Author: Betty Preble

American Association of University Women

Advocate

Buffalo (NY) Branch

May 2016
http://aauw.buffalo.edu

IN THIS ISSUE

AAUW Buffalo Branch 62nd Annual Book Sale

BOOK SALE! 1
Co-Presidents’ Columns 2
Study/Interest Groups. 3
Annual Luncheon/Meeting 4
Velma Cobb Recommendations, AAUW UB Student Organization, Cazenovia Summer Leadership Conference 5
Public Policy Report - Marian D 6
Buffalo Branch Board Nominations, New Members 7
Upcoming Dates to Remember 8

June 1 - 5, 2016
Northtown Plaza (Old Carolina Furniture Store)
3155 Sheridan Drive, Amherst
The Annual Book Sale is our biggest fundraiser! Proceeds from the book sale fund scholarships and grants to assist women attending college. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PRIOR TO BOOK SALE!
We need lots of help at the book sale site prior to the book sale. Please stop by to help any time Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Tuesday until 8, or Saturday 9-noon.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED DURING BOOK SALE!
We need lots of help during the book sale. Please use the form below to sign up.

Book Sale Volunteer Registration Form
Use this form to sign up for shifts during the book sale from June 1 - 5
Please consider volunteering for three shifts.
Name
Phone Email Address
Please check all Shift Days/Times you are willing to work:
June 1 8:45 am - 1:00 pm 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm 4:45 pm - 8:00 pm
June 2 8:45 am - 1:00 pm 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm 4:45 pm - 8:00 pm
June 3 8:45 am - 1:00 pm 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm 4:45 pm - 8:00 pm
June 4 8:45 am - 1:00 pm 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm 4:45 pm - 8:00 pm
June 5 11:45 am - 3:00 pm 2:45 pm - 6:00 pm
OTHER TIME
OTHER HELP
Please return this form to: Judy Weidemann, 21 Nye Hill Rd. East Aurora, NY 14052 or email JWeide7170@aol.com

Love Mysteries?

As we gear up for the AAUW Book Sale, we still need one or two people to step forward to oversee the mystery paperbacks.
We thank Rose Tarzia for her many years overseeing this category so proficiently.
Please call Judy Huber at 688-8170 or email her - judyhuber62@yahoo.com as soon as
possible.

The deadline for each issue of the Advocate is the 10th of the previous month. Send articles to Laurie Eikemeyer via e-mail:
laurie.eikemeyer@gmail.com. Please be sure to put “AAUW Buffalo Advocate” in the subject line.
Something you’d like to see in the newsletter? Let us know! Send a message to Laurie Eikemeyer!

A description of the jobs available can be found on the AAUW Website: http://aauw.buffalo.edu. Feel free to indicate your preference. We are also looking for Table Donors, Refreshment Donations during the Sale, Tech Savvy Men and Women, and Strong Men and Women to help with heavy tasks. Indicate on this form if you can help in any of these ways.

Carol’s Corner

It has been said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” I would like to paraphrase the expression and say that “it takes the entire Buffalo Branch to have a book sale!” To make our annual used book sale a success, we need each member’s commitment and involvement. The Book Sale Executive Committee cannot do it by themselves. Every member’s help is needed!
We are fortunate to have procured an ideally located site this year, thanks to the efforts of the Book Sale Executive Committee. We will occupy the former Carolina Furniture store in the Northtown Plaza on Sheridan Drive (between Niagara Falls Blvd. and Bailey Ave.) in Amherst, NY. There is ample parking and the building is very accessible.
Help is needed with preparations for our annual book sale. Book sorting takes place Monday through Friday from 9:00 – 5:00 with extended hours on Tuesday until 8:00 pm. In addition, the site is open on Saturday from 9:00 – noon. Hopefully, you can volunteer to help for a few hours. Other ways to help with the book sale are to provide a monetary donation for table rentals or provide refreshments for the workers. Volunteers are needed during the book sale to serve for many duties such as greeters, cashiers, checkers, and restocking the book tables. You may request a duty that allows you to sit for the majority of the shift.
Our annual used book sale is our branch’s major money making project. The proceeds from the book sale fund scholarships and grants that help further education for women and girls. Part of the proceeds remain in Western New York, and some will go to National toward our fellowship.
Volunteering to help with the book sale will give you a sense of accomplishment and community service. In addition, you will further the mission of AAUW to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. I hope to see each member become involved with another successful book sale this year!
Carol Golyski,
Co-President

Cynthia’s Insights

April showers bring May flowers. What beautiful flowers were the ten women honored at a recent event I attended, sponsored by the Erie County Chapter of the Links, Inc. Each of these women had reached the age of 100 or over and were honored as Centenarians at this event. Their biographies begin with the story of their births at the turn of the 20th century in various southern states and moving north, eventually to Buffalo. They were challenged in ways we could not imagine but they survived to marry, to raise children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren. Some worked outside the home while others used their homemaking skills to earn money for the family. Just imagine the stories they have to tell about their lives and the changes they have seen in this world. To be born during horse and buggy days, before there were cars, electricity, or even running water and to be alive to see the first African American President, -- a thing unthinkable at the time of their birth.
THEY TRULY HAVE A STORY TO TELL
AAUW supported this program and The Links Incorporated organization by awarding this group a Grassroots grant, which is given each year.
Our Buffalo Branch of AAUW also has a story to tell as we celebrate 126 years in existence since 1890. Our members represent women from the arts, business, education, government, law, medicine, science, and technology. During that time we have awarded many loans, scholarships, and grants to students and organizations whose objectives are aligned with our mission to work towards education and equity for women and girls. Congratulations to AAUW and to the Centenarians for longevity and for a job well done!
Cynthia Mehary,
Co-President

THE BUFFALO BRANCH
ADVOCATE
is published monthly September-June as a bulletin of events for members and as an update on AAUW issues and
programs.
May 2016, Vol. CXXXXIII, No. 9,
Circulation 215
Co-Presidents: Carol Golyski and
Cynthia Mehary
Publisher/Editor: Laurie Eikemeyer
Assistant Editors: Judy Weide- mann, Barbara Carier, Betty Preble
For prospective or new member questions, contact:
Membership Recruitment VP,
Diane O’Brien, email:
obnfam@roadrunner.com. Send address changes to: Freddie Cheek 406 Maynard Drive,
Amherst, NY 14226-2929 (fscheek@verizon.net)

We welcome all current and prospective
members to
attend any of our study group activities.

FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS
Marilyn Carmichael,
mcarmichael45@aol.com
Or call 228-8626

Buffalo Branch May Study/Interest Groups

KNITTING GROUP
When: Wednesday, May 11th 2-4 pm.
Where: Barnes and Noble Café on Transit Rd. near Main St.
What: Bring your knitting and/or crochet
project
Contact: Karen Howard at 480-3652 or email kkhoward@roadrunner.com
WNY CULINARY DELIGHTS
When: Wednesday, May 11th at
6 pm.
Where: MISS HOT Café,
3111 Sheridan Dr., Amherst
RSVP: Barbara Libby at 836-8303 or by email BPlibby1@verizon.net by May 9th
NOTE: This summer, there will be encore visits to some of the restaurants we have visited. Everyone is welcome. If you are interested, email or call Barb and you will be put on a list to be notified about the visits. Don’t miss out! This is fun!
DINNER BY THE BOOK
*Note new location through June 2016
When: Wednesday, May 18th at 5:30 pm.
Where: Family Tree Restaurant,
4346 Bailey Ave., Amherst
*Interior closed room reserved for the book club
Book: Are you Somebody? By Nuala
O’Faolain
Leaders: Judy Malamas, Faciliator
Lillis McLean, Discussion Leader
RSVP: Fran Witnauer at 688-5708 or by email grandmafran44@yahoo.com
BEAD WEAVING & JEWELRY
MAKING
When: Thursday, May 19th , 1-3 pm
Where: Julia Boyer Reinstein Library, Conference Room
1030 Losson Rd., Cheektowaga
What: Bring your current project to work on
RSVP: Barbara Weber at 725-7839
Or by email blweber50@verizon.net
CLUELESS MYSTERY BOOK CLUB
When: Tuesday, May 24th at
5:30 pm.
Where: Bob Evans Restaurant,
1925 Niagara Falls Blvd.
BOOK: Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia-MacNeal
Facilitator: Margaret Fischer
Contact: Suzanne Grossman at 580-7453
¡ADELANTE! BOOK CLUB
AAUW'S diverse group of books that highlight women's issues. Join us whether you have read the book or not. We welcome all members and prospective members.
The May meeting is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
THE HAPPY WANDERERS
New AAUW Interest Group to ex-
plore WNY treasures, well-known
and otherwise.
When: No Meeting in May but plan on a
meeting in June after the book sale
What: June date and time to be announced
in next month’s newsletter to visit another fun location and discuss
future plans.
Questions? Call Betty Preble at 662-0608 or email betty.preble@gmail.com
SUNDAY BOOK CLUB
The Sunday Book Club is taking a vacation and is looking for a new leader for the group. Special thanks to Karen Huffman-Kelly for all the years of devotion and inspiration she offered the AAUW members who attended. If you would be interested In taking over the leadership of this wonderful book club, I’d be glad to help you get it started. Thank you.
Contact: Marilyn Carmichael at 228-8626

AAUW Buffalo Branch Annual Luncheon at

40 South Grove St., East Aurora, NY
Saturday, May 7, 2016
11:30 Registration
12:00 Luncheon, Awards, Annual Meeting
Menu
Seasonal Salad
Inn Baked Breads
Entrees:
Victory Garden Penne - Peas, broccoli, greens, mushrooms, parmesan and olive oil
Roasted Salmon - Served with lemon herb beurre blanc
Crepes "Fleur de Bois" - Wild mushrooms, shallots, chicken, and Fontina cheese with a light cream sauce
Dessert: Craftsman Strawberry Rhubarb Roulade
Freshly brewed coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea - served to guests seated at tables
Beverage Station: - coffee, tea, iced tea, and assorted non alcoholic beverages

Annual Luncheon Registration Form
My check in the amount of ______________ payable to “AAUW Buffalo Branch” is enclosed.
Name:
Address:
Phone: Email:
Name(s) of Guest(s)
___ Victory Garden Penne @ $25 enclosed
___ Roasted Salmon @ $25 enclosed
___ Crepes "Fleur de Bois" @ $25 enclosed
SPECIAL EVENT
THE ROYCROFT INN HAS OFFERED A COMPLIMENTARY TOUR OF THE ROYCROFT INN FOR 20 ATTENDEES. SOME HISTORY OF THE ROYCROFT MOVEMENT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR.
SIGN BELOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE TOUR STARTING AT 2:00 pm.
I would like to attend the Roycroft tour. Name(s)
Please mail this registration form and checks by April 30, 2016 to:
Judy Weidemann, 21 Nye Hill Road, East Aurora, NY 14052

Research That Matters in the Lives of Women and Girls
AAUW conducts groundbreaking research on issues related to gender equity in education and the workplace. Our work influences the national discussion on topics like the pay gap between women and men, sexual harassment in schools and on college campuses, and the underrepresentation of women in science and engineering. Through new and traditional media, targeted outreach to policymakers, and member efforts, AAUW research serves as a catalyst for action.

Save the Date!
Join us at
Cazenovia!

Building Success with Smart Ideas
Focus on Programming and Leadership
Summer Leadership
Conference
July 22-24, 2016
Cazenovia College
Cazenovia, NY
3 days of learning, planning and fun.
AAUW members from across the state.
Beautiful upstate location.
All members of AAUW are invited.

Velma Cobb Winners 2016

The committee of Ruth Auer, Barb Carier, Joan Eschner, Carol Griffith, Betty Krist, and Betty Preble met on March 12 to review 50 candidates from 34 schools in Erie and Niagara County. Their recommendation to award $2000 Velma Cobb Scholarships to Kendra Ciezki and Alyssa Dzik was accepted by the Board of Directors.

Kendra Ciezki attends Saint Mary’s High School in Lancaster. Her 4.0 GPA ranks her third in her class. She plans to attend either Ohio State University or the University of Alabama to major in biochemistry with a minor in psychology. Her career plans include attending medical school while volunteering to help those suffering from some of the mental illnesses that have caused adversity in her life. She is VP of the Student Senate at St. Mary’s, student leader of the Donate Life Club, and President of the Math Club. She is captain of both the varsity lacrosse and cheerleading teams and involved in a myriad of other school activities. Her community service includes multiple activities with seniors who are homebound or facilities-centered. Working for both a pizza company and a gym has taught her not only time management but also money management. In the words of her Social Studies teacher, “She has a first class intellect, the heart of a lion, a work ethic that is never satisfied, and all she needs is opportunity to fulfill her greatness.”
Alyssa Dzik attends Lancaster High School where her 101.22 GPA has placed her fourth in her class. She expects to attend UB and medical school. She is especially interested in pediatrics. Being heavily involved in a wide variety of music activities at school has given Alyssa many leadership opportunities. Her excellence in music performance was awarded by her participation in the NYSSMA Conference All-State at the Eastman School of Music last December. She has a Girl Scout Silver Award, has been a summer volunteer at Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Carlton House as a student research intern, and has worked with developmentally disabled children in the Touching Bases baseball league. She has been chairperson of Lancaster’s Relay for Life Event. Her paid job experience includes being a medical secretary at a local pediatric office and umpire in her community’s softball league. She chose to write her essay about the achievement of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the US, extolling the virtues of using intellect along with compassion and determination.

Kendra Ciezki

Alyssa Dzik

AAUW UB Student Organization

The last few months have been extremely productive for the members of AAUW University at Buffalo's student organization. Elect Her had a great turnout as men and women on campus worked together to create elevator pitches and learn about empowering their community and themselves. Currently, we have been collecting feminine hygiene products for the #happyperiod campaign. This is a national movement to create awareness for the lack of feminine products for those who are homeless. Over 40 Student Association Clubs, departments, and Greek life donated, and those items were distributed to Buffalo City Mission on Saturday, April 16th. As we wrap up the end of the semester, we are looking forward to great opportunities in the coming year!
Francesca D'Alessandro

Public Policy

Lobbying vs Advocacy

At a recent regional meeting of the League of Women Voters, someone asked a question about the difference between advocacy and lobbying. The answer differentiated lobbying as more specific, with active work related to support or opposition of specific bills/legislation. Lobbying seeks to influence public and government policy on an issue at all levels: federal, state, and local.
Advocacy may involve questioning the way policy is administered, participation in agenda setting, targeting political systems that are not responding to people’s needs, or proposing policy solutions.
Advocacy in all its forms seeks to ensure that people, particularly those who are most vulnerable in society, are able to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them, to defend and safeguard their rights, to have their views genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives. People advocate for a large number and variety of topics. Some of these are clear-cut social issues that are universally agreed to be problematic and worth solving.
Advocacy can include many activities that a person or organization undertakes including media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research, conducting an exit poll, or the filing of an amicus brief. An amicus curiae, friend of the court is someone not a party to a case who offers information that bears on the case. This may take the form of legal opinion or testimony.
Lobbying is a form of advocacy where a direct approach is made to legislators on an issue. Individuals and interest groups alike can lobby governments, and governments can even lobby each other. The practice of lobbying is specifically protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Lobbying provides a forum for the resolution of conflicts among diverse and competing points of view providing information, analysis, and opinion to legislators and government leaders to allow for informed and balanced decision making. It can create a system of checks and balances that allows for competition among interest groups, keeping any one group from attaining a permanent position of power. Lobbyists can help the legislative process work more effectively by providing lawmakers with reliable data and accurate assessments of a bill's effect. Lobbyists vary in their degree of influence, often proportional to the time and money the lobbyist can spend to achieve the legislative goal. Each type of lobbyist attempts to win support for a particular point of view.
Since AAUW’s founding, our members and supporters have spoken out about policies important to women and girls. Without their voices, invaluable legislation would have never been passed. AAUW’s policy work connects and rallies advocates at the local, state, national, and global levels to advance our work to empower women and girls. With the member-endorsed Public Policy Program as our guide, AAUW uses lobbying and grassroots efforts to push forward policies that break through educational and economic barriers for women.
The AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations Department, with input from the member leaders of the AAUW Public Policy Committee, leads AAUW’s lobbying and grassroots efforts. AAUW has many resources available, and the AAUW policy staff can be reached at advocacy@aauw.org. I must also alert you to the valuable information on lobbying and advocacy provided by Donna Seymour on the New York State level at http://www.aauw-nys.org/pp.htm.
Marian Deutschman,
Public Policy Chair

AAUW’s policy work connects and rallies advocates at the local, state, national, and global levels to advance our work to empower women
and girls.

AAUW Public Policy
Committee
Are you interested in public policy or community action? I am hoping that we could schedule a meeting to discuss possible strategies and tactics for involvement on specific AAUW public policy issues. This effort is not restricted to new members. I would like to hear from others with an interest in more local action on many critical issues facing women. Please indicate your interest in joining our effort by calling me at 634-2412 or email: deutscmt@buffalostate.edu.

Membership
Scholarships
This year our Branch has been given a few scholarships from AAUW National to use to reduce the cost of membership in our organization. If you or someone you know could use some assistance with next year’s membership expense please contact Sue Licata at slicata@roadrunner.com or 622-9096 by May 15.

Buffalo Branch Board Nominations

The 2016 Nominating Committee offers the following slate of nominees to the membership of Buffalo Branch for election at the Annual Meeting and Luncheon on May 7, 2016. Additional nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee for these positions.

2nd Vice President for Recruitment Diane O’Brien
Secretary/Parliamentarian Lynne Rapin
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Barbara Libby
Education Accounts/Program Treasurer Mary Crocker
Fundraising Treasurer Laurie Eikemeyer
Scholarship Director Carol Griffith
Nominating Committee Chair Judy Malamas
Nominating Committee Member—2 yrs. Kate Collins
Nominating Committee Member—2 yrs. Marilyn Carmichael
Nominating Committee Member—1 yr. Joan Eschner

Welcome New Members

Nicole DiNardo
157 Palmdale Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221
Cell: (315)335-4654
Email: ndinardo@buffalo.edu
Degrees:
- University of Maryland MS/MBA Biotechnology 2018
- University at Buffalo BS Biological Sciences/Biomedical Sciences 2010
Occupation: Scientist/Thermo - Fisher Scientific, Grand Island, NY
Interests: Community Action, Cultural Interests, Diversity, Human/Civil Rights, Public Policy, Sister-to-Sister, Tech Savvy
Study Groups: WNY Culinary Delights, Happy Wanderers, other
Grad Student
Christina Saarinen
180 Cleveland Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
Cell: 425-3790
E-mail: christina.saarinen@alumni.helsinki.fi
Degrees:
- Bryn Mawr College AB Math 2005
- University of Helsinki - Bachelor’s Finnish language & culture 2011
Occupation: online bookseller/translator
Skills: Listserv management, desktop publishing, database management, copy editing, scholarship management, financial management
Groups: Book sale committee, community action, cultural interests, diversity, human/civil rights, international relations, newsletter committee, scholarship committees, Tech Savvy
Study/Interest groups: Moms of young children
Attended Tech Savvy
Eve Bates Stoklosa
165 Greentree Road, Buffalo, NY 14150
Phone: 695-3606
E-mail: xoebs@hotmail.com *prefers USPS
Degrees
- Buffalo State University College - BS Home Economics 1968
- Buffalo State University College MS Education 1971
- Buffalo State University College SAS/CAS Administration Supervision 1994
Occupation: Consultant, retired education
Skills and groups: Marketing, scholarship management, cultural interests, scholarship committees, Achievement Award Committee
Study groups: Music Appreciation and Performance
Dual membership with St. Augustine, FL, former member

Upcoming Dates to Remember
May 4 at 6:15pm - Board Meeting at Daemen College
May 7 - AAUW Buffalo Branch Annual Meeting/Awards Luncheon at the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora
Jun. 1-5 - Annual Book Sale in Northtown Plaza
Jul. 22-24 - Summer Leadership Conference at Cazenovia

AAUW has been empowering women as individuals and as a community since 1881. For more than 130 years, we have worked together as a national grassroots organization to improve the lives of millions of women and their families.
Mission: AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
Vision: AAUW empowers all women and girls to reach their highest potential .
Value Statement: By joining AAUW, you belong to a community that breaks educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.
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.

Moving? Please contact Freddie Cheek at 835-6945.

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Buffalo, NY
Permit No. 1078

AAUW Buffalo Branch
PO Box 894
Buffalo, NY 14225-0894

May 2016 AAUW Buffalo Branch Advocate Page #

Page # AAUW Buffalo Branch Advocate May 2016