Membership Meeting: Minutes
Thursday November 10, 2011 6:30 PM
Trinity Oaks Retirement Community
Second Floor, Special Events Room
The AAUW, Salisbury Branch met on Thursday November 10, 2011 at the Trinity Oaks Retirement Community at 6:30 PM in the Special Events Room. Brunetta Franklin, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting. The following members were present: Brunetta Franklin, Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Holly Czuba, Nancy Bilson, Billie Simmons, Edith Alcorn, Greg Alcorn, Kathy Pulliam, Catrelia Hunter, Ann Medlin, Harriet Murphy, Linda Hauze, Carol Cody, Becky Hammill, Bonnie Hodges, Nicole Sherrill-Corry, and Judy Grissom. The following members were absent: Dixie Scott, Lori Eberly, Carolyn Blackman, Zebbie Bradley-Bondurant, Norma Goldman, Erma Scarlette, Elaine Stiller, Linda Kesler, Alyce Lanier, Renee McCachren, Lollie Streiff, Kathy Taber, Erma Scarlette, Jeannie Sherrill, and Donna Wiseman.
Guest was Patricia Long.
Brunetta congratulated Dr. Judy Grissom on being one of three finalists for state school superintendent of the year. Holly Czuba introduced her guest Pat Long from the Leadership Rowan Class.
Kathy Pulliam, Secretary, presented the minutes and they were approved as presented.
Nicole Sherrill-Corry introduced Linda Coplin, Community Coordinator for Family Crisis Council who gave the program entitled “Domestic Violence & Rowan Family Crisis”. She began her program talking about a young man named Toby who lived in a home that had lots of domestic violence. Growing up he had seen constant fighting and battering that ultimately led to Toby committing murder and being incarcerated in prison. Toby is Linda’s nephew and she told this story to let us know that domestic violence knows no boundaries and touches all races and socio-economic levels.
She asked the question “Why don’t women leave an abusive situation?” There are many reasons why women stay. One is that batterers exploit self-esteem and have power and control over an individual. Many women will be involved with drugs because it keeps things settled. Women will walk the streets because they are safer there than at home.
Linda stated that women want to be heard and believed and the domestic violence shelter provides a safe haven for this to happen. She said that a woman leaves home about 7 times and these are the most dangerous times for her as the batterer may try to come get her back. Many times she has left with nothing but the clothes she is wearing. The shelter provides basis needs and support for her and her children. Linda told of several success stories where women and their children have made totally new lives after living in the shelter foe a period of time and leaving the abusive home for good. A small community like Salisbury offers challenges since so many people know each other and their families. There are court advocates who help victims through the judicial system and Rowan County has a Batterers Intervention System that works with all forms of abuse such as emotional, physical, and mental. She said that there are more women coming in with mental health issues, which requires more advocates in this field. The Family Crisis Shelter appreciates any donation of supplies or monetary help as the need is always there for basic needs, etc. They can accommodate 25 at the shelter and if it is full then they try to connect with other nearby shelters to provide a safe haven for the woman. Linda ended the program by saying her nephew is doing well and has developed a talent for music while being incarcerated. Nicole thanked Linda for providing such an informative program and a copy of “Sketches of Old Rowan “was given to her.
Catrelia Hunter spoke briefly about the upcoming vote in Congress concerning the United States ratifying CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). We are one of 7 countries who have not ratified this. She had postcards for us to fill out encouraging our congressmen to vote for this law. The postcards were collected and will be sent to Congress.
Before the Business part of the meeting the refreshment break was held and Carol Cody and Kathy Pulliam provided the refreshments.
Business:
Education/LAF:
Holly Czuba gave a report on the LAF Update. Last fiscal year, AAUW disbursed $90,000 for case support and hopes to do about the same this year. AAUW stands alone in the financial support of gender-based workplace cases and highly regarded in the civil rights community for its work. She went over several most active current cases.
On Friday, November 25th Salisbury Branch of AAUW will have an information booth during Downtown Salisbury Holiday Night Out. Holly and Brunetta will be there and any other volunteers would be appreciated. The Sketches will be sold for $20 each and the note cards for $5 each during this event.
Holly continued with the discussion of the upcoming project, the film screening of Miss Representation on January 21, 2012 at 7:00 pm.
Finance:
Eileen Hanson-Kelly, Treasurer, gave the report. As per our Branch policies, $50 had been contributed to the Goldman Scholarship Fund and was reflected in the expenses.
Public Policy:
Eileen reported on three policies that asked members to take action on. They were the No Loopholes in Social Security Taxes Act (would lift the cap so the wealthiest 6% of Americans will be on equal footing with everyone else), Safe Schools Improvement Act (would strengthen schools’ ability and responsibility to combat sexual harassment and bullying), and Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
Membership:
Becky Hammill had information available for membership. Graduate school membership is $18.81. She reminded us that $46.00 of the $49 that we pay for membership is tax deductable. Becky also welcomed our most recent new member Linda Hauze. Linda reminded everyone of the Book Group that meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30. She encouraged folks to come.
New Business:
Brunetta reminded everyone of the covered dish meeting on Friday December 9th at the Hidden Creek Clubhouse. Harriet and Watson Murphy would be hosting again. A sign-up sheet was passed around. Brunetta reminded everyone that donations for the Family Crisis Council would be collected at the December meeting along with monetary donations to the NCCWSL fund.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15.