News & Announcements

 A New Twist on the Sustainer "Luncheon"   

Save the Date!
Thursday, September 29th 5:00 to  9:00 p.m.
 
On the patio of Crickets Home Furnishings. All members are invited to celebrate each other, our endowment and our amazing organization!

RSVP  to Kim Hartman at kshjth@comcast.net or Janet Freund at janetfreund@comcast.net.

Betsy Svanda - President
 
“Service is planting a tree in whose shade you will never sit.”  Anonymous
 
 
Signs of spring are all around.  My youngest daughter, Christine, brought home from preschool, some “grass” she planted in a styrofoam cup.  It started out as just little green sprouts, but now is so long that it topples over the sides.  She has a much “greener” thumb than her mother! 
During this past year, we have all been able to help plant “seeds,” perhaps not in the literal sense, but figuratively speaking, for our organization.  AJLI past President Debbie Robinson shared the above quote during the time she was training me to be President.  It is a wonderful reminder that in addition to all the “visible” things we’ve accomplished this year, the impact of many other decisions and actions will only be fully known in the years to come.  We may never see all the fruits of our labor, but know that our service this year, will continue to grow our organization and nurture a better future for our communities.  
I love that our more seasoned Sustaining Members have been able to see how our Endowment Fund, Building Fund and Redbook Policies, that they helped create, continue to pay huge dividends for our organization and the people of the Greater Lansing area.  I am truly grateful for the vision, wisdom, leadership and service of those Active Members who have come before us and planted seeds for the great success we enjoy today.  I am also excited to see what seeds we have planted this year, turn into amazing success stories over the next 5, 10 or 20 years! 
It is hard to believe that my year of serving as President is almost over.  It has been an honor and privilege to serve in this role and I thank each of you for giving me the opportunity to do so.  I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you as we learned from successful leaders, shared the Junior League story with others, and rolled up our sleeves to serve in our communities.       
I have often been asked what I am going to do next year, since my busy year of being President is coming to an end.  I promise you, I will take the training I have received with the Junior League to continue planting “seeds” to build better communities ; well, perhaps after taking a few days (or weeks) of watching the grass grow and sitting by the pool.   
 

What to Expect in 2011-2012…
Kate Powers, President Elect
 
It is hard to believe that we have nearly wrapped up another year in Junior League. I am getting both excited, and truly, a little nervous, about taking on the ultimate leadership role in our organization. Gratefully, I have an amazing team of ladies to help lead the charge, as well as a membership base that is dedicated and committed to developing the potential of women, improving our community and promoting voluntarism. The leadership team is:
 
Community Council, Jaimie Hutchison, Vice President
Community Service Chair:      Nanette Naser
Vice Chair:                             Jennifer Edmonds 
Done in a Day Chair:              Diane Sloan
DIAM/DIAD VC:                  Gin Gibson
Signature Project Chair:          Peggy Coutier
Signature Project
Vice Chair:                              Vacant
 
Communications Council, Traci Riehl, Vice President
Public Relations/Marketing:     Ryonn Clute
Vice Chair:                              Rochelle Rizzi
Publications Editor:                  Lydia Millbrook
Vice Chair:                              Jodie Burditt
 
Education Council, Kirsten Soltis, Vice President
Arrangements Chair:               Lisa Gnass
Asst to the Pres/Schol:            Jennifer Charette
Training Chair:                        Kate Marchyok
VC & SPAC Chair:                Patti McNiel
 
Finance Coucil, Lisa Keefer, Treasurer
Treasurer Elect:                       Bridgit Seitz
Dues Bookkeeper:                  Katie Lynwood
Endowment Treasuer:             Julie Morgan
 
Fund Development Council, Melissa Seifert, Vice President
Grant Development:                Ad Hoc
Fund Dev C:                           Brianna Garrett
Vice Chair:                             Kristen Clark
Tracking Chair:                       Ivanna Marinig
 
Memebership Council, AmySue Melville, Vice President
Mem Recr/NM Chair:             Chrissy Carr
Vice Chair:                              Maureen Neugent
Member Relations Chair:         Nicole Schuppner
Nominating Chair:                   Susan Lupo
Placement Chair:                     Samantha Hughes
 
Planning Council, Becky Paalman, President Elect
Bylaws/Policy/Placement C:      Leslie Donaldson
CRPD Co-Chair:                      Polly Synk
Co-Chair:                                 Erin Skene-Pratt
 
As you can see, this is a fabulous team of women, charged with forwarding the mission of Junior League of Lansing, and helping us return to our core values.
 

2011 Winter Interview Results

Samantha Hughes, Nominating and Placement Advisor

The Winter Interview process provided leadership with a lot of good information – thanks to all of you who participated!  The following is a brief summary.

80.6% responded that you feel comfortable giving money to the Signature Project even with limited volunteer opportunities for the members. Most of the responses from the 19.4% that disagreed responded by saying that since we are a volunteer organization it is important to keep that as a focus. You would like to be more connected to the Signature Project with a more hands on role, not just financially.

43.3% feel that Junior League and the work we do is not well known in the community. Some responses on how to change that included:  focus on more partnerships, more community involvement, partner with more schools, additional PR, web ads, newspaper articles, more media coverage for JL events, and work on brand awareness. There were also some comments made about dispelling the stereotype that Junior League is an adult sorority. 56.7% of you felt that Junior League is known in the community.

43 answered the question about what member relation events you attended. The 3 highest attended events were: After GMM Social (Sept.), After GMM Social (Oct.), and Dream Dinners and After GMM Social (Nov.) were tied for 3rd.

53% feel that these are somewhat important. 16.7% feel not important, 25.8% very important.

Responses for not attending include schedule conflicts and family obligations. Most that responded think the events are great and give an opportunity for members to connect.

93.9% would not be disappointed if the Junior Pal program was discontinued.

32.8% agreed that the incentive prizes for the “All About the Sparkle Raffle” helped to motivate them to sell more tickets than required. 48.4% said it made no difference and only sold the 5 required. 18.8% responded that they would have sold the same amount with or without the incentive prizes.  

45.5% attended the celebration event and 54.5% did not attend. Some of the reasons for not attending included: family obligations, schedule conflicts, out of town, illness and work functions.  Not having a dress, would have preferred a more casual celebration, not needing a party to celebrate raising money were also reasons cited for not attending.