3039M: The Official Magazine of the Junior League of Washington

3039M

The Official Magazine of The Junior League of Washington

3039 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 | 202.337.2001 | www.jlw.org

Welcome to Our House!

The JLW’s new magazine celebrates our history, partners, and Mission Moments

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Letter From the President

Greetings and Happy Fall

I

hope this letter finds you enjoying 3039M, JLW’s fresh, new magazine.

Twice a year, 3039M will showcase our members, donors and partners doing great things in the community to further our mission. But I hope that each issue of 3039M will also find you “falling” more and more in love with our League.

chairing Holiday Shops, distributing books to Washington Middle School for Girls as part of “Resolution Read,” and delivering meals with our partner Iona Senior Services. In this inaugural issue of 3039M, check out other JLW BOD members’ Mission Moments and may they encourage each of you to discover your own.

How do you “fall in love” with JLW? I believe this happens when you enjoy each experience and remember that you get out of the year what you give. Come to events, meet new people, volunteer and be open to where your heart is leading you to serve.

I had no idea 11 years ago — when I joined The JLW — that I would serve as president of this great group. I’m excited to see what the year holds and how your Mission Moments shape your JLW volunteer experience.

Essentially, that means creating what I call Mission Moments. I’m talking about those moments when you realize that you are helping improve the community while developing your own leadership skills or providing a community partner with smart, well-trained volunteers.

Special thanks to Communications and PR Council Chair Kristen Anderson and Deidra Lemons and her Member Communications team for making 3039M a reality. What better way to discover all the great things The JLW has accomplished than by reading!

My own Mission Moments are too numerous to list here, but definitely include my year

Members of the Board President Shiela Corley Vice President Jennifer Hemingway Secretary Erinn Gray Treasurer Marie Hahn Vice Treasurer Brooke Horiuchi Communications & PR Kristen Soltis Anderson Youth & Family Community Placements Kim Tuomey Cultural Community Placements Nancy Margaret Adler Adult Community Placements Stacey Hinton Tuneski

All my best,

Community Affairs Amber Huffman

President

Membership Development Kelly Wilson-Pisciotta New Membership Amanda Walke

Letter From the EDITOR

What We’re Doing at The JLW

W

elcome to the inaugural issue of 3039M. Each edition will celebrate the impact of The Junior League of Washington on our community, our members and our partners. 3039M will be different from any of JLW’s previous print and online publications and replaces the biannual Hotline newsletter. As you can see, the articles and profiles are shorter and brighter with the goal of moving members into experiencing their own Mission Moments. In fact, each edition will feature JLW members sharing their favorite Mission Moment as well as profiles of provisional and sustaining members, flash-

backs in JLW History, Community Partner spotlights, and hosts of other great reads.

A special thank you is due to the 2013– 2014 Member Communications Committee and the Public Relations Council for their swift work to ensure the spectacular success of this first edition of 3039M. I hope each of you enjoys reading this excellent new magazine and learn more about where The JLW has been…and where we are heading in the future. Enjoy!

Editor, Member Communications Chair

Nominating Susan Marshall Strategic Planning Susan Michels Sustainers Erin Cromer Ways & Means Kimberly Linson

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New Members

Why I Joined The Junior League of Washington Quotes from Our Newest Members Katherine Kalec

Alexandra Nasif

“ I joined to give back to my community and be a part of an organization of women with that same goal.

I believe it’s also a great way to get to know others in the DC area.”

Stephanie Fontenot

“ I became interested in The JLW as an avenue to give back to my hometown.

JLW offers an array of volunteer experiences, with profound personal growth opportunities.”

Danielle Rourke

Sustainer Base Going Strong

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“ I met Deena Smith, who had only positive Mission Moments to share.

I realized the goals of this historic organization were in alignment with my interests.”

“ I’d volunteered with the Library of Congress, promoting literacy to visitors and researchers. That experience led me to seek an opportunity with a deeper impact on the community.”

The JLW enjoys a Years + strong sustainer base, with many members who have served for 30 years or more. Below are a few of the dedicated women who have reached this milestone.

50-Year Members Carolyn Clewell Suzanne Clewell Roxane Hughes Katherine Johnson

Tamzin McMinn Judith Robinson Margaret Steuart Nancy Welker

40-Year Members Gale Nemec Polly Ann Roulhac Anne Taylor Lynn Van Fleit Patricia Winn Silberman Lind Wright

Jan Campbell Ann Fragale Alice Gasch Helen Mazzuca Harriett McCune Barbara McGraw Laura Murray 30-Year Members

THE JLW GOES DIGITAL

Harnessing Social Media Our Award-Winning Strategy for Engagement

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ow do you keep more than 2,000 active members connected to The JLW and each other and, at the same time, showcase our community impact, highlight special events, and support our community partners? Increasingly, the answer is social media. In fact, The JLW won the 2013 AJLI Award for Marketing for harnessing technology across media platforms to meet our members communications needs wherever they are.

See our social media toolbox below.

What You Can Do • Follow The JLW on Facebook and Twitter • Tweet and retweet JLW activities on Twitter • “Like” other members’ posts on social media • Join our groups • Share our blog • Use the hashtag #jlwvol

facebook.com / JLWDC

Junior League of Washington

@JLWDC

jlwdc.blogspot.com

jrleaguewdc

Betty Baird Sarah Baldini Elizabeth Duff Pamela Gavin Mary Garver

Lisa Jobe Laura Lawler Lesley Lee Penny Morrill Stephanie Platz-Vieno

ey Now? W here Are Th Janelle Holloway 2009 Meg Graham Scholarship Winner Janelle graduated from Harvard University this past May with a B.A. in Chemistry.

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CPC SPOTLIGHT

Focusing on Literacy

Successfully Partnering with Organizations for 15 Years CULTURAL LITERACY

The JLW’s focus on literacy-related programs has been a great success over the last 15 years. This year, we are honored to partner with more than 23 organizations on a wide variety of initiatives.

The three profiles below highlight the importance of this partnership and the impact of the relationship. JLW members intimately involved with these Community Affairs Council partners give their take on each.

ADULT LITERACY

CHILDREN’S LITERACY

The National Museum for Women in the Arts (NMWA)

Community Family Life Services (CLFS)

Higher Achievement Program (HAP)

By Nancy Margaret Ray Adler

By Alexis DeBernardis

By Sarah Tynan

The National Museum for Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the only museum in the world focused solely on the artistic achievements of women. The JLW forged a partnership with NMWA prior to the museum’s opening in 1987 and has been providing volunteer services for the museum on a regular basis for more than 20 years. We are proud to have developed this relationship with NMWA and we look forward to its continuation as the museum’s collection grows.

CFLS is a private program that provides transitional housing and social work resources to local homeless families.

Twice a month, JLW volunteers provide dinner for the families, followed by a workshop for the parents and activities for the kids. The adult workshops focus on practical life skills; we’ve covered everything from job interviewing to household budgeting to yoga. Meanwhile, another subset of JLW volunteers keeps the kids busy in the facility’s gymnasium with seasonal crafts and educational activities.

HAP helps underserved students from at-risk communities in the DC area.

The rigorous after-school and summer program provides 5th to 8th graders with year-round academic support, mentoring, field trips, and high school advising in the hopes of producing college-bound scholars with the confidence and skills to succeed.

Scholars commit to spending 650 hours a year with HAP on top of their typical 900 hours at school. But all the hard work pays off: 95% of scholars go on to top college prep high schools, and 93% attend college.

Working with CFLS, you see the bonds among the parents — the way they lift each other up and provide a support system during difficult times. They are each other’s back-up babysitters, comic relief, and metaphysical mirrors. You realize that you have more in common with these parents and their trials than you might have thought.

I started mentoring four 5th grade scholars in literature last fall. We read stories, practiced vocabulary, did writing exercises, and composed our own poems.

Doing the work along with the scholars gave me a new appreciation for how difficult it was. They loved that “Miss Sarah” struggled along with them. We worked together, and the scholars supported one another, gave each other ideas, and helped each other edit their work.

JLW volunteers help make the NMWA experience more rewarding for visitors, answering members’ questions at the museum’s information desk. In addition, JLW members have many opportunities throughout the year to volunteer at special events hosted by the museum, including musical concerts, art workshops, festivals, book readings and signings, as well as large events such as NMWA’s Fall Benefit and Spring Gala.

Located in a beautifully renovated Renaissance Revival style building on New York Avenue, just two blocks from The White House, the structure originally served as a Masonic Temple in the early 1900s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

So if you haven’t volunteered yet, or visited with your family, the museum is located at 1250 New York Avenue and H Street, NW, and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.

And with the kids, it has become less about keeping them entertained for an hour and more about playing a regular role in the lives. I have seen many of them regularly over the course of the last couple years — from elementary school to middle school, navigating first days and extracurricular try-outs, even witnessing some first steps! Their art is hanging on my fridge, and their smiles are always on my mind. They are resilient and joyful, and a constant reminder of the important things in life: celebrating every day and getting over obstacles quickly.

By the end of the year, we had been through many ups and downs, but had come so far together: some students saw marked improvement in their grades, and all of them were able to work longer, harder, and most importantly, with more confidence in their abilities and intelligence. While HAP is a significant commitment of a volunteer’s time and energy, it has by far been the most rewarding community placement I’ve had since joining The JLW in 2007.

5 T H E 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3 J u nio r L ea g u e o f W ashin g ton

Centennial Celebration Last year we celebrated an impressive 100 years of voluntarism and fulfilling our mission. We started the year off with FĂŞte, a black-tie dinner and gala to

honor the JLW’s rich history. Hosted at the National Building Museum, the event featured a live auction, photo booth, cupcakes, live music, dancing and more.

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The New “It Bag” Red and Well-Read Fall and winter are here, and we’ve already swapped out summer sandals for boots and sundresses for sweaters. Each new season brings fun trends and new styles, and this season is no exception. So what’s the hottest bag this year?

You won’t find the bag in stores, but you can find it at JLW events this year like Holiday Shops and Special Events. It’s The Junior League of Washington’s Resolution Read “I Love To Read!” tote and it’s a purchase that proves putting books in the hands of kids is always in style.

During The JLW’s Centennial Year, we launched Resolution Read, an initiative that distributed more than 100,000 books to children in the DC area who might not otherwise have access to books in their home.

A University of Nevada study showed that children who have access to books at home end up with an education level three years beyond those who do not, regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status.

Nearly two-thirds of low-income families in the U.S. own no books, and in Washington, DC, only 29% of low-income 3rd graders can read proficiently.

Because books matter so much for ensuring that a child can have a bright future, The JLW made putting age-appropriate books in homes, reading out loud to children, and providing books to schools and libraries the main goals of Resolution Read.

Now that we are moving into our next hundred years of service to DC, we are excited to keep the momentum going. This year, The JLW will host “Resolution Read to Me” events with our partners, reading aloud to children with an emphasis on DC Wards 5, 7, and 8. But this year, each child who receives books will also take home an “I Love To Read!”

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MISSION MOMENTS

Members Share Their Stories The Centennial Books Project Amber Huffman Community Affairs

Two third graders proudly display new books given to them at a Resolution Read event.

“ We gave out more than 100,000 books to children in the DC area.” tote with The JLW logo on it. Children across the Washington area will be able to proudly carry their new treasures in a bright new bag that sends an important message about the value of reading and the impact The JLW is having in their school and community.

The great news is that for a $25 donation you, too, can have your every own “I Love To Read!” bag. Because our cost of buying a book is only $3, your $25 donation puts up to eight books into the hands of children who need them. And whenever you carry your own “I Love To Read!” bag to work or shopping, you can be reminded that there is a child in Washington with limited or no access to books who now has a bag just like yours with books in it, thanks to your support.

The Ways & Means Committee and Resolution Read have partnered up to

offer these bags at JLW events, so be on the lookout at events like Holiday Shops and JLW Special Events for your opportunity to have the cutest new bag this season. You can also purchase the bags from our online store at www.jlw.org/ ?nd=jlw_store.

Trends may come and go. But a love for reading is always in style.

Last year at Savoy Elementary during a Resolution Read book distribution, Devon came into the library upset.

But when he realized he could pick out and take home his very own book, his eyes lit up. I helped him choose the perfect book, and spent the next hour reading Snakes four times.

This is just one of the many stories I have from our 100,000 books project.

I’ve had many Mission Moments over the years, but my biggest Mission Moment is definitely the success of our 100,000 books project during our Centennial year and the many smiles like Devon’s that our books brought to children all over DC.

Give More, Get More Amanda Walke New Membership While working a shift early in my New Member year, I asked a seasoned member for some JLW advice. She simply replied, “You’ll get more out of The JLW experience if you put more into it.” Years later I was serving as an advisor and those words came back to me. At that point I could offer my New Members the same advice and really mean it. The more involved I had I become, the more friends I made, volunteer experiences I had, and bigger impact I had in the community, giving me friends and memories I will always cherish!

Volunteers at the 2013 National Book Festival in Washington, DC show off their JLW “I Love to Read” totes.

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1. Teresa Crownshield Jacket I love the black Teresa Crownshield jacket that I received as a wedding gift. Teresa usually sells the jacket with blue piping, but my friend asked her to make it with rich red piping instead, and she agreed. I get lots of compliments on it!

– Brooke Horiuchi

Holiday Shops Scores

2. Doinkit Darts Magnetic Dart Board Kids Stop is a favorite merchant of mine because of their high-quality and unique toys. My son’s pick last year was the Doinkit Darts dart board. Its awesome magnetic darts make the game fun for the whole family.

– Wendy Cumberland

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3. Ellen Allen Cosmetic Bag With my fabulous Ellen Allen cosmetic bags, my Carrie Dunham iPad case, and a touch of Queen Bee jewelry, even when I’m traveling Holiday Shops is always with me.

– Kimberly Linson

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4. Breakfast at Tiffany’s I gave the books How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World and Breakfast at Tiffany’s to my 21- year-old niece at the holidays.

She is obsessed with both!

– Erinn Gray

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5. Eve Plumb Painting I usually treat myself to a fabulous painting from Gallery 1401. My salt and pepper shakers are even more special since they were painted

by Eve Plumb — yes, Jan Brady, from one of my favorite TV shows growing up!

– Margaret Barry

Big S is te r

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6. Bows and Beaus T-Shirt Right before last year’s Holiday Shops I found out my niece, Emmy, had a little brother on the way.

I just couldn’t resist the chance to snag this super-sweet shirt from Bows and Beaus for the proud big-sister-to-be.

– Courtney Cherry Ellis

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Partner Profile

What Our Partners Say

The Literacy Lab

Praise for The JLW

Partnering with a Nonprofit to Impact the Future of DC’s Low-Income Children

C

losely aligned with The JLW’s focus on literacy, the Literacy Lab is a nonprofit organization focused on providing low-income children in Washington, DC with individualized reading instruction in order to improve their literacy — leading to greater success in school and increased opportunities in life.

through Saturday morning sessions.

The JLW’s Literacy Lab Committee continues to provide all of the volunteers for the Ready to Read Program, and is looking forward to a successful, long-term partnership with the Literacy Lab and continuing to make an impact on literacy.

During the 2011–2012 League Year, The JLW’s Target Grants and Volunteer Resources Committee awarded the Literacy Lab a $25,000 grant as well as access to The League’s volunteer resources.

Following The JLW’s commitment of financial and volunteer support, The Literacy Lab launched and continues to run the Ready to Read program at DC General Shelter, Washington’s largest family shelter, serving over 300 families struggling with homelessness.

Now beginning its second year, the Ready to Read program’s mission is to provide high-quality, individualized early literacy skills to children ages 0 to 5 living with their families at DC General Shelter

We’re so lucky to have the support of The JLW. From volunteering on our 24-hour hotline in the early days, to helping with the kids at Sanctuary Plus, our brand new 9,000-square-foot emergency shelter, The JLW has been a key partner for nearly 35 years.

We could not do what we do without The JLW! Lauren C. Vaughan Executive Director

Shiela Corley and Aimee Picard join students with their brand new copies of the book Judy Moody.

Literacy Lab and Junior League of Washington volunteers finish out a successful first year of implementing the new Ready to Read Program at DC General Hospital.

The ladies from The JLW bring a positive presence, fun activities, and wonderful, tasty meals to share with the community. Often residents at N Street Village have experienced loss, disappointment and abuse in their lives. Having the opportunity to connect a couple of times a month with other women who are striving to reach their goals, are interested in being a part of the community, and are taking the time to get to know them while sharing a healthy meal is an important part of healing and growth.

Kristyn Carrillo, LICSW Associate Director for Residential Programs

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Learning to Lead

Taking that lesson to heart, if we work together and leverage the learnings across our membership, we can change our communities and change our world.

Developing The JLW’s Leadership Through Dedicated Training Sessions

By Susan Marshall Nominating Board Member

I

t’s easy to overlook this simple fact, but a unified and aligned Junior League is stronger than the sum of its parts: The Junior League of Washington and The Association of Junior Leagues International’s other 292 chapters (155,000 women in four countries, following the example set by Margaret Harriman 112 years ago).

Building linkages and leveraging best practices can magnify — exponentially — the impact we have on those we serve.

To support this objective, AJLI hosts two Organizational Development Institute (ODI) training sessions a year, to which The JLW sends 6 to 8 women. Having been honored to participate as a JLW representative to ODI, here are some of the lessons I learned that may help you think about using ODI to develop your role as a leader at The JLW.

As members of The JLW, we are all trained volunteers. But training is an ongoing process. Like me, I am confident you

“ Women...have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world.” – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT agree that we are never done learning and that learning from the learning of our colleagues can reinforce our ability to more efficiently serve while more capably meeting our mission. That’s the secret of ODI — learning from each other.

As Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most famous Junior League members, once said, “[w]omen, whether subtly or vociferously, have always been a tremendous power in the destiny of the world.”

At ODI, we are trained to turn an issue (like a signature project) upside down — refocusing on the challenge, our desired community impact, and the optimal route for our programming to make real, lasting and positive change for the benefit of our constituencies.

Brainstorming together with peers from across The Junior League’s global footprint and working with exceptional trainers, we are able to more clearly assess goal and address challenges — and, thereby, strive to become more effective in our Leagues and communities.

For me, ODI is a great tool to help enable us to be more successful and effective in our roles as volunteer leaders of change and compassionate contributors to a better tomorrow for others through exceptional leadership training in governance, management, and the many other facets of being a strong advocate for those we serve.

Sound interesting? Reach out to any member of the Nominating Committee and let them you’d like to learn more.

ry LW Histo T his Date in J 1933

Early Literacy Programs The JLW’s focus on literacy goes back many years.

Our Talking Books for the Blind program was established in 1933.

1950

1958

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Children & Art

Holiday Shops

Bright Beginnings

In the 1950s, an innovative partnership with the Corcoran Gallery of Art reflected our commitment to children’s educational needs.

JLW volunteers and funds at the Corcoran reached out and brought art to thousands of children who might never have visited the gallery. JLW docents also created the city’s tours for area school children at the National Gallery of Art.

In 1958, The JLW launched Christmas Shops to fund the psychiatric department at Children’s Hospital. In the first five years, $100,000 was raised. Photographed above is former First Lady Jackie Kennedy at the Christmas Shops in 1960.

The JLW received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the ‘80s to fund a Head Start program.

Bright Beginnings, Inc. was established in 1991, identifying a critical need for quality childcare among homeless DC families. Since then, it has served 1,700 children, providing developmental childcare, as well as on-site therapeutic and family support services.

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What The Survey Says

What Exactly Is The JLW’s Mission?

We Asked You What You Thought About The JLW...and the Results Are In!

Each year, the Strategic Planning Committee conducts a membership survey to find out what you really think about being part of The JLW. More than twice as many JLW members participated in this survey in 2013 than in 2012 (498 vs. 207), and Sustainer participation in survey increased from 4% of total respondents in 2012 to 16% in 2013. See below for some of the results of this year’s survey.

Reasons for Being a Member

70%

Volunteer Opportunities

47%

Social Activities and Events

42%

Friendships

39%

Leadership Development Literacy Impact

26%

Networking

24%

Satisfaction Level

Throughout the Loughborough House, you’ll find displays of cards featuring our JLW Mission and Vision, plus a fun fact about The JLW’s impact on our community.

50%

On a scale of 1 to 5, JLW has...

5

3.7

39%

Positive impact on the community

3.1

Very Satisfied

Very Dissatisfied

10%

Somewhat Dissatisfied

1

3.0

Strong positive brand

Internal sense of community

Focus on Literacy: Resolution Read

98%

believe Resolution Read will increase community impact

Let’s face it — sometimes it can be hard to think of a clear, simple answer.

With so many women in The JLW doing such incredible things, it may seem daunting to sum up what we do in a simple “elevator pitch.” Luckily, The JLW’s Mission Statement and Vision Statement are a great place to start. And now you can have them with you at all times!

Impact & Brand

Somewhat Satisfied

1%

You’ve just been stopped by someone — a friend, colleague, or a family member — and asked: “So what is The Junior League anyway?”

93%

believe Resolution Read will help build JLW’s brand

Don’t wait until next year’s survey to give us your opinion! Talk to any member of The JLW’s leadership about what you like, or don’t like, about The JLW and how we can improve the organization by working together.

So now you can carry your answer to, “So what is The Junior League?” right there in your pocket. Be sure to take one or few next time you are at Loughborough House.

It’s Time To Step Up Step Up, Say “YES!”, and Become an Integral Part of The JLW’s Leadership

By Susan Marshall Nominating Board Member

M

aybe you think you’re not ready.

Or that someone else is more qualified. Or that it will take more time than you can give. But think about it. You can say yes and self-nominate, or you can say yes by nominating other JLW members.

The first step is just saying, “YES.”

The 12 members of the Nominating Committee have said “YES” to becoming a part of JLW leadership by accepting the task of being on the slate of volunteers for the Nominating Committee to prepare a list of leadership candidates for a vote by the Membership on the Spring ballot.

It is helpful if Members have experience on a particular Council or Committee; but

sometimes it is equally important that a vacancy be filled with someone who may have never been involved in a Committee but has the skills, personal experience and desire to serve on that Committee. The skills and time for meeting the League’s needs are paramount.

What we need now is more input from you, our Members. So complete a JLW nomination form today! The deadline for Committee Chairs, Assistant Council Directors and the Nominating Committee is February 1, 2014.

Don’t be afraid to step up and say “YES!”

MEMBERS AT WORK

Using Skills from The JLW Becoming Well-Rounded

Working With Contracts

Deeply Engaging

Lindsay Dessem

Kristen Kulis

Denise Everson

The JLW has helped me to step away from spreadsheets and numbers and become a more well-rounded professional. This year I’ve taken on a leadership role as Vice-Chair of Calvary Women’s Shelter, which has helped increase my leadership skills through the management of volunteers.

Because I was working on building out staff offices, volunteering with The JLW Building Management Committee has helped me to learn how to best negotiate contracts and work directly with contractors.

The JLW has inspired me to expand my professional and civic engagement: I have added three board positions to my volunteer life. One of these is a Board Presidency position at the Hillcrest Children’s Center, a 198-yearold children’s agency in DC.

Cover Photo by Michael Dersin Photography

3039 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20007