Congratulations: Slate is APPROVED!

2013-14 JLJ Board
President
Meredith Schmidt Guess

President-Elect
Karen Estella Smith

Secretary
Tonya Wood

Treasurer
Rebecca Moore

VP Communications
Anne Detlefsen

VP Finance
Katherine Huddleston

VP Membership Development
Annie Luebchow

Strategic Planning
Gina Floresca

VP Community
Courtney Kreimer

Nominating
Nichole Schlais

Approved Rising board positions
Treasurer-Elect: Melinda Powers
Nominating Elect: Jen Kinsella

2013-2014 Nominating members
Nan Freeman
Karina Cadora
Aimee Kane
Tammy Morreale
Tamara Lemons
Elizabeth Brown
Meg Sacks - past president

Congratulations ladies! We are excited to the impact you will make on JLJ!

Tonights the NIGHT!!

Tonight is the big night under the big top! Come out to the Junior League of Jacksonville's Whale of a SalePreview Gala and check out the fabulous finds, music, and dancing, as well as choosing the best martini and beer in Jacksonville! No ticket? No problem - they are available at the door for $40!

it's coming, do you have your tickets?

TODAY is the last day to purchase your Junior League of Jacksonville's Whale of a Sale Preview Party ticket as part of your 2012-2013 League requirements. Last minute date or friend? No problem! Additional tickets can be purchased at the door (but will not count towards member requirements).

WOS: Friendly reminder

This Saturday is the last opportunity to drop off WOS quota for credit. Any quota collected afterwards will not count toward your required quota. There is a drop-off at the Riverside House as well as at the Beach. The drop-off will end promptly at 11:30am so make sure you get your items there early!

Also, there is an open "Active w/ BOD" shift for the drop-off at the Beaches this Saturday morning - sign-up for the shift on the JL calendar!

Two Board positions open: Act NOW

The Nominating Committee is taking applications for two open board positions:

 Community VP and Nominating Elect. 

Please contact Jamie Laster ( jlaster22@gmail.com or 305-773-8916 ) if you are interested in either position and are eligible for the Board. This is an incredible opportunity to serve the JLJ and your community! 

Buy PLAYERS tickets and support JLJ

Need Tickets to THE PLAYERS?

The Junior of League of Jacksonville is partnering with THE PLAYERS Championship to raise money for the Junior League while benefitting TPC's Chip In For Youth program. 

Purchase a Good-Any-One-Day Grounds ticket for $40 (regularly priced at $58) and $25 will be donated back to the Junior League! A Good Any One Day Grounds ticket is a one-day ticket to THE PLAYERS which can be used any one day during the week, including the weekend. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit chipinforyouth.com. To support us, use code: BOGEY.

Locals Helping Locals: how YOU can help too!

Our very own League member Danielle Bush is doing more than just her League requirements, she is helping support a local family. Thanks Danielle for letting us know about this great local opportunity to help out!

The Children of the Pugh Family

Jacksonville local Rayhana Essau Goll started helping this family of six out here and there when she first met them about a year and half ago. When she found out this disabled father and laid off mother of four had found themselves living in a hotel room with no car, no food, and no permanent place to live she took it a step further. 

Rayhana started a fundraising page for the Pugh family on www.gofundme.com, which allows individuals to collect donations for anything from assistance for medical bills, to mission trips and personal projects. 

So far the page has raised $3,600 and they are close to the $5,000 goal that would get this family out of a hotel and into a reasonable living situation.

If you would like to find out more about this family and how you can help go to the fundraising page and you can email Rayhana directly.   

Have you heard?

The JLJ is proud to announce that we are Jacksonville Magazine's non-profit partner for 2013! 

This means that all of their events for this year benefit our mission of developing the potential of women and improving the Jacksonville community. 

Come out and celebrate at the Best of Jacksonville Party on January 31 and get the year (and this exciting partnership!) started off right!

It's a New Year, get on board with JLJ!

Among everyone's  many 'resolutions' or 'good intentions' add an easy one: to make it out to one of the many January Membership meetings around town. 

From Lunches and Happy Hours at Bisto Aix, Black Sheep, The Brick, and BlackFinn to Game Night and Pure Barre classes. Check it out on the JLJ Calendar  to sign up and get out in the New Year! 

DIAD of the Day: Family Support Service Holiday Party @ the Zoo

On December 15th volunteers from JLJ worked the FSS (Family Support Service) Holiday Party from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Zoo. 

The JLJ volunteers helped children decorate Christmas cookies and all cookies and decorations were donations from JLJ. 

some festive volunteers

thank you all JLJ volunteers!

cookie decorating

DIAD over view: This program enhances the Junior League of Jacksonville’s visibility, outreach, reputation, and impact in the community through Done-In-A-Day projects. As the project name implies, the Done in a Day program provides trained JLJ volunteers to support the short-term, one-day volunteer needs of community-based nonprofit organizations in the First Coast area. This year more than 30 local projects and events will receive help from trained Junior League volunteers.

In 2010-2011, JLJ members participated in Done in a Day projects with

• Susan G Komen Foundation
• Lea’s Place
• Community Hospice
• Family Support Services
• The Sulzbacher Center
• The Bridge of Northeast Florida
• Jacksonville Public Library
• Girls on the Run
• Children’s Home Society
• daniel Memorial
• Sanctuary on 8th Street

Look for more posts to see all that JLJ with DIAD will accomplish in the New Year!!

JL Holiday Event: Holiday Books TONIGHT 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Committee Spotlight: Holiday Market

 

Editor's note: Considering a leadership position for next year? Unsure what committee you want to be a part of? We'll spotlight each of the committees in upcoming weeks to give you an inside look and help you make the best decision. The first installment takes a look at a new committee this year, the Holiday Market. Laurie Simon explains what's it like to be part of our exciting new fundraiser. 

The best part of the Holiday market is... The best part about being on Holiday Market has been helping to shape an exciting and promising new fundraising event. The charge to do this (and do it well!) has helped energize our efforts and create a wonderful sense of camaraderie among committee members. Plus, we are planning a SHOPPING event around the HOLIDAYS. Is there a more perfect project for a group of JLJ women to take on?   

Members who join this committee should be prepared to... do a TON of work! Holiday Market is labor intensive but incredibly rewarding. Align yourself with a placement you are passionate about and throw everything into. And prepare yourself to become a promotional mouthpiece. 

Members would be surprised to know... We are all friends! Before this placement started I knew some of the members casually, through other JLJ events. But our time together on Holiday Market committee has created some true and lasting friendships. It has been a privilege and joy to work with a such a thoughtful, talented and dedicated group of women who united in a common goal to advance our League.

Through this placement, our committee has learned... that lots of other Leagues coordinate a similar event. We had a lot of fun reaching out to some of them to learn about best practices. For many of them, the financial return on this event is absolutely astonishing. If we do Holiday Market right, we could secure SIGNIFICANT income for our current operations and begin thinking about some exciting new initiatives to advance our mission.  

Members should consider joining this committee because... the signature member outfit is black and pearls! Kidding. Holiday Market Committee offers a fantastic variety of placements that allow our members to really align their skills/passions with a important League objective. That, coupled with a healthy dash of holiday flavor, makes this one of the best League placements today.

Interested in becoming chair of Holiday Market? Fill out the online leadership form on our website here.

Travel for a cause: JLJ Disney FUNdraiser!

Are you ready for a relaxing cruise on Royal Caribbean, a beautiful wedding at Sandals, an ultimate Hawaii vacation, or just a weekend trip to Disney World?

Book your next vacation with Destinations in Florida and 2% of your package total goes to the Junior League of Jacksonville.

Visit their website for details or call Allison at 904-545-6443 or email at allison@destinationsinflorida.com.

Event spotlight: Holiday Books & Trees

The Junior League of Jacksonville is hosting 'Holiday Books & Trees' at the Cummer Museum this holiday season.

Five holiday trees will be on display in Art Connections, decorated in the spirit of five selected books. The exhibit will have special reading nights on Tuesday nights from 5 - 8 p.m. There will also be a special drop-in craft project on those nights.

Reading schedule

Nov. 20: The Curious Garden by Peter Brown read by Mike Bush, a board member from JDRF of Jacksonville 
Nov. 27: Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh read by Charlie Houchin, Olympic Gold Medal swimmer
Dec. 4: Rose’s Garden by Peter H. Reynolds read by Hailey Winslow, Channel 4
Dec. 11: Dream Snow by Eric Carle  
Dec. 18: Winter Lights by Anna Grossnickle Hines ready by Ashley Mitchem, Channel 4

Santa will make an appearance at the Cummer Museum Saturday, Dec. 15 from 12-2 p.m.

Do not forget to VOTE today & General Meeting @ MOSH

Our November General Meeting is TONIGHT @ MOSH

6:00 p.m. social hour, 6:30 p.m. meeting

Bring your "I voted" sticker for the raffle!

Go out and VOTE! Not sure where to go? To find your precinct click here 

DIAD of the Day

On September 29th, 2012 21 JL volunteers served two shifts and 73 hours at 

Family Promise of Jacksonville. 

thank you volunteers

"Family Promise of Jacksonville is a non-profit, interfaith hospitality network providing temporary assistance, hospitality and case management for families with children experiencing homelessness.

We recognize that poverty is a multifaceted problem that requires a multifaceted response. Our interfaith, nonsectarian network brings the faith community together to help our community’s families regain housing, independence and dignity in a time of need.

With an 80% success rate of homeless to home transition, Family Promise of Jacksonville is building better communities, one family at a time." to find out more about this local Jacksonville effort check out their website.

Don't forget our November General Meeting November 6th at MOSH

Lucky us our next General Meeting is at the  Museum of Science & History, Jacksonville next Tuesday, Nov 6! The social starts at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Don't forget to bring your "I VOTED" sticker to the meeting for a chance to win a delicious treat, compliments of the Public Affairs Committee!

DIAD of the Day, "Teach Better Together"

way to go ladies!!

On September 15th JL volunteers joined  to help facilitate the Teach Better Together conference at the Hyatt  Regency Jacksonville RIverfront. This first year conference hosted by WJCT and Community First Credit Union of Florida and was for educators and included several breakout sessions and speakers.

WJCT is committed to literacy and lifelong learning, from our awardwinning PBS KIDS programs to our community outreach, links to 

standards-based PBS lesson plans, and more. TEACH is part of WJCT’s 

mission to “provide programming and services that celebrate human diversity, 

encourage joyful learning and promote civic participation, all to empower 

citizens to improve the quality of their lives.”

To find out more about WJCT click on their homepage. For DIAD sign up check out our JL calendar 

You're invited to VOTE on Nov. 6

HELPFUL HINTS FOR VOTERS

• Check your registration status and find you polling place here.
• Consider Early Voting to avoid the crowds and last-minute rush. 
• Move since the last election? Find out more information here.
• BRING YOUR PHOTO ID TO THE POLLS! 
• If you think your signature has changed, update it with the Supervisor of Election

Since earning the right to vote, women have greatly affected elections by focusing on the character of the candidates and the policies and issues that will have an effect on the lives of their family. This year, the public affairs committee encourages all Junior League of Jacksonville members to be informed voters.

Weighing the information
Consider this: News broadcasters can have an agenda too. Research more than one media outlet for the "facts." Check out the Pulitzer Prize-winning Poltifact presented by the Tampa Bay Times or Project Vote Smart, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to voter education.

Note sure where the candidates stand? Find out more!

MITT ROMNEY        BARACK OBAMA

 
BONUS! BRING YOUR “I VOTED” STICKER TO THE NOVEMBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A DELICIOUS TREAT, COMPLIMENTS OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE!

Leaders Wanted for our Board and Nominating Committee!

Looking to serve like these lovely ladies on our current board?

Ever thought about being on the Board of Directors? We are calling all members who have chaired a committee for a year, or have vice-chaired a committee for 2 years (current year counts for both), to join us for the Board Eligible Reception.

October 16th at 6:30 p.m. at Bonnie McCormick's house 

(3306 Knight Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205) 

Please RSVP to Jamie Laster at jlaster22@gmail.com.  Cannot make it and still interested?  Contact Jamie Laster and she will be happy to assist!

Looking for another important way to serve? Join our Nominating committee!

The Nominating Committee will have three vacancies for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 terms. Elections will be held with the Board of Directors slate. Members who have been active in the League for at least 3 years or have served on the Board or as a committee chairman for at least one term are eligible to serve on the Nominating Committee and are elected to a 2-year term. If you have an interest in serving on the Nominating Committee, please contact Jamie Laster atjlaster22@gmail.com