T H ENOTES
ISSUE 1 | FALL 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
Holiday Shoppes 2024
Welcome 2024/25 League Year Dues Update
Mary Harriman Honoree & Sustainer Updates
Scholarship Recipient
SBLI Conference
Kudos / Congratulations
for Holiday Shoppes Tickets
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
8/28:JLS Social at Harvey’s Garden
Start Time 5:00 pm
Don't forget to register!
Online tickets for Holiday Shoppes are now on sale! Tickets are available at https://www jlsyracuse org/events/holiday-shoppes/
Reminder, active members are required to buy five (5) tickets at the discounted price of $5 per ticket (voted in last year.) For those who haven't purchased your tickets, to get your discount:
1) Select Pre-Sale $8 tickets
2) Put in the quantity of 5
3) In the Discount Code block enter your last name, first letter capitalized. e.g. Doolittle. The total will go down to $25.
If you'd like to purchase more than five tickets at the $5 price, you can use the discount code 'jlsfriends' in a separate transaction.
Friday VIP Night
Invite your friends or coworkers to an exclusive experience Friday, Nov. 8 from 5:30-8 p.m. They'll enjoy VIP parking behind the Horticulture building, two complimentary drinks, hearty hors d’oeuvres from CopperTop Tavern, live music, Helping Hounds puppies, and access to all our artisans Proceeds benefit the Junior League of Syracuse and its mission to build a better CNY community.
Pictures with Santa
Know families who are tired of paying $25 for a picture with Santa? They can get a glimpse of the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Saturday and Sunday, Nov 9 and Nov 10 from 10:30-11:30 a m In addition to photos, Santa will read a book and cookies will be served! Tickets are only $5. Children 12 and under are free any day!
WELCOME TO THE 2024/25 LEAGUE YEAR! DUES UPDATE
As we embark on this exciting new League year, I am thrilled to invite you all to "hop on the JLS bus" and join in our journey of growth, learning, and community impact. During our annual dinner, we introduced this year's theme: Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy because that’s how we truly learn and thrive.
For over a century, the Junior League has been a cornerstone in empowering women to become change-makers in their communities The Junior League of Syracuse is proud to continue this legacy. We will engage with our community while fostering personal and collective development.
As we begin this journey, I encourage each of you to reflect: Where do you want to be at the end of this League year? Let’s embrace the opportunities ahead, lean into the challenges, and create meaningful change in both our own lives and in the communities we serve.
Here’s to a wonderful year of growth and impact!
Thank you for your patience as we undergo the process of raising our dues. We brought this to the attention of members in the middle of the 2023-2024 league year. There will be a proposal brought forward for a dues increase for the 2025-2026 league year In the meantime, Nominating and the Board have reviewed the survey that went out and wanted to answer common questions that came up in the survey presented last year.
Q. How much of our dues go to AJLI?
A $43 00 from our dues go to AJLI This is true for each Active, Associate Active, and Sustainer. AJLI does not charge dues for Sustainer Emeritus. AJLI is planning on raising this amount.
Q: Who took the survey and what did members say?
A: 40 Active members completed the survey. 85% of those who took the survey supported a dues increase. 63 Sustaining members completed the survey. 62% of those who took the survey supported a dues increase.
Q. Are JLS dues Tax Deductible?
A. Yes, when you pay your dues a receipt is processed and they are tax deductible because JLS is a Non-Profit Organization.
Q. What are the average NYS JLS Dues not including NYC, Long Island, and Downstate?
A. Looking only at Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Rochester, and Saratoga the average Active Dues are $132.00 and the average Sustainer Dues are $87.00. We are below average for both Actives and Sustainers
Thank you,
Julia Kane Nominating Director
SUSTAINER EVENTS
At the June Annual Dinner, Jeanne Jackson was awarded the Mary Harriman Award for her outstanding leadership in the Junior League of Syracuse for 37 years (and 18 years in Washington DC) and her significant contributions to the community. Through advocacy, collaboration, and direct service, she embraces her community and makes a significant difference as a leader Her enthusiasm and support for the Junior League of Syracuse and the Central New York community is evident and she always says “Yes”. Jeanne credits membership in the league to how she learned to be a community contributor.
Jeanne has been active in many ways such as hosting Junior League of Syracuse events, taking JLS leadership positions and being active in league community work. She was the Sustainer Director in 1986 and again in 2018, is a Sustainer Book Club member, and volunteers regularly at the Holiday Shoppes. She has enthusiastically encouraged various JLS members to be active participants in the league and outside community
Interested in the Sustainer Book Club? Contact Karen Uplinger at nj@twcny.rr.com
Sustainer Pie Making for the Samaritan CenterDecember 7th, 9 am - 12 pm at Blessed Sacrament Church Parish Center. RSVP Sheila Corbishley, shcorbishley@gmail.com
Jeanne has said “yes” to countless leadership positions, including the Board of Directors of the Elder Care Foundation, Manlius Senior Center, Bassett Healthcare Network, Erie Canal Museum, World Wings International, and the Women’s Fund of Central New York. Her volunteer activities include the Everson Museum Festival of Trees, Fayetteville-Manlius Booster Club, CNY Diaper Bank, Samaritan Center, and greeting travelers at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Her Pan American hostess uniform is displayed in the museum.
She is the mother of Sustainer Jennifer Jackson Donahue, who is a co-director of Sustainers for this year. Her granddaughter, Maddie, presented Jeanne with the Mary Harriman Award at annual dinner. Jeanne’s leadership was clearly shown at the 2024 Annual Dinner as many JLS members paid tribute to Jeanne Their speeches showed the immense contributions that Jeanne has made both to the league and community. Congratulations, Jeanne for being the honoree for the 2024 Mary Harriman Award!
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
A huge congratulations to our 2024 100 Year Anniversary Scholarship Winner, Katie Mellen! Katie grew up in Camillus and graduated from West Genesee High School She went on to earn a degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Syracuse University. This past fall, Katie began her Masters in Childhood Education at SUNY Cortland. She currently works at a daycare with children of all ages and absolutely loves what she does
In her free time, Katie loves to spend time with family and friends, play volleyball and take her two dogs, Bean and Lucy, for walks.
Katie’s Essay Submission:
Dear Selection Committee,
I am honored to apply for the Junior League of Syracuse’s 100 Year Annual Scholarship. This opportunity means a lot to me as I pursue my goal of becoming a teacher and serving my community My education began in the West Genesee District, and continued on to Syracuse University, where I pursued a degree in speech-language pathology, graduating this past May. Outside of academics, I was involved in a group called CHAARG, an organization empowering college-aged women through fitness where I served as VP Media. This group allowed me to witness firsthand the importance of women lifting each other up through promoting balance and wellness. Growing up in Syracuse and volunteering at local charities like the Samaritan Center and The Brady Faith Center shaped my perspective These experiences exposed me to the challenges faced by many in our community and fueled my desire to make a difference, particularly in the lives of children through education.
I am currently enrolled in SUNY Cortland's Master of Teaching program and plan on graduating from the program in May 2025. My goal is to create inclusive learning environments where every student feels valued and supported While completing my masters degree, I also work with children ages 18 months - 5 years at a daycare located in Camillus, NY. I absolutely love working with children and seeing the positive growth each child has had throughout the year. I often find myself wishing time would slow down.
Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of school, but also provide support as I pursue my goals I am grateful for your consideration and the chance to contribute to Syracuse’s legacy of service
Thank you, Katie Mellen
SMALL LEAGUES, BIG IMPACT CONFERENCE
From October 3-5, 2024, two of our very own Junior League of Syracuse Members visited Orlando, FL to be a part of AJLI’s Small Leagues, Big Impact Conference. Lisa Reier, VP of Fund Development and Cat Cirabisi, VP of Communications, attended the conference to learn how other small Leagues throughout the United States function successfully. While attending various workshops and networking events, Cat and Lisa had the opportunity to connect with fellow Junior League members from across the country, fostering partnerships that will extend beyond the conference These connections are invaluable as the Junior League of Syracuse continues to build a stronger network and exchange ideas with other Leagues facing similar challenges and triumphs. The SLBI Conference proved to be an immense success.
Cat and Lisa returned with fresh perspectives on ways to engage our local community, drive meaningful change, and enhance member experiences. The Junior League of Syracuse is grateful to AJLI for hosting this conference and remains committed to implementing the strategies shared. We’re excited to see the positive impact these new ideas will have on our League and the greater Syracuse community as we put them into action.
Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming projects inspired by the Small Leagues, Big Impact Conference!
