2010
The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.
Annual Report The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
“For what is done or learned by one class of women becomes, by virtue of their common womanhood, the property of all women.� -Elizabeth Blackwell The first woman to become a physician in the U.S.
Welcome! This year was a year of opportunities for the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. As you read ahead, you will see many opportunities we created for our partners, including members and supporters, to interact with one another and the community. Events such as our Passion into Action series, Leadership Institute, and Past Presidents’ Luncheon helped build relationships internally across all levels of our membership. Our first ever Educate and Appreciate Wine and Cheese Social and continued Community Partner Network created an environment to strengthen relationships in the community. And our community programs, particularly Kids in the Kitchen, gave JLNVB members hands-on opportunities to connect and contribute in communities. The year was not without a challenge. With the tough economic environment, we knew that fundraising would not have a record year. We made valiant efforts in this regard with our Merrytime Market in November 2009 and our first-ever Beach Ball 2010 in early May. Our members came together with many supporters to not only raise funds but also to promote our mission, our Healthy Kids Initiative, and membership in our League. Both events were great representations of what our League is known for in the community – well-executed, presenting opportunities for members to grow as leaders, and were mission-driven. Our two cookbooks, Toast to Tidewater and Tidewater on the Halfshell, continue to bode well for us in the local and at-large communities. A celebration began at the beginning of 2010 for the JLNVB’s 85th Anniversary. Read ahead about Club 85 and join us in celebrating 85 years of impacting the community and one another. When beginning my one-year role as president, my goal for us was to keep our League moving forward across all initiatives so that my daughters, your daughters, your nieces, and our community could seize the same great opportunities membership in the League has offered me. And we have done exactly that. As you read along and experience a snapshot of our year and experiences together, perhaps you too know of someone who would like to tap into her passion to connect, to volunteer and to serve. If she joins the JLNVB, she’ll be in good company. I know I have been. Many thanks, Dawn Provost, President 2009-2010
Dawn Rose Provost 2009-2010 President
Mission Possible 2010 “Mission Possible 2010� is the strategic plan that serves as a roadmap to achieve our administrative, communications, community, finance and membership goals, which all support our mission. ADMINISTRATIVE GOAL: To provide effective administrative support for JL activities and manage all aspects of the headquarters location. COMMUNICATIONS GOAL: To improve and enhance internal communications, to develop and implement tools as well as strategies for external communications and to raise the profile of the League in the community. COMMUNITY GOAL: To identify needs in the community and based on those needs develop, implement and measure meaningful programs under the framework of our signature project / issue as well as Done In A Days to benefit children and women in South Hampton Roads. FINANCE GOAL: To enable the League to have a means to carry out its mission and realize its vision as well as to meet and exceed its goals while at the same time ensuring the short and long-term financial health of the League. MEMBERSHIP GOAL: To foster a positive environment to recruit and retain members as well as train them to become lifelong leaders and make valuable contributions in the community.
In Recognition...
Norfolk Collegiate is deserving of a giant thank you from the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. For the third year in a row, Norfolk Collegiate has not only provided us with the space in which to hold our meetings, but has set up the tables and provided the AV equipment we use every month. In addition, they have been unfailingly gracious and accommodating of our needs. Without the assistance of community partners like Norfolk Collegiate, our League would be unable to continue in its mission. Again, on behalf of the Administrative Council and the entire League...
Thank You Norfolk Collegiate!
Partners In Positive Change The theme for the 2009-2010 year was Partners in Positive Change. This was developed a few years ago by League members Kathy Shelton (President 2006-2007), Kelly Willette and Dawn Provost (President 2009-2010). When approaching businesses for sponsorship, these members envisioned something that would embrace the idea that sponsors are truly partners in the League’s mission and without them, The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc, could not make the impact it strives for. “Partners in Positive Change” was the result. This year, the goal was for that message to permeate through not only the League’s sponsors, but our many other partners that make the League what it is. Partners include members of the Community Partner Network, which is a collaboration of various other businesses and nonprofits across South Hampton Roads whose missions overlap with the Healthy Kids Initiative. It is an honor to have such valuable resources as Partners, willing to support the JLNVB with their time and talents. Partners include significant others, spouses, children and families that hold down the fort while League members are volunteering. Last but not least, Partners include Members – Provisional, Active and Sustaining. The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. values each and every one! 2009-2010 Community Highlights
New partnerships with CINCH, Foodbank Back Pack program, ADA StepOut and the Girls Scouts were cultivated during 2009-2010, while continued partnerships with WAVY Operation School Supply, our Community Partner Network, Girls on the Run, CHKD Healthy You Program and ADA Tour de Cure continued to grow with new and exciting opportunities. The 2009-2010 year started strong with WAVY’s Operation School Supply and JLNVB signature Healthy Start Hampton Roads event held in conjunction with our Community Partner Network. WAVY-TV, Wal-Mart, Langley Federal Credit Union and JLNVB had a very successful Operation School Supply from August 3 to August 23 over 47,000 school supplies were collected from local Wal-Mart’s and Langley Federal credit Unions to be distributed to children throughout Hampton Roads. JLNVB members along with members of the US Navy Maritime Expeditionary Security Group and Jack and Jill of America manned Stuff the Bus events on August 14 and 21. During the event, school supplies were sorted, counted, boxed and delivered to a WAVY-TV warehouse. JLNVB members also collected schools supplies from 12 Southside Wal-Mart’s from August 3 to August 23. Once all the school supplies were sorted, the items were distributed to the Hampton Roads school districts. Healthy Start Hampton Roads, which kicked off on September 12, was a fun and interactive event. While attendance was not as high as we hoped, we believe those 120 in attendance had a wonderful time and took away some quality information on how to lead healthy lifestyles. Highlights of the day included interactive working-out routines; tug-of-war with the Kaz, the World’s Strongest Man; and a cooking demonstration with Farm Fresh & Young Chefs Academy. At the close of the event, Kaz pulled a school bus to roll out a step counting campaign for Hampton Roads families. The campaign, led by local YMCA, set a goal of ONE BILLION STEPS. The year continued with established projects such as Day of Caring and Excellence Girls Club Career Fair. In November 2009, the JLNVB began a new partnership with the local Foodbank with a food drive and volunteer support the new Back Pack Program.
JLNVB members collected approximately 300 pounds of food for the Foodbank at the cluster meetings. In addition, members volunteered to stuff bags for the Backpack program. They were invited to tour the facilities, which include a large refrigerated storeroom, an even larger freezer room, and thousands of cubic feet of room temperature storage for nonperishable foods. The amount of food that arrives and leaves the facility is amazing - over 1 million pounds per month! The Back Pack Program was created in conjunction with Kid CafĂŠ. The new program supplements the federal school breakfast and lunch program. Volunteers stuffed paper bags full of food that are delivered to area schools on Thursdays. During the day on Fridays, teachers fill the backpacks of students who might not have a meal over a weekend or holiday break with one of these paper bags. Community Council Overview 2009-2010 Volunteer Projects
July CHKD Healthy You Mentor Program August Operation School Supply Wavy TV 10 Stuff the Bus
September Girls on the Run Coaching United Way Day of Caring Healthy Start Hampton Roads Healthy You Program Support Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Support October American Diabetes Step Out Foodbank Food Drive Excellence Girls Club Career Fair
November Foodbank Backpack Program
December Shelter Packet Project Taylor Whittle Holiday Open House Decorating Taylor Whittle House Home for the Holidays January CHKD Healthy You Mentor Program CINCH Program Celebration
March For Kids Art Auction Support Kids in the Kitchen
April Foodbank Backpack Program ADA Tour de Cure EGC National & Global Youth Day
May Girl Scout Healthy Badge Program Development June Girls on the Run 5K
The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. has given over $15,000 to the community and completed over 1,000 volunteer hours this year! We began 2010 by celebrating the success of CINCH’s (Consortium for Infant and Child Health) BodyWorks program. JLNVB members hosted CINCH trainers at the Taylor Whittle House for a celebration of their new program. BodyWorks is a program designed to help parents and caregivers of adolescents improve family eating and activity habits. Available in English and Spanish, the program focuses on parents as role models and provides them with hands-on tools to make small, specific behavior changes to prevent obesity and help maintain a healthy weight. The BodyWorks program uses a train-the-trainer model to distribute the Toolkit through community-based organizations, state health agencies, non-profit organizations, health clinics, hospitals and health care systems. The program includes one six-hour training module for trainers and ten 90-minute weekly sessions for parents and caregivers. CINCH also honored the JLNVB at their annual meeting. Our League was honored with the Hampton Roads Child Health Advocacy Award for being Advocates in Action. In Spring 2010 JLNVB held its 4th Annual Kids in the Kitchen event. Great Bridge/ Hickory Family YMCA hosted the event on March 27th, the festivities brought in approximately 350 guests. It also made the local news! WVEC Reporter, Wayne Carter, stopped by to check out the event. He interviewed President-Elect, Kimberly Thompson, and Community VP, Denise Kellam on the importance of the day’s activities. When children were greeted at the door with a Healthy Passport and Bag, they were also encouraged to visit all 30 Healthy Stations. At every station, the child received a punch after completing the activity or receiving a short lesson on healthy living habits. The passport we exchange for raffle tickets, where children could choose which raffle drawing they would like to enter; raffles prizes awarded that day included razor kick scooters, trampolines, bikes, skateboards, cooking classes, gym memberships and many more. Favorite stations included the food pyramid booths, the “make your own chef hat” booth, the sports wall, the obstacle course and first tee golf. Five demonstrations were given at the event, such as Kids Boot Camp and Healthy and Quick Recipes for Kids.
During JLNVB’s second year commitment to its signature Healthy Kids Initiative, members have impacted the community, begun new programs and partnerships and strived to bring a stronger awareness to the epidemic of childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a significant and growing health concern that has reached epidemic proportions. The percentage of children who are overweight has tripled since the early 1970s. One in every six children between the age of 6 and 19 is now overweight. Many activities are currently underway in Hampton Roads to prevent or reduce childhood obesity, but more work needs to be done. Jenn Morelen, Community Impact Award Honoree
Jenn Morelen’s enthusiasm, commitment and leadership skills have made a positive impact on JLNVB and the Hampton Roads Community through projects such as Kids in the Kitchen. Jenn took on chairing this year’s event with the end result a very successful one. Her enthusiasm was contagious not just to fellow committee members but to those in the community involved in the event. Through every action of leading the Kids in the Kitchen, Jenn exemplified JLVNB’s mission. She truly went above and beyond her role as this year’s chair. Congratulations to Jenn Morelen, this year’s Community Impact honoree! Community Partner Network The Community Partner Network is a diverse group of Hampton Roads thought leaders and professionals who help the Junior League in a variety of ways. We look to the Partner Network for aid in determining if we are meeting the needs of our community and achieving our mission. The Junior League values the Community Partner Network’s backgrounds, which help to guide and support our efforts in making a difference in the lives of women and children in our community. Babs Benson- Healthy You-Weight Management Coordinator-CHKD Sandra Fabian- Community Outreach Coordinator- CHKD Aryana Khalid- Deputy Secretary VA Health & Human Resources Ralph Northam- State Senator Vickie Madison- Excellence Girls Club Paula Miller- State Delegate Ipek Taffee- VP Children’s Services- The Planning Council Richard Harris- Fitness Trainer and Author Lynn Skeele-Flynn- VP of Development, YMCA of South Hampton Roads Joanne Kinsey- Director of School Nutrition- Chesapeake Public School System Jim White- Owner & Fitness Trainer, Jim White Studios Ann Williams- The Little Gym of Virginia Beach Dr. Douglas B. Gregory- Lakeview Pediatrics Dia DuVernet- The Up Center Helen Phillips- Senior Director- Child Nutrition Services- Norfolk Public School System Page Bishop-Freer- Hampton Health Journal Jill Weisenberger- Research Dietician
Heidi Hertz, Virginia Department of Health Sarah Horne, Owner, Young Chefs Academy Patti Kiger, CINCH BodyWorks Program Sheri Colberg-Ochs, PhD, Old Dominion University Dr. Lucy Gibney- Dr. Lucy’s Cookies Craig Hamilton- Jim White Fitness Studios Shannan Gormley- Suffolk Family YMCA Susan Mayo- Vice President of Consumer Affairs & Public Relations- Farm Fresh Kyatanya Towe- CHIP- Portsmouth Barbara Robinson- Supervisor Health Services- Chesapeake Public Schools Joanne Boise- Division Director, Child & Health Adolescents- VA Dept. of Health Donna Seward- Division Director- WIC/Community Nutrition- VA Dept. of Health Edwina Gray- Health Educator-Portsmouth Community Health Center Trish O’Brien- Director CHIP Chesapeake Kathy Young- Founder/Owner- Healthy Girls Brooke Mercedes- In Motion Sports Performance Sharon Liddle- CEO, The Elijah Foundation Mita Vail- VP Of Development, YMCA of South Hampton Roads
Passion Into Action “Passion into Action” was created by the JLNVB Sustainer Committee in August 2006 to promote “lifelong membership”. This signature program of the JLNVB was awarded AJLI’s highest honor, The Fund for the Future Award, in 2009. This monetary award has allowed the Passion events to be expanded to include some free events as well as to provide opportunity for Provisional members to attend an event without cost. Each Passion into Action luncheon presents a League member, who has turned her personal Passion into Action, as the featured speaker. These events allow League members and the guests from the community to enjoy a social activity while at the same time presenting a substantive view of how the League develops the potential of women and improves the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. These amazing women have all shared how their Junior League training laid the groundwork for their community and professional success. In recognition of this year’s theme, “Partners in Positive Change,” three events were held that focused on three forms of partnership – Political, Funding and Sponsorship, and Public/Private. This year’s Passion events started with the first evening event in November. A wine and cheese social and a panel discussion on “Passion Into Action through Effective Political Action”. Sustainer and Past President Debra Griggs moderated an all star Political Action panel including Delegate Kenny Alexander, Kay Kemper, President and Founder of Kemper Consulting, Sustainer Betty Wade Coyle, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads and Sustainer Alice Mountjoy. Over 35 League members and guests attended this extremely informative and fun event and learned how the political process can help them take their Passion into Action by being effective, strategic, and informed. League Sustainer Mita Vail, Vice President of Advancement at Virginia Wesleyan College, was the featured speaker at the February Passion into Action luncheon focusing on turning one-time sponsors into full funding partners. Speaking to over 40 members and guests, Ms. Vail discussed how her League experience had helped shape her life as a fund development professional and strong community advocate. In April, Heather Wood, Director of Environmental Affairs for the Virginia Port Authority explained to over 30 members and guests how her Passion for finding middle ground with those of divergent interests has helped shape her community service and her career. Heather has worked and continues to work diligently developing partnerships between corporations and non-profit groups for effective environmental stewardship. The positive impacts of this work will be felt for decades to come. THANK YOU to all of these fantastic members and volunteers for taking the time to provide valuable training and wonderful examples of taking Passion into Action to League members and the community!
Sustainer of The Year, Kathy Shelton Since moving to this area in the late 1990’s, Kathy has exemplified the spirit of this award. Her selfless dedication to her volunteer activities, and to promoting Downtown Norfolk as Sr. Business Development Officer for City of Norfolk, is truly an inspiration to us all. Kathy is a Past President of the JLNVB, 2006-2007, and since then, her passion has not dulled. She served as Sustaining Advisor to the Board this year as well as served as the Sustainer Chair. She not only gave valuable guidance to the Board throughout the year, but also organized the Passion into Action events. She is regularly tapped as speaker by our active membership because of her experience inside and outside of League and her engaging personality. As if her JLNVB commitments are not enough, Kathy is a leader throughout the community. She leads a “Girls on the Run” group at the Williams School instilling a desire for a healthy lifestyle in young girls, as well as serves as an active volunteer for the school, having chaired their auction in years past. Kathy is a Girl Scout Brownie troop leader and never misses an opportunity to carry the League’s mission to these girls of promoting voluntarism and serving the community. Kathy served in many roles in the past as well, and received numerous awards including Top Forty Under 40 Award, a Lead Hampton Roads graduate, chairman of the Norfolk International Azalea Festival Ball, past Board of Directors member of the Virginia Ballet Theater and past Red Cross Board Member. Most recently, Kathy received the 2010 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for her combined professional and volunteer community leadership in the field of business development. So in the past, Kathy Shelton has impacted not only the JLNVB but the entire Hampton Roads community. She’s invested in the volunteer community, in the lives of young girls, and in the lives of many of us here in the JLNVB as personal friends. Kathy says the legacy of the JLNVB is not in bricks and mortar but in the people we train and mentor. She’s been the epitome of just that. We just can’t wait to see what she’ll do in the future because with Kathy, she is always looking ahead for what’s next. Congratulations Kathy! Past Presidents’ Luncheon The Past Presidents’ Luncheon was held Thursday, Jan 21 at the Town Point Club in Norfolk. In attendance were 16 Past Presidents of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. representing every decade from the 1950’s to the present! Hosted by current President Dawn Provost, this dynamic group of women enjoyed catching up with each other and hearing about current happenings within the League. Dawn asked each person to relate their “most memorable” anecdote from their year and President, and the answers were as varied as the women themselves. From cookbook launchings, creating of the Council system, and spilling champagne on Willard Scott from the Today Show, the stories showed how, regardless of the times we live in, the Junior League has continued to make a difference in so manylives. Guests were also pleased to hear about some of the ongoing projects and committees of the League, and were offered the opportunity to get involved with both the Kids in the Kitchen project and the launching of “Club 85.” A great time was had by all and many thanks to Dawn Provost and the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. for hosting such a lovely event.
Training
In 2008, JLNVB won the coveted AJLI/Anheuser-Busch Award for our work on the Passion into Action Luncheons and the development of the Leadership Institute. Based on the success of the Sustainer-driven Passion into Action initiative, JLNVB Active members wanted to further our mission by drawing upon the talent and expertise of our Sustainer base to train the next generation of community leaders. The Leadership Institute goal is to: “Develop the leadership potential of members through diverse training by JLNVB Sustainers” and our 2009-2010 theme was: “Partnerships: The Key to Positive Change”. The Leadership Institute team developed six training modules, focusing on topics such as Appreciative Inquiry, Networking, Promoting Your Cause, Partnerships As a Two Way Street, Effectively Using Social Media, and Delivering a Positive Message About Your Organization. Twenty League women were awarded a certificate of completion for attending at least 4 of the 6 trainings in the leadership series. In addition to the Leadership Institute training component, our funding allowed to expand the JLNVB Leadership Library. Through purchases and donations, the JLNVB now offers over 40 excellent leadership reading selections and resources for members. Endowment
Endowment has experienced a tremendous league year! The United Way Campaign saw an increase in pledges primary due to early promotion of the campaign. Campaign promotion began in September and continued through December with email reminders, Tidings articles and keeping our 54-6044966 United Way code highly visible. Our expected contributions from The United Way campaign for 2010 will be approximately $2600. 50/50 Raffle has been an Endowment tradition for the past several years. It has aided in contributing several hundred dollars to the Endowment Fund and the pocket of one lucky Junior League Member! This year the 50/50 Raffle will contribute approximately $400 to the effort.
The response to this program has been phenomenal! Club 85 was developed not only to jump-start our Endowment fund raising efforts, but also to celebrate our 85th Anniversary and it has raised $8485 for our Endowment Fund. In just 11 weeks the women listed below came together in an effort to jump start our Endowment and secure The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. for future generations of women and the community we serve.
Club 85 Members
Dawn Peters, Jessica Wilburn Antel, Laura McDermott, Jane Short, Bobbie Gribble, Shelly Gram, Molly Dey, Sarah Stedfast, Kathy Shelton, Cheryl Dayton Hermann, Emily Harkins Filer, Emily Gill Mills, Lynne Winter, Francine Deir, Kimberly Thompson, Courtney Davio, Debra Griggs, Debbie Russell, Eleanor Wheeler, Betsy Blades Selig, Rachel Jiral, Martha Parker, Laura Sholes Riley, Clay H. Barr, Kirkland Kelley, Vicki McNamara, Virginia Hitch, Ann Stuart Bugg, Stacy Long, Amy Harman, Merrilee Collins Crocker, Barbara Sutelan, Ann Armistead, Marian Breeden, Kristan Burch, Ginger Van de Water, Judith Rachels, Sara Atherholt, Rhetta Wilson, Lydia Calvert Taylor, Blair Ege, Mary McChesney-Shaw, Ellie Desselle,
Sally Dudley, Meredith Rutter, Tracie Pruden, Jessica Gilden, Jessica Martyn, Babs Szycher, Carol Temple, Lynda Stickler, Susan Goode, Lenora Mathews, Najwa Knox, Lori Collins, Brenda Christy, Cameron Meals, Laura Bangor, Lisa Shapiro, Joy Bixler, Mary Denny, Lyn Simmons, Denise Kellam, Priscilla Trinder in memory of Jeanne Marie Bellis, Helen Elder, Sherri Stein, Connie Laws, Connie Hedrick, Didi Granger, Martha Goodman, Ann Morgan, Dawn Provost, Cinda Ayers, Susan Malandrino, Emily Budlong, Alice McKnight, Betty Wade Coyle, Cheryl Cauthen Bond, Peggy Beale, Elizabeth Williams, Heather Wood, Elly Smith, Kelly Reynolds, Ann Crenshaw, Christine Verfurth, Elizabeth (Betty) Mooz, Gaye Deal, Elizabeth Upchurch, Rexanne Metzger, Jacque Peters and our 85th (future) Member: Schaefer Shelton. It is vital that this effort be continued and we, as a league meet that $1,000,000 goal. We have a community to serve and achieving this goal will guarantee our work will continue for several generations to come. Educate and Appreciate What is so impressive about Junior Leaguers is their ability to turn ideas into action. A perfect example was the “Educate and Appreciate” event, held in July 2009 at TowneBank in Norfolk. An idea that was literally sketched out on the back of the napkin by Dawn Provost (President 2009-2010) and Kimberly Thompson (President-Elect 2009-2010) while attending AJLI’s 2009 Annual Conference, turned into a successful partner appreciation event! The event was attended by several League Past Presidents, the JLNVB Board of Directors and Community Council, and members of our Community Partner Network. The evening began with a networking wine and cheese, followed by the distribution of a partner information book and introductions by the event participants. The keynote speaker of the evening was best-selling author of Leading from the Front, Angie Morgan, who delivered service-based leadership training focused on taking care of those you lead. At the conclusion of the event, our Community Partners were presented with Partnership Pledge certificates stating: “The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. commits trained leaders, steadfast support, and dedicated volunteers to initiatives shared with our Partners in Positive Change. Thank you for your partnership and dedication to our shared goals of creating a concentrated and passionate following of parents, educators, and children, and equipping them with the resources and education to promote a lifestyle centered on health and wellness.” Feedback from the event was extremely positive and this 2009-2010 League year kick-off event proved that we are truly partners in positive change in South Hampton Roads. Communications
This League year started with some substantial changes...and many more to come! The JLNVB has gone GREEN! TIDEings is now in an electronic format, with the first edition having been issued in September. The electronic version creates cost savings and uses less paper. Major overhauls have been underway to the internal and external framework of www. JLNVB.org. It is an ongoing process, but we have been fortunate to hire an unbelievable company to work us through the complexities and continuing renovations, 3 Leos Public Relations LLC. Thank you!
A new position has been implemented: EVP, Communications. This position is intended to compliment the VP, Communications in building relationships with local media and helping facilitate partnerships with the community and members of the Junior League. The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. was fortunate to have several events highlighted in the news. WAVY interviewed the League on two different occasions, WVEC promoted “Kids in The Kitchen”, and the Virginian Pilot featured “KIK” as a ”Best Bet” on things to do for the family. The League, and particularly the Communications Council, continue working to strengthen the JLNVB brand and presence within these outlets. Cookbooks The Cookbook Committee started out the 2009-2010 League year celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tidewater on the Half Shell. Members enjoyed special 2/$25 pricing of the League’s best-selling book and advertisements appeared on the website and in SKIRT! magazine. Members have also had the opportunity to purchase cookbooks from other leagues through a swap program with titles from the Junior League of Nashville and the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas. League members took advantage of the opportunity to sell cookbooks at the Merrytime Market as well as host a tasting at the CHKD gift store. Committee members also spent time reaching out to past wholesale accounts as well as securing new venues to sell cookbooks. The Cookbook committee found a great partnership with Farm Fresh, which now carries both cookbooks in several of their stores. Members had a wonderful time at the Haygood Farm Fresh promoting the books and providing samples for their Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting. Members celebrated President’s Day with another swap offering two books from the Junior Service League of Independence (MO). These books, “If You Can’t Stand the Heat” and “The Bess Collection,” offer Midwest recipes popular with the 33rd President of the United States, Harry Truman and his wife, Bess. The Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen event allowed the Cookbook Committee to premier the brand new, AJLI-published “Junior Leagues in the Kitchen with Kids” cookbook, which will surely be a popular addition to our two JLNVB cookbooks. Merrytime Market
Merrytime Market was a quick turn success! Despite the limited planning time, we were still able to meet our financial goal. The VA Beach Convention Center was a nice choice of location for space, parking and accessibility. The committee was able to book all booth spaces and committee members focused on being more selective in choice of vendors to ensure a variety of products were offered. The “new” event was well received by the public as well as League members, and the new logo really set the event off too! It was a nice fit for the theme and worked well for the branding/marketing strategy.
Beach Ball
Every year, The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. hosts a major fundraiser with the goal of generating the financial support needed to maintain current programs in the community as well as develop new initiatives in areas identified as most in need of assistance. On Saturday May 8th, The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. proudly presented Beach Ball 2010, hosted by The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Local favorites with a charitable spirit, The Rhondels, performed all evening and the Hilton, a major sponsor of this event, served up great food for guests. The Virginia Beach Shag club danced the night away and taught guests how to shag and line dance. League members and guests celebrated the joy of living in South Hampton Roads, and the good fortune many locals have in being able to visit the beach anytime they wish. Sadly, many citizens in the community never have the opportunity to visit the beaches we all love so dearly. There are children living here who’ve never stepped in the sand. Their parents work multiple jobs to make ends meet, leaving no time for beach fun. So, while guests celebrated their love of the oceanfront and Chesapeake Bay beaches, members and guests alike remained mindful of all the “little citizens” of South Hampton Roads who are less fortunate, and the goal to raise awareness of the needs of women and children in the community, as well as to raise enough money to fund our community support programs for another year, was realized. One thing that the League has done throughout all of this activity is keep the mission at the forefront – promoting voluntarism, improving communities and developing the potential of women. While celebrating and fundraising at the Beach Ball in May, the JLNVB honored a community leader who has turned her “passion into action,” and encouraged members to do the same. When asked who would be our honoree for the Beach Ball, the committee really wanted to select someone who identifies with the League’s mission and signature issue. Lucy Gibney, M.D. does exactly that. She has improved the local and national communities, and has done so by turning her passion into action. Dr. Lucy Gibney received her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She completed her residency at the University of Cincinnati, and is board certified in Emergency Medicine. She worked in public affairs for a national nonprofit health agency prior to attending medical school. Her undergraduate degree in economics is from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When her son was diagnosed with severe food allergies, Lucy tackled the challenges of finding high quality, delicious treats by starting her own line of foods. “Lucy’s” cookies are delicious proof that special diets can taste great! Made without most of the major food allergens, and boasting a better than average fat and calorie profile, “Lucy’s” is experiencing major growth with product distribution throughout the U.S. and Canada. Asked how she felt about being recognized by the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc., Dr. Lucy Gibney said, “To describe the Junior League or any of its members I have known or worked with, I would say….thoughtful, organized, professional….and most of all deeply passionate about what they do! I think this is why they’re so successful.”
Nominating Committee The members of this year’s Nominating Committee are said to have made up one of the most dynamic Nominating Committees ever. The Committee consisted of Courtney Davio, Lori Krezel, Stacy Long, Nicole Powell, Kelly Reynolds, and Melissa Steadman. Members thanked them for all of their hard work and long hours (most of them in two days!). A big THANK YOU is due to Heather Wood, who showed up for whatever role was needed at the moment – sustaining advisor and/or Nominating Committee Alternate. We hit the ground running back in the fall and created a new training for the Cluster Meetings held in October. Hopefully, everyone found it informative on how to be a Board Member. There wasn’t any slowing down over the winter. President Elect Elect interviews were conducted in December, which is the first time that has been split out from the other interviews. This was instituted so travel arrangements could be made in time for the PEE to attend an AJLI conference. In January, the remaining Board interviews were conducted and the committee members were impressed with all of applicants. It is a pleasure to announce that the membership voted in the slate at the February Board Meeting.
2010-2011 JLNVB Board of Directors President: Kimberly Thompson President Elect: Connie Hedrick Treasurer: Susan Malandrino Treasurer Elect: Maryann McChesney-Shaw Administrative VP: Denise Kellam Community VP: Brenda Christy Communications VP: Shannon Wright Membership VP: Laura Bangor Ways & Means Chair: Jessica Antel Ways & Means Chair Elect: Xan Hunter At Large Director: Najwa Knox Nominating Chair: Courtney Davio
Appointed Positions
Parliamentarian: Angela Jones Hudgins Leadership Initiatives Director: Stacy Long Membership Initiatives Director: Melissa Steadman Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Heather Wood Thank you ladies for stepping up to take a leadership role. We know that it’s so much time and hard work but are excited for next year with you in the driver’s seat! We also reviewed applications and chose attendees for AJLI’s Organizational Development Institute (ODI). Leah Roberts, Sarah Snow, and Jonida Hendricks attended the ODI in November in Brooklyn, NY. Erika Haws, Brenda Christy, and Angie Jones attended the ODI in March in Charlotte, NC. Thank you for taking your weekend and time away from your families to bring back fresh ideas to improve our JLNVB! Look for information about the next ODI held during the 201011 League Year from your next Nominating Chair, Courtney Davio, who will do a fabulous job!
Welcome New Members! It started with a Bang on the Norfolk Botanical Garden Train, then we had our First GMM and we were at it again! Along came fall and we thought we knew it all…but our Chairs and Mentors had a lot to help us learn! As we started working on the blood drive that would soon be approaching, along came the holidays and all of us were scurrying! Finally our day to shine for The American Red Cross, but along came the snow and lots of ICE! We didn’t let it stop us and we almost hit our GOAL...thanks to all of those Very, VERY BRAVE SOULS! Now we are finally almost finished with all of these obligation hours, so lets celebrate today and raise our glasses with girl power!
Christy Alexander Gretchen Baker Kimberly Ballance Caroline Ballard Nicole Blum Peyton Cheely Jennifer Farlin
Joyce Herrod Stefanie Hirano Kristin Kupetz Amy Lovelace Laura McDermott Terea McKinney Liz McNulty
Christina Peterson Tracy Pope Jennifer Rawls Katherine Rider Carin Schneller-Carr Elizabeth Sommers Katie Stellitano
Jamie Stump Jennifer Swets Sarah Bell Van Orman Amy Volk Brenneca Wiley Sabrina Zimring
Provisional of the Year, Carin Schneller-Carr From the moment of the first meeting, it was obvious Carin is a go getter and someone who is already invested in the Hampton Roads community. Her spirit and determination are inspiriational not just to fellow members of this year’s Provisional class, but to all JLNVB members. At the beginning of the year, she stepped up to the plate to lead the charge of this year’s blood drive. Not missing a beat, Carin lead this provisional class to have a very successful drive. When asked to step up to the plate on other projects, she never hesitated once and always succeded. Carin consistently embodies the true spirit of voluntarism and for this she is the 2010 Provisional of the Year. 2009-2010 Financial Breakdown by Perdentage
Income Administrative Council: 1% Communications Council: 1% Community Council: 0% Finance Council: 60% Membership Council: 38%
Expenses Administrative Council: 31% Communications Council: 8% Community Council: 9% Finance Council: 26% Membership Council: 26%
The League Light Award, Presented to Jessica Martyn The League Light Award is given annually to a League member who consistently embodies the true spirit of voluntarism. The nominee has gone above and beyond the call of duty in her placement or in the community and has distinguished herself from her peers by her level of enthusiasm and commitment to volunteering. This can be through either her in-League service OR through her service in the community. Jessica’s commitment to community involvement and the Junior League of NorfolkVirginia Beach, her constant enthusiasm and warm spirit, and her desire to always do more and reach out in new ways is the reason why she is this year’s honoree. Despite the demands of her job at Troutman Sanders, Jessica is passionate about contributing her time and support to our community. On top of her volunteer work for the JLNVB, she has committed to supporting the efforts of Norfolk’s Downtown 100, and other organizations such as the Virginia Opera, the Virginia State Company, Todd Rosenlieb Dance, and the Virginia Symphony. Her simple vote of support means a lot to each of these locally valuable cultural non-profits. In addition to her participation of other organizations, Jessica has gone “above and beyond” throughout these past two years as Transfer Chair to make new members feel welcome and at home in Hampton Roads –and engaged with the volunteer activities of the JLNVB. Her outstanding spirit of true voluntarism is the reason why she is this year’s League Light Award recipient. Making a Real Difference “Partnering with the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach for its annual fundraisers is always a pleasure... these are women from all walks of life, investing their personal time & effort in making a real difference in their communities.” -Vanessa Coria, Anchor/Reporter, WVEC TV-13
2009-2010 Financial Graphs
Income
Expenses
The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.
2009 - 2010 JLNVB Board & Councils President Cinda Ayers President-Elect Dawn Provost
President Dawn Provost President-Elect Kimberly Thompson Finance Council Treasurer Brooks Lively Treasurer-Elect Susan Malandrino Ways & Means Chair Najwa Knox Fund Development Chair Sherri Stein Cookbook Chair Elsbeth Harp Cookbooks Chair-Elect Jonida Hendricks Gala Event Chair Kelly Reynolds Gala Event Chair-Elect Elsbeth Harp Shopping Event Chair Rachel Smith Shopping Event Chair-Elect Leah Roberts Sustaining Advisor Dawn Peters
Membership Council Membership V.P. Ashley Gentry Leadership Initiatives Director Courtney Davio Nominating Chair Ruth Elkins At-Large Director Kim Blake Provisional Chair Shannon Wright Provisional Chair-Elect Erinn Leary Transfer Chair Jessica Martyn Placement Chair Laura Bangor Placement Chair-Elect Ruth Elkins Sustaining Advisor Ann Stuart Bugg Community Council Community V.P. Denise Kellam Signature Issue Chairs Susie Wentworth & Mara Vorachek-Warren Signature Issue Chair-Elect Jenn Morelen Kids In The Kitchen Chair Jenn Morelen Sustaining Advisor Shelly Gram Communications Council Communications V.P. Julie Paulina Assistant Communications V.P. Doris Salem TIDEings Editor Jennifer McDonald TIDEings Business Manager Dawn McCloud Web Liaison Mary Beth Charon
Administrative Council Administrative V.P. / Secretary Connie Hedrick Parliamentarian Jessica Antel Headquarters Chair / Historian Xan Hunter Headquarters Chair-Elect Kelly Reynolds Contracts Chair Jessica Martyn Sustaining Advisor SUSTAINING ADVISOR TO THE BOARD Kathy Shelton
And With Appreciation...
The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc. would like to recognize these supporters of our Mission... Norfolk Collegiate School, Towne Bank, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 3 Leos Public Relations, LLC Finally, we continue to be grateful for the efforts of our wonderful Office Manager, Linda Piper. With her dedication and can-do spirit, the League Office continues to function like a well-oiled machine! Thank you, Linda!
The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.
The Taylor-Whittle House 227 West Freemason Street Norfolk, Virginia 23510 757.623.7270 Office 757.623.3932 Fax www.jlnvb.org info@jlnvb.org
3rd Row: Najwa Knox, Denise Kellam, Kathy Shelton, Melissa Steadman, Connie Hedrick 2nd Row: Ruth Elkins, Susan Malandrino, Courtney Davio, Ashley Gentry, Jessica Antel 1st Row: Brooks Lively, Dawn Provost, Kimberly Thompson, Julie Paulina
Never Doubt! “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead