LeagueLines
The Newsletter of The Junior League of Austin Summer 2015
Looking Back at the Past League Year By Jennifer Rieck The Junior League of Austin made great progress in many different areas this year. Four of the the League’s Council Vice Presidents share their thoughts about the 2014-2015 League Year. Community Council Vice President Becky Johnson reports, “Done-in-a-Day continues to grow as we served 61 agencies with over 3,200 hours of service. There were 30 nonprofits that we worked with this year, where more than 450 members were placed in the community, providing over 22,500 hours of service. ABC Grants gave over $8,000 in grants to area teachers with innovative projects. Coats for Kids provided over 33,700 coats to children in Central Texas. Food In Tummies held the first ever fitness event in Del Valle in partnership with Marathon Kids, with over 450 children and their families coming out to run their final lap and visit our FITness Fair. In addition, the Community Provisional Project kicked off with six non-profits.” Debra Espinosa, Communication Council Vice President, recounts the Communication Council’s busy year. “If you read anything in print, on the web, in an email, or on stationery about The Junior League of Austin this year, you can bet the members of the Communications Council had a hand in crafting it, editing it, designing it, publishing it, or marketing it. We recognize that we’re part of a rapidly changing online world and we increased our sphere of influence on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook this year by telling impactful stories and building relationships with our audience. We published three issues of our print magazine Capitalines and four issues of our online magazine LeagueLines.”
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Debra adds, “Our weekly e-newsletters, JLA News, as well as Fund Development and Sustainer News received a beautiful update and new platform which give us data we’ve never had before to track our effectiveness and drive our future decisions about communicating with our stakeholders. Recognizing that The Junior League of Austin is one of the largest leagues internationally gives us motivation to communicate our position as a thought-leader not only in our local community but as an example for other leagues.” Membership Development Council Vice President Terri Broussard Williams said that the Membership Development Council met several goals this League year. Those included streamlining status changes for all members, creating a Provisional Chair-Elect position, and sending ten women to external leadership training. Regarding membership transfers, the Council worked on streamlining explanations of transfer dues, and ensuring policies are clearly outlined for transferring members. The Fund Development Council made great progress this year as well, according to Fund Development Council Vice President Laura Robinson. “Through the help of our members, during Amplify Austin we increased the number of individuals giving to our FIT Program by 534% and helped to spread the word about this amazing program. We exceeded our fundraising goals for the year by more than 20% through new ideas and collaboration with other councils in the League.” The dedication of League members and leadership is evident in the stellar progress made this year.
IN THIS ISSUE Looking Back at the Past League Year 1 In This Issue 2 Editor’s Note 2 A Message from the President 3 Meet the 2015-16 President 4 Meet the 2015-16 Board 5 Reflections from the Outgoing Sustaining President 6 Sustainer Lessons on Giving Back & LeagueLines Asks 7 Life Lessons from Sustainer Emeritus Members 8 Meet Janice Klekar 9 Advancing the League through a New Strategic Plan 10-11 Strategic Planning 101 11 Strategic Planning in Your Personal Life 12 JLA Budget Explained 13 Placements in the Community 14-15 Name That Council-Community & Fund Development Councils 16-17 Tips for Transitioning to a Different Membership Type 18 Looking Back... 19-21 What’s Your New (League) Year Resolution? 22 Member Profiles 23-25 JLA Babies and Weddings 26-27 JLA Updates 28 Mark Your Calendars 29
EDITOR’S NOTE The 2014-2015 League year is drawing to a close, and it is a great time to reflect on what we have accomplished. This issue looks back at the past League year, while also looking forward to the next year. Many members share their goals for the 2015-2016 League year, and tips for transitioning to a different membership type are offered to prepare members for the next League year. The feature section of this issue highlights the League’s new strategic plan and the strategic planning process. The section highlights the League’s membership goal; a companion article in the Summer issue of Capitalines highlights the League’s goal for community engagement so be sure to read that as well! In addition, this feature section also includes tips for implementing strategic planning in your personal life. Also in this issue, the LeagueLines team was honored to speak with several Sustainer Emeritus members, who graciously shared their League experiences and life advice. Please be sure to take a few moments to reflect on their thoughts for making the most of your League membership and life! I am incredibly thankful for our amazing LeagueLines team, who have truly gone above and beyond to make this year’s issues great and my job easy! I also wish the best of success to the incoming LeagueLines team, to be led by Debra Doliner – I look forward to your first issue! I wish everyone a fantastic summer and wonderful new League year! Stacey Mather LeagueLines Editor, 2014-2015
Board of Directors 2014-2015
LeagueLines The Newsletter of The Junior League of Austin
Stacey Mather, Editor Jennifer Rieck, Literary Assignments Editor Graphic Designers: Leslie Gandy Frances Hansen Poppy Poth Meredith Sturgeon Writers: Darby Berra McKensie DeRocher Meagan Moll
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Gregory Noack President
Debra Espinosa Communications VP
MariBen Ramsey Sustaining President
Casie Wenmohs President-Elect
Laura Robinson Fund Development VP
Anne Prentice Parliamentarian/ Bylaws
Renee Harvey Treasurer
Terri Broussard Williams Jenny Butterworth Membership Recording Secretary Development VP Becky Johnson Community VP
Jenè Bearse Member-at-Large
Ashley Hight Administrative VP
Lyndsey Crawford Member-at-Large
Nicole Elliott Treasurer-Elect Julie Hall Nominating Chair Camille Jobe Strategic Planning Chair Meredith Clarke Technology Chair
A Message from President Gregory Noack As we put the final touches on the 2014-2015 League year, I find myself reflecting on our League’s many accomplishments with fond memories. We set an aggressive agenda for the year and our members delivered! It was a highly productive year as we planned for our organization’s future impact through the re-development of a mission focused, comprehensive strategic plan; implemented new communication tools and strategies; revised our Provisional curriculum integrating a Community Provisional Project; and reconceptualized donor and sponsorship strategies. We did this all while maintaining our typical community work and event commitments. This year we supported a record 30 community project agencies with funding and volunteers; successfully delivered 1,600 backpacks weekly for 34 weeks to children experiencing food insecurity through our Food In Tummies program; distributed over 33,000 coats to children in need in central Texas thru Coats for Kids; and hosted a highly successful A Christmas Affair which recorded record sales! This issue of LeagueLines highlights this year’s work in greater detail. Suffice it to say, the collective efforts of each of our members yielded incredible results! These achievements would not have been possible but for the work of a highly dedicated leadership team and board of directors who engaged with their respective teams in new and challenging ways! Thank you for your commitment and service. I loved watching you work and learned from each of you. Looking to the future, we’re making significant progress on the Community Impact Center (CIC) project thanks to the efforts of our professional project team and our CIC Planning and Oversight Committee. Their work to find solutions to site plan challenges culminated in the re-submission of a City of Austin Site Plan Application for the project in late May 2015. Coupled with the successful fundraising efforts of our Capital Campaign Steering Committee, the JLA is poised to see increased momentum for the project in the near future. I thank each of our steering committee members for their dedication toward this long-term project, and most especially recognize Amber Carden for her committed leadership. To the Actives serving on our Capital Campaign Committee and all Campaign Ambassadors, thank you for continuing to generate excitement for the project. As President Elect, you spend the year learning, dreaming and planning for the year you will serve as President. One of the first things you “dream on” is who will serve as Sustaining President - the person who will liaison with Sustaining members; represent them at the board table; serve as an advisor to the board; and, at least in my case, serve as a mentor to the President. I dreamed on my decision for quite some time, and one person continued to come to mind. My dream came true when MariBen Ramsey agreed to serve in this capacity. I have long considered her a friend and admired MariBen for her vast knowledge of our community, the League and AJLI. Through our adventures this year, my respect for her has grown and I am forever grateful for her efforts to engage and connect our Sustainers to each other, as well as, to our Active and Provisional members. Thank you, MariBen, for your service, wise counsel and friendship. I would not have enjoyed this journey as much without you! The other thing you “dream on” is who will follow you as President Elect, because that person becomes your sidekick almost from the moment they are named! I was blessed with an amazing President Elect in Casie Wenmohs. We were fortunate to already share a friendship having worked closely as Treasurer and Treasurer Elect. This made it so much more comfortable to bounce around ideas, partner in decision-making and engage as confidants in difficult times. I thank Casie for all that, and more. While she has been a gift to me, I believe the real gift is to the League. Her leadership and vision will take us to new places, and I am excited to see where she leads. Reflecting on this year, I am so proud to be a member of The Junior League of Austin. I have enjoyed representing, meeting and working with you. Serving as President of this organization has been an honor and highlight of my life’s journey and I thank you for the memories. Sincerely, Gregory Noack President 2014-2015
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Meet the 2015-2016 President: Q&A with Casie Wenmohs By Stacey Mather
Why did you join the JLA? I was volunteering on my own while working at the State Bar of Texas with my friend and mentor KaLyn Laney. She seemed to know so many people and always had an interesting volunteer project going on. I later learned many of these activities revolved around The Junior League of Austin so KaLyn sponsored me to become a member. This will all come full circle when KaLyn serves as Sustaining President during my term as President in 2015-16. What has been your favorite placement and why? It was very interesting to serve as Advisory/Strategic Planning Chair for my first term on the Board of Directors in 2008. That was the year we decided to close the Resale Shop and launch Food In Tummies. I learned so much and I still can’t believe how fast it all happened! What are you most looking forward to as President? Meeting our incredible and dedicated League members has already been such a fantastic experience. It is truly an honor to get to know our members and see what they are doing not just in The Junior League of Austin but in other aspects of their lives, too. What advice do you have for members to make the most out of the next League year? Think about your League experience as stepping stones. You never know who you might meet or what you might learn and where that could take you. Be open to everything this experience has to offer you!
Casie’s Vision/Goals for the 2015-2016 League Year: This year, I’ve got a fun theme: Authentically Austin. One reason we’ve been so successful as a League is because we reflect our city. We have changed and grown along with Austin. We’re also relevant to the needs in our city. I believe that The Junior League of Austin represents the values of Austin: fun, inclusive, creative, thoughtful and more! My intention is to focus on three priorities: community, membership, and our Community Impact Center project. How we serve the community is intricately tied to the impact we have but also to our members’ training and development. Our community projects and programs play an integral role in helping our members gain important community leadership skills. It’s crucial that we make a difference in the community but we must always remember that we are a membership organization, too. The Community Impact Center project ties these concepts together, as it will serve as both a new home for our membership and as a collaborative community space. One tool we will have to help guide us is our revamped JLA strategic plan. In 2015-16, we will be in our first year of implementing the big-picture, multi-year plan by creating an annual plan.
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If I can personally contribute toward one initiative for our League, it would be to introduce the concept of impact areas: putting our projects and programs in the context of the greater challenge we are facing in the community. For 2015-16, we will take a few minutes at General Meetings to learn about how our community placements contribute to addressing important issues. There also will be two stand-alone impact area training events, one of which will focus on potential emerging unmet needs in our city. Austin is not a one-size-fitsall kind of city, so we need to build our own model for impact areas. This year, it will simply mean that we talk about the local issues that our current projects and programs are impacting. On a more personal level, it’s important to remember that leadership is about relationships. I am encouraging our JLA leaders to foster relationships within their teams and throughout the League. We work so hard in our League. We also need to make sure we take time to make friends and have some fun! When we’re more connected to each other, we’re more connected to the League. The stronger we are as an organization, the even greater our community impact can be.
Meet the 2015-16 Board of Directors: What’s Your League Year Goal? By Stacey Mather “Learn and plan for the 2016-17 League year. My priorities are centered on initiatives for League/life balance and focus on our key priorities of our Community Impact Center, membership, and community.”
Sarah Valenzuela, President-Elect “Support our leaders and work behind the scenes so that the JLA can continue to be a positive force in the Austin community.”
Nicole Elliott, Treasurer “Support the Treasurer in ensuring a strong financial foundation for the League to promote our mission.”
Amy Hurt, Treasurer-Elect “Listen and learn from the amazing women on next year’s Board and do my best to support them.”
Ashley Kelm, Recording Secretary “Always act with purpose, to be a constant support for my Council and their committees, to make an effort to utilize the skills and abilities of my team, focus on aligning the actions of my Council with the mission and strategic plan of the League and most of all to have fun doing it!”
Lyndsey Crawford, Administrative VP “Support our members and their busy lives, creating a meaningful experience for each of us.”
Alicia Robertson, Membership Development VP “Move the perception of the JLA’s fundraising efforts as more mission based and less tactical.”
Leigh Edgar, Fund Development VP “See where we are making an impact in our community and help us look toward our potential impact as Austin grows and changes.”
“Support the Communications Council in their efforts to share the amazing ways the members of the JLA are developing the potential of women and improving our community.”
Jolie Cypert, Communications VP “Help make the JLA the best possible league we can while learning some new skills and sharpening some existing skills.”
Heather Parsons, Parliamentarian/By-Laws Chair “Educate membership about the nominating process so it is as transparent and understandable as possible.”
Michele Karp, Nominating Chair “Create a strong foundation for a successful implementation of the strategic plan for this year and coming years, include our members and have fun doing it!”
Melissa Threlkeld, Strategic Planning Chair “Ensure a great experience for the fantastic women of the Technology Committee, and as a group, to get lots of good work done for the JLA and the community we love!”
Rachel Zander, Technology Chair “Be the face of the membership at the Board table.”
Lisa Kaspar, Board Member-at-Large “Be the voice of membership at the Board and solicit input and feedback from the members.”
Amanda Grantham, Board Member-at-Large
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Reflections from the Outgoing Sustaining President MariBen Ramsey Well, the end of another League year and what a pleasure it has been for me to serve as the Sustaining President. One of the most fun parts of being the Sustaining President was the opportunity to work with Gregory Noack, President of the JLA. Gregory and I met over coffee about twice a month and talked about a lot of things. While I knew Gregory when I was an Active, this has been such a great opportunity to know her better. I hope we will still meet for coffee at least occasionally. She is bright, committed to the League and our community and during her year as President she was committed to doing what the League needed for the benefit of the League’s future. Gregory is a great example of a servant leader and the League was very lucky to have her at the helm this year, just as we are fortunate to have Casie Wenmohs following Gregory. To the other members of the Board, it was a pleasure to work with you. Thanks for your hard work and including me in all the fun. The Junior League of Austin was and will be in great hands for years to come because of the work you did, but especially because of the leadership you exhibited this year and in the years to come. I still cherish my time in the League as an Active member for so many reasons. The friends I made and have today, the experiences I had, the skills I learned and lest I forget, the FUN, FUN, FUN we had. Having spent time with the Active leadership this year, I know that as a Sustainer, I am contributing to young women having that same opportunity to make friends, learn about our community and learn how to make a difference in our community -- and have fun while doing it! I was so pleased to be able to introduce my friend Dinah Barksdale as the Volunteer Extraordinaire at the Spring Sustainer event. Dinah is a great example of the impact Sustainers can have in our community. Dinah has served as a member of Helping Hand Home, Settlement Home and on the Board of the Hospice Austin Fund. She has chaired, usually with her good friend Leslie Timmerman, record-breaking fundraisers for each of them. Dinah serves – and leads – with joy to make life just a bit better for our community. And that’s the beauty of The Junior League of Austin - making an impact in our community. As a Sustainer, the success of the League today is part of the legacy that each of us as Sustainers has cre ated and should take a tremendous amount of pride in. Thanks for a wonderful year! Sincerely, MariBen Ramsey Sustaining President 2014-2015
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Sustainer Lessons on Giving Back to the Community By Darby Berra
We all know that The Junior League of Austin not only provides the opportunity to form new friendships, but also provides amazing opportunities to learn new skills that can be used to give back to the community. League Sustainer Amber Elenz shared her thoughts on how League members can use their training, experience and knowledge gained as a League member to give back to the community. “I use JLA training every day in my work as a Trustee on the Austin Independent School District,” Amber says. “While I didn’t realize it at the time, the commitment that members are required to make to the League is the first step of the training. I believe it is that commitment, and the expectation that the League holds for every member to follow through on that commitment, that sets the stage for the deeper learning. Committed volunteers learn to be dependable, reliable, and trustworthy team players, which are traits that transfer well into community work of all kinds... and they make JLA volunteers stand out from others. League members should never doubt that they are able to serve. They just need to find their areas of passion, and then put the League training to work making Austin a better place to live, work and play.”
The best ways and places to serve are those that fit your life and your passions.
When asked how League members can identify the best ways or areas to serve she offered, “My volunteer work with the League allowed me to explore many areas of Austin and service opportunities. What I discovered through my various JLA placements was that my time is valuable to me and my family, and that if I am going to dedicate 70+ hours of that time to something specific, then it needed to be something that I believed in fully. I ultimately found my focus in the Austin Independent School District by volunteering at my children’s schools and their PTAs. But the exposure that JLA gave me to organizations such as Foundation Communities, Legal Aid, the Ronald McDonald House, the School for the Blind and Dyslexic, and many more is what gave me the ability to think bigger and to dedicate my energies toward the school district as a whole.” “Use your time in the League to explore,” Amber encourages. “Once you find something you believe in, dive in and you never know what kind of difference you may make in the life of someone in need.”
LeagueLines Asks…How Has the League Helped You Give Back to the Community? Samantha Bernstein, Active Current Placement: Surplus Coat Coordinator, Coats for Kids Committee “My experience in the League has allowed me to have a broader perspective of the community - I love the fact JLA is a training organization! It is so rewarding to give my time to the community while gaining new skills each year. It’s really true that you get what you give.”
Amanda Niles, Active Current Placement: Singer, Playhouse Singers Committee “The League has made me aware of so many volunteer niches that are out there in the community. There’s an opportunity to meet any level of commitment and skill. Because of the League’s relationships across the spectrum of Austin non-profit organizations, members are able to connect with just the right place to match both parties’ needs and passions.”
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Life Lessons from JLA Sustainer Emeritus Members By Jennifer Rieck
The Junior League of Austin’s Sustainer Emeritus members are experts on life and the League. To qualify as a Sustainer Emeritus, a member must be over 80 years old and most have been members since the 1950s. We asked four JLA Sustainer Emeritus members to share their thoughts and advice on the League and living life to the fullest: Carrielu Christensen, Bess Dennison, Grace Doyle, and Jean Durkee.
Question: What piece of life advice would you like to give young women? Bess: I think that we honor God when we use our gifts and talents fully to the point of excellence. In the League, you have the opportunities to learn new skills and polish old ones. So you ought to use those to mature as a person and serve our community. Carrielu: As a volunteer, learn to say yes. Jean: Giving your time and energy to any organization, especially the League, helps you develop a well rounded perspective of your community. Grace: Prioritize the options that you have. I think the three options that stand out in my mind are: family, want to accomplish, and your well being. Also, make sure to take time for yourself.
When I first joined the League, I was timid. I would shake like a leaf before I went to meetings and didn’t know a soul. But JLA made me come out of my shell. -Grace Doyle, Sustainer Emeritus Member
Question: Has the League improved your life and, if so, how? Bess: The League has made a big contribution to the quality of my life. From friendships and developing skills, to being part of groups and learning to do new things. And also being in groups where we had just plain fun. Carrielu: Yes it has, because of all the friends you make. You can meet people you may never have known. The best thing I learned in my league years is how to work with other people. Also how to work within the structure of boards, and volunteer organizations, and that is a great thing to learn. Jean: I’ve been on a lot of boards. I don’t think I’d have been as effective on those boards if I hadn’t had my JLA training. Grace: It made me a more organized person; it taught me to research; it made me a better person. The League gave me the opportunity to meet a wide array of people in the Austin community. I met many different types of people from different walks of life, that I may never have known otherwise.
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Welcome Back Staff Member Janice Klekar! By Stacey Mather
The League office has a new face, though members who have been in the League for several years may remember her. Janice Klekar worked at the League from 2001-2008, and has returned after several years at the Austin Community Foundation. We asked Janice to share some information about herself to reacquaint members with our newest addition! Facts about Janice: Family: Son, Justin and his wife, Amanda Klekar; Daughter, Kristin and her husband Brad Hull; and my four precious grandchildren, Kennedy & Eli Klekar (Ages 4 & 2); and Brooks & Easton Hull (Ages 5 & 3) Pets: Three Granddogs - Bailey, Bo and Molly If I could, I would: Sing and travel the world Favorite Foods: Homemade coconut cream pie and, of course it goes without saying, guacamole, queso & chips Favorite Quote: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, ‘I’m Possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn What is your role at the League? I provide administrative support for the Board of Directors, their councils and committees. My tasks include: ensuring the accuracy and integrity of JLA database; processing and assisting Membership Council with all membership status changes; updating member profiles and membership status after Board Meetings; processing dues payments and other donor transactions; and providing donor recognition info for JLA News. I also work closely with Fund Development Council, FDC support team, and the A Christmas Affair, Coats for Kids and Grants Committees to support as needed when entering financial and in-kind gifts into the database. What’s your favorite League story? When Doris and I started working at the League, we thought our titles were “Envelope Labeling and Stuffing Divas.” Lavon Neumann and Judy Talbot were both retiring at the same time, but neither one of them wanted to give up their desks to Doris and I just yet, so for the first two weeks we were relegated to the A Christmas Affair office upstairs to do mailings. Doris and I became fast friends, labeling and stuffing as fast as we talked. What advice would you like to share with new League members? Take advantage of all the leadership training and mentoring the League has to offer. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and volunteer in areas you normally wouldn’t pursue because the experience you gain and friends you make are immeasurably profound. Had I know about the League when I was younger, I definitely would have become a member!
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Advancing the League through a New Strategic Plan By Frances Hansen
As League members, it is easy caught up in the day-to-day operations of the League – be sure to get General Meeting credits (check), complete FIT Shifts (check), complete my placement (check). It is critically important to step back and remember what we are working towards and why we joined The Junior League of Austin. Making lifelong friends and volunteering are two common reasons women cite for joining the League; making a difference in the community and learning and growing from League opportunities are the reasons we stay. Warren Buffett once highlighted the importance of focus – he was approached and asked to comment on a list of 25 priorities. He promptly crossed out priorities numbered 6-25 and said “Everything that is not in your top 5 becomes your ‘avoid at all costs’ list.” Luckily, the League has been led by women who had the foresight to develop a strong strategic plan with short and long-term objectives, targets, and tactics within each of the four main goal areas (Membership, Community, Financial Stability, and Organizational Alignment). 2014-15 Strategic Planning Chair, Camille Jobe, and 2015-16 Chair, Melissa Threlkeld, have been working closely with the Board, Sustainers, committees, outside consultants, and the general membership to develop a strong strategic planning process and base on which the League can implement its’ mission in a focused and mindful way. Camille shared the need to involve all members in the process, and not exclusively current or former Board members. “There are a lot of brilliant people in this League at all levels, and not using that brain trust is a crime,” she said. In looking at the strategic plan, which will soon be available on the League’s website, it is clear to see how input from the membership has formed the League’s strategic plan. One of the goals in the strategic plan focuses on membership: “The JLA will provide a meaningful membership experience throughout the 3 stages of membership and through each member’s individual life path.” Targets (more general goals) and tactics (specific ideas to achieve targets) have been discussed. Examples of these associated with the Membership Goal are: • Identify barriers to membership retention; • Review current meetings, placements and gatherings for training value; • Increase leadership training and development for mid-level leadership; • Create a development matrix to show what skills, training, or education is available through each activity; • Encourage job sharing where it makes sense; • Hold more small groups that allow for person-to-person member feedback; • Encourage members that are very active outside the league to hold leadership positions by • creating the necessary support network; and • Evaluate possible alternatives to large general meetings to create more time options for • members.
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Advancing the League through a New Strategic Plan (cont’d) Targets and tactics are designed to ensure that League training and development is on-mission, and provides the training and education that our League members can use to benefit the Austin community and their individual lives. The Strategic Planning Committee – made up of the President, President Elect, Treasurer, Treasurer Elect, Strategic Planning Chair, and Membership Vice President – began the development process by outlining the over-arching goals based on the JLA Mission. Camille, as Strategic Planning Chair, then attended countless committee meetings, council meetings, Sustainer gatherings, and small group meetings with the general membership to gain insight and brainstorm to uncover potential targets and tactics. The result of the many months (and years) of effort is a comprehensive document that delves into the JLA’s priorities and approach to overcome hurdles in accomplishing our mission. When asked what would make this year a success, Camille commented that “if the plan and the way of working with a strategic plan lives beyond this group and next year’s group,” it would be a success. The strategic plan provides short- and long-term goals and aspirations, but also provides some practical suggestions and routes to making those goals a reality. The nature of strategic plans combines elements of stability and fluidity. Camille really emphasized that this is a living document. While it attempts to capture the League’s direction, it also allows future years’ teams to make adjustments and implement different strategies to accomplish that direction. Melissa shared that creating an environment where “all members feel like they own the plan” is what she would call a success.” She said that building a foundation for successful implementation over the longer term, including implementing annual plans and meeting goals set for each League year, is the Strategic Planning Committee’s goal for the coming year.
Strategic Planning 101: What are Strategic Plans? By Frances Hansen
If you’ve attended a General Meeting, Provisional Meeting, or Committee Meeting recently, you’ve probably heard the term “Strategic Planning” – what does it mean? Strategic plans are used by many organizations to define priorities, strategy, and direction. The organization can then appropriately decide how to allocate resources and personnel in pursuit of specific goals within its industry. The objective of a strategic plan is to identify the ultimate goal, pinpoint potential hurdles, and formulate a strategy to overcome potential forces that could impede the organization’s success. Another way to look at a strategic plan is problem solving at the outset – recognizing the organization’s limitations and competitors strengthens its mission, priorities, and goals moving forward. Strategic plans are designed to help organizations like The Junior League of Austin move forward. Be sure to turn to page 10 to learn about the League’s strategic planning process!
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Strategic Planning in Your Personal Life By Frances Hansen
Although you’ve probably never considered your life planning process “formal” or “structured,” strategic plans can be very effective in your personal life to help you develop meaningful goals. When taking time to develop a strategy to achieve personal and professional goals, it can be helpful to keep focus and avoid letting day-to-day occurrences trump the big picture and ultimate goals. First, you will want to identify the goal you would like to accomplish and the intermediate steps that you can take to accomplish this goal. You will also want to identify the potential pitfalls, along with strategies to avoid these and “bargaining power” that you can use to reach your goal. Here are two examples to get the creative juices flowing: Strategic Goal: Promotion. Intermediate Steps: Herald your work accomplishments; talk to your boss about work goals. Potential Pitfalls: Competing co-workers; feeling stuck in current role; under-appreciation of your capabilities. Strategies to avoid pitfalls: Write down how your particular set of skills and experiences make you the best qualified candidate; develop list of projects you can do that alleviates burden from your boss; develop training plan for current duties. Bargaining Power: Your boss holds the power, so address your desire from their perspective-how can you help ensure there are no gaps in coverage for your current position? Why are you the best candidate that would take the least work to develop?
Strategic Goal: More time with kids. Intermediate Steps: Work from home one day per week; dedicate a half a weekend day to mommy-kiddo time. Pitfalls: Unexpected work crises; unplanned weekend commitments. Strategies: Have a “backup” to avoid compounding stress in a work emergency; new family rule – avoid planned commitments Sunday afternoons. Bargaining Power: Creating new expectations may seem an impossible feat, but keep in mind: happy employees are more efficient; propose a “pilot” where you work remotely every Monday for a month, and evaluate with your boss how available and productive you can be when you work remotely.
Now take a few moments to draft your own strategic plan! Strategic Goal: Intermediate Steps: Potential Pitfalls: Strategies to avoid pitfalls: Bargaining Power:
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JLA Budget Explained By Meagan Moll
Have you ever wondered how The Junior League of Austin manages the money we raise? League membership dues go directly to the League’s operating expenses, while we raise funds to support our community projects. While some funds are specifically raised for Coats for Kids or FIT, our biggest fundraiser is A Christmas Affair. The League also raises funds through individual and corporate gifts, grants, endowment donations and corporate matching funds. The Fund Development Council (FDC) oversees fundraising activities of the League (see page 17 to learn more about the FDC and how the League raises money). Laura Robinson, Fund Development VP, points out, “Most non-profits in town have paid staff to run their fundraising efforts. We are 100% volunteer driven and still rock it!” In fact, the Fund Development Council is looking at adding another major fundraiser next year. Budget oversight is handled by the League’s Board of Directors. The League’s budget is divided into several sections, including sections for each Council and larger committees like A Christmas Affair. Council and committee treasurers help manage the funds and report to the Treasurer, who sits on the League’s Board. The drafting of the League’s budget takes several months. The first week of February, after the slate of incoming leadership is announced, the Audit Committee gets to work. The Audit Committee consists of the President, the President Elect, the incoming President Elect, the Treasurer, the Treasurer Elect, and the incoming Treasurer Elect. They reach out to all of the current Vice Presidents and Chairs to review
their actual spending against their budget and coordinate with the incoming Vice Presidents and Chairs to create their proposed budget (the prior two years’ data is sent to the VPs and Chairs to help them construct their proposed budget). Once the separate proposed budgets are submitted, the Audit Committee then spends three full days reviewing the budget line item by line item. They ask the current Vice Presidents and Chairs, such as the A Christmas Affair Chair-Elect and the Coats for Kids Chair-Elect, to sit in on key sections to support their projections, and review any additions or subtractions. Then the Audit Committee discusses any changes to strategy for the entire League to account for the League’s changing needs. For example, as the League has grown, so have our General Meetings. As a result, the League is now adding a line item for hosting General Meetings outside of headquarters every month. In April, the Finance Committee finalizes a proposed budget that is then sent to the Board of Directors for approval at their April meeting. In May, the budget is presented to the membership at the General Meeting. The League has always stayed under budget and cuts costs when needed. Emergency funds are available if necessary, but the Treasurer’s goal is never to access them for our expenses. Renee Harvey, JLA Treasurer, was very proud of the fact that we operate so efficiently. She attributed that to how careful our leaders are in their spending and the focus on our mission to help others. She put it so simply, “Everyone involved knows, it’s all about how much money we can put forward to help our community and keep the League moving forward.”
The 2015-2016 League budget was approved by membership at the May General Meeting Thank you to everyone who assisted with the drafting of the budget! www.jlaustin.org | 13
Placements in the Community: A Day in the Life of an Arc of the Capital Area Volunteer By Darby Berra
The Arc of the Capital Area has been enriching the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for decades. The Arc provides many different programs and opportunities for people and their families to participate in. Two League members placed at The Arc shared their experiences in this placement. Kelly Aimone volunteers in the art classroom at The Arc of the Capital Area on Thursday afternoons. “It has been a complete joy,” Kelly shared. “Volunteering at The Arc of the Capital Area has truly been the highlight of my JLA volunteering experiences!” Kelly loves the artists and always looks forward to catching up with them. “The creativity that flows through the art studio is inspiring and fun to see. The artists have wonderfully varied talents from jewelry making to painting to bedazzling figurines to making stained glass windows (and more)!” Some of the League volunteer roles are to support the artists through encouragement, retrieving supplies, and helping organize the classroom. “In actuality, the volunteers have the privilege of getting to know the talented artists at The Arc and forming special friendships while helping foster artistic expression,“ Kelly said. Kelly also works some alternate days on Tuesday afternoons helping with music. “We sing while a leader plays the guitar, play games (such as 20 Questions) and create theatrical performances. There are always a lot of laughs on Tuesdays!” Kelly said her placement has been incredibly enriching, but also very flexible, which is crucial to her busy schedule. “To me, this placement is unique because it is incredibly empowering, meaningful, and uplifting to everyone involved,” Kelly said. “The volunteers assist the artists in their creations. Then, the artists are able to display and sell their works to members of the public. The artists are able to keep a part of the proceeds and the remaining proceeds go to The Arc of the Capital Area. Some of the artists have become so popular that they do commissioned work and sell prints of their most popular paintings. The atmosphere is one that supports each person’s differences and talents. I always feel much happier after I have been to The Arc than before I have volunteered. I would recommend this placement to any peopleperson with a creative spirit!” League member and Arc project chair Sarah Berry also shared her typical day as a volunteer at The Arc. For Sarah, a day at The Arc begins with a little social time - just saying hi, seeing what the clients are up to, and talking about life. Once a majority of the artists arrive Sarah begins check-in. 14 | LeagueLines
Placements in the Community (cont’d) “Check-in is a time to talk about your day or what you will be over the weekend or in the future. The clients often have great stories about bowling or something yummy they ate the night before or a movie or TV show they watched. This part of the day is never the same, but you always know you’re going to smile, maybe laugh, and definitely admire how The Arc clients live their lives,” she shared. Once everyone has checked in the instructors do a short lesson. They have done lessons on lotteria cards from Mexico in preparation for an art show, a session on the artist Kandinsky where they drew their feelings based on the music, and one on claymation for a video the artist were making for The Arc’s Building Bridges event. “If they have a lesson then the artists usually have an opportunity to do an activity that relates to the lesson,” Sarah said. “If there’s no lesson then everyone gets to work. All the work is self-directed and many of the artists have their own style and create signature piece of art that you know was created by that specific artist.” “It’s so cool! After a morning of work they take a 30-minute lunch break where we sit around and talk. It’s a wonderful time because you really get to know many of the artists on a more personal level. The afternoon is spent workingsometimes the artists collaborate on a piece or make jewelry. The last 30 minutes are spent cleaning up and checking out. Checkout is a time for the artists to show their work for the day and get feedback. The whole day is like being in an art studio where everyone encourages each other to do their best that day. It’s super inspiring. I leave there feeling so full of life and happiness. That’s the only way to describe the emotions that The Arc brings out in me,” she shared. Sarah has had many memorable days at The Arc, but said by far the most memorable day was her very fist day of volunteering in the studio. “I can’t deny coming into this placement with some preconceived thoughts about people with developmental disabilities,” Sarah said honestly. “They came from a lack of knowledge due to a lack of exposure to people with intellectual and developmental challenges. I left the studio that day with a smile and a sense of awe of what people who most of society tend to just walk by and not acknowledge can do. Those people are truly missing out on what these beautifully minded individuals have to offer our world.” www.jlaustin.org | 15
Name That Council–Community Council By McKensie DeRocher
The Community Council is responsible for the coordination and management of all League community programs and educating membership about League activities within the community. “The Community Council is the heart of the League. Our work with the community supports every piece of our mission: developing the potential of women done through our partnerships with community non-profits; promoting volunteerism; and improving our community through effective action. Without our work in the community, we cannot fulfill the mission of the League,” says Becky Johnson, Community Council Vice President. The Community Council, through the Researchers Committee, is also responsible for community and League-generated project evaluation and the research and development of community projects. The Researchers Committee is a key component of the Community Council as they spearhead the process to determine which community non-profits will be supported by the League. Given that The Junior League of Austin has supported the central Texas community for over eighty years, the Community Council has been an instrumental and vital group of volunteers that spend countless hours carefully considering each applicant including extensive profiling initiatives to ensure a comprehensive and fair consideration is provided for each agency applicant. Per the General League Policies and Procedures, the Community Council “has the authority to develop policies regarding the community project research and development process of the League, the League generated project research and development process and the process for using League funds for the benefit of the community outside of the scope of the community and League generated project processes.” Additionally, the Community Council recommends to the Membership Development Council which community events may constitute a general meeting credit for League members. The following positions sit on the Community Council: Community Vice President, Council Assistant, Community Treasurer, ABC Grants Chair, Community Funds Chair, Coats for Kids Chair, a designated FIT Committee representative, Grants Chair-Elect, Placement Chair, Researchers Chair, Done-ina-Day Chair, Spanish Immersion Chair, PR Committee Representative, Technology Liaison, Provisional Projects Chair, a Sustaining Advisor (non-voting), four Focus Area Chairs (non-voting), and Membersat-Large as needed to carry out the functions of the Council. ABC Grants, Coats For Kids, Done-in-a-Day, Grants, Issue Based Community Impact, Community Provisional Project, Placement, Food In Tummies, Researchers, Spanish Immersion, PR, Finance and Technology represent the Committees that participate in the Community Council.
The people working at the Community Council table are helping to make decisions that affect how we employ our 2,660 members to make the difference that our community needs. -Becky Johnson, Community Council Vice President 16 | LeagueLines
Name That Council–Fund Development Council By McKensie DeRocher
The Fund Development Council’s (FDC) primary purpose is to ensure that there is judicious oversight and communications relative to incoming and outgoing funds and services, including donations. This is accomplished through the rigorous coordination and solicitation of funds and services, database entry, receipting and thanking of all donations received, reporting of donor activity, maintenance of the League’s institutional memory of its annual and cumulative donors, stewardship activities and the consistency of all donor benefits and recognition. “I think the main thing that we are currently trying to educate membership about is that our dues don’t go directly to our programs (FIT, Coats For Kids, community projects). Our council and the FDC branch is tasked with raising funds to support these programs through member donations, community and corporate donations, grants, endowments, and even through the money raised by A Christmas Affair,” says Laura Robinson, Fund Development Council Vice President. Per the General League Policies and Procedures posted, the FDC “shall oversee the fundraising activities of the League. Focus will be two-fold: oversight of League fundraising events and campaigns and coordination of donor solicitation and stewardship.”
Like other non-profits, we are trying to raise funds to make sure that we can continue to help the Central Texas community by supplying backpacks full of food, warm winter coats, and support the non-profit organizations where our members volunteer. Laura Robinson, FDC VP The FDC has the authority to develop policies regarding the solicitation of funds and services and development of fundraising and donor stewardship activities by and for the benefit of the League and its programs. All funds solicited by The Junior League of Austin and all donations requested require approval by the Fund Development Council. Laura explains the structure of the League’s FDC umbrella as three core parts: prospecting, fund raising and support team. “In prospecting, we brainstorm and vet potential donors for each program. There is a strategy session once a month to see what direction we should go and who we should be approaching to make sure that we can continue to give back to our community. The second part is our FDC Council that deals directly in the policy making of JLA fund raising. We see questions in here like should we partner with a corporate sponsor for an event? Should we have a general meeting sponsor? We also discuss the successes and tweaks we can make for each members’ committee. The final part to FDC is the FDC Support Team. This group helps to implement all actions discussed at Prospecting and FDC Council. They are the boots on the ground and this year spent time contacting donors, putting together the A Christmas Affair gift baskets, and making sure our donors felt appreciated through handwritten thank you notes. They also work behind the scenes on overseeing all in-kind donations, matching gifts, and donor tickets/appreciation at A Christmas Affair.” The following positions sit on the FDC: Fund Development Vice President, Council Assistant, A Christmas Affair Chair, A Christmas Affair Chair-Elect, Coats for Kids Chair Elect, FDC Support Team Chair, Fund Development Treasurer, Food In Tummies Chair-Elect, Grants Chair, Public Relations Chair-Elect, Sustaining Advisors (non-voting), and Members-at-Large as needed to carry out the functions of the Council.
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Tips for Transitioning to a Different Membership Type By McKensie DeRocher
Many League members will be transitioning to a different membership type when the new League year starts on June 1. Provisionals and Transfers will transfer to Actives, and Actives may transfer to Sustainers. Here are some tips to prepare you for the change in membership type. • • • • •
Tips for All Members Changing Membership Types Be active within the League. Attend as many events and meetings as possible. The League is a training organization and you can pick up many tips or new skills along the way! Meet as many members as you can. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Invite members you meet at meetings or in your placement outfor coffee or a meal. Read JLA News emails, LeagueLines and Capitalines to learn about what is occurring within the League. These communications are designed to keep members informed about the latest activities and how to make the most of your League experience. Explore the members-only section of the League’s website. The League calendar, announcements and directory are invaluable – the directory can be searched by ZIP code, so you can learn who lives in your area! Focus on our mission. We are working to make Austin a better place. Terri Broussard Williams, the Membership Vice President, said it well, “While many of us join for the networking opportunities, inevitably the things that make you proud to be in the League are tied to our mission.”
Tips for Provisionals Transitioning to Active Status Courtney Dickey, the Provisional Chair, shared the following recommendations: • Since there are no Provisional teams after your first year, be sure to spend time creating relationships now that you can build on in future years. • When you have a Community Placement, you can feel separated from your League “home.” To keep the connection with the organization, attend General Meetings, attend Gathering Groups, volunteer at Coats for Kids, and go to the A Christmas Affair parties! • Seek out Sustainers and ask them questions! They are the most knowledgeable members and they can share their paths in the League and where it took them after their active years. • Find a League mentor. This doesn’t have to be a formal process. Find a woman that you look up to and want to learn from and ask to be her friend!
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Tips for Transfers Transitioning to Active Status If you participated in the Transfer group, keep in touch with the relationships you have established in the next year. Coordinate your A Christmas Affair or Coats For Kids shift with your transfer mates. Watch the JLA calendar. Many leagues have different schedules, so watch for deadlines. Make new friends. Austin is notoriously friendly and our League is no exception. Make sure to attend the small gathering groups in your area. You can meet new people who generally live or work in the neighborhood. When available, consider an In-League Placement for your first year, especially ones where you can learn about the different aspects of how The Junior League of Austin operates. Make sure to attend the Community Fair if you are interested in serving in the community.
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Tips for Actives Transitioning to Sustainer Status • Don’t be a stranger! Sustainers make up half of our League - we need you! • Keep watch on the e-blast for Sustainer activities. • Sponsor a member, then mentor that member. With ever expanding Provisional classes, mentorship is an increasingly beneficial for our members to make the most of their experience. • Consider serving as a Sustaining Advisor for one of the League’s Councils or committees. This is a great way to be involved in areas that you may not have served in during your Active years. • Remain engaged in the League’s projects by volunteering for shifts at Done in a Day, Coats for Kids, or A Christmas Affair. • Talk about the League. Your skills and experience make you the perfect community ambassador. • Find your passion and use the training received in the League to make our community better!
Looking Back at the Transfer Experience By Meagan Moll
The transfers had a great year. The goal of the Transfer Committee is to introduce The Junior League of Austin to the Transfer group, so they can understand the projects and opportunities it has to offer. A big part of the Transfer group’s mission is the social component. Since the members went through their Provisional year in another city, the Transfer group offers an opportunity to have a group bonding experience so that when they walk into our General Meetings and other programs, they feel connected and engaged. The Transfer year started with an orientation, which included presentations by Coats For Kids and A Christmas Affair committee members. The Transfer group had a wine and cheese meet & greet with the JLA President and President Elect so they could hear from our leadership. Keri Moss, the Transfer Assistant, scheduled a concert at Stubb’s and a roller derby visit, in addition to several happy hours. The Transfer Chair, Melissa Maeker, encouraged everyone to do a training and education class and share their experiences on the group Facebook page. They had a great year overall and look forward to their first Active year in the League!
Congratulations to the JLA members who have completed their Transfer year in Austin!
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Looking Back at the Provisional Year By Meagan Moll
The 2014-2015 Provisional class went through JLA 101 - a curriculum that prepared The Junior League of Austin’s newest members for active membership and volunteerism in our community. JLA 101 started by inviting League members to present on topics such as the nominating process and the Capital Campaign. Provisional meetings were held at JLA community project locations across town, including the Thinkery, School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Center for Child Protection. Provisionals were also encouraged to build relationships with their Provisional teams with monthly socials and team competitions - all to win the Provisional Cup! This year’s Provisional class accomplished a great deal during their first year in our League. When they were asked to collect books for Bookspring to distribute at the Coats for Kids Community Fair, they responded with over 10,000 books, a record for both the fair and for Bookspring. When they were challenged to promote FIT through the Amplify Austin campaign, the Provisional members created Provisional team pages and collected over $8,000 for the program. They also had fun at the Keep Austin Weird Fest and the Pitch Perfect viewing at the Alamo Drafthouse. They held their “graduation” at Abel’s on May 19th. Aloha Provisionals! Aloha Actives! Courtney Dickey, the Provisional Chair, summed it up perfectly, “The Provisional year can be demanding and overwhelming for new members. These women tackled the program requirements with grace and excitement and I could not be prouder of this class and the Provisional Committee members who guided them through the process.”
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Looking Back at our Provisional’s Community Impact By Meagan Moll
The community team accomplished so much this year. One of their newest initiatives started with the Provisional Committee to give the Provisional members a taste of the community projects: the programs that are most important to our League’s mission. As part of their requirements, they had to work three 2 hour shifts for the Community Provisional Project. They partnered with six community non-profits to provide the Provisionals with a meaningful community experience while giving invaluable help to the non-profits. Here is what one of the non-profits had to say:
“The JLA Community Provisional Project (CPP) program has been a critical piece of the success in this year’s Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis, and to our growing impact in the Austin community. With a very small but passionate volunteer force, the Foundation has been limited in outreach and programming by limited capacity to execute ideas for growing programs and outreach. With the CPP support we were able to expand our Leadership Breakfast to raise awareness of the impact of arthritis and implemented a Juvenile Arthritis Family Day at the Thinkery to connect Central Texas families of children living with arthritis. In addition, JLA volunteers distributed materials throughout the Central Texas community to promote our Walk, and finally JLA volunteers served in all areas of Walk day events to ensure our growing number of participants had a great experience.” -Cathy McHorse, 2015 Austin Walk to Cure Arthritis Event Chair & JLA Past President
Congratulations to the Provisional members transitioning to Active status in 2015-16! Thank you for your dedication to making an impact in the community!
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What’s Your New (League) Year Resolution? By Stacey Mather
The 2015-2016 League year starts June 1, and members are already preparing for their next placement. We asked members at the March General Meeting to share their goals for the next League year. “My goal for next year is for more kids to eat healthy, do well in school and be successful in their education.”
Carrie Leising, 2015-16 FIT Pantry Co-Chair “Get to know my new city, take ownership of my community, and to also have some fun!”
Ashley Weisz, 2015-16 The Thinkery Community Guide Volunteer “Keep in contact with the great Provisionals I’ve met and make a difference in my community placement.”
Emily Holmquist, 2015-2016 Friends of the Austin State Supported Living Center Home Buddy “Learn from each and every person I meet in JLA. Each member brings different and interesting experiences and insight to the league.”
Poppy Poth, 2015-2016 LeagueLines Copy Editor “Get outside my comfort zone in a way that positively impacts the community.”
“Stay organized in order to complete my league tasks ahead of schedule!”
Jennifer Rieck, 2015-2016 LeagueLines Literary Assignments Editor “Make a positive impact in the Austin community and spread the name of the JLA!”
Julie Frey, 2015-2016 ZACH Theatre Usher “Get back involved with an organization near and dear to my heart while helping animals and the community.”
Darby Berra, 2015-2016 Animal Trustees of Austin Surgical Clinic Support Team “Continue learning more about the impact the League is having on its members and the community.”
McKensie DeRocher, 2015-2016 Capitalines Writer “Make ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Texas, Y’all!’ a fun, welcoming and festive experience for everyone (and to resell all of our decorations really quickly)!”
Molly Nackerman, 2015-2016 Mobile Loaves & Fishers Truck Run Volunteer
Leslie Gandy, 2015-2016 A Christmas Affair Decorations Assistant
“Spread Christmas cheer and the JLA’s mission and message!”
“Engage our amazing Sustainers!”
Katie Turner, 2015-2016 A Christmas Affair Decorations Assistant “Recruit new friends to the League!”
Melinda Boe, 2015-2016 Coats for Kids Volunteer Coordinator
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Araminta Sellers, 2015-2016 Sustainer Engagment Chair “Ensure that the Provisionals have an understanding of what the League is and all of the different aspects. Also, to help them have a great experience and build new friendships.”
Meredith Sturgeon, 2015-2016 Provisional Committee Team Lead
Member Spotlights Suzanne Mackowiak Active
Current Placement: Project Chair, Animal Trustees of Austin Spay/Neuter Clinic Education/Occupation: B.A. Government from UT Austin / Policy Advisor for Lt. Gov. Patrick Family: Husband, Matt Pets: Ginny and Jasmine Community Activities: Member of Ballet Austin Guild (New Member of the Year 2013-2014) What possession are you attached to? My KitchenAid stand mixer. My favorite quote is: “Life isn’t always what one likes.” ~Dalton Trumbo My advice to the provisional class would be: Make friends with the girl who takes the best notes!
Alisa Cohen Victoria Active
Current Placement: Done-in-a-Day Education/occupation: Development Communications for The University of Texas at Austin Family: Alex Victoria (husband) and two crazy boys Max (5) and Asa (3) Community Activities: The League and volunteering at my children’s school. I wish I knew how to: Rock a fiddle. It looks like so much fun. My favorite quote is: “Everybody’s gotta do their thing.” This is a quote passed down from my Aunt Linda and from her Aunt Rozie. It’s a good reminder when you feel that ugly urge to judge. My advice to the provisional class would be: You have made a commitment to be a part of the League. This is not a life requirement. This is a choice you are actively making. Always remember why you made this decision, make the most out of it, and enjoy the opportunities ahead of you. www.jlaustin.org | 23
Member Spotlights Danielle Faulkner Provisional
Education/occupation: B.A. from University of Texas at Austin; Site Director for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area Family: 2 brothers and parents reside in El Paso, Texas I regret: Not studying abroad/travelling in college. Favorite thing about Austin: My favorite thing about living in Austin is being outdoors! Jogging at the lake, hiking the greenbelt or swimming at Barton Springs - there is always somewhere to go or something to do. The best lesson I’ve learned from my JLA experiences is: To not believe the stigma that the League has had. Many of the women I have had the privilege to meet are smart, driven and devoted to the mission of The Junior League of Austin. I love knowing that through the League I have the ability to have a greater impact in Austin. I look forward to receiving my placement and knowing I will be able to develop new skills and improve the community through voluntarism.
Arden Wimberly Transfer
Current Placement: A Christmas Affair Traffic Occupation: Stay-at-home-mom and Consultant with Rodan + Fields Dermatologists Family: Amazing husband David, son Preston (5), daughter Elyse (3.5) and Colette (3 months) Pets: Our first baby Murphy (Havanese dog) If transfer, transferring from: We moved here last February from Gainesville, Florida. I wish I knew how to: Sing. I love music and unfortunately sound awful singing along. If I could, I would: Travel the world with my family. Hopeful we will be able to do as they get older. Three accomplishments you are proud of: My marriage, my children and my business.
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Member Spotlights Amber Duke Provisional
Education/Occupation: MFA Dance and MA Secondary Education; Apple, Inc - Corporate Trainer Family: Husband - William Hawke; Daughter - Marlowe Hawke, born February 1, 2015 Pets: Cooper and Mars Community Activities: Equality Illinois, Dance for Life, Fury Dance Workshop My favorite book is: Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris If I could I would: Live in Shanghai for a few years. You wish someone had told you earlier: The good people don’t care where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished. The good ones are inspired by your vision for tomorrow. My favorite junk food is: Brownies, but only the gooey center pieces!
Beth Lovaas Sustainer
Education/occupation: Southwestern University, B.A. and St. Edward’s University, M.B.A. Regulatory Advisor at Texas Department of Insurance. Family: Spouse Tim, Audrey (8), and Erik (6) Community Activities: First United Methodist Church of Round Rock, Zeta Tau Alpha of Williamson County Alumnae Group Treasurer I wish I knew how to: Sew. If I could, I would: Travel all over the world. Favorite JLA memory or experience: The Children’s Diabetes Camp of Central Texas is a wonderful program and brings great joy to the children it serves. It is remarkable the amount of planning and dedication that goes into one week.
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JLA Babies
Eve Clare Turnipseed born February 18, 2015 to Brent and AndreaTurnipseed
Anjali Leta Oberbeck born June 23, 2014 to Tulsi and Jesse Oberbeck
Sawyer David Russell born December 3, 2014 to Michelle and Charlie Russell
Ruby Mae Payne born June 11, 2014 to Taylor and Cory Payne 26 | LeagueLines
Milana Rose Nigrini born February 24, 2015 to Cullen, Sarah and big brothers Vincent and George Nigrini
Connolly Thomas & Witten Robert Stathos born November 11, 2014 to Jessica and Ryan Stathos
Dorothy “Dori” Meadow Nicolas born November 3rd, 2014 to Emilio, Nancy and big brother Liam Nicolas
JLA Weddings
Brittany Byrd married Britton Morrison on January 31, 2015 in Austin, TX.
Sara Willis married Don Hogan on August 23, 2014 in Austin, TX.
Please share the following announcements that are taking place in your life with the JLA: births, engagements, weddings, condolences, notices of an illness of a League Member or their immediate family, community and business recognitions, new jobs, and/or job promotions. Send all details (including photos for births, engagements, and weddings) to Doris Nanez, Office Administrative Manager, dnanez@jlaustin.org.
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JLA UPDATES WELCOME TRANSFERS
(AS OF 4/30/15)
Natalie Brown (A) - Denver, Colorado Deanna Gonzales (A) - San Diego, California Alice Billingsley (A) - Houston, Texas Katie Valle (A) - Dallas, Texas Diana Motl (S) - The Woodlands, Texas Ann Clary Old (S) - Beaumont, Texas
REINSTATEMENTS Laura Mauro (S)
TRANSFER OUT Lauren Crawford (A) - Bryan-College Station, Texas Stephanie Hansen (A) - Houston, Texas Jessica Fendley (A) - Charleston, South Carolina Heather King (A) - St. Joseph, Missouri Shannon Kingman (A) - San Antonio, Texas Ashley-Yvonne Leech (A) - Dallas, Texas Meredith Michelson (A) - San Antonio, Texas Jamie Van Eyck (A) - Waco, Texas Tricia Dodds (S) - Houston, Texas Mary Lou Heath (S) - South Bend, Indiana Barbara Hvasta (S) - Orange County, California
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS The 2015-16 League year begins on June 1st. Have a great summer!
Save the Date: September 8, 2015 September General Meeting at 7:00 p.m. – Dell Jewish Community Center
JLA Mission
The Junior League of Austin is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
JLA Vision
The Junior League of Austin will strengthen our community through creative solutions to current and future challenges.
Join the conversation! Facebook facebook.com/JLAustin.org Twitter twitter.com/jlaustinorg Instagram instagram.com/thejuniorleagueofaustin
Email prchair@jlaustin.org if you want to share something!
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