Membership

Member Data Verification & Oral History Project FAQ

We are excited to announce that AAUW has partnered with PCI (Publishing Concepts) to conduct a comprehensive member data verification project for our Oral History Project. The project’s goal is to collect stories from our members to memorialize the history of AAUW through the years. This is an opportunity for you to share your personal experiences with AAUW and how the organization helped shape your life. 

We want to assure you that participation in this project is purely voluntary and you are NOT obligated to purchase any products to update your member information or to share your story and be a part of the Oral History Project. 

Frequently Asked Questions by Members

No, it is not a scam – AAUW is working with PCI to update member data and ask members to participate in an Oral History Project. Post cards were received earlier than anticipated – and an email communication was sent to all members from AAUW on April 25th. It is important to note that if you do not receive our emails – you may be unsubscribed or in need of updating your email address with us. Please email connect@aauw.org for assistance in resubscribing yourself to national AAUW communications. 

The Oral History Project is an effort to collect and memorialize the memories, experiences and impact that AAUW membership has had on the lives of our individual members across the country. These stories will be compiled into both a digital and hardcopy bound book. There is also an opportunity for members to purchase their own copy of the book, as well as other AAUW branded items, if they so choose. 

Data Verification

While you may have received our post card and recently renewed your membership, we often find that emails and phone numbers are out of date. Updating your data ensure we can stay in touch with what is happening at AAUW and important information about your membership. It is also an added value that PCI is conducting this project, at no cost to AAUW National. 

  • Thus far – over 1/3 of respondents have updated their contact information. 
Oral History

AAUW has a long and rich history, well-documented throughout the years in our Archives. We also employ a part-time Archivist and engage the volunteer Archive Corps to organize and maintain this history. That being said – the lived experiences of every day members are not well-documented, nor shared broadly. This project will give us access to audio recordings, transcriptions of stories, and photos submitted from members who choose to participate. While conducting a project of this kind would typically be a significant investment, PCI is doing this work at no cost to AAUW. 

  • Thus far – over 2,000 stories have been shared. 

PCI has a long history working with hundreds of membership associations (such as Shriners International and the National Bar Association) as well as College and University Alumni Associations (such as the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Texas Women’s University, University of Michigan and more) and there is incredible value in embarking on a project of this kind at no cost to AAUW National. 

AAUW receives a small royalty of $10 per package purchased. While a royalty is received this does not represent a significant fundraiser for AAUW – the greater value is in the updating of our member data and collection of stories and memories from our members, at no cost to AAUW. 

PCI will contact AAUW members directly through postcards and emails, addressed to you from Katrina Sun Breese (Senior Director of Institutional Advancement), to encourage participation. PCI will not conduct outbound calls to members, except to return your calls. 

You can use either the general number, 1-855-454-0718, OR you can use the number on your postcard or email. Either number will allow you to participate in the program. If you have a customer service issue regarding your call or order contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590. 

AAUW and PCI are committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. 

Additionally – AAUW did not sell member information to PCI. AAUW also did not pay PCI to conduct this project. 

For more information about how AAUW protects your information, please see our detailed Privacy Policy: https://www.aauw.org/privacy-policy/.  

If you received a post card, we have your up to date mailing address – however, AAUW’s primary and most frequent method of communication is email and at times, we may need to reach you by phone. While you may have successfully renewed your membership, we find some details do get missed.  

 As of Friday, April 28th – PCI has received nearly 2,900 responses: 

  • Over 2,100 stories have been collected 
  • Over 300 updated their email addresses 
  • Over 1,200 updated their phone numbers 
  • Over 1,100 updated cell phone numbers 
  • 86 updated mailing addresses 

PCI adjusts staffing based on the anticipated volume of calls. While the Oral History project information gathering phase will last over the next 6 months, the peak of anticipated call volume will be at the beginning of this time frame. Updating your contact information in a timely manner means our records are as accurate and up to date as possible, and in time for important communications. 

If you choose not to respond, there is no impact to your membership. 

Item   Price   S&H   Total  
Loyalty Package: Hardbound Book, Digital Publication, T-shirt, Sweatshirt, Travel Bag   $449.98   $39.98   $489.96  
Pride Package: Hardbound Book, Digital Publication, T-shirt, Sweatshirt   $349.98   $29.98   $379.96  
Value Package: Hardbound + Digital Publication   $259.98   $19.98   $279.96  
Hardbound Book   $169.98   $19.98   $189.96  
Digital Publication   $169.98   $0   $169.98  
Apparel (ash grey sweatshirt & t-shirt)   $89.98   $12.98   $102.96  
Travel Bag   $139.98   $19.98   $159.96  

* State sales tax added where applicable.

No purchase is necessary to participate. While members who purchase a package are guaranteed inclusion of their story in the print edition, there is absolutely no obligation to purchase in order to share your story or update your information. 

While the National office has received inquiries about the project and shared feedback – we highly encourage you to share your feedback directly with PCI. Following your call – they will ask you to submit feedback through a star rating. 

PCI thus far has received limited ratings feedback directly – only 19 responses as of April 28th 2023. Of those 19 responses – 12 provided a 5 star rating and 7 provided a 4 star rating. 

If for any reason you wish to cancel an order – you are able to do so directly through PCI’s customer service. 

To Contact PCI: 

  • 1-855-454-0718 is a dedicated AAUW update line that members who did not receive a postcard or email can call to update their information / share a story / etc 
  • 1-800-982-1590 is PCI’s Client Services phone number that members can call for anything after their initial call (questions on the project, cancelling orders, etc) 

If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. You can use either the dedicated number, 1-855-454-0718, OR you can use the number on your post card / email. Either number will allow you to participate in the program. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at AAUW. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to AAUW at the conclusion of the project. 

If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story. 

If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated AAUW update line at 1-855-454-0718. 

If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo. 

If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo. 

The only information that is included in the publication is your name and your branch, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your contact information, it will only be used to update your member record for the organization. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before 10/20/2023 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. 

You can call back at any time before 10/20/2023 to share your story at 1-855-454-0718. 

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption. 

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed (note: the photo will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope). 

The AAUW Oral History Publication is available for sale only to AAUW members. 

The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in April 2023, the books will be distributed in April/May 2024. 

Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.