Dear AAUW Member Leaders, 

As we look ahead to spring, I want to thank you for all you do to keep our mission moving forward — especially during this busy season of dues collection, gearing up for state and regional programming, and advocacy. Your leadership at the state and branch levels ensures AAUW remains a powerful voice for equity in communities across the country.

In this issue of Membership Matters, you’ll find reminders and tools to support your work in the lead-up to the February 1 Count, important advocacy resources and upcoming dates to keep on your radar, and a link to the recording of our Winter Member Gathering if you weren’t able to join us live. We’ve also highlighted additional updates and Community Hub tips designed to help you and your fellow leaders succeed as we head into the spring months.

Thank you, as always, for your commitment to AAUW’s mission and for the care you bring to your leadership.

With appreciation, 

Katrina Sun Breese

Senior Director of Institutional Advancement 
AAUW National

Vote in AAUW’s National Election

Anyone who is a member of record as of March 14, 2026, will be eligible to vote in AAUW’s National Election in May 2026. If you have new or lapsed members to process, please do so before this deadline as well as remind others on your branch member roster who have not yet renewed. 

Missed the Winter Member Gathering? Watch the Recording!

If you weren’t able to join us in February for AAUW’s Winter Member Gathering, we’re happy to share that the recording is now available to watch and share with your state and branch networks. Watch it to see AAUW leaders provide an update on our Strategic Plan’s three key priorities, highlight the impact of our work so far in advocacy and higher education, and walk through how members and branches can take action through AAUW’s 5 Calls to Action.

National Conference of College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL) Univ of Maryland, College Park | May 27-30, 2026 | Registration Open! 

NCCWSL unites college women from across the nation for a transformative experience in leadership development and networking! We are so proud of the work branches put in each year to help spread the word and collaborate with local campuses to facilitate student attendance at this extraordinary event! Learn more!  

AAUW 2026 Virtual Economic Empowerment Live Webinar Trainings

We’re excited to share our full training schedule for 2026 with our College/University members, students, faculty/staff, and AAUW members. This award-winning program includes Start Smart, Work Smart, and Money Smart live training courses, free and open to the public!  Register Today!  

February 1 Count 2026 Available Mid-March

Use your branch member roster to count your current members for the official February 1 Count. This includes national, lifetime, honorary lifetime, dual, and student members processed through January 31. Reports will be out in mid-March. Contact  [email protected] for any discrepancies. Watch our video on how to prepare your roster.

Newly Upgraded Honorary Lifetime Members

Your branch member roster should now reflect the upgraded honorary lifetime members who have reached 50 years of membership according to National records. These members and leaders will receive the certificate and acknowledgment electronically by the end of March. Congratulations!

Anyone believed to qualify for honorary status that has not been recognized should complete an honorary lifetime application and submit it for review/approval. 

AAUW National Dues Change Reminder

The AAUW Board of Directors voted to increase national dues last February 2025. Beginning April 1, 2026, when FY27 opens, national member dues will increase by $2 to $76, Lifetime $1,520. Student ($18.81), College/University ($250) dues remain the same. National dues are fully tax deductible for individuals. In early March, watch for FY27 National Dues Collection email asking states and branches to (1) provide their local dues rates for FY27 and (2) if you’d like to opt-in or out of AAUW National’s renewal reminder emails to your branch members. Stay tuned!

AAUW Affiliate Bylaws Updates 

State and branch affiliates should update their bylaws by June 30, 2026, to reflect the changes approved by AAUW membership in 2023. Use the Bylaws Toolkit as your guide and insert the mandatory model as your first seven articles.  

Recruitment Discounts and Waivers - Coupon Codes 

The Shape the Future Campaign discount of 50% off national dues for new members (those entirely new to AAUW or rejoining after two or more years) remains. Use coupon code STFFY26 at checkout through 3/31/2026. Coupon codes for College/University member students are CUStudentFY26 Student Associates (undergrads); CUGradStudentFY26 for Grads. All coupon codes are valid through 3/31/2026.  

College/University Membership

AAUW College/University membership is $250 and includes two free national memberships for named faculty/staff members (as representatives), and unlimited free student affiliation for undergrads/graduate students. If you have a relationship with a C/U who is NOT on our member list, invite them to join us today!

Community Hub Spotlight: The importance of selecting branch membership when using Join Individuals

To have the branch appear as a member’s primary branch on the roster, please select ‘Yes’ to add state and branch membership when using Join Individuals. You must then select the branch. By not selecting the branch, the Primary Branch column will be left blank on the roster and will appear as the member’s dual branch. If this happens, please notify [email protected] with the subject line “Primary Branch” to have the member’s primary affiliation updated.

New Public Policy Resources!

These practical, ready-to-use tools can plug into programs, outreach, and advocacy — and they help reinforce AAUW’s credibility as a trusted voice on equity.

1. Pay Equity: New Data & Local Tools
   These tools make it easy to bring AAUW’s research to life locally with district-level data for meetings, events, and media outreach. A national press release goes out next week, but you’re welcome to start sharing now.
   1. The (Not So) Simple Truth About the Gender Pay Gap (2026 Update) — AAUW’s flagship report and a major credibility-builder for your community conversations.
   2. State handouts with pay gap data for every congressional district in your state.
   3. Branch action resources with ideas for events, media outreach, and advocacy you can put to work right away.
2. AAUW x No Kings: Saturday, March 28
   AAUW will be a supporter in the nationwide No Kings events. We’ve pulled together ready-to-use messaging and participation resources to help your branch show up locally.
3. Nonpartisan Playbook for Branches.
   AAUW is political and nonpartisan — and we have practical guidance to help you navigate that confidently in your branch activities.

Act Now: Keep Graduate Education Within Reach
A new federal proposal would cap graduate and professional student loans for new borrowers, even when programs cost more, making it harder for women to earn the degrees that lead to economic security and leadership. Leaders: Please take 5 minutes to submit a personalized public comment by March 2, 2026. AAUW’s toolkit makes it easy. Your voice matters.

Join AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps (DMV Focused)
Want to bring AAUW’s voice to Congress in 2026? If you’re in the DMV area, join Capitol Hill Lobby Corps — member volunteers who go to Capitol Hill to advocate AAUW policy priorities. Lobby Corps is a two-hour, in-person commitment every other Thursday when Congress is in session — We’re hosting virtual orientations for members to learn more. Register for Lobby Corp Virtual Orientation |   March 12th at 11:00am ET   or  May 14th at 6:30pm ET. If you’re ever in Washington, D.C., you’re welcome to join us — email [email protected].

AAUW State/Branch Affiliate Benefits at no cost!

1. Federal Tax Filing of Form 990-N 
   All AAUW-affiliated entities must file an annual IRS return. If your gross receipts are $50K or less, AAUW can file the 990-N when your Finance officer submits the request form in the community hub between April 16 – October 15.  Watch: 990N Request Video.  Important Note: If you do not qualify to file the 990-N, explore other options at irs.gov.  
   
2. Speakers for AAUW Affiliate Events 
   Elevate your events with a guest speaker from AAUW National when you make your request using the Speaker Request Form!  Get an AAUW expert, staff, or volunteer leader with content tailored to your audience.
3. Live Customer Support at Your Service
   Call 800.326.2289, 8:30-5:00 pm, ET, weekdays or join us for Office Hours on Tuesdays (3:00 pm ET) and/or Thursdays (3:30 pm ET) via Zoom with your inquiries and support needs. Reach us via email at [email protected]! Do not email [email protected] or [email protected]; they are unmonitored. 

Your Personal Snapshot | Manage Your Contact Info and Preferences

Frequent users, click LOG IN as usual. Non-frequent users, click LOG IN, then below the blue log in button, click FORGOT PASSWORD. Enter your email address and click RESET YOUR PASSWORD to receive and confirm a new password to access your Personal Snapshot. Need help? Email [email protected] and enter LOG IN HELP in the subject. 

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