Thursday, October 14, 7 PM
A Virtual Evening “High Tea” with AAUW Kingston
Welcome back, old and new friends!

Make a cup of your favorite tea and bring a delicious snack.
Share your choices, including your special china, with the group!

AAUW Kingston needs your help!
We would love to expand our membership.
Invite a friend to join our Zoom (the link will be sent out on 10/13).

This will be a social event with a brief introduction and
breakout rooms, so you can meet up with old and new friends.

All are welcome, please join us!

For more information, contact:
Lynn Gore
lynngore54@gmail.com
845-687-9210

From AAUW National —

AAUW is partnering with more than 150 organizations to host the Rally for Abortion Justice this Saturday, October 2. People will take action in 600+ events nationwide and online to demand an end to the dangerous, escalating attacks on reproductive rights and freedoms in this country. Join us!

We have long known that the day is coming when the Constitutional right to abortion will be challenged. While the Supreme Court of the United States has repeatedly confirmed this right since the Roe vs. Wade court decision in 1973, it has been systematically under attack for decades. States have enacted medically unnecessary restrictions and barriers making access inconsistent. The only answer now is Congressional action.

Access to critical health care should not depend on where someone lives.

This is where you come in: we need you now. Civic participation takes many forms, especially with an ongoing pandemic. Committing to calling your elected officials and empowering friends and family to join is just as, if not more, powerful than going to a rally or march in person. Please make decisions on where and how to advocate safely and take note of public health precautions required in your area. This weekend, you could:

• Attend in person: Check for a rally or march near you (for example: 11 AM at Kingston Academy Green and Woodstock Village Green)
• Engage virtually: Support the Women’s Health Protection Act and take action on social media
• Build community: Have a conversation with friends and family on the importance of defending reproductive health and freedom for all (read more in Where We Stand: Reproductive Rights)

Every person should have the ability to make their own informed decisions regarding their reproductive life. It is beyond time for abortion to be secured legally, funded fully, and equitably available for all who need it, when they need it, without shame or stigma.
Join us on October 2 and every day to protect reproductive health and freedom!

Saturday, October 2, 2021
9:30 AM to noon

From Suffrage to the ERA: Equity, Resilience, Activism explores the history and current status of the women’s movement.

Pre-register to attend by Zoom here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-suffrage-to-the-era-equity-resilience-activism-tickets-168108636457

An engaging and transformative seminar featuring noted historian Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner and esteemed panelists will examine the past, present, and future of the women’s movement.

This event will also address the current impact of the pandemic on women that created a “she-cession” and focus on the future as women fight for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in order to enshrine equity once and for all in the Constitution. Panelists include Karen King, Erie County Commissioner of Public Advocacy; Ava Thomas, Operations Manager for the Family Justice Center; Shanaz Tejani-Butt, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Sciences in Philadelphia; and Diana Cihak, founder of WomenElect Program and WEPac. Join us for this important conversation as we explore Equity with Resilience and Activism.

Presented by the Western New York Women’s Suffrage Centennial Celebration Committee. Partner organizations include:
AAUW Buffalo Branch, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Daemen College History & Political Science Department, Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, League of Women Voters of Buffalo-Niagara, University at Buffalo Gender Institute, Western New York Women’s Foundation, Women’s Auxiliary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter, Zonta Club of Buffalo

Come join us for an evening cruise on the beautiful Hudson River on Thursday, July 15!

AAUW Kingston will be hosting a charter cruise aboard the Solaris, the solar-powered ship
operated by the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM), 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401.

We’ll set sail from the Rondout at 6:15 PM, cruise for 2 hours, and return at 8:15 PM.

The boat, which accommodates 16 passengers, is filling up fast, so please call or email
Susan Holland (845-389-3961, susan-holland@usa.net) as soon as possible if you want to
come along. Then, bring a check made out to AAUW Kingston with you on Thursday:

Cost: $40 (AAUW members)
$45 (non-members)

What to wear
The tour boat Solaris has a roof, but dress for the weather.
All boat tours are rain or shine.
It can often be up to 10 degrees cooler out on the water,
so HRMM recommends a light jacket or sweater on cooler days.

Arrival:
Plan to arrive early! Parking is often very limited in the Rondout,
so make sure you leave enough time to find parking (for more info,
see: http://www.hrmm.org/parking).

The boat will leave promptly at 6:15 PM, so leave enough time to use the
restroom beforehand. (The Solaris has a composting toilet for emergencies,
but HRMM recommends that everyone use the museum restroom before boarding.)

We will all meet in the big gazebo in the museum yard (through the gates near
the museum entrance). Please be in the gazebo by 6 PM sharp!

What to bring:
– water (and/or optionally other drinks – including alcohol, though HRMM recommends
limiting the quantity consumed on the boat! 😉
– snack (keep it simple! – bring easy finger foods and think “carry in, carry out”)
– camera

What not to bring:
– coolers
– luggage
– pets
– strollers
– very large bags

We’re looking forward to cruising with you on Thursday – see you then!…Susan H.

AAUW Kingston Branch Meeting and Annual Picnic
Thursday, June 17, 2021
4 PM to 6 PM

We’ll be meeting at the beautiful
Robert E. Post Memorial Park
515 Park Road, Kingston

Even if you didn’t pre-order a meal, please come anyway!
Bring food, drink, and a place setting for yourself, if you’d like.

We have the small pavilion for the entire day if you want to come early and enjoy the Hudson River. Bring a folding chair if picnic benches are not your favorite.

We’ll also have live music featuring Barbara Dempsey and Company.

More info: Lynn Gore, 845- 687-9210, lynngore54@gmail.com

AAUW Kingston May Branch Meeting
Thursday, May 20 at 3 PM ET (online)

Guest Speaker: Lisa Cypers Kamen
Stress Overload Syndrome and Pandemic Life:
The Path to Recovery, Healing the Invisible Wounds

Come experience a return visit from our speaker Lisa Kamen from last spring’s popular series.

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” – Elizabeth Edwards

Stress Overload Syndrome (SOS) is a by-product of prolonged exposure to adversity. Although modern life is full of demands, deadlines, frustrations, hassles, and challenges, the pandemic life has been the thin mint. In fact, stress is so common that we have adapted to it being a normal way of life. SOS is not fun or pretty regardless of when, where, why, or how stress rears its ugly head.

Join us to reflect upon the stressors and successes of life amidst Covid and learn strategies to shift your mindset and bolster emotional fitness.

Lisa Cypers Kamen is a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness in her work as a speaker, author, and happiness expert. Through her globally- syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Kamen has impacted millions of people around the world. Check out her podcasts here: www.harvestinghappiness.com

If you need help with Zoom, email Lynn Gore (lynngore54@gmail.com) prior to the meeting.
Also, please contact Lynn to request the 5/20 meeting information. Join us on Zoom!

— Susan Holland, susan-holland@usa.net, 845-389-3961

Have you been getting emails about the AAUW National election? For example, I got the
first one on April 7 from Shannon Wolfe — Subject: Vote now to shape AAUW’s future.
Check your in-box for this (or a similar) election email from AAUW National.

Before you vote, please make sure you review the following important election information:

2021 Vote: Bylaws Amendment (Very Important! Eliminates the degree requirement!)
https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/governance-tools/national-election/2021-comment-bylaws/

We’re also voting on:
– Candidates for the Board of Directors (https://ww3.aauw.org/board-candidates/)
– Public Policy Priorities (https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/governance-tools/national-election/2021-comment-ppp/)

Now, click on the big orange Vote Now button in your election email from AAUW National.

In a new tab, you will see the 2021 AAUW NATIONAL ELECTION screen with your name, address, member ID, and voter PIN. Make your selections, then click the green Review and Vote button. Review your selections, then click the green My ballot is complete. Cast my vote button. You will now see the 2021 AAUW NATIONAL ELECTION screen again, now with this message:
Thank you for voting.
Your vote has been recorded.

For questions about the voting process, call AAUW National at 800-326-2289 or email:
connect@aauw.org

So, please remember to vote by Monday, May 17 at 5 PM ET!

Let me know if you need more information.

— Susan Holland, susan-holland@usa.net, 845-389-3961

AAUW Kingston Branch Meeting with
Guest Speaker Fred Dust, author of
Making Conversation 
Thursday March 18, 2021
at 3 PM on Zoom

Making Conversation: Seven Essential Elements of Meaningful Communication

Conversations are one of the most fundamental means of communicating we have as humans. At their best, conversations are unconstrained, authentic and open–two or more people sharing thoughts and ideas in a way that bridges our individual experiences, achieves a common goal. At their worst, they foster misunderstanding, frustration and obscure our real intentions.

How often do you walk away from a conversation feeling really heard? That it moved the people in it forward in some important way? You’re not alone. In his practice as a designer, Fred Dust began to approach conversations differently. After years of trying to broker communication between colleagues and clients, he came to believe there had to a way to design the art of conversation itself with intention and purpose, but still artful and playful. Making Conversation codifies what he learned and outlines the four elements essential to successful exchanges: Commitment, Creative Listening, Clarity, and Context. Taken together, these four elements form a set of resources anyone can use to be more deliberate and purposeful in making conversations work.

Fred Dust is the founder of Making Conversation, LLC and works at the intersection of business, society and creativity. As a designer, author, educator, consultant, trustee, and advisor to social and business leaders, he is one of the world’s most original thinkers, applying the craft and optimism of human-centered design to the intractable challenges we face today. Using the methodology in his book Making Conversation, he has been working as the Senior Dialogue Designer with The Rockefeller Foundation to explore the future of pressing global needs; and with The Einhorn Collaborative and other foundations to host constructive dialogue with leaders ranging from David Brooks, Reverend Jenn Bailey, and Vivek Murthy to rebuild human connection in a climate of widespread polarization, cynicism and disruption. He is also proud to be faculty at the Esalen Institute.

As a former Global Managing Partner at the acclaimed international design firm IDEO, Fred works with leaders and change agents to unlock the creative potential of business, government, education, and philanthropic organizations.

For the Zoom link, abd/or if you need help with Zoom, email Lynn Gore (lynngore54@gmail.com).

There will be break-out rooms and time for questions after the presentation.

This meeting is open to AAUW Members, SSIP members and friends.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, March 18 at 3 PM. We will open the meeting at 2:45 PM so that everyone can get settled in and greeted.

February is Heart Health Month and AAUW Kingston will be having a special presentation, Stress and Your Heart, from the American Heart Association, on Thursday, February 18 at 3 PM.

Join us for a 45-minute overview about stress and its effects on your heart, followed by tools and activities that you can easily incorporate into your everyday life, presented by Danielle Schuka, a Registered Yoga Teacher, of the American Heart Association. You’ll need a quiet spot, an outfit you can move your arms and legs in comfortably, a pad of paper, pen or pencil, and an open mind.

More information and a Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date.

AAUW Kingston and
Barbara Van Itallie, AAUW-NYS Treasurer
& AAUW Poughkeepsie member,
Invite you to a

Virtual Social Hour & Gab Fest
A Lighthearted Goodbye to 2020

Wednesday, February 10, 4 PM

With interactive Zoom activities: music, videos, chatting, quizzes, humor.
Bring pencil and paper. Barbara has a whole bag full of ice breakers and
tricks to keep the event lively. Join us and bring a friend who has not
participated before.

Contact Ruth Bean for Zoom information.