Get advice and inspiration from branches that achieved Five Star success in previous years as you embark on your own journey.
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
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Criteria
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Resources
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Advancement
*Only 3 required for a star in this area |
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Public Policy & Advocacy
*Only 3 required for a star in this area |
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Governance & Sustainability
*Only 3 required for a star in this area |
*Diversity Officer does not need to be a board member and does not require a change in bylaws. |
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Programming
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*Public policy/advocacy and DEI programs can count towards this star, as well as the Public Policy & Advocacy and Governance & Sustainability stars. |
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Communications & External Relations
*Only 3 required for a star in this area |
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FY24 Five-Star Criteria & Resources
Area
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Criteria
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Resources
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---|---|---|
Advancement
*Only 3 required for a star in this area |
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Public Policy & Research
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Governance & Sustainability
** Only 3 Required for a star in this area |
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Programs
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Communications & External Relations
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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
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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