This summer the delegate body of AAUW will meet in St Louis and decide on far-reaching, historical changes to the governance and operations of our organization. Faced with an aging membership and shrinking revenues from dues and investments, AAUW must act to revitalize and reposition itself if it is to break through barriers and deliver on the promise of equity and education for women and girls. We must honor the legacy of our founders, build on the progress we have made, and work to give others the opportunities we have experienced. To be that relevant, vital 21st century organization we know we can be demands dramatic change now. I am running for this office because I do not want to wake up two years from now and find us revisiting the same old issues. I see a different, brighter future for AAUW.
AAUW is an organization of strong mission and values. I joined AAUW in the mid 1970’s because of its mission, and I have been an active member for every year since then.
I was drawn to AAUW because of its public policy, fight for equal rights, and support of educational opportunities for women. Through three decades of my participation and leadership at every level of AAUW, the world has changed while AAUW’s mission has remained powerful and relevant. Advocacy, education, and research define AAUW’s values and my own. They boldly state who we are and what we stand for.
The changes proposed for AAUW that are to be addressed in St. Louis demand certain attributes from all its leaders, especially the board of directors and president. AAUW’s leaders must be able to create and sustain a high-trust culture of openness, empowerment, and flexibility. They must be purpose driven and able to mobilize all members around a shared vision and common goals. AAUW’s new leaders must welcome, encourage, motivate, and mentor emerging leaders, who may look and act differently, to build organizational capacity and ensure a viable future for AAUW. Because success does not happen by accident, AAUW’s leaders must act intentionally and be accountable for their decisions. Our next leaders must deliver on that commitment, and I have the experience and skills to lead the way!
Right now, we have a choice in AAUW. We can accept the status quo or come together to become an organization known for embracing change, revitalizing our mission, and demonstrating our value as a 21st-century organization. This election is about our future.
I am uniquely qualified to lead AAUW’s Board of Directors from strategic process and plan to strategic implementation and renewal. As part of the Unity Slate at the convention in Washington, my choice was clear and the organization remained in tact. I served on the core team who designed the 2005/06 Strategic Process “Roadmap” and am part of joint boards strategic planning task force. I have been a board member, Program Vice-President for the Foundation and a member of the Executive Team. I am passionately committed to our mission and value promise, and strongly support the changes outlined by our strategic initiatives and framed by the new bylaws.
To that end, I support and will work to bring about an AAUW that will:
Shout it from the rafters---Sally Chamberlain for President of AAUW!! I met Sally over a decade ago when we served as panelists for EF grants. We also served on the EF Board together. While working with Sally, I was impressed by her leadership skills, her in-depth understanding of the workings of AAUW, her dedication to AAUW’s mission, and her ability to transform ambiguity into action. Sally readily comprehends complex systems and has strong fiscal skills. She works well with a diverse array of people and listens well. Sally is a “can-do” woman, and with her at the helm, we can move AAUW forward with renewed vitality…"Yes we can!"
Bets Brown, ME-AAUW, Editor of Dawn Breaker, Past EF Panelist, EF Board, and EF Program VP
Sally Chamberlain embodies everything that AAUW needs right now as a leader: a new vision of AAUW combined with an historical perspective of the organization to which she has devoted several decades of her life. Sally has the experience to take AAUW forward and help AAUW be the relevant, vibrant, cutting-edge organization that it has been before, and can be again.
Jeaneane St. John, JD- WA-AAUW, Current Finance VP, AAUW
I strongly support the candidacy of Sally Chamberlain for AAUW President. Sally’s commitment, enthusiasm, and outstanding leadership will serve to make AAUW the organization all of us want it to be in the 21st century.
Neola Waller – VA-AAUW, Past EF Board Member
I am very pleased to endorse Sally Chamberlain for AAUW President. Sally has been involved with the transition and knows what it takes to move AAUW ahead. Sally is not afraid to ask questions and make hard decisions. She is the type of leader we need today.
Susan K. Nenstiel – PA-AAUW, Past State President and EF Development VP
"We are beginning the next great chapter in AAUW's history. I am counting on your support to build a strong future for AAUW and advance equity and education for women and girls."
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