Membership Matters

By Marlene Gordon

Membership VP 585-461-1224 aunt5mtzma@aol.com

For those of you who were unable to attend the recent NY State AAUW Convention held here at Woodcliff, I must tell you how impressed members of other branches from around the state were with the finely-organized and stimulating weekend. Thanks are due to Convention Chairperson Marilyn Tedeschi and co-chair Susan Hoover for the incredible amount of hard work and talent which, along with some assistance from Branch members, made the 2012 State Convention a tremendous success.

This month we’ve been joined by some amazing new members. Linda Shafer Layer is a retired professor from George Brown College in Toronto. She received her Bachelor’s degree from American University and her MScEd in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. She is interested in travel and financial planning and brings skills in community-organizing.

Clara Webb is a Spanish teacher who received her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport, her Master of Arts degree and Permanent Teaching Certification in Spanish. Clara is interested in Women Helping Girls, the Dress a Girl Around the World Project, sewing, and international relations.

Sara Varhus is Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Nazareth College. She received her Bachelor’s degrees in English and History at Rockford College and her PhD in English. She is eager to help us with grant-writing and organizing programs and is also interested in reading, dogs, cooking, and outdoor activity. Though she needs to wait until she retires to join many of our interest groups, Sara says that she will serve GRAB “any place where she can contribute!!” Welcome, Sara!!!

Cynthia Cohen received her Bachelor’s degree in history from Yale and her Master’s degree in English from the University of London. Currently she is an adjunct professor and PhD student at the University of Buffalo. Though her work and studies demand much of her time, she would like to participate in Tea and Titles, STEM, and the art forum. She’s also interested in films and plays and perhaps using her skills in writing and fund-raising here at GRAB.

We are also joined by Elaine Spaull, a lawyer and youth advocate, who is the Executive Director of The Center for Youth. Elaine received her Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, her Master’s degree from Georgetown, and both her PhD and JD from SUNY Buffalo. Currently a Rochester City Council member, Elaine is an incredible community advocate for women and girls.

PLEASE JOIN US ON JUNE 12 at 5:30 – our YEAR-END RECEPTION – to welcome these fabulous women as well as all of our “Class of 2012” new members and our newest Women Helping Girls graduates and alumnae with food, beverage, ice-breakers, and fun!!!

Marlene Gordon, VP for Membership