ATSYOURERVICE A NOTEFROMTHE PRESIDENT
Board of Directors 2009-2010
Robyn Lynch
President ph:770-983-7703
Bethany Magnus President-Elect ph:770-561-2758
Kara Rogers
Recording Secretary ph:770-532-9484
Gerran Syfan
Corresponding Secretary ph:770-983-3042
Emily Gaddy Treasurer ph:678-943-2011
Kay Parks
Placement Chair ph: 770-532-9990
Lindsay Wells
Membership Development Chair ph:770-718-7900
Katie Dubnik CRPD Chair ph:770-654-1891
Mary Meadows
Fund Development Chair ph: 678-989-0428
Eliza Baker
Communications Chair ph:678-450-8829
Elisabeth Baldwin
Member Representative ph: 770-983-2807
Christina White
Immediate Past-President ph:770-530-7790
Fundraising Chairs
Elisabeth Kendrick - Charity Ball ph:770-297-7529
Audrey Thornton - Charity Ball ph:770-536-9552
Jennifer Martin - Thrift Sale ph:678-200-0177
Keri Smith - Thrift Sale ph:770-536-6462
Mimi Collins
Sustainer Advisor 770-983-0279
It is hard to believe that the Holidays are over and that a new year is beginning. We have so much to look forward to in 2010, however, we must first be thankful for all that we were able to accomplish in 2009.
December 12th…Charity Ball, Winter Wonderland…Oh what a night it was! Elisabeth, Audrey, Liz and Melanie, you did such a fantastic job. We were able to raise over $100,000! Aspecial thank you is in order to not only the Belle Candidates and their families, but also to the sponsoring clubs that continue to support the Junior League and our community each year. We appreciate each and every one of you…Gainesville Rotary, South Hall Rotary, Gainesville Elks Club, Gainesville Jaycees, Evening Optimist Club, Lanier Civitan and Kiwanis.
We will kick off 2010 with a bang. We have invited Vicki Clark, a dynamic, educational and motivational speaker to present at the January 5th meeting. This meeting is open to all League members: provisionals, actives and sustainers. I promise that this is a meeting you don’t want to miss. Vicki will also spend time on the morning of January 6th at a breakfast the Little House, meeting with the board and anyone who has an interest in future leadership positions within the League.
Through our collaboration with the Junior Leagues of Georgia, we will read over one million minutes to the children of Georgia. The Junior League Reads Week will be February 22-26. I ask that you each take the opportunity to participate in one of the many activities that are planned for that week. Please be looking for more information coming soon on our Read Week!
I am looking forward to 2010 and the impact that our Junior League can make on each other and our community.
Robyn
Vision Statement
The Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County is committed to making Northeast Georgia a better place for children and families. Acting as a catalyst for positive change,we seek new opportunities to impact our community.
Robyn Lynch President
Charity Ball Wrap-up Charity Ball Wrap-up
Congratulations Parrish Brown who was crowned Belle of the Ball 2009 at the Charity Ball held on December 12, 2009. She, together with the other six Belle Candidates, helped raise over $100,000.
GUEST SPEAKER VICKI CLARK
Gainesville-Hall County Junior League is honored to have Vicki Clark as a guest speaker at our January General Membership Meeting. Vicki has led a life full of inspiration and dedication to volunteerism. Below is a brief biography of Vicki so we can all be better acquainted with her:
Vicki Clark has devoted the past 25 years of her life to assisting nonprofit organizations and to building capacity in volunteer, membership based organizations, state governments, and congregations. Board development, inclusion and diversity, leadership, strategic planning, volunteer resource development, effective communications are just a few of the topics she provides to organizations to help them in their efforts to accomplish their missions.
Anoted consultant, trainer and speaker, Vicki is a member of the Leader to Leader Institute’s (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation) training team, a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource (formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards) and the Corporation for National and Community Service’s VISTAtraining collaboration. She has served as trainer and consultant in a variety of national organizations and their local affiliates. These organizations include, the Association of Junior Leagues International, Interfaith Youth Corps, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Prevent Child Abuse America, National CASA, National Council of LaRaza, and Association for Volunteer Administration, Literacy USA, United Way of America, Alliance for Nonprofit Management and the Association of African American Museums. Her international experience includes training and consulting in the United Kingdom, Venezuela and Russia. Vicki has also provided consultation forcommunity Foundations in Chattanooga, San Antonio and Cleveland.
Clark has been a guest lecturer at a number of universities including, the University of Houston, Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley, University of Texas, San Antonio and Houston-American Humanics Program. In 2009, the National Civil Rights Museum named Clark to the Freedom Sisters, Committee of Honor.
For 11 years Vicki served in a variety of positions with the Points of Light Foundation, Washington, D.C. As
Vice President, Community Initiatives, she was responsible for the development and implementation of the Foundations strategy in support of outreach to states and local communities. She was instrumental in developing and managing Foundation programs and partnerships, including Connect America and Make-a-Difference Day. Vicki was a member of the program planning committee of Colin Powell’s President’s Summit for America’s Children. During her tenure at POLF, each year, she served on the planning committee for the National Community Service Conference.
She began her work in the nonprofit sector by developing a comprehensive volunteer program for the Youth Victim/Witness Program of Houston Metropolitan Ministries in Houston, TX. While in Texas she served on the statewide planning committee for the Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Conference. She was also a member of the executive team tasked with development of the Texas Unified State Plan for Community Service, Volunteerism and Leadership.
In 1996 Clark was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the National and Urban Forestry Advisory Council. She also was appointed to the Executive Governor’s Team tasked with the development of the first Unified State Plan for Texas Volunteerism, Community Service and Service Learning. She has served as mentor and facilitator for students in Baruch College’s (NY) National Urban/Rural Graduate Fellows Program.
Prior to her work with nonprofit organizations, she was employed in the private sector in the human resources, marketing and in the publishing industry Vicki is a past president of the Houston Association of Volunteer Administration and former board member of the Association for Volunteer Administration, and the Houston YWCA. She attended the University of Missouri, Columbia and is a native of Memphis, TN.
Area Non Profit Executive Directors, Boards and StaffTeams are cordially invited to join The Junior League ofGainesville-Hall County for a luncheon on Tuesday, January 5
11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Gainesville Civic Center
$10 per person or a table of8 for $70
Please RSVP to Brittany James by December 29 (770) 535-1951 or info@gainesvillehalljuniorleague.org
League Member Opportunities with Vicki
Tuesday, January 5 from 5:00pm - 6:30 pm: Sustainer Wine and Cheese honoring Vicki Clark at the Elk’s Club. Complimentary drinks for sustainers will be from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and a cash bar will open at 6:00 pm.
The General Membership Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and will end at approximately 7:30 pm. Allmembers are encouraged and invited to attend the meeting. The topic will be “Community Impact.”
Wednesday, January 6 from 8:00 am - 9:30 am: Leadership breakfast for all current board members/current leadership positions, those in move-up leadership positions, anyone interested in leadership positions at any point in the League. The topic will be “To Lead is to Serve.” This breakfast will take place at The Little House which is the new Edmondson-Telford/CASA office located on Washington Street in Gainesville. Breakfast will be provided by McDonalds. We would like to thank the Holiday Inn Lanier Centre who has graciously donated Vicki’s hotel room while she is visiting with us.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Who: You & New Placement Options for 2010-2011
What: Done-in-a Day (DIAD) Community/Agency Projects
When: We are pleased to announce a new placement option for the 2010-2011 year. Many great ideas came out of the strategic planning meetings last year. One of which was the desire for more “Done in a Day (DIAD)” projects. So the board took your suggestion and is implementing a “Done in a Day” option for placement next year.
How: Each active member will still be responsible for completing a minimum placement consisting of 40 hours community service, but there will be two options in order to meet this 40 hour requirement.
Traditional Placement: 40 hours of volunteer service at the agency assigned by the placement committee; or Done in a Day Option: 20 hours of volunteer service at an agency and 20 hours of service at Done in a Day Projects.
Where: DIAD projects will be held throughout the year and include projects such as staffing the Junior League booth at Mule Camp and helping with Kids in the Kitchen projects or other projects identified by the community or our partner agencies. Asufficient number of DIAD projects will be scheduled each League year to enable members to earn a minimum of 20 hours placement credit. These opportunities will be publicized in the League Log, via email and at General Meetings throughout the year.
We will welcome your suggestions and ideas for DIAD projects throughout the year. A Done in a Day project must meet the following criteria:
Require minimum of 5 members; Last a minimum of 4 hours; Have an agency representative available during the project; Be consistent with the Mission of the League; and Not involve the direct solicitation of funds/funding for the agency.
Please carefully consider if the DIAD Option will be a good fit for you next year. If you have any questions about the DIAD Option or are aware of a potential DIAD project, please contact our Placement Chair, who will bring it to the board for consideration.
Why: The feedback showed that the membership viewed this, not only as an opportunity to give League members more options to meet their placement hours, but to also allow League members the opportunity to work together to make an even larger impact on the community.
We look forward to another successful year of doing more in our community.
Remember: Those that can do, do! Those that can do more, volunteer!
PLACEMENT SPOTLIGHT
CASA
CASA(Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program is a non-profit organization with the mission to ensure abused and neglected children have the right to a safe and permanent home. I have really enjoyed working with CASAthe past two years. Volunteering with CASAhas given me the opportunity to meet several CASA children that have changed my life and inspired me. I have learned that many of us have so much to be thankful for. Working with CASAhas shown me that having parents that love me and care for me may just be the greatest blessing in the world.
CASAjust moved into their new home, The Little House on Washington St. Our first volunteer opportunity this year was to decorate CASA’s new home with a little Halloween Fun for the children to enjoy when they arrive. Connie Stephens, the Executive Director of CASAsaid that this project will help provide a little fun for these troubled children who come to our center for help. While volunteering this year we will also help with the annual toy drive, organize the toy room, tutor the CASAchildren and assist in CASA’s annual fundraiser, Casablanca. CASA’s Casablanca was held on October 24th at the Quinlan Art Center. If you would like more information about this event or other upcoming events please contact the CASA office at 770-531-1964.
If you would like to touch a child’s heart and see how CASAtruly stands up for these children volunteer with CASA. Nothing will make a bigger difference in your life and a child’s.
— Mandy Bangs
Can you imagine trying to get a job and not being able to fill out a job application? Or how about tryingto get a driver’s license without being able to read the test? Or even trying to order at a restaurant, but unable to because you can’t read the menu? How embarrassing, right?
PLACEMENT SPOTLIGHT ALLIANCEFORLITERACY
My placement this year is with the Gainesville-Hall County Alliance for Literacy. The Alliance for Literacy strives to increase the literacy rates in our community by promoting education for adults and promoting community efforts to raise literacy levels among families. The Alliance is committed to breaking the cycle of family illiteracy and to helping each individual reach his or her potential. In order to effectuate its mission, the Alliance serves as the advisory board to the Adult Learning Center, which is fiscally supported by Lanier Technical College. The Adult Learning Center offers free educational programs for persons age 16 and older who have not graduated from high school or whose language is not English.
Through my volunteering at the Adult Learning Center, I have been amazed at the adult students in which I have worked. It is truly unbelievable how these students have made it through their lives, reaching adulthood, without ever learning how to read. These dedicated students meet at the Center every Tuesday and Thursday evening for 2 hours and work with their wonderful teacher, Monica Claxton, and me on basic reading skills. The first 30 minutes of each class is dedicated to practicing their literacy skills on the computer. On Tuesdays, I help Monica administer their spelling test which consists of 12 words, ranging in skill level from “cat” to “produce.” We then practice different phonetic skills, often playing games to make the lessons more entertaining. We have practiced the vowel sounds and homonyms, which are words that sound the same but are spelled differently, like “ad” and “add.” Homonyms make the English language quite tricky!
During my first visit to the Center, we played a game in which I had flash cards with words on one side and the students sat around the table and called out the words on the cards. The first student to correctly guess the word received the card, and the student with the most cards at the end received a prize. I know that may not sound so exciting, but let me tell you, these adults had a ball! The campus police officer and teacher across the hall even came in the room to check on us because we were having such a good time!
The most important thing to remember while volunteering at the Center is that these students need constant encouragement. They think they’ve made it this far without learning to read, so how important is it really? It’s imperative to remind them how great they are doing and how your inability to read and write reflects on youpersonally. They take their reading very seriously and I am so proud when they spell words correctly. I am so fortunate to be working with Monica and 4 positive students, who make me enjoy every moment of my time at the Center and always tell me how happy they are that I am there with them. Everyone should be able to experience this feeling of gratitude and success in their volunteering.
— Anne Marie Braham
COMMUNITY IMPACT
PLACEMENT SPOTLIGHT CENTER POINT
When deciding on my placement I knew that I wanted to volunteer with Center Point as a mentor. I mentored an elementary student several years ago and was excited to have the opportunity to get back into mentoring. Mentoring a child is one of the most meaningful experiences I have had. Each week I am able to leave behind the stresses of work and daily life for an hour to spend time with my student. During our time together, we may read a book, work on her homework or simply walk around the school and talk. The activities we do together are not grand, but they mean so much to her and are so rewarding to me.
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
It’s hard to believe, butit’s alreadytime to begin planning for next year! If you know any women who are interested in joining the League, please contact Shelley Davis, Assistant Chair ofMembership Development, at (770) 538-0518or shelleysegall@yahoo.com. You are invited to bring your guest to the Wine and Cheese Information Night on Thursday, February 4th at 6:30
I started mentoring in September and have found one of the most amazing aspects to be how quickly a child grows attached to you and looks forward to your visit each week. Seeing the desire to have someone in her life who spends quality time with her and who listens to her makes it all worthwhile. I look forward to continuing my relationship with the student I mentor and to watching her grow and succeed.
— Callie Flack
p.m. at the home of President Elect Bethany Magnus. Applications are now available and are due by March 15th, with payment of at least half of the $300 Provisional dues. We hope to have another great group of women to join the League next year!
On December 5, 2009, the Kids in the Kitchen Committee along with other members of the League participated in a “Done in a Day” projectat Interactive Neighborhood Kids (INK).During the time at INK, the ladies of the League helped the children present construct Gingerbread Houses out of healthy treats. In addition to building the exciting Christmas project, fun exercises were shared with thechildren to increase activity during the Holiday Break from school, and several children joined in a story time featuring a Christmas book. These minutes read were recorded as part of the “Million Minute Read.” Many thanks to the members of KITK Committee and the League who assisted at INK and with the creation of the Gingerbread House activity.
Lindsay Wells Membership Development
SUSTAINER CORNER
The Board of Directors of the Gainesville-Hall County Junior League and Joanne Bagwell Regina Cochran Mimi Collins Julia Cromartie Lisa Geyer Dixie Truelove
Cordially invite you to a Sustainer Wine & Cheese Honoring Vicki Clark
Tuesday, January 5th 5:00-6:30 the Elks Lodge 1547 Riverside Drive (770) 535-1951 info@gainesvillehalljuniorleague.org
Please join us for the membership meeting immediately following for Vicki’s presentation
Thank you to my Assistant Treasurer LeAnne Gillelandfor all of her support, Cindy Wilson, Robyn Lynch, Liza Chapman and Staci Vinton for helping us count all of the money, the security guards for keeping us safe on sale day and the Thrift Sale Committee for doing such a great job!
SPAC UPDATE
Seat Belt Law:
Position Statement
The Junior Leagues of Georgia support legislation and other efforts, including but not limited to educational efforts to protect and/or increase the safety of women and/or children on Georgia roads.
Public Stand - (modified from what was sent out prior to the meeting) The Junior Leagues of Georgia support the Senate Bill 5.
Human Trafficking Laws:
(modified after discussion from what was sent out prior to the meeting):
The Junior Leagues of Georgia find that human trafficking is unacceptable. We support the creation and enforcement of
laws that prevent the importation and detainment of women and children for the purpose of exploitation. We also endorse the funding of efforts to provide victim services for those affected by human trafficking. We support the treatment of children who are victims of this exploitation.
Public Stand:
No Public Stand at this time on Human Trafficking
New Issues and Tex ting While Driving:
Position Statement - See Seat Belt Position Statement
Public Stand:
The Junior Leagues of Georgia support House Bill 23.
Million Minute Read Update:
The Million Minute Read is still in full swing as we climb toward our goal of one million minutes read to the children in the State of Georgia. As of the end of October the Junior Leagues of Georgia have read over 200,000 minutes. Of the total minutes read the Gainesville Hall County Junior League is responsible for over 15,000 of those minutes! A special thank you to all of those who have been reading and logging their minutes on the website…you are amazing. We have several exciting opportunities as we start 2010 to get our members in front of the kids in our community and read including the Pajama Storytime series at all three Hall County Library branches as well as our Statewide read week in February and Dr. Seuss week! We are so excited about the opportunities we will have to read to the children of our community because a book really can change a child’s life. I’d like to encourage everyone to read to their own children and don’t forget to record the minutes on the Junior League website. Also, if you know of an opportunity where a League member could get involved and read in the community please let me know. Thanks again for all the hard work. Keep reading!
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Little Leaguers:
Suzie and Ben Hawkins are the proud parents of a baby boy, Benjamin “Benny”Lee Hawkins, 10/16/2009,7 lbs.15 oz.,20.5 inches
Emily and Kyle Gillum are the proud parents of a baby girl, McKayla Annalee Gillum, 12/7/09, 6 lbs. 14 oz.,19.5 inches
JANUARY
GailThomas
Jullie King
Beth Strickland
Lindsay Burton
GailGreene
Amber Carter
Kelley Robertson
Margie Smith
DeeAnn Benton
Beth Baldwin
Millie Folger
Joanne McDonald
Lajuania Lester
Alley Terrell
Harriett Hulsey
Olivia Erbele
Starlet Jones
Linda Car ter
Elizabeth Jennings
Jane Lake
Kelly Robinson
Carol Ann Ligon
Lee Ann Pittman
N NOOMMIINNAATTIINNG G N NEEWWS S
The Nominating Committee would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination form for a leadership position. We received many nominations and will have some terrific candidates for the future leadership of our League. We have so many great candidates it will be difficult for us to decide who will best fill each position.
BIRTHDAYS
Anna Kate Williams
Kingsley Peeples
Karen Booth
Lydia Sartain
Jessica Butler
Mandy Bangs
Anne Martin
Kara Gilbert
Diane O’Kelley
Rosemary Bates
Karin Dillard
Kelly Lathem
Nicki Vaughan
Melanie Couch
Carolyn Bagwell
Judy Bush
Amanda Yenerall
Nanc y Nor ton
Bethany Nix
Cindy Randolph
Evie Langston
Jennifer Martin
Lindsay Davenport
Dancy Wynne
Laurie Weber
Susan Bracewell
Julie Forrester
Carole Mendenhall
Kim Powell
RebeccaStokey
Leslie Miller
Nelson Carter
Baya Pruitt
Lauren Papka
Sue Jones
Traci Oxley
Tina Maddox
Happy Kirkpatrick
Judy St.Pierre
Carol Greene
Cheryl Satterfield
Sharon Peets
Jane Carpenter
Croft
M itzi Rauers
Misty Dickerson
Candidate forms were due December 21, 2009.
The Nominating Committee will be meeting on the following dates and times: January 8, 12:00 p.m., at Turnstile Deli
January 14, 6:00 p.m., location TBD January 21, 6:00 p.m., location TBD (if required)
If you have any questions about the Candidate Forms or Nominating Committee, please call or email Heather McGee at gumdoc99@aol.com or 770-906-7689.
336 Northside Drive, N.W. P.O. Box 1433
Gainesville, Georgia 30503 (770) 536-3439
P.O. Box 1472
Gainesville, GA30503
N e w Y e a r s D a y
M a r t i n L u t h e r K i n g , J r . D a y 1
P r e s i d e n t ’s D a y