Five Star Recognition Award

Five Star Recognition Award 2024 – 2025

by Nancy Mahr

Our Branch has been awarded Five-Star status for our work in the past year. The 5-Star Planning Group worked on completing the Annual Survey, reviewing the events of the year and coordinating our activities with the 5-Star Program requirements. As we approached the Annual Survey, we were confident that we had met requirements in the five required areas: Advancement, Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming, Communications & External Relations Star.

We received a letter stating that we had achieved 4 stars, but not Advancement. The group felt that somehow our work in that area had not been clear to the national evaluators. We requested a review of our data for that element, including in our letter the points that we believed fulfilled the requirement.

The review was successful – we were awarded the 5th star!

Achieving 5 stars is a reflection of the positive activity and operation of the branch. Congratulations to all of us!

5-Star Planning Group: Rosalie Abelson, Fran Brown, Shera Dolmatz-Finkel, Diane Hembacher, Nancy Mahr, Nancy Rayner, Dale Richards, Leann Roque

Five Star Recognition Award 2021 – 2022

Our branch has received a second AAUW national 5-Star Award! The award highlights the work that our branch has done in 2021-2022. The program is based on a set of specific requirements established by national. We were so pleased with our 5-start status last year that we determined to try for 5 again.

The areas in which we received stars are:
• Advancement (membership and financial support for AAUW)
• Communications & External Relations (website, social media)
• Programs (that align with the AAUW mission and strategic plan and include DEI)
• Public Policy and Research (legislation, Action Network)
• Governance & Sustainability (Branch strategic plan, succession planning)

Many members contributed to these areas. Special thanks to Leann Roque, Jan Cofer, Ruth Bloland, and Jane Harris who provided specific information to meet the requirements.

Five Star Recognition Award 2019 – 2021

Members of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Branch of the American Association of University Women from left, Nancy Mahr, Nancy Rayner and Cecilia Rogers proudly show off the 5 STAR National Award that the Branch recently received. Mahr wrote the application and spearheaded the yearlong effort with key contributors Rayner and Rogers.

 

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was one of only seven AAUW branches in California to be awarded the prestigious National Five Star Program achievement badge for 2019-2021.

The National AAUW lauded the Branch for their “tremendous achievement made possible through your unwavering commitment to the future of your branch and AAUW’s mission to achieve a world where all women and girls can thrive.”

Further, the California State AAUW recognized the Branch for “their hard work in planning and implementing strategies for programs, branch giving, social media, public policy and governance that exemplifies the very best of AAUW.”

Public Policy Chair and former Co-President, Nancy Mahr, wrote the application and spearheaded the yearlong effort to meet the National Five Star Program requirements. “I am thrilled that we were able to achieve National Five Star status and I am grateful for the help of the Branch members who were instrumental in our endeavor,” said Mahr.

The Branch’s multi-faceted program endeavors included:

  • Participating in a Zoom format program, “The Creation of a Social Advocate,” in conjunction with Beach Cities and Torrance Branches.
  • A Zoom Readers Theatre presentation, “The Ladies Remember: Eleanor Roosevelt Uncovers the Path to the 19thAmendment,“ written and directed by member Cecilia Rogers.
  • A talk, “Domestic Violence in the Time of Covid,” researched and presented by member Nancy Rayner.
  • A funding endeavor in Greatest Needs giving from $1,385 in 2019 to $3,425 in 2020 for National activities.
  • Achieving over 90 percent retention of Branch membership.
  • The establishment of a Work Smart link on the branch website to provide clear information about the Branch and all of its activities.
  • A Legislative interview with CA Assembly member Al Muratsuchi
  • A statewide AAUW CA Lobby Day• A Public Policy Chair to coordinate work with state co-chairs
  • The promotion of The Action Network to facilitate grassroots advocacy.
  • The development of a Leadership Succession Plan for officers.

In its Mission Statement, AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. AAUW membership is open to women or men with a two-year associate degree or higher from a qualified educational institution.

Established in 1957, the PVP Branch is a warm and welcoming association. Members enjoy 12 Interest Groups such as Art Appreciation, Armchair Travelers, Cooks’ Corner and Great Decisions. Members may also participate in outreach projects while benefiting from intellectual stimulation, friendships and being of service to others.