Junior Directions January 2015
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Transcript of Junior Directions January 2015
News Community Service
Calender
4 8
Junior DirectionsA publication of the Junior League of Athens
Vol. XXVI No. 5 January 2015
9
Placement
10-11
Nominations
12-15
Happy New Year JLA!Bargainza
16
TGH
17
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Board MembersAlicia Battle, President: [email protected]
Michelle Dickens, President Elect: [email protected]
Lauren Williams, Treasurer: [email protected]
Jennifer Register, Assistant Treasurer: [email protected]
Carey Brown, Recording Secretary: [email protected]
Katherine Barrow, Communications VP: [email protected]
Jennifer Whitaker, Community Council VP: [email protected]
Jo Sullivan, Finance Council VP: [email protected]
Pattie Strickland, Membership Council VP: [email protected]
Laurie Wilburn Bailey, Nominating Chair: [email protected]
Oonah Benson, Community Partners Chair: [email protected]
Deanne Rosso, Community Partners Co-chair: [email protected]
Karen Gilmore, Sustainer Representative:[email protected]
Katherine Crosby, Parliamentarian: [email protected]
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ATHENSWomen building better communities
To Contact UsThe Junior League of Athens Headquarters
634 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601. (p) (706) 549-8688 (f) (706) 613-0860
[email protected] www.juniorleagueofathens.org
MISSION STATEMENTThe Junior League of Athens, Inc. is an
organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism,
developing the potential of women and improving
communities through the effective action
and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and
charitable.
REACHING OUT STATEMENTThe Junior League of Athens reaches out to women of all races, religions,
and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment
to voluntarism.
OUR FOCUSLiteracy
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Message from the President
Alicia BattlePresident [email protected]
Welcome to 2015 and Happy 80th Anniversary to us!
The New Year brings celebrations, resolutions, and affirmations. Many of us have already set new goals and resolutions for the New Year. Goals and resolutions are admirable and extremely useful because they challenge you to commit yourself. However, recognizing the why (the value) behind the aspiration gives it more credence and will help you in sticking to the goal for a longer period of time in order to achieve it. The common new year’s theme/goal is ‘new year, new you’. This com-mon self-improvement or yearly planning period pops up everywhere. Of course, no one is going to suddenly, completely change (or become ‘new’) overnight. But, it is a valuable exercise, at all ages, to examine your actions to see if they are in line with your goals and priorities in life. There are always ways to tweak our lives to make them more efficient, more focused, and more fulfilling. Furthermore, it enables you to reconcile your actions to your goals and priorities. For example, if I say voluntarism is one of my top five values, I should have at least one goal to support that value. If you’re not guided by a clear sense of purpose, you’re likely to flitter away your time and energy on obtaining the most tangible, short-term signs of achievement, not what’s really important to you.
Ironically, our organization does a similar exercise every year. The incoming Board will soon begin planning and have the big picture conversations of: Who we are? What are our strengths? Are we doing what we need to be doing? Following those discussions the multi-year strategic plan is reviewed and then an implementation plan, which contains our resolutions, is developed that will be the road-map for the upcoming year. We would be far less productive if our tasks were not driven from our organization’s Mission. Writing this article has sent me on a miniature journey of my own personal reflection. I hope it has given you a pause to reflect upon your values and goals.
In the midst of all of your personal goals and resolutions, let’s also take time to renew our energy and spirit for the Junior League of Athens - renewing our energy to what the original 25 founders of the Junior Assembly had on November 9th, 1935, and what has continued throughout the years to be-come the Junior League of Athens in 1980/1 to today – our 80th year. Make it a point to recommit to our Mission and give it all you’ve got!
Our January training and GMM speaker will facilitate this topic further through the Servant Leader-ship discussion.
Sincerely,
Alicia BattlePresident
The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book,waiting to be written. We can help
write that story by setting goals.-Melody Beattie
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SAVE THE DATE
0 4 . 1 1 . 1 5
LIVE LAWNTH
E T
AYL
OR
GRAD
Y HO
USE
^6:00PM- 10:00PM
ON THE
Spring EventJoin us for an evening of dinner, dancing, and games!
January 8:January 10: January 12: January 19:January 21: January 26
Recruiting Drop In 5:30-7:30 at Normal Bar
Leadership Retreat (Holiday Inn Express)
General Meeting (The Graduate)
Seedlings for MLK Day Event (See Tidbits)
Committee Budget Requests Due to Treasurers
JLA Board Meeting (Taylor-Grady House)For additional information: www.juniorleagueofathens.org
Calendar for January
Board members, Chairs, and Co-Chairs please remember to RSVP to the leadership retreat via the evite sent on December 2nd.
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Communications Report
EngagementsLaura Beth Palmer, is now engaged to Steven Caudell.
Brittany Sill, is now engaged to Dawson Bryan.Provisional Katherine Cochrane, is now engaged to Carson Dickens.
Provisional Elaine Krouse, is now engaged to Turner Douglas.
Marriage:Kaitlin McShea, married Dr. Reid Messich on Dec. 20th.
Whitney England, married Michael Sperlik.
Provisional Leah Householder, married David Jones.
Little Leaguers:Sarah and Bryan Austin welcomed
Elizabeth Kate Austin on December 2, 2014.Oonagh and Will Benson welcomed
Fiona Marie Benson on December 13, 2014. *Correction-Reagan Dare Hewell was born to
Kacina and Jason Hewell on November 7, 2014
Achievements:Catherine Hardy graduated from UGA as a Double Dawg.Katie Waters passed her Certified Financial Planner Exam.
Lindsay Griffeth finished her Masters in Nursing.
Sympathy:Natalie Glenn and her family, on the loss of her mother-in-law
& Sustainer Kay Glenn. Ali Dyson Dudley, on the loss of her father, George A. Dyson. Family of Nancy Scruggs is also in our thoughts and prayers.
TGH Director Elizabeth Elliott, on the loss of her Grandmother
New Address:Bridget Teskey
131 Airport RoadAthens, Georgia 30605
Send contact updates (email, mailing address & phone number) to: Katherine Barrow [email protected] or call the league office 706-549-8688
Need to updateInfomation?
Sustainer Update
The Junior League Endowment
To make a contribution or a gift “in honor” or “in memory” of someone please makeyour checks payable to
“Junior League of Athens”.
Please note “Sustainer Endowment contribution” in the memo line of check and include memorial details. For more
information about the endowment, please contact Jane Begnaud at
Update Your Information
Please send contact updates (email, mailing address &
phone number) to: Katherine Barrow
[email protected] or call the league office at
706-549-8688
Membership Renewal
Renew your membership now for the
2014-15 League YearPlease send $75 payable to
“The Junior League of Athens”
Please join us for a Celebration of Kay Glenn’s Life on Saturday, January 10 at 2 pm at the Morton Theatre in downtown Athens. At Kay’s request, please wear bright colors. It will be
a special time to honor Kay with the many of you who loved her so.
We appreciate your love, care and con-cern and look forward to celebrating
Kay with you.
Mail dues or Endowment Checks to:
JLA634 Prince AvenueAthens, Ga. 30601
Blast from the Past:
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Junior League Membership Requirements
Membership Dues are due by March 1
MEMBERSHIP STATUS
RESPONSIBILITIES NOTES
Provisional Pay Provisional program fee Attend all Provisional meetings Attend at least 6 General meetings
Complete at least 1 Community Service activity Complete Provisional Project Participate in annual Ways & Means Projects as required Complete a Signature Project Shift Complete annual Ways & Means financial responsibilities (e.g., Bargainza quota, Fall Event tickets)
Provisional members must complete the Provisional program within the 1st year in the League, unless extenuating circumstances prevent them from doing so. Provisional members do not hold elected office, vote on certain issues.
Active Pay Active member dues Attend at least 6 General meetings Complete at least 2 Community Service activities Complete all requirements of the Placement Committee Participate in annual Ways & Means Projects as required Complete a Cookbook Shift Complete a Signature Project Shift Complete annual Ways & Means financial responsibilities (e.g., Bargainza quota and Fall Event tickets)
Excused from responsibilities only if on leave; types of leave vary to accommodate members’ varied circumstances.
Senior Active Pay Active member dues Attend at least 4 General meetings Complete at least 2 Community Service activities Complete all requirements of the Placement committee Participate in annual Ways & Means Project (Fall Event) OR Cookbook Shift Participate in annual Ways & Means Project (Bargainza) OR Signature Project Shift
Senior Active members may vote and hold elected office.
Transfer Attend General meetings Complete all requirements of the Placement committee Participate in Ways & Means Projects Complete a Cookbook Shift Complete a Signature Project Shift Complete Ways & Means financial responsibilities (e.g., Bargainza quota and Fall Event Tickets)
All Transfer members’ responsibilities are pro-rated to the date the member transfers into the League.
Non Resident Active Pay Active Member Dues
Sustaining Pay Sustaining member dues Emeritus No responsibilities
Non-Resident, Sustaining, & Emeritus have all rights and privileges Actives have, but may not vote/hold elected office.
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Almost 6 decades of leadership were rep-resented at the Taylor Grady House on December 11th as past and future Junior League Presidents gathered for the annual Past Presidents Luncheon. The tables were adorned with vintage books and a bounty of photos from past League and Assembly events to celebrate “Our Story”.
Past President Erin Podvin gave a State of the League address on the recent activies. Jane Begnaud, Endowment Board Presi-dent, accepted a generous donation from Past President and local author, Charlotte Marshall.
President-Elect Michelle Dickens, encour-aged the group to reflect on the history of the Junior League of Athens as we move into our 80th Year of Service in the community. A small journal and bookmark was gifted to each guest as a reminder that while the Junior League of Athens had a huge part in writing the story of each woman in that room, each woman in that room had a huge part in writing the story of the Junior League of Athens.
Sams Family Visits the Taylor Grady House!
Past Presidents Luncheon: Celebrating Our Story
Albert D. Sams:For several decades before his death in 1986, Albert Dobbs Sams was dedicated to the preservation of Athens, Georgia’s historic properties. A driving force behind several house mu-seum restorations, Albert Sams was integral in furnishing them with donations of period antiques. He was also Presi-dent of the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Athens.
Importance to the Taylor Grady HouseSams was well-known for his involvement in the communi-ty through his church and many separate organizations. He and his sons were concerned with the preservation of Athens history, and had key roles in the listing of properties on the National Historic Registry, and even in the restoration of buildings such as the Taylor-Grady House.
He assisted the Athens Junior Assembly in the restoration of the Taylor-Grady House before it officially opened to the public on May 23, 1969. Numerous Athenians contributed to the project, but Albert Sams is credited as “perhaps the largest contributor, who not only…donated most of the fur-nishings of the house, but…acted as advisor as to the type of furnishings that should be used in keeping with the peri-od. An appraisal was conducted for all of the items housed within the Taylor Grady House to determine the estimated market value and Mr. Sams donation value was calculated as hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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Community Service
For information about upcoming volunteer opportunities check closureware or email Ansley Crisler at [email protected]
As we begin 2015, let us reflect on how we are improving literacy in the Athens commu-nity. Volunteering can directly improve our literacy efforts, and we are adding a second shift for the Books For Keeps Warehouse be-ginning in January.
If you have participated in Ways & Means Proj-ects (which provide funding for mini-grants), then you have also indirectly improved litera-cy in our community. One recipient of the The Jeanette Rankin Women’s Scholarship fund writes,
“I am nearly 45 years old. I can hardly imagine the person I was before I started school just six years ago. As someone who barely com-pleted her 8th grade education, I never knew I could achieve so much....Higher education offers a pathway out of oppression and un-
healthful cycles toward a future of hope and competence. I am extremely grateful for the help I have received along the way and am particularly appreciative to the Jeannette Rankin Fund and their supporters.”
-Julie, Jeannette Rankin scholar
There are many ways you can directly and in-directly improve literacy in Athens. Don’t for-get to check Tuesday Tidbits for more informa-tion & sign up on CLOSERWARE to volunteer!
In 2015, we will continue to collect spare change at General Meetings for Change for Change. These funds will be distributed among 3 organizations who specifically re-quested funding for transportation to educa-tional classes: Athens Area Homeless Shelter, AIDS Athens, and Action Ministries.
Please remember to bring backpacks & school supplies to the Make A Differ-ence Drive at the January General Meeting benefitting Casa de Amistad. There
will be a prize for one member who donates to the MADDrive!
Ansley Crisler, Community Service ChairLaura Ambrose, Community Service Co-Chair
Is there someone who you think should be recognized for their exceptional efforts in the community this year?
The Junior League of Athens is seeking nominations for our annual Community Service Awards!! The Community Ser-vice Awards are designed to recognize outstanding volunteer efforts that have made a significant and positive impact in the community. Awards will be given to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism in the following four areas: Teen Volunteer of the Year, Collegian Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement. The outstanding volunteers will be recognized Monday, April 13, at the Holiday Inn at 6:30pm during our April General Membership meeting. The awards nomination form can be found at www.juniorleagueofathens.org.
Junior League of Athens Community Service Awards nomination forms are due by March 16, 2015. For additional infor-mation, please call 706.549-8688.
This is the Junior League of Athens and Athens First Bank and Trust’s 20th year celebrating our community volunteer achievements. Send your nomination today!
2015 Community Service Volunteer Award Nominations Needed
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Junior League JourneyOur next installment Junior League Journeys is from Placement Advisor, Lucy Gillis…
Placement
I joined the League in 2007 as a provisional. Although I was then an “official” part of the League, I had been involved for pretty much my whole life. My mother and grandmothers had been members of the Junior Assembly (as JLA was known previously) and both grandmothers served as president. I grew up with fond memories of mom working the Coffee Clinic at Athens Regional and practicing, and performing (!) for the Follies. When I moved back to Athens after college and working in other places, it seemed like it was the right time to begin my own JLA experience.
Growing up here, I thought I knew everything about the town. But things changed and I felt disconnected after being away for a few years. A big part of my motivation to join the League was community service, and that is where my path began.
As a member of Community Service, I learned about the needs in Athens and just how much the League does. The Food 2 Kids program was just starting, and it was fascinating for me to witness the power of this group of women.
I co-chaired and chaired the Community Service committee when the League changed the Mini-Grant system and our committee took over the responsibility. There were some growing pains and it was a lot of hard work, but it was wonderful to positively impact our community and the League itself. Those two years also involved more education on the nuts and bolts of the League as a whole: the council system, the board, budgets, etc. It was fun to see firsthand how the pieces fit together.
In my fourth active year, I had my first board position as Community Council VP. It was really fun for me to run a council; we all problem solved together. As a VP, I was there to support the leaders of the League and as a board member, I was part of a group helping support the League itself. Being a board member was a whole new ballgame, and I really enjoyed it. For me, it was a lot less busy work and I learned a lot more of the ‘big picture’ stuff.
My second board year was spent as Membership Council VP and this provided more insight into the inner workings of the League. I worked with different committees and facets of the League than I had as Community Council VP. The job also prepared me for my next year as Nominating chair.
Leading the Nominating committee was one of my favorite responsibilities. I never knew how important it was! Even though we operated primarily behind the scenes, our committee shaped the direction of the League by selecting its leaders.
This year, I am a member of Placement and Membership Support. I also serve on the Nominating committee as past-chair. I hope to bring my League experience and knowledge to both roles and act as more of an advisor rather than leader. This year, more than any, I feel like I am entering the last moments of my time as an active member. This realization has caused me to look back and reflect on a lot-what I have learned, who I have met, what I have done, what we have done…together. It is pretty remarkable, and I am so proud to have been a part of it.
Placement Advisor: Lucy GillisFirst Active Year: 2008
It’s hard to believe it’s January already! It’s time to think about your Committee Placement
for the 2015-2016 year.
Placement Request Forms are due February 20. Your placement advisor will speak with you one-on-one to find out what you’d like to do in the future. Once you speak with your placement advisor, you can complete the Placement Request Form, which will be available in the Member Section of the JLA website. Questions to consider prior to speaking with your advisor:
-How has your current year placement gone? -Do you have any feedback regarding the committee?-Are you willing to serve in current placement again?
-Are there any skills that you would like to gain through a placement?-What are your goals for your time in the League?
-Is leadership something that interests you?-What committees interest you?
If you have any placement questions, please email Julie McGinty ([email protected])
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It’s Recruiting Time!Do you know anyone interested in joining the Junior League of Athens? NOW is the time to reach out to them! Have them complete the Membership Interest Form on the Membership tab on the Junior League of Athens website (juniorleagueofathens.org). Reach out to interested friends and co-workers today!We will begin monthly drop-ins in January! Drop-ins are “come-as-you-are” and stay as long as your schedule permits. They will generally be from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The first drop-in is Thursday, January 8 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Normal Bar on Prince Avenue.Prospective Member Drop-in Schedule
Thursday, January 8 ~Normal Bar Tuesday, February 3~Puerto de Sol Thursday, March 19~Bargainza League Night Monday, April 13~JLA General Meeting Monday, May 4~Alta Moda Thursday, June 4~Georgia Museum of Art
Nominating Committee
Proposed Slate 2015-2016 Board of Directors
The Nominating Committee met on November 16th to review applications and nominations for leadership positions and slate the Board of Directors for the 2015-2016 League Year. Here below is the proposed slate as we voted upon it. All candidates who were slated have been contacted and have indicated their willingness to serve in the role if the slate is accepted by the Board and general membership. Respectfully submitted, Laurie Wilburn Bailey Nominating Chair
Position Candidate President Michelle Dickens President-Elect Julie McGinty Treasurer Jennifer Register Assistant Treasurer Katie Waters Nominating Chair Pattie Strickland Membership Council VP Joi Akridge Community Council VP Lauren Williams Finance Council VP Caitlin Askins Communications VP Daynes Mackey Recording Secretary Kate Crosby Community Partners Chair Deanne Rosso Community Partners Co-Chair Mariah Thaxton Parliamentarian* TBD- Appointed by President Sustainer Representative* TBD- Appointed by President NB: Positions denoted in italics are those that automatically move up based upon their previous election to their current position.
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Nominating Committee
Get to know the Slate!Michelle Dickens - President: Michelle Dickens joined the League in 2006. Her initial placement was on Bargainza, where she served as a member for two years before serving as chair in 2009. She has served as co-trainer and trainer for the New Member Class, on the Board of Directors as Vice President of the Finance Council, as the Community Council Vice President, and is currently serving as our President Elect. Michelle holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Psychology from Georgia College and State University. She is a Victim Advocate with the Office of the District Attorney and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Georgia College and State University and Georgia Military College for over 10 years. Michelle resides in
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Farmington with her husband of almost 11 years, Heath, and their two sons, Kaleb and Jace.
Julie McGinty - President Elect: Julie McGinty joined the League in 2004. Now in her tenth active year, she has served the League on CRPD, chair and co-chair of Future Planning, co-chair of Communi-ty Service, Finance Council Vice President, Membership Council Vice President, and Nominating Chair. She also served on the Area III Conference committee in 2012. For the past two years, she has served as chair of Placement and Membership Support. Julie, a native of Savannah, moved to Athens in 1997 to attend UGA. There she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting. She is a CPA and since 2009, she has served as a part-time instructor of Federal taxation at UGA. Julie is active in her church, First
Baptist Church, Athens, where she serves as chair of the Finance Committee and as a trustee of the First Baptist Church Foundation. This past summer, she served as chair of the Budget Preparation Committee and director of Vacation Bible School. She is also a past member of the board of directors for Books for Keeps, where she gained valuable experience as a board member and learned about literacy efforts in Athens. She is a graduate of L.E.A.D Athens, a program of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Johnathan, have been married for thirteen years and have a 7-year-old daughter, Emma Kate.
Jennifer Register - Treasurer: Jennifer Register joined the Junior League of Athens in 2011. During her time as an active member of the JLA, she has served as the Public Affairs co-chair and currently serves on the Board as the Assistant Treasurer. In addition to the League, Jennifer is a licensed attorney and fit-ness instructor. In her free time Jennifer likes to travel and spend time with her family.
Katie Waters - Assistant Treasurer: Katie Waters is a Financial Planner and owns Stable Waters Financial. This is her second active year in the league and her second year on the Public Affairs committee, which she currently chairs. Katie has been involved with many non-profits for the past 15 years including It's the Journey, Inc., the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary in Athens, and has served as the Banquet Chair for the Big Hearts Pageant hosted by Extra Special People, Inc. for the past two years. She believes in servant leadership and is not afraid of work. Katie is married to Bran-don Waters, a native Athenian. She has two Yorkies (Tallulah and Cooper) and one black cat (Maverick).
When she's not traveling, she's usually planning her next adventure. Other hobbies include: throwing down in the kitchen whenever she can find the time and reading. As a financial planner for the past eight years, she has mastered the art of budgeting, for both individuals and organizations. Her time on the Atlanta 2 Day Walk board allowed her to discover and refine a talent for managing the budget and cash flow of a non-profit organization. As a business owner, she recognizes a calculated risk from a needless one and has mastered some serious strategic planning skills.
Pattie Strickland - Nominating Chair: Pattie Strickland joined the Junior League in 2008 & has served as Cookbook Committee Chair (2 years), as Communications Vice President, as Provisional Co-Trainer/Co-Chair & Trainer/Chair and currently as Membership Council Vice President /Nominating Co-Chair. A regular Jeanette Rankin scholarship application reviewer, she is a member of the Morton The-atre Corporation. A graduate of Georgia State University, she works in the Office of Development & Alum-ni Relations at UGAs Terry College of Business. In her spare time, Pattie enjoys traveling, reading, cooking for large crowds, & spending time with family. She lives in Athens with her two dogs, Rosie & Dottie.
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Joi Akridge - Membership Council Vice President: Raised in Carrollton, Joi Akridge is truly a Geor-gia girl through and through. She is a graduate of The University of Georgia, has recently obtained her Juris Doctorate, and is now a practicing attorney. Becoming an attorney was a life-long dream and a great example of why you should never give up on your dreams and what you can accomplish with a lot of deter-mination and encouragement. Joi has a passion for supporting, educating and improving the lives of women and creating a culture of community ownership, commitment, and involvement in Athens. She joined the
league in 2012, co-chaired the Cookbook Committee in 2013 and is the current chair. She is honored to be considered to serve the JLA membership over the next few years on the Board.Joi lives with her husband Ben, their dogs Bella and Gen-ki, and their cats Juris and Lois. They assist in the care of Ben’s youngest brother Trey who has Down's Syndrome. Joi and Ben share a passion for helping the Athens community. They run the Challenger League, a baseball team for adults and children with disabilities, and are active in their enthusiasm and support of Extra Special People and music programs such as Nuci's Space. They love to travel. If they are not on the road supporting the Georgia Bulldogs or in search of great music, then you can bet they are off in search of an adventure somewhere.
Lauren Williams - Community Council Vice President: Lauren Williams joined the League in 2009. During her time as an active in the League, she has served as a member of the Bargainza Committee, Co-Chair and Chair of Bargainza, Assistant Treasurer, and currently serves on the Board as the Treasur-er. In addition to the League, Lauren is involved with the Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary, Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, Zeta Tau Alpha Athens Alumnae Chapter, Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, and is a 2012 graduate of L.E.A.D. Athens. She just started a new position at Athens Technical College in Sep-
tember as the Special Populations Coordinator. During her free time, Lauren likes to read, travel, and attending various concerts at the Performing Arts Center at UGA.
Caitlin Askins - Finance Council Vice President: Caitlin Askins is currently serving her third ac-tive year in the League and has served on the Bargainza committee for all three years. While Bargainza is definitely a team effort to make this event a success, Caitlin’s primary focus was on the budget and finances for much of last year. It is important to her that the League does everything we can to be prudent in our spending and fruitful in our fundraising, so that we can support the organizations that do so much for our community. Caitlin is a 7th grade social studies teacher at Loganville Middle School. She has been teaching
for 8 years. The issue of illiteracy is obviously an important one to her as every day she sees the consequences of this issue as students struggle to learn and achieve academically. Caitlin is currently the social studies department chair (has been for three years) and prior to that was the 7th grade level chair. She is also a coach for cross country and track and field. Caitlin loves her job and believes that teaching is her gift.
Daynes Parker - Communications Vice President: Daynes Parker is a third year active in the league and currently serves as the Taylor Grady House/Hospitality Chair. Over the past three years in the league she has worked closely with community members, sustainers, and active league members planning events, organizing, and developing long term goals for the Taylor Grady House. The most important skills she has learned during her time in the league are the value of teamwork and the importance of seeking input from a diverse sampling of people in order to get the best output. Her favorite league activity is decorating the
Taylor Grady House for Christmas.Daynes works for Madison Consulting Group doing terribly exciting insurance regulatory stuff. She moved to Athens from Alpharetta some years ago and currently lives with her husband Brian in a home which her step cat, Joey, graciously allows her to share. In her spare time, you can probably catch Daynes in her car either shaking it off or obsessing over Serial.
Katherine Crosby - Recording Secretary: Katherine Crosby is a fourth year active member in the League, joining the Junior League of Athens in 2010 to be a part of the collective efforts of talented and giving women. As a new member, committee member (on Marketplace, a previous Ways & Means event), committee chair (Fall Event), and board member (currently Parliamentarian), Katherine has had the privi-lege of seeing how JLA works from different perspectives. She is passionate about and committed to serv-ing the Athens-Clarke County community. Katherine is currently a graduate student at the University of
Georgia where she is studying psychology. Through her graduate education and professional experience, she has become familiar with the people of Athens and considers it home. In addition to school and JLA, Katherine is actively involved with Downtown Ministries, where she has served as a volunteer and board member.
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Deanne Rosso - Community Partners Chair: Deanne Rosso joined the JLA in 2011. During her time as a new member, Deanne served as a sub-committee chair for the Kids in the Kitchen project, where her committee implemented a healthy-eating menu delivery to all Athens-Clarke County elementary school children. For two years, Deanne served as Chair of the Signature Project committee, which planned and hosted the League’s inaugural Bookin’ It 15k in 2013. Currently Deanne serves on the Board as the Com-munity Partners Co-Chair. Outside of the League, Deanne is a Certified Financial Planner with Vickery
Financial Services, Inc. She and her husband Brandon live in Bishop with their son, Blake.
Mariah Thaxton - Community Partners Co-Chair: Mariah is originally from Milledgeville Georgia where she grew up in a large family of six brothers and two sisters. She had the privilege of meeting her husband JW while he was in college at GCSU and he promptly moved her out of town! Mariah earned a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the (then) Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and graduated in 2009. So far she has worked in both cardiology as well as emergency medicine. Currently Mariah is employed by the ER physicians group at St. Mary's hospital and can be found there most days
of the week. Mariah joined JLA three years ago as a way of getting involved in the community and to meet other women with similar life goals. For the first time since moving to Athens, she feels like she has a community that she is a part of. She is looking forward to many more years with the League!
Nominating Committee News…The leadership of the Junior League of Athens plays a vital role in the execution of the League’s mission: to promote vol-untarism, develop the potential of women, and improve communities through the effective action and LEADERSHIP of trained volunteers.
The leadership team of JLA is comprised of the board of directors and committee chairs and co-chairs. The leadership team is selected by the Nominating committee who, after reviewing applications, prepares a slate of positions and chosen members to present to the general membership for vote.
Board: The Board of Directors will be voted on at the January General meeting. Please see the proposed slate in this edition of Junior Directions and get to know them by reading their bios.
WE NEED YOU! Want to make a difference in your community, help JLA continue to be a catalyst for change in the commu-nity AND have the opportunity for personal growth and development? Chairs and co-chairs are needed for each commit-tee of the League. Please consider how you will use your skills and talents as a leader in the Junior League of Athens and let us know that you are interested in one of these roles! Don't wait to be asked…we may not know you are interested and would hate to miss out the opportunity to have strong, effective leaders in these roles.
What's in it for you? Not only will you gain valuable hands-on leadership training within JLA, serving as Chair or Co-Chair will strengthen current skills while you gain new ones, preparing you to be an effective community volunteer. You will gain experience and skills that you can use at work, in other nonprofits, on other boards, and in your home life. It's also a way to learn more about the League and to begin a career path to other positions, such as Board positions including leading the League as President.
Applications: During the month of January, the Nominating committee will accept applications for chair and co-chair posi-tions. To be eligible for a chair or co-chair position, a member must be in good standing. Most chair and co-chair positions do not require prior committee experience.
To apply, complete the application at http://goo.gl/AEuWH7. Applications are due February 1. (If you are a currently a co-chair, please submit an application for the chair position so we know that you are interested in moving up to chair.)
Information relating to chair and co-chair positions is available on the JLA website. If you have a question regarding a certain committee, feel free to contact the current chair, co-chair or your placement advisor. When applying for a co-chair position, please keep in mind that your intent should be to move into the chair position the following year. If you have con-cerns regarding this intent, please explain in your application.
If you have any questions, please contact Laurie Wilburn Bailey (Nominating chair) at [email protected].
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Bargainza
We are gearing up for Bargainza! This is one of our League’s biggest fundraisers. Help us to make it the best that it can be!
Mark your Calendars! Our HUGE thrift sale, Bargainza, will take place March 19-‐21, 2015, at Athens Arena, 280 Commerce Boulevard in Bogart. League-‐Sustainer Night—our exclusive shopping night open only to members, sustainers and their guests—will be Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 P.M. Of course, our members will be in full gear the entire week before setting up this amazing sale. It will be here before we know it!
Calling for all Amazing Donations! The Bargainza committee is working hard to make Bargainza 2015 our most successful sale ever, but WE NEED YOU—our members, new members and sustainers! As you clean out your houses after the Holidays, don’t forget the opportunity to donate to Bargainza.
Members, in our continued effort to increase the quality of our thrift items, we are bringing back the Royalty Program. We will have amazing prizes to incentive people to participate. The more you donate, the better the benefit. Here is how the Royalty Program Works:
• Queen Level – o Qualification: The member must donate $1,000 of quota. o Benefits: (1) Exempt from all shift requirements, (2) Receive an amazing prize, and (3)
Shop League-‐Sustainer Night early (before general admission at 6:00 P.M.)! • Princess Level –
o Qualification: The member must donate $750 worth of quota. o Benefits: (1) Exempt from all your shifts, and (2) Shop League-‐Sustainer Night early
(before general admission at 6:00 P.M.)! • Duchess Level –
o Qualification: The member must donate $500 worth of quota. o Benefit: Shop before everyone else on League/Sustainer Night early (before general
admission at 6:00 P.M.)!
A few things to note: If you are interested in being a member of the Royalty Program, notify the Bargainza Committee by February 1st, 2015. You will price your items with members of the committee, who will verify your quota. There are only 5 spots for Queen, so let us know soon!
NOTE: Any member who can secure a trip for us to give as a prize to a Queen will be exempt from both shifts! If you think you have a trip, please let us know as soon as you can.
FINALLY: We are working out some exciting new opportunities for this year’s event. Look for more details to come in January!
Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any immediate questions, ideas or concerns!
~ The Bargainza Committee 2015
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TGH/ Hospitality Daynes Mackey/ Stacey Hilliard
Thank you to everyone who came out to Jingle Mingle and Cookies with Santa. We hope that you had as much fun as we did!
We are excited about Spring at The Taylor Grady House:
We want your photos, fliers, and other documents from your time in JLA! Please send these to [email protected] to include in our do-nation to the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library at UGA.
Please be on the lookout for opportunities to show the House some love on our Spring Clean-ing day!
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January Community Partner
This month’s featured sponsor is Benson’s Hospitality Group, which is the parent company for the Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Springhill Suites and Hilton Garden Inn. Our members know what a treat it is to have our monthly meetings at the Holiday Inn. The friendly staff at the Holiday Inn always does a great job looking after JLA, and always makes us feel right at home! You will find that same great hospitality at all four of the Benson Hospitality Group properties.
For a touch of luxury in the Classic City, consider the Hilton Garden Inn. The Hilton Garden Inn is an exceptional hotel in Athens, GA, and is located in the heart of historic downtown Athens. The Hotel is located across the street from The Classic Center, the premier award winning convention center and performing arts theatre in northeast Georgia.
Located in beautiful Oconee County, Spring Hill Suites by Marriott offers visitors the best of North Georgia culture right outside their windows. Spring Hill Suites is conveniently located for travelers looking for both city excitement and natural beauty. Begin your journey the right way with the sophisticated warmth and unsurpassed amenities of the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott.
The Holiday Inn Athens is located in the heart of vibrant Downtown Athens, and travelers will immediately appreciate the well-appointed amenities of this outstanding full service hotel. The central location of The Holiday Inn allows easy access to all points of interest within the Classic City.
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel is conveniently located just two blocks from the University of Georgia in the heart of downtown Athens. With fantastic amenities, stay smart at the Holiday Inn Express.
Regardless of whether you have guests coming into town, a conference to plan for work, or just need a night away, give the friendly staff at one of the properties a call.
www.hi-athens.com
With the support of our Community Partners, the Junior League of Athens is better equipped to further our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the
community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information on JLA Community Partnerships,
contact Deanne Rosso at [email protected].
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Community Partners 2013-2014
DIAMOND LEVEL PLATINUM LEVEL GOLD LEVEL
SILVER LEVELAlways, Always Flowers • Bulldawg Illustrated • Lindsay Mayflower
Southern Distinction Magazine • Wingate Downs Photography
BRONZE LEVELAllstate Insurance • Athens First Bank and Trust • Athens Parent Magazine
Athens Regional Medical Center • Ciné • Consultants Unlimited • Global Escapes Travel • JHP PotteryJWR Jewelers • Massage Envy • Piedmont Impressions • Satisfactory • The Body Shop of Athens
FRIEND OF THE LEAGUEAthens Diagnostic Center • Belk • Carl A. Blount Insurance • Chase Street Storage • Em’s Kitchen on Hawthorne
Partner Technology • SCANA Energy • Urban Sanctuary
MEMBERS CIRCLEChick-fil-a • DM3 Salon • Plain Jane • Stoltz Business Services
The Junior League of Athens634 Prince Avenue
Athens, Geogia 30601
www.juniorleagueofathens.org
Printing Provided By:The Athens Printing Company
Periodicals PostagePAID
Athens GA 30601Permit #035600
Oonagh Benson: [email protected] Rooss: [email protected]
Junior Directions (USPS 035600) is published monthly except July and August by the Junior League of Athens,
at 634 Prince Avenue, Georgia 30601. Periodicals postage paid at Athens, GA.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Junior Direc-tions, 634 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601.
SilverAlways, Always Flowers; Bulldawg Illustrated; Courtney Rosen Photography; Occasionally Ellyn Jeanne; Wingate
Downs Photography; Southern Distinction
BronzeAllstate Insurance-Merryn Walker; Athens First Bank & Trust; Athens Parent Magazine; Athens Regional Medi-
cal Center; Cine; Global Escapes; JWR Jewelers & Engravers; Lindsay Mayflower; Piedmond Impressions/Greater Georgia Printers; satisfactory; Thomas Built Cabinets; Vickery Financial Services, Inc.
Friend of the LeagueAthens Diagnostic Center; Belk; Carl A. Blount Insurance; Chase Street Storage; Chick-fil-A Beechwood/Atlanta Highway/Barnett Shoals; Em’s Kitchen; Georgia Plastic Surgery & Reconstructive Care; Georgia Power; Partner
Technology; Plain Jane Designs; SCANA Energy; The Sign Brothers; Urban Sanctuary Spa
Member’s Circle Melissa Pepin Photography; Yuva Medical Spa
2014-2015