JLW Chair Extraordinaire- Amy Shuart

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and  become more, you are a leader."

- John Quincy Adams

We are proud to honor Amy Shuart, chair of Resolution Read, as JLW Chair Extraordinaire. A fourth-year Active, Amy has risen to the challenge of managing a committee that is fully immersed in the goal of donating and distributing 100,000 books in honor of our centennial anniversary. With moving parts that include multiple projects, distributions, budget negotiations and more, Amy has demonstrated tremendous leadership and grace. Her can-do attitude is contagious and children across the city, as well as her committee members, are benefiting from her dedication. Congratulations, Amy, and keep up the good work!

Did you know there are more than 125 leadership positions in the JLW?  Each year, an amazing group of women answer the call to serve and their talent and skills form the support structure upon which our organization runs. Just as we value and appreciate your membership, we appreciate their service. The JLW Chair Extraordinaire is a new award for our Centennial year. Each month, council directors may nominate a leader for consideration and one chair will be recognized by the president.

Enchanting DC Kids, With Books!

[Photo Credit: Reading is Fundamental]

Magic happens when you give books to children, as Junior League of Washington (JLW) member and Celebrations Committee Co-Chair Sloane Hurst quickly learned in December 2012.

Participating in one of three book distributions as a part our Centennial celebration, Sloane said, “I cried my eyes out when a little first grader ran up to me and hugged me to say thank you for her OWN book! She asked me if she had to share it and I said that when she was done reading it she should give it to another little girl.”

The December event featured Paul Zelinsky, illustrator of Z is for a Moose who gave an engaging talk to the kids, sharing an animated storyline involving the moose. The kids then had the opportunity to tell Paul what they thought a “zmoose" looked like as he drew their description. The experience was truly “out of the mouths of babes,” including a flying turtle and shoes for the moose.



The power of ownership and reading is strong. In February, Junior League of Washington members will deliver over 10,000 books to children in the DC area including several distributions on February 5th, the second of three designated distribution days the JLW is hosting this year with Reading is Fundamental (RIF). 

Bringing 10,000 books (and 10,000 smiles) to DC Public and Charter School students is no small task—but  you can help “enchant” kids with books and share your love of reading by volunteering at one of the many February distributions, including those scheduled for February 5th.

RIF was founded with the mission to motivate children to have a lifelong, life-changing love of reading. This ignites a hunger for knowledge and a passion for learning.  The JLW is partnering with RIF to distribute over 30,000 books to DC area students in DC Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8.  The JLW-RIF partnership is a large component of the JLW’s Resolution Read effort to distribute 100,000 new books to kids in the greater Washington, DC area in celebration of JLW’s Centennial year.

The fact is nearly two-thirds of low-income families in the U.S. own no books.

Eyes sparkle, smiles emerge, and imagination comes alive when children are given the opportunity to own a book. During distribution shifts, JLW volunteers give individual attention to children when selecting books, help children write their name on their new books, read aloud to children, and offer a host of other small activities that will foster a passion for books and reading.

Join us for this magical experience at one of the several JLW Resolution Read distributions in February and check the website often for distribution opportunities to be scheduled for the rest of the JLW year!

One book can make a difference—and to help remember that, here is a catchy jingle:

JLW Chair Extraordinaire

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
- John Quincy Adams

We are proud to honor Biffy Cathcart, chair of the Horton’s Kids committee, as JLW Chair Extraordinaire.  A third-year Active, Biffy has served on Horton’s Kids since 2010. Her conscientious leadership and  careful attention to detail have ensured a successful placement for her committee members, as well as for our community partner.  Congratulations, Biffy and keep up the good work!

Did you know there are more than 125 leadership positions in the JLW?  Each year, an amazing group of women answer the call to serve and their talent and skills form the support structure upon which our organization runs.  Just as we value and appreciate your membership, we appreciate their service.  The JLW Chair Extraordinaire is a new award for our Centennial year.  Each month, council directors may nominate a leader for consideration and one chair will be recognized by the president.  

JLW Marketplace Virtual Pop-Up Shop

During this holiday shopping season, you can cross multiple names off of your list with just one stop at JLW Marketplace.  Check out some of the unique items available now…

Order your annual holiday party invitations and greeting cards through JLW Marketplace and 15% of your order goes back to the League.  There are dozens of designs, ranging from traditional to modern – you can even customize your envelope liner!

 

Decorate your Christmas tree with a beautiful JLW Centennial Celebrations glass ornament – priced at $35.  These commemorative ornaments would make a lovely gift for a fellow JLW friend or even Junior League family members back home!

Here are some more JLW Centennial Celebrations items – these convenient May Books (www.maybooks.com) notebooks, only $8, would make a great gift for your favorite woman on the go!  May books’ notebooks were featured on Good Morning America.  Ditto for this acrylic tumbler with lid and straw available for $20.

Who doesn’t love a great monogram?  Gift your friends and family with these adorable acrylic monogramed ice buckets and lucite trays.  These would make a great holiday or wedding gift for the newlyweds in your life.

And show off your JLW love around town in this zip up jacket $75, or with a JLW branded Vineyard Vines canvas bag. Bags are $95 and the matching keychain is only $25.

To purchase any of the JLW items above, email JLW Marketplace at jlwmarketplace@gmail.com.

JLW Strategic Plan 2012 – 2017

The new five year Strategic Plan is built on three main goals: Building Community Impact, Building the JLW Brand, and Building an Internal Sense of Community. These three goals are not mutually exclusive, but work together as the JLW moves into its second century. Please take a look at the new Strategic Plan which can be found on the JLW website under Resources: JLW Strategic Plan, 2012-2017.

The genesis of the new plan dates back to the subcommittee of the 2010-2011 Strategic Planning Committee which laid the groundwork for the plan through a series of interviews with members of JLW leadership and evaluation of JLW Membership Survey results.

The 2012-2013 Strategic Planning Committee is meeting with the Councils to assist in implementing the new Strategic Plan and getting the word out throughout the JLW membership. Using the Strategic Plan, the 2012-2013 Board has created its own annual plan to implement the goals of the Strategic Plan.

Over the next few months we will explore the impact of the goals on the community, on our literacy focus and on our JLW membership. Think of what you and your committee could be doing to help the JLW meet and exceed the goals of the new Strategic Plan as we embark on our second 100 years. Please be on the lookout for themes from the Strategic Plan throughout our Centennial Year!