JLM’s Top Accomplishments of 2017-18 By Rena Philips

With the theme “Power of One,” Junior League of Mobile (JLM) had a successful 2017-18 year. An emphasis was placed on how as one, JLM truly is making a difference in Mobile and Baldwin counties: one member, one placement, one team, one mission and one community. “For 87 years, JLM members have volunteered their time and talents to make our community a better place,” said Amy Carpenter, who was the president of JLM for 2017-18.

“When the membership comes together, we exhibit what one organization can do, and it is powerful.”

Among the most public accomplishments is that JLM hosted three successful fundraisers led by three amazing chairs: Christmas Jubilee (Stacy Wellborn), Jubilee Bargains (Johanna Thompson) and BluePass (Jessica James). JLM volunteers made a huge impact in placements with community agencies including: Dumas Wesley’s after-school program, The Joseph Project, Family Promise, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Leadership Mobile, Youth Leadership Mobile, Prodisee Pantry, United Cerebral Palsy, St. Mary’s Home, Girl Scouts and more. In one of the more popular placements, JLM members packed more than 150 backpacks weekly for children who otherwise might not have much to eat over the weekends in Mobile and Baldwin counties through a partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast. On a more behind-the-scenes level, JLM operated under its second year of a split leadership team structure that includes a Board of Directors and a Management Team, rewriting and updating policies, bylaws and procedures as needed to reflect that new structure. And it updated JLM’s Strategic Plan for the first time since 2014. “Our members are busier than ever before and JLM must evolve with our membership,” Carpenter said. “Our Strategic Plan now reflects our top priorities while focusing on our mission.” Carpenter worked with Folio to come up with a list of JLM’s accomplishments last year. The list of accomplishments, in no particular order, are: 

FOCUS What better way to focus on the difference women are making in the community than to host a conference so aptly called the FOCUS Women’s Conference? JLM partnered with FOCUS organizers to provide best-selling author Rachel Stafford as the keynote speaker. The conference was held at the Mobile Convention Center on Sept. 22. Ready Hands Recognizing that today’s members have hectic schedules, JLM researched and implemented a new placement model called Ready Hands. Members assigned to this placement can pick and choose volunteer activities in a more flexible manner, based on their interests, time available and urgent needs in the community. Member Events JLM planned several fun events to allow members to get to know each other. That included the first-ever Shoppes at Bel Air meeting/social, a membership appreciation event at FIVE, a Gulf Coast Ducks tour, a decorating lesson at LUSH, and post-General Membership Meeting socials at local restaurants. Hurricane Relief After Category 4 Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas, members of JLM sprung into action. Focusing on diapers, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, new undergarments and socks, JLM filled an entire 18-wheeler from top to bottom with donations and delivered them. Provisional Projects Ladies in the Provisional Class were so motivated that they completed not one but two Provisional Projects. They made over a girls’ common room at St. Mary’s Home. And they upgraded the United Cerebral Palsy Preschool’s sensory room that JLM had donated 10 years ago. More than 100 women strong, the Provisional Class was led by members Talma Carstarphen and Jennifer Green.

50 JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MOBILE FOLIO MAGAZINE - SPRING 2019

NAPPIE Christmas Jubilee won the Nappie Award for being the best local fundraiser. The Nappies are presented by Lagniappe each year. Speaking of Christmas Jubilee, JLM worked with the city to negotiate a three-year contract to keep the holiday fundraiser at the Mobile Convention Center. And speaking of fundraisers, the 2017-18 team negotiated a deal with Planet Fundraiser for BluePass to go digitial, which it did this past fall.

Leadership With a mission of developing the potential of women, JLM is known for offering high-quality leadership training programs. That reputation was well matched as JLM provided eight different Leadership Academy events that were organized and chaired by Ashley McKeithan. JLM also provided training to community partners via Community Collaboration events with speakers Mimi Hull and Vicki Clark thanks to Community Collaborations chair Amanda Gonzalez. Diaper Bank Always evolving and coming up with new ideas to help the community, JLM in 2017-18 researched and created a roadmap for a new project that is sure to make a difference: a diaper bank. Stay tuned for information on how members can help new moms get the diapers and supplies they need to keep their babies dry and happy. Celebrations It would not be Junior League of Mobile, or Mobile without some great celebrations. During 2017-18, JLM hosted several, including a spectacular Sustainer cocktail party at the home of Julie Flotte in March. And JLM celebrated along with Mobile Infirmary, which received the JLM Chamber Award for Community Service.