Perspectives
Summer 2015
MAGAZINE OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI
Contents In this issue ...
11
Second Time Around: Sustainer Dionn Tron
12
Cincinnati Children’s Theatre Celebrates 90 Years
3
President’s Perspective
14
JLC: Year in Review
5
CinSation Recap
15
Miss Manners: Mindful “Netiquette”
7
RefugeeConnect: More Than English Classes
16
Dressing Your Little Darlings
9
JLC Endowment Fund Announcement
17
Member Milestones
10
2015 Cookie Nowland Award Recipient: Mary “Sug”
18
JLC Annual Awards Winners
Clauder
tag & share yo experie ur nce
#jlcincy Perspectives Contributors
EDITOR
Monika Royal Fischer
DEPUTY EDITOR
Marlea Handler
VP COMMUNICATIONS
Jamie Humes
DESIGN DIRECTOR
COPY EDITOR
Caroline Kirker
Jo Moore
PHOTO EDITOR
Lindsay Walker
Our Mission The Junior League of Cincinnati 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. The Junior League of Cincinnati is an exclusively educational, charitable organization which reaches out to women of all races, religions, or national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism. Perspectives is the magazine of the Junior League of Cincinnati published multiple times throughout the year. Advertising inquiries and content can be sent to jlperspectives@gmail.com or via the Online Submission Hub at jlcincinnati.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @JLCincy Junior League of Cincinnati, 3500 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, (513) 871-9339, www.jlcincinnati.org
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President’s perspective
A milestone birthday gives us an opportunity to reflect on where we are, what we’ve achieved and to prepare for the future. When I reflect on our past membership year, its amazing how much we’ve accomplished together as a League. The Junior League of Cincinnati is strong. We are in a solid position financially, and thanks to our hardworking Actives and Sustainers, our fundraisers beat their goals while expenses were held. We are taking care of our long-term assets, our Columbia Center home and the surrounding land. The Columbia Center Adhoc Team, comprised of both Actives and Sustainers, worked together to analyze the building’s condition, its value, as well as the needs of our members and broader community and have developed a long-term plan. The first phase of this plan was approved and improvements to our parking and technology should begin this summer. Another important gift to our legacy is the Endowment. The Endowment Board was re-energized this year. To help continue to protect and grow the Endowment, this Board worked tirelessly to evaluate JLC investments and to review the Trust Agreement. In addition, the JLC established a Major Gifts Committee that will focus on growing the Endowment and the Annual Fund, as well as provide help with any capital campaign needs. Our membership is strong with over 950 amazing members. We had a strong New Member class, impressive, hard-working leaders and increased member engagement. Sustainer Darlene Kamine once told me that friendships are created when women work shoulder-to-shoulder together. We made sure there were opportunities to build those friendships with many volunteer, training, and social opportunities, including smaller group opportunities like area meetings held in member’s homes. New member engagement ideas such as the Sustainer Forum and Souper Session were also successfully started. Thanks to the work of another Adhoc Committee of wonderful Sustainers and Actives and our amazing JLC Board, a change to our infrastructure has been made to help ensure our organization’s long-term health and to help improve the overall member experience. Beginning next year, there will be a separation of governance from operations, a model in alignment with non-profit best practices and recommended by AJLI. This will result in changes to the JLC Board, the creation of an Executive
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Management Team and new regulations. In addition, there is a renewed focus on the need to nurture our projects as well as a strong recognition that formal training in all areas of the League, in addition to leadership development, is needed. The JLC also recognized that better tools are needed to help analyze data and manage our organization, so we are investing in a new enterprise software system for our membership management and reporting needs. In addition, we will launch a brand new, significantly enhanced, highly functional and attractive JLC website at the start of the 2015-2016 membership year. The Junior League of Cincinnati has been a part of the Greater Cincinnati community for 95 years. In that time, we have remained committed to improving the community by stimulating change and empowering our neighbors. We continued our commitment to making an impact in our community in multiple ways this year, including numerous monthly CandO done-in-a-day volunteer activities, the ongoing vocal inspiration of the JLC Choral Group, three Adopt a Class classrooms at the Academy of World Languages, PAC and SPAC advocacy efforts and through the work and remarkable progress of our two newest projects, RefugeeConnect and GrinUp! RefugeeConnect has been successfully working to improve the lives of refugees in Greater Cincinnati by helping to shape a long-term sustainable support system. Our members are increasing awareness through events, connecting organizations and resources for refugees through quarterly forums and through the development of a virtual resource center website, and are educating JLC members and the broader community about refugees and their unique acculturation needs.
PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Summer 2015
JLC members continue continueto tovolunteer volunteerand andassist assist with JLC members with teaching English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes teaching English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes to to adult refugees on onaabi-weekly bi-weeklybasis. basis.The Thelanguage language barrier adult refugees barrier and and learning English is one of the most significant needs learning English is one of the most significant needs within within this population we are actively looking atincrease ways this population and we and are actively looking at ways to to increase adult English education capacity for the overall adult English education capacity for the overall community. community. Spearheaded by the JLC and The Red Cross, the second Spearheaded by the JLC andTournament The Red Cross, the second annual World Refugee Day Cup took place annual World Refugee Day Cup Tournament took place on Saturday, June 13, at Withrow High School. This highly on Saturday, June 13, at Withrow School. This highly successful event provided another High unique event designed to successful event provided another unique event designed raise awareness and help forge stronger relationships between to raise awareness and helpcommunity. forge stronger relationships refugees and the Cincinnati RefugeeConnect between refugees and the Cincinnati community. recently presented an updated business plan to JLC Board RefugeeConnect recently presented updated business members- stay tuned for more amazinganwork from this team! plan to JLC Board members- stay tuned for more amazing GrinUp! is a team! public advocacy and education campaign work from this that believes in a world of happy, healthy smiles. The JLC GrinUp!with is aLandor, public aadvocacy and education campaign partnered local world-renowned brand that believes in a world of happy, healthy smiles. The Dental JLC consulting and design firm, to help develop this brand. partnered with Landor, a local world-renowned brand decay is 100% preventable and the JLC believes that no child consulting design helpordevelop this brand. should haveand to live with firm, toothtopain, its significant physical Dental decay is 100% preventable and the JLC believes and mental side effects, and that all children should have the that no child haveunique to livegrin withwith tooth orWhile its confidence toshould share their thepain, world. significant physical and mental side that all the Children’s Oral Health Network is effects, workingand to provide children should have the confidence to share their unique access to affordable oral health care for our community, grin with the world. While the Children’s Oral Health GrinUp! is spreading grins through knowledge and generating Network is working to provide access to affordable oral awareness. health care for our community, GrinUp! is spreading grins In early May, we celebrated a significant milestone with through knowledge and generating awareness. the groundbreaking of the cornerstone of GrinUp’s campaign early May, we a significant milestone andIncommitment to celebrated educating the community, Duke Energy with the groundbreaking of the cornerstone of GrinUp’s Children’s Museum’s newest permanent exhibit: Inside the campaign and commitment to educating the community, Grin! This exhibit will become a reality and officially open in Duke Children’s permanent springEnergy 2016 thanks to theMuseum’s extensive newest fundraising efforts of our exhibit: Inside the Grin! This exhibit will become reality members and through sponsors including Procter &a Gamble/ and officially open in spring 2016 thanks to the extensive Crest & Oral-B, the Delta Dental Foundation, Oral Health fundraising efforts of our members and through sponsors America, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the including Procter & Gamble/Crest & Oral-B, the DeltaCenter. Junior League of Cincinnati and the Duke Energy Museum Dental Foundation, Oral Health America, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the Junior League of Susan Shelton
Cincinnati andthe theGrin! Duke Energy The Inside exhibit willMuseum feature aCenter. larger-thanlife The mouth with enormous teeth lining the ceiling and floor. Inside the Grin! exhibit will feature a larger-thanChildren will literally climb inside the mouth and explore life mouth with enormous teeth lining the ceiling and floor. dental sealants, plaque, gingivitis cavities look and Children will literally climb insideand the how mouth and explore feel. In one area, these huge teeth will light up on timers dental sealants, plaque, gingivitis and how cavities looksoand children can area, practice brushing for a full minutes. In the feel. In one these huge teeth willtwo light up on timers center of thecan exhibit, children will be to explore andIn so children practice brushing forinvited a full two minutes. role-play as patients, dentists and auxiliary staff in a childthe center of the exhibit, children will be invited to explore friendly dentalas operatory. state and of the art exhibit and role-play patients,This dentists auxiliary staffwill in be a a community treasure and will make oral health education child-friendly dental operatory. This state of the art exhibit fun and while generating awareness and providing will be aengaging, community treasure and will make oral health families with valuable information to foster a lifetime of good education fun and engaging, while generating awareness oral health. and providing families with valuable information to foster a lifetime of good oralare health. The idea that we One League – New Members, Actives and Sustainers – at a Sustainer Luncheon The idea that we are was Oneborn League – New Members, when former JLC President Kate Molinsky spoke. idea Actives and Sustainers – was born at a SustainerThe Luncheon was embraced andPresident launchedKate by past JLC President Melanie when former JLC Molinsky spoke. The idea Chavez, and this idea lives on today as one of our core was embraced and launched by past JLC President Melanie organizational values. youtoday to allas of one you of forour everything Chavez, and this ideaThank lives on core you have done to sustain the JLC and to make sure we organizational values. Thank you to all of you for everything continue OnetoLeague. you have as done sustain the JLC and to make sure we continue One League. I wouldasalso like to recognize and express my sincere gratitude our like JLC to Executive Board for sincere all of their I wouldtoalso recognize andmembers express my hard work this year. This is a group of highly committed gratitude to our JLC Executive Board members for all JLC leaders I admire greatly. Thank you forof your energy, of their whom hard work this year. This is a group highly time, talent and stewardship…it was a privilege to work you committed JLC leaders whom I admire greatly. Thank shoulder-to-shoulder ofstewardship…it you. for your energy, time,alongside talent and was a privilege to work shoulder-to-shoulder of you. JLC membersit has been such a truealongside honor to serve you andJLC I appreciate being able to be part of the work of all our members- it has been such a true honor to serve members our incredible officetostaff. I am of excited about you and I and appreciate being able be part the work what lies ahead under the leadership of the dynamic and of all our members and our incredible office staff. I am committed Michelle Vaeth. She under is going toleadership do a fantastic job excited about what lies ahead the of the continuing to committed move us forward along the journey. dynamic and Michelle Vaeth. She is going to do Thank a fantastic job continuing move us forward you again, and happyto95th birthday to thealong Juniorthe journey. League of Cincinnati! Thank you again, and happy 95th birthday to the Junior League of Cincinnati!
Susan graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BSEE, and she earned an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. Susan worked in high-tech industries for 20 years in the areas of research and development, product management, marketing and strategic planning. She has served as a Board Member of NAMI - Hamilton County and the Council Susan Shelton on Child Abuse, and is affiliated with Cincinnati Children’s Convalescent Hospital for Children. She currently S usan graduated from Vanderbilt University of with BSEE, League and sheof earned an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. serves on the Executive Board as President thea Junior Cincinnati. A JLC member since 1997, she has Susan worked in high-tech industries for 20 years in the areas of research and development, product management, held numerous leadership positions, including Sustainer Advisor to the Board, VP of Communications, Program marketing andChair, strategic planning.member She has and served as a Board Member - Hamilton County the Council Development Nominating MindPeace Chair. Susanof is NAMI the Executive Director of and MindPeace, on Child Abuse, and is affiliated with Cincinnati Children’s Convalescent Hospital for Children. She currently which began as a project of the Junior League of Cincinnati.She has just completed her term as president of the serves the Executive Board President the Junior League Cincinnati. JLC member since 1997, she has Junior on League of Cincinnati andaswill serve asofSustainer Advisor toof the ExecutiveABoard in the upcoming 2015-2016 held numerous leadership positions, including Sustainer Advisor to the Board, VP of Communications, Program membership year. Development Chair, Nominating member and MindPeace Chair. Susan is the Executive Director of MindPeace, which began as a project of the Junior League of Cincinnati.She has just completed her term as president of the Junior League of Cincinnati and Designer will serve as Sustainer to the2015/2016 Executive Board in the upcoming 2015-2016 Graphic Needed for Advisor Perspectives Committee!!! membership year. Please Contact Marlea 724.600.6218 majhandler@gmail.com if interested.
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On Saturday, February 28, 2015, the Junior League of Cincinnati celebrated its 95th Anniversary with CinSation, its annual fundraising gala at the Masonic Center in Downtown Cincinnati. This year’s theme was “The Jewels of the Queen City,” which celebrated the League’s impact on the people and neighborhoods that call our Queen City home. This year’s event was organized by Co-Chairs Pamela Long and Jamie Williams, and Vice-Chair Meg Cooper. Over 200 guests enjoyed the food, drinks, music, dancing, raffles and silent auction. The evening was emceed by Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, and Fox19 News Anchor Kara Sewell. Guests were treated to light bites provided by local restaurants including Alfio’s, 50 West, Moerlein Lager House, Café Medeterranean, Eli’s Barbeque, Holtman’s Donuts, Gigi’s Cupcakes, and Macaron Bar. Alfio’s won the event’s popular Best Bite of the Night vote for its delicious raviolis, while Eli’s Barbeque was awarded the Judges’ Pick by celebrity judges Julie Niesen Gosdin of Wine Me, Dine Me and Ann Mitchell of City Beat. New this year was the Delight of the Night award for best dessert by popular vote, going to the Macaron Bar. Guests also enjoyed an open bar featuring beer from Lagunitas. New this year were craft cocktail demonstrations by The Cincinnati Barman and autographed original prints by local pop artist Andrew Van Sickle, featuring the CinSation logo.
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During the dinner celebration, CinSation honored the wonderful ladies who joined the JLC in the ‘40s, 50s and ‘60s. Sustainers Janet Hauck and Betty Sheffield were in attendance at the dinner to be recognized. Thanks again to all those women for their wonderful legacy to the Junior League of Cincinnati! Special thanks to Revent Production Group who provided lighting and music that kept everyone dancing well into the night; and also to Hype Photobooth. Flowers were provided by Sterling Smith Floral Design. Silent auction items were donated by various local businesses, JLC members/Sustainers, and friends of the League. The night would not have been possible, and we would not have been able to exceed our financial goals, without all the great support of the JLC and our generous sponsors. A big thank you to our event sponsors:
JOHNSON INVESTMENT COUNSEL SUSAN AND RUSS SHELTON KEKE AND TONY SANSALONE JOHN HUEBER HOMES REMAX PREFERRED GROUP CHUBB GROUP OF INSURANCE COMPANIES GREAT TRADITIONS LAND & DEVELOPMENT CO. GRAEBEL CINCINNATI MOVERS INC. RUTHVEN TAX & FINANCIAL PLANNING ZIMMER INSURANCE AGENCY
CinSational. CinSation 2015 Once Again a Sweet Success!
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More than
ENGLISH classes BY GRETCHEN GRIFFITH
Think about what it’s like to start fresh in a new city. Like many Junior League members, I’m a transplant to Cincinnati. I came to the Queen City from Boston via Washington, D.C., in 2003. I was excited to move here and a little scared about what my future may hold. My first few months in Cincinnati were filled with discovering the BonBonerie across the street from my new apartment, finding running paths and exploring our city’s many neighborhoods. I was fortunate to have new co-workers and friends who were happy to show me around Cincinnati.
WARM WELCOME One focus area for RefugeeConnect is to assist and welcome refugees as they transition to their new lives in Greater Cincinnati. Every year, our city invites hundreds of refugees to live in the City of Cincinnati, our suburbs and Northern Kentucky. These families either come directly to our city from a refugee camp, or they relocate from another city where they were initially resettled to live with people from their home country. Their journey begins with needing to find housing and furniture. They have goals to find work and provide for their families. They want to learn English and become American citizens. And, that’s where RefugeeConnect comes in. Primarily, we work with the Burundians in the City of Cincinnati and the Chins in Northern Kentucky.
MEET THE CHIN REFUGEES The Chin population lives in Northern Kentucky; and each Thursday, we tutor them as they learn English and discover American culture. Last November, we organized a Thanksgiving dinner for the students focused on providing them with a traditional American holiday and having a little fun at the same time by allowing for more conversation versus a focus on tutoring. Chin refugees came to the U.S. from Burma, also called Myanmar, to escape religious persecution. Myanmar is made up of 14 states, one of which is known as the Chin state. In 1899, missionaries brought Christianity to the country, a religion that was accepted by a minority of the population. From 1988 through 2010, the Christian Chin population were persecuted, both politically and religiously. Currently, approximately 90 percent of the population in the Chin state consider themselves Christians. Looking at Myanmar as a whole, just eight to nine percent of the population consider themselves Christian.
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PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Summer 2015
The Chin students we work with typically have spent from one to 10 years in refugee camps in either Malaysia or India. Unlike the Burundian population we also work with, Chin refugees do not have many elders in their group. The trip to a refugee camp is a difficult one, and often includes traveling by sea. Many of the elders were unable to make the journey and remained in their homeland.
HOW YOU CAN HELP RefugeeConnect has numerous opportunities to help, and the good news is there are a number of ways we can make an impact. Looking at the population’s needs as a whole can be pretty overwhelming, but we can make measurable change when we break this large need into smaller groups of work. Tutoring is a need that does not require a large amount of effort but has tremendous impact. I’d invite you to try. You do not need formal training to be a tutor— we welcome Junior Leaguers with any level of experience to join us. Each class has a teacher who creates and
implements a group lesson, and new tutors will never work with a student alone. In fact, you can team tutor as long as you would like. Volunteering as a tutor may see intimidating – I understand. I had those feelings too. Before my first class, I could only think of how unqualified I was. I’m not a teacher; I’m not certified in English as a Second Language, but I quickly learned our classes are about much more than just teaching English. We are welcoming this group to our community. Simply having a conversation with these students and allowing them to interact with a native English speaker is immensely helpful. We don’t need you to commit to tutoring every week – we don’t even need you to commit to tutoring once a month. Consider tutoring just once in the 2015 membership year. You’ll be surprised just how quickly these students touch your heart and the impact that you can have on one person.
SPECIAL JLC ANNOUNCEMENT New Leadership of JLC • Endowment Trust Fund Board Among our most remarkable qualities is our ability to continue an unbroken legacy of voluntarism and civic leadership, made possible by our ability to support
as the representative from the JLC Community Advisory Council of which Jim has been a member since 2011. Current JLC board members serving on the Endowment
ourselves financially. When we added the tremendous
Board include Taylor Bennett, JLC Finance Vice President;
responsibility of buying a home for the JLC with the
Sarah Murphy, JLC Fund Development Vice President; and
purchase of Columbia Center in 1988, we understood that
Darlene Kamine, Sustainer Advisor to the Board. Julie
we needed to further stabilize and deepen our financial
Albright, a JLC Senior Active and a financial investment
footing with the creation of an endowment fund and a
professional, was also elected as a trustee and serves as the
sophisticated investment strategy.
Secretary of the Endowment Board. Ex officio members are
Established in December 1994 by Co-Trustees Margy Richards, Debbie Alsfelder, Carrie Hayden, Priscilla
Susan Shelton, current JLC President, and Pam Wise. To continue to grow the JLC Endowment Trust Fund so
Ungers and Elizabeth Findlay, the JLC Endowment Trust
that we can continue to support our legacy, please remember
Fund has continued to thrive. Generous donations from
the JLC Endowment Fund with a donation of any amount
our members throughout the years, from planned giving
when you are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate a
bequests to small gifts made in memory or in honor of
special occasion, to honor a friend’s accomplishments, or just
milestones in our lives provide ongoing revenue that is
to show your appreciation for all that the JLC has provided
leveraged by smart investment strategies.
to enrich your life. Please direct your donation to the JLC
As we celebrate our 20th year of the JLC Endowment,
office or online at JLCincinnati.org.
we have elected a new board which brings the highest level of expertise in the relevant areas necessary to safeguard the Fund. Sustainer Valerie Newell has generously agreed to chair the new JLC Endowment Board. Valerie is the Chairman of RiverPoint Capital Management and Director of the Private Client and High Net Worth Group. She has been recognized as a Five Star Wealth Manager by Cincinnati Magazine since 2008, and was named one of the Top 100 Women Financial Advisors in the country by Financial Times. Sustainer and Past JLC President Rosemary Welsh, an attorney at the Vorys law firm, was elected to the Board as the Sustainer Representative. With gratitude to Rosemary, Emily Pan, a partner at Vorys who has expertise in this practice area, volunteered her services to provide a comprehensive review and updating of the governance document to ensure compliance with current laws and practices.
a
touch of elegance goes a long way
Contact Jo Moore for quality, custom-made window treatments and soft furnishings.
Jim Schwab, President and CEO of Interact for Health and husband of Sustainer Vivian Schwab, was elected
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513-652-0546 • jo@josews.com • josews.com
PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Summer 2015
MARY “SUG” CLAUDER
COOKIE NOWLAND AWARD RECIPIENT by Darlene Kamine One of the greatest privileges of serving as Sustainer Representative to the Board is the honor of meeting the Cookie Nowland Award winners. This is considered the highest honor awarded to a Sustainer in recognition of outstanding service to the JLC and to the community. Each of the winners I have had the pleasure of calling with the news of the selection has responded in the same way – with genuine humility and surprise that she would be worthy. The true greats are always the most gracious. Mary Clauder, this year’s Cookie Nowland Award winner, is a humble hero – and a true great. Encouraged by her sister-in-law who was a Junior League member, Mary, known by many as “Sug,” joined the League in 1969 and was involved in every aspect of the JLC. In an interview with the Enquirer when she was named Woman of the Year in 2000, Mary credited the JLC for the “training and the way they stress the responsibility of volunteer work.” The highlights of Mary’s JLC career were her outof-League placements. While still an Active, she was instrumental in the startup of the Ronald McDonald House – at the same time as she went back to school to earn an additional degree in nursing – and at the same time as she was raising four children. Voluntarism was ingrained in her family’s culture and Mary carried on the tradition of her father’s board service for the Boys and Girls Club – but as one of the first women to join the Board when girls became part of the clubs. Mary also carried on her mother’s legacy as a member of the board of the National Council of Christians and Jews. Fueled by her family’s tradition of giving back and the League’s training in voluntarism, Mary met life’s hardships head on. When a relative became infected with HIV, Mary became involved with the startup of Caracole. Founded in 1987, Caracole House was the first licensed facility in Ohio for people living with HIV/AIDS and now serves more than 1400 people in eight counties in our region. When her sister was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, Mary devoted herself to the National MS Society Board of Southwest Ohio to help raise money for better treatment. She also became involved with the Beechwood Home, a longterm care facility where many of the residents are afflicted with MS.
“Mary represents the very best of the JLC, and her humility makes her even more heroic.”
When her son was diagnosed with a learning disability, Mary joined the board of Springer School after his graduation and worked tirelessly to support the school, which had been such a help to her child. And when her son was successfully treated by a Talbert House substance abuse program, Mary showed her gratitude openly with her devoted service on its board. As family members aged, the focus of Mary’s beneficence became St. Margaret Hall where her beloved mother received therapy after suffering from a broken hip. Mary also continues her involvement with Beechwood Home. After almost 30 years of board service and fundraising including the Board Presidency, Mary continues to go to Beechwood every Sunday to bring residents down to Mass, a tradition started by her Mother. In her unassuming and gentle way, Mary has been instrumental in directly improving the quality of life for those suffering the most tragic of circumstances in our community. What would have thrown most of us into despair drove Mary to change the world for the better. “I was so grateful they were there when we needed them, “ Mary was quoted as saying in her Woman of the Year interview, referring to the many agencies to which she has devoted her life’s work. “It just makes you want to do what you can. … I’m not a real tremendous leader in the community. I just do a lot of handson work.” #jlcincy | 10
SECOND TIME AROUND My clearest memory of Dionn Tron was seeing her with Jeanne Boyce Morrison in her hotel room during the AJLI Annual Conference in New York just days before Jeanne died in 1992 and only weeks before Jeanne was to be sworn in as JLC President. Dionn had maintained a very close friendship with Jeanne whom she had met during their days together at P&G and it was Dionn who proposed Jeanne for the League, knowing that Jeanne’s prognosis was not good, Dionn came to be with Jeanne in NYC and stayed close to her and her family until the very end. I never knew the whole story about the connection between Dionn and Jeanne. Although Dionn and I joined the JLC at about the same time, we didn’t know each other well and I didn’t realize at the time I saw her in NYC that she had moved away several years earlier. I didn’t see Dionn again for 20 years after Jeanne’s funeral.
by Darlene Kamine
organization achieve what it wanted to achieve.” During her 7 years as an Active in the JLC, Dionn was most often involved with projects. One of her most significant JLC placements was her work with Kids Helping Kids, a JLC project dedicated to drug treatment. Dionn helped to incubate and spin off the project to become a successful independent nonprofit. She also chaired the JLC Marketing Committee and worked on the Strategic Planning Committee. “I was always involved in projects and administration, not just one or the other.” Dionn moved to South Bend, Indiana, in 1991 to become the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for a large health care corporation and transferred to the League in South Bend where she was soon elected to their Board. A highlight of her League career in South Bend was her involvement in the startup of a homeless shelter in partnership with Notre Dame.
With the opportunity to become And then last year I found Dionn the Vice President of Communications again – as a new member of our Dionn Tron and Darlene Kamine at Pratt &Whitney in New Jersey, Sustainer Adopt a Class Team at the Dionn transferred to the Montclair Academy of World Languages. Her League and was again elected to the enthusiasm and serious devotion to Junior League Board. Again, she was involved with a Adopt a Class greatly impressed me, and I learned that major project—this time it was to help women at risk. she had become a frequent and beloved volunteer at And again she was part of the League’s Strategic Planning the school. Committee. I missed the chance to get to know Dionn the first As she recalled her involvement on the Junior League time around when we were both Actives. But the great boards and projects in each of the Leagues, her memories benefit of a lifelong membership in the JLC is the merged. She credited the Junior League with easing the chance to get to know each other over the course of a transition to each new city. “If I closed my eyes during lifetime. a general meeting, the sounds were the same,” recalled Over a deliciously long afternoon coffee, I was awed Dionn. “The same energy, the same kind of work, the same by Dionn’s career, both volunteer and professional. issues – it was all so familiar and comforting. Wherever I Long before she joined the JLC, Dionn was a dedicated went, the League provided an opportunity for me to get volunteer in the tradition of her family. “My father involved and to learn about a community quickly. It also taught me that you give what you can – time, talent presented the chance for me to meet other like-minded or treasure,” recalled Dionn. She was on the board of women.” Big Brothers, an occupational therapy volunteer, and a Dionn’s last career move brought her home to her hands-on volunteer at the early Summer Fair. Already beloved alma mater, Miami University. In 2007, she was successful in her career at P&G, Dionn decided to the first person to assume the newly created role of Vice join the JLC at age 30 so she could take her volunteer President of Strategic Communications and Marketing. involvement to a deeper level. “I wanted to do more She was eager to give back to the university with which than done-in-a-day volunteering. I wanted to help an #jlcincy | 11
PERSPECTIVES MAGAZINE www.jlcincinnati.org | Summer 2015
she had maintained strong ties since graduation. After her professional swan song at Miami, Dionn and her husband intended to retire and move to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Her plan was to pursue her passion for art and to learn from a new artist every year. Tragically, Dionn’s husband died suddenly in 2012. Yet again, the League eased the transition to a new chapter in Dionn’s life. Saralou Durham, last year’s Sustainer Advisor to the Board, invited Dionn to be part of the JLC Strategic Planning Committee. Dionn joined the Sustainer Book Club and Gardening Club. She was asked to be the Sustainer Advisor of the Membership Council last year and is doing “double placement” this year as the Sustainer Advisor of both the Membership Council and the Communications Council. “I like being part of a multi-generational group,” said Dionn. “It keeps me feeling young.” Dionn’s fondness for her new Active friends and the joy she gets from being part of the work of today’s League is reciprocal. “Dionn has been such a great asset as Sustainer Advisor to our Communications Council,” says Jamie Humes, VP of Communications. “For me personally, her insight and big picture thinking has helped frame the way I am trying to view my leadership role with the Council. I value her guidance and input tremendously.
She is a perfect example of how our Sustainers can serve as highly valuable resources and advisors to our Active membership.” This sentiment was echoed by Meredith Comin, Vice President of Membership. “Dionn has been a wonderful and welcome addition to the Membership Council. Her poise, advice and kind personality are just a few of the qualities I admire in her and I’ve so enjoyed getting to form a relationship with her.” Although she is not a native of Cincinnati and spent most of her career in other cities, the embrace of the JLC community as well as her close ties to her Miami sorority and to her P&G friends brought Dionn back home. She is all in – choosing a condo in Hyde Park over the Outer Banks! I almost missed the chance to know what a talented, fascinating trailblazer Dionn is. Thankfully, being in the JLC gives Darlene Kamine, Sustainer Advisor to the Board me a lifetime of second chances.
After
Before Why the Ultimate Flower Box?
JLC Columbia Center
Thank you to Flower Framers for creating a beautiful entrance to the JLC Columbia Center!
- Auto-Watering Option - From 2 to 15 Feet Long - Stainless Steel Brackets - Fullproof Drainage System
- Durable Fiberglass - 20 Paint Colors - Easy Installation - Works for Generations!
flowerframersofcincy.com John Simpkinson (513) 321-4467
Cincinnati Children’s Theatre Celebrates
90 YEARS
League of Cincinnati was honored to receive The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has the Enchanted Award at this event. In 1924, been providing live theater performances the Junior League of Citncinnati developed for children, schools and families for 90 a plan to introduce children in Cincinnati years. Under the leadership of Jack Louiso, to the magic of theater. They created the winner of the 2005 Governor’s Award for Junior League Players…now known as The Arts Education, and now renowned opera Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. What could singer and educator, Angela Powell Walker, be more enchanting than honoring those that The Children’s Theatre has consistently staged started the organization that has inspired productions that provide young audiences the imaginations of with high-quality children for 90 years? programming created specifically Co-chairs for for them. The the event included mission of The Mr. Robert H. Children’s Theatre Castellini, CEO of Cincinnati is to of The Cincinnati educate, entertain Reds & Chairman and engage of The Castellini Michelle Vaeth, President Elect for the Junior League of Cincinnati receives audiences of all ages The Enchanted Award, pictured here with Kendall Shaw. Group of Companies; through professional Mr. Stephen A. theatrical Loftin, President productions and and Executive Director, Cincinnati Arts arts education programming. Today, The Association; Mr. Ralph S. Michael, III, Children’s Theatre brings art to life for President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank; and children and the young at heart through Dr. O’Dell M. Owens, President, Cincinnati three key programs: MainStage at the Taft, State Technical and Community College. We ArtReach (including WorkShops), and sincerely thank everyone who joined us for Learning the Craft. this magical night of celebration, which also included a performance by The Children’s To celebrate its 90th season, The Children’s Theatre’s STAR Cabaret as well as live music Theatre Hosted a 90th Anniversary Gala on from The Rusty Griswolds. Saturday, April 25th, at the newly opened Renaissance Hotel downtown. The Junior
JLC Year in Review...
New Member Bus Tour 2014
New Member Bus Tour 2014
Sustainer Luncheon 2015
The Giving Fields | October 2014
JLC Board Adopt a Class
November GMM RefugeeConnect
Holiday Leadership Party | Dec 2014
Thanh Pham, Emily Haun & Erika Robbe
Grin-Up! Expo | February 2015
Emily Ryan & Molly Flanagan
Tour of Kitchens | November 2014
New Member Bus Tour | October 2014
CinSation 2015 | February 2015
JLC Fashion Show | April 2015
Miss Manners: Mindful “Netiquette” A group of empowered, competent women such as the members of the Junior League of Cincinnati surely do not need to be told how to write an email. However, we can all benefit from making an effort to be more mindful in our communication to others. This is especially important considering email can be the easiest route to take to complete the items on your everexpanding to-do list. How can we ensure we’re considering others’ time and needs by sending the most impactful messages?
WRITE CLEAR AND ACTIONABLE SUBJECT LINES You may be in a rush, but “Quick Question” or a blank subject line does not allow the recipient to prioritize your message because it really may not be a quick one to answer! For example, including bold call-outs like RECAP, AGENDA or FOLLOW-UP can help draw attention before descriptions such as “Agenda: December Monthly {Title} Committee Mtg 12.12.14.” Also, taking it a step further to define your need or the nature of the request will help remind the sender to print or review in advance and makes it easier to search and find later. And feel free to change a subject line in your response if the sender’s subject line wasn’t clear – this helps keep everyone on the same page.
MAKE IT SIMPLE FOR THE RECIPIENT Include links when possible; save others the time it will take to Google a link to the restaurant’s website, or to research an organization that you’re asking others to support. This gives them more time to consider and respond to the request instead of flagging it to come back later when they have a moment to find
Women view money differently than men
all their details on their own. Another best practice is to ensure your contact information is easily accessible; always include a signature in your first email (it’s surprising how many forget to include this.) It may not be necessary to include your full signature after each email in a chain, but be sure to note your phone number after every three emails so the recipient can quictkly pick up the phone and call you to discuss the content. Remember to use these three simple suggestions when drafting emails, it will button-up your communication and help others to reply quickly and increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of your efforts. Most importantly, remember to use a positive and friendly tone when writing an email. Tone of voice matters and makes a huge impact on how your message request is perceived. Warm and friendly goes a long way, as does saying thank you! Sincerely,
René Robers
RENE ROBERS
A pint-sized YP in Cincinnati, René is constantly fascinated by the world around her. She is an ultra-extrovert who works professionally as a marketer and focuses much of her time on reading, recipes, travel, volunteering and being the best aunt ever; she and her husband often enjoy hosting friends and family in their home. René joined JLC in 2011, and is the incoming Chair of JLC Online.
We view money as a necessary means to an end – a way to provide for our life-long needs. We don’t approach investing as a competition. Instead, we recognize its role in helping us reach our long-term goals – like caring for our aging parents and improving the lives of those we love. For us, planning our financial future is about feeling stable and secure, today and long into the future.
At RiverPoint Capital Management, we understand. In fact, our depth of experience in the customized management of investment portfolios and attentiveness to our clients’ individual needs has resulted in a 98% client retention rate. Put simply, our experienced wealth professionals focus on ensuring your financial peace of mind. So you can sleep better at night. Valerie Newell, CPA, Chairman, named among 2011 Top 50 Women Registered Investment Advisors in America by Registered Rep Magazine
I N V E S T M E N T
A D V I S O R S
312 Walnut Street, Suite 3120, Cincinnati, OH 45202 | 513-421-3100
Pamela Schmitt, CFA, CDFA, Managing Director, expert in helping women transition to financial independence
www.riverpointcm.com
DRESSING your little
DARLINGS
By Megan Stacey of Polka Dots & Pleats
works well, stock up on bigger sizes too. Consider dressing your child to fit their personality. Don’t be Before you were a mother, you probably had afraid to play with patterns and colors. Children look this image of dressing your little ones up in cute, great in whimsical outfits. coordinating outfits and parading them with pride Invest in shoes, outerwear and holiday attire. Even around town. If you don’t have children, you may still if you are a bargain shopper, there are certain pieces have this fantasy, so please, don’t let me ruin it for you. that are worth the extra pennies. Shoes are the most The truth when dressing your little darlings is that you important. Get your child fitted seasonally for practical must be practical! play and dress shoes. Similarly, coats are worth the Kids are meant to run in the mud, scrape their knees, investment since they will wear it so often and you spill juice on themselves, and anything else you can want them to be warm. Think ahead for special imagine. They are figuring out and exploring the world occasions or holidays, if you buy the year ahead, you around them. If you shop can find good deals even at wisely and plan accordingly, “Playing dress-up begins at boutiques. however, you can still enhance Try your best to plan age five and never truly ends.” ahead for family photos their cuteness with an adorable wardrobe. Here are and vacations. Otherwise, -Kate Spade a few tips to help you mamas, it’s tough to enjoy the time aunts, friends, and grandmas together because you’re so out: caught up in the preparation. When planning family Take a seasonal inventory of your kiddo’s closet. photo attire, study ideas on Pinterest and consider Determine how many pants, tops, pajamas, shoes, incorporating a coordinating color without being too socks, coats, etc., you already have and what you need matchy. For family vacations, pack outfits in freezer for the upcoming season and/or size. baggies and label them for each day. Be sure to include Buy pieces that wash well and appear to be high a few extras in case of emergencies. quality. Material matters on little ones because the wear and tear is so significant. Find nice qualities for good deals by shopping online at Zulilly or buddying up with a Junior League lady who would love to pass MEGAN STACEY on hand-me-downs. Take care of their clothes and store Follow my fashion journey them accordingly so you can reuse them for younger on Facebook at Polka Dots siblings, donate them, or pass them along to another Junior League lady. & Pleats. Find looks you love. If you find a brand or style that #jlcincy | 16
MEMBER
MILESTONES Michelle Vaeth was named as one of Venue Magazine’s Great Leaders Under 40
Sustainer Darlene Kamine has been honored as the recipient of the John W. Warrington Community Service Award from the Cincinnati Bar Association (CBA). This award recognizes a CBA attorney member or members who have performed extraordinary volunteer service to our community. Well deserved!
Kelly Hishta Birkenhauer & husband Nick welcomed Robert Frederick (Bobby), on April 6. #OpeningDayBaby
Jamie Humes won top honors as “Best Dancer” for “Dancing With the HBA Stars” presented by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Cincinnati in May.
Breana Roth married Josh Trauger on July 26, 2014, in Cincinnati.
René Robers is now Marketing Communications Planner at General Mills.
NOT PICTURED: + Erika Robbe is now an HR Consultant at Sheakley HR Solutions. + Beth Ciafardini welcomed a new baby in October 2014.
#jlcincy | 17
JLC ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS Congratulations to this year’s award winners who were honored at the Annual Meeting Celebration on May 28 for their outstanding work and contributions to the Junior League of Cincinnati throughout this past membership year!
Laura Goodell RISING STAR AWARD
Molly Flanagan RISING STAR AWARD
Haley Elkins EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD
Liz Fry SHANNON MARKS NEW MEMBER AWARD
Jacklyn Olinger JEANNE BOYCE MORRISON PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Mary “Sug” Clauder COOKIE NOWLAND AWARD
NOT PICTURED Leadership DevelopmentCommittee TRANSFORMATIONAL TEAM AWARD
Landor COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Perspectives Magazine Wants You. Your ideas. Have an idea for an article? We would love to hear it! Member submitted stories will also be considered and are highly encouraged. Share your voice, and your own perspective, with the JLC. Your Milestones. We want to recognize...you! New position, baby, significant achievement, engagement, wedding or other exciting news? Tell us everything.
Your business. Advertising in Perspectives Magazine is a smart and extremely cost-effective way to promote your business to a highly targeted and sought after demographic. Multiple advertising opportunities and packages are available. Contact Us. jlperspectives@gmail. com Submit content: via the new Communications Content Submission Hub at jlcincinnati.org #jlcincy | 18
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GrinUp! PROJECT UPDATE The groundbreaking ceremony for the GrinUp! Pediatric Oral Health museum exhibit Inside the Grin took place on May 9th where JLC members and families, exhibit partners and sponsors came to celebrate this important milestone at its future home within the Duke Energy’s Children’s Museum at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.
Our generous sponsors and community partners
The GrinUp! design team