Governance Resources

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Changes at the National Level

In July, 2009, the AAUW convention approved a new set of bylaws for the "one AAUW" formed from the previous two corportions: AAUW and the AAUW Educational Foundation.

These changes are far reaching and will have implications for states, branches, and (through the change to one member/one vote)individual members.

Watch the Charter and Bylaws page at www.aauw.org for more information as it becomes available.

Alternate Branch Structures

Fall 2008 report
Branch without borders
In an attempt to address
  • how to connect at-large members to the state organization, and
  • how to offload some administrative overhead from very small branches
Montana has created "branch without borders" concept that may be useful to other states.
Background
Info on Council form of branch governance
In 1988 the Los Alamos branch changed its governance to a council form. These resources are from a presentation at the 1989 AAUW Convention by Nina Thayer.
Executive Committee Governance
This is an alternative to the full "council" form that allows a shift back and forth between "collective" and "hierarchical" governance.
Online branch
Having trouble getting everyone together at the same time? The CA Online branch (founded in 2001) was having the same problem with its meetings - neither the chat room nor telephone conferences attracted more than a few members. In 04-05, they switched to a "mailing list" based "meeting" model, and with a strong web site as a "foundation," they seem to be thriving: starting a "book group," attracting members new to AAUW, and with regular "discussions" on AAUW issues. Their board works through a mailing list, too. They expect to have some members at the 2007 Convention in Phoenix to talk about their model -- watch for the announcement of a SIG on the topic. In the meantime, check out www.aauwcaonline.org and be aware that the "Members Only" section includes a branch directory and their online voting system.
In 2008, AAUW WA, AAUW OR, and AAUW TX have started forming online branches. [The Texas effort is specifically targeting MALs.] CA, WA and OR have corresponding groups in Facebook, so check out the state web sites, contact the state membership vp (contact info at www.aauw.org, or do a search on Facebook.
Taste of Success Displays in Phoenix.
Projects that were highlighted in Phoenix in June 2007 include:

Alternate State Structures

AAUW NC experiment
This tries to simplify the state governance structure by grouping similar responsibilities into one of six groups/pods/areas (anything but "committee"). We encourage "off board" participation for particular tasks.
AAUW CA changes
AAUW CA has done a major rewrite of its bylaws. See the new version that will be voted on later this spring. While the changes are comprehensive, two are highlighted:
  • going from a delegate system to "one person-one vote"
  • smaller board of directors, who elect their own officers
While these changes are independent of any others, compare the first to related changes proposed for the Association (see below) and the latter to the "council form of branch governance" (see above). See also one branch's discussion of the changes on careaders.blogspot.com.
Pushing the branch without borders to the state level?
If small local groups can choose to join a "state-wide branch" would it make sense for branches to be able to join a nation-wide group that might serve them better than their state organization? Would this allow the "states" some flexibility in breaking down geographic barriers in their organization?

Miscellany

Nominating Committee Tips
Ideas from a discussion on the state presidents' list
One member, one vote
The Association bylaws change that will be considered at the 2007 convention (chart summarizing proposed changes) will include a provision for voting between conventions using the principle of one member, one vote. According to the Association bylaws chair at least one state already allows everyone who comes to the state convention to vote (i.e., no delegate system) and VA is looking at a bylaws change to that effect.
Initial information on proposed bylaws changes
Memo from the Association Bylaws Committee on the changes that will be considered at the Phoenix convention.
Strategic Process Resources
Check www.aauw.org for up to date information, text of bylaws changes, the FAQ, etc.
Resources on managing boards
Recommendations from an RD discussion (started with Pam Thiel, forwarded by Leslie Henderson, reforwarded by Florine Swanson)
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