New York State Route 394 and Chautauqua Lake, include public buildings (such as
the 6,000-seat Amphitheater), administrative offices, a library, a movie theater, a bookstore, hotels, condominiums, inns,
rooming houses, and many private cottages. There are about 400 year-round residents, but in the summer the population
swells as many as 10,000 at any one time. The Institution is largely a pedestrian community, with bikes and scooters seen
everywhere and a 12 mph speed limit for cars. There are several parking lots located on the periphery of the grounds.
President : Helen Martin
Vice President - Program : Sandy Maceyka
Vice President - Membership: Liz Russo
Vice President – Ed Foundation: Kaye Schrader
Vice President – Legal Advocacy: Ginni Mazur
Recording Secretary: Sue Summerfield
Treasurer: Barbara Nigro