Initiatives

Five-Star National Recognition Program

AAUW’s Five-Star National Recognition Program rewards affiliates (states, branches and other organizations) for aligning their work with the AAUW strategic plan and other initiatives that foster the organization’s mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls. The program will run from July 2021 through June 2022.

June 2, 2021

Five Star Program Update

AAUW national is excited to announce that the Five Star Recognition program will be restarting in FY22 providing another opportunity for your branch or state to be recognized for furthering AAUW’s mission. Join us to learn about the updates to the program and how your AAUW affiliate can be recognized for its work.

Five-Star Criteria & Resources

Area
Branch
State
Resources
Advancement



*Only 3 required for a star in this area
  • Raise $30 per member in FY22* towards the Greatest Needs Fund

  • Increase contributions to the Greatest Needs Fund by 25% from the last fiscal year.

  • Retain at least 90% of your branch membership.

  • Increase Legacy Circle Membership in your branch by 10% over previous fiscal year.

  • Make a branch affiliate contribution to the Greatest Needs Fund in honor of AAUW’s 140th Anniversary

    • *July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022
  • Raise $30 per member in FY22 towards the Greatest Needs Fund.

  • Increase contributions to the Greatest Needs Fund by 25% from the last fiscal year.

  • Retain at least 90% of branch membership statewide.

  • Increase Legacy Circle Membership in your state by 10% over previous fiscal year.

  • At least 10% of branches in your state are participating in Five Star in FY22.

  • Make a state affiliate contribution to the Greatest Needs Fund in honor of AAUW’s 140th Anniversary.
    		•
    Public Policy & Research
  • Appoint a branch public policy chair that collaborates with the state public policy chair.

  • Conduct an annual meeting with a member of Congress, Governor, or a member of their staff around a strategic plan focus. Branches in the same state can work in coalition to achieve this goal.

  • Host at least one event where there is an opportunity to sign up for the Action Network.
    		•
  • Appoint a state public policy chair and ensure that at least 60% of branches in your state have a public policy chair.

  • Conduct an annual meeting with a member of Congress, Governor, or a member of their staff around a strategic plan focus.

  • Host a Lobby Day at your state house focused on AAUW public policy priorities.

    		•
    Governance & Sustainability
  • Branch board institutes a succession plan to ensure new ideas and perspectives are included in future leadership.

  • Branch board develops and uses a strategic plan that aligns with AAUW national strategic plan.

  • Appoint a Diversity Officer* to lead diversity and inclusion planning on behalf of the branch with the support of the board.


    • *Diversity Officer does not need to be a board member and does not require a change in bylaws.
  • State board institutes a succession plan to ensure new ideas and perspectives are included in future leadership.

  • Branch board develops and uses strategic plan that aligns with AAUW national.

  • Appoint a state Diversity Officer to the board that collaborates with branch Diversity and Inclusion Officers.

  • Appoint a Diversity Officer* to lead diversity and inclusion planning on behalf of the state with the support of the board.

    • *Diversity Officer does not need to be a board member and does not require a change in bylaws.
    Programs
  • Host at least 4 mission-based programs that align with the AAUW national strategic plan.


    • *At least 2 of your programs must have a diversity, equity, and inclusion focus and at least 1 must be in collaboration with 1 or more branches in your state.
  • At least 90% of the branches in your state hold 2-4 programs with a strategic plan focus.
    		•
    Communications & External Relations
  • All existing website and social media accounts have at least 3-5 postings with a DEI focus in FY22.
    		•
  • All existing website and social media accounts have at least
    3-5 postings with a DEI focus in FY22.
    		•

    Benefits

    • Email notification from the five Star Portal
    • Recognition in Membership Matters
    • Recognition on the national website
    • Five Star Certificate of Achievement
    • Five Star success story featured in Membership Matters
    • Five Star Leadership Briefing

    • Email notification from the Five Star portal
    • Recognition in Membership Matters
    • Recognition on the national website

    • Notification from the Five Star Portal
    • Recognition on the national website

    Enter your submissions here!

    The 5 Star application can be completed by a State or Branch President, Finance Officer, Program Officer, or Membership Vice President.

    APPLY YOUR BRANCH

    APPLY YOUR STATE AFFILIATE

    Five-Star Success Stories

    Get advice and inspiration from Five-Star affiliate leaders as you embark on your own journey.

    Read their Words of Wisdom 

    Meet the Stars

    Thank You to Our Award-Winning Branches and States

    States
    AAUW of South Carolina
    AAUW of West Virginia
    AAUW of Wisconsin

    Branches
    Southeast Valley (Arizona)
    Danville-Alamo Walnut Creek (California)
    Longmont (Colorado)
    Daytona Beach ( Florida)
    Chicago (Illinois)
    Waterville (Maine)
    Baltimore (Maryland)
    West Chester-Chester County (Pennsylvania)
    Farmington (Michigan)
    Rochester (Michigan)
    Wyandotte-Downriver (Michigan)
    Greensboro (North Carolina)
    Fort Bend County (Texas)
    North Harris County (Texas)
    Tyler (Texas)
    Monona-Madison (Wisconsin)

    States
    AAUW of Pennsylvania

    Beach Cities (California)
    Healdsburg (California)
    Mid-Peninsula (California)
    Palo Verdes Peninsula (California)
    Boulder (Colorado)
    Littleton-South Metro (Colorado)
    Honolulu (Hawaii)
    Crystal Lake (Illinois)
    Saint Paul (Minnesota)
    Ballwin-Chesterfield Branch (Missouri)
    Yamhill County (Oregon)
    Indiana County (Pennsylvania)
    Horry County (South Carolina)
    Tyler (Texas)
    Alexandria (Virginia)
    Mt. Vernon (Virginia)
    Vienna Area (Virginia)
    Walla Walla (Washington)
    Janesville (Wisconsin)
    Honolulu (Hawaii)

    States
    AAUW of Virginia
    AAUW of Washington
    AAUW of California

    Branches
    Talladega County (Alabama)
    Citrus Heights-American River (California)
    Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (California)
    Long Beach (California)
    Marin (California)
    Palos Verde Peninsula (California
    San Clemente-Capistrano Bay (California)
    Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette (California)
    Aurora (Colorado)
    Sarasota (Florida)
    Naperville (Illinois)
    Schaumburg Area (Illinois)
    Charleston (South Carolina)
    Northeast Tarrant County (Texas))
    Ann Arbor (Michigan)
    Ballwin-Chesterfield (Missouri)
    Capital (Nevada)
    Los Alamos (New Mexico)
    Greensboro (North Carolina)
    Middletown (Ohio)
    Ashland (Oregon)
    Bethlehem (Pennsylvania)
    Carlisle (Pennsylvania)
    Easton (Pennsylvania)
    Lansdale (Pennsylvania)
    North Hills Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)
    State College (Pennsylvania)
    San Antonio (Texas)
    West Harris County (Texas)
    Mid-Peninsula (Virginia)
    Reston-Herndon Area (Virginia)
    Springfield-Annandale (Virginia)
    Virginia Beach (Virginia)
    Woodbridge (Virginia)
    Bellingham (Washington)
    Seattle (Washington)
    Stanwood-Camano (Washington)
    Washington Online (Washington)
    Appleton (Wisconsin)
    River Falls (Wisconsin)
    Racine (Wisconsin)

    For any questions or concerns

    please contact fivestar@aauw.org 

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