Eugene-Lane Branch The News

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1 Eugene-Lane Branch The News JANUARY January 10, 2015 Branch Meeting Westminster Presbyterian Church, 777 Coburg Rd. Eugene Social time starts at 9:30 Business meeting at 10:00 Professor Freyd's talk at 10:30 Jennifer Freyd, who is a professor of psychology at the University of Oregon, will speak at the meeting of the American Association of University Women about Researching Institutional Betrayal: The Case of Campus Sexual Assault. In the last two decades, Freyd has researched and written extensively on sexual abuse and memory. Dr. Freyd received her BA in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania and her PhD in Psychology from Stanford University. Freyd directs a laboratory investigating the impact of interpersonal and institutional trauma on mental and physical health, behavior, and society. She has published over 170 articles and she is author of the Harvard Press award-winning book Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse. Her book Blind to Betrayal, coauthored with Pamela J. Birrell, was published in English by Wiley in March 2013 with translations into Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and both Simple and Traditional Chinese. In the spring of 2014 Freyd was invited two times to the U.S. White House due to her research on sexual assault and institutional betrayal. Freyd is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She serves as the Editor of the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. Inside this issue: Public Policy Update 2-4 Legislative Process Day Agenda 5 Legislative Process Day Registration Form 6 Carene s Contemplations 7 Branch & Board Meeting Schedule 9 Birthdays 9 Interest and Project Groups 9

2 Page 2 Eugene-Lane Branch AAUW PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE KAPPY EATON January 2015 Legislative Process Day: What and Why The program is scheduled for January 13, 2015, from 9:30-2:30, at the Oregon State Library, across the street from the Capitol in Salem. (See page 5 for the agenda, and page 6 for the registration form) Oregon AAUW and the League of Women Voters of Oregon have been conducting this type of member training in basic democracy for decades. The purpose is to help members and interested others understand how the Legislature functions and to illustrate how citizens can participate in state government. During prior events, legislators have presented their views on proposals they are supporting for session action as well as explaining how a bill becomes a law in Oregon. Also, there have been mock hearings to show how committees react to witnesses testifying on a specific issue which could be up for consideration, both to show that process, but also to present background information on the proposal. For years, the Process Day was held just after the November election, prior to the regular January opening of the legislative session. Now that the Assembly meets annually, the January activities in the Capitol have changed (see below on Legislative Assembly.) Instead of topic reports and hearings, this year s event will feature journalists who follow the Legislature s agenda for the public, Ted Wheeler, the State Treasurer, who will be involved in how the state uses its bonding authority, a panel of advocacy organizations explaining how they lobby, and statements from the cosponsoring organizations about their priorities for the session. Joyce Zook and Penney Hoodenpyle, co Presidents of Oregon AAUW will represent our organization during the lunch break when other co-sponsoring groups also will share their advocacy plans for the legislative session. Besides President Robin Wisdom of the League, these are Sunny Petit, Center for Women Leadership, and Michelle Ganow-Jones, Oregon Chapter of the National Organization for Women Speaking about their take on the upcoming session will be Peter Wong, representing 35 Oregon newspapers, Hillary Borrud, representing 11

3 January 2015 Page 3 newspapers, Chris Lehman, representing Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Taylor Anderson, representing the Bend Bulletin and Central Oregon. Advocacy representatives will talk about lobbying from their perspectives, representing Common Cause Oregon, the Oregon Conservation Network, and the Human Services Coalition of Oregon. Send in your reservation by January 5, and join the 2015 Legislature s conversation. STATE OF THE STATE A Look at the 2015 Oregon Assembly The gavel convening the 2015 long (up to 165 days) Legislature (as required by the Oregon Constitution) will sound on January 12. However, the organization of the body has already taken place. Leadership of the House and Senate, and the Democrat and Republican Caucus leaders have been chosen. Peter Courtney remains Senate President, and Tina Kotec continues as House Speaker. Rep. Val Hoyle of Lane County is the House Majority leader and Sen. Arnie Roblan, also Lane County, is Deputy Senate Majority Leader. All of the Senate and House committees and their chairs and co-chairs have been named, and the committee meeting schedule established. The three Legislative Days, January 12-14, will be devoted to mandatory training sessions, with no House or Senate sessions or committee hearings set, one for actual bill drafting. This has been a particularly well organized use of The House, 60 members, has 35 Ds and 25 Rs. The Senate, 30 members, has 18 Ds and 23 Rs. During the three Interim Legislative Days in May, September and December, the committees discussed policy issues, heard reports from task forces and contracted projects, and had legislative concepts (LCs) drafted. When the Interim committees met in December, they sent selected LCs to the Legislative Counsel for actual bill drafting. This also has been a particularly well organized use of interim time, from the March ending of the 2014 Annual session to the present. A Specific Look at 2015 Issues When the session actually begins February 2, hearings will begin on the LCs that have become bills, introduced in the House and Senate, and sent to specific committees. Below are the Governance legislative concepts expected to be heard in the House and Senate Revenue committees and those for the House and Senate Rules committees. Further into the session, there will be reports on Natural Resources and Social Policy and specifically about equality issues, health care and education, priorities for AAUW. Senate Rules Committee LCs: 1. Secretary of State must conduct a review of the number of ballots returned by mail during the General Election received by county clerks after the election date. Due Set. 15, Clarification of the meaning of district as used in the Oregon Constitution, Article 1 (5). 3. Secretary of State shall conduct a general review of a cross-nomination system for candidates for public office in Oregon. Study to include a study of the fiscal impact of implementing the system. Report to the Legislature by Sept. 15, Changes ballot markings from Presidential only to Federal only. House Rules Committee LCs: 1. Clarifies phrasing in definitions section for audit of computerized voting system. Related to voting machine or vote tally system involving computer use. Continued on page 4

4 Page 4 Policy Continued from page 3 2. Allows a county vote on a date other than the four currently specified in emergency conditions. 3. Gives a nonaffiliated electors ability to vote in a primary election of the major party of elector s choice. 4. Requires signature gatherers or organizers of county, city or district initiative, referendum or recall petitions to register with the Secretary of State in the same manner as signature gatherers of state measures, unless otherwise provided by local government ordinance. 5. Defines a qualified designated voter registration agency that collects the necessary personal data for voter registration. Directs provision to send data to Secretary of State to then register to vote any nonregistered person who is qualified, with notification and opt-out notification. Senate Revenue Committee LCs: 1. Extends 18 tax credits for 6 years including senior/disabled, child and dependent care, working family, long term care insurance, rural medical practice 2. Modifies state collection process 3. Modifies property tax deferral program eligibility 4. Clarifies definition of food for purposes of crop donation credit House Revenue Committee LCs: Sampling of 120 LCs 1. Disconnects from all federal personal income tax deductions; sets new rates 2. Requires goal statement for tax expenditures 3. Increases cigarette tax 4. Eliminates prohibition on county cigarette tax 5. Establishes carbon emissions tax 6. Rainy Day Fund into the Constitution Eugene-Lane Branch 7. Initiatives must specify funding source 8. Eliminates non-corporate kicker 9. Caps itemized deductions at $20, Eliminates supermajority requirement for revenue raising bills 11. Removes limits on property tax rates/ freezes rates for participants in senior deferral program 12. Imposing tax on electronic cigarettes 13. Extends same 18 tax credits as Senate Revenue Committee 14. Adjusting tax haven list 15. Amending Measure 50 to allow reset to market value at the time of sale 16. Revenue neutral carbon tax with income tax reductions 17. Modified Strategic Investment Programs 18. Increases Earned Income Tax Credit House Higher Education and Workforce Development issues 1. Sexual violence on public university campuses 2. Accelerated learning options for Oregon high schools students going to college 3. Task Force looking at student success data and further investment on evidence-based practices 4. Workforce development options and opportunities for training Looks like it will be a very busy and, hopefully, productive session. January Out-To-Lunch Bunch on the 14th The January gathering of the Out-To-Lunch Bunch will be Wednesday, January 14 at 11:30 am. Kappy Eaton is hostess for this month, so please contact her for a reservation and to find out the location.

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7 January 2015 Page 7 Carene s Contemplations Today I am contemplating all that AAUW has accomplished in Linda D. Hallman, CAE, AAUW Executive Director tells us that: 2014 has been quite a year for AAUW! From empowering women at the ballot box to continuing our groundbreaking efforts to close the pay gap, AAUW remains a leader in the fight to level the playing field for women and girls. With our support, AAUW was able to Work with President Obama to increase pay protections for women. AAUW s Lisa Maatz stood with our friend Lilly Ledbetter and the president as he signed two executive orders that banned federal contractors from retaliating against workers who discuss their salaries. Thanks to these measures, the U.S. Department of Labor will now collect wage data to help identify patterns of discrimination and support compliance. We will continue to fight for equal pay for equal work for everyone. Leverage our internationally acclaimed report, Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. We re proud and excited about completing the research on our latest project to address the biases and stereotypes that have held women back in engineering and computing fields and early this spring, we will launch a new report delineating the concrete actions that families, schools, workplaces, and policy makers can take to level the playing field in the years to come. Help thousands of college women advocate for themselves and learn how to negotiate their salaries through our $tart $mart workshops. In 2015, we ll expand our reach with Work $mart, empowering professional women around the country to negotiate better salaries and benefits. I m also thinking about what s coming up in 2015 this is just one of the things to look forward to in 2015: Tech Trek will serve 1,600 girls across the country in 2015 Lockheed Martin has awarded AAUW a $90,400 grant to support the AAUW s successful Tech Trek program, which is designed to boost girls interest, excitement, and self-confidence in STEM. The grant will help more than 1,600 rising eighthgrade girls attend 21 Tech Trek camps next summer at college campuses throughout the nation. I m looking forward to the months ahead as we learn, labor and laugh together. New Member! Stephanie Spradling Florence, Oregon University of Southern California, BS in Public Administration 1993

8 Page 8 BRANCH LEADERSHIP TEAM Board Officers President: Program Vice-President: Membership Vice-President: Finance Vice-President: Communications Vice-President: Recording Secretary: AAUW Funds Co-Chairs: Public Policy: Member Chairs Carene Davis-Stitt Cindy Parker Linda Wittorff Stephanie Winsor Elleen Levy Linda McCleary Ardith Hinman Patricia Lanier Kappy Eaton Advertising & Branch Fundraiser: Jo Brew Book Exchange: Ellen Otani Branch Brochure: Wendy Cook Bylaws: Peggy Shippen Calling Committee: Judy Greer Directory: Carene Davis-Stitt Financial Records: Pat Zeller Historian: Gorgie Hofma Hospitality: Jill McCleary LCC C/U Representative: Cathy Lindsley Looking Glass Outreach: Pat Lanier Newsletter: Carene Davis Stitt Nominating Committee: Carol Hildebrand, Ardith Hinman Website Manager: Wendy Cook Reader Board: Marian Spath VISION Eugene-Lane Branch AAUW will be a powerful advocate and visible leader in equity and education through research, philanthropy, and measurable change in critical areas impacting the lives of women and girls. MISSION AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. VALUE PROMISE By joining AAUW, we belong to a community that breaks through economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance. DIVERSITY In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in the organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation national origin, disability or class Jo Brew, our new Advertising Manager, needs business cards that you gather from those places you frequent. Just hand her the cards she does all the rest!

9 January 2015 Page 9 Interest and Project Groups Branch members are invited to join any group. Please call the contact person for details. If you re interested in forming a new group, please contact the branch president. Afternoon Book Group 3rd Monday at 2:00 p.m. Meets in homes of members. Contact Betty Kjeldgaard, Alpha Bridge Every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Willamalane Senior Activity Center, Springfield. Contact Ardith Hinman, Fourth Tuesday Bridge Group at 1:00 p.m. Contact Donna Pierce, Out and Abouters Contact Linda Wittorff, lindaatex@yahoo.com, Out to-lunch Bunch Contact Carol Hildebrand, carodane@aol.com, Readers Theatre Contact Barbara Carter, Monthly Board Meeting Schedule Board meetings are held on Tuesdays at 11:30 am at the Falcon Wood Village Clubhouse, 1475 Green Acres Rd., Eugene. All members are welcome. January 6 February 10 March 10 Monthly Branch Meeting Schedule Monthly program information is available in the branch newsletter and on the website January 10, 2015 February 14, 2015 March 14, 2015 April 11, 2015 April 7 May 5 June 9 May 9, 2015 Annual Meeting June 13, 2015 Readers Theatre 2 Jill McCleary 5 Ruth Nelson 11 Janice Strupp 12 Elleen Levy 19 Stephanie Spradling 25 June Smith The News is published monthly, September through June, by AAUW Eugene-Lane Branch. It is distributed to members by or regular mail. Deadline is the 20 th of each month, August through May. Items are to be submitted to the editor by that date. Staff Editor: Carene Davis-Stitt, carene@deltanet-consultants.com Design/Layout: Lisa Stitt, lisa@deltanet-consultants.com Ad Manager: Jo Brew, Jo@Jo-Brew.com Proofreader: Pat Lanier

10 Page Our Sponsors Eugene-Lane Branch The News The advertisers on these pages support our AAUW Eugene-Lane Branch publications. Please patronize their businesses and let them know that you heard about them through AAUW.

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12 AAUW Eugene-Lane Branch News c/o Carene Davis-Stitt 1475 Green Acres Rd., SPC 4 Eugene, OR 97408