Meetings

Action Items of WG-USA Board Meetings

Board Teleconference December 2, 2009

1. Approved signing on to a letter urging the President to ratify CEDAW .
2. Passed a motion that we accept the revised mission statement: Women Graduates USA empowers women worldwide to secure a better world through education, advocacy, friendship, and mutual support.
3. Thanked all members who attended for helping make the 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) a success.
4. Asked all members to prepare for the Mexico International Federation of University Women (IFUW) Conference in August, 2010 by participating in the Phase II Discussion Session which is on the IFUW Website: www.ifuw.org.
5. Announced that those interested in being nominated for IFUW committee members or officers should contact Kathleen Laurila before January 19 in order to meet the February 18 deadline.
6. Announced that the IFUW Membership Committee approved the revised WG-USA Bylaws.
7. Discussed trafficking of women as the next public policy topic due to the interest of members at the Annual General Meeting.
8. Reported that the Puget Sound Center is interesting in partnering with us along with IFUW and VGIF to encourage girls internationally to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.)
9. Passed a motion to review the current WG-USA membership policy on dues payment with a proposed draft report in January and a final presentation at the April Board Retreat.
10. Planned the transfer of records and responsibility from Barbara Carey to our new treasurer, Sema Faigen.
11. Planned the mailing of original financial records to the Audit Committee.
12. Noted that Sema Faigen is investigating bonding insurance in Massachusetts for the WG-USA treasurer.
13. Passed a motion to invite the Convener of the Governance Committee to the next Board Meeting as a non-participating observer.
14. Suggested that web cams be researched for use at the March meeting.
15. Announced that Bonnie Lincoln was approved as a member of the Program Committee.

Board Teleconference, September 14, 2009

1. Confirmed that e-balloting would be used in the first WG-USA election of officers and board members.
2. Agreed to using budgeted funds for the film ”A Powerful Noise” to be shown during the Annual General Meeting.
3. Amended the Policies and Procedures Manual to reflect the proper procedure for electronic voting
4. Amend the Policies and Procedures Manual to state that The Teller Committee would be composed of 3 members from the general membership not running for office to be appointed by the President.
5. Confirmed that those members who have not paid their dues as required during the first quarter will not be able to vote, according to the Bylaws.
6. Proposed that Committee members be appointed for one year terms with the option of the Board to reappoint annually. With a motion to be drafted by Kathleen Laurila to this effect.
7. Referred to the Governance Committee the task of establishing a stated organizational year.
8. Began to compile a Board Manual so that board members can reference tools and techniques for managing their positions.
9. Agreed that WG-USA would be interested in exploring the possibility of e-voting for officer elections at the IFUW Conference and asked Kathleen Laurila to write a response expressing that interest.
10. Noted that Conveners’ annual reports should be posted on line by October 10, 2009.

1. Call for Nominations for the Election of Officers and Board Members in Long Beach at the AGM is currently on the WG-USA web site.
2. The Nominating Committee will be made up of four members of the Governance Committee and the Convener.
3. Officers and Board Members positions will be divided into three, two, and one year terms so that experienced women will continue each year along with women new to the positions.
4. Speakers are being confirmed for the WG-USA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 16 and 17 in Long Beach, CA. The newly elected board will meet on the morning of October 18.
5. Four new members joined WG-USA as a result of our table at the AAUW Convention in St. Louis.
6. Nineteen of the last 35 new WG-USA members have applied and paid online.
7. IFUW is extending the deadline for papers to be presented at the 2010 IFUW Conference in Mexico City to August 31, 2009.
8. IFUW has a blog on its website which changes topics every Wednesday. Members are encouraged to take part in the discussions.
9. Two locations are being considered for housing the WG-USA archives, Smith College and the University of Iowa.
10. Florine Swanson, President of WG-USA will be conferencing with Puget Sound regarding a National Science Foundation grant application on STEM for girls internationally.
11. The Job Description Manual and the Policy and Procedures Manual of WG-USA were revised by the board.
12. The board supported recommendations for the revision of the WG-USA By laws to be voted on at the AGM in Long Beach, CA.

1. The elected WG-USA Board members should be the President, Secretary, Treasurer, CIR, Program Convener, Membership Convener, Communications Convener, and two to four At Large Board members, the number of At Large members to be decided by the Board.
2. During the October, 2009 election, two At Large members will be elected to the WG-USA Board along with the President, Secretary, Treasurer, CIR, Program Convener, Membership Convener, Communications Convener, bringing the total to nine board members.
3. The staggered terms of the WG-USA Board will be as follows: President, CIR, Communications Convener-Three Year Term Program Convener, Treasurer, Member at Large-Two year term Secretary, Membership Convener, Member at large-One year term
4. All WG-USA Board members elected in October, 2009 will count that term of one, two, or three years as their first term.
5. There will be a call for applications for WG-USA Officers, Conveners, and Members at Large on line.
6. The Call for applications for Board positions will include “internet experience” as a qualification.
7. At the AAUW Convention in St. Louis on June 25, 26, and 27, 2009, Florine Swanson and Fay Weber will host a reception for those wanting more information about Women Graduates-USA in their room on Friday night and following the banquet on Saturday night.

Board meeting of May 26, 2009

1. Members able to staff the table at the June 25, 26, and 27 AAUW Convention in St. Louis are asked to email Fay Weber.
2. A reception will be held by Florine Swanson and Fay Weber on Friday or Saturday night to provide information for prospective members with details to follow.
3. A Travel Coordinator is needed to organize a system for hosting IFUW members from other countries traveling in the U.S.
4. Although web seminars are being considered for the 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) October 16 and 17 in Long Beach, California, service companies charge $.20 a minute per person, and the cost may be prohibitive.
5. Fay Weber, Jackie Shahzadi, and Janet Heinicke will decide the registration cost of the 2009 AGM based on food and hotel costs and post it on the website.
6. The call for nominations for officers for 2009-2012 will be announced in the June “Flame” and will be posted with more details in the password protected Member Center of the WG-USA website.
7. Papers for the 2010 International Federation of Women (IFUW) Conference are due June 31.
8. Prior to the Board Meeting, Diane Haney accept the role of Convener of the Governance Committee as Sarah Harder had stepped down but remained on the committee.
9. Prior to the Board Meeting, Esther Scher was appointed to the Membership Committee. Prior to the Board Meeting, Krys Wuff was appointed to the Governance Committee. Appointments are needed as follows: Communications Committee (expertise in marketing, expertise in public relations), Membership Committee, Development Convener-not a board position, Program Committee (expertise in electronic communication).

1. Members attending state AAUW Conventions this spring are asked to take WG-USA brochures and invite prospective members to join.
2. The Program for the WG-USA Annual General Meeting to be held on October 16 and 17, 2009 at the Long Beach Courtyard by Marriott has been drafted.
3. The WG-USA annual business meeting to include election of officers and bylaws changes will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009.
4. Glenda Ramsden, President of the Mexican International Federation of University Women and designer of peace sculptures, will be our special guest.
5. “CEDAW” will be the first topic for the WG-USA discussion group which will begin soononline.
6. A Member Center accessible by member login password will be launched when completed by Louise McLeod.
7. Members will be able to request a pdf of the Member Directory to be emailed to them by the Membership Convener, Fay Weber.
8. Delegates’ reports from Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will be posted on the WG-USA website.
9. A credit card can now be used to pay membership fees online to WG-USA.
10. The Board accepted the resignation of Rita Skillman from the Membership Committee.
11. Appointments are needed as follows: communications (experience in marketing, experience in public relations), governance, membership, advocacy director, development committee convener.

Board Meeting of January 30, 2009

1. The Annual General Meeting will be held on October 16 and 17, 2009 at the Long Beach Courtyard by Marriott.


2. A newly designed WG-USA website will be launched soon thanks to the efforts of Louise McLeod.


3. An acronym list compiled by Kathleen Laurila of abbreviations used by the United Nations, NFA’s (National Federations and Associations) and NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) will be placed on the website.


4. A Membership Center which will be password protected will be on the website.  It will contain bylaws, budget information, and other items of interest to members.


5. Delegates to the Commission on the Status of Women will be identified attend workshops and asked to write reports to share with WG-USA members.


6. A blast email will be sent to all members asking what personal information will be allowed on the Membership Center of the WG-USA website.