JLCD Website Updates and Email Blasts

I spent some time this morning (although not near as much as Lisa Harris, Stevie Moore and Kandy Forenza) learning about the mechanics of our website. In order to have a effective website, the Communications Team needs your help! Every committee will have a page on the Member's Only portion of the website where they can post committee specific information such as upcoming Agendas and Meeting Minutes.

Our software also allows us to send E-Mail blasts to our members (as I am sure you already know). If you have an email blast you would like to send or something to post, please contact Stevie Moore (Communications Committee Vice-Chair).

Just remember our basic guidelines--no personal or company solicitations and it must be League Business related.

It does take everyone to make our website the best it can be!

Art Harvest on a Roll!

I understand that the Art Harvest Committee has already had their first meeting to get ready for our 45th Annual Art Harvest on November 1 and 2, 2008.

They have divided into subcommittees to conquer the event which includes artist coordination, marketing, children's tent, volunteer, operations, merchandise, and sponsorships.

They have already distributed application for artists. You can find one on our website.

They also have selected the feature artist, PJ. Commerford. Her art is colorful and whimsical appealing to the "urban sophisticate". To find out more, and to get a glimpse of what our merchandise may look like, here is the link to her website. http://www.artbypj.com/

Wow. I can't believe it is our 45th Art Harvest. Art Harvest has been our continual project and our fundraising mainstay. It is that reason that there are two requirements from our members for this spectacular event. Please mark you calendars now, for you are expected to be there at least 4 hours during that weekend (Friday-Sunday). Members are also now required to sell a program ad, obtain a sponsor, sell $50 worth of chance to win tickets, become a patron (or work an additional 4 hours). If you already know your sister is getting married that weekend, please contact the committee early so you can complete your shift before the event...

THANK YOU ART HARVEST COMMITTEE

Gearing Up for Next Year's Provisionals!

Last night, Joanna Rosse (the new membership development chair), Abby Favali (the new membership development vice-chair), Stephanie Barsema, Erin Authier, Dodee Nulty, Sarah Miller, Gwin Londrigan, Kelly Borota (the incoming Membership Vice-President, and Stacy Barnett, and of course, Lambdin Freeman graciously donated their time to discuss the provisional program's highlights and to brainstorm ideas for next year.

Kelly introduced the concept of a "buddy" program that will start in September. Every first year active and provisional will get an active "buddy" at the beginning of the year. Their Buddy will welcome them and help them navigate through the League's inter workings. It won't be complicated, we'll just draw names at September's general meeting.

Kelly also is looking for a few good women to help her form and lead social clubs. For instance, you will probably see a Saturday movie club led by Gwin (no pressure Gwin), or a Book Club or a Lunch Bunch or a Game Club or a Running Club. If you are interested in leading a club, I know Kelly would appreciate it.

Other new ideas were to make sure provisionals have name tags, provide a provisional notebook, use the website more for communication, schedule the provisional meetings in a separate week other than General Meetings, use the website to track requirements, communicate with members through new technology (like texting), and to provide mix & mingle opportunities before the General Meeting

Highlights of the provisional program included team building (especially the Ropes Course), the Angel project, Road Rally highlighting our past projects, and the membership development committee members. Last Year's committee received lots of kind words...

So, Membership Development Committee, thank you again for a wonderful job, especially Lambdin and Joanna!!!!

Please feel free to give Kelly, Joanna, Abby or myself your perspective or just click on comments and enter it here.

One more thing, it is never to early to start thinking about WHO you will ask to be a part of our great organization. Our most successful recruiting efforts are by us asking someone we know at work, school, neighborhood, etc. to join.

Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin's future needs "all hands on deck" to recruit next year's class!!!

What a Night!!

Starlight Cruises was the venue of the Annual Dinner of the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin. It was certainly a time to celebrate this past year's leadership, award winners and accomplishments, and a time to look toward the future.

With record breaking attendance, and the most amount of men I have seen at an annual dinner, we started the evening with cocktails on the upper deck enjoying the magnificent view of Clearwater Harbor. We then proceeded downstairs to enjoy a diverse and tasty menu..My steak was fantastic, although I was actually delivering my incoming president's message, so I missed dessert!

Sharon kicked off our evening with recognition of the existing Board, introduction of the new Board, introduction of the new actives, recognition of Becky Cole for 20 years of service (complete with a present in a blue box and a terrific slide show containing comments from past-presidents). recognition of years of service, presentation of our annual awards, and messages from Sharon and me.

After patiently waiting until the meeting was adjourned, the dance floor was hopping---we are definitely not a shy crowd!

I have heard nothing but great feedback and this was certainly a wonderful event. Thank you to Arrangements for putting the adventure together for us:)

If you have any photos, please feel free to post or email to FeliciaLeonard@yahoo.com

2007-2008 Annual Dinner Award Winners

NOLA JOHNSON, Volunteer of the Year

DEANNA SNEDEKAR: Sustainer of the Year

KRISTINE HANN AND SARA LAKE, Provisionals of the Year

MEGHAN JUSTICE, Magnificent Member Award
LAMBDIN FREEMAN & JOANNA ROSSE, Community Impact Award
ANNE COPA, Fantastic Fundraiser Award
SHENA COTHRAN, Golden Hanger Award

AMY LOOPE & LAURA REDMOND, Planning For Our Future Award
EMILY GRAVES, Spirit of the Junior League Award

Foster Family Fun at the Highland YMCA

On Saturday, Diane Manuel and Sara Lake coordinated a very successful foster fun day with over 100 children and their families at the YMCA on Highland in Clearwater. The foster children enjoyed all sorts of games, a drum circle, face-painting, and of course, no event would be complete without pizza and healthy fruit. The provisional class chose to present this fun event with the extra funding from the holiday gift program.

A HUGE thanks to Diane and Sara for planning and executing this wonderful event! Thanks also to Stephanie Barsema, Jill Holcombe, Erin Authier, Marcy Hawk (and a special thanks to her Mother), Linda Griggs, Karen Gaumer, Lisa Shadroui, Leslie Hanley, Abby Favali, Joanna Rosse, Sharon Gilberg, Jen Muscato, Lambdin Freeman, Amy Connors and anyone I may have missed.

As I wasn't able to attend, please post your comments about the event.

P.S. Lambdin took these wonderful pics!

Sustainer Social

Sharon Gilberg and I attended the Sustainer Social at Louise Robinson's home last night. Louise is a very gracious hostess and it was a wonderful, well attended and fun event.

Our Sustainers sustain (for lack of a more appropriate word) the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin. Although we have different membership classes, (Provisional, Active, Sr. Active, non-Resident Active, Sustainer) we are all part of one organization. One Mission. One League. Thinking of, if you are a Sustainer, would you be interested in helping on a JLCD committee?

Amy, Deanna, Stacey and Sharon





Among the many sustainers in attendance was Stacey Shy, the Sustainer President. Please join me in thanking her for her dedication and for her past year's efforts. I even understand she is Co-Chairing Art Harvest as a Sustainer next year!

Stacey and Amy Connors presented the "Sustainer of the Year" award to Deanna Snedeker for her giving spirit and hard work with the Community and Wellness Committee this year.

Also present was Jackie Addis, the incoming Sustainer President. Congratulations and welcome to Jackie! I know she has lots in store for the upcoming year.

Jackie and Kandy

JLCD's First Blog and Annual Conference

While at the AJLI Annual Conference last week, it was suggested (by a conference presenter) that we create a blog as an additional form of communication. So, here goes. I'll be the hostess, but feel free to send me anything you would like to post to FeliciaLeonard@yahoo.com.

What do you think of this blog? Is it a good idea?

Thinking of AJLI Annual Conference. It is hosted every year (hence the term annual) by AJLI- the Association of Junior Leagues International. They have a great website http://www.ajli.org/ that has many resources for our members. Please take a second to check it out.

Conferences are important training opportunities for our membership.How do you get to go? Well, the Nominating and Placement Committee invites members to Area III and ODI (Organizational Development Institute) and delegates are presented and approved by the general membership for Annual Conference (last week in San Diego and next year in Atlanta)

Please let me know what you think.