June 2016 • Issue 8
In This Issue: • Outgoing President’s Message • Corks and Forks Wine Pull Recap • Annual Appeal Donors List • Past Presidents’ Luncheon • New Active Members Welcome • May GMM Minutes • Sustainer Update
MARK YOUR CALENDARS June 14: GMM and Annual Dinner • 5:30 p.m. - Sustainer Cocktail Hour 6:00 p.m. - Registration and Social 6:30 p.m. - Dinner 7:00 p.m. - Meeting Call to Order
OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE As the 2015-2016 Junior League of Syracuse year wraps up, I’m overwhelmed with all we have done! After the gavel was passed to me at the June 2015 Annual Dinner, I encouraged the membership to reconnect with the Mission and Vision of The Junior League of Syracuse, to grasp their meaning and to make them their own. My goal as leader of this organization was to bring ALL of our members together to create a better JLS and community by asking members to be as engaged as possible. Based on this past year’s activities, you’ve exceeded this goal. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished. Putting my gratitude and pride into words is nearly impossible, but the statistics don’t lie…
We kicked the year off with 95 for 95, an event that showcased our members’ East Syracuse passion for the League and the • Register on the website community. 55 out of our 66 Actives participated. From there we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Holiday JLS Summer Fun and New Shoppes with a bang! Celebrating the Member Recruitment Events: night away during the Anniversary • June 18: Yoga at 10 a.m. at JLS Ballroom Party and hosting over 5,000 attendees throughout the event’s weekend (the • June 26: Social at 12 p.m. at Owera largest attendance in JLS history) were Vineyards both fun and impressive things to be a part of! • Doubletree Hotel, 6301 State Rte. 298,
Thank you to everyone who contributed content for The NOTES during the 2015-2016 year!
March brought the Leadership and Regional Training event, where Syracuse hosted 75 members from surrounding Leagues to learn about AJLI’s new Membership Model. April was filled with activities, such as National Volunteer Week where our volunteers made a difference during six projects, including building a Book Nook for children on the West Side. And finally May introduced a new fundraiser, the 1st Annual Wine Pull Corks and Forks.
A snapshot of all we have accomplished: • 2,000 citizens impacted • 28 community activities • 10 members attended AJLI leadership training Besides getting our hands dirty, JLS women always make time to have fun. The Book Club for Actives and Sustainers continued as well as the R&R and Lunch and Learn events. This year also introduced JLS Women on the Move, periodic workout sessions held especially for JLS members, and JLS After Dark, the Actives interpretation of a R&R event. ALL members have pushed the Mission and Vision forward, by getting involved and making lifelong friends along the way. Be proud of what you have accomplished in 2015-2016. I truly want to thank the members of The Junior League of Syracuse for allowing me this amazing opportunity to serve in the President position. I have enjoyed every moment, even the frustrating ones. It has taught me invaluable leadership skills and showed me that passion is something that cannot be defined or measured. The question I always ask myself is why I continue my membership with the JLS. The reasons are endless, but at the top of the list is YOU, the membership. Without one another, we wouldn’t have a League. The Mission and Vision is what binds us, but it’s the friendships that sustain us. THANK YOU and congratulations to the membership on another successful JLS year. Time flies when you’re having fun with The Junior League of Syracuse! Contact the President: Jenny Jackson Donahoe: jljack06@syr.edu
The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • The NOTES • June 2016 | 1