Winter 2016
MOUNTAIN MESSAGES FROM THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLESTON, WV
President’s Message Tiffany Hoke, JLC President Most ladies I know have a guilty pleasure. I will admit, mine is playing video and computer games. I love just about every type of game and I delighted in using our recent snow storm as an excuse to play for hours on end without shame. My absolute favorite is a turn-based strategy game called "Civilization 5”. In Civ, you develop an ancient civilization using its unique strengths and advantages. You can pursue a victory multiple ways, including conquering all other civilizations with your military or developing technologies to reach Alpha Centauri. I love this type of game for the same reason many people don't: it is complicated, time-consuming and requires a lot of strategical thinking. The best part, however, is watching how your civilization grows and thrives depending on each decision you make. Being President of JLC has unexpected similarities with playing Civ. The 2015-16 League year has been a time for many strategic decisions. Renegotiating the rent, changing the phone service and launching a new website will lower our operating costs by almost $6,000 per year - an economic victory for sure! Our placement changes from last year have also allowed our members to focus more time on helping in the community. I'm proud to say we have already doubled our service hour contribution from last year and have added new community partnerships with the YWCA and the Secret Santa Foundation of WV, while renewing efforts with the Davis Child Shelter. This year has also been a time of rapid of growth. Our fall Provisional class increased our active membership by roughly 25%, and we've had equal interest in our spring class.
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Winter 2016
Our former Sustainer Advisor, Alice Abernethy, gave a lesson on backward design at our summer 2013 board retreat which really stuck with me. In backward design, you start by identifying an end goal and work backward to articulate each step needed to reach that goal. It is easy to continue the work someone else has started and to continue to do everything the way it has always been done. It is challenging and sometimes scary to think creatively, take risks and engage in backward design. I am grateful for our Sustainers who have been so encouraging and insightful each time we have shared new ideas. I am grateful for this year's board members, each of whom has taken on her individual tasks with passion and determination. I am grateful for our dynamic active membership that has embraced the changes and added so many great ideas to the mix. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings as we continue to explore ways we can build on our rich legacy and build on our meaningful place in the Charleston community.
JLC Mission Our Mission The Junior League of Charleston is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. We reach out to women of all races, religions, or national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.
We are continuing to work on the integrity of our database, especially as it relates to Sustainers. Do you know any Sustainers? If you could reach out to see if they received our recent letter, or could check to make sure we have their current contact information, please let us know! Contact Katherine Mullins (mullins_katherine@yahoo.com) if you have questions or thoughts. 2
Winter 2016
Spring Fundraiser - Women on the Move Laura Boone and Meagan Shelton, Spring Fundraiser Chairs
The third annual Women on the Move will promote female entrepreneurs and business leaders. The two-day event begins Friday, April 15th, with an evening Preview Party and Networking Reception spotlighting the contributions of female entrepreneurs at the Art Emporium in downtown Charleston. The event continues on Saturday, April 16th, at the Four Points by Sheraton with the Women on the Move Marketplace featuring unique custom goods or services from local women-owned businesses.Tickets for the marketplace will be $3/ person. Funds raised by Women on the Move go to support the Backpack Buddies Program. The Junior League Thrift Boutique will also make it’s debut at the Spring Fundraiser. The JLC is currently collecting gently used women’s clothing, accessories, and children’s clothing. These donations will be sorted to use in the Thrift Boutique or donated to charity. *** All active League members have a $125 financial obligation to this major fundraiser - this consists of selling two $35 tickets to the Friday evening preview party and ten $3 tickets to the Saturday marketplace as well as selling five $5 Backpack Buddies Fundraiser tickets or contributing $25 in monetary or food donation. This obligation will be erased if the member secures a $250 sponsorship for WOTM. See the Weekly Newsletter for sponsorship and vendor information packets. *** For questions, please contact Laura Boone (lauraboone@gmail.com) or Meagan Shelton (meaganshelton@yahoo.com). 3
Winter 2016
Calendar of Events Laura Suppa Sammons, JLC Newsletter Editor
November Membership Event - November 5 The November Membership Event was held at Cakes by Appointment where JLC Members made festive Thanksgiving cupcakes!
Fall Party at Davis Child Center - November 17 The JLC hosted a Fall Party for foster children ages 12-17 at the Davis Child Center. Attendees had a pizza party and tie-dyed t-shirts! Volunteers: Jennifer Casto (coordinator), Kara Boehm, Meghann Caldwell, Lauren Estep, Ashley Oldaker
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Winter 2016
Thanksgiving Dinners for Bob Burdette - November 18 As a continued supporter of the Bob Burdette Center, the JLC provided and served Thanksgiving meals of turkey, stuďŹƒng, and all the fixings at the Bob Burdette sites at Emmanuel Baptist, Calvary Baptist, and North Charleston Baptist Churches. Volunteers: Jenna Bowles, Nicki Holly, Michelle Johnson, Allison Keller, Lindsey McIntosh, Julie Miller, Kristin Moody, Megan Callaghan, Brandi Conroy, Kara Boehm, Lindsay Silbernagel, Megan Knight, Brittany Vascik, Chelsea Ketron, Jennifer Sayre, Jenna Everhart, Lauren Estep
Ronald McDonald House 30th Anniversary - November 20 On November 20, 2015, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia celebrated their 30th Anniversary. Thanks, in part, to the Junior League of Charleston, the RMHC of Southern West Virginia has been able to serve more than 8,000 families and will be able to continue to serve the community in their new location! Please consider donating time or money to RMH and assisting the JLC in furnishing the playroom in the new house. The McGala 2016 was held February 13th.
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Winter 2016
Sustainer Tea - November 20 To continue Sustainer fellowship and Sustainer/Member relationships, Sustainer Anne Silbernagel hosted a Sustainer Tea at her home for several sustainers and JLC members.
Secret Santa Volunteering - December 4th and 5th Several JLC members and our partner Girl Scout troop worked together at the South Charleston Rec Center to help the Secret Santa Foundation of WV check and load up gifts for the 1,400+ children they supported in 2015.
Volunteers: Jennifer Casto, Brandi Conroy, Jenny Herrald, Tiany Hoke, Hillary Homburg, Megan Knight, Katherine Mullins
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Winter 2016
December Membership Event - December 10 The December Holiday Party at Vino’s was a fun get together for JLC Members and their significant others with great food by Vino’s and signature drinks created by member Kara Boehm.
February Membership Event - February 9 February’s membership event was a Mardi Gras wine and dessert party at the home of Brandi Conroy. The kids had a pizza party while the adults played Heads Up and had wine, margaritas, cheeses, brownies, lemon squares, and other delicious snacks!
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Winter 2016
Valentine’s Day Party at Sojourner’s - February 11 The JLC hosted a fun Valentine’s Party for the families at the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter! The kids painted, made valentines, and played in a pit of red balloons before having lots of snacks!
Volunteers: Laura Suppa Sammons, Jennifer Casto, Chelsea Ketron, Tiffany Hoke, Meagan Shelton, Nicki Holly, Allison Sutherland
Winter 2016 Provisional Class Meghann Caldwell and Ashley Oldaker, JLC Provisional Co-Chairs Unfortunately, due to Winter Storm Jonas and the 18 inches of snow that Charleston received, the January 2016 Provisional Welcome Party was cancelled. Despite the bad weather, 9 potential provisionals attended the February GMM to learn about the Junior League of Charleston. The JLC looks forward to including these ladies in our upcoming events!
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Winter 2016
2015 Announcements Engagements (1) Miss Michelle Johnson to Mr. Jonathan Storage on 02/14/2015 (2) Miss Brittany Vascik to Mr. Josh Smith-Shimer on 06/04/2015 (3) Ms. Jennifer Casto to Sgt. Jeremy Runnels on 07/26/2015 (4) Dr. SuSu Kapourales to Mr. Roger Lambert on 08/23/2015
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Winter 2016
Marriages (1) Miss Anna Riley to Mr. Drew Hawkins on 06/06/2015 (2) Miss Chelsea Gammon to Mr. Westley Ketron on 06/27/2015 (3) Dr. Laura Suppa to Dr. Shawn Sammons on 06/20/2015 (4) Miss Mary Catherine Tuckwiller to Mr. Thomas Tuckwiller on 07/18/2015 (5) Miss Kassie Moore to Mr. Grant Grishaber on 12/05/2015
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Winter 2016
Births (1) Lindsay Silbernagel welcomed Emma Jane on 01/01/2015 (2) Katie Thompson-Berger welcomed Quentin on 02/14/2015 (3) Jenna Lehmann Everhart welcomed Jon McNeill (Mac) on 06/04/2015 (4) Jennifer Workman welcomed Charlotte on 10/05/2015 (1)
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Other Ashley Noland received a masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from WVU on 12/18/2015
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Winter 2016
Community Project - Ronald McDonald House Playroom In November 2015, the JLC voted to expand our involvement with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia and sponsor the playroom in the new house to be built near CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital. The playroom will be WV Outdoor themed and the projected completion date is August 1, 2016. This project includes raising funds to design, decorate, and furnish the playroom as well as provide the toys! As founders of the RMH in Charleston, the JLC is deeply rooted in this effort. If you are interested in joining the committee for this project, please contact Katie Thompson-Berger (katieberger111@gmail.com) for more information.
Signature Project - Backpack Buddies Chloe Kamm Castleman, Signature Project Chair In March 2015, the JLC voted to continue our efforts with the Backpack Buddies project and make this cause our new Signature Project. Our partner school has been the King Center Pre-K, where we have provided the students with supplemental nutrition bags at least two weekends per month. Since we started the program in 2014, we have stuffed almost 2,000 backpacks for our little buddies. We look forward to expanding the program in the coming years to include dentalhealth items and books, as well as helping other community organizations mirror our program at additional schools. The need for this project is great and we’re excited and honored to help expand the program in our region. At this time, each Backpack Buddy bag includes an individual cereal, cheese or peanut butter crackers, animal crackers, a pudding, a fruit cup, an applesauce & a juice box. Please contact Nicki Holly (nw.holly@gmail.com) if you have any questions or ideas for this project. Please continue to bring donations for Backpack Buddies to monthly GMM’s as we are not only continuing this program, but hoping to expand it. Donations of individual cereal, cheese and peanut butter crackers, animal crackers, pudding, fruit cups, applesauce and juice would be appreciated. Buying in bulk is preferred; however, if you do not shop at a bulk supplier, we would appreciate financial contributions of any size.
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Winter 2016
2016-2017 Dues Regular dues paid between February 1st and 29th are $130. Dues paid on or after March 1st are subject to a $15 late fee. If you have not paid your 2015-16 dues in full yet, any money paid will be credited to current year dues before being applied to 2016-17. If you have questions about the payment of dues or would like to set up a payment plan, please contact Treasurer Kassie Grishaber (kassiegrishaber@gmail.com). NEW THIS YEAR – if you wish to be on the board for 2016-17 year, please plan to pay your dues by the early bird deadline. While not required in the by-laws, the Placement & Nominating Council will be considering payment of dues when making placement decisions for the upcoming year. If you plan to sustain, elect activegold status or resign from JLC, please tell Secretary Katherine Mullins (mullins_katherine@yahoo.com) as soon as possible.
Upcoming Events February 2/24 - Wednesday, 6:30pm, Backpack Buddies bag stuffing, JLC Office, 405 Capitol St.
March 3/14- Monday, 6:30pm Social, 7pm GMM, 405 Capitol St., Happy Hour to follow 3/16 - Wednesday, TBD (approx 4:30pm), Easter dinners at the Bob Burdette Centers 3/19 - Saturday, 10:30-2:30, Backpack Buddies Fundraiser, First Presbyterian Church
April 4/11 - Monday, 6:30pm Social, 7pm GMM, 405 Capitol St, Happy Hour to follow 4/15 -Friday, TBD, Women on the Move Preview Party and Reception, Art Emporium 4/16 - Saturday, TBD, Women on the Move Marketplace, Four Points Sheraton
May 5/24 - Tuesday, TBD, May Membership Dinner
*** Send pictures from any event/service activity/meeting to: Lauren Shah ***
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Winter 2016
Slated 2016-2017 Board Members * To be voted on at the March 14, 2016 General Membership Meeting* President: Katie Berger President-Elect: Lindsay Silbernagel Secretary: Laura Suppa Sammons Treasurer: Maggie Payne Treasurer-Elect: Bethany Belding Membership Vice President: Allison Keller Community Vice President: Meagan Shelton Communications Vice President: Ashley Noland Ways & Means Vice President: Megan Knight Director-At-Large: Kara Boehm Nominating Chair: Tiffany Hoke Placement Chair: Jenna Everhart Provisional Development Co-Chairs: Meghann Caldwell & Michelle Johnson Placement Advisors: Kristin Moody, Laura Boone, Jenny Herrald, Jennifer Casto, Hillary Homberg, Julie Miller
2015-2016 Board Members President: Tiffany Hoke President-Elect: Katie Berger Secretary: Katherine Mullins Treasurer: E. Kassie Moore Grishaber Treasurer-Elect: Maggie Payne Membership Vice President: Kara Boehm Community Vice President: Nicki Holly Communications Vice President: Lauren Jarvis Shah Ways & Means Vice President: Lindsey McIntosh Director-At-Large: Brandi Conroy Nominating Chair: Tiffany Gregory Placement Chair: Jenny Herrald Provisional Development Co-Chairs: Meghann Caldwell & Ashley Oldaker Sustainer Advisor: Amy Swann
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Winter 2016
Social Media Lauren Jarvis Shah, Communications Chair
Closed Facebook group: Public Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1558587871088120/ https://www.facebook.com/jlchas
Instagram:
@jlofcharleston
Twitter:
@JLCharlestonWV
Amazon Smile:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/55-0491773
If you use Amazon, please sign up for AmazonSmile and select Junior League of Charleston as your charity. Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price on items marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation� to your charity.
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