RESTON-HERNDON AREA BRANCH REPORTS
Fall 2023 Report to State
Reston-Herndon Area Branch is starting the year with loads of energy and activity. You may have seen the picture of the first AAUW Lobby Day of the season. One-third of the members representing AAUW were Reston-Herndon branch members! In addition, we have been gathering for GOTV postcard writing.
While remaining super active in public policy, the Reston-Herndon Area branch theme for 2023-24 also supports “education that focuses on empowering women and girls.”
Already the ideas are flowing! At long-time member and former president Stephanie Abbott’s encouragement, we advertised the Stemed for Girls program on our branch website and Facebook page, and we have taken that further into our local high schools through the South Lakes and Herndon High School science departments. We are beginning to explore other opportunities like Great Decisions for our high school students and supporting our local high school food pantry. Our ideas are percolating, so we will keep you posted through the year, and tell you of our successes, and of those activities we want to tweak as well as those that just didn’t work out.
Our goal is to be known through our community as advocates for education that focuses on the empowerment of women and girls.
Cyndi Shanahan
Branch Administrator
Fall 2023 Vision Newsletter
Winter 2024 Report to State
The Reston-Herndon Area Branch is kicking off the new year with loads of great programs and activities. Lobby Day at the state level is super important to us, and we will have a showing at those events! Janine Greenwood, one of our state public policy co-chairs, and Shyamali Hauth, who is our branch public policy chair, are advocating attendance!
The branch’s education committee prepared recommendations for the branch. The branch focused on human trafficking awareness at its February program and is expanding learning about DEI in partnership with the League of Women Voters and separately George Mason University.
Members have fun events in store like a tea social and a visit to Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum to learn about women aviators.
Reston-Herndon Area Branch Strategic Plan
2022 – 2025
Aligned to the AAUW Five-Star National Recognition Program
Goal 1 – Advancement
Realistic membership objectives shall be established to include creative options to attract younger members and more diversity to the branch. In addition to new member support, current member retention activities shall be explored and tested. We will continue to encourage individuals to contribute to the AAUW Greatest Needs Fund and Legacy Circle.
The Reston-Herndon Area Branch is committed to the AAUW Diversity Policy: “AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or class.” Work will continue on encouraging and supporting more diversity within our branch by emphasizing outreach through targeted recruitment activities to include all groups, new relationships/events with other appropriate organizations and the offer of activities, programs and events that appeal to a wide audience. Members shall continue the annual tradition of a “Friendsgiving” social and luncheon prior to the Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays as a social event. Reston-Herndon Area Branch will continue to support educational equity programs.
Goal 2 – Public Policy and Research
Public Policy issues will continue to be a priority for the branch and the Reston-Herndon Area Branch will explore the role it can take in the implementation of the AAUW Start Smart program. The branch will reach out to state and national political figures representing our geographic area to inform them about AAUW and its priorities.
Goal 3 – Governance and Sustainability
Discussion will continue throughout the year regarding the AAUW Strategic Plan and how the branch can support, at the local level, the efforts initiated at the national level. The branch will review and update the branch Succession Plan and Strategic Plan periodically. The branch will strive to achieve a minimum of a Four Star Ranking on the index established by AAUW National.
Goal 4 – Programs
Program offerings throughout the year shall be based on member interest and tied directly to the AAUW and the Reston-Herndon Area Branch mission and goals.
Goal 5 – Communication and External Relations
The branch will partner with the League of Women Voters and with National Council of Negro Women, Dulles Section. Partnerships with like-minded organizations will be explored as a way to increase our impact and membership. Social media will be kept current and reflect AAUW mission and values.
[Adopted: Jan 31, 2022]