Interest Groups

Interest Groups

The Waukegan Area Branch has six active interest groups at this time. The number of groups can fluctuate, depending upon the interests and enthusiasm of branch members. Most interest groups meet monthly, usually at a member’s home. Specifics are reported in the branch’s monthly newsletter. Refreshments and socializing are implied at these gatherings.

AT THE MOVIES: If you like films, especially those that highlight a female element, this is the group for you. Members decide which movies to watch--separately or in small groups--and then have lively discussions.

BABY HATS WITH LOVE: In this relatively new, yet well-received community outreach project, branch members knit/crochet hats for newborns at Waukegan’s Vista Health/Victory Memorial Hospital.

BOOK REVIEW: Branch members or invited reviewers enthusiastically present their interpretations of books of their choosing, encouraging the group to continue their love of reading.

EXPLORING CULTURE: Field trips to local venues, ranging from art to history to nature and more, are the focus of this group. Destinations are normally within an hour of Waukegan, but some overnight adventures have taken place.

REFLECTIONS ON READING: With so many new books appearing annually, how do the members of this group decide what to read? You’ll have to attend one of the meetings to learn that...and perhaps you’ll have a suggestion of your own.

TRAVELOGUE: Whether you travel or just have an interest in the wider world, hearing tales and seeing photos/slides/videos of the highs and lows of the presenter’s journey will be interesting and perhaps inspirational.

Event Descriptions

Event Descriptions

GENERAL MEETINGS: Held monthly, September through June, branch general meetings are open to the everyone. Invited speakers address topics such as education, current events/politics, women’s issues, the environment, and the local community. At each event, socializing and networking take place during refreshments.

BOARD MEETINGS: Required for elected branch officers and suggested for committee chairs, these meetings--open to the membership--are where most of the branch’s business and planning takes place.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE: As one of the 14 AAUW-IL, Inc., District 5 branches, the Waukegan Area Branch participates with District 4 branches in an annual fall conference. Attendees learn “what’s happening” at state and national levels of AAUW.

LUNCHEON & SILENT AUCTION: Twice a year this branch has luncheons at restaurants, and the program is a fund-raising silent auction. Guests are most welcome!

NETWORKING LUNCHEON: No business is conducted at this networking event...just a delightful lunch, an opportunity to share ideas with like-minded women, and a chance to hear an outstanding speaker.

EF FELLOWS BRUNCH: Members who attend this function have the pleasure of hearing from recipients of Education Foundation fellowships and grants, learning how AAUW funding has positively changed these women by allowing them to further their educations and research.

STATE CONVENTION: All AAUW members are encouraged to attend this annual two-day event that includes workshops, speakers, business sessions, distributions of awards, election of state officers, and lots of opportunities for networking.

AAUW CONVENTION: Held biannually over several days, the Association Convention is an outstanding assembly of members from all over the country. Nationally known speakers alone make the event worthwhile, but it is also here that AAUW business is conducted by members.

Calendar of Events 2008-2009

Calendar of Events

AUGUST
Tuesday, 8/5, 9:30am, set-up for Kids First Health Fair, Juarez Middle School, Waukegan

SEPTEMBER
Saturday, 9/6, 9:30am, General Meeting, Pot Luck Brunch,
CON-CON--Constitutional Convention for Illinois--Pros & Cons,
Dave Kohn (Union League Club of Chicago), Gurnee Police Facility

Thursday, 9/25, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

OCTOBER
Sunday, 10/5, 1:00pm, Lake County Women's Coalition Tea,
Women Who Shield & Protect Us, Country Squire Banquet Facility, Grayslake

Tuesday, 10/14, 7pm, General Meeting, Women of the Civil Rights Era, Barbara Zeitz (Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles Branch, AAUW), Waukegan Public Library

Wednesday, 10/15, 8am, Branch Bake Sale, Lake County Courthouse

Thursday, 10/23, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

NOVEMBER
Tuesday, 11/4, ELECTION DAY

Saturday, 11/8, 8:30am, Districts 4 & 5 Fall Conference, College of Dupage

Tuesday, 11/11, 7pm, General Meeting, Generations of Women in the Military, CLT Alexis Klaussen (Great Lakes Naval Base), Waukegan Public Library

DECEMBER Thursday, 12/4, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home hostess)

Wednesday, 12/10, JANE ADDAMS DAY

Saturday, 12/13, 11am, Winter Luncheon & Silent Auction, Saddle Ridge at Ramada Inn, Waukegan

JANUARY
Thursday, 1/22, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

Saturday, 1/31, 11am, Hyatt Hotel, Networking Luncheon Hyatt Hotel, Lake-Cook Road, Deerfield

FEBRUARY
Saturday, 2/7, 9:30am, General Meeting, Pot Luck Brunch with Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Branch
Jane Addams in Lake County, Ellen Frew (Waukegan Historical Society), Gurnee Police Facility

Thursday, 2/26, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

MARCH
Tuesday, 3/10, 7pm, General Meeting, Women's Health Research & Registry, Sarah Bristol-Gould, Ph.D (Northwestern University), Waukegan Public Library

Saturday, 3/14, 9:30am, Educational Foundation Fellows Brunch. Lambs Farm, Libertyville

Thursday, 3/26, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

APRIL
Tuesday, 4/14, 7pm, General Meeting, The International Secondhand Clothing Trade, Dr. Karen Tranberg Hansen, Zion Benton Public Library

Wednesday, 4/15, 8am, Branch Bake Sale, Lake County Courthouse

Thursday, 4/23, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

Friday-Saturday, 4/24–25, AAUW-IL, Inc., Convention, Decatur

Tuesday, 4/28, EQUAL PAY DAY

MAY
Tuesday, 5/12, 7pm, General Meeting, Eco-Savvy, Valerie Blaine (Kane County Forest Preserve District), Zion-Benton Public Library

Thursday, 5/28, 7pm, Board Meeting (at the home of hostess)

JUNE
Tuesday, 6/16, 11am, Summer Luncheon & Silent Auction, Midlane Country Club, Wadsworth

Friday-Sunday, 6/26–28, AAUW Convention, Renaissance Hotel, St. Louis, Missour

JULY
Thursday, 7/23, 6pm, Board Meeting & Pot Luck Supper (at the home of hostess)

About Our Branch

History

THE ASSOCIATION
The American Association of University Women begain in 1881 with 15 college alumnae. Today’s membership is approximately 100,000.

With more than 1,000 branches and 500 college and university partners, AAUW members across the country contribute to a more promising future for women and girls.

Today’s AAUW focuses on Pay Equity, Retirement Security, Gender Equity, Financial Literacy, and Social Justice. AAUW is a catalyst for positive change.

EF–The Educational Foundation provides grants and fellowships to support educational
and professional development for women at the post-graduate level.

LAF–The Legal Advocacy Fund provides funding and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education.


WAUKEGAN AREA BRANCH
This branch, founded in 1928, presently boasts more than 80 members from northeastern Lake County, Illinois, including the communities of Antioch, Beach Park, Grayslake, Green Oaks, Gurnee, Lake Forest, Lake Villa, Libertyville, Lindenhurst, Wadsworth, Winthrop Harbor, Zion, and, of course, Waukegan.

Active at local, state, and national levels of AAUW, the Waukegan Area Branch is especially proud of these recent accomplishments:
(1) The Waukegan Area AAUW 75th Anniversary Research & Projects Grant (graduate level, administered nationally)
(2) The Waukegan Area Branch Local Scholarship (college-bound high school student, administered locally)

In addition to cooperating with neighboring AAUW branches on several functions each year, the Waukegan Area Branch partners with local libraries in sponsorship of programs, with The Lake County League of Women Voters on candidate forums, and with the Lake County Health Department on two programs: The Kids First Health Fair and The Real Deal: Life 101.