MAGAZINE OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI
Perspectives WINTER 2017
Something to Smile About! Find out how the Children’s Oral Health Network and their partners are moving the needle on single most pressing medical need for children in Ohio. PAGE 4
Celebrating 20 Years of CANDO In 1997, the Junior League of Cincinnati launched CANDO with t-shirts and a canned food drive. We explore how CANDO has grown to provide capacitybuilding volunteer support for two dozen nonprofits annually. PAGE 5
We Are One League In a special editorial feature, we share both an Active and Sustainer perspective on how “One League” can harness the power of association. PAGE 8-9
In this issue 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12
President’s Perspective Something to Smile About! Celebrating 20 Years of CANDO I Learned it in Junior League: Leadership Lessons Spotlight on Transfer Members One League: Sustainer Perspective One League: Active Perspective Mission-Driven, Member-Focused: Photo Review Making the Ask: Top 5 Tips for Fundraising
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
A Historic Look at Columbia Center Tour of Kitchens a Sell-Out Success! Spring Fashion Show from Then to Now Past Project: Cincinnati Art Museum Docent Program Servant Leadership Through Placement Milestone Moments Securing Our Future: JLC’s Endowment Fund Save the Date for Our Annual Meeting!
Your Perspectives Team
Managing Editor Kristin Boyatt
VP Communications Haley B. Elkins
Assistant Editor Chelsea Zesch
Writer Emily Haun
Writer Cara Monaco
Writer Kara Sewell
Contributors:
Thank You
Carol Conlon Sarah Livesay Deb Livingston Monica Miller Jo Moore Susan Shelton
We’d like to express our gratitude to Members Lisa Hubbard, Jen Schuster, and Kendall Shaw for their volunteer photography coverage, and as well as professional photographer Mike Bresnen (mikebresnen.com) for capturing our special moments. We’d also like to thank Linda J. Smith, for her unwaivering guidance and encouragement.
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. Perspectives is the magazine of the Junior League of Cincinnati, published multiple times throughout the year. Past issues and advertising rates can be found online at www.jlcincinnati.org. For more news and events, follow us on social media. JLCincinnati
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JLCincy
Junior League of Cincinnati, 3500 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 • 513.871.9339 • www.jlcincinnati.org
President’s Perspective Mission-Driven, Member Focused. I had the privilege of spending extra time with one of the Association of Junior Leagues International’s most beloved motivational speakers, Vicki Clark, when she visited the Junior League of Cincinnati in November to present at one of our Issues to Impact November Area Meetings. Vicki, who owns her own nonprofit consulting firm, is one of the most inspiring speakers I’ve heard through my membership in the JLC and otherwise, bar none.
activities. Moreover, as a training organization that cultivates civic leaders and develops the potential of women, it’s imperative that each member understand how she contributes to the success of the mission each year. As a leader, I’ve been so proud and grateful read all of the touching “missionmoments” our members have experienced in the JLC!
As we talked, she shared with me some wisdom she’s gleaned from years of working with Junior Leagues: the What does it mean to be memberbest Leagues – those continually making a remarkable focused? Our members are the impact in the communities they serve lifeblood of the through the training, hard work, and League. Your interests “Our members are passion of their loyal and engaged and talents shape our the lifeblood of the members – are always “mission-driven League. Your interests organization – who we are and member-focused.” Such a simple today, and what we will become in the and talents shape our concept, and, yet, what a clarion call organization - who we are future. From New Members, learning to instantly focus our energies - I have today, and what we will about the impact the JLC has had on liberally borrowed the phrase from become in the future.” Cincinnati since its founding in 1920, Vicki ever since! to Active Members, boldly leading our operations and initiatives, to our Nonprofits are, by definition, missionSustainers, mentoring and modeling both dynamic driven organizations. For the JLC, our mission of community leadership and sincere friendship wrought promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of by working together shoulder-to- shoulder. women, and impacting our community through the effective action of trained volunteers and civic leaders, It’s the combination of both of these aspects of the is at the heart of everything we do. League, working in tandem, that drives loyalty – being mission-driven and member-focused means Of course it’s easy to see our mission writ large through consistently providing our members real, meaningful our longstanding model of nonprofit incubation, our opportunities to change our community for the better, projects like GrinUp! and RefugeeConnect, our impactful together. This is legacy work, where success isn’t CandO events, our exemplary training programs like measured in days or weeks or months, but in years – Board Bank, and our uplifting Choral Group. We were and in lives and hearts touched. so proud to have the exceptional efforts of GrinUp! recognized as the impetus for our being recognized as Fondly, the Cincinnati Museum Center/Duke Energy Children’s Museum Difference Maker Awards 2017 Community Kendall V. Shaw Honoree! JLC President Our leaders work hard to underscore our mission at all JLC events – from our General Meetings, to our trainings, to our New Member meetings and recruitment
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Something to Smile About! Exploring the Partnerships and Impact of the Children’s Oral Health Network By KARA SEWELL
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rior to dental school, Junior League Member Lisa Rudolph volunteered outside the U.S. in developing countries. For months, Rudolph treated children with terrible decay, extracting dozens of teeth, all the while thinking how fortunate American kids were that they didn’t have this problem. But Rudolph got a wakeup call the first day she acted as emergency chair at Children’s Hospital during her residency; one patient’s struggle sticks with her years later. “The preschooler’s teeth were rotted to the gum line; she was in so much pain.” Rudolph had to remove eighteen of her teeth. With a look of horror on the mother’s face Rudolph realized she hadn’t intended to neglect her daughter’s dental care, but simply couldn’t afford it. Thousands of Cincinnati kids are used to functioning the same way, with so much decay. Dr. Joseph P. Crowley, President-Elect of the American Dental Association, recently shared at our January General Membership Meeting: “The number one health care need of children in Ohio is oral decay. And maintaining the status quo doesn’t do it anymore; we all have to be in this thing together.” But with the Children’s Oral Health Network, thousands of kids who would not otherwise now have access to a dentist. “That is something to smile about!” Rudolph says she was shocked how quickly it all came together after sharing with League Members the need and impact untreated dental decay can have on a child. Simultaneously, community leaders from within and outside the dental field began to unite, understanding dental decay in children in our #JLCincy | 4
Tiffaney Hamm, Program Manager at Olyer School’s Delta Dental Clinic, speaking about the community impact of pediatric oral health programs at the JLC’s January General Membership Meeting held at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum
community is one of the greatest Center at Oyler run by the Cincinnati unmet health care needs. Leaders in Health Department, we quickly saw the Junior League were a driving force how successful this approach to in these initial Children’s Oral Health reaching underserved children could Network meetings and continue to be,” says Lisa Rudolph. have a large presence on the Board, Unlike many cities across the country including Lisa Rudolph’s service as where individuals and organizations President, as well work in separate as Laura Godell, silos, the united Darlene Kamine, “The number one front makes a huge and Bain Massey. health care need of impact on how much
GrinUp! and COHN children in Ohio is oral success we can have. have been working decay. Maintaining the The COHN Board in unison since the status quo doesn’t do it is actively working beginning. COHN anymore; we all have to to define the future has spearheaded be in this thing together.” agenda of COHN increasing access while staying true to care through to their mission: the implementation of school to create and facilitate a seamless based dental clinics, while the system of accessible affordable oral JLC’s GrinUp! project has focused health care for all children in the establishing long-lasting educational Greater Cincinnati region and ensure and advocacy efforts like the recent a dental home for children by age one. interactive Inside the Grin exhibit at And plans are underway to establish a the Children’s Museum. fourth clinic at the Academy Of World COHN has continued to expand its reach to additional communities and now has three school-based dental clinics. Last year, 15,000 children who would not have otherwise had access to a dentist were seen by these clinics. “With the launch of the Dental Delta
Languages Elementary School, which will touch the mission of both GrinUp! and RefugeeConnect by offering integrated interpreter services and resources to act as a hub for all refugee families and children in the area.
Celebrating 20 Years of CANDO By CARA MONACO
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o one can remember who came up with the name warmth and security in a scary and overwhelming time.” CANDO, but Sustainer Judy Dalambakis remembers While the CANDO committee has grown over time, one quite a bit about starting the committee volunteer opportunity from the in 1997. CANDO, or Community Alliance first year continues today. Both “You can still be a great Network Dedicated to Outreach, began Dalambakis and current committee 20 years ago when Dalambakis and other volunteer with leadership member Laura Hicks feel that their League members discussed the pitfalls responsibilities and a time working in a women’s shelter is of being a busy, dedicated member of a demanding career as well.” the most memorable. Hicks calls it her JLC committee and feeling they were “mission moment” and remembers missing out on direct community service her CANDO service to women’s with other organizations. From that conversation, CANDO shelter as humbling and powerful, sharing, “Those women was born, providing League members with opportunities all had so much strength and courage while the children to serve a variety of community partners beyond their JLC were so precious and resilient; I was humbled to be around placement and make a difference in Cincinnati through them.” Dalambakis was reminded of the simple pleasures single, concentrated days of service. we take for granted everyday saying she “learned a lot Donning pink and silver t-shirts with the new committee’s name across a can, the original nine women of CANDO collected canned goods for a local soup kitchen at the September 1997 General Membership Meeting as their first event. And immediately, CANDO was an overwhelming success. There is no question that first event 1997 changed the JLC. One of the original committee members, Kathryn Harsh said, “It has provided valuable experiences for women to make a difference in our community.” She went on to talk about the desire for “hands on” service projects in the league at that time. From partnerships with the YWCA, food pantries, Dress for Success and the Children’s Theatre to name just a few, even the busiest of League members had an opportunity to make a difference in a day. Founding committee member and current Sustainer Laura Hinkle said because of CANDO‘s accessibility, “You can still be a great volunteer with leadership responsibilities and a demanding career as well.” One of the JLC’s longest running CANDO partners is the Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House, an organization that provides a “home away from home” for families of patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Kristin Klein, Communications Manager for the Ronald McDonald House, recounted the many events the CANDO committee has organized with them. She shared that the committee’s dinners and ice cream socials give the residents a chance to meet other guest families. In a time that is so stressful for these families, an opportunity for normalcy can make a huge difference. Klein mentioned the fleece blankets members have made, saying, “Hundreds of our guest families have enjoyed the fleece blankets donated. Although it seems simple, this is a wonderful gift to someone who is far from home. It provides
about what that shelter is all about,” demonstrating another important aspect of CANDO: the ability to educate and train JLC members to be effective volunteers across a variety of services. CANDO now offers approximately 45 volunteer opportunities a year across two dozen partner organizations. From a canned food drive twenty years ago to the powerhouse of service it has grown into today, CANDO is a true example of the power of an idea. When asked what inspired the first committee to get involved, Hinkle had a simple answer: “Our community’s need was the inspiration.”
In February, CANDO volunteers prepared more than 930 power pack lunches to be distributed to families in need through the Freestore Foodbank.
Both Founding and Current CANDO Committee Members showcase 20 years of history at our February General Membership Meeting.
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“I Learned it in Junior League!” Leadership Lessons with Melanie Chavez, Judy Dalambakis, and Mary Ivers At our March General Membership Meeting, JLC Members were treated to leadership lessons from a panel of experts: Past-President and current Sustainer Advisor Melanie Chavez, Past-President and current Board Member At-Large Judy Dalambakis, and JLC Sustainer and current Board Member At-Large Mary Ivers. Members had the opportunity to ask questions about life balance, mentorship, servant leadership, and more; kindness and empathy were a common theme. “We’re volunteer-based,” explained Melanie Chavez of her own League service. “People have so much going on in their lives, and the League teaches you empathy - because we’re all here for the same reasons. And balance is hard. If you truly love something, you make time for it. But there will always be a natural ebb and flow; you can have it all, you just can’t have it all at the exact same moment.” Judy Dalambakis shared, “No one has it all together, all the time. This is a safe place to learn new skills, because we are all volunteers, and we’re all women,” adding that made the JLC unique among other training opportunities.
Judy also explained that in stepping into a nominating role on another nonprofit Board, her service on the JLC Nominating Committee had already prepared her. For her first meeting, she created a detailed matrix of necessary skills and qualities, as well as comprehesive supporting documentation. Afterwards, another Board member commented “That was fantastic! Where did you learn to do that?” and she was able to reply, “The Junior League.” Mary Ivers spoke to the impact of her Junior League service in her life and career as the Founder of the Cincinnati affiliate of Dress for Success, a nonprofit that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools. “Being a member of the Junior League gave me such a broad overview of the community. Having this exposure and education to all the opportunities to give back and get involved - that education and training in my provisional year carried me through, moving forward, and gave me a base to grow on. When I began Dress for Success, some of my first Board members and volunteers were experienced women from the Junior League. And when I retired, those skills helped me prepare my Board for how I would support them in the transition process.” When asked what their top qualities they look for in leadership service are, Mary stated: “Number one is always understanding what your organization needs, first, and then how to get that skillset support. After that, flexibility, dependability, and a sense of humor.” Judy added, “Followthrough - if you commit to something and then follow through, that means so much to me.”
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All three panelists agreed on the League’s power of association. “If you have boards you want to be on or organizations you want to be involved with, start dialing,” recommended Melanie. “Every Board wants motivated young people. If there’s something you want to be part of, call them. Ask how to get involved. Don’t be afraid.” Speaking on having just been back to celebrate CANDO’s 20th Anniversary at the February General Membership Meeting, Judy shared: “The women on that first CANDO committee are some of my closest friends, and when we came back to speak last month, and hear more about what Kenzie’s Closet is doing in our community, that was the first time many of us had been back for a GMM since becoming Sustainers. To stand in this room again conjured up so many memories. I had great mentors here, and I encourage all of you who’ve been in the League for awhile to be those mentors for other people.”
Catching Up With Transfer Members By KARA SEWELL Lisa Trismen spent much of her adult life moving around as an Air Force spouse. But it was her time in San Antonio, Texas that the mother of two decided to join the Junior League. Having lived all over the country, it was the diversity of the League that made her feel right at home. After spending 2 years as a Member of the Junior League of San Antonio, orders came to move again, first to California, then to Miami, where she transferred her membership to the Junior League of Fort Lauderdale. She was trying to find her way as a Transfer, so she hopped on a committee and helped plan the JLFL’s largest fundraiser to support their mission and community service. After moving back near her hometown of Dayton, Ohio she and her husband divorced. She decided it was time to transfer her League membership again “to be amongst like-minded women and to fill my soul.” The JLC Transfer Committee has helped with the transition into the League. She enjoys working shoulder-to-shoulder with so many women from different backgrounds; she says it is a breath of fresh air. Lisa currently serves on the GrinUp! Committee, Transfer Committee, and participates in the JLC Book Club. She looks forward to what lies ahead and where her purpose in the League will take her.
Raquel Cannon has only been in America for a handful of years, but she knew soon after she left her home and job in Brazil to move to New Orleans she wanted to give back to her community. Raquel joined the Junior League of New Orleans after a few attempts at getting involved with other volunteer organizations. After attending a Junior League meet-and-greet, she knew the League “had it together” and could provide direct service opportunities. Raquel had left Rio de Janeiro to be with her boyfriend (now husband), a fighter pilot in the National Guard, but it was him who followed her to Cincinnati after she accepted a role in Finance at P&G. When Raquel transferred her membership to the JLC last year, she was taken aback by the organized, pro-active effort the Transfer Committee took to welcome her to the city and help her find her footing. She’s already cheered on participants with “Girls on the Run” alongside other transfers, volunteered with CANDO for a Dress for Success event, and attended General Membership Meetings to learn more about the Cincinnati community. In the short time she’s been in the Queen City, fellow League members have made it feel like home. She says she looks forward to learning even more about JLC’s RefugeeConnect and GrinUp! projects.
WE ARE ONE LEAGUE: A Sustainer Perspective
Tapping the Collective Voice of Volunteer Experience By CAROL CONLAN While reflecting on how the Junior League has changed since I joined in 1976, one important change stands out: inclusivity through the idea of One League. Originally, JLC Members were not permitted to be an Active past the age of 40. Women spent years expanding our volunteer horizons, identifying our strengths, and honing effective leadership skills -- and just when we were finally at our peak, we felt like we were dismissed, with very little connection, other than financial, to the role of Sustainer. Fortunately, the JLC saw the value in allowing women to continue in the role of an Active, if so desired, and the policy for becoming a Sustaining Member was revised. However, there were still 3 distinct groups in the league, Actives, Sustainers and Provisionals (New Members), each operating somewhat autonomously under the umbrella of the JLC. Recently, the concept of One League was initiated to unify the organization
as a whole, tap into the collective voice of volunteer experience of our Sustainers, and consolidate any overlapping committees, as well as utilize the talents and expertise of all our members. Actives began including all groups in activities, including seeking more Sustainers for the role of Advisors to various committees to provide guidance and input on strategic planning. Since the Sustainers are the backbone of the League (some 500+ strong!), with their continual generosity of time, energy and funds that they so willingly contribute, it is imperative that they feel welcomed and valued. Towards that end, the Sustainer Council worked toward ways to include Sustainers in activities they would enjoy while reconnecting to the League. Thus, the Sustainer Forum, the brainchild of Linda Smith, was born. The purpose of the Forum is to bring Sustainers together in a social atmosphere so they can renew
their friendships and interests in JLC activities and projects, as well as listen to informative speakers on important issues facing our city. The outstanding successes of the past three Forums led to bringing more Sustainers back to a participatory role in the League where their ideas are valued, respected and appreciated, and this past year, the Sustainer Forum was opened to New and Active Members as well, furthering the concept of One League. Thankfully, from the Sustainer point of view, the One League idea has encouraged more women to become involved in League projects, chair committees, serve as Advisors and actively participate in fundraisers. The success of One League is evident since we now feel more welcomed and appreciated for the wisdom and experience we have developed as we continue to volunteer in the JLC and our communities.
In this special editorial feature, we share both an Active and a Sustainer perspspective on how “One League” can harness the power of association
An Active Perspective
A Bridge to Our History, Carrying Us into Tomorrow By MONICA MILLER “One League.” For my first few years, that didn’t really mean anything to me. I understood the different types of membership and that we were all Members of the same organization, but I didn’t fully comprehend the idea. It wasn’t until a few years ago, while serving on the Membership Outreach and Events Committee, that I realized the impact of our Sustaining Members in our League, and how important their involvement is to the training aspect of our mission. It was working with our Council Sustainer Advisor, Dionn Tron, that I was able to experience this in action. Prior to working with Dionn, I had not had the opportunity to work closely with a Sustainer Advisor. Dionn was a great resource as the Advisor for the Membership
Council, but there is one instance that stands out greatly. In 2014, the membership at-large was preparing for a vote on an adjusted leadership structure, and we had a Council meeting to discuss the time-table for presentation. Dionn helped us to advocate for the best execution for such a complex subject. My experience with Dionn, among other Sustainers I had after working with her, truly made me understand the benefit we have as a League when we utilize the full resources of our membership. As I am constantly reminded, there is nothing new under the sun -- it’s apparent every time I get to work with women who’ve come before me. When I think about some of the main benefits we enjoy from the structure of our membership, the direct
access to guidance and mentorship comes to the forefront. I cannot think of another organization where that relationship not only already exists, but is strongly encouraged. I have been witness to amazing, deep, and lasting friendships between Actives and Sustainers, and the rich and meaningful experience that develops when we work shoulder-to-shoulder together. Our Sustainers help us remember our past, while supporting us into the future; they serve as a bridge to our history while nurturing us into tomorrow. They are an integral part of our mission to develop the potential of women, and when we get the opportunity to function as “One League,” we are all the stronger for it.
Mission-Driven, Member-Focused November Area Meetings Members broke into small groups at five different area meetings focused the heroin epidemic, refugee housing needs, historic and architectural preservation, preschool expansion efforts, and diversity and inclusion. AJLI trainer extraordinaire Vicki Clark lead the diversity and inclusion training, as well as a Leadership Luncheon on building bench strength. #IssuestoImpact
Hygiene Kits for Upspring Our New Member class partnered with CANDO and GrinUp! to sort, package, and donate 120 dental hygiene kits to UpSpring, Cincinnati’s only nonprofit exclusively serving the educational needs of homeless children and youth. #WomenBuildingBetterCommunities
RefugeeConnect Thanksgiving Potluck Our RefugeeConnect team hosted a Thanksgiving potluck in partnership with Artworks Cincinnati’s Hero Design Company program. Kids worked with youth apprentices to design their own superhero capes with images that were personally meaningful to them. #RefugeeConnect
December Volunteer Takeover CANDO hosted a volunteer takeover day in December, with more than 40 volunteers spreading out across the city to assist with Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Cookies with Santa, GrinUp!’s Inside the Grin exhibit, client suiting at Dress for Success, and the Newport East Row Historic Society’s annual Victorian Christmas Tour. #MissionMoment
Give, Share, & Be Merry! Members collected supplies for our RefugeeConnect and GrinUp! programs, met some great prospective new members, and caught up with old friends at our 2016 Holiday Party! #GiveShareBeMerry #JLCincy | 10
January General Membership Meeting
RefugeeConnect Birthday Party
New Member Practicum Kickoff
We met at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum (a past JLC project!) to interact with GrinUp!’s Inside the Grin exhibit and learn more about pediatric oral health from the PresidentElect of the American Dental Association, Children’s Oral Health Network, and Delta Dental Center at Oyler School. #GrinUp #LearningOnLocation
As many refugees are assigned Jan 1 birthdays, we partnered with Education Matters to bring families together to celebrate with food, cake, world music, and gifts, with a performance by MUSE, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir and family portraits by Bake Me Home! #RefugeeConnect
Our New Member class divided into three groups based on the new skills they want to develop or improve. They’ll spend the spring learning from experts how to produce a fundraiser, organize a volunteer event, and coordinate a training. #CultivatingCivicLeaders
Learning on Location at Cincinnati Art Museum
RefugeeConnect Volunteer Workshops
February General Membership Meeting
2017 Difference Maker Awards
Prospective Members came together with Current Members to learn more about the JLC’s history with Cincinnati Art Museum’s docent program, including a keynote and tour by JLC Sustainer and CAM Docent Lee Crooks. #LearningOnLocation
RefugeeConnect hosted two volunteer workshops training community volunteers on working with Greater Cincinnati’s resettled refugee population of New Americans, with more than 100 volunteers trained this year so far. #RefugeeConnect
We kicked off CANDO’s 20th Anniversary with speakers from the Founding CANDO Committee and looked to the future with the current Chairs. We also collected items for Kenzie’s Closet, and provided volunteer support at Bethany’s House, Freestore Foodbank, and Kenzie’s Closet to celebrate! #MissionMoment
We are proud to have been selected as the 2017 Community Honoree for the Duke Energy Children’s Museum’s Difference Maker Awards, and to share the stage with RefugeeConnect partner STARS (Students Together Assisting Refugees) from Walnut Hills High School! #Mission Moment #JLCincy | 11
Making the Ask: Top 5 Tips for Successful Fundraising By DEB LIVINGSTON This past October, the JLC offered “Making the Ask: A Guide to Successful Fundraising” as part of our on-going training series for JLC Members. This training was an opportunity for JLC Members to gain education and experience in proper methods for asking sponsors, vendors, and community supporters alike for contributions of monetary, product or in-kind support, and featured a panel of experts including JLC Members Deb Livingston (Development Director, Mayfield Education and Research Foundation), Karen Sieber (Director of External Relations, Cincinnati Works, and Past President of the Junior League of Brooklyn), and Sarah Rieger (Development & Volunteer Liaison, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati). Below, Deb Livingston shares with us her Top Five Tips for executing a successful nonprofit fundraising strategy.
1. Plan Whether you are embarking on a large-scale capital campaign or planning a yearly fundraising event, you need to have a proper plan in place. You should begin your planning by establishing exactly what your organization needs, how much everything will cost, and how your organization will spend the money. You also must set an attainable goal. A well thought out plan will help you stay on point, keep your organization or committee organized, and help you succeed in an efficient manner.
2. Draft your case for support Your case for support consists of your written marketing materials that outline your needs. It articulates your priorities and what funding is needed. Depending on your budget and scale of your project, your case for support may be as simple as a trifold brochure. If you are able to clearly articulate what you need and why it is important, you can replicate this message online, through social media, and in print. A well-crafted case for support also ensures the message is consistent with every member of your committee or organization.
3. Leverage your network Success in fundraising comes from success in relationship building. Your board members, committee leaders, and current donors are your closest friends. Utilizing their networks should be one of your first approaches #JLCincy | 12
to building a robust prospect pool. A cold call to a company, foundation, or individual with no connection to your organization will likely be ignored. If a friend of your organization opens a line of introduction for you, your chances of getting a friendly audience greatly increases. When planning an event or looking for sponsors, start with the companies you do business with the most. Look at your vendors and contractors and approach them with confidence. You already know they have a connection to your organization and have likely benefitted from your business.
4. Be prepared and do not apologize for asking When approaching anyone for money, it is best to do as much research as you can to ensure you are fully prepared for your meeting or request. Research the culture of a company and get to know what makes them tick. The same is true for an individual. The more you know, the more confident you will be in your request and the more prepared you
will be for possible objections. When asking anyone for money, do not apologize! You have spent time and effort planning your campaign and have a passion for what you are doing. Do not be ashamed of asking for an important investment.
5. Follow up and remember a proper thank you If you are fortunate to have a face-toface meeting with a possible donor, always be respectful of their time. In doing your research, find out whether the person likes an old fashioned thank you letter or a quick text and remember to do it! Following up a few days later, recapping the conversation and checking in on the request, may also be the difference between a yes or no to a gift. Should you have the good fortune of receiving a gift, remember to send the proper acknowledgement in a tactful way. A thank you letter outlining an event or program’s success is good stewardship and helps you keep a successful relationship!
A Historic Look at Columbia Center By JO MOORE Junior League of Cincinnati is somewhat unique among Leagues of comparable size in having our own “home.” Built in 1904, Columbia Center was originally the Yeatman Masonic Lodge, and eventually the Columbia Auction Gallery right before JLC’s purchase in 1988. In addition to a permanent headquarters, JLC Members envisioned Columbia Center as a provider of affordable meeting space for other community organizations. This mission continues today by allowing non-profit groups to rent Haile Hall auditorium, our board room, and three smaller meeting rooms at significantly reduced rates.
1988, with construction beginning in August 1989. Diverse fundraising efforts allowed JLC to remove the pipe organ from the auditorium, add an elevator along with a second staircase, build a ramp for greater accessibility, create two new bathrooms, replace all the windows, and much more. While the building was open to JLC members in September 1990, JLC was not able to bring in community groups until April 1991 after $30,000 was raised to buy and install the elevator cab.
A $1.5 million capital campaign kicked off in September
Today, Columbia Center is not just a home for the JLC, but a home for the community.
Haile Hall renovation circa 1990
Annual Meeting reception 2015
Historic Haile Hall today
View from Columbia Parkway
Columbia
CENTER Unique and charming event space, minutes from downtown Cincinnati
Nestled in the historic Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood of Cincinnati, Columbia Center is a beautiful location that serves as a unique and charming event space. From hosting smallto large-scale business meetings, to entertaining intimate or extravagant social gatherings, Columbia Center is truly the perfect place. For more detailed information about Columbia Center rental opportunities, please call 513.871.9339 or visit us online at www.jlcincinnati.org/columbiacenter.
6th Annual Tour of Kitchens a Sell-Out Success! 400 attendees experienced the flavor of the community while supporting our mission Our 6th Annual Tour of Kitchens event on November 5 saw unprecedented sell-out success, exceeding goal and raising more than $25,000 in support for the Junior League of Cincinnati’s mission, programs, and projects! But this year’s Tour did more than raise funds; it also allowed the JLC to forge a new relationship with an entire community and introduce both League members and the general public to the hidden gem of the East Row Historic District of Newport, Kentucky. The Tour was met by overwhelming and warm support from the Newport community, including vendors, community organizations, and businesses. Newport’s East Row Historic District is the second-largest historic district in Kentucky, and its grand historic homes stand as reminders of the city’s most affluent times in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Tour attendees sampled delicious bites and beverages at ten different East Row homes, with architecture spanning from reserved Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles, to more ornate Italianate beauties.
Save the Date
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017
Tour. Eat. Celebrate.
JLC Members will receive an invitation in September. The general public can sign up on our interest list at www.jlcincinnati.org/tourofkitchens to receive an invitation and notification when tickets go on-sale.
Thank You
to our generous sponsors, homeowners, and patrons, without whom this tour would not have been possible:
The East Row District Historic Society led the charge of support with a generous inaugural contribution, joined by 23 additional sponsors, including Gold Sponsor Keidel and Executive Chef Sponsors Cambria, Realtor Megan Stacey and KW Realty, and Kathryn Hayden Photography. The general public was also enthusiastic with their support: more than 400 people purchased tickets to this year’s Tour, with 35% of them being non-JLC Members - up more than 10% from the Tour’s average of external attendance! The Tour Chairs and Committee were passionate about integrating local vendors to showcase the flavor of the Greater Cincinnati community, including award-winning restaurants like Bouquet, artisan companies like Maverick Chocolate Company and Breadsmith, and locally-grown food suppliers like the Ohio Valley Food Connection. The Turn Vintage Warehouse hosted the Tour’s sponsor and patron reception, where donors were treated to champagne and sweet treats from Bake Me Home, a non-profit organization that supports local families experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, our military overseas, and our local veterans. The Turn stocks curated collections for the Queen City’s brides, event planners, photographs, and local community members, and also serves as an event venue and vintage retail shop open 5 days a week. Tour of Kitchens Vice Chair Maggie Brown shared with us, “As a proud resident of the East Row neighborhood, the success was amazing. The local Newport community whole-heartedly supported the JLC’s mission and embraced local vendors with incredible zeal. I am humbled by a sold-out event and inspired for continued success of our 2017 Tour of Kitchens!” We couldn’t agree more, and we hope you’ll save the date for our next Tour of Kitchens on Saturday, November 4, 2017. #JLCincy | 14
THE
Hospitable Homeowners
Maggie Brown Jim & Iris Bush Scott & Cathy Farkas Grady & Suzanne Gibson Brian & Jennie Malone Elizabeth Owens Michael & Stephanie Peacock Mark Ramler Travis Gettys & Julie Tarvin Cliff & Paula Warnken
V
OL L E TIVE
DESIGN & CRAFTSMANSHIP
Patron Sponsors
Mary Ivers Jenna Pottschmidt Kendall Shaw Grady Brown Maggie Brown Melanie Chavez Kelley Downing Elizabeth Heubi Lynn Larson Marjorie Motch Pamela Roberts Skinner Erika Wera Maggie Wuellner
Our Annual Spring Fashion Show: From Then to Now By Emily Haun Fundraising is a critical aspect of any non-profit organization, and the Junior League of Cincinnati’s Fund Development Council works tirelessly to keep our fundraisers fresh, exciting, and community-driven. Sometimes, the best way to do that is to let history repeat itself. 80 years ago, the JLC held its first fashion show, “A Fashion Review and Luncheon” at the Hilton Netherland Plaza’s famed Hall of Mirrors, with proceeds benefitting the Woodward Street Welfare Station and Baby Clinic. The event attracted attention far beyond the tri-state area, and socialite Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt traveled to Cincinnati from New York to attend. The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote: Mrs. Vanderbilt will arrive here next week by rail in a private car, bringing with her eight trained mannequins to display the genius of expert designers of two continents. For it is not for the amateur, untrained and perhaps ungraceful under the strain of many eyes while walking down the run-way, to attempt to interpret these magic nouveaute. Thus the Junior League, which alone profits by this luncheon and Fashion Show, will not need to fuss and fume concerning “who will do it” and “what do we have to wear,” save in perhaps a half dozen or so cases where the most modish of these belles of drawing room and ballroom will model a like number (one frock each) of fashion’s favorite interpretations for the season just opening. The next fashion show was held during the 1949-1950 League year, and it ran for 23 consecutive years after that. To accompany each show, the JLC produced a beautiful catalog. The “Fashionable Vaudeville” themed catalog (1967-1968) was 184 pages long and included photographs of 51 models and 468 advertisements. In 1950-1951, more than $10,000 was raised, and by 1955-1956 the proceeds had doubled to a whopping $20,000, which is equivalent to $180,000 in today’s dollars. Fundraising efforts began to shift and the 1970s saw the introduction of the first JLC Cookbook, “Cincinnati Celebrates,” and by the 80s a new fundraiser called “The Festival of Trees” came into focus. The fashion show returned to its original venue of the Hall of Mirrors in the mid-90s and featured an elegant luncheon and mother/ daughter models. Sustainers Buffie Rixey and Cinny Roy were among those who walked the runway with their mothers.
Then, in the late aughts, the Membership Outreach & Events committee re-piloted the fashion show as a smaller mission-driven, member-focused recruitment event. After several successful seasons, the Fund Development Council would expand the event into its current state after recognizing the positive community reaction and potential for growth. Proceeds from the fashion show benefit the JLC’s mission of developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, including its current RefugeeConnect and GrinUp! projects. This year, Chair Katie Hayden and Vice Chair Alicia Taylor worked closely with their committee to pay tribute to the rich history of the event by bringing a theme from the mid-60s back to life: “The Royal Bouquet” was held at the Cincinnati Club on Saturday, March 11. “We sold out last year at more than 200 for brunch and the show, so the larger venue gave us a chance to grow those numbers and make this event a spring staple for the city of Cincinnati,” Taylor explained. There were more than 40 models in this year’s show, including men, women and children. Sustainer Priscilla Ungers, who was a model last year, believes that the trick to great fundraising is finding the right type of event that the membership will enthusiastically support. “Just like fashion, things go out of style,” she said. “You have to adapt and come up with new ideas, but in the end, what goes around comes around.”
The Royal Bouquet, 1964. Pictured left-to-right (listed as was customary at the time): Mrs. Edward H. Page, Mrs. Robert L. Coith, Mrs. H. Edmund Lunken, Mrs. William Deupree Jr., Mrs. Stanton F. Matlock, Mrs. James Tangeman, Mrs. George Raymond Drew, and Mrs. Harry Hake III.
#JLCincy | 15
Past Project Spotlight: Cincinnati Art Museum’s Docent Program By CARA MONACO “It was intense.” That’s how current JLC Sustainer and Art
history curriculum. An additional course tied to the Museum’s American collections was added for the fifth-grade curriculum in 1965. It wasn’t until 1974 that this program was extended to the community, following nearly fifteen years of tours run exclusively by Junior League members. The following year, the docent program and the Museum’s Education Division merged, creating opportunities for docents to cover a wider variety of curriculums and offering advanced training for docents to work with all age groups.
In the 1950s and 60s, guided educational museum tours weren’t commonplace, and it was JLC Art Committee Chair Carol Ann Haile who originally brought the idea of elementary school museum tours back with her from an educational conference. The Junior League of Cincinnat then approached Philip Rhys, Director of the Cincinnati Art Museum, with the concept. The two organizations then partnered with Cincinnati Public Schools to determine curriculum needs.
Celebrating its 57th year of art education, the docent program continues to play an important role in the Cincinnati Art Museum. Presently, more than a hundred active docents give tours of the Museum’s permanent collections and special exhibits to visitors of all ages.
Museum Docent Lee Crooks describes the original curriculum of the docent program. “15 hours a week at the museum, including advanced outside reading, learning about each individual object, research papers, exams.” Docents are volunteer educators trained to share their knowledge and facilitate tours of the museum. The docents use their love of art and community to encourage and inspire visitors to explore the art world.
In October 1960, the Art Museum welcomed its first class of museum docents for several months of formal training. The original 28 Junior League members went through a rigorous course that taught the interpretation of the permanent collections of the Museum as they related to the sixth-grade ancient world
The partnership between the Junior League of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Art Museum continues today, most recently with a Membership Recruitment event hosted there in February. The event included a keynote by Lee Crooks, who shared some of the reasons she loved her time as an Active Member of the JLC in the docent program: “I was serving my community, and I was learning all the time; I was working with interesting people and there was a strong sense of camraderie.”
New es Class g in Form ! Now
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Servant Leadership Through Placement By Emily Haun Each Active JLC Member is expected and fully engage our members,” to participate in a specific committee Stacey said. For example, the points or leadership role throughout the system was put in place to allow members to plug in as year as part of their membership they see fit, creating “It’s life-changing obligations, and the a more personalized in so many ways - the annual placement experience. “It’s about placement process process brings giving of your time and can change the impact talent to continue to Members together to explore what you’re making in the enable the JLC and community.” each committee our projects to thrive,” does, and what she said. skills it would allow them to develop or According to Stacey, the overwhelming improve. For past JLC President and response to the recent #MissionMoment Sustainer Susan Shelton, the Junior social media campaign showed the League of Cincinnati’s placement Membership Council how the JLC has process altered the trajectory of her impacted the lives of its members on career. a personal level. Members shared Susan earned a degree in electrical engineering and an MBA, which she used to carve out a successful, 20 year-long career in the field of hightech electronics. In 2002, the JLC performed a community needs assessment and noticed a gap in the children’s mental health sector. MindPeace was born, and Susan became the committee chair. Five years after its inception, the JLC Board decided that MindPeace should become a standalone nonprofit, and Susan transitioned to the position of Executive Director. “I decided to make a huge career shift from the tech world into the nonprofit sphere,” she says. “It was a chance to use my skills and training for something that would really make a difference for kids and families in Cincinnati.”
stories about how their JLC experiences helped them build new skills, form new relationships, and strengthen their community involvement. So, what can we expect to be different about this year’s upcoming Placement Fair? As part of the April General Membership Meeting, a Placement panel with current leaders will be offered, to showcase various committee opportunities for the coming year, as well as a presentation
on our newest Program Development cycle. The training component of the JLC mission will also be brought to the forefront as committee descriptions are tailored to describe how each committee differs in its offerings for skill development. For example, both the Tour of Kitchens and Spring Fundraiser committees train women on how to execute successful, strategic fundraising events. The Columbia Center committee allows women to experience the facility and venue management of a major building, and the Advocacy & Education committee gives women exposure to the civic process and trains them on how to advocate for community progress. Selecting a committee placement is an important part of the JLC’s mission to develop civic leaders and trained volunteers. “It’s life-changing in so many ways,” said Shelton. “It doesn’t have to be so dramatic – mine is, because I changed my whole career, but the placement process can change how you spend your time and the impact you’re making in your community.”
It was Susan’s early involvement in the Community Impact side of the JLC that fostered a passion for addressing needs within the community. VP of Membership Megan Stacey and her Council have been working to adjust the placement process to ensure every League member can find the perfect place to develop her leadership potential. “We need to continue to evolve with the times #JLCincy | 17
Member Milestones
Valerie Newell, Women Who Mean Business JLC Endowment Fund Chair Valerie Newell was honored this past fall at The Cincinnati Business Courier’s Women Who Mean Business Awards. Valerie is the Chairman & Managing Director of RiverPoint Capital Management, and the No. 4 female money management firm leader in the country according to Barron’s. The Women Who Mean Business Awards highlight women in Greater Cincinnati who have made a significant impact in the business community in the past year.
Tammi Bedolla
Kristin Boyatt
Dana Brown
Rebecca Bryson
Rachel Foster
Oscar L. Bedolla III was born on November 16 at Good Samaritan Hospital, weighing 6 lbs and 9 oz. He loves to take naps and make funny faces at mom and dad!
Kristin Boyatt became engaged to James Poeppelman on November 25, 2016. Their wedding is planned for March 2017.
Dana and Joseph Brown welcomed their first child, Evelyn Rose Brown, at Good Samaritan Hospital on December 3. Evelyn is the niece of former JLC Member Aine Baldwin.
Proud parents Joshua and Rebecca Bryson welcomed their first child, Bennett Wyatt Bryson, on December 13, 2016.
Rachel Foster was promoted to Corporate Communications at Paycor.
Laura Menge
Cara Monaco
Priya Rolfes
Emily Ryan
Deanna Sicking
Laura earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) professional designation from The American College. She is a Giving Strategies Officer at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
Cara adopted a one yearold beagle mix named Taco from the SPCA Cincinnati in November.
Priya and her husband, Dave, welcomed Leena Jade Rolfes to the family on November 28. She weighed 7 lbs and 5 oz.
Emily Ryan was promoted to Director of Communications at Pearle Vision. December marked her five-year anniversary with Luxottica.
Deanna Sicking joined Truepoint Wealth Counsel as a Wealth Advisor. In this role, she serves as the center of the client relationship, including financial and estate planning, and investment, risk, and tax management.
Submit Your MILESTONE
Claire Willingham
Chelsea Zesch
Claire Willingham graduated in December from Northern Kentucky university with a masters certificate in nonprofit management.
Chelsea followed after her career dreams and made the transition from Account Management to Strategic Planning for client P&G at digital agency Barefoot Proximity.
#JLCincy | 18
Lauren Bosse, Meg Bustamante Cooper, and Sarah McManus - C-Change Class 12
Lauren, Meg, and Sarah were selected by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber to participate in HYPE Cincinnati’s C-Change Leadership Development Program! They are among 56 young leaders in this year’s class who will develop and enhance their leadership skills by leading meaningful community projects that impact the Cincinnati region.
We love to celebrate your milestones! Share your promotions, retirements, awards and nominations, new babies, engagements, weddings, and other milestones! Submit your milestone by logging into the JLC member site online at members.jlcincinnati.org.
Securing Our Future with the JLC’s Endowment Fund A Perspective by Past JLC President and Current Endowment Trustee Susan Shelton Interview by Sarah Livesay What is the endowment, and the vision for it? The Junior League of Cincinnati (JLC) with vision and fortitude created the Junior League of Cincinnati Endowment Trust Fund in 1994 and Margaret Richards, Deborah Alsfelder, Carrie Hayden, Priscilla Ungers and Elizabeth Findlay were the original Co-Trustees. Our Endowment is organized and operated for the exclusive benefit of the JLC, to ensure the continuation and stability of its programs, and to promote and facilitate those programs, including, but not limited to, our headquarters Columbia Center, projects and administrative costs. The Endowment helps to ensure the protection, preservation, prudent investment and responsible expenditure of funds intended to be used for the purpose of perpetually carrying out the programs of the JLC described earlier.
purpose can continue. Contributing to the Endowment is very easy for JLC members and the public. No donation is too small or too big and is part of a fundamental piece of the stability and longevity of our League. Contributions can be made to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or as a congratulations and all donations are tax deductible. (Checks can be made out to the Junior League of Cincinnati Endowment Trust Fund and gifts of stock are gladly accepted, too.) The JLC Legacy Circle is another wonderful opportunity to contribute and includes individuals and families who would like to make a provision for the League’s Endowment Fund in their estate plans. These types of gifts memorialize your philanthropic values and support the League’s programs. If you would like to learn more, please contact Susan Shelton at sdshelton005@gmail.com or 513.236.7296.
How does the JLC use the endowment? The value of the Endowment as of December 31, 2016 was $1.317M. Each year, the Endowment contributes an annual distribution to the JLC, and this is calculated as defined specifically by the Trust. To date the Endowment, through our wonderful donors and wise investment of their donations, has contributed approximately $375,000 to the JLC since the inception of the Fund. A very tangible use of funds from the Endowment was the recent improvement made to our parking and for technology. The Endowment does not take the place of the need for JLC members to successfully plan and execute fundraisers, which are still essential for the training of our members and to help with the critical funding needed for our mission. The Fund Development Council has been doing a wonderful job developing new and improving upon fundraising opportunities every year.
What does the future of the endowment look like? With our continued nurturing and contributions, the future of our Endowment is bright! There are involvement roles for both Actives and Sustainers in helping the Endowment grow and succeed, including a volunteer administrative role to the board and trustee roles. If anyone would like to help or get involved in the Endowment processes or oversight please talk to Valerie Newell or Susan Shelton.
How has the endowment impacted you? It is an honor to be able to be part of making sure that our Endowment lives on, grows and helps the JLC achieve its mission. I personally have learned so much from our amazing chair, Valerie Newell, who graciously agreed to lead our efforts in 2014. It is also wonderful to get to know, work with and learn from all the Endowment trustees. Our current trustees and ex-officio members include Valerie Newell, Rosemary Welsh, Julie Albright, Judy Dalambakis, Susan Shelton, Kendall Shaw, Brittany Gurgle, Stephanie Skryzowski and Samantha Lane. Our role is critical and we take our responsibilities very seriously. Following are a few of the accomplishments over the last two years. The trust document was thoroughly reviewed and updates were recommended and adopted by our membership. A review of the investment manager’s performance was completed per the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA). A request for proposal was sent to investment companies; proposals were reviewed and a new investment company, Bartlett, was chosen. The investment policy was also reviewed and modified. How can JLC members or the general public contribute?
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It is important that we continue to grow our Endowment so its #JLCincy | 19