Online Branch Programs

Online Branch programs have evolved since the branch was established in 2001. We started with chat rooms, then changes to the schedule-free convenience of listserv discussions, and added a blog in 2007. We now use the Branch Blog to keep our branch members and other interested members of the public informed on current events related to AAUW's mission, and use an opt-in program listserv for branch members to discuss AAUW issues in more depth.

For more information on AAUW public priorities, which largely guide our branch program focus, visit the AAUW California website's Advocacy pages.

How to Participate in Branch Blog Discussions

Branch Program History

July 2008 - June 2009

July 2007 - June 2008

July 2006 - June 2007

July 2005 - June 2006

2008-2009 Program Highlights

We experimented with doing our programming entirely on the branch blog, but after surveying our members, in Spring 2009 we switched to an opt-in program listserv.

August 2008-blog topic highlights:

• AAUW at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions

• Advertising AAUW Dialog’s series on AAUW fellows

September 2008-blog topic highlights

• 34 Million Friends

• AAUW Gains Special Consultative Status in U.N. Council

• “Iron Jawed Angels’ film – part of get-out-the-vote campaign

• Personal finance for at-risk girls and women

October 2008-blog topic highlights

• Breast Cancer Awareness month

• AAUW’s support of lawsuits in Title IX and Title VII cases

• Educational Foundation luncheons and fundraising campaign

• AAUW CA’s opposition to Prop 8 and Prop 4 on California ballot

November 2008-blog topic highlights

• EF luncheons report

• LAF news

• AAUW’s post-election analysis

• Definition of feminism

December 2008-blog topic highlights

• Reproductive Rights Quiz

• Seeking nominations for 2009 National Women’s History Project Honorees

• AAUW’s Action Network

• 60h Anniversary of U.N.’s Declaration of Human Rights

January 2009-blog topic highlights

• Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

• President Obama’s Citizen Briefing Book

• National Conference for College Women Student Leaders

• Supreme Court Ruling in Sexual Harrassment Case

February 2009-blog topic highlights

• AAUW proposed new bylaws

• “A Powerful Noise” to Celebrate International Women’s Day

• Hilda Solis nomination for US Secretary of Labor

March 2009-blog topic highlights

• Emergency Contraception

• US Supreme Court decision upholding Title IX

April 2009-blog topic highlights

• Series on Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund

• Equal Pay Day

May 2009-blog topic highlights

• State convention report

• AAUW CA public policy priorities

• Supreme Court rulings

June 2009-blog topic highlights

• Women Bridging Gap in Science Opportunities

• AAUW Convention in St. Louis

• Legal Advocacy Fund news

April-June 2009-program listserv discussion:  detailed analysis of AAUW restructuring and new proposed bylaws

May 2009-program listserv discussion:  CA ballot propositions and AAUW CA’s position on them.

2007-2008 Programs (listserv and blog)

• May 2008 – Empowering Women Globally (blog)

• April 2008 – AAUW-CA convention report (blog)

• Jan-Mar 2008 – Pay Equity (listserv and blog)

July 2007

• Reported and discussed: Results of Association convention, including approval to restructure the national organization. Discussion via listserv and blog.

• Introduced 17 new members, many dual from CA and 5 other states.

• Prepared for first board meeting of new program year. 18 off-board members accepted invitation to attend.

• Introduced Public Policy topics for discussion:

  • No Child Left Behind act

  • Summary of 2006 Laws Affecting Women from the CA Commission on the Status of Women.

  • The issue of women's health as found in the Kaiser Weekly Women's Health Policy report. A source for on-going awareness and discussion.

Here are some of the topics we’ve discussed in the 2006-2007 year*:

June 2007

• Sample letter to protest gender discrimination and harassment on college campuses, supporting AAUW’s Legal Advocacy Fund.

• Prepared a PowerPoint presentation about CAOnline branch for the Taste of Success display at Association convention in Phoenix June 18-July 2.

• Book group made recommendations and developed a reading list for July through December 2007.

May 2007

• Women’s equity issue in academia

April 2007

• Continued discussion of AAUW bylaws proposals

• Supreme Court decision to uphold the national ban “partial birth” abortions

March 2007

• Continued discussion of HPV vaccine—health debate and politics of issue

• Comparing various health care proposals by California governor and legislators, with emphasis on the plan endorsed by AAUW: SB 840

• Review of AAUW’s achievements in women’s rights (honoring Women’s History Month

• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco’s new cigarette brand aimed at female smokers

• US Court of Appeals for Eighth Circuit ruling that health insurance coverage is not required to cover contraception because “it is not related to pregnancy.”

• Comprehensive, step-by-step analysis of AAUW bylaws changes proposed for the state (April) and national (June) conventions – discussions on listserv and blog

February 2007

• Gardasil vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls; pros and cons of mandating the vaccination (Texas debate).

• Bio-ethics report on the impact to women’s health in harvesting eggs for stem cell research

• 12-step program to tell good science from bad (Guttmacher Institute)

January 2007

• CA Gov. Schwarzenegger’s new health care proposals

• Public opinions and policies concerning abortion (on 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade)

December 2006

• Breast cancer research

• Teenagers’ reproductive rights

November 2006

• Genocide in Darfur

• President Bush’s appointment of an anti-abortion doctor to head federal family planning programs

October 2006

• California Prop 85 (Parental notification of teenage abortions) – AAUW is opposed

• PBS documentary “Maquilapolis” on women in sweatshops

• Report on lobbyists influence peddling in Congress

• South Dakota voters defeat the anti-abortion law passed by state legislature

September 2006

• Universal Health Care

• South Dakota abortion law referendum

August 2006

• Updates on Plan B, access to emergency contraceptives

• Call for proposals to get girls interested in science

Here are some of the topics we’ve discussed in the 2005-2006 year*:

• The ins and outs of communicating effectively with state legislators
• Public Policy 101 - understanding AAUW's "use of name" policy
• Change in AAUW membership requirements
• Supreme Court nominations (both Bush appointments)
• Roe v. Wade and how states are chipping away at this right
• “Plan B” contraceptives and whether it really is available to all women in California
• Calls to action, when needed
• Update on Plan B, August 2006

New topics are always welcome. . . please Contact Us! Better yet, send a message about something that concerns you, is relevant to AAUW’s mission, or something you simply want to share with like-minded women.  

BE VOCAL! You are the key to making Online programs work.

Not an Online branch member yet? 

If this style of AAUW membership appeals to you, please join us!  For more information, visit our Membership area.

*The AAUW membership year runs from July 1 to June 30, but new members may join at any time.