10/23/07: branch meeting on Ulster Regional Drug Treatment Court

On October 23 the Kingston Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) learned about alternatives to prison for substance abusers. Melissa Ortquist of the Ulster County Drug Treatment Court, an alternative sentencing project, presented to the group.

Melissa Ortquist is the Coordinator of the Ulster Regional Drug Treatment Court since its inception 6 years ago. The program is an alternative to incarceration. Substance abusers are supervised in the community, rather than serving time in jail. The program includes weekly judicial monitoring and drug testing. 99 participants have completed the program and about 45 individuals are currently in the program.

Prior to this, Melissa worked for the Ulster County Public Defenders office for 8 years as their drug based advocate, developing individualized alternatives to incarceration plans for indigent justice clients.She has also worked as an environmental and peace advocate with Greenpeace, Clearwater, and Mobilization for Survival.

Even Cindy Crawford...

If you haven't seen this video, you must take a minute right now. Because even Cindy Crawford doesn't look like Cindy Crawford.

And every young girl needs to know that. From the Dove Self-Esteem Fund series.


Thank you, Dove, for shining a light on what women are really like.

10/16/07: literary group discussed Gilead

On 10/16/07, our monthly branch literary group met upstairs at the Kingston Library at 55 Franklin Street. We discussed Marilynne Robinson's book Gilead. Pat Stedge gave us some information about the author.

Photo by Islandboy

Membership Tea held on Sunday, Oct. 14

Our new Membership VPs, Elaine Hammond and Polly Langer, organized a lovely Membership Tea yesterday afternoon at the Woodstock Fire House. Though it was chilly and overcast outside, inside it felt warm and welcoming.

We had a nice mix of long-time members, newer members, and complete newcomers to AAUW. Five people signed up on Sunday, with a few more "in the works"!

After giving us a little time to sip, munch, and mingle, Garnette gathered us in a circle and welcomed everyone. There were about 20 women and one (brave!) man. We went around the room and each of us introduced ourselves. It was an awe-inspiring ensemble. One of our new members even dashed in for an "intermission" between her two afternoon selections at the Woodstock Film Festival. Newcomer Judith Karpova spoke briefly about her experience in Iraq. Janine Fallon Mower noted that we are a group devoted to "social action and social interaction." And that about sums it up!

Photo by Heather Garland

Nonprofits Still Compensating Women Less Than Men

This chart is only one of several published in GuideStar's Nonprofit Compensation Study. There's no question in this arena that equity is still an issue.

GuideStar - News - Articles - Highlights of the 2007 GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report: "Highlights of the 2007 GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report The 2007 GuideStar Nonprofit Compensation Report is based on 102,414 observations from 56,228 Forms 990 filed by 501(c) organizations with the IRS for fiscal year 2005. Among the highlights:

• Median compensation of females continued to lag behind that of males when considering comparable positions at similar organizations.

• Females held 50 percent of CEO positions at organizations with expenses of $1 million or less but only 34 percent at organizations with expenses of greater than $1 million. Overall, women held 41 percent of the positions reported upon but received only 32 percent of the total compensation.

• As has been the case in the past few years, female CEOs at larger organizations are making slow but steady progress at closing the gender gap when it comes to compensation. Incumbent female CEOs at organizations with expenses of $25 million or greater had a higher median compensation increase from 2004 to 2005 than males. Results are mixed for smaller organizations."

Read more and review other graphs and charts by clicking the link above.

CARE :: Defending Dignity. Fighting Poverty.

AAUW is now partnering with Care on several projects. Care invites women to share up to 500 words about the power of education.

CARE :: Defending Dignity. Fighting Poverty.:

"Knowledge is power, and we know one of the best ways to empower women and girls is through education. Inspire others to join the movement by sharing how education has empowered you!"

You can read what others from around the world have submitted here. And, we'd love to publish your submission in our newsletter. You can forward it (and anything else you'd like published) to me, the editor.

Thanks to Peggy Kelland, International Update

At our September branch meeting, Peggy Kelland, NY State AAUW International Affairs Director, announced the new affiliation between AAUW and Care and shared an update on the break between AAUW and the International Federation of University Women. She explained that the IFUW break comes as a result of pure economics. National AAUW, despite our dues, can't afford the IFUW dues and now owes millions.

Peggy also provided an update on the Bina Roy Fund, where most of our branch contributions go.

She discussed AAUW's commitment to primary education for all women, worldwide. I especially liked her explanation why. She said, " When you educate a man, you educate a man; when you educate a woman, you educate a family."

Thanks for joining us, Peggy.

Claire Knickmeyer -- Finding Fellowship

Most important in Claire's life is family. She has ten grandchildren and two great-grandsons that fill her life with meaning.

She joined AAUW in the 1990's "for the fellowship of interesting and vital women -- not for the politics," she says.

Claire is our by-laws chair and also edits the annual membership directory -- that invaluable tool that sits by our phones and computers.

AAUW members are a creative bunch. Claire's no exception. She channels her creativity into a passion for watercolors and pastels.

Doris Goldberg - Inquiring Mind

Doris Goldberg is our most recent bride. Her husband is an AAUW member, too!

Doris is a physician with board certification in pediatrics and public health/preventive medicine. She retired from the NYC Department of Health and now invests much of her time "making art." She's an active member of the Woodstock Artists' Association and specializes in prints and portraits.

That's not where her creative streak ends, though. She loves music and story telling.

Doris is passionate about social justice and literacy. Her commitment to literacy has led her to a position on the Woodstock Library Board.

She joined AAUW for the great intellectual stimulation, the friendship, and the excellent trips.

• Educational Foundation, 2009-11
• Interim Co-president, winter 2010
• Publicity 2007-09

Liz Rosen - Keeping Track of Our Assets

Liz will tell you not all women avoid math. She recently retired from her position as Chief Financial Officer and Systems Officer at the Morgan Library -- a museum and reference library in NYC. Now, we get the benefit. Liz manages our AAUW branch money. She's our treasurer.

Her commitment to equality drew her to AAUW. She has a passion for civil liberties and civil rights. And, peace.

She also quilts and knits as an outlet for her creativity. (Yes, accounting can be creative, too!)

She travels frequently and has two daughters -- and two sons-in-law.