Term: 2000- 2001
President Terry Downey
Members: 35
Officers:
Treasurer: Vivian Colson
Scholarship: June Tartala
HONORS:
• Sue Conrad, AAUW member, becomes Executive Director of new Caring for Kids Exchange Club Family Center.
PROJECTS:
• Symposium on Women’s Issues-collaborative effort of County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and the AAUW. Four students received Second Chance scholarships
• Initiated an interest group of women committed to “Women’s Equality”
• Scholarship Fundraising- Club members reporting election results from each polling place for the Voter News Service, Major fundraiser potentially bringing in approximately $1300.
EVENTS:
• Meetings held at Cape Savings Bank Conference Room CMCH
• Daytime and Evening Book Clubs held
• Women’s Weekend at Cold Spring Village, presentations of “Seven Quilts for Seven Women” shows significance that women’s voices have made about their situations.
• Welcome Back wine and cheese event – “Awakening the Voices”
POLICY:
• As of June 2001- no official officers, only an executive committee of interested members. June Tartala, Vivian Colson, Sue Conrad
Term: 2001-2002
President: June Tartala of Petersburg
Members: 34
Officers:
Vice President: Vivian Colson
Programs: Sue Conrad
Membership: Shirley Williams
Committees:
Publicity: Janis White
Historian: Peg Long
HONORS:
• Member Corinne Robinson was awarded the Alice Paul Stokes award by the Cape May County Women’s Commission on the Status of Women
• Member Doris McMillan was appointed to the Women’s Commission by the Cape May County Freeholders
PROJECTS:
• Six Second Chance scholarships awarded
• Discuss the creation of a women’s center in Cape May County
• Supported the “Girl Power Conference” at Middle Township High School with exhibits and workshops. Members donated 10 books – Distinguished American Women.
• Women’s Summit at Cape May County VoTech High School for Women’s History month
• Donated $50 to a Middle Township High School student to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, DC
EVENTS:
• Equity Issues Program Series presented at monthly meetings
o Equity in Community – Action Public Forum – Water Shed Management: CMC water quality
o Equity in Opportunity – Action for our Daughters – County-wide “Girl Power” conference (grades 6-9) – exhibits and workshops
o Equity in Learning – Action in Education – The system, trends, literacy and the county college – “Literacy in our County”
o Equity in Health Care – Action for wellness – updates, ethics, trends, Cape May County – Rev. Joanne Drane, RN – new volunteer medical clinic; Gal Kajander – parish nurse program
o Equity in Opportunity – Action for Women – Women’s History Month – County-wide summit – at CMC VoTech – with Women’s Commission. AAUW members created a quilt – “Honoring Women’s Voices”
o Equity in Higher Education – Action for others, Second Chance Scholarships Fund Raising Activity
• Held a Senate and Assembly Candidates Night
• Bus trip to Trenton for a walk in support of Campaign Reform
• Cape May and Atlantic County members attended East Lynne Theater Company presentation of : Women and The Vote
• Holiday Dinner and presentation of Relaxing and Refocusing techniques
• Spring Installment Luncheon
• Day and evening book clubs
• Christmas luncheon at Tuckahoe Inn
Term: 2002-2003
President: Karen Weis of Villas
Members: 35
Officers:
Treasurer: Vivian Colson
Secretary: June Tartala
Membership: Shirley Williams
Scholarship: June Tartala
HONORS:
• Member Maria DiGiacomo received NJ AAUW “Women as Change Agents” award and Cape May County “Senior of the Year” award
PROJECTS:
• Member surveys of interest groups and program choices
• Continue to award scholarships to women
• Interest in bringing a community college to Cape May County
• Sponsored Great Decisions Discussion Group weekly
• Participated in “Girl Power Conference” at Middle Township High School with exhibits and workshops
• Publicized CMC AAUW new season kick-off in Cape May Star and Wave, Press of Atlantic City, CMC Herald
EVENTS:
• Eileen Fausey, Cape May County’s only woman candidate for Freeholder, spoke to group about experience as a woman running for office.
• Recruitment Tea at Shirley Williams home reported in the Cape May Star and Wave
• Brunch Social and Fundraiser for scholarship fund – Book sale and contributions
• Second Chance Scholarship Program received publicity in the CMC Herald, Cape May Star and Wave
• Dinner in West Cape May and play “The New York Idea” at the East Lynne Theater Company a joint outing with Atlantic County AAUW branch
• Day and evening book groups
• Christmas luncheon at Tuckahoe Inn
• First Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show “Celebrating Women’s History” at Congress Hall sponsored by AAUW, Cape Women’s Resource Fund, League of Women Voters
• End of year picnic at Karen Weis’ home
• Bill Band, author of Warriors Who Ride the Wind, was the guest speaker a book club meeting.
• Museums Tour of Small NJ towns at the Whitesboro History Museum and Sam Azeez Museum of the Woodbine Heritage Group.
• Bus trip to see the Degas Exhibition at the Philadelphia Art Museum
• Fundraiser – Mr. William Parker from the Department of State spoke about the importance of being informed about international affairs
• Kitchen Shower for Vivian Colson fundraiser to replace what was lost in a house fire
POLICY:
• End of “Womyn Speak” newsletter – started new format
Term: 2003-2004
President: Karen Weis of Villas
Membership: 43
Officers:
Treasurer: Vivian Colson
Secretary: Betty Ortman
Program: Lee Smythe
Committees:
Membership: Vivian Colson & Karen Weis
Book Clubs: Peggy Long & Ellen Epple
Scholarship: June Tartala & Marion Ingram
Historian: Mary Ann Nyblade
HONORS:
• The Cape May County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women honored member Rosabel S. Koss, Ed.D with the Alice Stokes Paul Award during the 12th Annual dinner at the Lobster House
• Member Mildred Moore was honored by the Philadelphia Branch of AAUW where she was a Charter Member and Past President. The gala affair was held at the historic Belmont Mansion in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia
PROJECTS:
• Awarded $4,000 in Second Chance Scholarships
• Cape Women’s Resource Fund, League of Women Voters & AAUW – fashion show & fundraiser. AAUW received $1,072.50 from the event for the Second Chance Scholarships
• First edition of the membership Yearbook with dates and photographs
• 3rd Annual Girl Power Conference (ages 9-14) – County Technical School
EVENTS:
• New member Invitation Tea at Shirley Williams
• Joint meeting of Atlantic and Cape May Counties AAUW with Giles Wright, historian with the NJ Historical Commission lectured on NJ and the Underground Railroad
• Musical evening with Helena Bew, a fundraiser for scholarship fund
• Welcome Back Dinner at the Doctor’s Inn, Cape May Court House
• Great Decisions Weekly Discussion Group on Foreign Affairs
• Attended play, “Tales By Twain”, followed by cast discussion with AAUW members after performance.
• “Taking Control: A financial Workshop for Women” presented by member Claire Nagel
• Christmas Luncheon at Tuckahoe Inn
• Joint winter meeting with Atlantic County Branch at Tuckahoe Inn with a presentation by Wetlands Institute about “Life in the Wetlands”
• Women’s Health Issues presentation at Burdette Tomlin Hospital
• Women’s Summit with ACCC – “Women Inspiring Hope & Possibilities”
o Welcome: Susan Delanzo – Middle Twp Committee
o Keynote: Regena Thomas – NJ Secretary of State
o Political Forum:
— Moderator: Corinne Robinson – Dir. Ed. @ Burdette Tomlin Hospital
— Democrat: Eileen Fausey – chef & partner-owner of Coffee Court in CMCH; Membership Chair – Democratic Women CMC
— Republican: Claudia Von Savage – homemaker & mother, Christian Educator
o Financial Literacy:
— Consumer Credit Counseling of South Jersey: Judith Hunter
o The Caregiver:
— Bonnie Kratzer
o Personal Safety:
— Middle Twp Police Dept.
o Relaxation and Healing Techniques
— Linda Foster
o Mary Kay Makeovers
• Poetry Workshop – hosted by FOR BETTER OR VERSE in Ocean City
• NJ Annual Conference meeting in Monroe Township, NJ
• Tour of Alice Paul Institute with League of Women Voters
• Picnic at Ellen Epple’s Day Lily Farm
POLICY:
• Changes made to the Guidelines for the Marion MacEwan Second Chance Scholarship
• Bylaws – REVISED-added Nominating Committee of 3 people, (1 from current board and 2 from general membership)
• Set up a scholarship reserve CD account for the next year
• Purchased Liability Insurance for the Branch and filed branch incorporation papers
• Set up the National AAUW Community Action Grant to be used in Cape May County or Southern New Jersey with the $5,000 the branch had accumulated in the National AAUW Education Fund
• Second Chance Scholarship Eligibility updated. Recipients must be a female Cape May County resident who has completed a minimum of 15 credits with a 2.5 or greater GPA and have been out of college for at least one full semester and demonstrated a financial need. May be a part or full time student. Previous recipients with good grades and demonstrated progress toward their career goal will be given preference. Invited to at least one AAUW function a year. Money will be sent directly to the institution. No award will be in excess of $1,000 per year. Scholarships awarded by the colleges.
Term: 2004 -2005
President: Karen Weis of Villas
Members: 50
Officers:
Secretary: Joanne Saxe
Treasurer: Vivian Colson
Membership: Mary Jane Slugg
Committees:
Programs: Lee Smythe & Denise Green
Book Groups: Ellen Epple & Peg Long
Historian: Mary Ann Nyblade
Scholarships: Marion Ingram & June Tartala
PROJECTS:
• Over the past two years we have given more than $6,000 in Scholarship money to Cape May County women who have returned to school
• Scholarship Fundraising – we asked each member to donate $10 a month for 10 months to replenish our Scholarship Fund. Letters were sent to local Cape May County Banks and Businesses for donations
• Created a brochure about the Second Chance Scholarship to use with solicitation
• Cape Savings Bank and Sturdy Savings Bank each contributed $500 to the Second Chance Scholarship fund
• A $150 scholarship check was received from Malcom MacEwan, husband of deceased member Marion MacEwan, our founder and after whom our Second Chance Scholarship is named
• Membership Chair Mary Jane Slugg created and sold a Membership Book with pictures of our members and information about them
• Donated $100 to the ACCC Leaves for Learning Beautification Project. AAUW Cape May County Branch was commemorated with a bronze leaf on a Wall Tree in the lobby.
• Made Gift Baskets for the Third Annual Women’s Resource Fund Luncheon / Fashion Show and Basket Raffle a substantial fundraiser for our Scholarship Fund
• Participated in the Cape Assist Girl Power Conference for 9-13 year old girls to look at high school as an opportunity to prepare themselves for college
• A Major Fundraiser with the East Lynne Theater Company to benefit the Second Chance Scholarship was held at President Karen Weis’ home. A luncheon was designed by Chef Michael McCabe and prepared by AAUW members. There were three dramatic readings of stories by Kate Chopin presented by Gayle Stahluth of the East Lynn Theater. Over $2,000 was raised and shared equally with the East Lynn Theater. Recipe books of the food served were also printed and sold for $5.00 each to raise money for the Scholarship Fund.
EVENTS:
• Welcome Back Dinner at Vanthia’s Restaurant in North Cape May
• Third New Member Recruitment Tea in March at the home of Shirley Williams with a 50% discount on dues for the present year
• Joint Dinner and Theater outing with the Atlantic County AAUW branch at the Mangia Mangia Restaurant in West Cape May followed by the play “Anna Christie” at the East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May
• Toured the Historical Museum of Cape May County
• Christmas Luncheon at the Tuckahoe Inn
• Year-End picnic held at member Ellen Epple’s Day Lily Farm
• Members were encouraged to attend the National AAUW Conference in Washington, D.C. in June
POLICY:
• Purchased Branch Liability Insurance
Term: 2005-2006
President: Karen Weis of Villas
Members: 53
Officers:
Treasurer: Barbara Heinrichs
Secretary: Roberta McGrady
Membership: Mary Jane Slugg
Committees:
Programs: Denise Green & Lee Smythe
Book Groups: Ellen Epple
Historian: Mary Ann Nyblade
Scholarship: Marion Ingram
PROJECTS:
• Program/Activity Questionnaire sent out to members
• Atlantic Cape Community College opened Cape May County Campus – AAUW was instrumental in bringing a local campus to the County
• Three $1000 scholarships awarded this year.(Increased from 2 awards to 3)
• Participated in “Girl Power Conference” sponsored by Cape Assist
EVENTS:
• New member Tea
• New evening Book Group formed “First Friday Potluck and Literature Club” -Men welcome
• Visit to Historical sites in Upper Township
• Brunch with Dr. Rossi and the Director of Student Affairs at ACCC, CMCH Campus
• Women’s Resource Fund Luncheon, a portion of the event proceeds go to Second Chance Scholarship fund
• Visit to the Noyes Museum, Oceanville NJ to see the “Art in Bloom” exhibit
• Toured Emlyn Physick Estate in Cape May
• Dinner & Theatre outing with Atlantic County AAUW
POLICY:
• National AAUW Convention voted to open membership to those with associate degrees from 2 yr. colleges and nurses with LPN degree
• Bylaws amended
• Book Collection Drive for libraries affected by Hurricane Katrina. 13 boxes of books shipped to Louisiana.
• Cape May County AAUW Board voted to award all scholarships to Atlantic Cape Community College students with follow through to New Jersey 4-year colleges
Term: 2006-2007
President: Karen Weis of Villas
Members: 53
Officers:
Treasurer: Barbara Heinrichs
Secretary: Roberta McGrady
Membership: Ann Cheatle
Committees:
Programs: Denise Green & Lee Smythe
Book Groups: Ellen Epple & Mary Jane Slugg
Historian: Mary Ann Nyblade
Scholarship: Marion Ingram
PROJECTS:
• Participated in “Girl Power Conference” sponsored by Cape Assist
• Meeting with Atlantic Cape Community College-Cape May Campus students to discuss resume writing
• Three $1000 scholarships awarded to women attending ACCC
• CMC Branch AAUW Web page developed
o Web address is http://members.dandy.net/~aauwcmc
o Link to advocacy page on AAUW National web page www.aauw.org/issue_advocacy/actionnetwork
• Made baskets for auction at Women’s Resource Fund Luncheon and a portion of the proceeds to support the Second Chance Scholarship fund
EVENTS:
• Garden Tour Hereford Inlet Gardens Fall 2006
• Evening Pot Luck Literature Club and day time book groups
• Attended Bay Atlantic Symphony at Stockton Performing Arts Center
• Visited “Small Towns, Black Lives” Photograph Exhibition and Discussion Carriage House, Emlyn Physick House
• Great Decisions Programs/Discussion Group’s topic was Foreign Policy
• Attended “The Pirates of Penzance” at Stockton Performing Arts Center
• Visited Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
• Attended War Years presentation at the Wildwood Naval Air Station
• Annual Meeting
• Organized a fundraiser for the Second Chance Scholarship Fund with a Spanish Tapas Party & a performance of “CMC War Stories and Letters” at Marie Lawrence’s home
• Joint outing with Atlantic County branch of AAUW included dinner at Aleathea’s Restaurant and a play at the East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May, NJ
POLICY:
• AAUW of Cape May County advocacy efforts will target education and equity issues
Term: 2007 – 2008
President: Karen Weis of Villas
Members: 43
Officers:
Secretary: Roberta McGrady
Treasurer: Barbara Heinrichs
Membership: Ann Cheatle
Committees:
Programs: Denise Green & Lee Smythe
Book Groups: Ellen Epple & Mary Jane Slugg
Historian: Mary Ann Nyblade
Scholarship: Marion Ingram
Our long time historian Mary Ann Nyblade resigned and Karen Weis took over her duties
HONORS:
• AAUW – Cape May County branch celebrates – 40th Anniversary
MILESTONES:
Two long time members pass away: Jayne Rich and Rosabel Koss, Ed.D.
PROJECTS:
• Created a 40/40 Campaign asking members to donate $40 to the Second Chance Scholarship in honor of our 40th Year
• Made Gift Baskets for the Annual Women’s Resource Fund Luncheon Basket Raffle which contributed $850 to our Scholarship Fund
• Supported the 2007 Girl Power Conference for Girls 9-13 with a display game “How Your Hobbies Relate To Academic Subjects”
EVENTS:
• Cape May Winery Tasting Tour
• Open hearth cooking adventure at Leamings Run for breakfast and dinner with docent
• Pot Luck Dinner and Theater Night with the Atlantic County AAUW Branch was held at member Lee Smythe’s home and the East Lynne Theater Company
• The Christmas Luncheon was again held at the Tuckahoe Inn
• Started a NEW Movie and Lunch program
• Members Amaleta Moore and Karen Weis were interviewed on the radio by DJs Peggy Long and Denise Green for Women’s History Month
• Toured the MAC Carriage House Exhibit “Proudly We Serve: Our African American Military Experience from the Civil War Forward” for Black History Month
• Lunch at George’s Place Restaurant and attended the Flower Show at Congress Hall in April
• Sunday Brunch at Aleathea’s Inn of Cape May with Kim Nalley
• Annual Meeting and induction of new officers luncheon was held at the Lobster House in Cape May
• Sponsored “Read Around The County 2008” where all book clubs in Cape May County were invited to read the same book assigned to the ACCC college students and to meet and discuss the book with the students
• “Lunch with an Artist” at the Blue Pig Tavern with local artist Penny Beck at Congress Hall in Cape May followed by a private showing at the New Art Gallery in Carpenter’s Square Mall in Cape May
• African American Heritage Walking Tour of Cape May in June
• Annual Picnic at member Ellen Epple’s Day Lily Farm in June
• Ferry Trip from Cape May to Lewes, DE with a Lewes Historical Society Complex Tour and a Guided Trolley Ride
POLICY:
• Instituted Gift Memberships to older loyal members (age 80+ with 10 years membership). The first award was to Amaletta Moore age 91 and a member for over 30 years.
• Started “Tribute Scholarship Fund Gifts” in our newsletter to recognize anniversaries, birthdays, deaths, graduation, etc. with donations to our Second Chance Scholarship Fund
Term: 2008 – 2009
President: Joanne Saxe of Cape May Court House
Members: 40
Officers:
Secretary: Judy Gatt
Treasurer: Barbara Heinricks
Membership: Roberta McGady
Committees:
Programs: Denise Green & Kathy Flynn
Scholarships: Marion Ingram
Book Groups: Mary Jane Slugg & Ellen Epple
Historian: Karen Weis
PROJECTS:
• Again participated in making Gift Baskets to be raffled off at the Annual Women’s Resource Fund Luncheon /Fashion Show at the Golden Inn in Avalon in May. This is our biggest fund raiser for our Second Chance Scholarship Fund
• Three Second Chance Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to adult Cape May County Women to continue their college work
• “Return To School Project” to get more Cape May County adults into our ACCC community college was introduced by member Karen Weis at our April Annual Meeting
EVENTS:
• Welcome Back Dinner held at Washington Inn in Cape May with Scholarship Recipients as guests
• Summer Ice Cream Social at Springer’s Ice Cream Parlor in Stone Harbor
• Wine Tasting Tour at Natali Vineyard and lunch at the Southville Restaurant
• Veteran’s Day Lunch at the Flight Deck Restaurant followed by a tour of the Vietnam Veteran’s Museum
• Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour in December
• Lunch and Movie Group
• Members attended the AAUW-NJ Conference on Achieving Pay Equity at the Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County. Keynote speaker was Ms. Lilly Ledbetter. In January, President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
• Bus trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art with the Avalon Arts Council to see the exhibit “Cezanne and Beyond” following both AAUW Book Groups studying Impressionist painters
• Attended a Black History Month Lecture “James Still, Doctors in the Pines” at the County Main Library for Black History Month
• Members attended the Great Decisions Group at the Avalon Library facilitated by our Past President Sue Jacobson. This group discusses domestic U.S. problems in the Fall and International Problems in the Spring using videos and a book from the Foreign Policy Association
• Toured the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in May. This was an active training base during World War II
• Visited the Jersey Shore Alpaca Farm in April followed by lunch at Tokyo Restaurant in Rio Grande
• Annual Year End Picnic at Ellen Epple’s Day Lily Farm
Term: 2009 – 2010
President: Joanne Saxe of Cape May Court House
Members: 43
Officers:
Secretary: Judy Gatt
Treasurer: Barbara Heinricks
Membership: Marion Ingram
Committees:
Programs: Denise Green
Scholarships: Sandy Harmon-Weiss
Book Groups: Mary Jane Slugg & Ellen Epple
Historian: Karen Weis
PROJECTS:
• New AAUW Cape May County Chapter brochure designed for our organization by Karen Weis
• The Second Chance Scholarship Fund was funded by our “Tribute Scholarship Fund Gifts” program in our newsletters, solicitation letter campaign, and the raffle of Gift Baskets at the Annual Women’s Resource Fund Luncheon/Fashion Show – Three $1,000 scholarships were awarded
• Project “Return To Education” with the Center for Community Arts (CCA) and Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) to bring admission information into the Adult community was chaired by Karen Weis. Several community-based “Back To School” nights were set up to distribute college information.
• AAUW Cape May Branch History update project to collect and memorialize branch archives in a book was chaired by Marion Ingram
EVENTS:
• “From the Past to the Present” a social and presentation of AAUW Cape May County Branch history and past president recognition event at Atlantic Cape Community College, Cape May County Campus
• Visited Noyes Art Museum with Atlantic County Branch with lunch at Athenian Gardens
• Welcome Back Dinner was held at the Washington Inn with our Scholarship recipients as our guests
• Trip to the “Grounds for Sculpture” in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, NJ with a guided tour of the outdoor sculpture gardens and lunch at the fabulous Rat’s Restaurant on the grounds
• Outing to the Shakespeare play “As You Like It” by the Aquila Theater at the Paul Schmidtchen Theater at the Lower township High School
• Holiday Luncheon was held at the Tuckahoe Inn with seven new members present
• Lunch at the new Momiji Japanese Restaurant in Rio Grande
• Dinner meeting at the Lucky Bones Restaurant in Cape May with speaker Rachel Rodgers lecturing on Ocean City’s heritage.
• Annual meeting dinner at the Sand Barrens with a “History of Quilts” presentation by Mrs. Tweed
• “Quilts in American History” lecture
• Cape May County Museum Home and Gardens tour
• Cold Springs Church and Cemetery tour followed by lunch at the Grange restaurant at Cold Springs Village
• Lunch at the Main Street Café and program on the “Folklore of Magical Herbs” held at the Cape May County Library
• Attended exhibit on photographs of Cape May County African Americans Jazz and Blues musicians
• Brunch at the Renault Winery Restaurant with musical guests the Bay Atlantic Symphony
• Day and evening book groups
• Great Decisions (Domestic Issues and Foreign Affairs) Discussion group was facilitated by past president Sue Jacobson
POLICY:
• Rewrote the branch Bylaws to conform to new national directives
• Added $1.00 to dinner costs to be used for operating expenses