Spring

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10ORW014

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Spring 2010

Brown bags of donations in hand, JLGO

members, friends and family, all gathered at

the eighth annual Blue Note Ball on Saturday,

February 27. The theme of Old Florida was about

going back to our roots and focusing on how

our community

came about.

The Farmer’s

Market provided

the perfect

setting for

members to be transported back in time to more

tranquil, slower Florida days without the hustle

and bustle of city life. Guests were immediately

greeted with a sweet tea vodka drink in a mason

jar and took in the atmosphere. Crates with

oranges and other citrus decorations under a

starry night provided the perfect backdrop for the

special evening.

Attendees danced the night away to a seven-

piece band, sampled delicious Southern food such

as sweet potato biscuits, barbeque, shrimp and

grits and a delectable S’mores station, and bid on

incredible auctions. The packed event was the hit

of the year with an array of fashion choices, from

more casual to

elegant.

A philanthropic

new addition to

the annual event

was the Brown Bag Campaign. Brown paper bags

are something that many children bring their lunch

in to school, but many Central Florida children

go without. Each member was asked to fill her

brown paper bag with money donations and bring

it to the event. League members generously filled

their bags to make sure no child has to go without

lunch. All proceeds will go directly to support the

League’s mission and efforts to improve childhood

health, hunger and poverty.

New to this year’s event was the bucket auction

in which members placed multiple tickets into

a bucket to try to win certain items. Attendees

gathered around to see whose name would be

drawn to win one of many fabulous prizes such

as spa gift certificates, Magic tickets, condo

stays, diamond

jewelry and a

meat smoker,

which was the

much-talked

about hot

item of the night. Some of the upscale items in

the silent auction were a Big Apple Adventure

featuring tickets to a Broadway show and an

upscale restaurant, a Wine Country Weekend

and meals in Napa Valley, as well as a shopping

excursion to any nation wide Bloomingdale’s.

Another fun addition to the Ball was the photo

booth. Guests had a blast taking pictures in the

booth and coming up with fun poses and facial

expressions. The photos provided a fun token to

take home at the end of the night. Thank you to

Jordan cook, carrie rentz and the Blue Note

Ball committee for an amazing event with many

creative additions.

mem

bers

hip

mat

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A Bag of a BallBy Amy Parker

The

Boar

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Our MissionThe Junior League of Greater Orlando, Florida, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The B

oard

Room

Junior League of Greater Orlando, Florida, Inc.Board of Directors 2009-10

Presidentstephanie Garris

President-ElectKirstina Bouwmans

Recording SecretaryAllison Hudson

TreasurerHeather Gantt

Vice President of Active MembershipLoretta Hawkins

Vice President of Communitysharese Pace

Vice President of FinanceAndrea Balanzatugui

Vice President of Marketing & CommunicationsBeth Wilson

Vice President of Research & Developmentelisha contner

Vice President of Sustainer MembershipLynn Moharam

Member-at-LargeWendy Adelson

Parliamentarianvicki Pietrack

President’s AssistantKelly schupfer

President’s Picksuzanne tagman

Table of Contents

The Board Room 1-6

Community 7-8

Active Membership 9-13

Sustainers 14-15

Finance 16

Marketing & Communications 17

Announcements 18-19

I read with sadness the February 9, 2010, front

page article of The Orlando Sentinel that detailed

the latest research of Central Florida families who

are living with hunger. Specifically, the report

showcased a 152 percent increase in just four

years in the number of people who sought help

from local food pantries and soup kitchens. Many

of these people are families with young children.

Indeed, of the 732,000 Central Floridians who

sought food assistance, nearly half are children.

Dave Krepcho, President and CEO of Second

Harvest Food Bank, shared this with JLGO

members directly when he

spoke at the September

General Membership meeting.

I remember vividly the statistic

that the number of children

living with hunger would fill up

5 Amway Arenas! Because

this need is so great, I am

proud that JLGO members

have asked for the opportunity to help. Throughout

last year’s process of asking JLGO members what

they wanted to work on, helping alleviate childhood

hunger remained at the top of the list.

As the CRPD Committee listened to members about

how they could make a difference, they also gathered

research on best practices with other Leagues on

structuring a program while also reaching out to

Central Florida’s partners for collaboration. The result

of this work is a proposed program that reflects the

desires of JLGO Members – HIP Kids - the Healthy,

Informed, Playful Kids Program!

The foundation for this program reflects what

the membership told us they want to work

on. Membership expressed their views in last

Spring’s “Speak-Up” sessions, the October Cluster

Meetings, and the Fall Survey. CRPD took all

of this feedback and crafted a program that

directly reflects membership desires. The specific

membership priorities of the program include:

1. Membership Priority: Feed hungry kids

(direct service to those in need)

• Food packs delivered twice a month to ~ 87

kids

• Fresh fruit delivered daily to ~ 87 kids

• Meals provided 4 times a year to ~ 30 kids &

their families

2. Membership Priority: Address the greatest need

• Suggested program located at Callahan

Neighborhood Center, an after-school program

which draws from schools with free/reduced

fee lunch participation of 75% or above.

3. Membership Priority: Provide enrichment

component for kids & their parents

• 9 hands-on experiences for ~ 30 kids,

with league members (focus: health, nutrition,

exercise)

• 4 external speaker experiences for ~ 30 kids

& their families, with league members

(focus: health, nutrition, exercise

4. Membership Priority: Provide healthy

food component

• Fresh fruit delivered daily by Second Harvest

to ~ 87 kids

President’s Perspective

Stephanie Garris,President of JLGO

You can learn more about this proposed program

on our website, through your Chairs or mentors,

or by calling me. And as you have the opportunity

to vote on this program later this Spring, I hope

you will join me in offering thanks to the hard work

of CRPD for crafting a program that provides

components that you asked for while also making a

positive impact in the lives of hungry children.

This ONE program will help improve the lives of

Orlando’s kids.

Junior League of Greater Orlando

January Board Retreat was held at Orlando Country Club on Saturday, January 2. Special AJLI guest speaker Special Guest Janine Le Sueur helped with the training. This meeting was open to all members.

The Board held its February 2nd meeting “Community Plunge” at Grace Medical Home, a medical center for Orlando’s working uninsured. Marilyn King, JLGO Past President and Chairman of the Board of Grace, offered tours. This event was open to all members.

2 3

The B

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The

Boar

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By Kirstina Bouwmans

Having chaired the Community Research &

Program Development (CRPD) committee twice

and being the immediate past VP of R&D, I would

like to share my thoughts

on R&D’s work during this

2009-2010 League year.

This past eighteen months

has been an unprecedented

time of change for our

League. We have adopted

a five year strategic plan and

narrowed our community

impact area to the issues of childhood health,

hunger and poverty. Every step of the way has

been collaboration between R&D, membership,

all Councils and the Board of Directors. From

speak-ups to brown bag lunches to Community

Plunges, we have all traveled this path together, as

a League, and as a united membership.

As we move forward through the end of this year

and into the 2010-2011 year, let us remember that

we are a membership driven organization. The

work that R&D is tasked with can’t be completed

in a bubble. It is because of our members’ input,

opinions and support that we can continue down

the strategic path to accomplishing the goals of our

community impact statement.

I ask you to continue to freely share your thoughts

and ideas with R&D, your own Councils and

the Board. Our Council system works from

the membership level up to the Board and back

down again. Please continue to be involved and

engaged as we prepare to move into year two of

our five year strategic plan.

As always, I am so grateful to serve along with you

to make our community a better place to live.

Get to Know your Board

Allison Hudson, recording secretary and

President elect elect, has been a JLGO member

since 1997. Hudson

has a full house, with a

husband (Scott) and 2

boys (Trevor and Trent)

and can be found

often on the soccer

field! Previously,

she has served as

VP of Finance, VP of

Finance Elect, VP of

Community, Themed Social Fundraiser Co-Chair

and Asst. Co-Chair, Fred Chair and Assist. Chair,

FRED, Green Circle Chair, Green Circle, Teen

Court. Hudson’s favorite League memory was

when the Board was able to visit and work with the

girls at GAP during the holidays. Hudson said, “I

was very moved by the experience and love the

work that the JLGO does with this program. We

do make a difference in the lives of these troubled

girls!” Professionally, Hudson is a Financial Advisor

and has been with the same company for 19 years.

Hudson graduated from University of Florida.

Hudson says of her League experience, “That

even after 12 years of being a JLGO member,

each year still brings new and exciting challenges.

We do make a difference in the lives of those in

the Central Florida Community and the JLGO has

helped me to be a better leader and volunteer!”

sharese Pace, vP of community, has been a

member of Junior League since 2005. Pace has

previously served

on Advisory

Planning, as

the Chair of

Headquarters,

Assistant to

President and

Assistant Chair of

TEAR/CRPD. Her favorite League memory was

the first time she visited Great Oaks Village and

it clearly stuck as she is now VP of Community!

Professionally, Pace has worked 10 years as

a Marketing and Education director for a large

company in property management and later went

back to school at Southern College for Design to

earn a degree in Interior Design. Pace serves as

an Executive on the PTA Board and counts herself

as a proud graduate of University of Central

Florida!

vicki Pietrack, Parliamentarian, has been a

member of Junior League for 8 years and has

an 11 month old

son named Connor.

Pietrack has previously

served as VP of

Community, CRPD,

Chair of WRCC,

Training Team Chair

& Asst. Chair and on

Bargain Box. Pietrack

cites attending an

ODI conference

as a favorite League memory. She says, “It

gave me a greater understanding of what AJLI

is all about and how it flows down to JLGO.”

Pietrack has worked with Orlando Health as the

Operations Manager of Risk Management for the

past 16 years. She is also the immediate past

President of Femmes de Coeur, a fundraising

organization that supports the Health Care Center

for the Homeless as well as raises funds for

nursing scholarships. Pietrack sees the power

of community involvement and says, “I believe

that everyone has an obligation to serve their

community and I believe it is never too early to

demonstrate this to our children. There is nothing

greater than working side-by-side with your child,

family or friend when you are giving back to

others and making a difference in the community

and lives of others.”

Kirstina Bouwmans

Allison Hudson

Vicki Pietrack

Sharese Pace

Publications CommitteeJJ Mackle, Chair Amy Parker

rebecca cannon Leigh Ann vogel

cynthia Obenland

4 5

New Community Program - Callahan Center

A new CAT Team pilot community program was

announced at the January GMM! They will be

working with 11-12 young girls helping to develop

life skills. The League will volunteer at the Callahan

Center and help teach Life Skills to young ladies

who attend the center after school. The program is

similar to GAP except we’re pro-actively reaching

out to young ladies before they might get into

trouble. donnita coleman is helping to head up

this program with several new Actives who all are

very excited to start! Guest speakers will touch on

different topics (hygiene, etiquette, healthy eating,

self esteem, journaling) and the goal is to provide

dinner and a ‘takeaway meal’ at each session.

Several young ladies in the community have already

signed up to participate. Training starts with a Self

Defense Course and tour of the Center with the staff

on February I6, the first session with the girls is on

March 2. Coleman remarked, “I am

honored that I was selected to help

with this pilot program and to think

that I get to help with something that

could be a community program for

years to come is so exciting!” The

League thinks so as well!

For more information, please

contact Donnita.C.Coleman@

disney.com or Laura Haag, CAT

Team Chair.

JLGO Hosts 88th Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Annual Conference

From April 14-17, approximately 1,000 League

leaders representing Leagues across four

countries will join together at the Rosen Centre

Hotel to learn new skills, share best practices,

make new friendships and voice their thoughts on

issues that will affect each of the 292 Leagues in

AJLI, including ours!

Conference Keynote Speaker Announcement

Although final preparations are still underway, we

are happy to announce that our keynote speaker

will be Mrs. Sheila Johnson, a noted female

entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian.

Mrs. Johnson is the first African-American woman

to be an owner or partner in three professional

sports franchises: the Washington Capitals

(NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the

Washington Mystics (WNBA). Johnson currently

serves as CEO of Salamander Hospitality, a

company she founded in 2005. Salamander’s

portfolio includes: The Woodlands Resort & Inn,

in Summerville, SC; The Innisbrook Resort and

Golf Club, a 900 acre, 72 hole PGA tour golf

course in Palm Harbor, FL; and The Salamander

Resort & Spa in the Blue Ridge Mountains in

Middleburg, VA. In addition, she serves as a

global ambassador for CARE, a humanitarian

organization fighting global poverty. Mrs.

Johnson’s humanitarian efforts are very similar

to the programs at the heart of the League

movement and we are eager to welcome her to

our conference.

Volunteer and Take This Once Every Decade Opportunity to Attend the Conference

The last time Orlando was asked to host Annual

Conference was over 10 years ago. Attendance

at each year’s conference is expensive and as

such we are only able to send our President,

President Elect and President Elect-Elect to

represent our membership. Since this year’s

conference is in our own backyard, conference

volunteers will be afforded the opportunity to attend

training sessions and hear from speakers such

as Mrs. Johnson! We need your help in areas

such as registration and goody bag stuffing so

please visit www.jlgo.org and click on the segment

pertaining to the Conference. There you will see

a volunteer link where you can fill out a form

indicating your volunteer preferences. Sign up

today! Please direct any questions to Elizabeth

Hughes at peque02@yahoo.com or Kelly Newton

at knew10@aol.com.

On behalf of the entire conference planning

committee, I thank you for your support and I look

forward to seeing you at the Conference.

Elizabeth Hughes

2010 Annual Conference Site Chair

Com

munity

The

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Laura-Cat Chair, Cindy Asst. CAT Chair , Sharese- VP of community, Donnita Coleman - Chairing new Pilot program and Debbie committee member. Planning out the future of the Pilot program with The Callahan Center.

6 7

Active M

embersh

ipJanuary GMM Aims to Help Haitian Victims of Earthquake

Members collected medical and toiletry goods at

the January GMM in an effort to help the relief effort

in Haiti. Members did this in response to help the

residents of Haiti deal with the consequences of a

massive earthquake. Active member Laine Powell

had cousins severely injured from the quake, as

there are other stories of Central Floridians who

had families or friends affected by the quake.

Powell will ensure that they get to the proper

agencies for distribution.

During the social hour, elizabeth Hughes hosted

a meeting for members interested in volunteering

at the 88th AJLI Annual Conference scheduled for

April 14-17. Orlando has not been the host site for

10 years and we look forward to welcoming 1,000

women leaders who will attend!

Placement Fair on the Horizon

Are you ready for a change? The April Placement

Fair is fast approaching. Online Placement opens

on Tuesday, April 27, the night of the GMM, and

will close on May 4. You will be asked to submit

four unique Placement choices. These choices are

not ranked, but it never hurts to give a little extra

information about which one or two you might prefer.

The Placement Coordinator is proud to report the

recent Placement success of 49 new members from

the Fall Provisional class. All were placed in one of

their three selected Placement choices!

The Placement choice you receive will begin June 1

and end May 31, so please consider any upcoming

events in your life (new baby, getting married,

moving) before making those choices. It’s okay if

you’re still on the fence about what you want to do,

or if you don’t know a lot about a committee you are

considering. The online Placement search engine

is fun and easy to use. You can search by Council,

job responsibilities, and meeting days and times.

The search engine will be open prior to the start of

the Placement fair, but after the March GMM, and

contact information for all outgoing Chairs is listed

in each committee’s information.

Remember, all Spring Provisionals and current

Active members of JLGO who are not appointed

or elected to positions for the 2010-2011 League

year are required to fill out an online Placement

form, even if you plan to take Associate status, go

Sustainer, or take a Leave of Absence. Members

are placed in order of their AJLI numbers.

If you have any questions, contact Placement

Coordinator Jennifer Keefe at jenn_keefe@mac.

com or (407) 402-6507.

The Gap Experience

The first time someone volunteers for a DIAD with

GAP there is always some trepidation. Volunteers

ask themselves; “What can I talk to them about” or

“Do I have anything in common with these girls?”

There is also a small amount of fear. These are

girls in a lockdown facility after all. When they file

into the meeting room there is laughter, giggling

and playful ribbing among the girls. One quickly

realizes that despite the surroundings and the

wardrobe these are just teenage girls experiencing

the highs and lows of teenage life.

The stress of the day melts away and one is

transported back to the days when what you wore

was paramount and the relationships with your

friends and boyfriends were of upmost importance.

At the end of the evening the women and the

girls gather around and proclaim their status as

phenomenal women. Dr. Richard Bommelije, a

Rollins College professor once said that, “we are the

same person that we were five years ago except

for the books that we have read and the people

that we meet.” Upon volunteering for a DIAD with

the GAP program there is the assumption that one

will change a young person’s life by showing them

that there are other options in life. By the end of

the night one realizes that it is not them who is

affecting change, instead they are changed by the

experience. Visiting the GAP program is something

that every JLGO member should experience at least

once. The program is a shining example of what the

Junior League stands for.

Recruiting Interested GAP Volunteers

Wanted: Dedicated, talented, open-minded women

needed to encourage, support and motivate young

ladies. Only two hours on bi-weekly Thursdays.

Salary is sense of purpose, enormous gratitude,

and warm fuzzy feelings. No interview necessary,

sign-up for a trial internship on the Thursday of

your choice by going to the JLGO website and

clicking on the calendar.

The Girls Advocacy Program (GAP) is a wonderful

opportunity for all JLGO members to interact with

one of our core missions, which is helping children.

Every other Thursday, the GAP committee provides

food, fun and great speakers to the girls at the

Juvenile Detention Center in Orlando. So far

this year the girls have learned about the power

of optimism, how to present themselves at an

interview and their personality colors.

Future speakers will discuss Etiquette and CARE.

The GAP Program gives the girls a well needed

break from their routine at the facility. The JLGO

members are great role models for these girls. The

girls show their gratitude in letters they write at the

end of the session, describing what meant most

to them and what they learned in session. This is

always a very moving part of the evening, because

although the girls sometimes seem apathetic, they

always have positive reflections of their experience.

If you are looking for a positive DIAD for yourself

or your committee, then please consider GAP. The

benefits will last long after the job is complete.

Com

munit

y

45 JLGO members got DEFENSIVE!! CAT Team and Officer Debbie Driscoll hosted a Self Defense Training Class on February 16 at the Callahan Center from 6 PM to 8 PM. The class was conducted by the Orlando Police Department. Officer Ernest Smith, who has worked 13 years with OPD, volunteered his time to train members of the League on how to defend off an attack. The 2 hour session was a big hit with the large amount of attendees who had a blast and became informed on an important matter at the same time! Look out for the next session!

Our last recruitment event was held on January 6 which produced 32 paid members for the Spring Provisional class. With this class, we have a membership increase which has only occurred once in the last five years!

8 9

Active M

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Mem

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Mid Year TrainingBy Cynthia Obenland

The 2009-2010 Mid-Year Training occurred on

Saturday, January 30 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer

Center. What an incredible day! JLGO President

stephanie Garris started the day off with a

heartfelt welcome to all of the attendees and, in

keeping true to her favorite William Faulkner quote

about moving mountains one stone at a time, gave

everyone a symbolic stone as a thank you.

Fran Carlton, former Florida House of

Representatives member and Orange County

Clerk of Courts, was the keynote speaker and gave

an inspirational speech focusing on how League

members make a real difference in our community.

Carlton reminded Leaguers that we first have a

responsibility to ourselves to be the best we can be

and then need to step up and help the community.

As she constantly reiterated, one person can make

a difference – never forget that.

While the overall training was focused on Chairs,

Assistant Chairs and Mentors, in no way was

anyone excluded who wasn’t filling one of these

roles. Breakout sessions facilitated by stacey

Malaret (Nominating Committee) and Andrea

Balanzategui (VP of Finance), were filled with

activities designed to provide solutions to real-

life scenarios that these roles may encounter.

For example, Assistant Chairs got guidance

and had questions answered about becoming

Chairs; Chairs discussed the importance of

tapping potential new leaders and how to do so;

and Mentors reinforced the need for all Active

members to be a Mentor in their own way.

Laine Powell (Active Member Mentor) gave a

fantastic presentation on the need for, and how

to, engage all committee members. Powell

emphasized the importance of ensuring that all we

do (whether committee work, community activities,

etc.) needs to tie back to the JLGO mission

statement. She challenged the group to see who

could recite the mission statement verbatim. Ask

yourself – could you recite the mission statement?

Is the work you’re doing for the League supporting

the mission statement?

After Council meetings wrapped up the last

session, it was time to call it a day. The 2009-2010

Mid-Year Training was a big hit and accomplished

its primary goal of bringing training to current and

future League leaders. Laura Pooser (Member

Development Chair) and her committee, as well

as all of the presenters, deserve a huge round of

applause for a very successful event!

Spotlight on IES Committee, otherwise known as “Incredible Energetic Superstars!”By Cynthia Obenland

Have you ever walked into a GMM and seen the

room arranged and the tables decorated and

wonder who takes care of all of that? Junior

League worker elves! Okay, okay, it’s really the

Internal Education & Support (IES) Committee.

IES does all this with no RSVP’s and with guess

work on about how many to expect. Can you

imagine planning your wedding but never being

sure of the final headcount? These ladies are up

for the challenge and are to be commended for

successfully pulling off each event.

The incredible ladies on this committee are

responsible for all of the details that go into

planning, preparing for, and wrapping up the

GMMs. They work closely with the JLGO

President in determining themes for each meeting;

work with other committees to address any

needs they have for the GMM (additional rooms

for pre-GMM workshops or meetings; tables for

committee presentations, etc.); stage the main

GMM room before the meeting with decorations

to help enhance the overall meeting atmosphere;

and lastly, break down the room after the GMM

has ended.

That can lead to a long GMM night – the

committee typically works from 5pm to 9:30pm –

but since the committee doesn’t meet any other

time during the month, its members know that

after all of their hard work for the GMM, they

are done until the next one. This provides some

needed flexibility for personal schedules.

IES also makes their mark in other ways,

including:

• Organizing the December Holiday party

(location, date, food and drink specials);

• Recruiting members to host Cluster meetings;

• Establishing partnerships with vendors to

provide food and wine for the GMM (did you

know that Barefoot Wine donates all of the wine

for free so all monies made from drink sales

goes directly back to the League?); and

• Identifying new social opportunities for

members, such as “JLGOooo To The Movies”

and “Moms and Tots”.

The IES Committee is especially thrilled that the

“Moms and Tots” program has been so successful.

A couple of the committee members decided to

meet at a local park so they could socialize and

the kids could play. From this outing, the idea

for “Moms and Tots” took shape and it has now

become an official monthly event.

With all that they do, the name IES doesn’t do the

committee justice! Since FRED was rebranded to

FUNd this year, maybe it’s time for rebranding this

committee next year to truly reflect what they do.

IES’s super-organizational tactics and commitment

to providing us places, food and WINE makes

them truly rock!

Nearly 50 League leaders attended the mid-year training at Orlando Health. Topics included a discussion on engaging and training all committee members, transitioning effectively, why the need for voluntarism remains vital, and the budgeting process.

Organization Development Institute (ODI) presented by The Association of Junior Leagues International in Little Rock, AR. JLGO Members nominated to attend this conference were Sharese Pace, VP of Community, Heather Gantt, Treasurer, Katie Byrne, FUNd Development Chair and Julie Schallhorn, Provisional Mentor. Past President and Sustainer Mimi Hull attended as a workshop presenter for AJLI!

Sisters Virginia Pottinger Trabold and Kristin Pottinger Dill IES Chair & Asst. Chair.

1110

Active M

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ipAct

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Mem

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ship 2010 Provisional Retreat

The 2010 Provisional retreat was held at the Winter

Park Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, January

23 from 8:30 AM to 3 PM. 45 Provisional members

took part in team building exercises to help bond

with their class and their mentors. President

Stephanie Garris addressed the new members and

several Board members visited with the newest

League members. Provisional requirements and

League activities were also reviewed at the retreat.

Anna McPherson said of this Provisional class,

“Our Provisionals are a great bunch, and have a

wide array of Orlando “citizenship” – ranging from

two ladies who moved to Orlando within one month

of the retreat as well as natives of Orlando. They

are very eager to get plugged into the community!

We are thrilled to have these lovely ladies start

their Provisional experience in the League.”

When You Wish Upon a Star, Provisionals Make Dreams Come True

Our newest Provisionals are up and running on

their “Cinderella’s Closet” Provisional Class Project.

The project involves a prom-dress drive, with

vouchers given out to selected women from our

community partners. These special young women

will enjoy an evening of pampering, accessorizing

and choosing the perfect prom dress at a special

event at the Bargain Box. The remainder of

the dresses collected will be offered at a very

reasonable price to our Bargain Box customers.

The drive is happening March 22 - 28; the event

night will occur at a TBD date in April.

For all things Provisional, please contact Anna

McPherson, the Admissions/Provisional Chair at

annamcp@mac.com.

Introducing the 2009 Fall Provisional Graduates – Our Newest Actives!

The A/P Committee is proud to announce that 52

wonderful women are the newest Active members

of our League! After an all-day retreat in August,

four months of busy meetings and working to

collect canned goods for the Harvest Hustle 5k

Run, these ladies have made a real difference in

the JLGO!

Welcome to the 2010 Spring Provisional Class

The League would also like to welcome 45

energetic women whom are on their way to

becoming Active members of our League this

upcoming Spring! In addition to attending the

Provisional meetings, GMM’s and socials, these

ladies are looking forward to their Provisional

project collecting prom and cocktail dresses for the

Bargain Box.

April Anderson

Nicole Augeri

robyn Barnes

danielle Barnhart

emily Bond

susan Borges

Jesslynn Buddle

Jennifer calabrese

danielle ciccarello

ravina claussen

Luisa cortese

Jennifer dane

sarah devoe

Mary Jane eazer

semra eichelberger

christie ernest

claudia Feliz

Molly Forman

Kirsten Foti

sarah Gonder

Haley Griffin

Nell Gyenes

Alaina Haddad

Amber Hall

Mai Hammond

Meredith Hinshelwood

elizabeth Anderson

Angela Guiterrez

Linda Moskowitz

danielle Beard

victoria Henige

Kerby Pickens

Kristina Bolin

Michele Hickman

Kathleen Pollack

Jamie Bowen

Alicia Holden

Ashley Pollard

valerie Boyd

Laura Hooks

Julia riola

Laura Buchanan

charlotte Jebailey

danielle ruggieri

Alex coady

Marcy Keown

tania russakov

Whitnee dillard

Heather Kirby

Kate Hoff

Haley Hosch

christine Johnson

Noreen Levitt

rikki Logan

Melissa Lops

Jacquelyn Lowe

Natalie Mann

Kate Martin

Amy Mccook

Jennifer McGinnis

Megan Moxley

cynthia Obenland

sonali Patel

Marisha ramsay

Heather rhodes

Megan rose

Amy schwartz

stacey spalding

savannah stephen

Kate thorne

Jenny velagea

samata velaga

Kelsey Wohlman

Austin Zakari

vidya Harrisingh

Maritza salazar

Paige dix

Alison Kostke

Meredith stephens

Michelle dutka

Megan Kuntz

Michelle stepney

Jessica evans

stacey Lancaster

Jessi suminski

sarah eyman

Angie Langley

Leslie valant

Jamie Freidinger

emily Linden

Lauren Wallace

Jessica Fung

Natalie Lorenz

cameron Willis

Lindsey Gergely

elicia Meyer

Lisa Zaranek

Calling all Leaguers, dresses you wore to Blue Note Ball might help another special young girl attend her ball! Support our Provisionals and help make Cinderella’s Closet a success!

1312

Sust

ainer

s Sustain

ersSpotlight On Sustainer Maria MotesBy Cynthia Obenland

Why do we love and value our Sustainers?

Sustainers have been in almost every situation in

the League and offer us valuable insight into our

history for reflections on current League issues,

which help guide us for our future. Sometimes, it

takes just a few years to lose valuable information.

Sustainers are known for their history they bring us

and also their fun – you can share a glass of wine

with them at those infamous 601 Club meetings!

An example of a great Sustainer in our League is

Maria Motes. Maria was an Active member for

about 10 years and during that time, one of her

favorite activities

was supporting

the Bargain Box.

She fondly recalls

how popular it

was to work at the

Bargain Box – so

popular in fact,

that League members used to fight over volunteer

shifts! It is the work that she did for the Bargain

Box for which she is most proud.

At the time she was Active, League rules required

that upon reaching a certain age, Active members

had to become Sustainers, and so she did. Life,

as it often does, sometimes brought demands on

Maria’s time between work and family to a point

that continuing to be involved in the League,

even in a Sustainer role, was too challenging at

the time. Fast-forward to a few years ago, when

faced with a challenging time in her life, her friend

and co-worker Mary Norris Brown suggested she

reconnect with the League in a Sustainer status.

Maria’s intent was to reestablish friendships and

not take on an active Sustainer role. But you

can’t keep a good woman down! In the past few

years since she has been back as a Sustainer, she

became part of the Sustainer Council and is the

driving force behind the 601 Club (taking it from

3-4 meetings per year to monthly meetings from

September through May). The 601 Club is a social

opportunity for Sustainers to get together and catch

up over a glass of wine (or other beverage of their

choice!) starting at 6:01PM. Stories are shared,

friendships rekindled and new ones formed.

I asked Maria for any advice she had for new

Actives and her response definitely resonated with

me, “Find your passion within the League.” Motes

explained that while it is important to explore

the different opportunities within the League,

work towards finding something that you are

passionate about. And don’t forget the friendships

– ultimately that’s what brought Maria back to

the League, and the League is all the better for

having her back!

Sustainer 601 Calendar

March 18: Lago’s Baldwin P ark, 6:01 PM

April 22: Pesca Lakeside, 6:01 PM

May 20: Dubsdread Country Club, 6:01 PM

Sustainer Spring Events

April 24: Spring Sustainer Brunch at Interlachen

Country Club, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM

May 1: Kentucky Derby Party, 3:00 PM-7:00 PM

Hosts: Carol & Bill Rosenfelt

1400 North New York Avenue

Winter Park, FL

Sustainers and guests will once again gather for

the “Run of the Roses”; mint juleps, hat contest,

and friendly “wagers” to benefit the JLGO impact

area of childhood health, hunger and poverty.

Everything Old is New Again – Bargain Box 50 Year Celebration EventBy Rebecca Cannon

The response in the community to the 50

year celebration of the Bargain Box has been

overwhelming! The Sustainers proudly held

an event on Wednesday, February 10 to

enjoy wine and cheese, reconnect with fellow

Sustainers, other League members and the

Bargain Box community. 40 Sustainers hosted

other attendees who learned how to support the

League’s longest running, on-going fundraiser

and community service project.

The Orlando press also took notice with the help

of PR Chair, Ashley Pinder, publishing an online

blog about the event. JLGO and its members

can be proud of the legacy we’ve given to the

League and our community.

Bargain Box MOVES through Orlando Locations in the City’s History

It all started with the Bargain Box on Virginia

Street that was the Thrift Shop of Junior Service

League of \Winter Park. The Junior League of

Orlando had a Thrift Shop on Church Street. Our

next move was towards Orange Avenue to the

Famous Tinker Building, which became known

as, “Twice Is Nice.” Current Sustainer member

Joan Milligan won the contest to name it. In

1974, AJLI recommended a merger of Service

League with JLGO. The merger almost didn’t

happen because of the two Leagues being so

close. The concession was the Bargain Box in

Winter Park as the central location. 50 years

is total of locations. Milligan has a yearbook of

1956-57 where gross receipts of $16,000 and

net profit was $9,600. In 1932-33, Junior Welfare

Association opened the Thrift Shop with $3 as

the first month’s revenue! On January 29, 1947,

under the direction of Mrs. William ellis, Junior

Welfare Association became The Junior League

of Orlando. And the future looks promising from

our history!

14 15

Finan

ceM

arketing &

Com

municatio

ns

Endowment Fund Update – Almost $200 in 5 Minutes!

JLGO raised $170.92 in less than 5 minutes at the

January GMM when we “passed the pig!” Every

Endowment Fund cent contributes to the stability

and long-term success of your organization.

In 1987, forward thinking Sustainer members

originally established the fund, then called the

“Sustainer Fund” to encourage charitable gifts and

provide a more secure means for the purposes of

the League. All contributions are tax deductible.

Consider gifting the League as a committee at

the end of the year or in honor of another League

member. The Endowment Fund is a gift for all of

us, from all of us – how cool is that?!

Online Social Networking - What’s on Your League Mind? By JJ Mackle

While it is always a nice thing to have personal

face-to-face contact with an individual or group,

social networks such as Facebook has enabled

the League to communicate with its members and

supporters in a new way. Currently the League

almost has 500 Facebook fans! Fans receive the

latest updates, surveys or questions and continual

photo posts. As Publications Chair, it is wonderful

to have a hard copy printed for members and our

community – but praise our online efforts because

you get minute by minute news!

Events generate more interest with a guest list of

profiles and pictures to advertise. RSVP lists help

event planners gauge the interest of members in

the event. Members post status updates about

League events and compliment fellow members on

their work in the League.

Recruiting new members has become easier with

this new channel. Interested women can always

click on www.jlgo.org, but now they hear of our

Facebook page through friends or search engines.

Our newest Provisional members have even set

up class pages to further the bonds and help

information sharing. JLGO members advertise

the League themselves by becoming a fan of our

organization and messaging about the League on

their personal pages. The League is thrilled to be

a part of their member’s lives online and in person!

JLGO Photo Contest Winner

Public Affairs UpdateBy Barda Kosovrasti

On Tuesday, January 26, Public Affairs committee

hosted a meet and greet at Palmanos restaurant

in Winter Park with Jack Levine, President of

Advocacy Services. Jack works closely with the

Junior Leagues of Florida State Public Affairs

Committee (SPAC) on its strategic plan and

addresses SPAC on issue advocacy several times

a year. Levine met with group of JLGO members

after his seminar for a quick chat on issue

advocacy and what we could be doing in this area.

With a clearly defined focus on childhood hunger

we are making a move to push our own issues

locally to truly have the greatest impact.

Special Events – Support Your Local Community and Give Back!By JJ Mackle & Leigh Ann Vogel

Ever use one of those credit cards with rewards?

Buy a product, earn points for something else in

the future? Well, if Special Events Committee was

a card, it would be the one with rewards, because

everyone interacting in this system gets something

out of it. Members can try out new local hotspots

around town, local businesses are supported by us

and then support us back and with funds generated,

and the League can continue to give back to the

Orlando community’s needs. Special Events also

suits all types of needs for different outings. We

have done large events in the past like the opening

of Tchoup Tchoup at Universal Studios, medium

sized events like Art After Dark and small events like

creating art tiles with children. Kirstina Bouwmans,

President Elect remarked, “The tiles are still in the

Nordstrom’s store in the Florida Mall. They are

hanging within a mural in the children’s department.”

Special Events has raised up to $2,000 and more

at times for events. It offers members a real deal

with a free glass of wine and appetizers or some

deal on a service with the money charged as entry

– which in turn, goes back to the League and the

community! You get the best of both worlds, having

fun and helping your community out!

A recent event was “A New Year, a New You”, held

on January 28, at SkySixty to help pamper members

after the holiday craze! For twenty dollars, members

experienced a large array of services. Nutritionists,

life coaches, hair designers, financial planners,

tarot card readers, manicures, facials, custom blend

makeup analysis, body analysis, and massages

were among the many offered. $200 was raised at

the event. Special Events also partnered with Chili’s

where members dine at a Chili’s Orlando location on

March 30 and 10% of profits go back to the League!

Special Events is a favorite committee in the League

because it is important to support our city as well

as the JLGO. We all want to go out and explore

what is new and happening in our area and to earn

community rewards in return is always a good thing!

If you know of any new venues or businesses that

Special Events should consider having an event

with, or have any questions, contact Special Events

Chair Karen Perry at kperry31@ford.com.

Special Events Past and Present. New Year, New You, Art After Dark and Brighton Event.

Photo shows CAT team doing a DIAD at the Crisis Nursery. JLGO played board games, card games and played outside with the children staying there. Members pictured are left to right Laura Haag, Megan Fryzel and Francesca Ascher. Date 11/21/09. Photo taken by Cindy Waddell.

16 17

Announce

men

tsAnnouncem

ents

Little Leaguers

We omitted Active member Erica Amadori’s birth by

mistake. We apologize for the omission. Thomas

James Amadori was born to proud parents, Jason

and erica Amadori on October 16, 2009 at 8:15

PM weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 22 inches

long. Gap Chair, cherie George welcomed Mason

Rogers George on December 13, 2009 at 7:07

AM, weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 inches.

Beth Wilson, VP of M&C, welcomed a son, James

Gregory Wilson on December 30, 2009.

Our Deepest Sympathy

Our deepest sympathies go to the family of

Sustainer Emeritus, Mary Adair edwards

Phifer, who passed away on November 23,

2009. Sustainer member Lynn Moharam and

past President, Brandy Hand lost their fathers in

January and February. Our condolences go to our

members and their families for their losses.

League Paparazzi

Friend of Women and Children Bagel KingCornerStone Construction Services, Inc.Eidson InsuranceFrito LayGrayRobinson, P.A.Group RCIHilton OrlandoJason’s DeliK-12Kirkconnell, Lindsey, Snure and Yates, P.A.Lake Baldwin Dental, Dr. William Dunn and

Dr. Leonard GlassUmansky Law Firm

Additional Inkind DonatorsAdver-T-Screen PrintingBella’s on Park AvenueBarefoot WineBrio Tuscan Grille/Bravo Cucina ItalianaCabot CheeseEast Coast EntertainmentFreestyle NutritionalFront Running SportsPatchingtonSimply Well

Corporate SponsorsThank you to our 2009-10 sponsorships!

Champion for Women and ChildrenWinnie Palmer Hospital for Women and

Babies

Guardian for Women and ChildrenP.U.G.S. (People Utilizing Gifts Sensibly)

Advocate for Women and ChildrenFlorida HospitalNelson Investment Planning ServicesPublix Super Markets Charities

Partner of Women and ChildrenAlexander Hair DressingMary Kay CosmeticsRobert S. Hughes

Supporter of Women and ChildrenArthur’s Creative Events & CateringDairy Farmers, Inc.Hudson Law FirmRumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, P.A.

Thomas Amadori

Community Council hosted the January GMM focusing on how community brings all of us together, interacting and being a part of something to be proud of.

James Gregory Wilson

Mason George

Call 800.360.4017 or visit JustLetGo.com/JRLG fordetails and to print out your resort credit.

Time for YOU to sway in a beachside hammocksand toast the sunset with a tall tropical drink. The perfect beach getaway is right in your ownbackyard on the white sands of St. Pete Beach.

Get a $250 Resort Credit towards food and beverage, activities, spa services or shopping …perfect for a romantic weekend, girlfriends getaway, or a family vacation with a treasure chest of fun for the kids.

It’s time to

$250 Resort Credit

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TWOrlandoJrLeg March2010 2/2/10 8:30 AM Page 1

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