Celebrating our successes 7 Little Leaguers 4
Corresponding Secretary’s report 7 Provisionals make their mark 4
Spring reading in literary corner 6 Kids in the Kitchen successful 3
Leadership training a colorful event 5 Meels on Wheels a Vital Service 2
S C R A W L S The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc.
Presidents’ Messages A final word from Delaina
Laura lays out her plans
“I believe in the ‘mirror test’. All that matters is if you can look in the mirror and honestly tell the person you see there, that you’ve done your best.”
✔ Hired a Managing Director for fundraising assistance, for constancy in the community, and for fresh eyes and direction for operations ✔ Honestly assessed the league’s event based fundraisers and made recommendations to position the league for the future ✔ Educated and trained a group of 120 provisional new members ✔ Launched “Literacy San Antonio,” the JLSA signature project, and received rave reviews. ✔ Received the largest monetary gift ever given to the Junior League ✔ Hosted the inaugural Little Leaguers event, where JLSA volunteers and their children worked side by side to better the San Antonio community ✔ Redecorated the C.E.R. King home at the Bright Shawl ✔ Continued to plan and execute updates and improvements to the Bright Shawl and Headquarters properties
This year has “Marked” meaningful change for The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. Led by President Delaina Harrison and the Board of Directors, we have made decisions and changes to move our organization forward. We have “Made our Mark” in the community this year by staying true to our focus on the mission. I want to take this opportunity to thank Delaina and the Board for their hard work to insure that we have an opportunity to continue to grow and thrive. As this League year comes to a close, we celebrate those accomplishments and look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the future. The 2008-2009 Board of Directors has begun to focus on the future of JLSA, Inc. Not just next year, but the long term future of the League. Where do we want to be as an organization in 2018? or 2028? It is time to think ahead and make shifts to grow our membership, focus on our strategic priorities and impact our community in new ways. It requires us to think “Outside the Box” and test our limits. The incoming Board is studying Good to Great and the Social Sectors by Jim Collins. The format of the book is driving the Board to think ahead, and not just think about what “we are best at,” but what “we can be the best in the world at.” Next year we look forward to providing you opportunities to participate in moving the Junior League of San Antonio from “Good to Great.” There are many exciting changes that will be implemented next year including a more flexible set of member obligations, an expanded program
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-Lou Holtz
MAY 2008
WOW! I can’t believe the year is really drawing to a close! When I reflect back on this year, and use the “mirror test” that Lou Holtz spoke of in the above quote, I believe WE, as an organization, can look in the mirror and honestly say, we have done our best. Here is why I believe WE, each of us in this organization, can say this…..
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MAY 2008
Laura
Delaina Continued from Page 1
✔ Implemented a new and improved budgeting process ✔ Wrote a new long range strategic plan for the league ✔ Diversified member requirements based on membership suggestions and feedback ✔ Newly formed Sustainer Committee hosted numerous events ✔ Offered seven training sessions for member participation ✔ Held successful Kids in the Kitchen event ✔ Served approximately 81,000 people ✔ Invested a value of approximately $300,000 in our community This has truly been a great year. As we reflect on the accomplishments, not only of this year, but for the last 84 years, we should be proud to serve in such a long-standing organization. For 84 years, the Junior League of San Antonio has been promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community
through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Junior League of San Antonio President this year. As I reflect back over the past year, I realize that this has been not only the most personally challenging year of my life, but also the most personally rewarding year as well. I am so thankful for the people I have had the opportunity to meet, the friends I have made, my board members that have worked endless hours, the members I have worked alongside, the joyfilled faces that have been touched by JLSA volunteers, and the community visits where I get to hear about how the league has made their small world a better place. I am truly blessed. Thank you for allowing me to serve as the 2007-2008 President of the Junior League of San Antonio. Cheers!
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of training opportunities, a “Little Leaguers” program to develop the next generation of volunteers and more. We will also be celebrating our 85th anniversary. It will be an exciting year of celebrating our past and planning for the future. I hope you will take advantage of the opportunities that will be provided to you as a member of this wonderful and unique organization and work with us as “One” to improve our community. We are “One League” with “One Mission” and we have great “Power” when we work as “One.” Next year’s theme is “One League, One Mission, The Power of One.” I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
Laura Laura Talley President 2008-2009
Help on Wheels JLSA assists seniors with nutrition, companionship Meals on Wheels is a wonderful program that Christian Senior Services provides for homebound seniors in San Antonio. Many of the seniors are homebound due to chronic illness, a health crisis, or live alone and depend on others for help with daily necessities, while still maintaining some independence. Volunteers and staff deliver 2,200 nutritious meals per day to 3,500 seniors annually. Volunteers are greatly needed. Through the community placement for Meals on Wheels, JLSA volunteers have been delivering meals and getting to know the faces and homes of their seniors. These men and women rarely
get out and have personal contact with anyone. This placement offers a very rewarding way to support our community by being a source of comfort to someone, while delivering a warm and nutritious meal. The fastest growing segment of our population is seniors over the age of 60. We can make a difference in their lives. Christian Senior Services encourages the involvement of family members joining in on deliveries. It brightens the day for the seniors to see volunteers’ children come to their door, and it teaches the children to be better people for tomorrow.
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Kids in the Kitchen a HUGE success Addressing the issue of childhood obesity continues The Junior League’s commitment to childhood and family nutrition that has spanned over 106 years. Continuing in the footsteps of Junior League founder, Mary Harriman, Leagues design Kids in the Kitchen programs that provide children the necessary tools for making nutritious eating choices. Leagues distribute childfriendly information and recipes related to healthy eating and nutrition to children and parents in their communities. Nearly one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, and childhood obesity has been
shown to be the leading cause of many health issues including pediatric hypertension, Type II diabetes and coronary heart disease. Recent studies now estimate that nearly half of the children in North and South America will be overweight by 2010. The Junior League of San Antonio decided to participate in this Leaguewide initiative as a way to give children and their families in our own community the tools they need to make nutritious eating and healthy lifestyle decisions and to make an impact in this impending international epidemic. On April 13, the Junior League of San Antonio, in partnership with The Historic Pearl Brewery, hosted our 2008 Kids in the Kitchen event! Over 80 children from various community agencies came together to learn more about healthy nutrition. These children joined us for a fun-filled afternoon to: • Cook with a chef from the Farm to Table Cafe • Hear from a local farmer about raising organic produce • Learn more about the food pyramid from a nutritionist • Make a “Recipe for Reading” art creation that can be used in their own kitchen
• Join in on a book reading that was loaded with fun facts about cooking healthy creations We have also launched an interactive website which features kid-friendly, nutritious recipes, tips and recipes of the day, as well as quizzes to test kids on their nutrition knowledge. Recipes and tips can be printed out and pasted on index cards to share with friends. With the continuation of this important initiative, we have the potential to make a major impact on this urgent need facing today’s youth. The virtual recipe collection is available at www.kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org.
4 What a mark 2007-08 Provisionals made! By Cynthia Kerby Provisional Chair What a mark the 2007-2008 Provisional Class has collectively made! The JLSA is 101 New Actives stronger. These ladies gained knowledge about the JLSA, its community partners and how the community is impacted through JLSA service and resources. Countless hours of service define what JLSA gives back to our community every year. This year the Provisional Class can stand proud behind more than 2,000 hours of training, 2,500 hours of community hours, 2,700 hours of fundraising efforts; and $14,000 worth of financial contributions to our fundraisers! What a spectacular mark these provisionals have made! A special congratulations to all the Provisionals who have agreed to serve in appointed positions for 2008-2009. THANK YOU ALL FOR SERVING!
Little Leaguers John David Hall, Jr. “Jack” February 3, 2008 8 lbs, 9 oz 21 1/4 inches Proud Parents: Jenny and John Tessa Louise O’Hanlon Christiansen October 25, 2007 8 lbs, 5 oz 20 1/2 inches Proud Parents: Johanna and Brian
MAY 2008 The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. Board of Directors Delaina Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President Laura Talley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .President-Elect Lauri Birkelo Crockett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer Laurie Kaplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Membership Development Council Lisa Keller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Board Secretary Cathy Scanlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Community Council Gretchen Garceau Kragh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fund Development Laura Moreno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marketing Council Verr Soltes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer-Elect Debbie Serot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Placement Committee Anna-Melissa Cavazos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Board Member-At-Large Laura Peel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant to the President Tammy Dullnig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bylaws/Parliamentarian Gina Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Research & Development Jennifer Broome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Strategic Planning Carolyn Kelley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Managing Director Carrie Baker Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sustaining Advisor
The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. Community Advisory Board Mr. Selim Bingol ...........Chairman, Communications Consulting Worldwide Ms. Jelynne Burley .....................Deputy City Manager, City of San Antonio Mr. Darryl Byrd .........................Development Director, Silver Ventures, Inc. Mr. Chad Clark .............................................General Manager, Lee Michaels Mrs. Kye Kilpatrick Fox .........................President, Urban Advisory Services Ms. Zina Guerra ...............First Vice President of Retail Banking, IBC Bank Mr. Frank Guerra......................................................................................CEO ...............................Guerra DeBerry Coody Marketing and Communications Mr. Joe Izbrand ........................Senior Vice President Fleishman-Hillard Inc. Ms. Kaye Lenox......................CEO, San Antonio Public Library Foundation Ms. Vicky Lockwood.................................Padgett, Stratemann & Co., L.L.P Mrs. Beverly Purcell-Guerra ..............Editor, San Antonio Woman Magazine Mr. Frank Ruttenberg............................Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani, L.L.P. Ms. Joanne Winik..................................................Executive Director, KLRN Mr. Kevin Wolff .......................................................Former City Councilman Mrs. Delaina Harrison ....................................................JLSA, Inc. President Mrs. Laura Talley ..................................................JLSA, Inc. President-Elect Mrs. Tiffany Mills .................................JLSA, Inc. Immediate Past President Mrs. Lisa Keller ...................................................JLSA, Inc. Board Secretary Ms. Catherine Scanlon ........................JLSA, Inc. Community Council Chair Mrs. Laurie Kaplan .........................................................................JLSA, Inc. .......................................................Membership Development Council Chair Mrs. Lauri Birkelo-Crockett ...........................................JLSA, Inc. Treasurer Ms. Carolyn Kelley ........................................JLSA, Inc., Managing Director
MAY 2008
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Insight achieved through Birkman Method
JLSA leaders explore their true colors
The entire 08-09 Leadership Team —Project, Committee and Council Chairs — were all asked to take the Birkman Method Assessment during the month of March. In order to incorporate successful organizational change, the League’s leaders must understand themselves as an organization of volunteers with many different work and leadership styles. The Birkman Method gives individuals and organizations unequaled insight into behavioral cause and effect within organizational structures and one-on-one relationships. It provides both invaluable knowledge and a realistic means to manage positive, productive change. On Saturday, April 12, just over 100 JLSA leaders attended the annual Leadership Training Event. The day was spent working with Wilson Wong, a national Birkman consultant and corporate trainer. Wilson facilitates workshops and seminars for insight development, team building, conflict resolution, diversity training, and stress management. He spent the morning helping everyone interpret their individual Birkman results as well as helping the team explore the organization’s leadership strengths and “areas of opportunity.” The Birkman is based on four styles that are labeled by color: Blue- is Design and Strategy. This person provides vision, focuses on ideas and concepts.
Training leader Wilson Wong addresses his audience
Green- is Sales/Marketing. This person actively communicates ideas and motivates people. Red- is Operations-organizing. This person takes action on objectives and produces tangible products. Yellow- is Administration- Detailing. This person focuses on organizational processes and uses a plan to act. The leadership discovered much about themselves as individuals but also where they sit in relation to the people they will be working with. Wilson’s training is “hands-on” and requires everyone in attendance to stand on a long line (our line covered the entire length of the Ivy Room.) Each person stood on the line in the location shown on their Birkman results. This allowed everyone to see how similar or dissimilar they were from other members of their team. Wilson then explained the traits and behaviors of each end of the line and how to deal with those at either end. Usual Behaviors, Underlying Needs and Stress Behaviors were also mapped on the line. Many “Ohhhh, that is why I do that” and laughs were shared as members moved back and forth on the line looking to see where their friends and partners were in relation to themselves. JLSA was the first league to do this Continued on Page 6
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MAY 2008
The League Literary Corner
Spring is perfect for outdoor reading
Spring is in the Air! And you can feel it everywhere — there is no better time to grab a good book, your child/husband /friend/dog and go sit in the park under a shady tree and ENJOY! Make the most of this special spring time to enjoy the sun, fresh flowers blooming and the birds singing… all before the hot San Antonio summer heat kicks in. The following provides a list of possible reads to take to the park this spring! Newborn – preschool Spring Things by Bob Raczka and Judy Stead I love my Mama by Peter Kavanagh and Jane Chapman
Children’s Literature by Colleen Dunn bates and Susan LaTempa Don’t Bump the Glump, and other Fantasies by Shel Silverstein Ages 9-12 A Kid’s Spring Ecojournal: With Nature Activities for Exploring the Season by Toni Albert The Principal’s New Clothes by Stephanie Calmenson Adult Selections Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin World without End by Ken Follett
Ages 3-6 Hurray for Spring by Patricia Hubbell Merwin: Master of Disguise by Christopher Hart Ages 5-8 Storybook Travels: From Eloise’s New York to Harry Potter’s London, Visits to 30 of the Best Loved Landmarks in
Family Fun Selections Chef’s Garden by Terence Conran These are great books that you can share with others within the community, start your own reading corner at your church, a local hospital, playgrounds, etc, be creative and share your success and ideas with us.
Corresponding Secretary’s report Resign in Good Standing Amy Stidham (A) Jaylyn Welch (A) Randall Hays (S) Pamela Johnson (A) Transfer Out Jennifer Lisaius (A) to Washinton DC Tiffany Ruiz (A) to McAllen TX Participants listen to Wilson Wong’s explanation of the Birkman Method
Transfer In Lindsey Lyons (A) from Portland OR Dropped for Placement Morgan Harrison (A) Active to Sustainer Jennifer Hackett Adrianna White Elizabeth Hetrick Tammy Dullnig Karry Ann Shebetka-Carroll Jill Metcalfe
Leadership Training Continued from Page 5
with the leadership team. The results gave the League an “X-ray” view into the make-up of the membership. JLSA is a very “Blue” organization, which means the league is very well equipped to design and strategize projects and programs. However, JLSA is very short on
“Greens.” This means the League struggles with the communication and selling aspects of the programs and projects JLSA loves to create. The incoming leadership team will take this knowledge and use it to facilitate change to make sure that the League continues to evolve into an organization that will be beneficial to women for years to come.
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MAY 2008
Celebrate those who made their mark Special thanks to Kimberly Archer, Community Council Events and Communications Chair, for all her hard work on the Kids in the Kitchen Event. The event was a great success and the league received great TV coverage. HOORAY! To Laura Lopez, PR Chair, for great coverage on our events this year! Laura was willing to be flexible early in the year, and has done a great job for the league in the PR position. Thanks for all your phone calls and media pitches! Your hard work paid off! Special thanks to Anna Melissa Cavazos, Board Member at Large, for chairing the Membership Task Force on Displaced Requirements. We appreciate you heading this group and working diligently to research recommendations for league members. Thank you also goes to the Task Force members for going above and beyond their placement: Laura Peel Laurie Kaplan Lesley Vernor Cynthia Kirby Hailey Buchman
Annual Fund Campaign Needs You The Junior League of San Antonio is so close to its goal! As of April 18, we had raised $23,429 towards our goal of $30,000. We need you to put us over the top!
Misty Kelley Kellie Briggs Tammy Dullnig Amy Dunn Smith Billie Rose Gina Porter, and Debbie Strus. We couldn’t have done it without you! Life-saver award goes to Carolyn Karger, transfer chair, for stepping in at the last minute and planning and hosting the new member reception. Carolyn is a long-standing, hard working volunteer who has ALWAYS; been willing to step in and help when help was needed. Thank you to Nikki Loehr, League Photographer, for hosting the board of directors at her studio for the board pictures. Wait until you see the glamorous photos in the magazine. The board had a great time, and it was a nice opportunity for board members to visit about something other than Junior League! WHEW! And congratulations to Verr Soltes, Treasurer Elect, for facilitating, organizing and driving a new budget process for the league for next year. The process eased for many who normally participate, but was made more difficult on the manager. Thank you for all your time and energy! Special thanks to Stephanie Bailey, Kim Biffle, Anna Bley, Mary
Save The Date Save the Date (and remember the new location) of OlĂŠ Marketplace! October 23-25, 2008 Alzafar Shrine Temple
Heather Russo, and Kristen Wightman, SA Works Chairs, for their endless energy, patience, hard work, scheduling abilities, and organization as they planned hundreds of shifts and workers for SA Works this year. The Education and Training Committee would like to thank the following Sustainers for opening their homes for the April In-Home Meetings: Ann Deacon Kathy Hernandez Kathy MacNaughton Nancy Nobles-Price Karen Preis Kathy Griesenbeck Jill Vassar Susie Walker-Atchison
Deacon Recruiting is pleased to support the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. 719 Carnoustie Drive San Antonio, Texas 78258 210.494.1000 phone 210.494.4924 fax
CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 3 7 13 13 17 17 20 26
Community Reception Appointed Jobs Reception General Membership Meeting Super Saturday Provisional Retreat Literacy San Antonio Retreat Joint Board of Directors’ Meeting (closed) Office closed for Memorial Day
2008-09 Board of Directors’ Meeting
Have a great summer!
723 Brooklyn Avenue San Antonio, Texas 78215
May
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