What’s It Take To Become a Branch Leader?

By Sheila Ramerman, President

What does it take to become an AAUW Eugene-Lane branch officer? Mostly, a passion for lifelong learning, being part of something important, and enjoying the company of others who share these same interests! Beyond that, here are some “job descriptions” for elected officer positions that are currently or soon will be up for grabs, including secretary, membership VP, communications VP, and Program VP:

Secretary

  • Overall: Records minutes of board meetings and branch business meetings.
  • What she really does: Records minutes of branch business meetings and board meetings, provides draft minutes to the board for acceptance/revision, keeps accepted minutes on file; periodically adds accepted minutes to branch archives; has a copy of current Bylaws and Policies and list of current officers and committees on hand at each meeting; may write letters or other communications at the request of the board.
  • Helpful skills: Organized, detail-oriented, familiar with email, standard word-processing applications, and Robert’s Rules of Order
  • Estimated time: 4-5 hours per month
  • Position available: IMMEDIATELY for branch meeting co-secretary; Spring 2021 for branch/board secretary

Membership Vice President

  • Overall: Provides member services and information.
  • What she really does: Supports current members by providing membership information and reminders; identifies opportunities to recruit new members (social media, community events, branch events); welcomes new members; maintains the branch membership directory and the Membership Service Database at aauw.org; attends monthly board and branch meetings.
  • Helpful skills: Outgoing & friendly; consensus building; good at planning and goal setting.
  • Estimated time: 4-5 hours per month
  • Position available: Spring 2021

Communications Vice President

  • Overall: Provides visibility for AAUW Eugene-Lane’s mission and programs among members and external audiences.
  • What she really does: Coordinates all publications and media exposure for the branch and branch meetings (oversees monthly newsletter, places public notices about branch meetings, oversees interim member communications via email, social media, and/or website content); maintains the branch e-news list. With the president, monitors branch phone and email contacts; attends monthly board and branch meetings.
  • Helpful skills: Organized; computer/website/email familiarity. Basic understanding of publications, social media, website management.
  • Estimated time: 6-8 hours per month
  • Position available: Spring 2021

Program Vice President

  • Overall: Assists branch officers in advocating for women and girls through the  development and implementation of programs and other projects that promote education and equity.
  • What she really does: Gathers suggestions for programs from members and other sources (AAUW “Program in a box” online, hot topics in the community, books or publications of interest, etc.); plans the sequence of programs; arranges meeting logistics (location, physical set up – when applicable!); ensures a program speaker is met on arrival at a branch meeting (again – when applicable!), introduces the speaker, and otherwise manages the program portion of a branch meeting; partners with other organizations that promote AAUW’s mission on programs; attends monthly board and branch meetings.
  • Helpful skills: Planning and organization; intercultural sensitivity & understanding, public speaking (or not afraid to speak in front of a friendly group like your Eugene-Lane branch).
  • Estimated time: 5-6 hours per month
  • Position available: Spring 2021