President’s Message
Since ancient times [Autumn] has been viewed as the beginning of the new year, a time for reflection and resolution…Change in the natural world is subtle but relentless; seasons seem to give way gently to one another, even if the monthly motion is so swift we don’t realize we’re moving. But when the leaves start turning colors, it’s time for turning over a personal new leaf so that our lives might be restored.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
I personally love the idea that Autumn is the time to take stock, reflect, and set goals. And this season, as I adjust to a different, post vaccine world, I find myself taking stock in how much this organization, and particularly its members, means to me and my well-being, as I look forward to fulfilling my goals for AAUW as we move through the coming year.
As I write this, we’ve had two successful in-person gatherings, both incredibly invigorating experiences for me and I hope for those of you who were able to participate. Last month’s meeting in the YC Community Room was the first time I had addressed our membership, in person, as president. Likewise, it was also the first time several of our newer members had attended a general meeting in-person with other members. It was especially satisfying that we were able to offer an online version for those members unable to attend in person thanks to the Communications Team. Unfortunately, even with the best electronic tools at our disposal, we won’t be able to deliver the program online due the limits of the camera and the panel format. But, I also know that together we will continue to seek out ways to meet members’ needs. Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing many of you at the November program in the Community Room, and at December’s Holiday Brunch, to be held at Prescott Lakes. Woot!
I have also observed an uptick in interest group activities. Last week I attended the Healthy Living group’s monthly meeting, in the library, and we had robust attendance and a wonderful program put on by local member Stephanie Voss. Again, the in-person interaction was refreshing. Additionally, there are plans being hatched for new interest group offerings and events.
Speaking of new offerings, members of our branch, the state board, and the Yavapai College Foundation are in the midst of planning a women’s conference to be held here in Prescott. Our vision is ambitious, as we are hoping this will become an annual summer event/retreat for women across the state. Similarly, AAUW Arizona will be hosting the Southwest Regional Conference, and initial plans are to have it in person. I personally find the idea of collaborating with women from branches in other states full of promise, and am eager to see how all this unfolds. If you are interested in participating in the planning and implementation of either of these events, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Autumn is, arguably, my favorite season, and an apt opportunity to, as the quote suggests, turn over a new leaf. The vaccine, coupled with the ever-present energy and vitality of this membership, our organization is turning over a new leaf as it flexibly adapts to the pandemic with all its challenges. I anticipate we will continue to thrive. Meanwhile, wishing you all the enjoyment and fulfillment of the season’s beauty and promise.
November Program
Helping Veterans: A Presentation by Service Providers about
U.S. Veterans in Prescott
Saturday, November 13, 2021 9:30 a.m. Yavapai College Library Community Room
Women and men serve in the US Armed Forces and often pay a price that endures long after their service has ended. Because Prescott is home to the Veterans Hospital and many veterans stay in the area after their care has ended, veterans are more visible in the Prescott area than they are in many communities.
How many veterans live in this area, the problems and challenges they face once they return to civilian life, and how those needs are being met is the focus of the November 13th program for AAUW Prescott. Our presentation is by two people who work with veterans in our community.
Jessi Hans, Executive Director of Coalition for Compassion & Justice on the mission of ending and preventing homelessness. She is a collaborative force, bringing all sectors to the table for the most effective solutions in housing and other needs related to homelessness. Jessi strives to challenge the status quo of the nonprofit arena through innovative concepts. She serves on the Board of Spectrum Healthcare and the Yavapai Justice & Mental Health Coalition. She was recently named Woman of the Year by Prescott Area Leadership.
Justin Price began working at US VETS in 2019 as an Outreach Coordinator. With a passion for working with people who are struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues, he built on his experience working as a recovery coach to build and maintain a therapeutic community. He also served on a clinical team to assist in the design and coordination of treatment services and rose to become Program Director. He strives to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk veterans and hopes to continue to make a positive impact on their lives.
December Program
Holiday Brunch at Prescott Lakes Clubhouse
Saturday, December 11 at 9:00 a.m. Branch Awards and Recognition
The Holiday Season is a time when many of us look to support people in our community who have unmet needs, issues, and challenges. Many of the issues facing our community members, however, are not limited to a specific time of year. Barry Barbe, recognized as an exceptionally generous community member, will discuss his giving philosophy. “Giving … should not be seen as a luxury, but as a responsibility. For with all that we are given, and all that we have, it is our gift to give back in return.“
These words are reflected in the actions of Barry Barbe who operates El Gato Azul and several other restaurants in the downtown area. Prescott has been the beneficiary of this philosophy as Barry was named Philanthropist of the Year 2014 by the Community Foundation.
Supporting nonprofits and the community has always been the focus of Barry’s mission. This belief is passed on to the staff and team members through participation in various nonprofits and an employee matching-fund program, “Gato Gives.”
In 2020, with community support, “Gato Community Gives” was created. A community fund managed by The Arizona Community Foundation, GCG supports local nonprofits for food programs, education, and other vital services. In 2021 “The Prescott Palette Scholarship” was created to provide awards to individuals studying Culinary, Visual and Performing Arts.
AAUW Branch Award Nominations
Nominations are open for our yearly awards to be presented at the December Holiday Brunch. Please complete a nomination form on Google Docs and submit it by Tuesday, November 30th. Contact Lynne Murphy if you have any questions.
Mover & Shaker- for members who have belonged to our branch and exhibit personal integrity, leadership, and initiative, sustained dedication to the Mission of AAUW, and personal growth opportunities within the membership.
Rookie of the Year– for individuals who are new (within the last three years) to the Prescott AAUW branch and have quickly stepped up to promote our mission. Criteria for selection can include personal integrity, leadership, and initiative.
Ongoing Stamina Award– for a member who has served AAUW for ten or more years. And, like the Energizer Bunny they just “keep going and going and going.” Criteria for selection can include personal integrity, leadership and initiative, sustained dedication to the Mission of AAUW, and personal growth opportunities within the membership.
AAUW Business
AAUW-AZ.-Fall-Forum.AGENDA.2021Register for this FREE Online Meeting and Presentation.
AAUW Members Participate in A Pre-Thanksgiving Treat
Mark your calendars – starting on Thursday, November 11th and ending on Sunday, November 21st there will be 8 performances of “Love, Loss and What I Wore”. It will be performed at the newly designed cabaret setting of the Prescott Center for the Arts. This is a play by the delightful team of Nora and Delia Ephron. The play consists of monologues and ensemble pieces about clothes and memory covering all the important subjects – mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses, and why we only wear black. A number of AAUW members are involved in the production – Arlene Minuskin and Stephanie Voss are actors, Julie Cargill is Assistant Director, while Susan Lanning’s husband Bruce is directing the show. It promises to be an entertaining event!
Public Policy
Impact of Pandemic on Student Enrollment
As students continue to return for the 2021-22 school year, leaders in public schools across Arizona seek to recoup the 3.3% drop in the number of students in both virtual and brick-and-mortar classrooms over the past year. This represents greater than 38,5000 students who disappeared from the Arizona education system. As our Public Policy Committee promotes dedicated, equitable, and adequate funding for public education in Arizona, we are monitoring how per-pupil revenue might be negatively impacted in 2021-22 due to lower student enrollment.
Furthermore, there has been a drop in both enrollment and spending on preschool programs in Arizona. In “The State of Preschool Yearbook” (2019-2020 school year), Arizona ranked 45th nationally in terms of preschool access for 4-year-olds and 25th nationally in access for 3-year-olds. While these data are primarily from the early months of the pandemic, indications are that enrollment was also down during 2020-2021. Some programs were closed, and some parents were hesitant to send their children to those programs that were open.
Scholarships
Art On and Off the Wall
Prescott is fortunate to have dozens of sculptures, memorials, and murals in public places, easy to find and interesting to study. The Prescott Branch of AAUW has developed a guide to some of these sites, titled Art On and Off the Wall. For a scholarship donation of $25 or more, this guide can be downloaded and used for a self-guided tour of the art.
Donators to Yavapai College’s AAUW Scholarships will receive a link to the guide, researched and written by the AAUW Scholarship Committee. All proceeds go to the AAUW Centennial Scholarship, given to women students pursuing a degree in the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) fields.
The guide is now available. To make a donation and receive the guide, go to https://www.yc.edu/aauwart OR mail a check to Prescott AAUW, P.O. Box 10881, Prescott, AZ 86304, being sure to include your email address, and you will receive the link.
Law Enforcement Memorial 
Art – Sun Tattoo 
Thumb Butte at Sunset
Membership
We are happy to report we have had 10 new members join our ranks since July of this year. These members include Debbie Davis, Lori Harakal, Sharon Rickman, Susan Cooper, Charlotte Maris, Dolores McCann, Jo Thomas, Ellen Momeyer, Barbara Mishler, Mishel Urias, and returning member Dionne Shrager.
Please welcome them to our ranks! In our next in-person meeting, please introduce yourself to any members sporting a green ribbon on their name tags.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining our branch, please have them contact Annette Gauthier or Patti Allen-LaFleur, or direct them to our page on the AAUW website. We are hoping to have a virtual gathering in November for new members so we can introduce ourselves and to plan an in-person coffee in January, COVID permitting.
Interest Groups
Shared Experiences – Continuing Adventures
Although the Adventure group has disbanded, for those interested in continuing to participate in occasional outings…sometimes educational, sometimes adventurous, and sometimes just purely fun and social, a planning committee is being formed. We need some creative ideas and members who would help to coordinate them. If you want to be part of this new endeavor, please contact Sara DeRouchey at sharedexperiences@aauwprescott.net
Great Decisions Openings
A new Great Decisions group is forming! Presently, 7 persons are interested but a few more singles or couples could be added. It will meet on Tuesday at 7 pm. Contact Stephanie Voss or Cathie Englekirk if you are interested.
The meetings will begin in January 2022 and continue through September 2022.
The 4th Wednesday Great Decisions Group meets at 1:30 pm. There are 6 continuing members and one new member; 4 or 5 additional new members are welcome to join this group. Jet Sletten will coordinate the group. Please contact her or Cathie Englekirk for more information.
Travel Discussion Group
Tuesday, November 9th at 1:30 pm, the Travel Discussion Group will meet at Prescott Public Library in Founders Suite A.
As Bob Dylan sang….The Times They Are A-Changin’. This really applies to travel these days as we shift from living in lock-down to heading out on the roads and/or in the skies! Let’s discuss:
- Wishes and hopes for travel locations for 2022!
- Environmental impact on travel planning: How do extreme weather and/or natural occurances influence your holiday planning? How do you cope if an event occurs while you are traveling?