LeagueLines Fall Issue 2015

LeagueLines THE NEWSLETTER OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN

WHAT’S NEWS: Community Impact Center Updates 5 Get all the important details on the Community Impact Center.

How JLA Helped with the Floods 6 Find out how JLA Members were impacted by the floods, and how JLA helped those in need.

How to Install the New Digital Cheetah App 8 Did you know that there is a new Digital Cheetah app? Don’t get left behind without it!

Two New Community Projects

By Elizabeth Vreeland

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If you’re already thinking about next year’s placement, find out about two new community partners.

Vicki Clark & Servant Leadership 20 We took notes from Vicki Clark so you didn’t have to!

MISSION POSSIBLE Stacey Mather will serve as the Chair of Mission Awareness this year, a special project created by 2015-2016 President Casie Wenmohs.

Stacey describes her position as, “Trying to raise awareness of the mission of The Junior League of Austin (JLA) among both members and the community at large.”

Stacey hopes to help members connect their specific placements to the overall mission of the JLA. Stacey is also focused on awareness of the mission in the general community, which might help stereotypes that do not reflect the League’s true principles.

Her goals include examining how the membership uses messaging to communicate about the JLA and how we can use our positions in the community to further the understanding of the League’s purpose.

She hopes to educate members to think about the ways in which they communicate about the JLA. The mission statement is the core purpose for what we do as League members, and Stacey will strive to make everyone cognizant of that connection.

JLA Mission Statement: The Junior League of Austin is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable..

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IN THIS ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE From the President

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From the Sustaining President 4

EDITOR’S NOTE We are so thrilled about the fall issue of LeagueLines! We hope you enjoy the fresh new look of LeagueLines, which was lovingly put together by the LeagueLines design team.

Community Impact Update 5 How JLA Helped with the Floods 6 How to Install the New Digital Cheetah App 8 How League Members Have Grown 9 Training Success: Featuring Carrie Semple 10

Our goal this year is to provide content that is both fun and educational. I loved reading through the articles and learning new things about the League.

We hope everyone will be able to gain something from this issue. Whether you learn how to use the new Digital Cheetah app, or discover our new JLA Community Projects this year, we hope you will find something that makes a difference in your League experience.

The LeagueLines staff has gone above and beyond putting together this issue for you. They are a phenomenal team, and I feel incredibly lucky to work with such a great group of women. They continue to inspire, motivate and energize me, and I am so excited about year ahead.

How JLA Impacts Child

Let us know what you think about this issue -- we would love to hear from you!

If you have something you’d like to see in the next issue, please let us know at leaguelines@jlaustin.org..

Welfare 14

Debra Doliner

New Community Projects

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Top 5 Reasons to Advertise in Capitalines 15 Social Media Corner

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How Serving on a Board will Change your Life

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Fun Facts about JLA

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Vicki Clark & Servant Leadership 20 It’s All in the Language

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A Christmas Affair

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Coats for Kids

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Reach your Goals in JLA

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The Letter “T” in The Junior League of Austin 27 Member Spotlight

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JLA Updates

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Mark Your Calendar

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Casie Wenmohs

2015-2016

Membership Development VP Alicia Robertson

President - Elect Sarah Valenzuela

Member-at-Large Amanda Grantham

Assistant to President Catherine Mattingly

Member-at-Large Lisa Kaspar

Treasurer/Finance Nicole Elliott

Bylaws Heather Parsons

Recording Secretary Ashley Kelm

Treasurer-Elect Amy Hurt

Community VP Lauren Price

Nominating Chair Michele Karp

Administrative VP Lyndsey Crawford

Strategic Planning Chair Melissa Threlkeld

Communications VP Jolie Cypert

Sustaining President KaLyn Laney

Fund Development VP Leigh Edgar

Technology Chair Rachel Zander

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT It’s still early in the fall, but the 2015-16 JLA year is well underway! League volunteers were very busy over the summer, doing everything from community placements at Camp Bluebonnet to inleague work like preparing for A Christmas Affair.

Whatever your role may be in the League this year, I would like to say, “Thank You” for dedicating your precious time and considerable talents to our organization. The JLA is only as strong as our members and we could not fulfill our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community without your commitment.

This year, I’m informally using the theme “Authentically Austin.” One reason The Junior League of Austin continues to grow and succeed is because we have changed and evolved along with Austin. We strive to reflect the values that make Austin unique: fun, creative, inclusive, dynamic.

What “Authentically Austin” means to me is that we can be true to ourselves and true to the JLA mission, all while being dedicated to making a difference in our beloved city.

Thank you so much for being a member of The Junior League of Austin. I am looking forward to an “Authentically Austin” year with you all!

Casie Wenmohs President

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LETTER FROM THE SUSTAINING PRESIDENT STAFF 2015-2016 Editors Debra Doliner LeagueLines Editor Kaela Lewis Design Editor Poppy Poth Copy Editor Jennifer Rieck Literary Assignments Editor Christine Penksa Photography Editor / Photograher

Everyday and in many ways, The Junior League of Austin makes a difference by promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. Throughout my years as a member, I have witnessed the impact of the League, not just in the community, but in the lives of the women who serve, growing each of us as leaders and volunteers.

As Sustaining Members, our role is different from what it was during our Active years. Our “placement” is to continue to help promote the development of women by serving as advisors and mentors to Active membership, when help is requested. We support the activities of the Active membership as participants, volunteers and donors. We are ambassadors for The Junior League of Austin using the skills we learned in our active years as we serve the community in various ways.

Writers Ellen Acton Rachel Clark Ellen Decareau Ar’Sheill Monsanto Elizabeth Vreeland Layout Assistants Kimberly Fry Samantha Cruz Bonnie Pope Jeni Williams Sustaining Advisors Hessie Brawley Andrea Lofye

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The Sustainer Engagement Committee is an Active committee that exists to help League Sustainers plug in, and the group is working to create opportunities for interested Sustainers.

Ideas include social gathering groups focused on a specific interest such as cooking, gardening, or investing. The Sustainer Engagement Committee is also working to provide opportunities for Sustainers who want to serve the community in some way, either at Coats for Kids, Food in Tummies or fill-in shifts for Done-in-a-Day projects.

I am honored to serve as Sustaining President for this fantastic and dynamic organization for 2015-16.

KaLyn Laney Sustaining President 2015-16 sustainingpres@jlaustin.org

COMMUNITY IMPACT CENTER UPDATE

By Ellen Acton

As The Junior League of Austin expands in membership and in ways it serves the greater Austin community, we are all excited to hear about the progress of the Community Impact Center.

On the Capital Campaign front, we have exceeded 65% of the goal mark. Including verbal commitments, we have raised more than $6.5 million towards the project.

Permitting is not a speedy process! This has proven to be the greatest challenge thus far, with several League members working the majority of the 2014-2015 League year to solve permitting issues with the city of Austin. These issues were focused on flood plain changes made by the city. “We are hopeful that this particular challenge is behind us,” said Julie Hall, Community Impact Center Planning & Oversight Chair. “We do hope to have the entire permit process complete before the end of this League year (which ends May 31, 2016).”

Assuming fundraising and the rest of the permit process goes as planned, the completion timeline for the Center is as follows: • Finalize permit with the city in late Spring or early Summer 2016 • Finalize design documents and pricing by the end of calendar 2016 • Break ground in 2017 and plan on 18 months of construction

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WHEN AUSTIN FLOODED, THE LEAGUE STEPPED IN

By: Ellen Decareau

what I should do,” said Kathryn. “Within 30 minutes the water reached my house. My neighbor came over to

On Memorial Day weekend, Central Texas saw one

help me and my dog walk over to his home where the

of the heaviest downpours experienced in decades.

water wasn’t as high.”

With an ongoing drought spanning five years, rain

Kathryn stayed with her neighbor to wait out the storm.

would have generally been a welcomed sight. Yet,

While her home was spared from flood damage,

the 10 inches of rain that came down in a matter of

many of her neighbors were not as lucky.

hours caused rivers to break out of their flood banks - damaging and destroying homes and businesses

Springing Into Action

while tragically causing several deaths.

Just days following the historic floods, the JLA Board of Directors voted at their May 26th meeting to donate

While the effects were widespread, the communities

$5,000 to the relief effort. Half of the funds went to the

of Wimberley, San Marcos and Austin experienced

Red Cross of Central Texas and the other half to Austin

the most significant damage.

Disaster Relief Network.

Kathryn Brady, a member of The Junior League of

It was the end of JLA’s fiscal year, and the money

Austin, was living in one of the San Marcos flood

came from unspent community funds.

zones impacted by the heavy rain. She remembers waking up at 4:00 a.m. to the sound of sirens on her

The next day, 2014-15 President Gregory Noack

street. The roads were already covered with water,

reached out via email to every member whose home

making them undriveable and trapping Kathryn in

address was in an affected zip code. While those

her home.

contacted declined assistance, stating that, like Kathryn, their homes had escaped significant damage,

“I was pacing around my house trying to figure out 6 I

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all were appreciative of the outreach.

HOW THE LEAGUE STEPPED IN: BY THE NUMBERS

27%

OF THOSE SURVEYED DONATED ITEMS SUCH AS CLOTHING, FOOD OR WATER

45%

OF THOSE SURVEYED DONATED FUNDS TO RECOVERY EFFORTS

20%

OF THOSE SURVEYED DONATED TIME TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY THE FLOODS 59 members of The Junior League responded to the survey about recorvery efforts from the flood.

“I was surprised and grateful to hear from the JLA. It is always nice to know that there are people who care, are concerned and looking for ways to help,“ Kathryn said.

What’s Ahead Current JLA president, Casie Wenmohs, says the 2015-16 Board of Directors may consider setting up emergency grant funding to handle similar situations going forward.

She also says that the JLA Community Council, under the leadership of Community Vice President Lauren Price, will be discussing possible disaster relief volunteer training.

“Helping our community is at the core of what we do in the JLA. I’m proud the League was able to help with flood relief by making a donation. As a membership organization, we can’t forget that we need to take care of our members, too. Thankfully, our members in the flooded areas were safe and sound,” Casie said.

I was surprised and grateful to hear from the JLA. It is always nice to know that there are people who care, are concerned and looking for ways to help.

- Kathryn Brady, JLA Provisional 7 I

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HOW TO INSTALL THE NEW DIGITAL CHEETAH APP

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STEP ONE: Download the App: Use the App Store or the Google Play Store to search for “SeeingSpot.” Use JLA login information that you use for the JLA member website.

STEP TWO: Allow Push Notifications: Once you’ve downloaded the app and verified your email address, make sure you go to App Settings and allow push notifications.

STEP THREE: Explore the dashboard. This is where you can access the member directory, group activities, group emails, your virtual membership card and more!

STEP FOUR: Explore other helpful features like contacts, JLA activity feed, and your calendar.

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HOW WE’VE GROWN

I love the women I’ve met in the League and the personal and professional growth opportunities I have been given through my roles within the League.

My placements have challenged me to think critically, problem solve and become creative in ways that I don’t on a daily basis. I am definitely a stronger person, woman and leader because of my involvement within JLA.

Being a member of JLA has made me more confident by teaching me the best practices. It is so nice to be sitting in a board meeting where a problem arises and I can call on my experience to find a solution.

Belynda Montgomery Transfer Chair

I joined the League to serve my community and make new friends.

I’ve found great friends, lots of opportunities to serve and greater confidence in my leadership abilities and skills!

Shannon Creekmur Training & Education Committee Chair

Kristen Williams FIT Program: JLA Pantry Co-Chair

Thanks to League, I have grown as a leader in my community. I don’t have to look far to see areas I can make positive changes. Most importantly, I am a better parent. We work together as a family, on a daily basis, to be aware of what we’ve been given.

I’m not afraid to take on challenges.

I’ve had opportunities to do things I’ve never done before and I can do them successfully because of the incredible support and guidance of League members. (Actives and Sustainers) Elizabeth Neff Grants Chair 9 I

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Taking on the role of Technology Chair was a leap of faith for me, but now I can say I’ve learned more than I could have imagined through this experience. I’m so thankful to The Junior League of Austin for the valuable training opportunities it provides.

Rachel Zander Technology Chair

I have grown with the League from a single girl on the town to married with three kids! At each stage JLA has given me best friends, laughter and a place where I feel I can make a difference.

Laura Robinson Coats for Kids Chair-Elect

TRAINING SUCCESS: CARRIE SEMPLE

By Rachel Clark

Carrie Semple joined The Junior League of Austin in 2008. Initially, the main reason Carrie joined the League was to spend more time with one of her best friends, Rosemary Wynn. Rosemary was her lead sponsor, and the two of them loved to ride to meetings together and have happy hour before General Meetings. Of course, Carrie was also interested in the League’s philanthropic causes.

As she spent more time in the League, Carrie came to appreciate first-hand the impact of JLA on the Austin community.

Carrie loves that her work for the JLA is both “challenging and fulfilling,” and she loves meeting other women who are dedicated to making Austin a better place for its citizens.

In addition to the satisfaction of serving the Austin community, Carrie has gained valuable skills which she learned in her many in-League and community placements over the past seven years. During her tenure with the JLA, Carrie’s placements include FIT volunteer, FIT Assistant, Member-at-Large on the Fund Development Council, Council Assistant on Administrative Council, Researchers Administrative Assistant, Placement Chair and now Provisional Chair.

As Researchers Assistant and Placement Chair, Carrie had to step out of her comfort zone and learn how to navigate an excel spreadsheet. Carrie says that by the end of her term as Placement Chair, “I could really turn around some spread10 I

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sheets in a short amount of time.” As Placement Chair, she also learned valuable time management skills and taught herself how to “work smarter, not just harder.”

In her current role as Provisional Chair, Carrie leads a group of 20 women and the experience is helping her hone leadership skills like running a meeting efficiently and effective delegation.

One of her personal development goals for this year is to become a more confident public speaker, and there’s no better training than learning from experience when she has to speak to an audience of roughly 300 Provisionals at their monthly meetings.

Carrie applies these skills in multiple facets of her life. She holds a law degree from The University of Texas at Austin and has worked multiple jobs at the Texas Legislature. Now, she is a full-time mom wrangling three beautiful little boys. With three children to care for, Carrie puts her time management and prioritization skills to work on a daily basis. In addition to caring for the boys, Carrie serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School where her son Henry attends. Carrie’s League experience has helped her move the organization forward to a more coordinated and strategic future.

Her Co-Chair on the preschool board, Abby Raines, is also a JLA member. If it weren’t for the League, Carrie says she probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to step into a leadership role. Eventually, Carrie may return to the professional world, and she’s interested in working for a non-profit. Her interest in non-profits was ignited by the passion

she witnessed as Placement Chair last year; Carrie was overjoyed to discover that multiple League members had completed more than their required shifts for their community placements with SafePlace and CASA. “I have also learned that the League is an organization where you definitely get out what you put into it. It takes time to cultivate relationships with other League members. It takes time and effort to be outstanding at your placement. It takes time to understand how the League works and to start to feel a sense of belonging there. If you commit the time, you will have one of the most rewarding experiences in your life,” Carrie said.

Because Carrie dedicated her time and efforts to JLA, she gained valuable skills, which she’ll put to use for the rest of her life.

Carrie’s story is one of training success in The Junior League of Austin. Thank you, Carrie, for your awesome service to the League!

The League is an organization where you definitely get out what you put into it. It takes time to cultivate relationships with other League members. It takes time and effort to be outstanding at your placement. - Carrie Semple 11 I

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS

SHOAL CREEK CONSERVANCY By: Ar’Sheill Monsanto This upcoming year in the League features two new placement opportunities at Texas Humane Heroes and Shoal Creek Conservancy.

“These two placements fit right in with President Casie Wenmohs’ theme this year of ‘Authentically Austin.’ Both placements are vitally important part of our community and will give members the opportunity to learn about Austin,” Researcher for the

agency, Anna Thompson said.

Shoal Creek Conservancy was established in 2013 and works to restore, protect and enhance the vibrancy of Shoal Creek. Shoal Creek is in the heart of Austin and includes many amenities for recreational usage. This year members will serve the Shoal Creek Conservancy by helping with social media or as a gardener. This is the placement for you if you have a green thumb or simply like spending time outdoors.

JUST THE FACTS: What it’s about: Restore, Enhance, Protect Shoal Creek Year Founded: Established in 2013 What our volunteers do in this placement: Assist with social media or gardening

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS

TEXAS HUMANE HEROES

JUST THE FACTS: What it’s about: Local non-profit animal welfare organization that aims to eliminate euthanize animals Year Founded: 1979 What our volunteers do in this placement: Adoption assistant

By Ar’Sheill Monsanto Texas Humane Heroes was established in the Austin area in 1979. It’s a local non-profit animal welfare organization that aims to eliminate the euthanization of animals and pet homelessness with the vision of finding a home for every pet. With Texas Humane Heroes, our members can serve as adoption assistants to help people find that special pooch to add to their families.

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BY THE NUMBERS HOW THE LEAGUE IMPACTS CHILD WELFARE

By Ellen Acton

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●

JLA SUPPORTS 13 COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOCUSED ON PROMOTING CHILD WELFARE BY PROVIDING NEARLY 190 VOLUNTEERS AND MONETARY SUPPORT.

2,200

●

31 JLA MEMBERS COORDINATED 2,200 COATS FOR KIDS VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED TO DISTRIBUTE 35,000 WARM WINTER COATS DURING THE 28TH ANNUAL EVENT.

46,000

●

46,000 TOTAL BACKPACKS WERE DELIVERED WEEKLY

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR TO APPROXIMATELY 1,500 CHILDREN THROUGH FOOD IN TUMMIES.

300 ●

JLA PROVIDES MORE THAN 300 VOLUNTEERS TO THE FIT

PROGRAM NOW IN ITS 7TH YEAR.

21,000 ●

$21,000 DOLLARS WERE RAISED IN 24 HOURS FOR FIT FROM

OVER 500 DONORS DURING AMPLIFY AUSTIN LAST YEAR.

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TOP FOUR REASONS TO ADVERTISE IN CAPITALINES

By Ellen Acton

It’s not too late to advertise for Capitalines for the spring issue! There are many ways for donors to support The Junior League of Austin, and one of those is advertising in our very own Capitalines magazine. Here are our top reasons to consider an ad in Capitalines.

4. There is a price point for everyone.

A page sponsorship costs as little as $100 for the Spring issue. You may sponsor as an individual or list your company’s name.

3. Movers. Shakers. Leaders. Taste makers.

An advertisement in Capitalines means landing directly in the hands of a segment of Austinites who actively shape our city. The Junior League of Austin is made up of volunteers serving, leading and shopping in our community. We are professionals, executives, community leaders, stay-at-home moms and everything in between.

2. Capitalines not only circulates to membership, but also reaches non-member The Junior League of Austin donors, businesses and community leaders.

The Fall and Spring issues have a circulation of approximately 3,300 copies.

1. As an advertiser in Capitalines, you are directly supporting The Junior League of Austin; you are insuring that Capitalines goes to print!

We need Capitalines to promote the League as a whole. The Spring issue includes our annual report.

Capitalines is a vital PR tool for our League.

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SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER SOME OF RECENT POPULAR POSTS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & INSTAGRAM

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SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER DON”T FORGET TO FOLLOW & SHARE US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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HOW SERVING ON A BOARD WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

By Ellen Acton The Junior League of Austin supports 32 community projects, and each of these non-profits accepts the Project Chair onto their board as a non-voting member. These women take on a special opportunity within the League with this experience.

Here are our top five reasons why serving on a board is lifechanging.

1. YOU CAN NETWORK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE LEAGUE. Serving on a board of a nonprofit as part of your JLA community gives League members the unique opportunity of networking both in and outside of the League. You get to work with other League volunteers while gaining exposure to both the League leadership team and the leadership of the non-profit you support.

2. IT’S FUN! The League provides us all the opportunity to choose a placement that we will enjoy. Serving on a community placement board gives you an exciting opportunity to see how an outside organization is run.

3. YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE VOLUNTEERING WITH THAT NON-PROFIT. This is the first year for Scheinbaum and second year for Tahbaz to volunteer with their respective organizations. If the mission of the community project aligns with your passions and interests, you can effectively serve on a board.

4. YOU GET TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE. Bita Tahbaz is currently serving on the board of CASA, a child advocate organization. “It’s not just about what I am doing individually, but what CASA as an organization is doing collectively,” Tahbaz said. “Being a volunteer, you have exposure to the training coordinator and your supervisor. But after sitting in on my first board meeting, it is clear that a huge support network is needed to make CASA run as smoothly as it does.”

5. YOU CAN SUPPORT A COMMUNITY PROJECT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IN A DIFFERENT WAY. Angeline Clos Scheinbaum is currently serving on the board of Breakthrough Austin, an organization that supports higher education for low-income students. “As a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, I help bring power to young people so they can become empowered and a contributor to society,” said Scheinbaum. “The most rewarding part of serving on the board of Breakthrough Austin is helping to be a small part in breaking the cycle of poverty in our community and changing someone’s life for the better via the power of education.”

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DID YOU KNOW? 5 Fun Facts: The League by the Numbers by: Ar’Sheill Monsanto 1. WE STARTED WITH 50 ACTIVE MEMBERS. In 1934, when The Junior League of Austin was accepted into the Association of Junior League International, JLA had 50 Active members.

2. THERE ARE LEAGUES IN EUROPE.

There are 292 Junior League organizations in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Great Britian

3. WE HAVE MORE THAN 2,500 MEMBERS.

The Junior League of Austin has 2,571 members, 1,254 of which are Sustainer members, 1,019 Active members and 298 Provisional members.

4. OUR COOKBOOK WON A HOT AWARD.

The Junior League of Austin’s Necessities and Temptations cookbook won the McIlhenny Tabasco Community Cookbook Award, sold over 100,000 copies and was inducted into the Tabasco Hall of Fame.

5. WE’VE FILLED A LOT OF BACKPACKS!

In the 2014-2015 school year, The Junior League of Austin provided over 50,000 Food In Tummies backpacks.

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GENERAL MEETING

WHAT WE LEARNED IN SEPTEMBER Servant Leadership with Vicki Clark

By Rachel Clark Vicki Clark was the featured guest speaker at the September General Meeting. Clark has devoted the past 25 years of her life to assisting non-profit organizations and building capacity in volunteer, membership-based organizations, state governments and congregations.

She has served as trainer and consultant in a variety of national organizations, including the Association of Junior Leagues International. Board development, inclusion and diversity, leadership, strategic planning, volunteer resource development and effective communications are just a few of the topics she provides to organizations to help them in their efforts to accomplish their missions. She focused on “Servant Leadership” during the September General Meeting.

The servant-leader does not rule by dictatorship.

Instead, the servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and facilitates member development. Clark encourages leaders to show love, compassion and be charitable to the people they lead.

Some of the essential qualities of a servant-leader are: 1) Listen Well – Know what drives the women you work with; Why are they serving The Junior League of Austin? What excites them? What are they struggling with? If you can answer these questions, you’re already on the path to become a servant-leader

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2) Compassion – Every volunteer in the organization is absolutely a volunteer. They have outside commitments, jobs and families. If they’re not able to meet every deadline perfectly or aren’t “carrying their weight,” find out why and enable them to ask for help.

Vicki says, “When you hold someone’s feet to the fire, you just get burned feet.”

3) Self-Awareness – It’s important to know your own weaknesses and tendencies. As a leader, try setting yearly goals not only for those you lead, but also for yourself.

4) Flexibility – The servant-leader knows that they can’t always have their own way. Don’t let perfection get in the way of good. Give your team the space they need to exercise creativity and get the job done effectively – even if it’s done differently than you originally envisioned.

Servant Leadership can be applied in every sphere of your life, even outside of the League. Try applying these concepts anytime you’re in a leadership position. It’s likely you’ll find yourself happier and more satisfied. Most importantly, you’ll be positively impacting the lives of the people you lead!

IT’S ALL IN THE LANGUAGE

By Ar’sheill Monsanto

Social media is one of the most common platforms for communicating today. We pride ourselves on our ability to cleverly capture the moments of our lives in 140 characters accompanied by the perfect hashtag or picture.

From Facebook to Twitter, and everything in between, we share facets of who we are with the world using these networks. Often this can include moments showcasing your JLA experience.

As women of The Junior League of Austin, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to voluntarism and community service through projects in Austin.

With a League of over 2,500 women who actively volunteer over 130,000 hours of volunteer time to our community, it’s important for us to speak with a cohesive voice. The way we communicate and the tone in which we use when speaking about the League shows that we all have a common purpose. How we phrase our commitment can strengthen our movement.

TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING “Share” and “like” posts from official JLA social media handles. This helps raise awareness about what we’re doing collectively.

Use words that empower like impact, motivate, serve or strengthen. Empowering words reinforce our mission.

Tag JLA in your League related post to show your involvement and promote our mission.

Add hashtags to draw attention to your message, highlighting the unique offerings of JLA. Try using one of these applicable hashtags in your next social media post: #JLAustin #MakeADifference #FoodInTummies #CoatsForKids

Remember, JLA is composed of amazingly-diverse women. Make sure your post embodies a unified message for the world to see. Please refrain from posting anything that might reflect negatively on JLA members or our organization as a whole 21 I

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A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR

Get your boots ready! The 2015 A Christmas Affair, Twas’ the Night Before Christmas in Texas – Y’all, will capture the spirit of the holidays with a ranch chic atmosphere that will be the perfect kickoff to your holiday season!

We hope your calendar is marked for November 18-22 for days filled with shopping, special events and a whole lot of sparkle. ●This year’s Preview Party will feature a collaboration of A Christmas Affairs past, present and future, a 1 ½ hour private shopping experience, an exclusive diamond event, a dinner under the Texas sky catered by Salt Lick, a live auction, a FIT raise the paddle moment and opportunities to share our mission with donors and why we produce A Christmas Affair.

A new addition this year is a New Fancy Santa Event: Gilded Antler Tree, which will take place Sunday at Noon and will feature Christmas characters from the Zach Scott Pre-Professional Company as well as a plated brunch for parents and children.

MERCHANDISE TWAS’ THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Shirts, hoodie, vest, hat, Kitty Keller ornament and mercury glass Volcano Capri Blue candles all on sale now in the member store.

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DECORATIONS RESALE Take Twas’ the Night Before Christmas in Texas – Y’all home with you! Pre-order your favorite decorations at the September JLA General Meeting, at A Christmas Affair in the Decorations Booth, or at Decorations Resale that will take place December 4-6 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Headquarters.

A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR NEW THIS YEAR WINE RAFFLE Need to ignite your wine collection? We have a prize for you! Enter a chance to win 20 bottles of wine ranging from $20 to $110 each. This year’s $50 wine raffle ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, November 18 with the winner being drawn at the Friday night Date Party.

EXCLUSIVE DIAMOND EVENT A girl never has too much bling! Play to win during the exclusive diamond event at the Preview Party. Diamonds Direct has donated one prize worth $3,000 in addition to $100 gift cards for each contestant. Entry fee is $75 to play at the Preview Party on November 18.

BEST ELECTRONIC RAFFLE EVER Take a chance to win the live auction item of your choice! On November 3, look for an email with details on how to win the live auction item of your choice. Raffle tickets will be $100 for 4 tickets and will be on sale, online from November 3 until the drawing on November 17.

FAVORITE “DONATION” TRADITIONS We hope you participate in your favorite “donation” traditions! Girls Night Out will feature pick-apackage inspired by Kendra Scott; merchant picka-package will be on sale at the main tree; and the Friday night Date Party will have a robust silent auction to suit your bidding pleasure.

FUN ACA FACT: 2015 ACA Chair Holly Priestner’s grandmother, Sunshine, read Holly her father’s original version of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas, in Texas That Is as a child. The book served as the inspiration for this year’s event.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR Wednesday, November 18 Preview Party: Ruckus ‘Round the Christmas Tree 6:00p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Texas Tux Attire Thursday November 19 Brunch: Texas Tea by the Tree 9;00 a.m. to Noon Brunch Attire Market Days: Noon to 9;00 p.m.

Gilded Antler Tea Room: Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Girls Night Out: Boots and Bling 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Boots and Bling Attire Friday, November 20 Breakfast with Santa: Jingle Y’all the Way 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Market Days 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Date Night Party: Rockin’ Rodeo – Saddle up for a Merry Go Round 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Cowboy/Cowgirl Chic Attire Saturday, November 21 Breakfast with Santa: Rudolph’s Roundup 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Market Days 10 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 22 Breakfast with Santa: Breakfast for the Buckaroos 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Market Days 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Gilded Antler Tea Room 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

New Santa Event: Christmas Brunch Back at the Ranch Noon to 1:30 p.m.

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COATS FOR KIDS 2015 is the 29th annual CFK, with Distribution Day scheduled on December 12th at the Palmer Events Center.

Last year 35,000 coats were collected!

We are thankful for our partners: Jack Brown Cleaners, 98.1 KVET and KVUE who help ensure that the children in Central Texas stay warm.

Mark your calendars for these key dates: COMMUNITY COAT DRIVE The Community Coat Drive kicks off on Monday, November 16th and runs until Thursday, December 10th.

SORTING WEEK Sorting week begins on Tuesday, December 8th and goes through Friday, December 11th at the Palmer Events Center.

DISTRIBUTION DAY 2015 is the 29th annual CFK, with Distribution Day scheduled on Saturday, December 12th at the Palmer Events Center.

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PATHS TO GOALS & HOW JLA CAN HELP

By Rachel Clark We’ve all been told that The Junior League of Austin is an excellent source for honing new skills and tackling personal goals. But with such a large League, it can be hard to know where to start to accomplish some goals.

For this issue of LeagueLines, we spoke with Placement Chair Amanda Eldridge to get her advice on how to find your path within the JLA. IF YOU WANT TO ....

Learn how to manage a group of volunteers

Be a voice for members in the JLA

THEN YOU SHOULD ...

Become a Project Chair or a Provisional Team Leader.

Either of these positions allow you to “dip your toe” into JLA Leadership.

Become a Researcher, Member-at-Large or Community Placement Coordinator. Researchers represent the League in finding non-profits and placements that best fit our mission and member needs. Members-at-Large represent the JLA general membership on councils and committees.

Community Placement Coordinators work with the different Project Chairs and the members placed there to make sure that the expectations of the League and the expectations of our Community Partners are aligned.

Learn how to write a press release

PR/Marketing Committee. This entire committee focuses on how the JLA communicates with the public in different areas including our community project partners, Coats for Kids, A Christmas Affair, Food In Tummies, and others.

Learn how to fundraise

Join the FDC Support Team Committee. They have a variety of different options for fundraising with the JLA’s donors and sponsors, from in-kind donations to matching and monetary gifts.

Use your creativity

Search for a Community Placement. Many community partners ask for social media, design and event management, which can open up the opportunity to use your creativity. There are also opportunities on ACA for inLeague creativity.

Become a Committee Chair

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Put your name out there! Contact the Nominating Committee and submit a leadership interest form. It’s also important to get a variety of exposure to different InLeague and Community Placements to prepare yourself for leadership.

Request to be placed as a Council or Committee Assistant.

It’s a great way to get an inside look at the way the Councils work and see JLA Leadership in action.

TEXT EXCHANGE ABOUT THE LETTER ‘T’

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Sally Banta Sustainer

Marcella Maxwell Provisional

Name: Sally Banta

Name: Marcella Maxwell

Current Placement: Sustainer

Current Placement Food In Tummies

Family: Spouse Mark Banta

Pet: Sir Henry (malitpoo) & Sophia (cat)

Pet: Two cats. Jazz and Zydeco and they are brothers.

Education/Occupation: I am a therapist and work with the behavioral medicine team at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.

Education/Occupation: Retired Retail Business Owner Favorite Book: Fiction “Dollbaby” and nonfiction “Unbroken”

Favorite Quote: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” - Ghandi

Favorite TV show: The Voice or Madmen Favorite junk food: Anything with cheese!

Favorite Quote: “Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” - Mother Teresa The best lesson I’ve learned in JLA: How much each volunteer can positively impact a community.

Favorite JLA experience: Habitat House

If I could, I would: Travel the world and study different cultures.

I wish I knew how to: Play an instrument

Advice to the Provisional class: Get to know your Provisional peers as they will become lifelong friends.

Three accomplishments I’m proud of: Graduating graduate school, landing my dream job at age 25 & having the most amazing group of best friends a 26-year-old can ask for!

What experience has changed you the most? Getting married for the second time

My life philosophy on a bumper sticker: Do more than exist.

If I could, I would: Start an educational scholarship foundation

One thing people wouldn’t know about you: I grew up dancing, but I am the biggest sports fan around, ESPN stays on my television!

Three accomplishments I’m proud of: Starting my own business, volunteerism and friendships My life philosophy on a bumper sticker: Be Happy!

One thing people wouldn’t know about you: I eat in the grocery store

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Best advice you’ve ever received: My parents have always instilled in my siblings and me that you can work as hard as possible and provide for your family, but if you don’t give back to your community and those less fortunate you are missing out on a big part of what life can offer.

Lindsey Meyer Active

JJ Rocha Provisional

Name: Lindsey Meyer

Name: JJ Rocha

Current Placement Austin Humane Society

Current Placement Provisional

Pet: I have one fur-child named Goose, an 8-monthold Landseer Newfoundland, who will grow up to be a sweet, cuddly, slobbery 140-pound ball of fur.

Occupation:Policy Analyst, Texas Municipal League

Education/Occupation: I received my BA in Political Science from Roanoke College in Salem, VA. I am currently working at a Digital Advertising firm.

Hobbies: “Running, online shopping, reading and enjoying Netflix Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby Favorite Movie: 21 Jump Street

Community Activities: Outside of the League, I am involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in hopes of finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes. I myself have been a Type 1 diabetic for 23 years.

Favorite junk food: Cool Ranch Doritos Favorite thing about Austin: After living in NYC for the past two years, I love all of the outdoor activities that are available to me here in Austin whether it be paddle boarding, exploring the greenbelt or spending time on the lake. The Tex-Mex isn’t too bad either.

Advice to Provisional Class: Invest the time and get to know the other women in your Provisional Class! You’ll get to build friendships with lots of great women from all sorts of backgrounds.

What experience has changed you the most? : Leaving my job and all of my best friends behind in New York City and moving to Austin, a city where I knew barely anyone, to start the next chapter of my life.

I wish I knew how to: Speak a second language fluently.

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Favorite TV Show: Parenthood Favorite junk food: M&M’s Favorite thing about Austin: The lake, the food and the margaritas.

If I could, I would: Live on a remote island.

My philosophy on a bumper sticker: Live and let live.

One thing people wouldn’t know about you: : I traveled to Honduras to help rebuild a school and a church.

Best advice you’ve ever received: It’s not how much; it’s how well.

Members are chosen at random through the Member Directory online.

JLA UPDATES BABIES

Kathleen Sumrall and her husband Mark and son William welcomed Benjamin Thomas to the world on June 9, 2015.

Gina and Benjamin Tanner welcomed son Elliot on May 22, 2015 at 6:47 PM at St. David’s Georgetown. He weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces and measured 22 inches long.

Robert and Jessica Watts welcomed Robert Wesley Watts on July 13, 2015.

Robert Wesley weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 21 inches long. This is the first child for Robert and Jessica.

Mom, Dad and baby Robert are all doing well.

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Laura Lee and Clay Daigle welcomed son Edward Lee Daigle on May 1, 2015 at 2:38 pm. He weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and measured 19.75 inches long.

Allison and Elliot Brubaker are delighted to announce the arrival of their daughter Leah Morgan on March 24. Leah weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz and measured 21 inches. Her sister Charlotte is thrilled to have a baby sister!

MARRIAGES

Congratulations to Samantha Fechtel on her recent engagement to Paul Howell.

Congratulations to Diane Marlow on her recent marriage to Evan Kaye on February 21, 2015 at Pecan Springs Ranch in Austin.

NEW JOB/APPOINTMENT

Junior League of Austin member Kendall Shiffler married Andrew Guinn on May 16, 2015. The ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown and the reception was hosted next door at the Union on Eigth.

CONDOLENCES Sarah’ Roper Coleman’s mother passed away on 6/4/2015 Ellie Falcao’s mother passed away on 6/5/2015

Emory Darran Hopkins and Donna Hopkins (nee Oleksiak) Bride and Groom are pleased to announce their marriage on September 5, 2015 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Hutto, TX. A private reception was held at Balcones Country Club.

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Terri Broussard Williams was appointed as a board member in June 2015 to the Seton League House Board and I Live Here I Give Here Board. She will also serve as the co-chair of the I Live Here I Give Here Community Advisory Board.

Would you like to see your announcement in the next issue of LeagueLines? Complete this form by going to the link below.

Email a photo to photographychair@jlaustin.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR l Nov. 18-22: A Christmas Affair (Palmer Events Center) No General Meeting in December Dec. 1: Board Meeting (JLA Board Room) 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 4-6: A Christmas Affair Decorations Resale (JLA Auditorium) 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Dec. 12: Coats for Kids Distribution Day (Palmer Events Center) Dec. 24 - Jan. 1: Office Closed for Christmas

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