AAUW Current Topics Briefing #12 Nov. 10, 2008

What is AAUW Dialog?

In February 2008, AAUW launched our own blog, AAUW Dialog, a forum for timely commentary and discussion on current news and events that relate to AAUW’s mission. AAUW Dialog (AAUW Discussion, Information, and Advocacy Log) is an open, online web log, or blog. It may be accessed from the AAUW website home page, www.aauw.org, or directly through blog-aauw.org, where you can read the blog postings and/or subscribe to receive them by e-mail. AAUW Dialog is a forum for our members and the public to examine issues, share ideas, join discussions, find resources, take action on equity issues, and explore how AAUW — at all levels — works to break through educational and economic barriers so that all women have a fair chance.

Why does AAUW have a blog?

Connecting our community. AAUW Dialog provides a new way to share interesting information about AAUW’s work at all levels. The format of the blog differs from traditional press releases and AAUW e-newsletters by engaging visitors in a conversation on the topic. The blog gives AAUW members and supporters a new way to connect and reach out to each other, fostering AAUW’s online community and creating an intergenerational dialogue. It is a wonderful way for members-at-large and student affiliates to engage with branch-based members on issues of mutual interest and concern.

Advancing our mission.

With the information provided in the blog posts, the discussion that follows, and the actions taken as an outcome, AAUW Dialog plays an integral part in connecting our members with our mission. It also helps us educate the public in a new and compelling way about equity issues and the work AAUW does to break through barriers. Highlighting AAUW. AAUW Dialog also showcases our branches and partner organizations by linking to their websites and blogs, and our member comments highlight how they are promoting AAUW’s mission in their daily lives. This serves to increase the visibility of AAUW, focus attention on the issues that matter to us, increase traffic to the AAUW and affiliate websites, and keep AAUW technologically current and competitive with other organizations. Since the blog’s launch, AAUW Dialog has been viewed more than 55,000 times, with more than 200 postings that have received more than 500 comments.

Giving Women a Voice.

AAUW Dialog brings our members and supporters together and gives us a place to convene online to advance our mission — in our own voices — and a forum for real conversation. The blog posts raise awareness and mobilize supporters around our issues, posing questions for discussion, leading readers to various AAUW resources, and presenting our views in a personal way that inspires readers to take action. Blogging is a great channel for advocacy because of the personal nature of the messaging — and the vast audiences that can be reached.

How can members and branches participate in AAUW Dialog?

Branch blog events. There are numerous ways that you and your branches can participate in AAUW Dialog. The easiest way is simply by reading the blog posts through the link on the AAUW homepage, or directly through http://blog-aauw.org/. Then, take the next step and start or join in the discussion by posting your comments about an entry. If members of your branch are new to the blog, you can introduce them to it by using a blog entry for discussion at your next meeting and demonstrating how easy it is to participate.

Expand the reach. If your branch or state has a website and/or a blog, you can include a link to AAUW Dialog on your website. You can also drive traffic to the AAUW blog by including a link to it when you comment on other blogs. If you read something interesting, e-mail it to friends, who may want to learn about the issue or even subscribe themselves. AAUW has added many state and branch blogs to our Blogroll: AAUW list, but if yours isn’t listed, contact webmaster@aauw.org to have it added.

Stay up-to-date with the ever-changing blog. If you haven’t already, subscribe to receive new blog posts via e-mail. It really is fun — and educational! You can also subscribe to RSS feeds for new posts and comments in a news aggregator. If you have any questions about these, please contact the blog administrators at webmaster@aauw.org.

This briefing is the twelfth in our AAUW Current Topics Briefing Series issued by Linda Hallman, CAE, Executive Director.

Abilene Branch Nominates Two Women for the Texas, AAUW WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARD,2008

Abilene Branch, AAUW has nominated Jewell Davis Scaborough and Celina Torres-Fennel for the Texas, AAUW WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARD,2008. Both women will be honored at the Texas, AAUW 100th Anniversary State Convention to be held in Dallas, Texas on April 25-27, 2008.

Jewell Davis Scarborough

Celina Torres-Fennell