The AAUW mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.

By joining AAUW, we belong to a community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance. AAUW has unveiled some new programs for branches called Program in a Box that will help us put on programs that will enable us to break through barriers in our communities.  Read more about these programs and how you can use them successfully in your branch.

Has your branch already held a Breaking through Barriers type program? Do you know about AAUW's Breaking through Barriers Awards Program?  I. To learn more about the program visit  http://aauw.org/learn/awards/btb.cfm

AAUW-FL STEM-Pay Equity Project Grant Program

Purpose: These grants provide funds in the amount of $50 to $500 to develop programmatic elements of the AAUW Florida’s Strategic Plan for 2010-2011 by supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and/or Pay Equity projects at the branch level.

Eligibility: Any AAUW Florida branch may submit a proposal that has direct community or public impact. A branch that wishes to audit a project from another branch, may request a small stipend ($50-$100) for travel expenses in order to replicate that STEM or Pay Equity project.

Criteria for Selections: (1) Clear and specific objectives; (2) evidence of careful planning, feasible plan of action, realistic time frame, and clear evaluation process; and (3) validity of budget proposal.

Funds can be used for: postage, mailing, shipping, copying or duplication, equipment lease, audio-visual equipment and materials, advertising, publicity or graphic design, honoraria (no more than half the total requested), travel, lodging, food or beverages for the event.

Regulations: The grant must be administered by your branch. Branches are welcome and encouraged to collaborate with other organizations but the proposal must have an AAUW Florida member in charge of the project. Grant recipient must complete the STEM/Pay Equity form on the AAUW Florida website as soon as their project is approved so other branches can learn about their activity. The project must be completed before June 1, 2011 and grant recipients will be asked to report on their project at the 2011 state convention

Suggestions for Projects: The grant projects should be action-oriented and involve the community in some way. The following projects have been proposed by branches:math/science camps or programs, Let’s Read Math, Financially Fit for Life, $tart $mart workshop on campus, STEM Summit for Girls, Tech Trek, etc. These are only suggestions; more ideas can be found in the directory index of the National Girls Collaborative Project (www.ngcproject.org) with whom AAUW collaborates as well as at the WAGE Project website (www.wageproject.org). Links to other model programs are available on the Florida AAUW website.

Completed STEM and Pay Equity Projects sponsored by Florida Branches:
                                Melbourne STEM Panel Discussion
                                Lake/Sumter Math Science Rewards
                               Weston participation in STEM Workshop

 Some of the Programs in a Box:
                                 Let's Read Math
                                 Financially Fit for Life
                                 Pay Equity
                                 The Shriver Report - A Woman's Nation Changes Everything
                                 StartSmart
                                 Title IX Compliance: Know the Score

        Other Resources Available to Florida Branches and Members

Leader-on-Loan: Allows branches to invite past and present Florida AAUW state presidents and board members to visit their branch to present a program on a specific topic.  The travel expenses of the Leader-on-Loan are reimbursed by the state; cost any meal(s) and overnight stay if necessary are the responsibility of the branch. Applications are on the forms page of this website.  Contact the Leader-on-Loan Coordinator, Janet Johnson at jwjaj@bellsouth.net for more information.

Mini Grants:  provide funds (up  to $500 ) to support the Action Priorities of AAUW Florida, advance the AAUW-FL mission,  and develop the programmatic elements of the Florida strategic Plan.  The next deadlines for branches to submit an application are August 15, 2010 and January 15, 2011. The application and instructions are on the forms page of this website. Contact Vivian Errickson at everrickson@earthlink.net with questions.

 Diversity Chair: may serve as speaker at Branch programs and can be requested as a Leader-on-Loan.