Members of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) started their 51st year with a Potluck Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at the Skyline Room of the Cerritos Library at 6:30 p.m. Members brought a variety of salads, main dishes, and desserts which they enjoyed at tables decorated festively by Hospitality Assistant Sue Carruthers.
After members had their dinners and a social time, Co-Administrators Joan Pylman and Gail Ross called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and introduced the leaders of the Branch’s Interest Groups as part of the Program for the evening. Each leader explained when her group met and invited members and guests to join them.
The Interest Groups and their leaders are as follows: 1. Cover to Cover: Leader Thea Siegel meets on the second Thursday of each month in different members’ homes to discuss books of their interest.
Photo by Edna Ethington
2. Gourmet: Co-leaders Joan Flax and Gail Ross plan the easy-to-make gourmet meals which are held four times a year in members’ homes. Members share the cost of preparing meals. Partners can be non-AAUW members, but one in each pair must be an AAUW member.
3. Great Decisions: Leader Dorothy Edwards hosts these meetings in her home on the fourth Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. Global issues are discussed at eight meetings each year using the book prepared by the Foreign Policy Association. There is a fee for the book that each participant receives and the DVD that is viewed at each meeting.
4. Readers Theater: Leader Esther Aronson said that this group gathers on the first Monday of the month at 6:45 p.m. to read a play aloud, with each person reading a character’s role. Esther invites people to join this fun group for an interesting evening with friends.
There is a small fee for each participant to pay to cover shipping costs for the plays.
Members who want to join the Interest Groups can contact the leaders of the Interest Groups by using the information provided in the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW Membership Directory for 2023-2024 that was available at this meeting. Other Interest Groups can be formed at any time. If a few members are interested in starting a new group, contact our Co-Administrators Joan Pylman or Gail Ross
Pictured at the September 14, 2023, meeting of the La Palma-Cerritos Branch of the AAUW, is Hospitality Assistant Sue Carruthers who decorated the tables with tablecloths and flowers in pots from her garden. Standing In the background is Great Decisions Interest Group Leader Dorothy Edwards and Treasurer Marilyn Forsstrom.
After the Interest Groups had finished talking about their groups, Co-Administrator Joan Pylman recognized Edna Ethington as the Named Gift Honoree for 2023 for her outstanding service to the La Palma-Cerritos Branch. She presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Gloria Blackwell, AAUW Chief Executive Officer, for her “significant contributions to the mission of AAUW” to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Edna also received a Named Gift Honoree Pin from the AAUW. A donation was made to the National AAUW Fund in Edna’s name to support funding of scholarships and grants for graduate women working for higher degrees.
Co-Administrator Gail Ross oversaw the signing by three members who approved the Minutes of the May 17, 2023, General Meeting, the Treasurer’s Report of September 14, 2023, and the 2023-2024 Branch Budget.
Reports were given by Appointed Committee chairs for 2023-2924 including Academic Achievement Awards, Public Policy, AAUW Fund, International Interest, and College/University Liaison. Details of their reports will be available for members on the Branch’s website at http://lapalmacerritos-ca.aauw.net.
Co-Administrator Joan Pylman reminded members to come to the next General Meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Skyline Room of the Cerritos Library. Guest speaker will be the new ABC Unified School District Superintendent Gina Zietlow. Topics will include declining enrollment, a local bond measure, diversity of students as reflected by the changing District population, and high school graduation rates.
For more information, about the program contact Co-Administrator Joan Pylman at 562-865-6592. Persons interested in joining the La Palma-Cerritos AAUW can contact Joan Pylman. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.