NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN

Montgomery, Alabama Chapter

 

MEETING MINUTES for August 8, 2009

 

The meeting convened at 1:30 P.M. in the Juliette Hampton Morgan Library, 245 High Street, Montgomery - Second Floor Auditorium.

 

1)  Welcome from Chapter President Shirley Ann Rawls.

 

2)  June minutes approved by acclamation.

 

3)  Treasurer's Report given by Elaine Fuller.  Balance as of August 8 is $1316.80

 

4)  Diaper Bank Report given by Elaine Fuller.

 

5)  Shirley Ann reported on the National NOW Conference :-)

• Shirley Ann went as the Montgomery Chapter delegate.

• NOW elected a new president, Terry O'Neill, who replaces Kim Gandy.

• National proposed that dues rebates to chapters be dropped temporarily because of their recession-induced budget crunch.  This resolution did not pass.

• See videos from the conference and read about resolutions that passed HERE.

• Virtual chapters (i.e., chapters that meet via web conference or e-mail) were a topic of discussion at the conference.  Shirley Ann proposed that the Montgomery chapter launch a Virtual presence as a prototype.  She says that our early adoption of this project could help to set the ground rules nationally.  Rhonda Wright proposed that we add evening virtual meetings to our regularly scheduled meetings for those who can't attend on Saturdays our would simply rather meet that way.  These proposals were passed by acclamation.  Shirley Ann has experience with web meeting and will work on this project.

6)  SAVE THE DATE:  Alabama NOW Annual State Conference is Saturday, October 24, 2009, in Birmingham.  Location, speakers, and activities to be announced.

 

7)  SAVE AN EARLIER DATE!  Chapter SOCIAL, "D'oeuvres and Diapers", on Saturday,

September 12 at 6 p.m.  Shirley Ann and Elaine will go on J.T. and Leanne's MIX103 show to promote it.  FREE T-SHIRTS AT THE DOOR!  No agenda, just fun!

 

8)  Women's Equality Day is August 26th.  On this day in 1920, the 19th amendment to the US Constitution was passed, giving women the right to vote in all these United States.

 

9)  Shirley Ann announced the results of our member survey:

• Regarding an event or campaign that brings attention to current, important issues and gives Montgomery NOW the visibility it needs in the community:

  • The winner:  Violence Against Women  The chapter will proceed to look at avenues to serve victims of abuse and violence.  Various contacts in the anti-domestic violence community were mentioned and will be explored.

  • The runner-up:  Eve's Circle (mentoring and educational support for girls and young women).  Members are encouraged to support Eve's Circle with gifts of time, expertise (mentoring, tutoring) and/or money.

• Regarding other suggestions to improve chapter visibility and functioning:

  • More gathering times - socials, virtual meetings.  See items 5 and 7 above.

  • Join cause walks.  We could wear our T-shirts and walk as a group.  Rhonda will look for local events and post them on the website.

10)  We are now on Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/montgomeryalnow