The Fergus Falls AAUW's grand weekend out

The group poses for a picture at The Bell Museum of Natural History

Each year our wonderful member Jeanne Jensen plans a truly spectacular fall cultural trip for branch members. This year was no exception.

 

U.S.-Dakota War exhibit

Jeanne's plan was to take us to places in the Twin Cities we've always wanted to go, but never or seldom have, like the Museum of Russian Art, the Weisman Art Museum and the Bell Museum of Natural History. We also enjoyed the play "Summer and Smoke" at The Theatre in the Round, and visited the Minnesota History Center to see the U.S.-Dakota War exhibit commemorating its 150th anniversary.

 

Wise Acre in "Tangletown," South Minneapolis

All along the way we also enjoyed some amazing meals at Wise Acre in South Minneapolis, The Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown, and The Bachelor Farmer in the Warehouse District.

 

Thank you, Jeanne, for another great cultural trip.

 

Members, start planning to join us next year!

When last we saw our intrepid band of education-minded women....

Wow, it's been 5 months since our last post! It's not that we are have had nothing to post--far from it!

Here's a little catch up:

At the May meeting and annual banquet, member Sheri Booms Holm received the Woman of the Year Award. Sheri is the communications director at West Central Initiative, and serves on the AAUW board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After our May meeting, the AAUW research report, "Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School" was distributed to 15 area schools with a letter encouraging it be used for staff workshops. We hope it will be used this fall as teachers prepare for the new school year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to your generosity at the May AAUW meeting, a total of $350 has been sent for Liazah at the Mt. Selinda Hospital in Zimbabwe. Liazah was brought to our attention by Maryjane Westra, who, along with her husband, Don, are missionaries with the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe. the amount collected should buy her a sewing machine and give her a good start on her career as a seamstress. We hope to have an update when the Westras return to Zimbabwe this month.

 

At the September "kick-off" meeting, we met at the Lake Region Arts Council in the beautiful River Inn, downtown Fergus Falls. We were pleased to welcome several guests, and are gratified that three became members that night! There's always room for more...hint, hint. 

Techno Girl Saturday--the show!

Techno Girls take over downtown Fergus Falls

In the City Bakery, Biffley’s Games and Books, and bustling up and down the downtown streets, fifth and sixth grade girls were busy taking notes, video, photos and audio recordings to use in their very own news show. It was all part of Techno Girl Saturday on March 31. Fifteen girls took part of this second annual STEM event put on by our AAUW branch. 

Specials thanks to video producer Tim Litt who lead the girls through the process, and to Otter Tail Telcom for providing the studio facilities. We’re also grateful to Radio Shack for providing flash drives so each girl can have their own copy of the news show, and to Chris Schuelke from Otter Tail County Historical Society for leading a group of girls on a tour of downtown. And thanks to fearless STEM leader Kristi Hastings for coordinating the event and all the great AAUW volunteers! It was another successful AAUW event!

Techno Girl Saturday is March 31

For the second year in a row, the AAUW Fergus Falls branch is holding a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) event for elementary-school girls. This year we are inviting 5th and 6th graders to learn how technology is used to produce a television show.  The event is Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to Noon.

A BIG shout out to Tim Litt, who is giving his time and talent to teach the girls about video production, and to Otter Tail Telcom, for allowing us to take over their studio for the morning. Thanks too to Rob Rogholt and Radio Shack for providing the girls with flash drives.

To sign up your 5th & 6th grade girl by THURSDAY, MARCH 29, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/635S26N. 

AAUW offering scholarships to Fergus Falls Area Women for 2012

The Fergus Falls branch of the American Association of University Women is pleased to announce that it is once again offering scholarships. There is no age limit for applicants, and women who are graduating from high school, attending or returning to college, in transition, or making career changes are all encouraged to apply. Women of all race, ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds are urged to submit an application.
The following scholarships will be awarded in 2012:

• Three $1,000 scholarships.
• One $1,000 Georgia Dieseth scholarship for a woman who has demonstrated an interest in the Arts (music, drama, writing, art).

Scholarships will be granted on the basis of the “whole person,” not simply performance on standardized tests or grade point averages.  General factors that will be taken into consideration are the following: leadership, dedication to lifelong learning, completion of the essay, life experiences, extracurricular activities, and the applicant appraisal forms.

We have sent out application packets to area high school counselors and to M-State--Fergus Falls. Or download materials on this website (right-hand side of page). 

Completed application packets must be returned to the address at the bottom of the application and be postmarked no later than March 21, 2012. Scholarship winners will be invited to attend the April 16, 2012, branch meeting.

Please contact Kristi A. Hastings at 218-736-5493 (work) or 218-205-9727 (cell) if you have any questions.