Branch Programs

Program Calendar
2023-2024

The Program Committee has put together a schedule of programs for the year that is sure to have something to please every AAUW member. We’ve tried to include a variety of topics, and a mix of educational offerings with plain old fun. For questions please contact our Program VP, and watch for further postings! Please stay tuned for updates – details will be in the monthly Advocate!

Thursday, September 28, 5:30 networking, 6:00 dinner followed by program at 7:00
Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant, 3785 S Park Ave, Blasdell, NY 14219
AI and Misinformation: A New Post-Truth Era or an Old Problem in New Clothing?
In addition to learning about plans for the AAUW year ahead, we will have a presentation on Artificial Intelligence by Yotam Ophir, PhD. Dr. Ophir is head of the Media Effects, Misinformation and Extremism (MEME) lab at UB.

Wednesday, October 25, 5:30 networking, 6:00 dinner followed by program at 7:00
Pane’s Restaurant, 984 Payne Ave, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Math & Reading Achievement Gaps Post Covid: Just the Facts, Ma’am!
Speaker Windy Paterson, PhD, is a Professor and the Dean of Education at Buffalo State University.

Thursday, November 16, 6pm-7:45pm
Harlem Road Community Center Auditorium, 4255 Harlem Rd, Buffalo, NY 14226
Post-Election Politics in Buffalo and Erie County

Speaker Jim Heaney, a former investigative reporter with The Buffalo News, will explore this very timely topic. He has won more than 20 journalism awards and was a finalist for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.
Under Jim’s direction The Investigative Post was launched in February 2012. In the succeeding years, the nonprofit newsroom has built a reputation for fact-based, high-impact reporting. It is the only news organization in Western New York dedicated exclusively to producing watchdog journalism. Its mission includes covering issues of importance to the citizens and taxpayers of Buffalo and Western New York.

Saturday, December 9, 11:30 – 2:00
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, 641 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
Lunch and a Holiday tour
Thanks to the long-time partnership of the TR Site and the 8th District Federated Garden Clubs of NYS, the mansion will once again be decorated for the holidays. We will enjoy a hot buffet lunch (catered by Jonnie C Catering), followed by a talk by this year’s garden club representative. We will then have a special holiday-themed tour that showcases the decorations while looking at how Buffalonians celebrated at the turn-of-the-20th-century. 

Thursday, January 11, 6:00 pm
ZOOM into a talk and discussion on the Power of the Female Economy (click to see the slides) with Kitty Bressington. Ms. Bressington is a Certified Financial Planner and principal at Linden Financial. She started the nonprofit Foundation for Womens Financial Education in 2014.
Did you know – 

    • By 2030, women will control more than half of the $30 trillion in baby boomer assets.
    • Many women hesitate to control their own assets but, when they do, they outperform men.
    • 91% of women will be responsible for their own finances at some point in their lives.

Thursday, February 29, 5:30 pm
Jovi’s Italian Grille & Bistro, 2795 Delaware Ave, Kenmore, NY 14217
Managing Mental Wellbeing
The topic of mental health has emerged as one of the most widely recognized issues of the last several years. Covid, political tensions, and worldwide conflicts, as well as events specific to Buffalo such as the Tops shooting and the 2022 blizzard, have all contributed to a sense of “dis-ease” among Americans. Our speaker, Karl Shallowhorn, will highlight how these things affect all of us as well as provide essential tools to manage one’s own mental wellbeing.
Mr. Shallowhorn, the Federal Program Health Advisor for SAMHSA Region II, has worked in the field of behavioral health for over 21 years. He has a M.S. in Student Personnel Administration from SUNY Buffalo State and is a New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor.

Thursday, April 18, 11:30 am
The Columns, 2221 Transit Road in Elma, NY 14059
Extreme Weather in a Warming World
Dr. Stephen Vermette is a professor of geography in the Department of Geosciences at SUNY Buffalo State, where he has taught meteorology, climatology, and environmental courses and mentored students for over 30 years. Dr. Vermette graduated with his doctorate from McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario). He has published numerous articles on local weather (providing local weather expertise for media outlets) and on environmental-related issues. He currently serves as a board member for the Erie County Water and Soil Conservation District. Dr. Vermette received a commendation from the National Geographic Society for his dedicated leadership rendered to the State of New York to ensure the geographic literacy of the next generation. The Wall Street Journal referred to Dr. Vermette as a “rare climatologist”, noting that he co-curated (with Tullis Johnson) a traveling art exhibition entitled “Charles E. Burchfield: Weather Event” which received an Award of Commendation from Museumwise. Dr. Vermette has an eclectic interest in all things related to weather and climate, especially as it relates to Western New York. He is currently hosting the Golden Snowball Trophy on behalf of the City of Buffalo.

The buffet lunch will feature slow cooked roast beef and chicken souvlaki and will include garden salad, penne florina (penne pasta with red pepper cream sauce and spinach), baby red roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rolls & butter, dessert (cheesecake with strawberries), coffee & tea. the cost is $33.50 per person. Click HERE to register. Please note – the deadline for payment to be received is April 11.

Saturday, May 18, 11:30 am
Sean Patrick’s Restaurant, 3480 Millersport Hwy, Getzville, NY 14068
Annual Meeting featuring our Achievement Award winner, plus installation of our new officers. Voting will have been done electronically prior to the meeting.

May 29 – June 2, 2024
BOOKSALE!

Thursday, June 20
Sean Patrick’s Restaurant, 3480 Millersport Hwy, Getzville, NY 14068
Scholarship Celebration