A new president... of the Junior League of NYC

The New York Junior League President, appointed in January of this year, is the first black president of the NYJL. Characterizing the move as a groundbreaking one for an organization that has tried for years to cultivate a more socially and racially diverse image, as noted in the NY Times. The newly elected president, Gena Lovett, the chief operating officer of a Manhattan hedge fund company, will be taking over at a time when the league is struggling with internal allegations of financial mismanagement. Recently making nation news in the Forbes Life magazine, click on the link below to read more about this interesting story. http://www.ajli.org/ama/orig/ForbesLife.pdf

Did you know that you can log your volunteer hours on our website? Keep track of all your hard work and log your hour credits on our website at www.jlgwh.org and sign in under member section.

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.

Ella G's now carries our custom organizers!

We are so excited to announce our first ever custom JLGWH Family Organizer. Perfect for any woman on the fly, these 18 month planners boast perforated grocery lists and to-do lists along with babysitter contact pages, and a chunky spiral notebook so your busy life is consolidated in one convenient format. The gorgeous cover was designed by local artist and noted Photographer, Lori Blaser. Pictured above are myself, and Ways and Means Chair, Jennifer Myers, on Friday while visiting the boutique to set up our "fly" display featuring the organizers. Visit local favorite, Ella G's, on Cypress Gardens Rd, and be sure to thank them for helping in support our fundraiser. Organizers are $19.95 + tax - get yours today! Available by phone, call (863) 899-4555. We will ship :-)

All work and no play? Naaahh-

Erin Emry (above), Nominating and Placement Chairperson, crafted the most adorable candy bags for her fellow Board members to ensure a nice superhero suger rush for our first meeting! Due to a heavy travel schedule with her CPA Firm, superwoman and SMM Chairperson, Angela Moore delivered her report via podcast. Well, sort of. Pre-recorded video on-location at event co-sponsor, The Wine Bar, made a huge impression. Here, the laptop is projecting the image on our white wall for the audience! Special thanks to our (unofficial) in-house broadcast producers, Jessica Fischer and Jennifer Myers for all their help with the technology. Jessica, Corresponding Secretary, (pictured)enjoys the show! A few fun pictures from the September General Membership Meeting. In delivering the announcements and business of our League, we implemented various multi-media techniques in hopes to keep the attention of our ladies in a fun and exciting way.

Central Florida Women's Expo

Like hundreds of other women in the area, President-Elect Wendy Morris and I strapped our babies in their strollers, threw on our comfiest day dresses and shopped until we (or at least our kids) dropped! The Women's Expo today in Auburndale was a huge event with even bigger attendance and we were eager to meet and greet those featured vendors that will also be participating in the League's own Santa's Merry Market this November. The Auburndale community was hopping and all of our favorite boutiques were accessible to share their products and concepts. Wendy's longtime friend Cindy Hummel is Auburndale's Special Projects Director. After chatting with her a bit about the success of the event, Wendy and I both agreed that we wished JLGWH had a booth to sell Outback and SMM tickets, organizers and of course recruit! We also learned that the event was the product of about 5 key women coordinators, which was also encouraging! Oh, and of course, the expo has a blog!! www.blog.thewomensexpo.com Please leave your comments if you attended. Your feedback and input is appreciated as we hope our holiday event will be just as successful!

Great First Meeting!

Our Superhero themed meeting was a great one and what a running start the League is off to. With so many exciting things ahead for our League, our memberships' enthusiasm was contagious!

September General Membership Meeting

General Membership Meeting is quickly approaching... Tuesday, Sept 9th. 6:30 Welcoming Superheros to a new League year!

Whoa!!!

Buckle your seatbelts ladies...our group is on the fast track to success. Wow- have I really become this much of a JL dork? I guess so! After a successfully productive 1st Board meeting, I can't tell you how very thrilled I am about the year ahead. With so many wonderful projects in store, and exciting fundraisers, (and work/bonding to be done!) we will all be BFF's gossiping about boys in our Flamingo P.J.'s, by the end of the year! I am so looking forward to seeing everyone at our first General Membership Meeting next week and meeting our new provisionals. This just keeps getting better... so please keep your arms and feet inside, and hang on for the ride!

In the works...

Gearing up for an approaching League year committees are hustling and bustling, planning and preparing. Santa's Merry Market commitee as well as the CRPD committee both met last week reporting even further progress and great ideas. Both chairpersons (Angela & Jancie) held their meetings at the new Wine Bar in Cypress Station, as the owner is thrilled about our his participation in the Merry Market event, so we wanted to patronize them in return. Keep up the good work ladies!

SPAC Conference

On Sunday, PE Wendy Morris, I attended the SPAC summer conference in Orlando. We along with several other ladies from leagues all over the state listened to and addressed issues that face our members statewide. The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven is a new member of SPAC and I am thrilled about our involvement. As president-elect, Wendy will officially serve as this year's delegate. The Junior Leagues of Florida, State Public Affairs Committee has been the advocacy arm of the Junior Leagues of Florida for over 30 years, monitoring the state legislative process and addressing issues of political importance to the members of the Junior Leagues.

Sewing Bee this Thursday

It's all the buzz! Join us for The Sewing Bee, Thurs 8/28, at 6pm, Leslie McCutchin's home. This week we will make super simple aprons for when function meets style in the kitchens across Greater Winter Haven! Or, for those of you who are blessed with hubbies that cook (angela moore) do the cooking, bring a project in the works, your mending basket, or check out one of the projects below. Can't sew?? That's OK, you can pin, press, steam, or keep the drinks coming and we'll lend you a hand. Bring your favorite beverage, a light snack, or cool craft magazine. We don't need much, our hands will be busy with projects. If you are stressed for prep-time, just come as you are there will be plenty to enjoy and plenty to do.

Congrats Tilgham family!

In the spirit of our organization, we love the pink bundles! Congrats to Erin Tilghman and her husband, James, on welcoming their newest girl (number 3) Mary Ruth Tilghman on July 29th. I am thinking the future of the Junior League is looking bright than ever! Contact Erica Sirrine if you would like to provide a LINKS meal for these ladies (and dad too!).

A Tasty Treat

The Ice Cream Social was a hit and we had many new faces come to learn more about the League. We so appreciate the Marble Slab and the hospitality, and the Wine Bar for the wine tasting that many of us enjoyed after our ice cream!

Santa's Merry Market Announces Date

Mark your calendars now for the premier event ofe the holiday season. Friday - Saturday, November 21st & 22nd. Angela Moore and Nikki Rudd have been working hard this summer preparing what is sure to quickly become, another JLGWH signature event! This upscale shopping experience includes all the right elements to put you in the holiday spirit! Friday night will kick off the event with Martinis and Manicures preview event followed, Saturday, by family-friendly shopping bazaar complete with Santa and & his workshop, book signings with area authors, and merchandise from boutiques and vendors across central Florida accompanied by a myriad of pre-decorated Holiday Trees for purchase. Contact Angela now angmoore@deloitte.com and get in on the fun!

Sew Fun!

Yes, we did get some sewing done! It actually was the perfect thing to do with our hands while we gathered around leslie's table, pumping the peddle, chatting and sipping our wine. Allison completed a gorgeous vintage style hanky for her Grandma adorned with rick-rack, Cindy hemed her gorgeous black trousers, and Leslie M, re-invented a designer dress now perfect for any cocktail event. Wendy made a fun and flirty beach cover up! I used a couple yards of toile and hap-hazzardly made a fun "dress-up" tu-tu for my friend's daughter. Sorry, this is the only thing I have a picture of, LM's camera cord is MIA, and I wanted to show some of our production from the sewing circle, hoping we can entice even more of you to the next one!

Ice Cream Social, August 14th @ Marble Slab

In 1924, Americans consumed an average of less than 4 quarts of ice cream per year. Today, Americans eat about 15 quarts of ice cream per person each year. (Hey, who are you callin' a pig?) "Chill" ladies, they also have frozen yogurt! Owner, John Ettinger, Sr. has opened up his store on Cypress Gardens Blvd, to host our Ice Cream social event Thursday, Aug 14, from 5:00-7:30 pm. Leaguers and Leaguers-to-be (provisional prospects) will recieve 15% off any purchase and complimentary bottle water. Please bring-a-friend to this meet and greet and catch up with old friends over a Sunday! If you stop in before then, please be sure to mention the JLGWH to John & Co. (I've seen you gals over there after the gym... you don't have to hide!)

Oprah Names Top Wardrobe Essentials

Stylist, Lloyd Boston outlined his wardrobe essentials on the Oprah show this week, noting that these closet "must-haves" will ensure that you always leave the house looking polished and stylin'. You can find a photo slide show and short commentary at this link. According to Boston the essentials are:

1) Bright, gauzy scarf

2) Light trench coat (bright color preferable)

3) Turtle neck (black/white)

4) Pair of black trousers

5) Tunic

6) White jean & dark jeans.

7) Black dress (something you could wear with black

tights or even jeans underneath for a more casual look.)

8) White or dark blue denim jackets

(the lighter colors went out in the LATE ’80’s)

9) Black skirt

10) Cashmere sweater 11) A pair of nice flats

(leopard print, juicy colors)

12) An oversized bag

(think bright or white) *One of the most important pieces of clothing for a woman to have in her wardrobe is a crisp, white shirt - so important it had a feature of its own on the show pictured below. I don't know about you, but the white jeans are a bit scarey,

and... are trousers the same as britches? :-)

League Members and their 4th of July...

In the spirit of "the blog", below captures the personal moments of how fellow League members spent their 4th of July holiday. I asked a randomly selected portion of our membership, to share with us, a little about how they spent this past weekend. How did you spend yours? Send your family photos and experiences to leslieh@premieronline.com As always... these "wonder women" had and exciting weekend full of memorable experiences! Tammi Haas with son Robby (5 years old), husband Brian, and daughter Emily (2 years old). Tammi: "I spent my Fourth of July Weekend with my husband's family in Bartow and Lakeland. The girls spent an afternoon out to lunch and shopping while the guys duked it out on the golf course (Robby joined them)! The rest of the weekend was spent grilling out by the pool and watching fireworks. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the summer with those that we love the most!" Melanie Truesdell notes: "Our 4th was okay, as Scott and the girls were in a car accident on the 3rd. Everyone was fine (girls just a bit sore, but fine by weekend - Scott still very, very sore, but nothing serious - he has to go see a Chiropractor 6 days a week though :( ). My car is totaled, so that kind of stinks. A guy passed out and hit Scott going 55 miles/hr. Scott was stopped waiting to make a left. " "My pink stilettos remind you of my Manhattan roots – remnant of Summer holidays in the Hamptons rubbing elbows with notable New Yorkers. But since my divorce, I’ve stopped traveling; I’ve become stagnate—“Alone” often rings loud in my ears and in my heart. This year I finally ditched that insecurity and created a true Independence Day. Boarding a plane this July 4th, I single-handedly headed for the Wild West— Montana. Over the next five days an amazing change transpired; I became a pioneer, discovering a new way to see the country—striking out on my own, in charge of my own destiny. Literally shaking in my boots on day one—surrounded by happy families on vacation, I felt a little lonely. Once I made my mind up to savour my independence, the experience was quite empowering. By day five, I felt a little wild; the big skies, vast mountain range, and better still, the power to do what I wanted—when I wanted. I have to say, venturing out of my comfort zone—and alone—was fantastic! I tried a new sport, new food, saw new states, and met new faces along the way. I’m sure my foremothers would be proud." -Leslie McCutchin

Allison Lee spent her holiday in the big apple!. There for business, with her company Noble Juice, she and her associates enjoyed food tradeshow of sorts! Sounds tasty! Below is Allison pictured with celebrity chef Paula Dean, her husband and son.

Wendy: “The Morris Family spent their 3-day weekend enjoying family, friends and food! On Friday evening, we watched the nighttime ski show at the Gardens followed by the fireworks display from the boat of good friends. Saturday we spent the day cooking out, swimming and hanging out with family & friends! Why can’t every week have a 3-day weekend?!?!?”

WOW!!! - are these ladies superheros or what! What an amazing group I am so proud to be associated with; loving family, life and soaking up all it has to offer!

The League has adopted the Kids in the Kitchen project as one of our own for the upcoming year. This is a wonderful project that works to raise awareness about childhood obesity and nutrition. The website is interactive and resourceful, and even has fun nutritionally focused educational games for the kids. My favorite is the "find a recipie" tool that allows you to try a new recipie this summer or show the kids how to make something fun. My 6 year old LOVED his Book Cook class at Kids at College this year and is totally into cooking. We have enjoyed the sit! http://www.kidsinthekitchen.org/