August 15, 2008                                Issue# 26

[FIRSTNAME],

Welcome to another edition of Stars And Stripes E-Newsletter, keeping you up to date with what's happening with the AWA!

   VOTING  

 This is an exciting election year and we all need to be assured that our voices are counted.  There is a newly redesigned Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov, the official U.S. government website for overseas voters.  Your local voting officials should mail your absentee ballot 30 to 45 days before the November 4 general election.  Return your voted ballot as early as possible.  Be aware of your state’s ballot receipt deadline, as well as any postmarking requirements. The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) serves as an emergency ballot for voters who registered in time but fail to receive an official ballot from local election officials.  You can access the FWAB using www.fvap.gov as well.  

AUGUST COFFEE 

Just another friendly reminder that membership renewals are due by August 31st!  To access a copy of the membership form, please click awa_membership_app2. Please also take a few minutes to update your membership profile as this keeps us updated with your contact information, volunteering availability and social activity interests.  The membership fee is $50.00 (with an additional $2 surcharge if paying online via paypal).  

For those of you who have not acquired access to the AWA website, a user name and password should have been mailed to you.

If you'd rather not renew online, you can fill out the American Women's Auxiliary Membership Application form which is at the back of the AWAre magazine.  Mail the completed form along with a check or AWA Credit Card Form (also located at the back of the AWAre magazine) to American Women's Auxiliary, PO Box 237 , Toorak, VIC 3142.  

Please note that a $10.00 late fee will be incurred on all renewals received after September 1st. 

 HALLOWEEN PARTY PLANNING MEETING COMING UP!

*  The next Halloween Party Committee meeting will be held Thursday, August 21st at 10am at Becka Cannon's house:  58 Bryson St. Canterbury MEL ref#46 D12.  Come be a part of organizing this year's "SPOOKtacular" party!   Please contact Becka Cannon at 0448 125 646 if you would like to attend. 

GROUP ACTIVITY LEADERS NEEDED!

We have two open Group Activity positions.  One is the Class Acts Group which is a group of women who enjoy learning about Melbourne and all of its cultural offerings.  This group meets once a month to explore the cultural side of Melbourne such as visiting the National Gallery of Victoria, going to the ballet, or going to an outdoor musical event.  The second is the Out to Lunch Bunch which is a group of women who enjoy getting together on a monthly basis for a bite to eat, coffee and conversation.  This group meets for lunch at restaurants across Melbourne .  If you are interested in either of these positions, please contact Lisa Bowman at 9813-2013lcbowman@aol.com or Teranne Keogh at 9878 6867 tlkeogh@bigpond.com.  

ROYAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL GIFT SHOP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 

Volunteering at the Royal Children's Hospital Gift Shop is an enjoyable way to spend a morning or afternoon making a difference with the added benefit of becoming acquainted with another AWA member. No experience is required!  The AWA provides four volunteers on the fourth Thursday of each month with two working from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and two working from 1-4 p.m.  Two volunteers are needed for the 1-4 p.m. shift on Thursday, 23 October.  On Thursday, 27 November one volunteer is needed for the 10 a.m.-1 p.m. shift and two are needed for the afternoon.  Please contact Caron Jacobs at jacobstexas@hotmail.com if you are interested in volunteering. 

LIFESTYLE PORTRAITS GIFT FOR BALL ATTENDEES