March 2016 • Issue 6
In This Issue: • Regional Training • ODI Florida • Sustainer Update • Sectionals Update • Community Collaborations • STEM Expo • Mens Shelter and VDay Photos • Chadwick House Thank You • KUDOS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
JLS TO HOST REGIONAL TRAINING On Saturday March 19th, The JLS is hosting a Regional Training for the surrounding Leagues. We are welcoming Anne Tishcoff, from AJLI, to facilitate a training on Membership. This training will focus on how to recruit, retain and sustain members. The presentation will follow AJLI’s Membership Model; one of their new initiatives to help engage members and create a strong and lasting League. The JLs of Binghamton, Elmira, Buffalo, Rochester, Saratoga, Troy and Albany are all looking forward to participating in this special training opportunity. As a special treat, during the lunch session, the attendees will be hearing from Michele Jones-Galvin, a Junior League of Syracuse Sustainer, ancestor of Harriet Tubman and co-author of Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People.
March 6: JLS Women on the Move • 3:00 p.m. • Contact Jackie Popkess for more information. March 8: GMM • Social 6 p.m.; Meeting 6:30 p.m. • JLS Ballroom March 15: Board Meeting • Social 5:30 p.m.; Meeting 6 p.m. • JLS Office March 19: Regional Training • 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. • JLS Ballroom March 23: Sustainers R&R • 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. • The Genesee Grande Hotel • Contact Barb Stratton for more information. April 29: Sustainers Annual Cocktail Reception • Time and location TBD • Contact Barb Stratton for more information.
Anne will also be presenting on the two other initiatives AJLI is currently rolling out; The Community Impact and Governance/Management Split Rollout. The Friday night training will be hosted for the current and incoming leadership team. The JLS has a restricted training fund, titled the Jerri Wilson Fund, in honor of late Past President Jerri Wilson. The money in the fund is used for special training events like this, as well as to send members to AJLI conferences and trainings.
Contact the President: Jenny Jackson Donahoe: jljack06@syr.edu The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • The NOTES • March 2016 | 1
ODI FLORIDA What an amazing, eye-opening, and inspirational weekend trip! Little did I know that when Lindsay LaRocque and I boarded the flight to attend the Organizational Development Institute 2016, in Miami, Florida, I would leave the weekend filled with new experiences, friendships, and an even greater desire to make a meaningful impact in the community. While I left with an overwhelming amount of information and ideas, I’d like to share some of the main points that stuck with me the most. During one of our whole group sessions, we listened to an inspiring talk by Vicki Clark, discussing the need for diversity and inclusion within our League. She reminded us that in the past, people may have said, “When you have seen one Junior League member, you’ve seen them all.” This is no longer the case anywhere in our society, especially within the Junior League. Everyone is welcome to be a part of the League and we need to encourage a diverse membership. This was apparent during the conference, as I met women from across the country from a variety of League sizes, family backgrounds, and professional experiences, among other aspects. The Junior League must appeal to the next generation of women, and she challenges us to remember this as we plan events, recruit members, and live out the mission and vision. As part of the “Membership Development” track, Naomi Chavez Peters led many discussions about the membership experience. The way in which we recruit members is an essential part of sustaining the Junior League. We practiced telling a story about an experience we have had within the League, rather than simply telling others what we do. Making a personal connection to the League will help inspire other to be a part of the organization. This story could include a meaningful relationship you have formed because of the League, professional skills you have learned with the help of the training from the League, or a memorable experience you had while volunteering within the community. Next time someone asks you what the Junior League is, try telling a story about your experience! “Story telling” helps present the League in a way that truly describes the mission and vision. As I left my final session, I realized how empowering it was to be a part of this organization with so many influential women, and because of this experience, I have a deeper understanding of how we are all connected within the Junior League - working toward the mission and vision.
Contact the Secretary: Katie Corbishley: katie.corbishley@gmail.com
SUSTAINER UPDATE As a reminder, the Sustainer of the Year nomination deadline is April 1st. That form, instructions, etc., may be obtained by calling the office at 315-423-9773, or by contacting Barb Stratton. This year we are requesting that the submissions be mailed to Barb at: 6729 Kinne Rd., DeWitt, NY 13214. Also check out the Sustainer-related items noted in the Mark Your Calendar section of this newsletter. Lindsay and Katie with members from The Junior League of Waco. 2 | The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • The NOTES • March 2016
Contact the Sustainer VP: Barb Stratton: bjstratton1@verizon.net
SECTIONALS UPDATE Thank you to everyone who attended our first two Sectionals! Early February brought two exciting Sectionals - “How to Navigate the JLS Website” and “Women & Heart Health”. How to Navigate the JLS Website: On February 8th, the “JLS Tech Team” demonstrated how to use our member website and the Seeing Spot app. The app is a great way to quickly check the JLS calendar and directory. Need to sign up for book club? Use the app! Need to call a committee member? Use the app! Accessing the website on a computer is a great way to add detail to your profile, check your member obligations, and access JLS resources and documents. Women & Heart Health: On February 9th, the JLS partnered with the Spirit of Women organization from Crouse Hospital to bring in two guest speakers. The presenters from Crouse Hospital, Cathy Wolf, RN Cardiac Care Educator and Nicole Miller, LMT, MS Integrative Medicine Coordinator, shared with us the importance of managing stress to prevent both short-term ailments and chronic illnesses. The four “A”s of coping with stress triggers are: Change the situation: • AVOID the stressor - “Just say no” • ALTER the stressor - Set boundaries Change your reaction: • ADAPT to the stressor - Reframe the issue • ACCEPT the stressor - Practice forgiveness Both Sectionals were informative, engaging and fun! Now JLS members have the tools to navigate the JLS website and app stress free!
Contact the Education & Training Chair : Lauren Knisely: laurenknisely@gmail.com
The above photos are from the How to Navigate the JLS Website and the Women & Heart Health Sectionals and were posted to The Junior League of Syracuse’s Instagram (@juniorleaguesyr). The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • The NOTES • March 2016 | 3
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS At the end of January, volunteers were humbled to serve 142 hot meals at the Catholic Charities Emergency Shelter for Men. We also donated 150 pairs of socks, which will come in handy during this winter season! The facility now operates 24 hours a day, which has meant a shortage of food for the clientele, so the JLS’s support was greatly appreciated! Thanks to Sue Shubmehl and Cheryl Saidel and all our members for their support at this event! On February 13th, members participated in a Valentines Day celebration and card making event at The Westside Family Resource Center. Children made cards for their loved ones and had snacks provided by JLS members. Thank you to Betsy McLane for organizing the collaboration. April is a big month for the Community Collaborations Committee. We will be participating in “National Volunteer Week” AND our STEM Expo. Both of these events are exciting for many reasons! “National Volunteer Week” is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. Activism is always the goal of the JLS; and between April 10th-16th that is exactly what we will be doing! Some events include a creation of a “reading nook” and library at the West Side Family Resource Center. Members are asked to donate any new or used children’s books (all age ranges) at the March GMM. Be on the lookout for more community collaborations to participate in. Please contact Courtney Bintz if you’d like to be involved in planning this exciting week of volunteer opportunities.
STEM EXPO 2016 The 3rd Annual STEM EXPO at Danforth Middle School is planned for Friday, April 22nd, at 8:00 a.m. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Women remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce, which JLS hopes to combat through this STEM EXPO event. This year, we will host 60-70 6th Grade Girls only, supporting both the Mission of Danforth and the JLS. Our most exciting addition to the 2016 STEM event is Astronaut Jeanette Epps, as our main presenter! Dr. Epps is a STEM role model for the Danforth girls. A native of Syracuse, she graduated from Thomas J. Corcoran High School, received B.A. from Lemoyne College and a Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland. She was selected in July 4 | The Junior League of Syracuse, Inc. • The NOTES • March 2016
2009 as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. Since we were lucky enough to secure her, we are following a “space/weather” theme as much as possible. The girls will participate in four smaller experiments hosted by local companies. One confirmed company will be the Channel 3 Weather Team! The goal is to provide the girls with a unique experience that will advance their interest in STEM fields. The STEM Committee has been working hard and are proud of the fact that this has become an annual event. We have formed a true collaboration with the Syracuse City School District. Please join us in our excitement and attend if possible!
Contact the Community Collaborations Committee Members (L to R): Lindsey Yonko: yonko.gardner@gmail.com Courtney Bintz: courtneyakers24@gmail.com Cheryl Saidel: cheryl.saidel@stylesolutionsteam.com
MEN’S SHELTER AND VDAY PHOTOS
CHADWICK HOUSE THANK YOU
In December 2016, we visited the women and children of the Chadwick Residence, making gingerbread houses, decorating cookies and donating gift bags with quick meal supplies. The JLS recently received this lovely Thank You Note from Chadwick!
ADVERTISE WITH JLS! Contact the NOTES Editor Carrie Ryder at carrieryder77@gmail.com for more information.
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KUDOS! Barb Tresness recently published a memoir, titled “Beyond a Charmed Life”. Anna O’Neil has recently started a new job at Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP! ___________ If you would like to submit a Kudos, please e-mail the NOTES Editor Carrie Ryder at carrieryder77@gmail.com
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431 E Fayette Street, Suite 225 Syracuse, NY 13202 O: 315-423-9773 F: 315-471-1464 office@jlsyracuse.org 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 www.jlsyracuse.org