ISSUE 2 | WINTER 2023/24
IN THIS ISSUE A Note from Our President Membership Updates Community Updates Sustainer News Nominating Updates Fund Development Updates Recruitment Town Hall Meeting Update
MARK YOUR CALENDARS 1/9: January GMM Start Time 6:30 p.m. 1/21: Samaritan Center Meal Service Start Time: 12:30 p.m. 2/13: February GMM Start Time: 6:30 p.m. .
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF SYRACUSE In the dynamic landscape of our organization, each member plays a crucial role in the collective impact we make on our community. As we navigate the 2023-2024 year under the inspiring theme of "Deep Roots, Wide Branches," I want to take a moment to recognize the profound significance of stepping into leadership roles within the Junior League of Syracuse. Leadership is not just about holding a title; it is a commitment to guiding, inspiring and shaping the direction of our organization. I have often expressed that when I joined the League, I never imagined I would one day be President, but here I am, growing into the position each day with the support of our League. Here are compelling reasons why stepping into leadership roles matters: 1. Amplifying Your Impact: Taking on a leadership position allows you to amplify your impact within the community. As leaders, we have the opportunity to influence decisions, drive initiatives and contribute to the overall success of the Junior League's mission. Your unique skills and perspectives can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. 2. Professional and Personal Growth: Leadership roles provide a platform for personal and professional development. Whether you are honing your organizational, communication or strategic planning skills, the challenges and responsibilities of leadership foster growth. These experiences not only benefit the organization, but also contribute to your individual journey of self-discovery and skill enhancement. [cont. to page. 2]
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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE JUNIOR LEAGE OF SYRACUSE (CONT.) 3. Inspiring Others: By stepping into leadership roles, you become a source of inspiration for fellow members. Your dedication, passion and commitment set a standard for excellence and motivate others to take an active role in shaping the future of the Junior League. Leadership is contagious, and your example can ignite a spirit of engagement and empowerment throughout our organization. 4. Building a Stronger Community: Leadership is a catalyst for positive change. By actively participating in decision-making processes and leading impactful projects, you contribute to building a stronger and more resilient community. Through collaborative efforts, we can address pressing issues, implement effective solutions and create lasting change that benefits the Syracuse area and beyond. 5. Ensuring Organizational Continuity: The sustainability of our organization relies on a continual infusion of fresh perspectives and dedicated leaders. By stepping into leadership roles, you contribute to the long-term vitality of the Junior League. Your commitment to leadership ensures a seamless transition of knowledge, values and vision, securing the legacy of our organization for future generations.
In a few short months, Nominating will begin the process of slating for the 2023-2025 League Year. I invite you to consider if the call to leadership is the next step for you on your League journey. Please reach out to your nominating advisor with any questions. Thank you all for being an integral part of our journey toward a brighter and more impactful future.
Victoria Wejko
JLS President
CONGRATS! Emma Geyer on getting married Stacey Waldo Hood had a new baby named Henry Jennifer Rubin for earning her 500-hour Pilates Certification in Atlanta
WELCOME! JLS Welcomed 6 new members in October: 1. Ashley Nadeua 2. Marion Rogers 3. Michelle Kirsh 4. Francesca DiMura 5. Jody Ridzi 6. Rosalva Spaulding
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MEMBERSHIP UPDATES WELCOMING BACK THE JUNIOR LEAGUE BOOK CLUB! Warm tidings to our wonderful group of ladies. The season of happy hygge is the perfect time to snuggle up & read together. Welcome back to our Junior League book club! Each month, we will dive into a book, keeping with a theme each season. Our first theme will be resilience. As I've gotten to know some of your stories, I've learned that women, in particular, have adapted and overcome in ways we should discuss. I find myself in a place of grief and recovery from things I was ill-prepared to handle. The question has been posed: is it the nature of adversity that matters more, or our ability to overcome it? My library shelves are stocked with primarily non-fiction titles, so when we have fiction selections, I'll appreciate all the input you may have. My choices historically for fiction have mostly been classics. I will research our books and provide trigger warnings when possible, hoping to create an environment for comfort and the building of good memories together. Starting out strong, our first book selection is "A Train in Winter" by Caroline Moorehead. This is the true account of three women in German-occupied France in the '40s who, in time, would be sent to Auschwitz. Ideally, we'll meet once a month, and I'm open to all ideas for locations. If the weather does not cooperate, we can find a way to meet online. Please email me at jerieputnam@yahoo.com with interest or questions. I would love most to hear about your relationship with reading—favorite authors or genres, and equally important, your dislikes. A Personal Story: My story is short and sweet—I became a reader at the usual age, favoring nonfiction books about weather and medicine. In my teens, I developed agonizing questions about humanity and turned to Kierkegaard. This was the gateway to my collection of philosophy and psychology books. When I became a parent, I observed firsthand how fiction belonged on our shelves. There are colors I have never seen, brought to my eyes through my daughter's love of reading. She often cut into sleep to finish a book, and if I heard a thump, I knew it ended badly— the book had been launched across her room. I am now 45 and a mother to two, ages 12 and 18. It is important to us to read aloud together before bed; most nights, we learn the story of a mythological figure (currently Norse) and add a meditation of Marcus Aurelius for good measure. I've encountered challenges I never planned to face (who does) and my summer of 2023 was spent in despondence. My time was spent with Sylvia Plath and Arthur Rimbaud, comparing his works to those of Jim Morrison. While these readings helped me feel understood, the time has come to begin stories of triumph and hopefully pick up tips and tactics on this voyage together.
Jerie Buckley Member Education & Engagement 3
COMMUNITY: JLS SPREADS CHEER THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE Written By: Mandy Marino and Holly Scrano. Edited By: Camille Marcotte
The Junior League of Syracuse dedicated its efforts to giving back to the community during the 2023 holiday season, engaging in a series of impactful volunteer events. Firstly, on November 18th, 2023, JLS collaborated with the Rescue Mission for a volunteer initiative. Eight dedicated members joined forces to assist in packing Thanksgiving to-go meals. The meals featured a traditional menu comprising turkey, stuffing, vegetables and mashed potatoes. Establishing an efficient assembly line, our teamwork enabled the packing of approximately 1,000 meals for delivery within our community for the holiday. Additionally, we contributed to the preparation of turkeys, ensuring a satisfying Thanksgiving meal for those in need. Despite the bustling atmosphere, the time spent by JLS members in service to the community was well worthwhile. We eagerly anticipate future collaborations with the Rescue Mission. Next, on December 1st, a group of JLS members participated in the bagging of food items for CNY Blessing Box's 4th Annual New American and Refugee Food Pantry event, which took place on December 3rd. Finally, in an effort to bring joy during the holiday season, we enrolled in PEACE's Give-A-Holiday program. Adopting a family consisting of two adults and three children—a six-yearold boy and two four-year-old girls—our shopping destination was the Fayetteville Target. JLS volunteers convened at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2nd, to shop for our designated family. Dividing into two groups, one focused on items for the adults, while the other concentrated on selecting gifts for the children. The thoughtfully curated gift baskets were then delivered to the PEACE, Inc. Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center for distribution to our adopted family. We extend heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our holiday volunteer opportunities, and we eagerly anticipate reuniting at community events in 2024!
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SUSTAINER NEWS SUSTAINERS UPDATE AND FUTURE PLANS Greetings everyone, we want to share some highlights and upcoming events from our Sustainer community:
September "Kick Off" Party: A big shout-out to Susan Cronin and Anne Miller for hosting a successful September Kick-Off Party at Calvary Club. Special congratulations to Maria Miller for receiving the Mary Harriman Award, as she could not be present at the June Annual Meeting. Community Involvement Project: Our Annual Sustainer Community Involvement project was a hit, with over 1,000 items collected for The Samaritan Center. Thanks to Sheila Corbishley, Lynn Fallon, Joan Ferrara, Maudie Ritchie, Terry Russo, Karen Sparkes, Barb Stratton and all who contributed! November R&R: Hosted by Maria Miller, Lynn Hamilton Johnson and Karen Matticio at The Retreat in Liverpool. Good food, good space, and great attendees! Holiday Shoppes Success: Thanks to all who volunteered at Holiday Shoppes – a great success!
Search for the new Mary Harriman Awardee and Sustainer of the Year – nominations open after Christmas. R&Rs scheduled for February, March and April with exciting new twists. Sustainer Cocktail Party: Plans are underway! Joan Ferrara and Maria Russell are leading the way. If you'd like to be involved, contact Joan (Joan.M.Ferrara@gmail.com) or Maria (mprussel@syr.edu). Your Input Matters: Barb and I are eager to hear your suggestions for activities or volunteer opportunities. Feel free to let us know your thoughts! Thank you for your continued support and involvement.
Cheryl Ward & Barb Benedict Sustainer Chairs
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SUSTAINER NEWS A SUCCESSFUL SUSTAINER PIE MAKING SERVICE EVENT A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Sustainer Apple Pie Making Service event on December 2, 2023, at Blessed Sacrament Church Parish Center. Your hard work resulted in 60 pies and 15 containers of seasoned apple mixtures for the Samaritan Center. Special thanks to Rev. Severine Yagaza for letting us use the Parish Center and to Addie Silvia for the delightful treats. A shout-out to the amazing volunteers: Sustainer VP: Cheryl Ward Shopping: Anne Miller, Martha Tooley, Peggy Fabic Set-up: Martha Tooley, Katie Corbishley, Bernie Corbishley Pie Delivery: Martha Tooley, Bernie Corbishley Your efforts made a difference, and I appreciate each one of you for kicking off the holiday season with generosity.
Sheila Corbishley Sustainer
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NOMINATING UPDATES
FUND DEVELOPMENT BUZZ Fund Development is excited to bring you the latest updates as we gear up for an exciting winter and spring season.
Nominating has been working on several initiatives in relation to our strategic plan that I'm happy to provide an update on. One priority was to increase visibility of nominating within the league. Through intentional plans (more consistent communication with advisees) and league changes (nominating oversaw event staffing for Holiday Shoppes) we have been advancing this. In addition, we also have a nominating advisor represented at every New Member meeting to share who we are and what we do as we onboard new League members. Annually, we have committed to a Mid-Year assessment to better gauge members satisfaction and thoughts. We are reenvisioning that this year in association with exploring a dues increase. Our survey this year will have members provide input into possible upcoming increased to dues as these have not changed in 10+ years. Furthermore, we are excited to continue our commitment of training and professional development for our members. This past fall we sent two members to an ODI in Texas and look forward to this organization benefit being utilized and accessed by additional members. As we look forward to the spring, we are excited to converse with members about their next opportunity within the league, and further advance our strategic plan goals.
Casey Duffy Nominating Director
Annual Giving Tuesday Update: You may have noticed a lack of request during November's annual Giving Tuesday from JLS. - that was intentional. We're reimagining our approach to Annual Appeal, encouraging members to contribute during membership renewal and focusing our end-of-year efforts on organizations and individuals who are outside of our membership. Spring Scholarship Initiatives: As we head into spring, our Scholarship Committee is actively seeking applications for our $2,000 scholarship. We remain committed to fostering education and empowerment of women in the CNY area through our scholarship initiatives. Exciting Postcard Project Fundraiser: We're exploring a local postcard project fundraiser to capture attention and generate support for our cause in a fresh and engaging way. Social and Fundraising Harmony: We know a key reason members join the League is to meet new people, and with that goal at the forefront of the work we are doing within Fund Development, we're looking to create a harmonious blend of social events and fundraisers. Coming up, we have plans to partner with different restaurants, with an aim to not only bring our members together, but also have a percentage of proceeds returned to support our initiatives. To further commit to this initiative, we have successfully secured a spring date for our Crunch fundraiser (save the date: April 20, 2024), setting the stage for an impactful event. These collaborative endeavors promise to be a win-win for everyone involved. Sneaker Recycling Program: In an effort to give back and promote sustainability, we are collecting gently used athletic footwear from you, your family, friends, colleagues and anyone willing to part with them. Please ensure your sneakers are paired together within the same bag (please consider tying the laces together) in order to qualify for compensation. Please do NOT send: any non-athletic footwear including but not limited to dress shoes, heels, rain boots, sandals, slip-ons, water socks, wedges, and work boots of any kind. We will collect the athletic footwear at the next GMM.
Amanda Terzian Fund Development Chair
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TOWN HALL MEETING UPDATE: PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS With great enthusiasm, I share exciting updates and insights from our recent town hall meeting. Our 2023-2024 theme, "Deep Roots, Wide Branches," encapsulates our organization's commitment to fostering growth, unity, and community impact. During the town hall, we conducted a comprehensive review of our financials, ensuring the continued success and sustainability of our endeavors. Your engagement in this dialogue exemplifies the dedication and accountability of our members, emphasizing transparency and fiscal responsibility. A key focus was the revitalization of our largest annual fundraiser, Holiday Shoppes. Recognizing its historical significance, we are determined to elevate it to new heights. Our goal is to transform Holiday Shoppes into a must-attend experience, drawing individuals from all corners of Syracuse and beyond. The Board has voted to create a dedicated ad-hoc committee to revamp and elevate this annual tradition, and we look forward to sharing their progress with all of you. To provide an in-depth understanding of our deliberations, the video recording and presentation slides from the town hall are available under the Member Resources section on Digital Cheetah. We encourage every member to access these valuable resources, as they form the foundation for collaborative efforts shaping the future success of the Junior League of Syracuse. Our commitment to "Deep Roots, Wide Branches" extends beyond finances. It is a rallying call to strengthen our roots within the community while expanding our branches to reach new heights of influence and impact. Together, we will continue to be a force for positive change, touching the lives of those in need and leaving a lasting legacy in the Syracuse area. So as we embark on this journey, let's embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. With unity, determination and a shared vision, there is no limit to what we can achieve as the Junior League of Syracuse! Thank you for your unwavering dedication and continued support.
Vicki Wejko JLS President 8
NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT NEW MEMBER ORIENTATIONS – YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED! JLS Active Members and Sustainers, Thank you for everyone’s overwhelming support during our rolling admissions this year. As we welcome new members into the Junior League of Syracuse, we invite all active members and sustainers to attend and/or invite guests to our upcoming New Member Orientation Brunches, held at the CNY Philanthropy Center in the third-floor conference room on the following dates: Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM To secure your spot, kindly sign up via Digital Cheetah or RSVP via email to membership@jlsyracuse.org. Additionally, we encourage you to share the following link with anyone interested in attending a new member orientation or learning more about the Junior League of Syracuse: New Member Interest Application (http://tinyurl.com/newmemberjls) Your participation is vital in fostering a warm and inclusive welcome for our new members. Feel free to forward this invitation to anyone who may be interested.
FUND DEVELOPMENT Thank you to our sponsors!
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