Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach

Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. | www.JLNVB.org

Annual Report for 2011-2012

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

About JLNVB Founded in 1925, the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. (JLNVB) is a charitable nonprofit organization of women civic leaders positively impacting South Hampton Roads. We are part of The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), which is made up of 292 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the UK, and the USA. Together, we constitute one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world.

JLNVB Mission The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. is an organization of women, committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

JLNVB Vision We are an organization of diverse women creating positive change in the lives of women and children in South Hampton Roads.

What We Do • Volunteer services, administer guidance, and supply financial support for our projects.

• Educate and train members through volunteer work for responsible community leadership.

• Participate in community programs through volunteer assistance and board representation.

JLNVB members volunteer over 60,000 hours of their time annually.

• Reach out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

• Research changing community needs and expand services through projects to meet those needs.

• Create positive change in the lives of children in South Hampton Roads.

www.JLNVB.org

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President’s Message The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) has embarked on a major strategic planning initiative and their goal is nothing short of transforming the Junior League to thrive for decades to come. At a time when many organizations are retrenching, AJLI leaders are taking bold steps to ensure the future of an organization that has contributed to the development of women as civic leaders and to meaningful community improvement since the first Junior League was founded in 1901.

The road to transformation actually began several years ago with an internal analysis of membership data and quantitative research among current, resigned and prospective members.

The information told a story of a slow decline in membership in many of the 293 Junior Leagues and growing issues among members about the quality of the membership experience. There was a need to act boldly to ensure that an organization that has contributed so much for over 100 years was prepared to contribute in a radically different world for another 100 years. The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. embraced the need for change and took bold steps locally. I am pleased to share with you the results of the work that began this year.

At a retreat more than 15 months ago, the members of the Board determined that the vision for the year was to have engaged and passionate members making a meaningful impact in their community and involved with a financially sustainable League.

The vision paved the road to the 2012 -2013 guiding goals for planning: • Successful Fund Development Activities • Increased Member Engagement • Better Branding of JLNVB in the Community

Development Activities The Fundraising Council explored ideas for new ways to raise funds that increased income, decreased expenses, and branded the League positively. There were annual fund solicitation letters mailed, phone-a-thons held and outreach to obtain donations to fund the League’s mission. Laurie Harrison, Sustaining member, Ginger Van de Water and I organized a cocktail party at Ginger’s home to invite lapsed Sustaining members to return to the League as well as ask them to make a donation to the annual fund. Expenses were significantly reduced by taking this approach and the net income exceeded $25,000.

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

Increased Membership Engagement Training was offered during and after General Membership Meetings as feedback was given that this would be more effective for members. Trainings included: time management, appropriate committee management, communication tools as well as a tribute to Sustainers that allowed Active members to learn from those that came before them.

The League sought opportunities to offer increased social time so as to have a variety of additional opportunities to get to know other members. Lunches and outings became par for the course, along with Halloween fun and the ODU tailgate parties and Bunco nights. More clubs and connection to each other around specific areas of interest increased connections among the women of the League.

Better Branding of JLNVB in the Community Branding efforts included everything from revamping the website, partnering with Jim White Fitness, Pembroke Mall and others around events such as Kids in the Kitchen, to seeking opportunities to promote our cookbooks on television. We continue to strive to ensure that when the topic of improving the lives of women and children in our community is being discussed, that the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. is considered vital to the discussion.

In sum, the year was one of change. One of the greatest challenges was learning to adapt to unexpected change upon notification that the Taylor-Whittle House was structurally unsound. Our members, per usual, rose to the challenge and partnered with the City of Norfolk to determine an exit strategy until the renovations can be completed. Our hope is to be able to return to the house at some point; however, in the meantime, we have learned to adapt to managing the JLNVB out of homes and offices. It almost feels as if we have returned to our roots in some regard.

As always, I am impressed by the community-focused, passionate women I find myself fortunate to be affiliated with in the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc., and I look forward to the upcoming year as what began last year is taken to the next level.

Best,

Connie McKenzie 2011-2012 President Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

www.JLNVB.org

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2011-2012 JLNVB Board of Directors

Connie McKenzie Melissa Steadman Maryann McChesney-Shaw Julie Stroh Ashley Gentry Laura Bangor Nancy Wilkinson Ellie Thurston Stacy Long Angela Jones Brooks Lively Courtney Davio Carin Schneller-Carr Jessica Decker Ruth Elkins

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President President-Elect Treasurer Treasurer-Elect Administrative Vice President Community Vice President Communications Vice President Fund Development Vice President Membership Vice President At-Large Director Leadership Initiatives Director Membership Initiatives Director Fundraiser Research and Development Director Nominating Chair Parliamentarian

Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

2012-2013 JLNVB Board of Directors

Melissa Steadman Laura Bangor Julie Stroh Nicole Parnell Maura Boswell Aisha Evans Katie Cullipher Shannon Wright Jessica Martyn Ruth Elkins Brooks Lively Jennifer Swets Najwa Knox Jamie Stump Kristen O’Connor

President President-Elect Treasurer Treasurer-Elect Administrative Vice President Community Vice President Communications Vice President Fund Development Vice President Membership Vice President At-Large Director Leadership Initiatives Director Membership Initiatives Director Nominating Chair Parliamentarian Ways and Means Director

www.JLNVB.org

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2011-2012 JLNVB Sponsors

97.3 The Eagle

Jason Bowman

American Diabetes Association

Jason’s Deli

American Red Cross

Jim O’Neil

April Sethmann

Jim White Fitness

Arlene & Shannon Wright

Kimberly & Ross Thompson

Ashburn Specialty Foods

Kool Smiles

Battlefield Golf Course

Mad Science

Beach Kids Pediatrics

Move With Me Action Adventures

Boy Scouts of America

Oberweis Dairy

Burtons Grill

Pembroke Mall

Cabot

Potts ‘N Paints

Chick-fil-A

Precision Spinal Care

CHIP

Proadjuster Chiropractic

CHKD Healthy You for Life

PROforma/Angelini & Associates

Chris HennikerCINCH

Randy Wright Printing

Color Me Mine

Richard Harris

Conte’s Bicycle and Fitness

Stroller Striders

Cox Communications

Tae Kwon Do Champions

Crystal Cardenas ZumbAtomic

Thalia Lions Club

Dr. Lucy’s

The Bounce House

Edible Arrangements

The Felted Pear

Eye Care Optometry

The Little Gym

Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast

Theater for Kids & Teens

Girls on the Run

Virginia Beach Fire & Safety

Golf Galaxy

Virginia Beach Police

Gymboree

Virginia State Police

Hot House Yoga

Virginia Troopers Alliance

Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Norfolk Chapter

YMCA

JASE Group

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

“87 Years and Counting” is an Annul Fund campaign and tribute to the 87th anniversary of The Junior League of NorfolkVirginia Beach Inc. These financial gifts are an investment in our community and allow the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach to continue to train new members and create projects that meet the needs of our community.

Thank You

CLUB 87

TO OUR CURRENT A ND UNITED WAY CONTRIBUTORS: 1925 SOCIETY (LEVEL III) $500 AND ABOVE

CAROLYN FRUCI, BARBARA A. SUTELAN CONNIE MCKENZIE, ELSBETH THURSTON STRING OF PEARLS (LEVEL II) $250 AND ABOVE

Jessica Antel, Maura Boswell, Jessica Decker, Ruth Elkins, AshleyGentry, OrianaMckinnon,OceanPalm,DebbieRussell, Jane Short, Betty Vansant, Tamara Vugrin, Eleanor Wheeler WHITE GLOVES (LEVEL I) $100 AND ABOVE Laura Bangor, Beverly Baxtor, Kimberly Ballance, Margaret Beale, Edwina Bell, Marian Breeden, Marion Burt, Mary Louis Campbell Lehew, Merilee Crocker, Tara Corrigall, Courtney Davio, Gayle Deal, Stephanie Dickens, Francine Deir, Victoria Dietz, Blair Ege, Brenda Exum, Rachael Feigenbaum, Emily Filer, Suzanne Franklin, Katherine Gadams, Sherry Gardner, Susan Goode, Beverly Graeber, Bobbie Gribble, Debra Griggs, Kimberly Haden, Amy Harman, Drs. Hamlin & Morgan, Rachel Jiral, Angela Jones-Hudgins, Kirkland Kelley, Andrea Kennedy,Najwa Knox, Erin Leary, Lois Liles, Dena Liston, Stacy Long, Susan Mayo, Jamie McFadden, Ingrid McGowan, Gwendolyn Meredith, Rexanne Metzger, Emily Mills, Betty Mooz, Kathleen Newman, Kristen O’ Connor, Sophia Parente, Stephanie Peeples, Jacqueline Peters, Dawn Peters, Betsy Phillips, Charlotte Phillips, Allison Rachels, Margaret Ray, Katie Cullipher, Adrianna Rivera, Doris Salem, Carin Schneller-Carr, Lyn Simmons Jones, Melissa Steadman, Kaye Stine, Lois Strode, Julie Stroh, Priscilla Trinder, Mary Turbeville, Hampton University, Virginia Van De Water, Betty Wade Coyle, Gay Ware, Jane Webster, Kelly Willette, Blair Willis, Helen Withers, Lauren Wolcott, Dixie Wolf, Hallie Wyrick, and Alexandra Yates

Administrative Council The General Membership Meeting (GMM) format was transformed this year to incorporate comments from the membership that included varying the locations of meetings around the area, incorporating more social activities and stacking meetings and trainings on the same night. Based on continued feedback from the membership, the Administrative Council will continue to structure the GMM’s with more social, community and training opportunities.

Concerns were raised by the Administrative Council about structural deficiencies in the TaylorWhittle House (TWH) during the lease renewal with the City of Norfolk (City) in the fall of 2011. The City conducted a professional inspection of the TWH and deemed it unsafe for continued use until repairs could be completed. The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. began the process of packing up and placing belongings in storage so that the repairs may be made and this process will be finalized during the summer. An update from the City is expected shortly as to the completion date of repairs.

Nominating Committee Members of the 2011-2012 Nominating Committee include: Najwa Knox, Erinn Leary, Brooks Lively, Hanan Mitry, Jessica Martyn (served partial year before stepping down from the committee to interview for a board position), and Nicole Powell (Sustaining Advisor). The Nominating Committee serves a critical role for the JLNVB as they are responsible for presenting qualified candidates to the membership for election to Board of Directors positions and for selecting participants to attend various trainings throughout the year.

Cluster Meetings We hit the ground running back in the fall of 2011 with the continuation of cluster meetings in October.

This informal setting stimulated much conversation about the League and was well received. We even added a Suffolk location which got rave reviews! A huge thanks goes out to the following Sustainers who opened their homes for the cluster meetings and welcomed Active and Provisional members: Amy Driscoll, Erinn Leary, Dawn Peters, Dawn Provost, Sarah Stedfast, and Sherri Stein.

Organizational Development Institute The Nominating Committee reviewed applications and selected four participants to attend the Association of Junior Leagues International Organizational Development Institute (ODI).

ODIs,

a series of mission-based education meetings, are a critical component of the League’s training program. These training sessions are geared toward building the knowledge of members who manage the League’s key functions. In February 2012, Angie Jones, Hanan Mitry, Julie Stroh, and Provisional member Jennifer Matzeder represented JLNVB at ODI in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

Finance Council The 2011–2012 League year was a time for the Fundraising Council to take a look at our current fundraising events and develop ways to create more impact in providing sustaining funds for the League. Because of this redesign process, the Fundraising Council looked to Annual Fund donations to sustain our community impact events such as Kids in the Kitchen. This year’s Annual Fund campaign, titled “87 Years and Counting,” raised over $15,000 for the League. These financial gifts are an investment in our community and allow the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. to continue training new members and create projects that meet the needs of our community.

United Way Campaign The JLNVB United Way Campaign for the 2010-2011 League year raised over $7700 to create powerful, positive change in Hampton Roads. The Ways and Means Committee would like to thank all who designated JLNVB during their United Way giving for their generous support and commitment to the League. If you would like to support the JLNVB through the United Way Campaign, designate the JLNVB with EIN 54-6044966.

Thank you to our current Club 87 and United Way contributors!

1925 Society (Level III) $500 and above Carolyn Fruci, Connie McKenzie, Barbara A. Sutelan, Elsbeth Thurston

String of Pearls (Level II) $250 and above Jessica Antel, Maura Boswell, Jessica Decker, Ruth Elkins, Ashley Gentry, Oriana Mckinnon, Ocean Palm, Debbie Russell, Jane Short, Betty Vansant, Tamara Vugrin, Eleanor Wheeler

White Gloves (Level I) $100 and above Laura Bangor, Beverly Baxtor, Kimberly Ballance, Margaret Beale, Edwina Bell, Marian Breeden, Marion Burt, Mary Louis Campbell Lehew, Merilee Crocker, Tara Corrigall, Courtney Davio, Gayle Deal, Stephanie Dickens, Francine Deir, Victoria Dietz, Blair Ege, Brenda Exum, Rachael Feigenbaum, Emily Filer, Suzanne Franklin, Katherine Gadams, Sherry Gardner, Susan Goode, Beverly Graeber, Bobbie Gribble, Debra Griggs, Kimberly Haden, Amy Harman, Drs. Hamlin & Morgan, Rachel Jiral, Angela Jones-Hudgins, Kirkland Kelley, Andrea Kennedy, Najwa Knox, Erin Leary, Lois Liles, Dena Liston, Stacy Long, Susan Mayo, Jamie McFadden, Ingrid McGowan, Gwendolyn Meredith, Rexanne Metzger, Emily Mills, Betty Mooz, Kathleen Newman, Kristen O’ Connor, Sophia Parente, Stephanie Peeples, Jacqueline Peters, Dawn Peters, Betsy Phillips, Charlotte Phillips, Allison Rachels, Margaret Ray, Katie Rider Cullipher, Adrianna Rivera, Doris Salem, Carin Schneller-Carr, Lyn Simmons Jones, Melissa Steadman, Kaye Stine, Lois Strode, Julie Stroh, Jennifer Swets, Kimberly Thompson, Priscilla Trinder, Mary Turbeville, Hampton University, Christine Verfurth, Virginia Van De Water, Betty Wade Coyle, Gay Ware, Jane Webster, Kelly Willette, Blair Willis, Helen Withers, Lauren Wolcott, Dixie Wolf, Heather Wood, Shannon Wright, Hallie Wyrick, and Alexandra Yates.

www.JLNVB.org

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Membership Council A goal of the Membership Council was to increase applications for membership in the 2012-2013 JLNVB Provisional Class and retain current members by building member enthusiasm for and engagement with the JLNVB through opportunities to actively influence the JLNVB’s operations and form or deepen connections with fellow JLNVB members and the Hampton Roads community.

Esprit Committee The newly formed Esprit Committee planned and executed a wide variety of social events for JLNVB members and created seven Esprit Clubs: Book Club, Ladies Who Lunch, Coffee Club, Night Out Club, Dinner Party Club, Play Date Group, Doggie Dates, and Running Club. These Clubs and events were very well-received by the JLNVB membership, providing an opportunity for members to invite their friends and families to participate with the JLNVB and for members to meet or form closer bonds with each other in smaller settings. The Esprit Committee reached out to Sustainers, as well as Active and Provisional members, to participate in these events and clubs in an effort to foster deeper engagement among members and between members and the JLNVB.

Recruitment Provisional Recruitment shopping events were held at Ocean Palm at Hilltop in Virginia Beach and at Charming Charlie at MacArthur Mall in Norfolk. Ocean Palm and Charming Charlie each graciously hosted us and donated a portion of the event sales to the JLNVB. Sustainer Kay Stine also opened up her beautiful home in Norfolk and hosted a recruitment event for the League. In addition, recruitment was integrated into the Kids in the Kitchen event this year with a dedicated table to provide information to prospective members in attendance.

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach

Provisionals The 2011-2012 Provisional Class began their year with a retreat at Towne Bank in Norfolk. Each year, Provisional members attend this retreat, designed to introduce them to the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc., and to build camaraderie among members of the Provisional Class.

Provisional Class Done-In-A-Day: Barrett Transitional Home In April 2012, the Provisional Class planned and implemented a Done-In-A-Day project with Barrett Transitional Home (www.nowomanalone.com) in Norfolk. Barrett is a program for homeless, single women and single pregnant women designed to help break the cycle of homelessness. Barrett provides the first step in transition with a safe, supervised, and stable environment. Along with a stable environment, Barrett’s staff will connect women with the necessary supportive services to get them back on their feet. Barrett provides dormitory-style, furnished bedrooms and a common living area and kitchen for a maximum of ten women at a time. The Provisional Class and Barrett residents worked together to make the living spaces more comfortable and comforting and planned and planted a beautiful garden on the property.

www.JLNVB.org

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Membership Council Continued Members of the Provisional Class have formed friendships to last a lifetime with a special bond through their shared commitment to the Hampton Roads community and to the JLNVB. We are very pleased to present the following women as 2012-2013 active members of the JLNVB:

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• Jackie Bearden

• Jen Healy

• Sherida Bonton

• Dena Liston

• Phelecia Riddick-Debnam

• Heather Deans

• Jennifer Matzeder

• Christie Ross

• Victoria Dietz

• Halley Maza

• Chelsea Smith

• Jody Foley

• Jamie McFadden

• Cullen Speckhart

• Sherry Gardner

• Danielle Musick

• Tamara Vugrin

• Lindsay Haines

• Ashley O’Donnell

• Tiffany Williams

• Melissa Hamann

• Niki Owens

• Anna Wood

• Brandi Hazelwood

• Stephanie Peebles

• Alexandra Yates

Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

New Sustainers Sustainers are the foundation of the JLNVB. They support the JLNVB financially and through their participation in the JLNVB’s activities and member recruitment efforts. Sustaining members serve as advisors to JLNVB Councils and Committees and continually provide valuable guidance to JLNVB leaders and members. Sustainers provide continuity and growth for the JLNVB and a number of Sustainers are involved with charitable endeavors in the Hampton Roads community, perpetuating the JLNVB’s tradition of hard work and excellent results.

Congratulations to our newest JLNVB Sustainers!

Hallie Wyrick, Brenda Christy, Courtney Davio, Ashley Gentry & Stacy Long Past Presidents’ Luncheon The Past Presidents’ Luncheon, a JLNVB annual tradition, was held at Town Point Club in Norfolk in April 2012. The luncheon, hosted by 2011-2012 President Connie McKenzie, provided an opportunity for the 2011-2012 Board of Directors to meet with our influential leaders of the past and learn from their experiences, insight, and advice. Members of the Board of Directors shared the JLNVB’s key accomplishments of the year and during a special moment at the luncheon, Past President Kirkland Kelley presented a beautiful painting of the Taylor-Whittle House to the JLNVB. Thank you to the following Past Presidents who attended: Dawn Peters, Debbie Russell, Dorothy Doumar, Jacqueline Peters, Jane Short, Joanne Berkley, Kimberly Thompson, Kirkland Kelley, and Lynn Mallory Winter.

3rd Annual Halloween Party The Membership Council and Community Council joined forces to present our third annual Halloween Party this year. Our community partner, Norfolk Farm Market, hosted the event providing a festive fall setting, open spaces for the children, and a hay ride! League members organized Halloweenthemed games and activities, such as pumpkin decorating, pumpkin ring toss, a spooky bean bag toss, and much more! The children paraded around in costumes and everyone won a prize.

Our JLNVB children and those visiting the farm market had a spooktacular time on a beautiful fall day.

www.JLNVB.org

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2011-2012 Community Impact The Community Council had an exciting year in 2011-2012. We responded to our members by taking a slightly different approach to our volunteer offerings this year and had the opportunity to become involved with some wonderful organizations. We expanded our Healthy Kids Initiative to include a broader spectrum of areas that comprise the healthy child - including the issues of homelessness, literacy, hunger, and the benefits of the arts - and continue with our commitment to health and wellness for kids.

In 2011-2012, JLNVB took on some exciting new projects, including “Little Hands, Big Difference,” which was featured in AJLI’s online publication, Connected. We also introduced the opportunity for Active members to work elective hours at our partner organizations in the community. Through these efforts, JLNVB members worked over 800 volunteer hours and provided a number of donations for our Hampton Roads community. We are so pleased to have had to opportunity to impact the lives of so many children and their families in Hampton Roads - and we had a fabulous time doing it!

2011 Operation School Supplies and Stuff the Bus In August, members of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. participated in the annual WAVY-TV Operation School Supplies event along with other community partners to collect donations of school supplies. Generosity from the local community was outstanding and drop boxes were filled to the brim with pencils, notebooks, book bags, calculators, and other items to ensure that all children of Hampton Roads were prepared for the 2011-2012 school year.

JLNVB members picked up supplies from area Office Depot locations, delivered them to Stuff the Bus events, and assisted with the collection and sorting of supplies at the Hilltop Stuff the Buss location.

Don Roberts, of WAVY-TV, was the host of the day and broadcast live throughout the morning. Anthony Rivera, owner of Hilltop Edible Arrangements, kindly donated fresh fruit and chocolate covered strawberries for the volunteers to keep us going on a hot day. JLNVB members and troop members of the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast even did a little school supply shopping after a generous donor brought by $1,000 in cash to help with the drive. In all, over 25,000 pounds of school supplies were collected.

THANK YOU to all who participated and made this community event such a success for our local children.

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

2011 United Way Day of Caring JLNVB members participated in the annual United Way Day of Caring and were assigned to assist at the Primeplus Norfolk Senior Center. We worked on a number of projects including data entry of resident information, creating a photo wall of the residents, and taking inventory of donated equipment and supplies. Members said that it was a wonderful experience and really felt like we made a difference for the organization and the residents.

Mobile Kids in the Kitchen We had our first Mobile Kids in the Kitchen event of the 2011-2012 League year when we participated in the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia’s “Day of Kids” event. We had the opportunity to share healthy snacks, nutrition information, and an activity with approximately 300 children! We held two other events during the Kids Café at the Boys and Girls Club. We were also able to take our Mobile Kids in the Kitchen event to the Park Place Child Life Center’s after school Homework Club. We reached over 600 children with our Mobile Kids in the Kitchen events this year and we look forward to continuing our outreach to share information about health and wellness with Hampton Roads children through these and other after school programs.

www.JLNVB.org

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Community Impact Continued CHKD Healthy You for Life In 2011-2012, we continued our participation with the CHKD Healthy You for Life program. This program was developed to help overweight children avoid the medical complications associated with childhood obesity and is designed to help them gain control of their weight to improve their health.

Parents and children work together focusing on all aspects of weight management, including diet and food planning, physical activity, and emotional support. We worked with the Suffolk program assisting parents and children with weigh-ins, shopping, and more. We also had the opportunity to walk with program participants on the weekends to help encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia In 2011-2012, JLNVB continued to volunteer with the Foodbank through their backpack program.

The backpack program works to ensure that children have food available at home. Bags/backpacks are filled with child-friendly, non-perishable, and easily consumed food and they are distributed to children on the last day before a weekend or holiday vacation. In 2011, the Foodbank distributed 30,115 bags (equal to 150,575 meals) through the program. We were also able to volunteer with the Foodbank’s 15th Annual Mayflower Marathon food drive in November. This year’s food drive was a tremendous success and raised enough food and funds to equal 429,000 meals.

We also took advantage of a unique program which allowed our members to bring their children to the Foodbank to learn more about hunger, volunteer by helping sort food donations, and tour the facility. The children who participated not only learned about a serious issue facing families right here in our own community, but they also learned about the impact they can make through voluntarism and philanthropy – all while having a great time!

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

Girl Scouts Let’s Move! Event and the Butterfly Project This fall, the Girl Scouts hosted an event that was linked with the Let’s Move! initiative. “Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady [Michelle Obama], dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.” (www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity) At the Girl Scout event we hosted a Healthy Kids Initiative “Healthy Body Image” station where children could take pictures of themselves, print them, make a frame, and talk about the “good” they see in their images. We also had a Mobile Kids in the Kitchen station where we shared a healthy snack and nutrition information. It was a fun event and we had a great day out with the children of Hampton Roads!

In February, The Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast hosted The Butterfly Project. During the event, the girls made butterflies to be sent to the Holocaust Museum of Texas and learned about the history of the Holocaust. The goal of The Butterfly Project is to have a butterfly made to represent each child that was lost during the Holocaust. JLNVB volunteers assisted the girls with making their butterflies, read poems, and assisted with other activities. Members loved the project and found the whole experience to be very rewarding.

Ronald McDonald House This year, we were honored to be able to provide meals for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Norfolk. It is so rewarding to know that we are able to provide a small measure of comfort to these families. They are so appreciative and it is a wonderful chance for our members to get to know each other better as they prepare the meals. We look forward to continuing this service for the families of the Ronald McDonald House!

Park Place Child Life Center Our members asked us to look for opportunities to work with the Park Place Child Life Center and this spring we were able to provide several options. We assisted with their weekend enrichment program by working with children on art-related projects and assisting with games and activities.

We also had volunteers assist with the Park Place neighborhood’s annual arts festival and hosted Mobile Kids in the Kitchen events at their Homework Club. We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with Park Place.

American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia We had a little change in how we approached securing blood donations for the Red Cross this year.

Instead of hosting a blood drive, we asked our members to attend area blood drives to donate. We were able to secure over 40 pints of blood for the Red Cross through this effort. In the upcoming League year, we look forward to once again hosting our traditional blood drive.

www.JLNVB.org

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Community Impact Continued ForKids, Inc. In the spring, we sponsored a six-bedroom unit at Haven House in Ocean View. Our sponsorship will help to cover the costs of care and programming for the families that will reside in that unit throughout the upcoming year. In addition, our members volunteered to decorate the bedroom and a bathroom with new bedding and accessories to make it a comfortable home for the residents. We look forward to even more opportunities to work with ForKids in the coming years.

“I know it can be hard to come into an unfamiliar place and use what you have brought, but I just want to say how much the families in the rooms appreciate the decorations. I know you guys didn’t get to see the faces of the family as they came home to their room, but just know that the smiles on their faces are HUGE. After living through such trauma, coming to a room that you can really call home means more than you can realize.

I hope you will share this with the other generous and dedicated members of the Junior League.”

-Kaitlin Padden Robb Director of Development, ForKids

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

Virginia Arts Festival: Norfolk NATO Festival As a part of our Healthy Kids Initiative arts and literacy component, we offered members the opportunity to volunteer with the Norfolk NATO Festival. We worked with the kids’ art and education stations at the festival. It was a beautiful day to work with the kids and great chance for the JLNVB to take part in this 50-year-old Norfolk tradition.

Excellence Girls’ Club, Inc. Women Veterans Resource Fair The Excellence Girls’ Club and their Executive Director, JLNVB Sustainer, Vickie Madison, hosted a resource fair for female military veterans for their annual advocacy project for the 2012 Global Youth Service Day. The JLNVB joined them in hosting this event because of the significant impact veterans have on our community.

The goal of the Resource Fair was to help these veterans connect with community organizations that can assist them with rehabilitation, housing, employment, and health care issues. The JLNVB planned and ran a number of activity stations for the children of the veterans so that they were able to give their full attention to learning about the resources available. We look forward to opportunities to continue supporting both the Excellence Girls’ Club and Hampton Roads women.

Teens with a Purpose, Imagine Me JLNVB member, Kim Walker, was instrumental in helping us identify an opportunity to volunteer with Teens with a Purpose this fall. The mission of Teens With a Purpose is to provide young people “with a platform to empower their peers to use their voices, their energy, and their abilities to demonstrate the power to effect personal change, improve the lives of others, and foster a more knowledgeable community that is more invested in both themselves and each other using the arts and through peer-led programs and events.” We volunteered to assist with logistics during their original theater production, Imagine Me, which was written, produced, and presented by the youth of Teens with a Purpose including Hampton Roads Youth Poets and 40 other teens recruited from local schools and organizations throughout the region.

Imagine Me was intended to inspire today’s youth to become role models, develop our future mentors and community leaders, raise awareness among young people, encourage conscious decisions, and highlight possible consequences of their actions. The show was sold out and, due to popular demand, Teens with a Purpose held an encore presentation in February. It was an honor to be able to assist these bright and creative teens to make their moving production a great success!

www.JLNVB.org

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Community Impact Continued Little Hands, Big Difference The Community Council organized a new membership event this year that was geared toward our children and was open to all children in the local community. We called the event Little Hands, Big Difference and it was held at Pembroke Mall. The goal of the event was to teach children about philanthropy by having them volunteer to sort and deliver some of the Foodbank’s top ten needed “kid” food items. The children had a fun morning of Thanksgiving-themed crafts and activities and even got to see Santa arrive and participate in his parade! After the parade, the children returned to sort and deliver the donated food items to the Foodbank’s Mayflower Marathon. The children loved participating in this event and they received cheers and high fives as they walked up with their donations. Our Little Hands, Big Difference event was recognized by AJLI and featured in Connected, their online publication. http://connected.ajli.org/2012/01/when-are-you-tooyoung-to-volunteer/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_ medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ajli%2Fzw Xz+%28Connected%29&utm_content=FaceBook

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

JLNVB Helps with Holiday Parties This past holiday season, the JLNVB was able to assist with holiday preparations and parties at Ronald McDonald House, Edmarc Hospice for Children, and ForKids, Inc. At the ForKids party, we hosted an ornament decorating station and the children had the opportunity to get creative and decorate clear ornament balls with paints and glitters. The children loved the activity and our members had a great time helping them with their creations!

JLNVB Donations IN 2011-2012, the JLNVB was able to provide donations to a number of organizations in our Hampton Roads community. We collected donations for Operation School Supplies, the Foodbank, REACH, ForKids, Inc., Fairy Godmothers of Virginia, The Up Center, and Hope House. Our members donated over $200 in school supplies to help “Stuff the Bus” in August. We collected over 500 of the Foodbank’s most needed items at our November GMM. We donated over 300 of the Foodbank’s most needed kid food items to the Mayflower Marathon. We held a book drive for REACH at Café Stella in Norfolk and collected over 400 children’s books. We collected over 80 special occasion dresses and more than 30 accessory items for Fairy Godmothers of Virginia to use at their March 2012 Prom Fair to provide prom attire to girls who might not otherwise be able to attend. We hosted a book drive for The Up Center’s book store collecting over 200 books. The staff at The Up Center were so thrilled with the donations that they asked us please consider hosting additional drives in the future! In addition, we collected over $300 in gift cards from members to be used by Hope House. We provided gift bags for female veterans and their children at the Excellence Girls’ Club, Inc. Women Veterans Resource Fair. JLNVB participated in The Batten Challenge for the Slover Memorial Library and we donated holiday gifts and items to refit and decorate a bedroom and bathroom at Haven House. Our members have touched many lives through

their

generous

donations! We thank you all for your support of the JLNVB and our Hampton Roads community.

www.JLNVB.org

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Community Impact Continued Kids in the Kitchen Our annual Kids in the Kitchen event was held on March 3, 2012, at Pembroke Mall. It was a tremendous success with participation from over 230 children.

We had vendors who provided information on health and nutrition, safety, and fun, healthy living activities.

We also had center stage events with Tae Kwon Do Champions, Richard Harris, Mad Science, ZumbAtomic, Jim White Fitness, and Theater for Kids and Teens making presentations. There were stations for Zumba, yoga, various physicians and health care providers, My Plate food features, golf, healthy nutrition, Wii, and much, much more! Our members collected and donated items for 22 fabulous raffle packages for the participants. Chick-fil-A of Haygood, Jason’s Deli, Dr. Lucy’s, and Cox Communications provided meals and refreshments for our volunteers.

We cannot thank our vendors, sponsors, community volunteers, and JLNVB volunteers enough. The success of Kids in the Kitchen would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of each person and organization involved!

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

www.JLNVB.org

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Awards & Honors JLNVB Annual Dinner was held on May 16th at Croc’s in Virginia Beach. The atmosphere was celebratory as League members gathered to recognize the outstanding achievements of the League, individual members and to honor those sustaining. Award winners recognized at the Annual Dinner included the following:

Outstanding Community Volunteer Award The Community Council Outstanding Community Volunteer award is given to the League member who has consistently demonstrated to the spirit of voluntarism both in her League work and in her community volunteer work. The nominees have gone above and beyond the call of duty and have distinguished themselves from their peers by their enthusiasm and dedication.

Kathleen Lujan has a passion for volunteering. In her professional life, Kathleen recruits and trains volunteers; in her League life, Kathleen is the member who always steps up whenever there is a need.

Kathleen transferred to the JLNVB from Tampa and immediately began looking for ways that she could serve our community. Not only does Kathleen seek out how she can assist with planning and executing League projects, but she is always there to fill in when the JLNVB needs volunteers to assist our community partners - even when it means making adjustments to her own schedule. We are thrilled to count such a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer among our members!

Outstanding Committee Member Award The Outstanding Committee Member award (excluding Chairs) is given annually by the Board of Directors to any League Committee member who has accomplished notable achievements and gone above and beyond the call of duty with their Committee during the League year.

Betsy Glover served in an important role this year. She was a part of the Provisional leadership with the responsibility of ensuring that our newest group of members had an exciting and fulfilling year on which to build their future with our League. Betsy took the initiative to really make her Provisionals feel welcome. She planned a variety of events and really developed relationships with her Provisional team. Betsy’s Provisionals say that she was “…an amazing and helpful Provisional Mentor.” Betsy’s love of the League and her belief in our mission always shines through and she has been an inspiration throughout the year.

Outstanding Chair Achievement Award The Outstanding Chair Achievement award is given annually by the Board of Directors to any League Chair or Chair-Elect who has accomplished notable achievements with their Committee and/or Council during the League year.

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

Haley Landers, a recent Transfer, jumped right into a leadership role with the JLNVB serving as our Cookbook Chair. This is not any easy job to navigate and Haley did so with grace. She was highly visible at both our membership meetings and at community events. She had great outreach in organizing opportunities for us to sell our cookbooks and worked with much energy and diligence to streamline and work with both selling and promoting our cookbooks. Haley’s talents for organization and her dedication will make her a great leader in our League.

President’s Outstanding Member Achievement Award The President’s Outstanding Member Achievement award is a new award given to a member who has accomplished notable achievements during the League year.

Jessica Antel has completed over 20 community hours this year and is always the first to step-up to help with fundraising by doing things like creating a raffle package of her favorite things. Her commitment to the JLNVB has been unwavering and continues from year-to-year. This year, as every year, Jessica is front and center in her efforts to support and promote the League.

President’s Outstanding Leadership Award The President’s Outstanding Leadership award is a new award given to a member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has gone above and beyond the requirements of her role.

Ashley Gentry is a stellar leader who has risen above and beyond her role as Administrative VicePresident. Not only did she organize all of our GMMs, Board meetings, and retreats, but she also served as a coach and mentor to the Cookbook Chair, Provisional Chair, and Training Director.

Ashley’s most visible contribution to the League has been her oversight of the Taylor-Whittle House renovations. In addition, she served as Connie McKenzie’s editor, sounding board, and “go to” person throughout the year.

Sustainer of the Year Award The Sustainer of the Year award is given annually to and League Sustainer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty as a Sustainer and has distinguished herself by her level of enthusiasm and commitment to the JLNVB. Laurie Harrison served this year as the Membership Council Sustaining Advisor and has proved to be a fantastic mentor. Not only was she a great advisor for the Council, but she also sought to engage our Sustainers by spearheading a Sustainer cocktail party, an event that re-engaged some of our Sustainers and help recruit new members. We are thankful for all of Laurie’s efforts and are grateful for her continued commitment to the JLNVB!

www.JLNVB.org

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Awards & Honors Continued Board Member of the Year Award The Board Member of the Year award is given annually to any JLNVB Board member who continually embodies the true spirit of voluntarism and leadership.

Everyone in the JLNVB knows our Board Member of the Year, Melissa Steadman. She was visible all year at both membership meetings and social events. Melissa is a motivator, a recruiter, and a champion of the League. She is a great example of a woman trying to give back to her community.

Melissa goes above and beyond as both a volunteer and as a leader of our League. She is our Board Member of the Year because she is truly passionate about her role as member of the JLNVB!

Active Member of the Year Award The Active Member of the Year award is a new award for the 2011-2012 League year and is given to any League member (excluding Board of Directors) who consistently embodies the true spirit of League through her mentorship, leadership, and guidance for her fellow members. She goes above and beyond the call of duty and helps to both advance the mission of the League and to support and strengthen the JLNVB. Jessica Martyn worked tirelessly this year to build enthusiasm and morale of our membership while enhancing their League experience. One member wrote that, “She rocked a new position!” Jessica has gone to great lengths to provide League members with strong social events in a variety of settings.

She sent out countless emails to inform members about the 30 plus social events available this year.

She started several groups, including The Running Club, The Book Club, The Dinner Party Club, The Coffee Club, and Ladies Who Lunch, just to name a few. Jessica also worked to incorporate some of our social events in conjunction with Recruiting events. We have had more social opportunities this year than we have had in the past five years combined, all because of Jessica’s awesome leadership and commitment to the JLNVB!

Provisional Members of the Year Award The Provisional of the Year award is given annually to any League Provisional who consistently embodies the true spirit of voluntarism and has gone above and beyond the call of duty as a Provisional.

This year, we had two Provisionals who stood out in their extreme enthusiasm for the League. They stepped up as leaders of their Provisional class and proved to be reliable, dedicated, and eternally upbeat. They spearheaded the Done In A Day project at Barrett Transitional Home, which was a tremendous success! Anna Wood and Lindsay Haines both have a team player mind-set, which will take them far in the League. They are quick to volunteer, follow through on their commitments, and always give their best with infectious energy and passion. Anna and Lindsay are great assets to our League, and we know that they will be great leaders for us in the future.

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

Community Impact Award The Community Impact award is given annually to any League member (excluding Board members) who demonstrates excellence in promoting our mission within our community. The nominees have gone above and beyond the call of duty with voluntarism in the community and have distinguished themselves from their peers by their level of enthusiasm and commitment to our Signature Issue, Healthy Kids Initiative.

Aisha Evans has been the front runner for this award all year as she has furthered our mission in the community through her unwavering leadership of our Mobile Kids in the Kitchen events and our 2012 Kids in the Kitchen. She has consistently reached out to community members seeking both to bring our Kids in the Kitchen to at risk children and to gain support for our Kids in the Kitchen event.

Through her tireless efforts, Aisha was able to organize and execute one of our most successful Kids in the Kitchen events to date while raising the League’s visibility in the community. She gives so much of her time and energy to the League and she is truly deserving of the JLNVB’s Community Impact Award.

League Light Award The League Light award is given annually to any League member (excluding Board members) who consistently embodies the true spirit of voluntarism. The nominees have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their placements and have distinguished themselves from their peers by their level of enthusiasm and commitment to voluntarism.

Jamie Stump is this year’s League Light award recipient because of her continued commitment to the League and the enthusiasm and dedication with which she approaches everything she does in the JLNVB. Jamie has coordinated diverse and a well-organized events. This year, she was especially helpful to the Provisional class. She listens, has an infectious enthusiasm, makes others feel good about the work they are doing in the League and in the community, and she is always there. Jamie just sparkles! She is committed to the League and its mission to serve the community and goes above and beyond in working to support the League. Jamie’s spirit of dedication and voluntarism make her a true light in our League!

www.JLNVB.org

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Message from Your 2012-2013 President Summer is here and in full swing. For many it means time for vacations, lazy days at the beach, kids out of school, and a building excitement for the upcoming Olympic Games! I, admittedly, have Olympic fever and would even say that I am slightly obsessed. (Yes, I have a daily countdown, have conducted a mini Olympic Games with my kids, and am eagerly planning an opening ceremony party!)

I have discovered

that there are many correlations between the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc., the athletes, and everything surrounding the Olympic Games. The traits that earned the athletes a chance to compete on an international stage are the same qualities that lay the foundation of our League’s extensive work in our surrounding communities.

First, it is strength and skill. The strength, or the backbone of our organization, comes from our dynamic membership. The JLNVB is comprised of many amazing women. These women have a long list of academic credentials, numerous philanthropic awards, degrees from prestigious universities, and recognitions on a national level. With these tools in hand they tirelessly give their time to numerous organizations. That list includes: Operation School Supplies with WAVY, United Way Day of Caring, Boys & Girls Club, CHKD Healthy You for Life, Girl Scouts, Ronald McDonald House, Edmarc Hospice for Children, Teens With a Purpose, Excellence Girls’ Club, Foodbank, The Up Center, ForKids, Inc., The American Red Cross, REACH, Barrett Transitional Home, Park Place Child Life Center, and more.

The list might seem lengthy and redundant, but the sheer number of organizations (17 to be exact) and, more importantly, the number of lives touched by the JLNVB is just astounding (600 children with our Mobile Kids in the Kitchen alone)! This is not the work of an individual; it is the strength of our team, our members, which makes us thrive. It is their strength that continues to help challenge our communities and its leaders to be more, do more, and reach higher.

Second, it requires training. It is obvious that we have built a strong team with extensive skill sets, but even the best athletes - or better yet, even Wonder Woman - need some coaching. With “…training and developing the potential of women…” being part of our mission, extensive time and resources are dedicated to various training opportunities for our members. Whether it be our training with Wendy McGrady of The Curtis Group, an AJLI (Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.) representative presenting at our general membership meeting this fall, our Passion Into Action luncheons, our board retreats, the ability for our members to attend ODI or other AJLI trainings at a

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Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

regional or national conference, or simply the on-the-job training our members receive in their roles as volunteers…this is what makes us great and sets us apart! The JLNVB has always been an organic and ever-changing organization of talented women. Women have moved from active member to sustainer. Some have even found that their passion has called them elsewhere and with their League training they have moved on to other endeavors. We invest in our members and, in the end, our communities are stronger and better for it.

Lastly, it requires passion.

“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision, comes from passion, not position.”

Author Unknown I believe this is the mantra of the aforementioned women of the JLNVB. More importantly, it has been the mantra demonstrated to me by our leaders since my membership began nine years ago.

It is my passion and love for this organization that has inspired me to leadership and has guided me in my various roles as a successful businesswoman, friend, mother, wife and now as president of the JLNVB. This passion does not just reside in me, but rather in all of our members. The passion of our members has always been to effect positive change in the community at large. We all joined JLNVB to assist in helping the women and children of South Hampton Roads. In keeping with that mission, our passion has never been stronger.

The summer will draw to an end, the Olympic Games will come and go, but the strength or our membership, the quality or our training, and the passion for our mission and the communities in which we live and serve will leave a legacy of passion and inspiration behind.

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at the 2011-2012 League year and will join me in looking forward to an exciting and impactful year ahead. Special thanks go to the 2012-2013 JLNVB Board of Directors for their work to prepare this annual report.

Best,

Melissa Steadman 2012-2013 President Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.

www.JLNVB.org

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