LeagueLines Spring 2019 Issue

SPRING 2019 ISSUE

LEAGUELINES THE NEWSLETTER OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN

NEWSLetter Contents EDITOR’S NOTES

2

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

3

2018-2019 JLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

4

SPOTLIGHT ON ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES (ODIs)

5

SPRING EVENTS AUSTIN ENTERTAINS

6

SPRING EVENTS BUNNY BRUNCH

8

RECAP 85TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

10

WHAT TO EXPECT AT I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

12

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT CIC PLANNING & OVERSIGHT

14

END OF YEAR FIT RECAP 2018-2019

16

MERCH T-SHIRTS

18

KICS A SIGNATURE PROJECT WITH SIGNATURE SUPPORT

20

RECAP DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

22

ANNOUNCEMENT & CONGRATULATIONS

24

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT THE NEW YORK JUNIOR LEAGUE

26

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

28

happy trails to

2018-2019!

1 I L E AG U E L I N E S

EDITOR’S NOTE

WELCOME TO LEAGUELINES! What a year it has been! Through navigating the completion of a new home at the Community Impact Center, feeding hundreds of kids through the FIT - Food In Tummies program, fitting elementary kids with more than 1,000 pairs of shoes via KICS-Kids in Cool Shoes, giving away tens of thousands of coats with our Coats for Kids partners, learning to be a more thoughtful and inclusive League with the start of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, participating with and supporting our community partners, not to mention another great year of A Christmas Affair, Austin Entertains and Bunny Brunch fundraisers, I feel like we’ve done it all. And yet, we’re already planning for next year.

LeagueLines Editor has been my 3rd placement this year. I was asked to serve in additional placements after several members have moved this year.

It’s been exciting and overwhelming to serve in such an evolving way. Every step of the way, there has been a woman to help me, offer advice, carry one of my twins, unpack my car or otherwise lean on when I thought I couldn’t get it all done. It sounds cliche, but it took three placements for me to realize that no one is doing this alone.

As I wrap up my second and final edition of LeagueLines, I am so thankful for the women who trusted me to take on new things, who became my pillars, and for all of you who continually build each other up, who put in time when you have a thousand other things to do, places to be and people to need you. And you do it every day.

The Junior League of Austin is special for so many reasons. The most obvious for me this year is that we are a team. We’re unstoppable. We help and change thousands of people’s lives each year and the best part is that we get to do it together.

Enjoy your summer and thanks for letting me be part of your team.

Looking forward to celebrating with you,

Melissa Golding Melissa Golding 2018-2019 LeagueLines Editor

2018-2019 LEAGUELINES COMMITTEE LeagueLines Editor Melissa Golding

Art, Design and Layout Editor Stephanie Webster

Copy Editor Kristiana Butler

Photography Editor/Photographer Anja Vuk

Art, Design & Layout Assistants Alana Alexander Christine Penksa Diana Bolding Julie Humble

Literary Assignments Editor Katherine Thome

Sustaining Advisor Rebecca Blaker

2 I LE AG U E L INE S

Writers Courtney Ainsworth Jennifer Naumann Laura Leigh Zengilowski Nicole Olvera Cook

LETTER FROM THE

PRESIDENT

Dear JLA Members, This year has been unforgettable! I am so proud of all we accomplished. We had great success with our fundraising through grants, A Christmas Affair, and Austin Entertains. Our impact through Coats for Kids, FIT-Food in Tummies, KICS-Kids in Cool Shoes, and community volunteers has improved the lives of those in Austin and Central Texas areas that are in need. And we BUILT OUR NEW HOME! I am in AWE of all you do. I have learned so much from you and am thankful for the opportunity to have served alongside you and be part of such great work.

I would also like to thank and applaud you on our efforts surrounding diversity and inclusion this year. We have started a very important conversation and brought awareness around many topics including institutional racism and mental health issues. I am excited to see how diversity and inclusion continues to grow in the years to come.

JLA members embrace change not as a threat but an opportunity. We are embarking on an exciting new opportunity with the Community Impact Center, and I know Carrie Semple will be a tremendous asset in launching our new business in our new home.

As I look around our League and see the incredible impact we are making in our community, I am so proud of you for your dedication, passion, excitement, and love of our organization. You are making a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. You are what makes The Junior League sustainable. You are leaders, who are training other leaders, who will then train other leaders. This is our legacy and why The Junior League of Austin is 85 years strong! You are trailblazers making a difference in ways you don’t even know. Thank you for an amazing past 12 months!

Love,

Amy Hurt 2018-2019 JLA President

3 I L E AG U E L I N E S

2018-2019

JLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Amy Hurt

Administrative VP Julia Null

Bylaws Lisa Filemyr

President - Elect Carrie Semple

Communications VP Sharon Morgan

Treasurer-Elect Michelle Lupton

Assistant to President Lisa Kaspar

Fund Development VP Keri Bellacosa Walling

Nominating Chair Hadley Hempel

Treasurer/Finance Genny Hill

Membership Development VP Araminta Sellers

Strategic Planning Chair Jolie Cypert

Recording Secretary Rachel Zander

Member-at-Large Courtney Clark

Sustaining President Melissa Morrow

Community VP Laura Robinson

Member-at-Large Earind Carter

Technology Chair Rachel Pry

4 I LE AG U E L INE S

SPOTLIGHT ON ORGANIZATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES (ODIs)

By Laura Zengilowski Organizational Development Institutes (ODIs) are the Association of Junior League International (AJLI) leadership development meetings that provide Junior League members across the country with mission-based training in areas critical to the healthy functioning of a League. Held in the Fall, Spring and Summer, ODIs seek to provide League members with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their League’s internal and external impact. According to AJLI, delegates from each league learn about: • innovative approaches to developing Junior League members as effective volunteer leaders in their communities • powerful ways to design community programs and partnerships that have significant impact • strategies for sustainable and diversified fund development • keys to building strong internal operational controls • new approaches that enable the League to be governed strategically and effectively • ways to build relationships, engagement and understanding through marketing and communications • leading The Junior League to be more diverse and inclusive Each ODI attendee elects one of seven tracks to follow during the conference: Membership, Community, Fund Development, Governance, Organizational Management, Marketing/ Communication, and Diversity & Inclusion.

Typically, ODIs are attended by two to four members from each League, targeting Board Members, Membership VP, Fund Development VP and the Marketing and Communications VP. Many Leagues also choose to send a Community Project Chair, Fundraising Chairs, Placement Chairs and Nominating Chairs. Junior League of Austin (JLA) members are chosen by the Nominating Committee. Our League views ODI as an important investment in the leadership of JLA. Members can submit their interest in attending during the leadership interest form in December.

Past ODI attendees from JLA have included Abby Raines, 2018-2018 Placement Chair, and Elizabeth Pena, 2018-2019 FIT Chair-Elect. I spoke to Elizabeth about her experience at ODI and how it helped her in the way she views AJLI, JLA and her current and future leadership role.

Elizabeth attended ODI just prior to her role as FIT-Food In Tummies ChairElect. While attending ODI, she was struck by the incredible scope of the Junior League and really began to view JLA in the context of a larger organization. During her Community Track, she began to appreciate how truly special the JLA’s relationship with DVISD is and the struggles other Leagues

have in developing partnerships with similar strength. As one of the top 5 largest leagues in the country, JLA is in a unique position to provide insight to other Leagues; however, there was also much to learn from Leagues with fewer members than the FIT committee. All Leagues had a voice in sharing what has and hasn’t worked for their Leagues and the flexibility of the AJLI to adapt and grow with their members and community partners was extremely apparent.

I also spoke to Andrea Pratt, Placement Chair-Elect, who will be attending the next ODI in May. Andrea noticed the position on the nominating straw ballot and included it in her interest earlier in the League year. Andrea will be on a different track than Elizabeth was, choosing the FDC Track, which focuses on the how to create a long-term financial plan to fund new projects. Given her position as Placement Chair-Elect, the Membership Track was a close second.

Much like Elizabeth, Andrea is looking forward to seeing all the different Leagues and what there is to learn from the diversity of Junior Leagues.

5 I L E AG U E L I N E S

SPRING EVENTS

AUSTIN ENTERTAINS

By Jennifer Naumann

In its third year as a premiere fundraising event for The Junior League of Austin, Austin Entertains turned heads and broke records, most notably due to a title sponsorship from Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships.

The event – which highlighted 35 local chefs, bartenders, wineries, and spirit purveyors – was held on February 28, 2019 at the East Austin outdoor/indoor venue, Fair Market.

“In addition to garnering more support from local area businesses than ever before, we really wanted to elevate the look and feel of Fair Market from previous years to ‘wow’ our guests,” said Spring Events Chair Sarah Covey. “I challenged our entire committee to evolve Austin Entertains' aesthetic to truly highlight all of the cool and unique things about Austin, notably the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of our city.”

More than 500 guests attended the event, and including sponsorships, ticket sales, auction sales, raffle ticket sales, and games, the JLA raised nearly $80,000 total.

“I'm very proud that, in addition to featuring some of the most talented women leading Austin's culinary scene, we were also able to feature many women-owned businesses who supported us with in-kind donations for decor, entertainment, and VIP bag gifts,” Covey said.

Austin Entertains also provided a great opportunity to showcase the FIT-Food in Tummies program by including a FIT backpacking station at Fair Market. Austin Entertains guests had the option to donate a minimum of five dollars for an opportunity to pack a FIT bag and become a "FIT Star." When they completed packing their bag, they chose one of 300 gold magnetic stars to place on the gallery wall behind the FIT backpacking station. In the end, they created a "constellation" of FIT supporters, one representing every "FIT Star" who donated and packed a bag.

“It was a really lovely, visual way to represent the outcome of this new activity, but most importantly, we were able to raise an additional $1,500 on the spot for FIT” said Covey.

6 I LE AG U E L INE S

7 I L E AG U E L I N E S

SPRING EVENTS

BUNNY BRUNCH

By Jennifer Naumann

Bunny Brunch Amps Up the Kid-Friendly Factor In its fourth year, The Junior League of Austin Bunny Brunch placed an even larger focus on a key demographic – children.

Held on April 14, 2019, at The University of Texas Golf Club, the theme, which focused around Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor's garden from the classic children’s book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, helped the Spring Events committee come up with many kid-tailored activities including a station where children planted wildflower seeds in a festive egg carton, a cookie decorating sponsored by Stellar Bakes, and more. Additionally, other activities from previous years returned, such as the petting zoo, a singer-songwriter, a balloon artist, the egg hunt, and photos with Wendel the Bunny.

“We wanted to provide the children with even more activities this year to make this day more fun for mom and dad, too,” said Spring Events Chair Sarah Covey.

Between sponsorships, ticket sales from more than 220 patrons, and sales from photos with Wendel the Bunny, the JLA earned nearly $20,000 through Bunny Brunch.

“While it’s very true that I wanted to chair this committee to help build up the fund-raising arm of The Junior League of Austin, so our community programs continue to thrive, at the end of the day, what kept me going this entire year was working side-by-side with the amazing women of the Spring Events Committee,” Covey said. “They're the reason this year was such a success and so much fun. I couldn't be prouder of them or more grateful to have worked with them over this year.”

8 I LE AG U E L INE S

9 I L E AG U E L I N E S

RECAP

85TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

1 0 I L E AG U E L INE S

11 I L E AG U E L I N E S

WHAT TO EXPECT AT

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

By Jennifer Naumann

A Christmas Affair (ACA) has been an Austin tradition, hosted by the Junior League, for the last 44 years. The upcoming 2019 ACA event—themed “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”—will no doubt add to the League’s dynamic history. As if preparing for A Christmas Affair isn’t exciting enough, there are several upcoming changes that both members and visitors will enjoy.

One of the most notable changes is the Wednesday night event, typically billed as a gala or preview party with formal attire. This year, the event —titled “Opening Night: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”— focuses on private shopping time for guests and a more casual “holiday chic” dress code. As patrons arrive, the iconic Christmas tree in the center of the Palmer Events Center will remain dark.

Halfway through the event, after guests enjoy some live entertainment, the tree will be lit for the first time.

“ACA will essentially host the first tree lighting in Austin to kick off the 2019 holiday season,” said Courtney Dickey, the current ACA Chair who will steer the 80-member ACA committee for “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

The food offerings are also getting an update. Instead of serving lunch in the upstairs Tea Room, a handful of food trucks on the west patio will offer lunch and dinner options during the four market days. In turn, the upstairs space normally dedicated to the Tea Room will serve as a pop-up shop space for local merchants to set up two-day booths.

“The number one reason people attend ACA is to shop,” Courtney added. “Many of our patrons no longer want to take the time to sit down for lunch and are looking for more grab-and-go options. In addition, the upstairs pop-up shops will offer even more purchasing options.”

Other smaller changes will likely still have a huge impact. While Provisionals will still work two shifts and Actives will work one, the typical four-hour shift has been reduced to three hours. Additionally, the required white-top, black-bottoms attire has been updated to ask that volunteers wear all black, to simplify their efforts.

“Change can sometimes be unwelcome,” said Courtney, “but sometimes it’s necessary to ensure events stay fresh, current and relevant. I hope the changes this year will be embraced, celebrated and continued. ACA is a tradition that people come to year after year. My goal, and the ACA Committee’s goal, is to make sure we do everything we can now to make certain that ACA remains an Austin staple for the next 44 years.”

1 2 I L E AG U E L INE S

13 I L E AG U E L I N E S

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT

CIC PLANNING & OVERSIGHT

by Jenn Naumann

Inviting. Beautiful. Elegant.

“It’s an office and a program space that

In the meantime, Elizabeth and her team

These are the words Elizabeth Andrews

is also elegant,” Elizabeth said. “It speaks

just wrapped up tours to CIC donors and

uses to describe the Community Impact

to our professionalism as a League,

donors. These tours, which typically last

Center (CIC), The Junior League of Austin’s

and it reinforces a lot about who we

from 30 to 45 minutes, serve as proud

new headquarters building, scheduled to

are by communicating the quality and

moments for the committee members.

open by the end of Fall of 2019.

thoughtfulness of our members. In that

As the CIC Planning and Oversight

way, the CIC is representative of our

“I wish I could walk every single member

League as a whole.”

through the building,” Elizabeth said.

Committee Coordinator, Elizabeth says what she’s been pleased with is hearing

The carpeting is in, and the interiors

the community’s perspective on the

have been painted. As this chapter of

building and seeing the enthusiasm they

the building’s history comes to a close,

have for the space. The committee has

the current CIC committee transitions

received outside requests for bookings

from a construction-focused team to an

through September 2020.

operations team beginning June 1.

“It’s such a tremendous opportunity to bring people into our home and interact with them in a new way,” Elizabeth said.

The physical size of the space, she adds, really impresses people, even including League members.

In total, the building is 48,000 square feet with a three-story parking garage and an 8,500-square-foot ballroom.

1 4 I L E AG U E L INE S

“It’s such a tremendous opportunity to bring people into our home and interact with them in a new way.”

What’s the Process for Booking a Space?

1) Go to jlaustin.org.

2) Click on the “Book Our Space” tab.

3) Click on “Inquire” and fill out the form.

4) The CIC committee will reach out to confirm the details!

15 I L E AG U E L I N E S

END OF YEAR FIT-FOOD IN TUMMIES RECAP

2018-2019

Now in its 10th year, the FIT-Food In Tummies program provided backpacks of nutritious food to all students at Baty Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary, where over 97 percent of enrolled students are considered economically disadvantaged and are currently enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. Children who depend on meals at school may not have regular meals in the evenings or on weekends.

At the end of the school year, FIT will have distributed 34,000 bags of healthy foods, providing weekend nourishment to children grades Kindergarten through 5th at Baty Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary.

This year, 279 JLA volunteers (238 Provisionals plus 41 FIT committee members) volunteered their time with FIT this year. Provisionals clocked in 6,388 hours in FIT shifts!

Through AGAPE North, the promotional merchandising company that the League has used for branded ACA, FIT and provisional shirts, we earned vendor credits so Baty Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary could receive a donation of 100 shirts each that were distributed to all the 5th grade teachers and the rising fourth grade students who will be 5th grade “leaders” next year.

To further combat food insecurity, the League was able to provide approximately 100 turkeys and hams to parents at Baty Elementary and Hillcrest Elementary before the winter holiday break in 2018.

This spring, FIT raised $9,820 at the Amplify Austin campaign event, which translates into 1,964 backpacks (at $5 each), and on the same night as Amplify Austin, the League raised approximately $4,000 for FIT at Austin Entertains—adding about 800 bags for a grand total of 2,764 bags in one evening!

1 6 I L E AG U E L INE S

WHAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT FIT:

“I like receiving the FIT bag “Thanks for all the money you

because when my mom is

spent on our school. I’m sure

working and I’m hungry, I can get

everybody loved them because I

good food to eat.”

did. I loved the popcorn chips—

– 4th Grade Student, Baty

it was my emergency snack.”

Elementary

– 3rd Grade Student, Hillcrest Elementary “I love knowing the students have something healthy to eat.”

– 4th Grade Teacher, Baty Elementary

“I think having extra food over a weekend can be a lifesaver.”

“Thank you for the food you

– 1st Grade Teacher, Hillcrest

donated to us; and thank you

Elementary

for filling our empty tummies.”

– 3rd Grade Student, Hillcrest Elementary “Thank you for this program.

You are servicing a need that would otherwise go unnoticed.”

– Pre‐K Teacher, Baty Elementary

“Thank you for dedicating your time to prepare the individual bags. You truly provided a great service to our school.”

– 3rd Grade Teacher, Hillcrest Elementary

17 I L E AG U E L I N E S

MERCH

T-SHIRTS If you've ever wondered how much impact our merchandise sales really make, here's a heartwarming story to answer your question. In 2018-2019, The Junior Leaugue of Austin used AGAPE (love your neighbor) as a vendor for our shirts. AGAPE rewards our orders with one shirt for every five we purchase and donates__ them to a program of our choosing. Given how happy we are with the success of our FIT-Food in Tummies program - we chose to cash in our points with them, so to speak. We delivered 200 free shirts to 4th graders at the Baty and Hillcrest Schools. The shirts feature their school name and mascot along with the FIT-Food in Tummies logo and the Whole Foods logo for their sponsorship. These shirts are spirit wear for the 4th graders as they rise into 5th grade and become leaders at their respective schools. Both the FIT and PR teams are excited to see the incoming 5th graders modeling the healthy habits FIT-Food in Tummies taught them while showing their school pride at pep rallies and other school events throughout their final elementary school year.

1 8 I L E AG U E L INE S

19 I L E AG U E L I N E S

KICS A SIGNATURE PROJECT

WITH SIGNATURE SUPPORT

What happens when children go to school in shoes that are old, worn out and don’t fit?

They feel insecure, uncomfortable, unable to play during PE and eventually have problems focusing on their learning. This year, we launched KICS - Kids In Cool Shoes! This program provides brand new shoes for children who may not have proper fitting shoes otherwise.

The KICS - Kids In Cool Shoes program, just finished its first year by distributing more than 1,000 brand-new sneakers to children in Austin from preschool through 5th grade. Since the pilot program in the spring of 2018, AISD school GuerreroThompson reports that involvement with The Junior League of Austin (JLA) program programs like KICS has helped the children participate in gym class and be more active, while teachers report an increase in self-esteem. The KICS program distributed at 4 schools in 2019, with plans to grow in the coming years to provide more children with new sneakers.

Like FIT-Food in Tummies, the program involves close collaboration with schools, distribution expertise and the desire to make a meaningful difference. That desire to make a meaningful difference led Nyle Maxwell to sponsor the program shoes and volunteers to our kick-off event. Businsess owner, Nyle Maxwell grew up near Guerrero Thompson School and knows the power of community in building successful futures for children. Employees from the Maxwell organization helped out at KIC-off events and became ambassadors for the program and for The Junior League of Austin. One of them said, “It was the highlight of my week! I told so many people of my experience and would love to be part of another event like this.” The Junior League of Austin is so grateful to have the support of community members like Nyle Maxwell who believe in putting their philanthropy dollars directly in the community where they live and work.

Liz Neff, KICS - Kids In Cool Shoes Chair-Elect couldn’t be more thrilled with the KIC-off events. She said, “We are so grateful to all of our KICS - Kids In Cool Shoes sponsors especially Nyle Maxwell who provided shoes for more than 800 children.

It was fun and inspiring to see JLA and Nyle Maxwell volunteers working together and bringing smiles to so many children teachers and families.” Liz and her fellow volunteers KICS look forward to another year of KICS - Kids In Cool Shoes bringing cool shoes and smiles to the children of Austin.

2 0 I L E AG U E L INE S

“It was fun and inspiring to see JLA and Nyle Maxwell volunteers working together and bring smiles to so many children teachers and families.”

Liz Neff, KICS Chair Elect

“It was the highlight of my week! I told so many people of my experience and would love to be part of another event like this.”

Nyle Maxwell Employee at KIC-off

21 I L E AG U E L I N E S

RECAP

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

478

members took the D&I survey

by Nicole Cook

This year, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) added a Diversity & Inclusion Committee to focus on embracing JLA’s shared values of diversity and inclusion.

In the Fall 2018 issue of League Lines, we sat down with Co-Chair Dionne Barner to learn about the committee’s goals and objectives for the year. As this League year wraps up, we re-visited Co-Chair Dionne Barner and her fellow Co-Chair, Laura Lee Daigle, to reflect on the first year of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

The committee embraced a thoughtful approach in their objectives in the first year of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. This year the committee focused on three primary objectives: (1) data gathering to understand the wideranging diversity that already exists in our League, (2) event programming with a focus on diversity and inclusion to foster conversation and raise awareness of diversity and inclusion issues, and (3) ensuring JLA’s marketing and communications highlight and celebrate our diverse and unique membership.

The committee created a survey and invited JLA members to share the ways in which they are diverse. The results of the survey gave the committee initial metrics on what types of diversity already exist in our League and how members think the League is doing on matters of diversity and inclusion.

The infographic was created from the results of the survey and illustrates some of the diversity that exists in our League.

2 2 I L E AG U E L INE S

"It's important that we really acknowledge and celebrate the diversity that we do have in the League, even as we try to grow that diversity. It is our unique members that make the JLA so strong! It's also important that we work to ensure that all of our members feel included and comfortable. Diversity and Inclusion are two different things, both equally important to the JLA," Laura Lee said.

The committee also focused on programming and events for members.

In January, the committee hosted its first event—a panel conversation at Headquarters with three panelists that was moderated by Amy Hurt and focused on the experiences of diverse women in the League. In April, the committee hosted a movie night at Headquarters to watch the Academy

478

members took the D&I survey

Award-winning documentary short film called “Period. End of Sentence,” a documentary about worldwide taboos around menstruation and related women’s issues. Following the short film, there were facilitated table talks exploring ideas of diversity and privilege and how the strength of

78%

feel they have a role in advancing Diversity &

78% feel they have a role in advancing Diversity & Inclusion in the League.

women can change a community.

The committee also coordinated with other committees in the League to encourage them to consider whether their marketing and communications are diverse and inclusive, in addition to the committee’s separate marketing and communication initiatives that focused entirely on diversity and inclusion. During the year, the committee also selected books of the month celebrating the applicable heritage month. If you missed any How do you consider yours of these book recommendations, you can see all of the committee’s book recommendations at: https:// www.jlaustin.org/about/diversity-andinclusion/books-of-the-month/.

When I asked Dionne what individual members can to do to support JLA’s values of diversity and inclusion, she Race Religion said “[e]veryone has a part in the Socio-economic mission of diversity and inclusion. What Geogra League members can do to promote diversity and inclusion is to encourage people they know to join the League, whether those people are new in town I would attend learning opportu or they are looking to make a new my Diversity & Inclusion co group of friends. Invite them to join and let them know that the League offers so

Yes

military brat grew up in a small town grew up on a family farm/ranch first generation mexican american lived in many different small towns fluent in Spanish parents are german and turkish parents raised in hong kong and china raised christian orthodox jewish mental health professional accomplished my goal of becoming a physician athiest don't live in north austin or central austin queer grad student of color I been a member of 7 junior leagues never-married, no-kids 39-year old

In our own words

JLA members were asked, “What is something that is unique about you?”

first generation college student married and kept my own last name 36 when joined JLA native american do not have a very high salary half italian and grew up partially in northern italy financially independent, never-married, no-kids

speak Italian and french fluently

speak sign language fluently align closely with a lot of the communities JLA volunteers in grew up on the east coast family has been in texas for almost 140 years work at an entry level position joined the league older than most people

478

lived all over the us before settling in austin

478

members took he D&I survey

have a child with a disability

How do you consider yourself “diverse”?

How do you consider yourself “diverse”?

members took the D&I survey

much more than just getting together with women and making new friends.

The League also allows you to meet so many different types of people. If we want to diversify who is joining the League, then the members are really the people who are best situated to help with recruitment and bringing in diverse groups of people.”

78% 78%

Our League is comprised of a diverse and inclusive group of women, and our new Diversity and Inclusion Committee has focused on and will continue to focus on being intentional about our efforts as a League to ensure that all members, especially those from underrepresented feel they agroups, role ina sense feelhave they have a feel role in of belonging, which will help inform advancing Diversity & & andadvancing maintain lastingDiversity and meaningful relationships andin isLeague. directly tied to the Inclusion the League. nclusion in the commitment, motivation, and pride we all have in our League.

Race

Religion

Geographic

Socio-economic

Race

Religion

Socio-economic

Other Other

Geographic

Family Situation

Family Situation

I would attend learning opportunities to develop my attend Diversity & Inclusion competencies: I would learning opportunities to develop my Diversity & Inclusion competencies:

Yes Yes

No

No

23 I L E AG U E L I N E S

ANOUNCEMENTS &

CONGRATULATIONS

Pim and Jeff Mayo welcomed Emilia on December 8, 2018

Scott and Megan Nyitray welcomed Grant Alan on January 1, 2019

Would you like to see your announcement in the next issue of

LEAGUELINES

Use the online form to submit your info and photo!

2 4 I L E AG U E L INE S

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JUDY WINKEL BROOKS Sustainer Judy Winkel Brooks, 70, of Austin and Llano, passed away Friday, October 12, 2018, in the company of her children at St. David's North Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas. As a devoted mother, Judy served as the PTA president of Doss Elementary School and Kealing Junior High School and served as a board member for the Anderson High School PTA. Judy spent countless hours volunteering for the March of Dimes, Northwest Kickball Association, Brackenridge Hospital Foundation Board, American Cancer Society Advisory Board and Junior Austin Woman's Club. She was also a member of The Junior League of Austin. Judy shared her interest in athletics by coaching girls' kickball at Northwest Kickball Association in Austin. Judy was a loyal supporter of the Texas Longhorn football program as her husband and son both played football for the Longhorns.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF AMANDA MICHELLE BENNETT A LIFE SO BEAUTIFULLY LIVED DESERVES TO BE BEAUTIFULLY REMEMBERED

25 I L E AG U E L I N E S

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT

THE NEW YORK JUNIOR LEAGUE

By Laura Zengilowski

The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) consists of 291 Leagues in four countries. LeagueLines seeks to feature a different League to remind us that we are one of many and teach us lessons from our fellow Junior Leaguers.

I recently spoke with Lauren Jenkins Chung, the current President of the New York Junior League (NYJL). While still one of the largest Leagues, many forget that New York is where Mary Harriman started it all. Even in the city itself, the NYJL is an unsung hero in a crowded philanthropy market. This serves as a reminder that a large membership base and long history doesn’t mean a League can sit back and relax. All Leagues must constantly change and adapt to its members and the community it serves. The NYJL is focused on just that.

One such change is in the way the NYJL views it mission statement. While its statement hasn’t changed, the emphasis is now on empowering and connecting women to reach their full potential.

Lauren believes that the Junior League’s training ability is what makes the NYJL unique among the many institutions seeking to make a difference in New York and the world.

2 6 I L E AG U E L INE S

A big challenge facing the NYJL (and most Leagues) today is the increasing number of demands on members’ time. Much like The Junior League of Austin (JLA), the NYJL members balance full-time employment, families and other obligations on top of their commitment to the League. The NYJL is experimenting with creating more flexibility in its membership, seeking to increase placements with flexible hours and adding more weekend and evening placements.

So far, this focus on flexibility hasn’t created a strain for the NYJL’s community partners who appreciate the need filled by the NYJL and also benefit from its flexibility. The NYJL frequently builds committees around its community partners’ needs. One such example is the League’s partnership with The Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network (SCAN) in East Harlem. SCAN was looking to provide a program that gave teen-aged young women access to female leaders.

Capitalizing on its amazing members, NYJL was able create a leadership program for these girls. The success of that program led to the creation of another program with SCAN called Reading Rangers in which the NYJL created a library and program in SCAN’s facilities.

Like all Leagues, the NYJL is also able to capitalize on being a part of a larger organization. Lauren is especially appreciative of the guidance she receives from frequent meetings with the top 11 Leagues (including The Junior League of Austin). There is much to learn from other League members and the shared ideas are so powerful. We all face similar challenges, but most importantly we share the same goals of empowering women and building a better community around us.

Members: 2,800+ total members (1,900+ active members) Service Hours Per Year: 250,000 Community Partners: 60 (30 regular placements and 30 touched through Donein-a-Day) Largest Fundraiser: Winter Ball ($500,000+ raised this year) Non-Member Only Event Worth Visiting For: Fall and Spring House Tour, featuring the architecture and interior design of NYC’s most beautiful private homes Little Known Fact: NYJL’s second largest fundraiser is the Thanksgiving Eve Ball, a debutante ball run by sustaining members Mission Statement: The New York Junior League (NYJL) is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Photo credits: @thenyjl

27 I L E AG U E L I N E S

Mark Your Calendar JULY 4: Independence Day

SEPTEMBER 2: Labor Day

SEPTEMBER TBD: General Meeting

NOVEMBER 20-24: A Christmas Affair “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

2 8 I L E AG U E L INE S