The Junior League of Portland, ME 2020-2021 Annual Report

Junior League of Portland, Maine

JLP 2020–2021 Annual Report

WHO WE ARE Mission

The Junior League of Portland, Maine is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Portland, ME reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

The Junior League of Portland is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

Values

The Junior League of Portland, ME is guided by the following values: • Diversity • Collaboration • Community • Empowerment • Leadership • Respect • Service

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Junior League of Portland, ME welcomes all women who value our mission. We are committed to creating inclusive environments for all individuals, organizations, and communities.

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President’s Message Dear Friends, What a year it has been! Last spring, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we were forced to take a step back and determine how we were going to move forward and operate like never before in our nearly one-hundred-year history. Our group of eager and powerful women quickly adapted to a virtual Junior League year and embraced the opportunity to look at our work through a new lens and fresh perspective. We worked hard this year to create the League that we need to be, not the League we have always been.

Despite the challenges presented, the members of the Junior League of Portland, ME rose to the occasion, finding new ways to connect, learn, develop, network and give back.

We found innovative ways to ensure our members could stay connected and engaged, all while continuing to develop the potential of women leaders, by hosting virtual trainings, meetings, and discussions focused on social issues happening in our community and nation. We even welcomed our first completely virtual new member class of 14 this League year!

Our strong focus on the community’s youth was ever present this year. Our Community Committee launched our first annual Period Poverty Awareness Week to address a lack of sanitary products for youth in the Greater Portland area. This new initiative is part of our Basic Needs and Empowering Youth focus areas. The week included member education, a donation drive, a panel discussion, and the beginning of advocacy work, an area our members have been eager to explore and act.

In addition to this work, members spent time sewing masks for local after school programs, collecting toys and winter essentials to compensate for fewer holiday charitable drives, as well as virtually teaching kids about exercise and nutrition while in quarantine.

We saw the importance of the work of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. We focused on building our members’ knowledge, skills and mindsets around DEI topics in order to develop the

cultural humility needed to effectively serve as volunteers and leaders in our community.

We took a deeper look at our Fund Development strategies and introduced new, virtual opportunities to raise funds to support our mission and our work in the community.

In the coming year, our League’s rich history will become a strong focus, as we celebrate the Junior League of Portland, ME’s Centennial. For nearly a century the JLP has worked to affect change in our community and develop women leaders and we look forward to reflecting on our past accomplishments and to let this work be the inspiration for future change.

Looking ahead, I am hopeful that our next League year will look much different and we will welcome more in-person opportunities to push forward our mission, now with a renewed perspective.

I am honored and proud to have served along with our 227 members to make a lasting impact in our community.

Thank you for your continued support!

With gratitude,

Jessica Nason President, 2020–2021

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Leadership 2020–2021 Board of Directors President* Jessica Nason President-Elect* Hilary Scott Treasurer* Christine Babb Recording Secretary* Natalie Kreckel Community Vice President Laura Carpenter Fund Development Vice President Mollie Kaubrys Membership Vice President Casey Adams Marketing & Communications Vice President Abigail Henry Mentoring & Placement Vice President Katy Giampetruzzi Sustaining Directors Kristen Crean and Cathy Steele

2020–2021 Committee Chairs Community Impact Chair Emily Machesney Assistant Chair Kelly Parnell

Fund Development Chair Kristen Preble

Marketing and Communications Chair Rose Hyland Nelson

LDME

Placement

Chair Erika Leary

Chair Belle Bocal

New Member

Corresponding Secretary

Chair Anna Lowell Griffin Assistant Chair Elizabeth Mullen

Mentoring Chair Lillian Shields Assistant Chair Ellen Berg

Maria Maffucci

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force Alex Carrier Hitchcox Kirsten Dargis

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Community Impact This past year was a time of turbulence and unprecedented challenges for organizations and individuals alike, but it also revealed the ingenuity, resilience, and compassion present in our community and among League members. While in-person volunteer activities were off-limits for most of the year due to health and safety precautions, the Community Committee embraced adaptability. We remained connected to our partners through a hybrid of new and old tactics and responded to the ever-changing needs of Greater Portland youth. We also took this pause as an opportunity to educate members and the public at large on the issues.

As the world shut down around us, we concentrated on redefining our focus areas and revitalizing our volunteer strategies.

Community educated the JLP on what Positive Youth Development looks like with a training on our revitalized focus areas of: providing for basic needs, empowering youth and families, combatting youth sexual exploitation, and preparing and supporting youth for post-high school success. We framed our work through the lens of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and hosted a discussion on the topic in light of the pandemic.

JLP members supported five donation drives over the course of the year, focused on

meeting the needs of school-aged youth.

We collected reusable masks for local teens at My Place Teen Center. When kids were asked to maintain separate pencil cases at school and home, we helped parents foot the bill. Our winter clothing drive collected warm jackets, boots, and snow pants for 40 kids and 30 adults. And when the Boys & Girls Club thought they couldn’t have their Winter Wishes presents due to a deficit in corporate donations, our sustainers amassed and wrapped 27 toys and gifts. They also provided $200 and homemade cookies and hot chocolate for the Club to throw a proper party. All told 55 members participated in donation drives in 2020–2021.

One of the Committee’s goals for this year was to diversify the ways the League drives community impact. We achieved this through the creation of a long-term consultancy project between one of our members and My Place Teen Center and renewed participation in Opportunity Alliance-led community coalition meetings. We endeavored to bring the Junior League’s work to the masses through advocacy work, awareness campaigns, and public service learning opportunities (SLO). One SLO focused on youth sexual exploitation in collaboration with SARSSM and Preble Street.

Free the Flow Week revived our League’s tradition of advocacy. This public awareness campaign engaged members on period poverty using social media and daily challenges. Free the Flow culminated with a SLO with local legislators and nonprofits on the topic of menstrual equity in Maine. We collected 6,000 menstrual supplies and over

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$300 as a result of #FreeTheFlow, which is enough to supply 200 students who menstruate for a school year. These were distributed in collaboration with our SLO partner, I Support the Girls at local middle and high schools. The JLP Board endorsed four bills related to menstrual equity in the 130th Maine legislature, including a bill to remove the sales tax on pads, tampons, and diapers, and a bill requiring schools to provide free period products.

Three of our members testified in front of the legislature on behalf of these bills.

Finally, we were pleased to once again deliver our annual Kids in the Kitchen event for youth at the Boys and Girls Club, utilizing an innovative mix of virtual and socially distanced outdoor activities. Despite the many changes of 20–21, we are grateful that the enthusiasm and passion of JLP volunteers remains eternal.

President-Elect Hilary Scott provides testimony in front of a Maine legislative committee on behalf of a bill advancing menstrual equity.

“I really enjoyed learning about efforts to address period poverty in Maine from the perspective of both legislators and regional nonprofit organizations during our Menstrual Equity in Maine SLO.“ — Caitlyn Lloyd, Community Member

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The DEI Task Force focused on 3 primary areas for the ‘20–’21 League Year and made significant progress in all of our focus areas: Focus Area 1: Learning — o Hosted Summer 2020 Book Club with the book How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X Kendi o Conducted ongoing monthly DEI Learning Series open to all JLP members o Led a DEI-focused discussion at a 2020 New Member meeting o Led the Privilege Walk Exercise at the February 2021 GMM o Contributed a DEI Highlights section in every JLP newsletter this League year o Created a DEI Resource Library available on the member site Focus Area #2: Strengthen DEI throughout the JLP’s internal structures — o Collected input from across the League via a survey o Continued to formalize DEI work within the JLP by developing a new structure for next League year (‘21–’22) for the DEI Task Force Focus Area #3: Establish + strengthen relationships with DEI aligned organizations in Greater Portland — o Audited current formal and informal partnerships that the JLP currently has o Began identifying organizations we would like to partner with and started informal conversations with these groups

“The DEI Task Force has been an incredibly welcoming, collaborative and safe space to move the DEI work forward for the JLP this year.”

— Alexis Dirkmaat, DEI Task Force Member

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Fund Development Without a gala to plan, Fund Development focused on finding new, creative ways to fundraise.

In late 2020, the Committee held three days of socially distanced photography sessions and 21 members had individual headshots or family photos taken.

In 2021, we focused on virtual giving. More than 25 members leveraged their networks for an incredibly successful social media fundraiser in celebration of our would-have-been Gala.

In April, we mailed the Annual Appeal asking current and former member to make a financial contribution to the League. Member generosity resulted in the most successful Annual Appeal in recent years.

The Committee also created new, impactful sponsorship materials to solicit corporate sponsors for the Annual Meeting.

Last but not least, we launched a JLP logo mask sale to help members show their JLP pride during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Whether they were brand new to the League or those who’ve been in the League for a decade, It was awesome to see members empowering themselves by getting headshots taken — for many it was a very rare and special excursion!” — Kristen Preble, Fund Development Chair

Total Raised: 2021 Annual Appeal

$6,764

Photography, Mask, & Facebook Fundraisers

$5,678

Corporate Sponsorships & Donations

$1,100

The above numbers represent net profits *Annual Appeal goes towards 2021–2022 budget

Total Contributors: Members 55 Companies 2 Non-Members 80 JLP 2020–2021 Annual Report

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Marketing and Communications 2020–2021 Communication Campaigns

Inspired by an idea from PEE Belle

In collaboration with the Community

Junior League Legacy Women

Bocal, the #MyJLP2020 campaign was

Impact Committee, the Seasons

highlighted the familial connections

designed to showcase members’ micro-

of Gratitude campaign provided a

that many of our current members had

experiences on social media and in our

platform to celebrate and acknowledge

within our own League, and in Leagues

newsletter. The result was a collection

the League’s community partners, how

across the country. The series of prompts

of member responses to timely prompts

they continued to live their missions

revealed the unmistakable profile of

that brought laughter, tears, and most

in the face of a global pandemic, and

League women across generations, the

importantly: unity.

ways our members could support their

common values that bring us together,

efforts.

and the lines of difference that make us stronger.

The New Member Spotlight was a

We supported the inaugural Free the Flow

We worked with President Jess Nason to

playful and fun campaign to introduce

campaign, embracing an irreverent design

produce a series of GMM teaser videos,

the talented, inspiring, diverse members

style to bring attention to an important

encouraging participation and attendance

of the 2020–2021 New Member Class.

new

service

to virtual membership meetings when

The joy and positivity that came through

the

League.

the profiles of this series bodes well for

backgrounds to custom Facebook profile

or the risk of being “zoomed out.” The

the accomplishments in store for these

frames, we utilized new tools to raise

feedback from you all was encouraging

newly minted League leaders.

awareness about menstrual equity.

and Jess was a really good sport!

and From

outreach

priority

personalized

of

Zoom

members were facing a lack of bandwidth

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These inspired campaigns were executed on top of our committee’s regular work to service our League “clients,” whether deploying fundraising appeals for Fund Development, revising the website with Community, advertising leadership opportunities for Placement, or promoting trainings and service learning opportunities for LDME. We contributed significantly to plans for the JLP Centennial (September 2022) by participating in the Centennial AdHoc committee, and planning an archive digitization project with our partner, History IT. At all times, we remained committed to amplifying the work of our colleagues on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, through our regular features in the twice monthly newsletters, in crisis communication strategies, and in the editorial and design choices we make every day in telling the stories of the JLP. Seeking committee inspiration and engagement, the Marketing and Communications committee invited guest speakers to many of their monthly committee meetings.

Abbie McGilvery, Founder of the From the Nest and AJLI Social Media Consultant reminded us that “energy goes where attention flows.”

President and CEO of Burgess Advertising, Meredith Strang Burgess, shared learnings from her leadership on the Maine200 committee in preparation for our centennial celebrations, as well as insights from her storied career in advertising, which she attributed to “a series of 90 degree turns.”

Marketer and Entrepreneur Holly Martzial of Mindwell Marketing, cautioned us against taking on too much, saying “if it’s not a heck yes . . .it’s a no.”

Katherine Tinsley, Communications Chair of the Junior League of Boston encouraged us to use “candor and authenticity” when communicating across a diverse membership to ensure connection and engagement.

“During this challenging year, we continued to find creative ways to tell JLP stories and engage our members with rich content. We reinvented how we collaborate to promote the JLP mission and support all the committees across the JLP. I am proud to lead this team of hardworking women who are eager to learn from each other as we all tell the story of the JLP.” — Rose Nelson, Chair, Marketing and Communications

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2021

2020

LDME

| GMM Trainings

September

October

“Leadership Through Crisis: How to Do What You Can,” presented by Jodi Flynn, from Women Taking the Lead

Virtual neighborhood GMMs taking us through JLP history by decade, hosted by members of the Centennial Ad-hoc committee

January

February

“The JLP Annual Appeal: Why It Matters and How You Can Help,” presented by Diane Lebson

Privilege Walk Activity, presented by Alexis Dirkmaat

November Mentoring Committee Activity, presented by Lillian Shields

March “Advocacy and You: Spreading Positive Youth Development Beyond the Junior League,” presented by Emily Machesney

In February, the JLP hosted the Maine Women’s Lobby Executive Director, Destie Hohman Sprague, Maine State Representatives Denise Tepler and Cathy Breen, and Ashley Obptande, Dr. Sarah Holland, and Rachael Heger from I Support the Girls, for a candid panel centered on understanding the facts about menstrual inequities, removing the menstrual taboo, and thinking creatively about pathways to universal, safe, hygiene supply access for all people who

Service Learning Opportunities

menstruate in Maine.

In May, the JLP hosted a service learning opportunity to increase awareness and connect to community resources regarding Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Maine. Representatives from Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM), Preble Street Resource Center and the Cumberland County Children’s Advocacy Center spoke on a panel centered on understanding the facts and prevalence of exploitation and human trafficking and how to support survivors and connect to community resources. The event was free of charge with a suggested donation of identified items needed for survivors leaving a hospital setting after an exam and having to surrender their clothing.

Professional Development Maggie Chumbley’s Great Virtual Meetings in February

Girls Night In Virtual Game Night, Hosted by Kirsten Dargis in April

Jodi Flynn

Maggie Chumley

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Mentoring • Leadership training for chairs and assistant chairs in October 2020

i.

This will continue in 2021–2022!

• Partnered with LDME on a post-GMM breakout session. Content included questions about difficult League experiences, laughable moments and staying connected • Completed 2-part Board training on personal and member engagement

ii.

Part 1 in March

iii.

Part 2 in April • Developed a mentor-as-coach methodology, founded in evidence-based approaches • Committee remained intact, driven and we still like each other!

• We developed a foundation for how the Mentoring Committee will advance and enhance engagement and Board skills • Laid the groundwork for a meaningful partnership with aligned goals with DEI Task Force • Committee members participated in various DEI learning opportunities and leadership trainings • Committee members made cameos in other committee meetings to collaborate and share our struggles and successes • Our committee will be attending Annual Meeting

“It has been so exciting to be on mentoring this year, we have had several ‘aha’ moments and going forward, mentoring will be able to make a huge impact for years to come.” — Kim Koehler, Mentoring Member

Members of the Mentoring Committee meet via Zoom.

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New Member The 2020/2021 League year was a year full of changes, growth and accomplishments for the New Member Committee. Despite being completely virtual for all committee and class meetings, we were able to successfully onboard 14 new members into the Junior League.

Our League year kicked off in the summer of 2020 with three different recruitment events for prospective members. By the time our first New Member Class rolled around in September, we had 12 registered members. By November we were up to 14 members. Our committee focused on creating an exciting and memorial (memorable?) first year in the Junior League for our new members despite the challenging virtual circumstances. We incorporated virtual scavenger hunts, Zoom breakout rooms, games, and videos into our meeting agenda to keep the meetings interactive and fun for all.

We hosted a virtual rendition of Date Your Slate during our October class meeting.

Representatives from each committee joined us to discuss their committee’s goals, responsibilities, and tasks. October 24th was supposed to be our Super Saturday trolley ride. As a result of COVID, our committee decided to replace the trolley ride with a virtual mask making volunteer event that we called “Masks and Mochas.” We donated all the masks to My Place Teen Center. We also invited two guest speakers to our class meetings. Our guests hosted an Identity Wheel Training exercise and a virtual jeopardy competition. Our committee worked hard to provide our new members with a fun first year in the League despite the tough circumstances and we are happy with our success.

“Moving to Portland in a pandemic meant virtual onboarding to the League. I built a solid network of women who inspired personal and professional development.”

—Annie Finn, Provisional Member Welcome to the 2020–2021 New Member Class!

Lissa Andrews Amanda Barnett Erin Chrisholm Erinn Cookson Annie Finn Ashley Fitzgerald Allie Floyd Alexis Heldenbrand Elizabeth Johnston Julie Joy Kathryn Krott Lily O’Brien Gilbert Lisa Skerritt Caroline Weatherill

The Super Saturday trolley tour was replaced by “Masks and Mochas” this year.

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Placement The Placement committee began the year by hosting an open dialogue with the committee members about what it means to serve on the Placement Committee, discussing communication styles, community norms, and reviewing the committee work plan.

The year began by building advisor-advisee relationships and providing ongoing communication to members about leadership and placement opportunities, as well as member status change options.

Our first major task was to fill the PEE Slate. We reached out to eligible PEE candidates, developed interview questions, a metric system, and dates for interviews. We conducted PEE interviews and brought the candidate (Belle!) to the Board and League for vote. We created a video announcement to the League as we were unable to have a typical PEE announcement.

In December, we began placing new members. We received their top three picks and determined each member’s placement based on interest and availability.

We began to fill the Slate for the 2021–2022 League year. We began with a virtual presentation/ training around finding the perfect fit for you at the GMM. We started to fill the Board Slate and moved into Leadership and Committee Placements by reaching out to eligible candidates and promoting leadership benefits. We collected nomination forms and narrowed down the list of candidates to prepare a Slate. We created a presentation to the membership during the March GMM around moving into a leadership role.

As a final task, we will create and circulate a new Org Chart and Committee List for Annual Meeting!

“Nothing is better than working with a diverse group of women to build relationships with diverse women to impact the community.”

— Katy Giampetruzzi, Mentoring & Placement Vice President President-Elect-Elect Belle Bocal meets Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah while volunteering at a vaccination clinic in April 2021.

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Treasurer’s Report The Finance Council had an incredibly challenging and busy year. Working remotely and meeting monthly via Zoom, Treasurer Christine Babb, Assistant Treasurer Alexis Dirkmaat and Finance Council members Laura Carpenter, Diane Lebson, Jenney Pantenburg and Tracy Yee monitored the League’s financial health while also identifying issues and implementing strategies aimed at sustaining the JLP for years to come.

Among the Finance Council’s accomplishments this year: •

• • • • • •

Both the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer roles were filled at the start of the League year with no gaps in leadership; both roles are currently slated for the 2021–2022 League year The Finance Council included representatives from Community and Fund Development as well as the DEI Task Force and Sustainers Despite financial challenges due to COVID-19 impacts on the League, the Council was able to partner with cross-council leadership to stay on budget Coordinated and partnered closely with Fund Development to creatively fundraise during the pandemic Organized and streamlined League financial records in accordance with nonprofit record retention guidelines Continued to oversee Endowment Fund investments with Morgan Stanley Transitioned to new CPA firm, resulting in immediate cost savings and improved financial reporting

“The Finance Council has been a great group to be a part of this League year, as we’ve advanced the longer-term financial strategies for the JLP.” — Tracy Yee, Finance Council Our account balances*:

Operating Account

Community Trust

Operating Reserves

Endowment Fund

$30,293 $56,111

$6,541

$260,985

*as of time of publication JLP 2020–2021 Annual Report

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Sustainers Although the pandemic put a damper on many of the traditional Sustainer activities in 2020– 21, many members stayed connected and engaged by participating in the monthly “Book Club With a Twist,” which occurred outside and socially-distanced during warm weather months and via Zoom during the others.

Sustainers mobilized quickly in December to provide needed items for kids at the Boys & Girls Club, and several Sustainers have been actively engaged as both formal and informal mentors to Actives and on Ad Hoc Committees this year. Virtual coffee hours and a virtual Mixology class were well-attended. Sustainers enjoyed the opportunity to check in with one another and learn more about current JLP community projects, strategic direction, and plans for the upcoming Centennial in 2022!

“During the holidays, we were able to get sustainers to jump in and support the Boys and Girls Club, which was a highlight of the year. The call to action was put out with a quick turnaround and many sustainers were able to help with donating or purchasing and delivering the requested items! We also enjoyed meeting monthly over Zoom for the Sustainer Book Club, and we have had some wonderful choices for our books and binge-watch series! It really helped me to feel connected and inspired by our Sustainer readers.” —Sandy Couch-Kelly, Sustainer

Tiffanie Panagakos and Adrienne Pizzo from the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine with donations collected in December 2020.

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