Logan County AAUW

If you have questions or comments, please send them to patohaauw@gmail.com

AAUW/Ohio is at a crossroads. Our state dues income no longer covers our modest expenses. Therefore, we have used part of savings from previous years to pay a growing percentage of our bills. But if we continue to use our savings, soon there won’t be any savings.

Following some very difficult budget deliberations in 2008 and 2009, the board appointed a Fiscal Policy Committee to recommend ways to improve our financial situation. The Committee reviewed spending practices, suggested alternatives to operations, and proposed ways to sustain the organization at the state level.

The state board reviewed the committee’s report and voted on February 20, 2010, to recommend an increase in state dues from $8 to $11 per member. This action was taken reluctantly. We know it is not a good time to ask people for more money. For over 12 years, the board has been reluctant to ask for an increase.

As our revenues have decreased due to membership loss, our expenses have risen. The Board cannot continue to borrow from our savings much longer if the organization is to survive. This is the reason we are asking for a dues increase now. Any change in dues must be approved by the members at an annual meeting. On April 18, 2010, your branch delegates will be asked to vote on the board’s recommendation.

But there is more to this process than just a vote on a dues increase! Critical to our success as a state organization is an immediate examination and discussion among our members of our current activities and an assessment of their value. To start the conversation, we have mailed your branch president a letter with more details. Please ask your president to allow time for this discussion before convention.

We will survey all members soon, asking them to rank topics they favor. The conversation you begin now and the ideas you share with us will help us design the survey. We want to hear from you so we can plan for 2010-2012.