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VG Flash August 2007 |
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Membership Update |
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At the American Association of University Women’s convention the end of June 2007 VGIF had an information table in the exhibit area. We shared this with the AAUW’s International Affairs Committee. We passed out the most recent Update and our new brochure. Our new VGIF banner was on display and was easily seen as you entered the exhibit hall. Fay Kittelson, Executive Secretary and Claire Stein, Membership Convener manned the table for the entire convention with help from numerous VG members. It was an excellent opportunity to talk with many people attending the Convention and also with fellow exhibitors, two of whom joined VG on the spot! Past VG members renewed and there were 12 new members who joined. There were two opportunities to allow those in attendance to learn about the mission of VGIF. An hour “breakfast session” where attendees heard from Barbara Carey, VG President; Florine Swanson who gave a brief history of VG; Eileen Menton, Project Grants; Evelyn Cumming, On-site; Jackie Shahzadi, Connections; Louise McLeod, Internet capabilities; and Fay Kittelson on the United Nations work of VG. The hat was passed and approximately $850.00 was raised for VGIF. The second opportunity was at our workshop the last afternoon of the Convention. Fay Weber put this session together. It was entitled “VGIF in the World: Getting US Involved”. The session was intended for women interested in improving the status of women and girls to learn skills in achieving their goals. The panel told about how VGIF initiates programs, strategies, organizational networking and Internet capabilities for helping improve the status of women and girls in emerging countries. The Membership Committee is most grateful to all these women who made “it happen” at the AAUW Convention. Special thanks go to Barbara Carey who supplied our new banner; to Florine Swanson who paved the way for us with AAUW and picked up the cost of the exhibit table; to Fay Weber and her panel; to Fay Kittelson who always had a smile and the answers to the many questions of this Convener. The Membership Committee looks forward to continuing success at the forthcoming IFUW Conference. |
| Claire Stein Membership Committee Convener |
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You Are Invited to the October VGIF Board Meeting! |
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All VGIF members are welcome to attend the VGIF Board Meeting at the VGIF Office in New York City on October 26-27, 2007 . Enjoy dinner and an international program on Friday evening while networking with international advocates. Then hear reports from committee conveners and observe the business conducted by the VGIF Board on Saturday. VGIF President Barbara Carey encourages those interested in becoming involved to meet the VGIF Board and Committee members and to observe the "nuts and bolts" work of the Gildersleeve Fund in person. The working committees are lively and stimulating, reflecting the firm commitment we all have to the much needed work that VGIF-funded projects accomplish for those in need. If you are interested in attending, please contact Fay Kittelson at vgifnyc@aol.com and she will send you the pertinent information on meetings times and activities in addition to hotel accommodations if you are from out of town. Reservations for the block of rooms at the group rate must be booked by September 7th. We look forward to seeing you in New York! |
| Fay Kittelson Executive Secretary |
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At the UN |
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Meetings are being held in July-August for by the UN Committee for the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Committee in this session will review 17 country reports on the status of women, making recommendations to the country for better progress. Among those countries being reviewed are Indonesia, Kenya, Honduras, Jordan and Brazil. VG's UN team members Leslie Wright and Marcia Goffin are joined by intern Scarlette Elizee for the three-week review. CEDAW will be moving its secretariat to Geneva after this session. The UN Department of Public Information joins the NGOs to sponsor a conference on global warming from September 5-7 this year. Plans are underway for a challenging meeting of presentation and dialogue. Our delegation to this meeting will include members of our UN team and two interns. In June a meeting of NGOs, followed by a governmental meeting hosted by Belgium, was held in Brussels to discuss situations arising from migrant workers. This discussion with proposed actions was held as a result of the UN General Assembly dialogue last year on the topic, and covered such issues as remittances (sums sent from workers to relatives in the country of workers' origin) and development. A concern for NGOs was the lack of dialogue on human rights and the specific issues related to women's issues. |
| Leslie Wright VGIF UN Representatives Committee Convener |
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The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund