Ice Cream Social a Big Success!

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Our annual Tech Trek Ice Cream Social on September 25th, 2011, was a HUGE success. We owe a big "Thank You" to the Elks Lodge of Santa Barbara for hosting us for this event.

We had a very good turnout of 2011 campers and their families, as well as branch members, sponsors, and donors. The girls shared their experiences with us in a variety of ways, including a skit. A few past campers from 2008, 2009, and 2010 also shared how their Tech Trek experience influenced them. See the following stories from three campers whose Tech Trek experiences have already helped them become involved in important science and math activities.

Tiana Gong    Santa Barbara High School

I attended Tech Trek at UCSB in 2009, the summer before 8^th grade and although it was only a week it made some serious changes to my life. Tech Trek made me discover my passion for science. Before Tech Trek I had always been shy at school and only showed my truly “real” self in front of family and close friends. However, starting on the 1^st day of Tech Trek, I decided to attempt to be more outgoing and crawl out of my shell. I learned that if I let my true self show a little more each day, it not only made me feel good but it also changed the way people saw me. At Tech Trek, I was exposed to a variety of careers in science such as a forensic scientist, a nanotechnologist, science journalist and so much more! Tech Trek opened my eyes wider toward the future and college.

       

Since Tech Trek made me realize my passion for science, I soon began to look for other opportunities that would assist me in pursuing a brighter future, possibly in science. The opportunity soon came in the middle of 8^th grade when I learned about a 4 year teen science program called Quasars to Sea Stars at the Museum of Natural History.  I immediately applied to join my freshman year and got in.  I found that Tech Trek has helped me in Quasars to Sea Stars because at Tech Trek, I became more comfortable in speaking up and I became a much better communicator. These things helped me in Quasars because you need to be able to communicate in a team so that you can work with them to achieve a goal.  There are times when you need to put in your opinion for something and sometimes you  need to speak up to get your opinion heard. Overall, Tech Trek was amazing and I hope all incoming campers have an experience as great as mine and continue to find joy in science!   

 

Jackie Cabral     Santa Barbara High School           

Tech Trek was the beginning to my academic success in science. I remember that Tech Trek was the best thing that happened to me because it inspired me to keep my goal, which was and is to become a pediatrician or have a career in science. Then, it became  more important to me because it helped me become a Quasar. A Quasar is a teenager that is involved in the excellent program, Quasars to Sea Stars. In the program, we work with scientists and get more knowledge about science. It wasn’t easy going through the process, but the fact that I was able to get an eight hundred dollar scholarship to Tech Trek made me feel that everything was possible. Finally, Tech Trek opened the doors for me, lead me into success, and taught me that everything is possible; just because I’m a female ,it doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be important in the science field!

 

Michelle Espinosa   Dos Pueblos High School

I am very excited as last year's camp was very fun. I wanted to let you know that I wrote on my application to the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy about my experience with Tech Trek and how much I enjoyed the Robotics class there and I remarkably got accepted!!! Tech Trek really sparked my interest in robotics and I look forward to my time with the DPHS Engineering Academy!

Welcome to a New AAUW Year!

The Santa Barbara - Goleta Valley branch of AAUW will kick off its 2011-2012 year with our annual Ice Cream Social to celebrate our 2011 Tech Trek campers. Here is the official invitation to this event:

Please join the American Association of University Women to celebrate another successful

Tech Trek Camp Year!

You are cordially invited to join AAUW Members, current and past Tech Trek Campers and their families, major sponsors and contributors and friends of Tech Trek at our Annual Ice Cream Social.

The current 2011 Tech Trek Campers will share their experiences and impressions with us. Past campers will share how their camp experience affected their subsequent studies and what long term effects the opportunity has had on their goals and choices. There will be five presentations – one from each school.  There will be a brief question and answer period after each presentation.

Back by popular demand, will be the fabulous Sundae Bar

with all the trimmings!

Join us for a relaxing, fun and informative afternoon!!!!

When:      Sunday, Sept. 25th, 2011

Time:       2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Where:    Elks Lodge, 150 N. Kellogg Avenue
                  Goleta

 

RSVP by Sept. 20^th to Beverly Kowalsky Ching at 964-5411 or BeverlyKC@cox.net

This is a great way to get to know our branch and learn about a project that is dear to our hearts. The event is open to all prospective members, but please RSVP as requested so we have enough chairs and ice cream!

Tech Trek is almost here!

Tech Trek, the wonderful math and science camp for junior high girls sponsored by AAUW California, is starting its UCSB sessions this coming Sunday, July 24. Our Santa Barbara - Goleta Valley branch is funding 24 campers this summer, split between the two UCSB sessions. Our campers come from all five junior high schools in the Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria areas.

We are proud of our efforts, spearheaded by our Tech Trek chair, Beverly Kowalsky-Ching, which have allowed us to sponsor more girls this summer than we ever have before, and more than any other branch sending girls to the UCSB Tech Trek camp.

Several of our branch members will be assisting at registration both July 24 and July 30 to help welcome the girls and their families. Saturday, July 23, we are hosting a "Welcome Dinner" for the USCB Tech Trek staff, teachers, house mothers, etc. We have also organized a wonderful roster of local women with intriguing careers in math and science to serve as mentors at the Tech Trek Career Night on Thursday evening of each session.

Tech Trek is a shining example of what AAUW is all about - breaking down barriers for women and girls.

The Santa Barbara and Goleta Valley branches of AAUW, the American Association of University Women, have just completed our first year as a combined, single branch, under the name Santa Barbara - Goleta Valley. We considered a completely new name, but we felt it was important to honor the history of both branches in forming our new identity.

Our first year has been very successful, with many interesting programs and events, but we are just now joining the modern world of online communications with this blog. We hope to be able to convey the excitement we feel as members of AAUW in the Santa Barbara and Goleta area, while making it easier for interested potential members to find us.

Our branch welcomes as members anyone with an Associate or higher degree who is interested in helping further the purpose of AAUW as stated in the Welcome to this blog. In addition to activities in support of the purpose, we also have a variety of ongoing branch activities such as a book discussion group, a movie group, a lunch group, and a gourmet dining group.

If you are interested in joining or finding out more about us, please contact our Membership chair for 2011-2012, Rae Fribley, at 805-563-5307.

Summer 2011

A FOND FAREWELL

Dear Santa Barbara – Goleta Valley AAUW members,

I am typing my last Presidents’ Message with a pile of AAUW files and binders at my left elbow, a box of books at my left foot, a pile of pillows at my right foot, and a stack of cutting boards, cookie cutters, and the all important flour sifter at my right elbow.

As most, if not all, of our membership knows by now, my husband Britton and I are moving to Portland, Oregon at the end of the month. Britton has accepted a terrific job and we are excited to be moving with our two babies to a house right down the street from my fantastic in-laws. These positives help mitigate the great sadness I feel about leaving my friends and this wonderful new AAUW branch we have created together.

I speak for both Claire and myself in sharing how proud we are of our Santa Barbara – Goleta Valley branch’s inaugural year. The greater depth of leadership and membership that our combined forces offered fostered outstanding programs for our members and the community at large to enjoy and learn from, while simultaneously spreading the burden of leadership and organizational bureaucracy amongst more shoulders. I feel like many women made manageable contributions to AAUW this year without being overwhelmed, which only increased the quality of programs, scholarships, and advocacy that we were able to offer.

I am proud and thankful to have served as a leader in our AAUW branches and I will miss you and the fellowship and dedication of our Santa Barbara – Goleta Valley branch members. Thank you for including me in your lives.

Malindi Zimmer


As Malindi’s Co-President for the past year, I want to add my thoughts. Malindi, I speak for the entire group when I say that we will miss you and think of you often. Please keep in touch as you establish a new life in Portland. We have been fortunate to have you both as a friend and as a driving force in assuring the success of the merger of the two branches into one unified branch. We wish you only the best, and we hope you and your family enjoy the new adventure!

Claire VanBlaricum

SB-GV AAUW MANTRA FOR JUNE: DUES ARE DUE, DUES ARE DUE, DUES ARE DUE

American Association of University Women (AAUW) is a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institution partners. For 129 years, AAUW members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. Our commitment to our mission is reflected in all aspects of our work.
AAUW's Mission:
AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
Our vision is simple — we bring people together united behind the common goal of breaking through educational and economic barriers for women and girls. As members, we are part of AAUW's powerful voice.
Membership in AAUW is open to every person who holds an associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, or who holds a degree from an institution recognized by the International Federation of University Women.
The annual dues of $80 includes membership at the national, state and branch levels. Lifetime memberships are also available. National and state dues for members of fifty years or more are waived upon approval of a simple application form which is available on the AAUW website, www.AAUW.org.
If you have any questions regarding membership, including the dues waiver for 50-year members, contact
Anne Gray ( 968-1611) (annekileygray@hotmail.com) or Rebecca (Rae) Fribley (563-5307) fribley@cox.net.

The dues for the membership year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) for the Santa Barbara – Goleta Valley Branch are as follows:
Regular Membership: $80
Dual Membership (Primary Membership through another branch): $15
Life Member of Association: $31
Student Membership: $40

Santa Barbara – Goleta Valley AAUW 2012 Membership Form

Name: __________________________________________ Email: __________________________

Phone/ Home: _________________________________ Work: ____________________________

Cell: __________________________ Birthday (Month & Day only) : _______________________

Address: ___________________________________________________ Unit: _____________

City: ___________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: _____________

College/University:____________________________________ Year of Graduation: ____________

______________________________________________ _____________________________

______________________________________________ _____________________________

Type of Membership: Renewal: ________ Past Member _________ New Member ____________

Transfer from: ____________________________________________________________________

Please return this form along with your check made out to SB-GV AAUW to:

SB – GV AAUW, P.O. Box 802, Goleta, CA 93116-0802

2011-2012 STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTED

At our Annual Meeting held at the Elephant Bar Restaurant on May 26, 2011, the following people were duly elected to be our officers and Steering Committee members for the 2011-2012 AAUW year.


Elected Officers:
Co-Presidents: Claire VanBlaricum and Carol Hershey
Treasurer: Cathy Black
Assistant Treasurer: Erin Neil
Steering Committee:
Rae Fribley
Anne Gray
Jane Honikman
Beverly Kowalsky-Ching
Susie Kurtz
Bette Perelli
Janice Rorick
Elissa Ross
Carol Thompson
Off Board:
Ann Lippincott: Scholarship chair


Congratulations to all of you! We look forward to another year of meaningful, interesting programs and involvement in our community.

As we plan and work to make things happen, we welcome help and ideas from all branch members. Please contact any officer or steering committee member if you have an idea or concern or would like to volunteer to help out with a particular event or program. And remember, we might just call you first!


TECH TREK

The May 15th gathering of the 2011 Tech Trek Campers went very smoothly and was a big success. Twenty of the 24 girls attended the event. They exchanged telephone and email information. Everyone who participated in the ice breakers seemed to enjoy it. They relaxed, giggled and bonded with each other. We interacted and answered questions from the mothers who remained. We took a group picture for the newspapers and photos of groups by school. In addition to the interviewing committee, Carol Hershey and Lynn Zodtner helped with the event.

This year, our local Tech Trek will have two one week session. Registrations will be on July 24 and July 31. I was asked to provide seven volunteers for each session. If you are interested in helping with registration on either or both of these dates, please contact me as soon as possible. If more than 7 women offer to help, I will prepare a waiting list. Also, Susan Pease the Director, would like to meet the volunteers a few minutes before each registration.

Beverly Kowalsky-Ching,
Tech Trek Chair, 964-5411



AAUW INTERBRANCH COUNCIL SUMMER THEATER PARTY
My Fairytale
A new musical about Hans Christian Andersen

Saturday, August 27, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. party, curtain 8:00
Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd Street, Solvang
Please reserve now! Deadline, August 8th

The pre-theater party includes substantial appetizers with wine, other beverages and dessert.

Join us to experience the American Premier of an original musical about Hans Christian Anderson. We’ll watch spellbound as Andersen is launched on an epic adventure through the timeless landscape of his own imagination.
This gorgeous new musical is both a delightful revelry in the stories from Andersen’s imagination, an enlightening journey into the soul of the artist, and a heartfelt celebration of the wonderful influence of the Danish spirit on the world.
Cost: $40.00 per person
(Profits divided between the branches
In proportion to the attendance from each branch.)

Price: $40 per person; $15 for PCPA Season Ticket Holders who may exchange their tickets for this performance. Please specify when you make that exchange that you want to be seated with the AAUW group.
Send checks payable to AAUW IBC to
Jeni Olivera, AAUW Event
722 E. Main St., Suite 210
Santa Maria, CA 93454

Call Carol Hershey, 684-0747, if you would like to car pool.