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AAUW can trace its fellowship history back more than a century to the time it awarded the first fellowship ever given to a U.S. graduate woman scholar. In 1888 Vassar graduate Ida Street, a pioneer in the field of early American Indian history, received $350 to pursue a graduate degree in education at the University of Michigan. Since then, more than 12,000 women from over 130 countries have received educational support from AAUW of nearly $100 million dollars. These efforts ensure that women continue to succeed in a broad and diverse range of academic and professional fields. AAUW has a tremendous impact on many women and society by breaking through barriers, expanding women s potential, and supporting their future promise. This goal is accomplished in several ways through AAUW s fellowships and grants: See the timeline panels and posters displayed throughout Convention. We also have a few fellows and alumnae here with us today, and I would like for them to introduce themselves. Now, just a few minutes about what those programs are: 2
Providing vital funding to women completing dissertations, preparing research for publication, and postdoctoral leave for women in tenure track faculty positions in support of their earning tenure and further promotions. American Fellowships support women doctoral candidates completing dissertations or scholars seeking funds for postdoctoral research leave from accredited institutions. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of scholarly excellence, the quality and originality of project design, and active commitment to helping women and girls through service in their communities, professions, or fields of research. Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowships offer one year of support for women in tenure track faculty positions in support of their earning tenure and further promotions. Dissertation Fellowships. Open to applicants in all fields of study. Scholars engaged in science, technology, engineering and math and also researching gender issues are especially encouraged to apply. Summer/Short Term Research Publication Grants fund women college and university faculty and independent researchers to prepare research for publication. 3
Responding to the global development needs of women by awarding financial support to women from around the world to enable them to gain access to academic training and contribute to the economic and social development of their countries; and International Fellowships broaden the global community of women who have access to advanced study. The program supports women from other countries in full time graduate or postgraduate study or research across disciplines. Selection criteria include an outstanding academic record, professional potential, and the potential of the field of study to improve the lives of women and girls in the fellow s country of origin. Preference is given to women residing in their home country at the time of application. A limited number of renewable fellowships are available for a second year of study. International Project Grants are also offered for alumnae to undertake community based projects in their home country. 4
Targeted funding for advanced studies in the traditionally male (and higher paying) fields of science, technology, engineering and math; supporting women of color in fields in which they have traditionally been underrepresented; Selected Professions Fellowships provide opportunities for women to pursue graduate and first professional degrees in designated fields where women traditionally have been underrepresented and where the employment outlook and earnings potential are strong. Currently there are fellowships available in architecture, computer and information sciences, engineering, and mathematics and statistics. Selected Professions Fellowships are awarded for the following programs: Architecture Computer/Information Sciences Engineering Mathematics/Statistics Fellowships in the following degree programs are restricted to women of color: Business Administration Law Medicine 5
Providing vital funding to women, advancing their careers, re entering the workforce, or changing careers. Career Development Grants Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Grants provide support for course work beyond a bachelor's degree, including a master's degree, second bachelor's degree, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Funds are available for distance learning. Course work must be taken at an accredited twoor four year college or university in the United States, or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for PhD level work. 6
Supporting nonprofits and individuals in their efforts focused on women s and girls educational and economic development, with a preference for STEM related programming. Community Action Grants provide funds to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as local community based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. One year grants ($2,000 $7,000 over one year): One year grants provide seed money for new projects. Topic areas are unrestricted, but should include a clearly defined activity that promotes education and equity for women and girls. Two year grants ($5,000 $10,000 over two years): Two year grants provide start up funds for longer term programs that address the particular needs of the community and develop girls' sense of efficacy through leadership or advocacy opportunities. Topic areas are unrestricted, but should include a clearly defined activity that promotes education and equity for women and girls. Nonprofit organizations must be based in the United States. Grant projects must have direct public impact, be nonpartisan, and take place within the United States or its territories. Special consideration is given to projects focused on K 12 and community college girls' and women's achievements in science, technology, engineering or math. 7
International Project Grants support former recipients of the AAUW International Fellowship program who successfully complete their programs of study and return to their home countries. Grants support grassroots projects that contribute to the economic, social, and economic empowerment of women and girls. 8
Information and more detail can be found on the newly revamped AAUW website. We also have fresh off the press brochures at the Everything AAUW table and available from Shop AAUW. ************************************************************* Now that we have a little background. So we are here to talk about F&G outreach, specifically about the link between our fellowship recipients, and states and branches. What we plan to cover: 1. The value of recipients 2. Current mechanisms for outreach, what are we doing now to foster state/branch interaction with recipients (who they are, what they ve accomplished, etc.)? 3. Recipient engagement with States and branches and tolls and ideas we can use to expand it. 4. Strategies for highlighting our impact in order to promote greater diversity and inclusion. 5. The importance of alumnae connections in engaging former recipients. (National office first contact, first personal contact is at the local level, and that s where first impressions, as well as showcasing recipients for membership and giving are critical. ) How many of you received an AAUW award? Look around many of your member colleagues have also received awards 20 of them are here at Convention. Name a well known fellow or grantee (other than Marie Curie). Judith Resnick, Joyce Brothers who just passed away, Rosalind Wiseman, etc. (I m sure you ve seen all of the great banners and posters here.) Raise your hand if you have attended a state or branch event where a fellow or grantee presented. Was it a fundraiser or membership recruitment event? Some other purpose? What was that experience like? What was the value of that encounter? 9
I think we can all agree that fellowship recipients are one of the best manifestations of AAUW s history, giving, and impact, and why it s important that engage them in our community in very successful ways: To educate donors and others about the value of giving to AAUW (and raise money!) Make academic, business, and professional collaborations in the community Inspire and recruit prospective applicants and selection panelists Recruit new members and c/u s Increase visibility of AAUW as a community leader and advocate for women 10
Current outreach, what are we doing now to foster state/branch interaction with recipients (who they are, what they ve accomplished, etc.)? Two categories with lots of overlap: a) Push it out and they will use it (Read at me! Read me!) b) Post it and they will find it (Website? What website? Can you just print it out and send it to me?) National press release announcing awards Tailored press release for each program customized by each fellow for local use Fellows contact lists with programming suggestions sent to states and branches Blogs about alumnae posted every Wednesday on AAUW website Mission & Action updates and highlight Directory, kudos to recipients Outlook 2 page spread in every issue Focus on the Fellows Program in a Box Monthly fellows' highlights to Development/featuring recipient gratitude in acquisitions Tweet about fellows accomplishments Membership Matters tips on using fellows for membership purposes Recruit recipients as panel members NCCWSL and other AAUW programs, Research MentorCloud Online Directory of Fellowship Recipients (SLIDE) 11
The Online Directory is a valuable tool for learning about recipients. So all of the mechanisms are great, but it can be a hit or miss /see what sticks strategy some never get it: online, social media, print to reach the widest audience. Some of it sticks, some doesn t. And that s true for all of our content. 2) How s it going? More engagement with alumnae, Ning site, LinkedIn, a record number of alumnae as selection panelists. By and large, more than half of recipients attend a state or branch event, in 2011 12, that number was 54%. On target to exceed that number this year. Many more indicate they want to be involved. There are many reasons why some never get an invitation, timing for others, and women with real lives, illness, lose jobs, have children, car accidents we hear it all. 12
Recipients invited to state/branch events to highlight their work and the benefits of their AAUW fellowship or grant Recipients are also targeted for special events like International Women s Day and Women s History Month States/branches are using recipients as speakers at fundraising events Recipients utilizing connections on campus w/faculty to add value to branch events Branches think they are doing it right: with the current model: invite a fellow, bring your checkbook. And that s good we want them to be inspired and learn about what s going on and donate. Greater Impact model: Community based & community inclusive that will benefit all programs. And recipients have a variety of experiences with our states/branches. 13
They range from inspiring 14
To challenging 15
.To nonexistent. As you can see there are varying levels of interaction. What can we do to elevate it to a greater level of community involvement and recipient engagement that a) attracts membership interest, and b) provides greater incentive for giving? Someone please give me an example of a program utilizing a fellow or grantee at your branch.did you keep in touch with them? Invite them to join? What could you have done differently? 16
What can we do to elevate engagement to a greater level of community involvement and recipient engagement that a) attracts membership interest, and b) provides greater incentive for giving? Utilize the current content and more mechanisms more effectively. Greater Impact model: Community based & community inclusive that will benefit all programs. Examples: Branches need to open the doors. Sometimes don t even invite all the fellows or the community! Ask the fellows that attend(ed) c/u partner institutions to write dear student blogs about how great their experience with AAUW has been and why they encourage other students to join AAUW. Use branch events to foster relations with c/u partners in local communities Offer a graduate school night events AAUW fellows could speak about going to graduate school and applying for fellowships and grants. This would give the institution publicity, the branch, and the fellow. Have recipients send the tailored press release as a newsletter article or blog post to branches after the invitation is made for outreach purposes in the community. Make sure branches know who famous fellows are and highlight them on relevant days. Have YWTF Chapters invite fellows & grantees to join and use the fellows for programming opportunities. To let the community know what s happening, send a press release to the local media and tweet it out. Many news outlets run calendar listings. Try to get on them! This will take a little time for our branches members to research, but it s worth the effort. Approach local radio and television news and talk shows about interviewing past or current fellows and highlighting the work of AAUW. The fellow s university could spread the word about an upcoming talk through their channels. Branches should reach out to them. Continue multi faceted events such as AAAS when former fellows are speaking, we can exhibit for visibility, recruit to join as well as apply for fellowships & grants. Hold joint events at conferences. Have branches and states use AAUW blogs and articles to feature the fellows and alumnae on their websites and in their newsletters. 17
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4) Strategies for highlighting our impact in order to promote greater diversity and inclusion in member recruitment. We need to offer more opportunities for F & G recipients to join and get engaged with AAUW. Many are just never approached by AAUW. Some never get invited to a branch. Many who do have positive experiences but are never contacted again. MentorCloud will provide excellent opportunities to utilize fellows as mentors and mentees in many fields, as well as professional and content experts. Engaging fellows in the STEM camps nationwide. Using F&G alumnae in global membership strategy pilot activities Make a point to have recipients, especially the Intl and SPF recipients speak at HBCUs, Native American, and Hispanic serving institutions, start with c/u partners, but I think its fine to do this on non c/u partner campuses as well. Begin reposting blogs in magazines and on websites that target diverse audiences, announcing F &G applications there as well. Feature a fellow then invite students or other members interested in that field to log on and talk with this person for an hour. Like a Skype interview. Identifying on campus opportunities to use fellows to recruit future recipients and AAUW members. Educate AAUW staff and leaders about the valuable contributions of F&G recipients and ensure that these are incorporated into their outreach and programming plans. When the fellows visit us as they do from time to time ask them to do a membership/give appeal video and then do a big push around it. 19
These are all ways to expand our reach and bring in more individuals who can benefit from and contribute to the future of AAUW. 19
And remember, it s not only during the fellowship year, we have invested in ways to keep fellowship & grant alumnae connected to AAUW to ensure that we have a steady group of recipients to continue to showcase the amazing contributions that AAUW has made to so many fields, become members and donors and stand as a testimony to all of your hard work! 20
Fellows Alumnae Network: Benefits for AAUW: Track fellows, grantees, and award recipients professional progress to assess the impact of AAUW s Investment in its fellows Increase the number of Alumnae who give back to AAUW, whether through membership, financial support, or other non monetary commitments. Benefits for Alumnae: Establish and maintain a link to AAUW, other fellows and grant recipients, and AAUW branches. Utilize the resources available through these established networks and become engaged in issues related to advancement of equity and education for women and girls. Tools are available through National website: http://www.aauw.org/what we do/educational funding and awards/alumnae/ 21
I think we can all agree that fellowship recipients are one of the best manifestations of AAUW s history, giving, and impact, and why it s important that engage them in our community in very successful ways. We ve discussed: 1. The value of recipients 2. Current mechanisms for outreach, what are we doing now to foster state/branch interaction with recipients (who they are, what they ve accomplished, etc.)? 3. Recipient engagement with States and branches and tolls and ideas we can use to expand it. 4. Strategies for highlighting our impact in order to promote greater diversity and inclusion. 5. The importance of alumnae connections in engaging former recipients. Name one takeaway from the workshop that you will explore implementing locally. 22
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