Leaguers Who Train Together

By Ty Chandler

“Training Tuesdays” are dedicated nights each month to give Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) members opportunities to learn more about the community and themselves. “You can expect a healthy mix of personal development and professional development. So finding ways to experience how to be a free thinker, how to be authentic,” said Brandi Edwards, Training Tuesdays Committee Chair.

This fall, Training Tuesdays kicked off with a Charlotte trivia night. Teams competed to see who knew the most about the Queen City. “I thought it was really fun, I really liked learning about Charlotte and making some new friends,” said JLC Provisional member Holly Zadoda. Unfortunately for Zadoda, her team did not win and missed out on a chance to take home the 704 themed swag. “We blew it the second round,” she laughed. “ But we did well as a team, so that was the most fun part,” Zadoda continued.

Committee members say it is important for League members to learn about the community they serve. “One of our first steps was to think about all of the folks in the JLC who are not necessarily Charlotteans and really give them an opportunity to explore what Charlotte has to offer, as well as how they can leverage their membership in the Junior League to contribute positively and impact the city of Charlotte,” Edwards explained.

Edwards and the Training Tuesdays Committee continued with this theme by hosting a Community/Civic Engagement training in October, teaching members about issues impacting the Charlotte area such as food deserts, homelessness and affordable housing. The Training Tuesdays Committee also partnered with the Urban Ministries of Durham for a financial hardship simulation. The interactive experience challenged members to walk in the shoes of those forced to make tough financial decisions. These types of exercises are essential to the JLC mission to improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Take a look below to see how the Training Tuesdays Committee will continue to support the JLC mission, as well as empower the women of the JLC as 2020 begins:

Mind/Body/Soul (February 2020) - People often speak about the “mind/body/soul” connection. This workshop will explain their interconnectedness and include a wellness fair.

Poverty Simulation (March 2020) - The poverty simulation is an invaluable experience that will impact your perspectives, and teaches advocacy from a place of knowledge as well as compassion. It will help JLC members to understand the demographic served by this organization.

Authenticity (April 2020) - Exercises will be employed with concrete examples to provide participants with a tool box of expanded knowledge and readiness to lead effectively and authentically.

Diversity and Inclusion (May 2020) - Building on the JLC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the concept will be examined as a business imperative. Asking the questions, what is the impact of not being inclusive and how is inclusion fostered in work/personal experiences?