I will openly admit I’ve struggled with the open membership issue as it relates to our proposed bylaws. Even as I write this and read it back I cringe. I’ve always believed myself to have an open mind…open to all points of an argument. But I’m hesitating over opening membership to anyone who is committed to our mission versus those who’ve earned a degree.
I’ve heard argument after argument as to why I should be open to this issue: inclusive versus exclusive (strong argument); if we, as an organization, advocate for equity in education and breaking barriers for women and girls how can we put obstacles in their path to that very organization?
But then I hear myself say (or think), ‘but don’t we serve as examples and motivation to other women to achieve their education; won’t this change the type of organization we are; would the American Bar Association allow people who have not passed the bar to join the ABA; we can’t be called by the same name (University Women);’ and on and on.
I do believe part of my hesitation hinges on two things…change and control. No one seems to like change over which they have no control. But I do have control over how I react to change.
Since AAUW has allowed men to be members and have allowed those with an associate’s degree to join we have not been overrun by men or people with associate’s degrees…we haven’t been overrun by anyone. We are still struggling to recruit…anyone.
I’m thinking it’s time we all look at AAUW, not as a precious treasure to be locked away in a cabinet never to be touched, only to be looked at, but as a working tool to move our mission forward; including those who believe as we do that women and girls deserve a place at every table no matter the size, no matter the structure to hear their strong clear voices, “Women and girls matter!”
Kathy Banfield Shaw
AAUW of Michigan President
Member, Marshall & Battle Creek branches
May 2009
Posted under AAUW of Michigan, Equity in the News, The AAUW Community
This post was written by kathyb on May 27, 2009
