Deborah Wechsler
(November 2025) We stood up and were counted as some of our DAW members joined with some San Ramon branch members to support our democracy in the energetic No Kings rally in Walnut Creek on Oct 18. It was an emotional boost to be together with so many like-minded people, focused on aligned goals to support our basic civil rights and a just society. There will be other opportunities, and I hope you can join us.
Our October Community Program on the16th was two days prior to the rallies that were held across our country. It was a perfect lead-in, with Bette Felton and Ogie Strogatz offering insights and learnings about civic engagement. To be inspired by a recap and photos of the meeting, click here. We are looking forward to our next Third Thursday Community Program on November 20.
Stay well,
Deborah
(October 2025) I hope you are enjoying the small rains we are experiencing as our fall weather continues. This calls for one of our favorite pastimes – deciphering TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms)! When the NWS* forecasts CLR*, are you happy? Sometimes, as long as we get enough rain occasionally.
Speaking of acronyms, here is one that is more than three letters: CCIBC – Contra Costa Inter-Branch Council, sometimes simply IBC. What is this? The IBC meets four times each year to share our AAUW branch activities and issues. Current branches are Benicia-Vallejo (BV), Concord, Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (DAW), Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (OML), Pleasant Hill-Martinez (PHM), San Ramon (SR), and West Contra Costa (WCC). Our branch has often shared programs with the OML and SR branches, and most of the branches send girls to the same Tech Trek (TT) camps. The most recent IBC meeting was September 23, and we decided that we could become more active, visible, and powerful as a larger group. Our first idea is to jointly publicize the opportunity to participate in the No Kings demonstration in Walnut Creek. We believe this opportunity is aligned with AAUW priorities to advocate for equity for women and girls. We feel the need to “meet the moment”, but frankly this time may be more than a moment, and we need to collaborate with as many organizations as possible to gain traction on issues affecting our rights. I hope you will join me at 11:30 am on October 18, and don’t forget to wear your DAW t-shirt (last year’s version “Equity for All”, or this year’s “Stand Up for Equity”).
If that is not enough acronyms for you, I suggest you might need some TLC*!
*NWS – National Weather Service, CLR – Clear sky, with no clouds below 12,000 feet, TLC – Tender Loving Care
(September 2025) And it’s fall! Hope you all had a wonderful summer!
Your board has approved the DAW budget for the coming 2025-26 year. Please check your email for an opportunity to view and vote on the budget. The final membership approval will be at our general membership meeting and Brunch on September 20. Looking forward to seeing many of you in person then.
Good news – just this morning (Aug 28) the Membership Matters email arrived from AAUW National, including announcement of the Five-Star branches. Our branch achieved five stars for FY 2025, reaching this level again after some time. This shows the commitment and quality of our members’ efforts to produce educational programs and lead advocacy efforts for women and girls.
Congratulations everyone!
(July/August 2025) Summer is passing quickly. I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather! Thanks everyone who attended the Membership Appreciation and Installation event in June. Please see highlights from the event – click here – and I think you will be as impressed as I am with all of the impactful activities with which our branch members are engaged. Attendees were also treated to presentations from several of our Local Scholarship awardees. This and Tech Trek are two key projects where DAW AAUW is making a difference in our local communities.
Within the next couple of weeks, we will be finalizing the DAW budget for the coming 2025-26 year. Please watch your email for an opportunity to view and vote on the budget. The final membership approval will be at our general membership meeting and Brunch on September20. Looking forward to seeing many of you in person then.