Report To The Community

• Introduction and Welcome • Community Collaborations • Advocacy • Membership Development • Communications • Fund Development • Holiday Shoppes 2013 • Sustaining Members

2013 – 2014 Board Members President: Heather Ford Wallace President-Elect: TBA Treasurer: Cathy Dotterer Secretary: Jill Lawlor COMMUNICATIONS VP: Sarah Shea Dempsey Community VP: Linda Dombrow Fund Development VP: Sarah Weber Membership VP: Jennifer Jackson Parliamentarian: Anna O’Neil Sustainer VPS: Lynn Horowitch & Amy Sumida

Introduction and Welcome The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. (JLS) has promoted voluntarism, developed the potential of women, and improved our community for nearly 94 years. 2013 – 2014 was a year of growth and development for the JLS. This past year has been another amazing push towards of furthering our mission and vision.

The 18th Annual Holiday Shoppes experienced another successful year. We are fully supported by our own membership to run this amazing shopping extravaganza. The Holiday Shoppes had a new theme, color scheme and more than 5,000 visitors this year. We are continuing to grow our membership. The JLS is always looking for women who want to join us to make a difference in our community. We provided a year-long training course to fully educate our new members on all aspects of The Junior League of Syracuse as well as two volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits. We have provided our membership with valuable training on topics that are affecting our Central New York community. The JLS has begun our issue-based community work on Human Trafficking. The JLS is raising awareness about the fact that Human Trafficking does happen here.

We completed a successful grassroots advocacy campaign and worked with our sister leagues in Albany (via NYSPAC) to advocate for a change in our laws to help the victims and punish their

traffickers. We can’t give up on our fight to help victims of Human Trafficking. It was truly an honor to serve as President this year but I couldn’t have done it all without my amazing board of directors. Every board member contributed to this year’s success; they all have such strengths and a passion for the JLS that will keep us strong and viable in the years to come.

I also have the unique opportunity of continuing my Presidency for the 2014 – 2015 year. It is such a great opportunity to continue to build on the success of this year. We will continue our efforts on the issue of Human Trafficking as well as continued support of the various collaborations. The JLS will continue to recruit and train the civic leaders of tomorrow. We are tireless in our commitment to improve our community.

Together we are a force for change!

Heather Ford Wallace President, 2013 – 2015

Community Collaborations

Spreading awareness about Human Trafficking and/or empowering potential victims was woven into each of this year’s Community Collaborations.

Donating locally-sourced foods to address food vulnerabilities: Assumption Food Pantry / Regional Market Food drive — Most Saturdays throughout the duration

of the Regional Market summer season, JLS members volunteered to collect food from market vendors to donate to Assumption Food Pantry. The vendors were very generous and donated fresh produce and baked goods. This activity focused JLS members on addressing food vulnerabilities in the community that The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • 2013 – 2014 Report to the Community | 1

could lead to desperate responses, such as participating in Human Trafficking.

Providing support to the vulnerable homeless: Catholic Charities’ new emergency shelter for men — In July 2013,

Catholic Charities opened to the community a new men’s shelter. The shelter is a lowbarrier, 12-hour emergency shelter and a 24-hour, transitional program for men ready to take the next step past substance abuse and toward independent living. JLS representatives attended a reception and presented a donation of socks for residents, which are a valuable commodity to homeless men. This activity enabled JLS to address a tangible need in the community and build a bridge with an organization we would be interested in partnering with in the future to share our anti-Human Trafficking message.

number of toys and books, including a play kitchen and food, train set, building blocks, a Matchbox car set with rug, and several children’s books. All items were selected from MMR’s Amazon wish list, and the volunteers provided specific items requested by the center. The group also toured the center and discussed child advocacy needs and the center’s role of combating Human Trafficking in Syracuse.

Holiday baking to address hunger in Syracuse — A group of JLS members met on

a Saturday in December 2013 at a community church kitchen to bake several dozen cookies and desserts for Assumption Food Pantry. This activity continued the JLS focus on fighting hunger vulnerabilities in Syracuse that can lead to desperate situations such as Human Trafficking.

Building physical strength and positive self-image in community youth — Several

Saturdays during fall 2013 and spring 2014, JLS members volunteered with the Fleet Feet “Kids in Motion” program at Onondaga Lake Park. This program focuses on teaching youth healthy living skills to build confidence and make them less vulnerable to negative activities, such the lures of Human Trafficking predators.

parking lot of the CNY Philanthropy Center in April 2014 to collect donations of clothing, home goods, and food pantry items. The collaboration gave the League to opportunity to show ongoing support of Catholic Charities and share the Anti-Human Trafficking message with attendees.

Advocating “STEM” careers to build young adult opportunities: Syracuse City School District — JLS volunteers planned

and executed the second annual STEM event at Danforth Middle School on May 9, 2014.

Speakers and activities were presented to educate middle school students on careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The event was so successful that the committee was able to secure a date for spring 2015. This event enables JLS to fill a critical need in the community and encourage youth to pursue lucrative and fulfilling careers that will prevent them from becoming vulnerable to Human Trafficking.

Building confidence in young women: Becca’s Closet — Becca’s Closet is a student-

run organization at Liverpool High School that recycles used dresses and accessories for high school girls. JLS members participated in the donated dress sorting event in November 2013 and dress donation event in May 2014.

This collaboration enabled JLS members to help young women participate in prom and spring dances, which boost their confidence.

At the dress donation event, JLS members staffed the anti-Human Trafficking table, sharing the message and distributing t-shirts, mugs, posters, and books to other community volunteers and families attending the event.

Advocacy Evaluating community needs to appropriately allocate United Way donations — A group of JLS volunteers participated in

the United Way Program Allocation Review Process throughout the winter (January – March 2014). This was a great opportunity to support the United Way in its grant review and fund allocation process that occurs every three years. It was also a unique opportunity for JLS members to learn about the fund allocation process and community agencies and their programs in the Syracuse area.

Ending sex abuse of children: McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center — In collaboration with the Junior League’s

Encouraging play to support children in crisis: McMahon/Ryan (MMR) Child Advocacy Center — Ten JLS members

attended a playroom donation and facility tour at McMahon-Ryan on a Saturday in November 2013. The group donated a

Human Trafficking awareness efforts, “Darkness to Light” child abuse prevention training was offered by McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center to JLS members in the spring 2014. This collaboration served to further build our commitment to MMR’s mission of child advocacy and Human Trafficking prevention in the community.

Supporting emergency services to combat Human Trafficking: Catholic Charities Emergency Services — JLS

members helped Catholic Charities plan, advertise and run a donation drive in the

2 | The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • 2013 – 2014 Report to the Community

For the second year, the Public Policy Committee’s attention focused on working with the Junior League’s New York State Public Affairs Committee (NYSPAC) to secure legislative approval of the Trafficking Victims Justice and Protection Act. TVJPA makes a series of changes in New York State law to improve protections for trafficking victims and facilitate prosecution of traffickers. Junior League of Syracuse was represented at NYSPAC’s Annual Fall Conference and at the 2-day Albany conference in May 2014. The Albany conference included a day of briefing on the status of TVJPA and a day of meetings with legislators expected to have the greatest impact on the legislation’s success (or failure). As of this writing, the legislation remains stalled. Member time dedicated to Public Policy Committee activities over the year was approximately 75 hours. Financial investment was $200 for NYSPAC dues and $489 for travel to the Spring Conference.

Membership Development New Member Class — Annual

recruitment events in September 2013 drew more than a dozen new provisional members. From October through April,

new members were trained on the mission, vision and history of JLS, and participated in community impact projects. The new member class created a wreath for the Everson Museum Festival of Trees event, and visited Dorothy Day House to provide meals, play bingo and distribute goodie bags to the ladies. Fourteen new members were voted in as active members at the May 2014 General Membership Meeting, and every new active member jumped in to volunteer opportunities presented by the League this year.

Member Education & Training — In addition to the hands-on education and training members received throughout the year by carrying out committee work and leadership roles, JLS members received formal training at monthly General Membership Meetings (GMMs): • September – Agent Todd Bunnenburg spoke about Human Trafficking • October – John Duncan spoke about Onondaga County Human Trafficking courts • November – Agent Ronni Dickhaut spoke about Human Trafficking • January – Local agency panel spoke about the efforts to end Human Trafficking • February – StrengthsQuest training for members • March – JLS Treasurer and Fund Development VP educated members about JLS finances • April – Panel of representatives from local housing shelters: Catholic Charities, Onondaga County and Salvation Army • May – Panel of representatives from agencies combatting hunger in our community: Food Bank, Assumption Food Pantry, Downtown Pantry and Emergency Assistance Program, and Onondaga County Health Department

Communications

The JLS employed a variety of communication and marketing strategies to deliver year-round internal and external messaging of the JLS’s community impact, leadership development, membership recruitment, and fundraising efforts during 2013 – 2014.

The League’s publications – The NOTES (monthly newsletter), Annual Report, and Report to the Community – have a new, cohesive look.

The Communications Council played an integral role in all activities of the League, helping spread awareness about JLS and the issue of Human Trafficking at Macy’s Shop for a Cause and New York State Fair Women’s Day. Social media played a huge role in the League’s Human Trafficking Outreach Proj-

ect. League members visited 113 places around Central New York to share materials and raise awareness about Human Trafficking. Members then used Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the hashtag #JLSendHT to publicize the places they had been. Through the use of social media tools (e.g. “liking” and “sharing”), JLS reached a huge audience of social media users that would not have otherwise been tapped.

Fund Development

The Fund Development Council continued to explore opportunities through which to diversify and expand revenue sources for the JLS. As part of this process, the Council assessed current development efforts, analyzed a proposed fund raising event, and educated members about the League’s finances.

The JLS annual appeal again successfully leveraged the annual membership renewal campaign, and the JLS continued its partnership with Macy’s, participating in the August 2013 Shop For A Cause event at Destiny USA.

Holiday Shoppes 2013

The Holiday Shoppes event remained the League’s primary fundraiser, once again providing the necessary revenue to support issue-based community projects and member leadership development opportunities. Due to the tremendous efforts of members and the Holiday Shoppes committee, attendance increased to more than 5,100 guests.

In addition to a new Winter Wonderland theme, 20 new merchants participated in the 2013 event, with television and radio advertising opportunities reaching new lev-

els as well. Combined, these opportunities helped to create a successful and enjoyable shopping experience for event patrons, and enabled the JLS to share our Human Trafficking awareness campaign and commitment to the community with Central New York residents.

The Holiday Shoppes event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, donors, and community supporters, and participating merchants: • Sponsors: Price Chopper, Time Warner Cable, Feldmeier Equipment, Inc., Dellas Graphics, Neil & Helene Gold, Chocolate Pizza Company • Friends of the League: F. Olivers, NY Maple Booth, Insomnia Cookies, King+King Architects • Media Sponsors: Y94, Syracuse Woman Magazine, News Channel 9, Clipper Magazine, 93Q, YMM, Lamar • Raffle Sponsors: Stickley Audi & Co., Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Syracuse Stage, Cazenovia Jewelry, Ramada Geneva Lakefront, Phoebe’s, Ventosa Vineyards, and the Holiday Shoppes merchants

Sustaining Members

Sustaining member gathered at events throughout the 2013 – 2014 year, demonstrating the lifelong volunteer efforts and camaraderie that the Junior League fosters.

Sustainer events included the annual golf outing in September at Drumlins Country Club; pie-baking in December to benefit the Rescue Mission; monthly book club meetings and “R&Rs”; and the annual cocktail party in May. In May, Sustainers also took part in an informative “Lunch and Learn” at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center-West, learning about the initiative between St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center West and Nojaim Brothers Supermarket.

Sustaining members supported the Active membership by participating in a “Lunch and Learn” on human trafficking in October.

Twenty-two Sustainers came out to learn about this issue and the League’s anti-human trafficking awareness campaign.

Sustainers volunteered for a variety of shifts at the League’s largest fundraiser, The Holiday Shoppes. Sustaining members’ support of this fundraiser is essential to the event’s success.

Sustainers were well represented at the League’s Annual Dinner in June 2014, where Cheryl Ward was honored with the 2013 – 3014 Spirit of Mary Harriman Award, and Peggy Fabic received the 2013 – 2014 Sustainer of the Year award.

The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • 2013 – 2014 Report to the Community | 3

431 E Fayette Street, Suite 225 Syracuse, NY 13202 O: 315-423-9773 F: 315-471-1464 office@jlsyracuse.com www.JLSyracuse.org Mission The Junior League of Syracuse is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Vision The Junior League of Syracuse will be an organization of diverse women committed to enriching the quality of life for women, children and their families in the Central New York Community.

Find the Junior League of Syracuse Online!

Visit JLSyracuse.org for direct links.

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