league lines february 2013
DESCRIPTION
The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively education and charitable.TRANSCRIPT
L e a g u e L i n e s 2012/2013 February 2013 Volume 3, Issue 5
The Junior League of Huntington
President’s Perspective
pg. 2
Inside this
issue:
Jenna Told Ya
pg. 11
Nominating and
Placement
pg. 6-7
2
Executive Board President Amy Browning
President-Elect Katina Haught
Community Vice President Rebecca Crowder
Corresponding Secretary Missy McComas
Recording Secretary Ashley Corder
Treasurer Summer Haynes
Treasurer Elect Jessica Copeland
Committee Chairs Arrangements………………………..............Ashley Corder ……………………………………………….Natalie McCormick
Character Breakfast……………………....…Tiffany Clark
…………………………………………………………...Leslie Culp
Community Center……………………………………..Vacant
Cookbook…………………………………………..Maria Aiello
………………………………………………………..Ashley Kacey
Done in a Day ………………………………….Kristi Henson
Education……………………………………….Ginny Morgan
Kids in the Kitchen…………………………....Darci Barger
………………………………………………………Rachel Messer
League Lines……………………...Anna Lafferre (Editor)
…………………………...…...Anna von Allmen (Publisher)
Membership……………………………….........Erica Deligne
…………………………………………………….Denise Landers
Mistletoe Market……………………………..Amy Prestera
……………………………………………..……….Allison Subacz
Nominating/Placement……………….....Jamie Webster
Public Relations…………………………...Meagan Shelton
Rummage Sale…………………………………...Maria Aiello
……………………………………………………...Jamie Webster
Ways & Means………………………………....Darah Snyder
………………………………………………………Sarah Walling
JL of Huntington Meetings are held on the second Monday of
the month at 6 p.m.
617 9th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701
304.523.4165
www.facebook.com/JLofHuntington
@JLofHuntington
Junior League Mission The Association of Junior Leagues
International, Inc. is an organization of
women committed to promoting
volunteerism, developing the potential of
women and improving communities
through the effective action and leadership
of trained volunteers. Its purpose is
exclusively education and charitable.
League Lines League Lines staff welcomes any
contributions from the members of Junior
League Huntington. Please contact
Editor-in-Chief Anna Lafferre at
[email protected]. Submissions are
due by the second Friday of every month.
3
The start of a new year always evokes a drive in me to get organized. I want to lose weight, I shred old paperwork, I buy a bunch of tubs and compulsively want to “fix” everything in my life that isn’t going in the direction I intended. By the time the fall rolls around my desk is piled with paperwork again. There was a time when I believed that if I wasn’t where my peers were then I had failed. For a soul that strives for perfection and control, the reality is we fail everyday. We make mistakes. Plans are interrupted and goals change. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t a success at other things. A friend of mine stood in front of me this past weekend with big tears rolling down her face because she took a chance on something, made herself vulnerable and was promptly defeated. This normally bubbly, energetic, fearless individual was heartbroken. And in an attempt to comfort her, I found myself echoing two thoughts that I have heard countless times before. The journey may be tough, but you end up exactly where you are meant to be and The failures you experience today will be your foundation for strength tomorrow. Oh, if we could take our own advice from time to time. If you haven’t heard Gabby Gifford’s testimony before the Senate on gun control then I encourage you to do so. Regardless of your political affiliation or your position on the debate, it’s compelling. Just reading the text doesn’t have the same impact as hearing her passion for action through labored speech. She said in part - “It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold, be courageous, Americans are counting on you.” This woman who has endured more than most and struggled to “fix” herself is nothing less than inspirational. And as I listened to her words, my perspective has shifted. My struggles are as real as anyone else’s, but in comparison they are small. If we dwell on the things that trip us up or race to the end we miss the point. We must strive to live in the moment, to learn from our struggles and find passion and inspiration in every day we are given. Maybe I’ll lose five pounds or my desk won’t be so messy when November rolls around – it could happen. But if it doesn’t, then that‘s okay too. If you doubt me, then I do have proof that all the stresses are small in comparison. It came to me in form of my three-year-old niece. The other day she grabbed both sides of my face with her tiny hands and smooshed my checks together. She told me some animated tale that I could hardly follow and then she said “I love you” with a sweet yet mischievous grin. How can one possibly not find value or inspiration in that? As you go forth in the coming months I challenge you to be like Gabby. Remember you end up right where you are supposed to be and the struggles you have will make you stronger. Don’t let yourself be held captive by to do lists or plans. After all some one once said “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” and I’d sure hate to miss any of it.
President’s Perspective Other Plans
by Amy Browning
4
League News and Events Character Breakfast
Our Annual Character Breakfast is coming up on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in the Ballroom. There will be a 9 a.m. seating and 11 p.m. seating. The tickets are $15 each. If you know of anyone that would like to purchase tickets, please let us know. Feel free to give our information to whomever you think may be interested in buying tickets or helping sponsor this event.
This year we are doing another
"Candy Bar" and would like
members and sustainers to donate
bags of candy for the Candy
Bar. We would really appreciate
any help that we can get. We are
looking for candy that can be
poured into jars and the kids can
scoop out and put into a small
goodie bag.
We are having two character
breakfast meetings this month — one Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and one Thursday, Feb.
28 at 6:30 pm. You can drop candy off at either of these meetings at the JL building. If you
would like to donate and cannot bring it to the JL building at these times, please let us know and
we can work something out.
Leslie Culp and Tiffany Clark
Character Breakfast Chairs
5
League News and Events Rummage Sale
Simple Socials In an attempt to get some of us together outside of Junior League functions we are bringing back Simple Socials. Some of us were discussing getting together for some exercise classes. (Since it is the new year and I need to lose a few pounds!)
Holli Meyers spoke to her Yoga instructor, Katrina, and she is willing to do a class for us. Hot Yoga has been scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 17th at 2:30pm at Brown Dog Studio! If you have never participated, some suggestions are water, a towel and yoga mat if you have one. If not, you can rent one for a dollar. The cost is $15.00/person if we have less than 10 members and $12.00 for 10 and over. We are also planning to schedule a Zumba class.
Katina Haught
The LeAnn Litton Memorial Rummage Sale will take place again this year! Save-the-Date for
Saturday, April 6 from 8 a.m. — 12 p.m. We are trying a date a little earlier in the year so as to not
interfere with events like graduations and vacations. We will be handing out standing rules and pricing
guides at the February meeting. Each member will be required to bring $40 worth of rummage. It does
not have to be priced. This is a change from last year, as we will price everything as we are setting it out
for the sale. Hopefully, this will add a little consistency to our pricing. We will also be offering a snack
bar this year. We plan to offer a few breakfast items, hot dogs and drinks. Drop off times will be
announced at the February meeting.
Jamie Webster and Maria Aiello
Rummage Sale Co-Chairs
6
N o m i n a t i n g a n d p l a c e m e n t
At the March meeting, we’ll be voting on members to hold positions of leadership for the 2013-2014
League year. These are the positions and the descriptions of each.
PRESIDENT-ELECT
The President Elect shall assist the President and assume the duties of the President in her
absence and shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the Nominating/Placement
and Membership Committees. The President Elect shall also serve as Parliamentarian at all
General Membership and Executive Board meetings. The President Elect shall succeed the
President the following year.
COMMUNITY VICE-PRESIDENT
The Community Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in her absence and the
absence of the President-Elect. She shall assist the President in representing the Junior League
in the community. She shall be the chairman of the Sustainer Advisory Board.
RECORDING SECRETARY
The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the League and the Executive
Board.
PRESIDENT
The President shall be the executive officer of the League; shall preside at meetings of the
League, the Executive Board, and shall be a member ex officio of all committees, except the
Nominating/Placement and Membership Committees. The President shall, with the approval of
the Executive Board, appoint committee chairmen not otherwise provided for and shall assign
their duties. The President shall, with the Treasurer, sign all contracts and obligations
authorized by the Executive Board. It shall be the President’s duty to see that all orders and
resolutions passed by the Executive Board are carried out. The President shall also act as the
League’s voting delegate on AJLI matters.
Preparing for the 2013-2014 slate
7
N o m i n a t i n g a n d p l a c e m e n t
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the general correspondence of the League. She shall
keep a correct, classified list of the names and contact information of all members, a record of
membership status and changes thereto, and shall maintain a file of essential records which
shall be transferred to her successor at the close of her term of office.
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall serve as Finance Council Director and shall be the custodian of the funds of
the League, shall collect all dues and assessments, and receive all monies. The Treasurer shall
make payments in accordance with the budget. Expenses not provided for in the budget shall be
incurred and paid only upon order of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall keep full and
accurate accounts and shall present financial statements at the regular meetings of the League
and the Board. The Treasurer shall train the Treasurer Elect to take over the duties of the
Treasurer the following year. The Treasurer shall turn over to her successor all books and
financial records.
TREASURER-ELECT
The Treasurer Elect shall assist the Treasurer in all of her duties and shall assume the duties of
the Treasurer in her absence.
SUSTAINER REPRESENTATIVE
The Sustainer Representative shall be the liaison between the Active and Sustaining members of
the Junior League. She shall be the Sustainer advisor to the Executive Board.
Preparing for the 2013-2014 slate
8
Spotlight On…
Rachel Messer
Rachel-at-a-Glance
Education: Undergrad at
Appalachian State with a B.S.
in Criminal Justice. Juris
Doctorate from Thomas M.
Cooley Law School,
concentrating in international
law and business transactions.
Pop Culture: She just saw
“Django Unchained” and
thought it was amazing. She
also rarely misses and episode
of Wheel of Fortune and
Jeopardy.
Favorite Food: Loves fried
okra and garden tomatoes.
Passion: The next KITK event
is Feb. 20, 2013 at Spring Hill
Elementary from 4-6 p.m.
Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen Chair
League Lines: Why did you want to join the Junior League?
Rachel Messer: I had just moved to Huntington with the love of my life, Chris Cummings, from Miami, FL, and I did not have a job or a clue what to do with myself here. I met Christie Kinsey through an attorney in town and she suggested that I join JL to meet new people and volunteer in the community.
LL: What is your favorite part of being in the League?
RM: I love KITK. I think it is really great that it is free and that we are not only teaching children about the importance of good eating habits and exercise, we also get to give away bikes and other cool prizes.
LL: What is your job and what do you do there?
RM: I work at the Giatras Law Firm in Charleston, WVa. I am an attorney. At this firm, I do a lot of personal injury litigation and criminal law.
LL: What is your dream job?
RM: I would like to be an extremely well paid and popular international traveler-author. More realistically, I would love it if Chris and I ran our own very successful law firm.
LL: Tell us about your family?
RM: My mom and older brother live in western North Carolina and they are very holistic, spiritual and creative people. My younger sister, her husband and their three children live in western Virginia and they are all very much like watching an episode of Roseanne — in the late 80s/early 90s period. My dad is a retiree living in Miami, Fla., with my stepmother, and they are full of life and really fun to party with.
9
Hall of Fame This section is intended to recognize outstanding accomplishments or exciting news of Junior League
members. If you have news to share about yourself or a fellow member, please email
League Lines Editor Anna Lafferre at [email protected].
Left: Jessica Kelley
and her husband
are expecting their
first child!
Right: Jessica
Copeland got her
first haircut since
the birth of her
sweet baby boy,
Everett. And if you
have kids or have
been around kids,
you know that’s an
event worth
celebrating! She
looks great!
Left:
Congratulations to
Rebecca Stanley
Crowder on the
birth of her
daughter Cora!
Right: We are so
proud of Tiffany
Clark and Leslie
Culp’s outstanding
work on Character
Breakfast. We are
certain this will be
the best year yet!
10
World view This section is dedicated to learning about what other Leagues around the country and world are doing.
Maybe That’s Why They Call It “Seed Money”
National Nutrition Month may be over for this year, but let’s talk about our Kids in the Kitchen program, which is the recipient of a $75,000 award from Kashi as part ofThe Kashi REAL Project™, an initiative designed to raise awareness of the Real Food Deficit and amplify the work of nonprofit organizations like The Junior League that are working to keep “real food” in the minds and hands of communities throughout the country.
But the great thing about the Kashi award is how it will be used – to make the KITK program even better than it is already!
While Leagues are currently applying for shares in the award, in grants of $2,500 or $5,000, and the announcement of the winners won’t take place until Annual Conference in April, let’s take a random peek at how individual Leagues would use the money if they win.
One Southern League would use the money to provide 39 more area schools with a curriculum and a literature-based resource kit to assist teachers in promoting healthy lifestyles. The kits cost $125 each.
A Canadian League would use the money to partner with a local Boys and Girls Club to create an urban garden. The Boys and Girls Club, which operates in the basement of a local church and receives no government funding, serves needy children, most from families that can’t pay the modest $20 per week fee that is associated with the club’s programming.
A Midwestern League would use part of the money on professional development of its community partners and membership in order to increase its understanding of childhood obesity and, in turn, help the League with the ongoing development and effectiveness of its multipronged anti-obesity strategy. The rest of the money would provide educational programming to schoolchildren for next year’s KITK activities.
A Gulf Coast League would use the money to assist in the costs of equipment and supplies for dieticians, physical therapists and social workers used in the KITK program, as well as the food for cooking with the children and their families. The money would also be used for education materials and other resources needed in the League’s ongoing health education program.
A Mid-Atlantic League runs its KITK program in partnership with a therapeutic residential treatment
facility for girls ages 12-18, most of whom are pregnant and or recent mothers. The money would be
used to move beyond simply educating the girls on how to prepare healthy meals and snacks for
themselves to actually purchasing the food and supplies needed to expand the program and focusing
on teaching the girls how to cook for and feed their babies and toddlers in a healthy, yet affordable
way.
11
Jenna Told Ya Thoughts on life from JL Huntington’s funniest gal! Read her blog at www.lawyerihardlyknowher.blogspot.com
Doggy Buttons This weekend I asked Scott if I could take Penny, our pug, to get her ears pierced (back off, PETA, it was a joke). That way, people would stop referring to her with gender mistaken nicknames. We had a plumber come to the house to fix our sink and he kept referring to Penny as "little guy." I know that if someone kept calling me "little guy," I would find it quite offensive. It can't be good for Penny's self-image, especially since her chest hair has been growing in even thicker recently. Anyway, back to the ear piercing remark... Scott responded to my comment with "why stop with her ears? Let's get her belly button pierced, too." Silence. "She has a belly button?" "Duh," said Scott. I mean it makes sense. I understand the biological need for umbilical cords, and I know puppies are born with them. However, what exactly does a dog's belly button look like? I immediately researched the issue, both in person and on Google. I set Penny on her back and stared at her belly. I squinted as if trying to find the hidden picture in a furry Magic Eye book, but all I saw were patches of fur and a couple of nipples. Google informed me that it's likely I can only find my dog's belly button by feel, because it is scar tissue under the skin and isn't visible to the naked eye. Doggie belly buttons are the Braille of navels. How cool is that? Admit it. You're intrigued.
12
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Huntington, WV
Permit No. 90
Return service requested
The Junior League of Huntington
617 9th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701
February 20, 2013
“Ready, Set, Go for Spring!”
by Doug Horne, Southern States
Location: The Woodlands
Hostess: Pat Agee