Initiatives

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.

To support this goal, we invite you to complete the Annual Branch Survey, which will be emailed to branch leaders on September 12. This survey covers branch activities and programs from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024 (FY24), and you will have until October 14 to submit your responses.

To prepare, please review and share the FY24 Annual Branch Survey questions with fellow branch leaders to ensure all relevant information is captured accurately.

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

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 or support a registrant’s attendance at NCCWSL.

  • 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 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.
    		•

    FY24 Five-Star Criteria & Resources

    Area
    Criteria
    Resources
    Advancement



    *Only 3 required for a star in this area
  • Raise $30 per member in FY24 towards the Greatest Needs Fund

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

  • Retain at least 80% of your branch membership.

  • Make a branch contribution to or register a student to attend NCCWSL.

  • Recruit at least one Legacy Circle member from your branch in FY24.
    		•
    Public Policy & Research
  • Appoint a branch public policy chair for FY24.

  • 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.
    		•


    Governance & Sustainability



    ** Only 3 Required for a star in this area
  • 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
  • Branch creates and adopts a Diversity and Inclusion Plan.
    		•


    Diversity and Inclusion Plan
    Programs
  • Host at least 4 mission-based programs that align with the AAUW strategic plan.
    		•
    Communications & External Relations
  • All existing website and social media accounts have at least 3-5 postings with a DEI focus in FY24.
    		•

    Benefits

    • FY24 Five-Star Banner for your website
    • FY24 Five-Star success story featured in Membership Matters
    • Five-Star Leadership Briefing
    • Email recognition from AAUW national
    • Branch listing on the national website

    • Recognition in Membership Matters
    • Email recognition from AAUW national
    • Branch listing on the national website

    • Email recognition from AAUW national
    • Branch listing on the national website

    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 FY23 Award-Winning Branches

    Branches
    Alhambra-San Gabriel (CA)
    Antelope Valley (CA)
    Berkeley (CA)
    Hayward-Castro Valley Inc. (CA)
    Madera (CA)
    Ontario-Upland-Rancho (CA)
    AAUW Foothills of El Dorado (CA)
    Porterville (CA)
    West Contra Costa (CA)
    North Peninsula (CA)
    San Luis Obispo (CA)
    Camarillo (CA)
    Santa Clarita Valley (CA)
    Amador (CA)
    Mission Viejo-Saddleback Valley (CA)
    Paradise (CA)
    San Ramon (CA)
    Mariposa (CA)
    Wilmington Inc. (DE)
    Pompano (FL)
    Clarion (IA)
    Clinton (IA)
    Davenport-Bettendorf (IA)
    Indianola (IA)
    Crystal Lake Area (IL)
    Decatur (IL)
    Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles (IL)
    Muncie (IN)
    South Bend (IN)
    Shawnee-Mission (KS)
    Wichita (KS)
    Taunton Area (MA)
    Easton (MD)
    Hagerstown (MD)
    Howard County (MD)
    Penobscot Valley (ME)
    Battle Creek (MI)
    Dearborn (MI)
    Farmington (MI)
    Fergus Falls (MN)
    Hastings (MN)
    Asheville (NC)
    Cape Fear (NC)
    Hendersonville (NC)
    Jamestown (ND)
    Atlantic County (NJ)
    Mountain Lakes Area (NJ)
    Northern Monmouth County (NJ)
    Salem County (NJ)
    Summit (NJ)
    Sussex County (NJ)
    Fairport Area (NY)
    Zanesville (OH)
    Pendleton (OR)
    Lake Oswego (OR)
    Bethlehem (PA)
    Bradford (PA)
    Johnstown (PA)
    Reading (PA)
    Puerto Rico Inc. (PR)
    Arlington (TX)
    Hampton (VA)
    Norfolk (VA)
    Portsmouth (VA)
    Tacoma (WA)
    Geneva Lake (WI)

    Branches
    Fairbanks (AK)
    Little Rock Inc. (AR)
    Scottsdale (AZ)
    Atascadero (CA)
    Marysville-Yuba City Inc. (CA)
    Pacifica (CA)
    Mid-Peninsula Inc. (CA)
    San Diego Inc. (CA)
    San Mateo Inc. (CA)
    Santa Cruz County (CA)
    Santa Maria (CA)
    Visalia-Sequoia Inc. (CA)
    Greater Whittier Area AAUW (CA)
    Thousand Oaks Inc. (CA)
    Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (CA)
    Poway-Penasquitos (CA)
    Healdsburg (CA)
    Oroville (CA)
    Five Cities-Pismo Beach (CA)
    North Tahoe (CA)
    Brandman University Virtual Branch (CA)
    AAUW Silicon Valley (CA)
    Grand Junction (CO)
    Gainesville (FL)
    Ames (IA)
    Waverly (IA)
    Boise Area Inc. (ID)
    Chicago Inc. (IL)
    Elgin Area (IL)
    Rock Island-Moline (IL)
    Palos-Orland Area (IL)
    Valparaiso (IN)
    Owensboro (KY)
    South Shore Area (MA)
    Harford County (MD)
    Big Rapids (MI)
    Iron Mountain-Kingsford (MI)
    Plymouth-Canton (MI)
    South Haven (MI)
    Livonia (MI)
    Hibbing (MN)
    Red Wing Area (MN)
    Rochester (MN)
    Saint Croix Valley (MN)
    Willmar (MN)
    St. Louis (MO)
    Canton (MO)
    Kirkwood-Webster Groves (MO)
    Billings (MT)
    Orange-Durham-Chatham (NC)
    Greensboro (NC)
    Madison (NJ)
    Somerset Hills (NJ)
    Los Alamos Inc. (NM)
    Ithaca (NY)
    Oswego (NY)
    Poughkeepsie Inc. (NY)
    Grants Pass (OR)
    Roseburg (OR)
    AAUW Oregon Online Branch (OR)
    Harrisburg (PA)
    Indiana County Branch of AAUW (PA)
    Murrysville Area (PA)
    Madison (SD)
    Rapid City (SD)
    Dallas (TX)
    Georgetown (TX)
    Tarrant County (TX)
    Falls Church Area (VA)
    Fairfax City (VA)
    Anacortes (WA)
    Olympia (WA)
    Colville (WA)
    Puyallup Valley (WA)
    Hudson’s Bay (WA)
    Beaver Dam (WI)
    Fond du Lac (WI)
    Green Bay Area (WI)
    Northwoods (WI)
    Sheboygan (WI)
    Tomah (WI)

    Branches
    Northwest Valley (AZ)
    Del Mar-Leucadia Inc. (CA)
    Marin Inc. (CA)
    Palm Springs (CA)
    Palos Verdes Peninsula (CA)
    Sacramento Inc. (CA)
    San Fernando Valley (CA)
    San Jose Inc. (CA)
    Lompoc-Vandenberg Inc. (CA)
    Colorado Springs (CO)
    Longmont (CO)
    Northern Palm Beach County (FL)
    Vero Beach (FL)
    Greater Naples (FL)
    Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte (FL)
    Valdosta (GA)
    Honolulu (HI)
    Kona (HI)
    Cedar Falls-Waterloo (IA)
    Cedar Rapids Area (IA)
    Aurora (IL)
    Elmhurst Area Branch NFP (IL)
    Springfield (IL)
    Manhattan (KS)
    Kensington-Rockville (MD)
    Ann Arbor Inc. (MI)
    Midland (MI)
    Wyandotte-Downriver (MI)
    Ely (MN)
    Columbia (MO)
    Kansas City-Northland (MO)
    Burlington County NJ Inc. (NJ)
    New Mexico Online (NM)
    Bath (NY)
    Eugene-Lane (OR)
    Beaver Valley (PA)
    Easton (PA)
    Erie (PA)
    Fox Chapel Area (PA)
    Huntingdon (PA)
    Beaufort (SC)
    Lubbock (TX)
    West Harris County (TX)
    St. George (UT)
    Mt. Vernon (VA)
    Virginia Beach (VA)
    Reston-Herndon Area (VA)
    McLean Area (VA)
    Lake Washington (WA)
    Seattle Inc. (WA)
    Milwaukee Inc. (WI)
    Monona-Madison AAUW (WI)

     

    Branches
    Chico (CA)
    Fremont (CA)
    Napa County (CA)
    Redding Inc. (CA)
    Laguna Beach (CA)
    Aurora (CO)
    Saint Augustine (FL)
    Iowa eNetwork (IA)
    Naperville Area (IL)
    Rockford Area Branch (IL)
    Northville-Novi (MI)
    Minneapolis (MN)
    Capital (NV)
    Middletown (OH)
    State College (PA)
    Lansdale (PA)
    San Antonio Inc. (TX)
    Springfield-Annandale (VA)
    West Suburban Milwaukee (WI)
    Fort Atkinson (WI)
    Janesville (WI)
    Racine (WI)

    Branches
    La Mesa-El Cajon (CA)
    Orinda-Moraga-Lafayette Inc. (CA)
    Morgan Hill (CA)
    Indianapolis (IN)
    Salem (OR)
    Austin (TX)
    Northeast Tarrant County (TX)
    Appleton (WI)
    River Falls (WI)
    Racine (WI)
    West Suburban Milwaukee (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.

    Questions or Concerns?

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

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