New Junior League Vision Statement

A new JL Vision Statement was unveiled by the Association of Junior Leagues International at last week's conference. This is the statement that is being proposed: The Junior League: Women around the world as catalysts for lasting community change. Discussion? What does the JL’s new vision statement communicate to you? This unveiling was a huge part of the AJLI conference recently attended. How does this speak to power of future of the Junior Leagues?

All American October Meeting

With a "Make your voice Count" themed October Meeting, I am thankful for the wonderful information provided by our Supervisor of Elections as this important Presidential race quickly approaches. Hope you enjoy the pictures from our last meeting.

AJLI Fall Leadership Conference 2008

Kansas City's Holiday Mart Wendy here with AJLI CFO, Martha Ferry, styling their goggles for a clearer perspective as the new AJLI Vision was unveiled! President Elect, Wendy Morris and I enjoyed this year's Fall Leadership conference beginning with the opportunity to preview and shop the largest league holiday market, compliments of the JL of Kansas City, who has enjoyed an 18 year stint with this profitable fundraiser. A behind the scenes tour and VIP preview event where we could shop till we dropped (and we almost did after a long day of traveling!). We gathered lots of great information and comparisons for our very own first holiday market, next month. The following day presented a whole new array of learning opportunities finding both Wendy and I with writer's cramp by lunchtime as we frantically took notes in our respective classes, on the exciting information. Our lunchtime plenary was a milestone in the weekend conference, as the focus shifted to a suprising unveiling of the newly proposed AJLI Vision Statement. An AJLI focus group invested millions of dollars and equally as valuable, resources of time in researching the trends in voluntourism, global communities, and exactly how a community will be defined in 2028, and what that means to our Junior Leagues. This expansive research was very interesting, and I will be sharing more of these exciting developments in the near future. Our classes included How to get the Best Results from your Board, Governance, Engaging Membership Meetings, Public Speaking, the Media and Internal Communications, along with a few Q & A formats for open discussion. This was sprinkled with wonderful networking opportunities with other League leaders where we could exchange ideas and further information share. Wendy and I were beaming with pride when we visited to the AJLI Boutique and rounded the corner to see our very own JLGWH Family Organizers making their National Debut! Pictured here are Wendy and I with the Organizers USA Founder and CEO, Amy Knapp. Additionally, making the Greater Winter Haven League's presence known was our blog (that's right this very sight!) was featured in our Social Media 101 Class! We are among the first leagues to utilize this channel of communication which is encouraged by the AJLI for efficiency, retention, and furthering our social outlets for commentary. Pictured here is our site on the overhead screen!

Announcing Daegen Reyd Carmichael

Mom says he is a "good sleeper"! Congratulations to David, Delight and family on their newest addition. Adorable Daegen was born at 2:44am on October 18th, and weighed 6lbs 14oz, and is 20 inches long! If you are interested in providing a L.I.N.K.S (Leaguers in Need of Kindness and Support) meal to the Carmichael’s please contact Jessica Fischer at thefischers3@me.com or call 651-5787.

The League Impacts over 600 Students with Teacher Grants

The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven is pleased to announce the winners of the “Grants for Greatness” project. These Mini-Grants provide funding and volunteer hours to local educators to assist with the implementation of projects and/or purchase of necessary classroom items not available through school funding. All the applicants demonstrated dedication to educate our children utilizing creative methods to engage the children’s imagination and interest in learning. The projects are expected to positively impact six hundred fifty three students in East Polk. The winning teachers include; Keith Hobbs, Bonnie Helms, Brandi Sackett, Gloria Jenney, Polly Burkhart, Vicki Herndon, Joan Jones and Kay Earls. The Mini Grants will be offered for the spring semester and all teachers in east Polk County are encouraged to apply online at www.jlgwh.com.

Delegates attend ODI Training in Orlando

Every year JL's across the country travel to reap the benefits of Organization Development Institutes' training geared specifically for League leadership. The Nominating and Placement commitee prepared a powerful slate of delegates to attend this year's ODI, right in our own backyard. This threesome traveled to Orlando this past weekend for a educational and inspiring ODI. Esteemed delegates, pictured above, attended 2 different tracks. Jancie Tucker, CRPD, and Paula Orcutt, Super Saturday Chair, attended the community impact course where they learned to create community impact by implementing significant, systemic change in our community. Through the identification of issues, development of programming, partnership and coalition building activities while involving our trained volunteers, we can prepare members to become effective volunteers and to take on leadership roles in the community as well as our League. Jill Barton, Treasurer, attended the fund development track. This track included information on creating a diversified revenue base, is essential to a healthy League. Key fund-development principles, and a how-to approach to traditional funding sources, will allow us to maximize the potential of new, cutting-edge fund-development. Building and sustaining a strong, mission-driven, diversified funding base by impleting these strategies is essential to our league during these economic times, and Jill was there to soak it all up. I am so proud of these ladies, as we continue to build strong leadership within our league and ignight the passions and the "Junior League Dork" in us all! You go girls! Look for a full report at our October meeting next week.