Membership

Five-Star Program

The AAUW Five Star Program is designed to help branches like yours align with AAUW’s strategic priorities and advance our mission of achieving gender equity for women and girls. By participating in this program, your branch contributes to a strong network of advocates, elevating both your local impact and our collective efforts nationwide.

The FY25 Annual Branch Survey is now available for branch leaders to review. You can download the questions here. Additionally, we have provided a handy checklist that can assist you and your branch in filling out the Annual Branch Survey. We strongly encourage you to review these questions in advance with your branch board and then choose a designated leader to fill out the survey. Only one survey response should be submitted by each branch. Once your branch has reviewed the questions you can fill out the survey online here. The survey will be open from April 1 through June 30, 2025.

If you have any questions about the Five Star Program, please email Tremayne Parquet, Deputy Director of Advancement, at parquett@aauw.org.

FY26 Five-Star Criteria

Area
Criteria
Advancement



*Only 3 required for a star in this area

  • • Raise $30 per member in FY26 towards the Greatest Needs Fund

  • • Increase contributions to the Greatest Needs Fund by 15% from the last fiscal year

  • • Retain at least 80% of branch membership

  • • Increase the number of individual donors compared to the previous fiscal year

  • • Make a branch contribution to the Defend Higher Education or Public Policy Funds

  • • Recruit at least one Legacy Circle member from your branch in FY26
Public Policy & Advocacy

*Only 3 required for a star in this area

  • • Appoint a branch public policy chair for FY26.

  • • Conduct a meeting with an elected official regarding an AAUW public policy position. This could include local, state, or federal officials.

  • • Participate in a state lobby day.

  • • Hold a program on a policy topic related to public policy principles and priorities (this also counts towards a Programs Star).

  • • Conduct a voter registration or voter education event.

  • • Organize a group action—such as letter-writing, attending a school board meeting, hosting a town hall—aligned with AAUW Action Network calls to action.
Governance & Sustainability

*Only 3 required for a star in this area

  • • Branch board creates or annually reviews a succession plan to ensure future leadership is identified.

  • • Branch board develops and implements a plan to participate in the Five Star Program.

  • • Branch board develops or updates their strategic plan to align with the AAUW national strategic plan.

  • • Appoint a Diversity Officer to lead branch diversity and inclusion planning or formalize diversity and inclusion programming in another branch position, such as Programs VP.

  • • Hold at least one branch program focused on justice, equity, diversity, or inclusion topics (this also counts towards a Programming star).

  • • Complete an environmental scan of your branch, using the DEI toolkit resource.

  • • Participate in the Annual Branch Survey.
Programming

  • • Hold at least 4 programs that align with AAUW’s strategic plan.
Communications & External Relations

*Only 3 required for a star in this area

  • • Branch has a designated communications point person and follows AAUW National on platforms where it operates social media accounts.

  • • Share 3-5 posts aligned with AAUW’s mission per quarter on branch social media accounts (can be shared/reposted from AAUW National accounts).

  • • Include information from AAUW National in branch newsletters at least quarterly (pulling from Mission & Action emails, etc.).

  • • Ensure all branch leaders subscribe to AAUW emails and share the email re-subscribe link with members quarterly in member communications.

  • • Twice a year, assess national website and include updated information on branch website (linking to new strategic plan page, sharing latest content updates, sharing latest membership information).

FY25 Five-Star Criteria & Resources

Area
Criteria
Resources
Advancement



*Only 3 required for a star in this area
  • Raise $30 per member in FY25 towards the Greatest Needs Fund

  • Increase contributions to the Greatest Needs Fund by 15% from the last fiscal year.

  • Retain at least 80% of branch membership.

  • Make a branch contribution to one of the following: support a registrant’s attendance at NCCWSL, the Defend Higher Education Fund or the Public Policy Fund.

  • Recruit at least one Legacy Circle member from your branch in FY25.

    		•
    Public Policy & Advocacy


    *Only 3 required for a star in this area
  • Appoint a branch public policy chair for FY25.

  • Conduct a meeting with an elected official regarding an AAUW public policy position. This could include local, state, or federal officials.

  • Participate in a state lobby day.

  • Hold a program on a policy topic related to Education, Economic Security, or Civil Rights (this also counts towards a Programs Star).

  • Conduct a voter registration or voter education event.

  • Encourage sign-ups for Two-Minute Activist/Action Network at branch events and on social media.

    		•
    Governance & Sustainability


    *Only 3 required for a star in this area
  • Branch board creates or annually reviews a succession plan to ensure future leadership is identified.
  • Branch board develops and implements a plan to participate in the 5 Star National Recognition Program.

  • Appoint a Diversity Officer* to lead diversity and inclusion planning with board support.

  • Hold at least one branch program focused on justice, equity, diversity, or inclusion topics.

  • Participate in an affiliate survey.

    • *Diversity Officer does not need to be a board member and does not require a change in bylaws.
    Programming
  • Hold at least 4 programs that align with AAUW’s mission.*



    • *Public policy/advocacy and DEI programs can count towards this star, as well as the Public Policy & Advocacy and Governance & Sustainability stars.
    Communications & External Relations

    *Only 3 required for a star in this area
  • Branch has a designated communications point person and follows AAUW National on platforms where it operates social media accounts.

  • Share 3-5 posts aligned with AAUW’s mission per quarter on branch social media accounts (can be shared/reposted from AAUW National accounts).

  • Include information from AAUW National in branch newsletters at least quarterly (pulling from Mission & Action and Washington Update emails, etc.).

  • Include information about Equal Pay Days in branch communications, including social media.

  • Ensure all branch leaders subscribe to AAUW emails and share the email re-subscribe link with members quarterly in member communications.
    		•

    Five-Star Success Stories

    Get advice and inspiration from branches that achieved Five Star success in previous years as you embark on your own journey.

    Read their Words of Wisdom 

    Thank You to Our FY24 Award-Winning Branches

    Branches
    Fremont Inc. (CA)
    Marin Inc. (CA)
    Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Inc. (CA)
    Morgan Hill (CA)
    La Mesa-El Cajon (CA)
    California Online Branch (CA)
    Lompoc-Vandenberg (CA)
    Elmhurst Area Branch NFP (IL)
    Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles (IL)
    Salem (OR)
    Beaver Valley (PA)
    Northeast Tarrant County (TX)
    Alexandria (VA)
    Springfield-Annandale (VA)
    Virginia Beach (VA)
    Racine (WI)

    Branches
    Alhambra-San Gabriel (CA)
    Del Mar-Leucadia Inc. (CA)
    La Mesa-El Cajon (CA)
    Nevada County (CA)
    Petaluma (CA)
    Redlands (CA)
    Sacramento Inc. (CA)
    San Jose Inc. (CA)
    Turlock (CA)
    AAUW Silicon Valley (CA)
    Fort Collins Inc. (CO)
    Longmont (CO)
    Douglas County (CO)
    Sarasota (FL)
    Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte (FL)
    Flagler County (FL)
    Cedar Falls-Waterloo (IA)
    Indianola (IA)
    Naperville Area (IL)
    Wheaton-Glen Ellyn NFP (IL)
    South Bend (IN)
    AAUW Baltimore Branch – The College Club Inc. (MD)
    Waterville (ME)
    Birmingham (MI)
    Farmington (MI)
    Midland (MI)
    Ely (MN)
    Kansas City (MO)
    Nevada (MO)
    Ferguson-Florissant (MO)
    Jamestown (ND)
    Sussex County (NJ)
    Los Alamos Inc. (NM)
    Boulder City (NV)
    Buffalo Inc. (NY)
    Poughkeepsie Inc. (NY)
    Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst (OH)
    Ashland (OR)
    Hillsboro-Forest Grove (OR)
    Gresham Area Branch of AAUW Inc. (OR)
    AAUW Oregon Online Branch (OR)
    Bethlehem (PA)
    State College (PA)
    York (PA)
    Greenville (SC)
    Memphis (TN)
    St. George (UT)
    AAUW Salt Lake Wasatch (UT)
    Hampton (VA)
    Portsmouth (VA)
    Reston-Herndon Area (VA)
    Lake Washington (WA)
    Seattle Inc. (WA)
    Walla Walla (WA)
    Appleton (WI)
    Fort Atkinson (WI)
    Milwaukee Inc. (WI)
    River Falls (WI)
    Sheboygan (WI)

    Branches
    Fairbanks (AK)
    Birmingham (AL)
    Shoals (AL)
    Prescott (AZ)
    Green Valley (AZ)
    Northwest Valley (AZ)
    Southeast Valley (AZ)
    East Mesa (AZ)
    Auburn (CA)
    Chico (CA)
    Citrus Heights-American River (CA)
    Del Mar-Leucadia Inc. (CA)
    La Mesa-El Cajon (CA)
    Lodi Inc. (CA)
    Long Beach Inc. (CA)
    Madera (CA)
    Marysville-Yuba City Inc. (CA)
    Napa County (CA)
    Nevada County (CA)
    Pacifica (CA)
    Coachella Valley (CA)
    Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA)
    Pasadena Inc. (CA)
    Petaluma (CA)
    AAUW Foothills of El Dorado (CA)
    Redding Inc. (CA)
    Redlands (CA)
    Sacramento Inc. (CA)
    Mid-Peninsula Inc. (CA)
    San Diego Inc. (CA)
    San Fernando Valley (CA)
    San Francisco Inc. (CA)
    San Jose Inc. (CA)
    Santa Cruz County (CA)
    Santa Rosa (CA)
    Sonora (CA)
    Stockton Inc. (CA)
    Turlock (CA)
    Greater Whittier Area AAUW (CA)
    Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon (CA)
    Alameda (CA)
    Lompoc-Vandenberg Inc. (CA)
    Camarillo (CA)
    South Lake Tahoe (CA)
    Gilroy (CA)
    Siskiyou County (CA)
    Laguna Beach (CA)
    Roseville-South Placer (CA)
    Amador (CA)
    Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (CA)
    Poway-Penasquitos (CA)
    La Palma-Cerritos (CA)
    Healdsburg (CA)
    Benicia-Vallejo (CA)
    Mission Viejo-Saddleback Valley (CA)
    Five Cities-Pismo Beach (CA)
    San Ramon (CA)
    Mariposa (CA)
    Santa Barbara-Goleta (CA)
    AAUW Silicon Valley (CA)
    Colorado Springs (CO)
    Durango (CO)
    Fort Collins Inc. (CO)
    Grand Junction (CO)
    Longmont (CO)
    Littleton-South Metro (CO)
    Aurora (CO)
    Wilmington Inc. (DE)
    Gainesville (FL)
    Northern Palm Beach County (FL)
    Saint Augustine (FL)
    Sarasota (FL)
    Vero Beach (FL)
    Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte (FL)
    Flagler County (FL)
    Nova Southeastern University AAUW (FL)
    Honolulu (HI)
    Cedar Falls-Waterloo (IA)
    Clarion (IA)
    Indianola (IA)
    Boise Area Inc. (ID)
    Aurora (IL)
    Carbondale (IL)
    Champaign-Urbana (IL)
    Chicago Inc. (IL)
    Crystal Lake Area (IL)
    Decatur (IL)
    Downers Grove Area (IL)
    Elgin Area (IL)
    Monmouth Area (IL)
    Naperville Area (IL)
    Rockford Area Branch (IL)
    Springfield (IL)
    Pekin Area (IL)
    Waukegan Area (IL)
    Wheaton-Glen Ellyn NFP (IL)
    Glenview (IL)
    Palos-Orland Area (IL)
    Schaumburg Area (IL)
    Morton (IL)
    Jane Addams Branch (IL)
    Fort Wayne (IN)
    Indianapolis (IN)
    Valparaiso (IN)
    Owensboro (KY)
    AAUW Bluegrass Central (KY)
    Northshore (LA)
    Taunton Area (MA)
    AAUW Baltimore Branch – The College Club Inc. (MD)
    Ann Arbor Inc. (MI)
    Big Rapids (MI)
    Birmingham (MI)
    Dearborn (MI)
    Farmington (MI)
    Grosse Pointe (MI)
    Ludington (MI)
    Midland (MI)
    Plymouth-Canton (MI)
    South Haven (MI)
    Rochester (MI)
    Cass City (MI)
    Gaylord (MI)
    Northville-Novi (MI)
    Austin (MN)
    Ely (MN)
    Faribault (MN)
    Fergus Falls (MN)
    Grand Rapids (MN)
    Minneapolis (MN)
    Brainerd (MN)
    Independence (MO)
    Kansas City (MO)
    Nevada (MO)
    Kansas City-Northland (MO)
    Parkville (MO)
    St. Louis (MO)
    Canton (MO)
    Ferguson-Florissant (MO)
    Kirkwood-Webster Groves (MO)
    Ballwin-Chesterfield (MO)
    Billings (MT)
    Great Falls (MT)
    Salisbury (NC)
    Jamestown (ND)
    Burlington County Inc. (NJ)
    Mountain Lakes Area (NJ)
    Northern Monmouth County (NJ)
    Sussex County (NJ)
    Carlsbad (NM)
    Santa Fe Inc. (NM)
    Boulder City (NV)
    Reno (NV)
    Adirondack (NY)
    Buffalo Inc. (NY)
    Ithaca (NY)
    Kingston (NY)
    Rockland County (NY)
    North Shore Long Island (NY)
    Poughkeepsie Inc. (NY)
    Greater Rochester Area (NY)
    Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst (OH)
    Middletown (OH)
    Springfield (OH)
    Washington Court House (OH)
    Westerville (OH)
    Youngstown (OH)
    Tahlequah (OK)
    Tulsa (OK)
    Albany (OR)
    Ashland (OR)
    Eugene-Lane (OR)
    Grants Pass (OR)
    Hillsboro-Forest Grove (OR)
    Medford (OR)
    Tillamook (OR)
    AAUW Oregon Online Branch (OR)
    Bethlehem (PA)
    Erie (PA)
    Fox Chapel Area (PA)
    Harrisburg (PA)
    Huntingdon (PA)
    Johnstown (PA)
    Pittsburgh (PA)
    Reading (PA)
    State College (PA)
    West Chester-Chester County (PA)
    Lansdale (PA)
    North Hills Pittsburgh (PA)
    Murrysville Area (PA)
    York (PA)
    Puerto Rico Inc. (PR)
    Beaufort (SC)
    Greenville (SC)
    Madison (SD)
    Rapid City (SD)
    Martin (TN)
    Memphis (TN)
    Dallas (TX)
    San Antonio Inc. (TX)
    Tarrant County (TX)
    North Harris County (TX)
    Southeast Harris County (TX)
    St. George (UT)
    Falls Church Area (VA)
    Hampton (VA)
    Portsmouth (VA)
    Greater Richmond (VA)
    Winchester (VA)
    Reston-Herndon Area (VA)
    Wytheville (VA)
    Vienna Area (VA)
    Anacortes (WA)
    Stanwood-Camano (WA)
    Lake Washington (WA)
    Lewis County (WA)
    Port Townsend (WA)
    Seattle Inc. (WA)
    Tacoma (WA)
    Vancouver (WA)
    Walla Walla (WA)
    Edmonds SnoKing (WA)
    Kirkland-Redmond (WA)
    Colville (WA)
    Puyallup Valley (WA)
    Issaquah (WA)
    Washington Online Branch (WA)
    Appleton (WI)
    Beaver Dam (WI)
    West Suburban Milwaukee (WI)
    Fond du Lac (WI)
    Fort Atkinson (WI)
    Green Bay Area (WI)
    Janesville (WI)
    Milwaukee Inc. (WI)
    Oshkosh (WI)
    Northwoods (WI)
    River Falls (WI)
    Sheboygan (WI)
    Geneva Lake (WI)
    Sheridan (WY)

    Branches
    Birmingham (AL)
    Prescott (AZ)
    Green Valley (AZ)
    Northwest Valley (AZ)
    Southeast Valley (AZ)
    East Mesa (AZ)
    Alhambra-San Gabriel (CA)
    Auburn (CA)
    Chico (CA)
    Citrus Heights-American River (CA)
    Del Mar-Leucadia Inc. (CA)
    Fallbrook (CA)
    Glendale Inc. (CA)
    Humboldt Inc. (CA)
    La Mesa-El Cajon (CA)
    Lodi Inc. (CA)
    Long Beach Inc. (CA)
    Merced (CA)
    Monterey Peninsula Inc. (CA)
    Napa County (CA)
    Nevada County (CA)
    Pacifica (CA)
    Coachella Valley (CA)
    Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA)
    Pasadena Inc. (CA)
    Petaluma (CA)
    AAUW Foothills of El Dorado (CA)
    Porterville (CA)
    Redding Inc. (CA)
    Redlands (CA)
    Sacramento Inc. (CA)
    Mid-Peninsula Inc. (CA)
    San Diego Inc. (CA)
    San Fernando Valley (CA)
    San Francisco Inc. (CA)
    San Jose Inc. (CA)
    San Luis Obispo (CA)
    San Mateo Inc. (CA)
    Santa Cruz County (CA)
    Stockton Inc. (CA)
    Greater Whittier Area AAUW (CA)
    Alameda (CA)
    Lompoc-Vandenberg Inc. (CA)
    Camarillo (CA)
    Siskiyou County (CA)
    Simi Valley (CA)
    Laguna Beach (CA)
    Amador (CA)
    Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (CA)
    Cabrillo-Diego (CA)
    La Palma-Cerritos (CA)
    Healdsburg (CA)
    Five Cities-Pismo Beach (CA)
    North Tahoe (CA)
    Santa Barbara-Goleta (CA)
    AAUW Silicon Valley (CA)
    Colorado Springs (CO)
    Durango (CO)
    Fort Collins Inc. (CO)
    Longmont (CO)
    Aurora (CO)
    Douglas County (CO)
    Gainesville (FL)
    Northern Palm Beach County (FL)
    Saint Augustine (FL)
    Sarasota (FL)
    Vero Beach (FL)
    Flagler County (FL)
    Nova Southeastern University AAUW (FL)
    Ames (IA)
    Cedar Falls-Waterloo (IA)
    Clinton (IA)
    Indianola (IA)
    Iowa eNetwork (IA)
    Aurora (IL)
    Carbondale (IL)
    Champaign-Urbana (IL)
    Chicago Inc. (IL)
    Deerfield Area (IL)
    Naperville Area (IL)
    Rockford Area Branch (IL)
    Springfield (IL)
    Wheaton-Glen Ellyn NFP (IL)
    Palos-Orland Area (IL)
    Schaumburg Area (IL)
    Morton (IL)
    Jane Addams Branch (IL)
    Fort Wayne (IN)
    Indianapolis (IN)
    Valparaiso (IN)
    Owensboro (KY)
    AAUW Bluegrass Central (KY)
    Birmingham (MI)
    Dearborn (MI)
    Midland (MI)
    Port Huron (MI)
    Livonia (MI)
    Gaylord (MI)
    Northville-Novi (MI)
    Austin (MN)
    Ely (MN)
    Faribault (MN)
    Saint Croix Valley (MN)
    Winona (MN)
    Brainerd (MN)
    Columbia (MO)
    Independence (MO)
    Kansas City (MO)
    Kansas City-Northland (MO)
    Parkville (MO)
    St. Louis (MO)
    Canton (MO)
    Kirkwood-Webster Groves (MO)
    Ballwin-Chesterfield (MO)
    Billings (MT)
    Salisbury (NC)
    Jamestown (ND)
    Burlington County Inc. (NJ)
    Summit (NJ)
    Sussex County (NJ)
    Los Alamos Inc. (NM)
    Boulder City (NV)
    Las Vegas (NV)
    Reno (NV)
    Adirondack (NY)
    Buffalo Inc. (NY)
    Ithaca (NY)
    Kingston (NY)
    North Shore Long Island (NY)
    Poughkeepsie Inc. (NY)
    Fairport Area (NY)
    Heights-Hillcrest-Lyndhurst (OH)
    Middletown (OH)
    Springfield (OH)
    Westerville (OH)
    Youngstown (OH)
    Tulsa (OK)
    Albany (OR)
    Ashland (OR)
    Grants Pass (OR)
    Hillsboro-Forest Grove (OR)
    Pendleton (OR)
    Gresham Area Branch of AAUW Inc. (OR)
    AAUW Oregon Online Branch (OR)
    Bradford (PA)
    Erie (PA)
    Harrisburg (PA)
    Huntingdon (PA)
    Indiana County Branch of AAUW (PA)
    Johnstown (PA)
    State College (PA)
    Lansdale (PA)
    North Hills Pittsburgh (PA)
    Puerto Rico Inc. (PR)
    Rapid City (SD)
    Martin (TN)
    Dallas (TX)
    San Antonio Inc. (TX)
    Tarrant County (TX)
    St. George (UT)
    Arlington (VA)
    Falls Church Area (VA)
    Hampton (VA)
    Winchester (VA)
    Reston-Herndon Area (VA)
    Middlebury (VT)
    Anacortes (WA)
    Stanwood-Camano (WA)
    Lake Washington (WA)
    Seattle Inc. (WA)
    Walla Walla (WA)
    Edmonds SnoKing (WA)
    Puyallup Valley (WA)
    Appleton (WI)
    West Suburban Milwaukee (WI)
    Fort Atkinson (WI)
    Green Bay Area (WI)
    Janesville (WI)
    Milwaukee Inc. (WI)
    Oshkosh (WI)
    Northwoods (WI)
    River Falls (WI)
    Sheboygan (WI)
    Geneva Lake (WI)
    Mingo-Pike (WV)
    Sheridan (WY)

    Branches
    Chico (CA)
    Fallbrook (CA)
    Napa County (CA)
    Lompoc-Vandenberg Inc. (CA)
    Laguna Beach (CA)
    San Fernando Valley (CA)
    Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (CA)
    Colorado Springs (CO)
    Saint Augustine (FL)
    Carbondale (IL)
    Rockford Area Branch (IL)
    Schaumburg Area (IL)
    Valparaiso (IN)
    Iron Mountain-Kingsford (MI)
    Northville-Novi (MI)
    Independence (MO)
    Parkville (MO)
    Salisbury (NC)
    Mountain Lakes Area (NJ)
    Los Alamos Inc. (NM)
    Boulder City (NV)
    Kingston (NY)
    Fairport Area (NY)
    Huntingdon (PA)
    Lansdale (PA)
    Stanwood-Camano (WA)
    Olympia (WA)

    Branches
    Birmingham (AL)
    Alhambra-San Gabriel (CA)
    Fallbrook (CA)
    La Mesa-El Cajon (CA)
    Lodi Inc. (CA)
    Long Beach Inc. (CA)
    Napa County (CA)
    Nevada County (CA)
    Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA)
    Petaluma (CA)
    Redding Inc. (CA)
    Greater Whittier Area AAUW (CA)
    Lompoc-Vandenberg Inc. (CA)
    Laguna Beach (CA)
    Colorado Springs (CO)
    Fort Collins Inc. (CO)
    Saint Augustine (FL)
    Vero Beach (FL)
    Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte (FL)
    Cedar Falls-Waterloo (IA)
    Iowa eNetwork (IA)
    Indianapolis (IN)
    Ann Arbor Inc. (MI)
    Iron Mountain-Kingsford (MI)
    Midland (MI)
    Plymouth-Canton (MI)
    Livonia (MI)
    Columbia (MO)
    Independence (MO)
    Kansas City-Northland (MO)
    Ferguson-Florissant (MO)
    Kirkwood-Webster Groves (MO)
    Ballwin-Chesterfield (MO)
    Salisbury (NC)
    Los Alamos Inc. (NM)
    Buffalo Inc. (NY)
    Poughkeepsie Inc. (NY)
    Middletown (OH)
    Washington Court House (OH)
    Lansdale (PA)
    North Hills Pittsburgh (PA)
    North Harris County (TX)
    St. George (UT)
    Winchester (VA)
    Reston-Herndon Area (VA)
    Appleton (WI)
    West Suburban Milwaukee (WI)
    Fort Atkinson (WI)
    Janesville (WI)
    Milwaukee Inc. (WI)
    River Falls (WI)

    FAQs

    What is the purpose of the Five Star National Recognition Program?

    The program aims to provide branches with a framework to ensure they are financially healthy, sustainable, and aligned with AAUW’s mission and priorities.

    How can a branch earn a “Star”?

    Branches can earn a Star by meeting the criteria in one of the five categories: Advancement, Public Policy & Advocacy, Governance & Sustainability, Programming, and Communications & External Relations. Branch leaders can share their progress towards these criteria in the Annual Branch Survey.

    What is the Annual Branch Survey and how does it relate to the Five Star program?

    The Annual Branch Survey serves as a report from AAUW Branches, collecting information that indicates each branch’s progress toward the Five Star criteria. Beginning with the time period of FY24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) these surveys will be mailed to leaders in September. Be sure to stay up to date on AAUW communications to member leaders, primarily Membership Matters, to ensure you’re up to date on the latest timing.

    Is there a version of the Five Star program for states as well?

    Currently only branches are eligible to participate in the Five Star program.

    When are the Five Star criteria and Annual Branch Survey released?

    The criteria will be shared at the beginning of each fiscal year in July, and the survey is sent to leaders in September following the conclusion of each fiscal year.

    What support does AAUW National provide to branches working towards the Five Star criteria?

    AAUW National offers resources on their website and holds webinars throughout the year to assist branches in achieving the Five Star criteria. Be sure to stay informed through Membership Matters and AAUW National emails for timing and any webinars will be archived for later viewing on our Five Star Program page.

    Why is the Advancement Star particularly important?

    The Advancement Star is a key financial indicator of a branch’s health and sustainability, reflecting its support for AAUW National. Data for this Star is pulled from AAUW National’s financial records and will be calculated on behalf of the branches. In January the national office will share a snapshot of where branches are in their Advancement star progress so they can make adjustments as needed before the end of the fiscal year.

    What actions are encouraged under the Public Policy & Advocacy category?

    Actions can include appointing a public policy chair, conducting meetings with local Congress members, participating in state lobby days, and holding programs related to key policy topics.

    What is the role of the Governance & Sustainability category in the Five Star program? 

    This category focuses on leadership succession planning, overall participation in the Five Star program, appointing a Diversity Officer, and holding programs on justice, equity, diversity, or inclusion.

    How does the Communications & External Relations category contribute to earning a Star?

    Branches must designate a communications point person, share posts aligned with AAUW’s mission, include national information in newsletters, and ensure leaders are subscribed to AAUW emails.

    What is the Annual Branch Survey and how does it relate to the Five Star program?

    The Annual Branch Survey serves as a report from AAUW Branches, collecting information that indicates each branch’s progress toward the Five Star criteria. Beginning with the time period of FY25 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025) these surveys will be available to leaders in April and will remain open through June 30, 2025. Be sure to stay up to date on AAUW communications to member leaders, primarily Membership Matters, to ensure you’re up to date on the latest timing.

    When will the criteria for FY26 be available?

    The updated criteria for FY26 will be available on this page in May. We hope that having this information in advance of the coming fiscal year will help you and your branch better prepare and plan for the year ahead.

    Questions or Concerns?

    Contact Tremayne Parquet, Deputy Director of Advancement, at parquett@aauw.org.

    Ways to Give to AAUW

    Membership
    Photo of 2017-18 AAUW Career Development Grantee Cortney Cleveland

    Advocacy Toolkit

    Policy Center

    Please direct membership inquiries to connect@aauw.org.

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