JLW Nominating Announcements

2016-2017 Board of Directors Slate; Committee Chair, Rising Chair and ACD Nominations Due Feb.1

The Nominating Committee would like to congratulate the following members on being slated to the 2016/17 JLW Board of Directors:

President: Elizabeth Keys
President-elect: Aimee Picard Soller
Treasurer: Erinn Colaianni
Vice Treasurer: Frazier Schulman
Secretary: Tracey Van Riper
Communications & Public Relations Council Director: Marta Hernandez
Community Affairs Council Director: Amy Shuart
Community Placements Council Director, Adult Literacy: Katherine Tyrrell
Community Placements Council Director, Cultural Literacy: Meghan Britt
Community Placements Council Director, Youth and Families: Sarah Berg
Membership Development Council Director: Courtney Mesmer
New Membership Council Director: Courtnay Davis
Nominating Committee Chair, Director at Large: Brooke Horiuchi
Strategic Planning Chair, Director at Large: Tycely Williams
Ways and Means Council Director: Diane Lebson

After being slated by the Nominating Committee to serve in a particular position, Board of Director candidates and Nominating Committee candidates are placed on the annual spring ballot for voting by active members of the JLW. Keep your eye out in the coming months for that announcement, and thank you in advance for voting!

In the interim, the Nominating Committee is accepting nominations and self nominations for committee chair, rising chair and assistant council director positions. Please submit a form, or nominate a deserving member, by Monday, Feb. 1.

1. Learn more about all of JLW's committees.
2. If you are generally willing to serve but unsure where your skills best fit, complete the "willing to serve" form.
3. Contact nominating@jlw.org with questions or comments.

Apply for the JLW Leadership Institute Get on Board 2016 Winter/Spring Training

The Junior League of Washington’s Membership Development Council and Development & Training Committee, in conjunction with President Cameron Gilreath and President-elect Elizabeth Keys, are pleased to announce the JLW Leadership Institute’s third Get On Board training. This four-part class is designed to provide JLW members with the knowledge and skills needed to serve on JLW’s Board of Directors or other nonprofit community boards. Topics will include roles and responsibilities of Boards, Board/staff relationships, strategic planning and financial oversight, and fundraising. The training is facilitated by BoardSource, a recognized leader in nonprofit governance.

All JLW members in good standing—actives, new members, transfers and sustainers—are eligible to apply.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST, on Friday, Dec. 4. Interested participants must fill out a short online application form here. Applicants must be committed to attend all four sessions, which will be held at JLW headquarters from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on:

• Tuesday, January 26
• Tuesday, February 23*
• Tuesday, March 29
• Tuesday, April 26 

*This meeting will either be held at JLW HQ or Winston & Strawn LLP offices in Washington, D.C. 

JLW members interested in attending but not able to commit to all four sessions are asked to defer their applications to the next session, which will be offered twice in 2016-17; dates TBD.

JLW will accept approximately 40 students into the Get On Board class. Should more than 40 women apply, participants will be selected by the President, President-elect and Membership Development Council Director. Preference will be given to current JLW board members and chairs. There is no cost to attend—JLW cover the fees associated with this training.

Applicants will be notified of their status via email by 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.

If you have any questions, please contact JLW Membership Council Director Courtney Mesmer at leadershipinstitute@jlw.org.

JLW Expands Volunteer Support for 2015 National Book Festival

Junior League of Washington Expands Volunteer Support for 2015 National Book Festival

400 Volunteers to Promote Literacy, Donate Time to the Library of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 2, 2015 -- The Junior League of Washington will expand its support of the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival (NBF) this year by providing 400 volunteers, up from 300 in 2014, to assist with the event. This is the 13th year the JLW has provided volunteers to help with various day-of tasks pertaining to the free festival, which is set to attract tens of thousands of attendees on Saturday, Sept. 5.

“The Junior League of Washington is proud of our extended history with the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival. We value the opportunity the festival provides for us to promote the importance of volunteerism while supporting an initiative that highlights the positive impact of books and literacy,” said Junior League of Washington President Cameron Gilreath.

From 2003 to 2014, almost 5,000 JLW volunteers have provided more than 31,000 volunteer hours to the NBF.

“We are committed to using our resources where we can have the largest community impact, which is why we focus on illiteracy, one of the greatest challenges facing the D.C. metro area. Our volunteers look forward to supporting this vibrant, influential event each year, and we are excited to increase our commitment to the Library of Congress and the festival,” Gilreath continued.

Gilreath also notes that the NBF occurs during National Literacy Month.

For the first time in its 13-year partnership, the NBF will highlight the JLW’s role as an important partner on the official festival poster. This is a tremendous opportunity to reflect the significant contributions provided by JLW volunteers. This year, more than 2,500 hours of volunteer service will be provided.

“We are thrilled our partnership with the Library of Congress and the National Book Festival has resulted in an even greater role for the Junior League of Washington,” said Gilreath.

The JLW, along with the Library of Congress, will welcome book enthusiasts and 175 authors to the NBF on Sept. 5. League volunteers are integral to the success of the event, helping attendees navigate the Washington Convention Center, directing patrons through the author and illustrator signing lines, managing traffic flow and answering questions.

“We appreciate the opportunity to grow and evolve alongside the festival, and look forward to once again providing the Library of Congress with an enthusiastic and committed volunteer force,” said Gilreath.

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ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WASHINGTON
Our Mission: The Junior League of Washington 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.

Our Focus: Our nearly 2,400 members volunteer at community agencies throughout the Washington Metro area, providing aid where their expertise is needed most. You can find us tutoring a child, mentoring parents at a daycare center for homeless children, serving on community boards, or delivering life skills seminars to community members in recovery programs. Since 1999, the JLW has focused our volunteer resources on literacy issues: adult, child, and cultural.

For more information, please visit www.jlw.org.

Thomas Jefferson Can’t Live Without Books, and Neither Can JLW Volunteers

The 15th annual Library of Congress (LOC) National Book Festival is this Saturday, Sept. 5, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center. More than 150 authors and illustrators, librarians from across the country, and new activities and presentations guarantee to make this year’s festival a worthwhile event.

Not only is this year the 15th anniversary, but the LOC is also celebrating another big milestone. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the LOC’s acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. As a tribute to the former president’s collection and love of books, the theme of the 2015 book festival is centered around a quote of Jefferson’s, “I cannot live without books.” This quote and theme is captured in the poster for this year’s festival, which was created by acclaimed illustrator and designer Peter de Sève!

Jefferson isn’t the only one who can’t live without books. By helping provide volunteers for the National Book Festival for the past 13 years, the Junior League of Washington has been able to help promote literacy in its community while assisting in the festival’s success every year. By volunteering at the festival, Junior League volunteers receive the chance to interact with amazing authors, help librarians across the country and make sure festival attendees have the best experience possible.

Some of the new offerings and activities at this year’s National Book Festival are highlighted below, but remember, while the festival continues to change and grow, one thing never changes—it is always a place for people who cannot live without books.

For the Romantics
At 7:15 p.m. National Public Radio’s Petra Mayer will emcee a program devoted to romance fiction, featuring romance authors Sarah MacLean, Beverly Jenkins and Paige Tyler.

Calling All Movie Lovers
At 8 p.m., A. Scott Berg, winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, will give an overview of Sam Goldwyn’s Hollywood and the rise of the film industry while “Washington Post” film critic Ann Hornaday will moderate a panel on the topic.

If you’re a History Buff
From 2:35 to 7:10 p.m., a variety of writers on war will discuss the human side of war and provide a tribute to the American war experience. Award-winning broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw will speak about his book “The Greatest Generation.” Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson will talk about human stories from his Liberation trilogy, National Book Award finalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran and co-author Howard Schultz will discuss their book on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and West Point Professor Elizabeth Samet will host a discussion with war novelists who have written about Iraq and Afghanistan.

JLW encourages you to tell your family and friends to attend the National Book Festival, or bring them with you when you go! If you want to stay up-to-date on all book festival news and activities, make sure to download the new National Book Festival app, which will include the complete schedule of author presentations, book signing lines and activities. Finally, thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer; your time and dedication is valued and appreciated by all who love books!

#JLWvol on Instagram

JLWdc is now on Instagram! Thanks to the members who asked JLW to create an account, and the fantastic submissions we've received for current events and Throwback Thursdays, the League’s Insta account is live and thriving.

Follow JLW on Instagram by clicking here or searching “3039M.” The PR & New Media Committee also encourages members to tag the League’s account when posting photos from JLW events; and as with all of our social media sharing, please use #JLWvol as your main hashtag.

August is also a great time to make sure you are connected to all of JLW’s social media accounts. The League has an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and makes frequent posts on the JLW blog. To learn more about how to share your committee’s content on one of the JLW’s numerous social platforms, email communications@jlw.org.

Bubbly With the Board

On January 12, 2015, the Junior League of Washington’s Membership Outreach Committee and Board of Directors hosted its fourth Bubbly with the Board (BWTB), a panel event designed to provide league member with an open forum to communicate with JLW leadership. More than 50 women attended.  

Women were welcomed to the Loughborough Room as champagne bottles popped and guests mingled and enjoyed the spread of food. At 7 p.m. attendees took their seats, as a panel of JLW board members, including President Jennifer Hemingway and President-elect Cameron Gilreath, began answering pre-submitted questions about: how to become more involved in leadership opportunities; maintaining a work/life/volunteer balance; the leagues positive impact on other area’s in the BOD member’s lives; and more.

“The Membership Outreach Committee sees this event as the perfect opportunity for members and the board alike to learn from one another in an intimate setting. The responses the board members provide are very candid, and that can also be said about the questions submitted. Both sides benefit from their attendance,” said Miranda McDaniel, chair of the Membership Outreach Committee.

Don’t Miss Out: Kids in the Kitchen – March 7

Did you miss out on the fun at Kids in the Kitchen in January?

Don’t worry – you have a second chance to join The Junior League of Washington for a free day of food, fitness, and fun on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. at the YMCA National Capital, 1771 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036.

If you like fun, kid-oriented exercise classes like Zumba…

If you like tasty and healthful snacks…

If you like fun arts and crafts, games, and getting your face painted…

And if you like free stuff – like goodie bags, raffle prizes, and more…

Then you will want to be at Kids in the Kitchen on March 7. We hope to see you there.

We’re also excited to have back for the third year in a row the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Mobile Dental Van – a truck that will provide free dental screenings for its visitors up to age 12.  

For more information, please visit: http://www.jlw.org/?nd=kidskitchen

Literacy Lab Winter Fun

Gingerbread men, snowman bookmarks, and holiday cards! The Literacy Lab Committee had a great time working on these crafts with the kids at the DC General homeless shelter during our winter holiday celebration.  The event was held in mid-December and focused on reading as well as holiday fun.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Literacy Lab Committee, we partner with the non-profit organization, The Literacy Lab, to assist with an early childhood literacy program for young children in two DC area homeless shelters.  The program is called Ready to Read and focuses on helping young children develop and practice early literacy skills.  During a typical session, JLW volunteers spend time reading, writing, and playing educational games with the children. When the committee began in 2012, we worked with kids in the DC General homeless shelter on Saturday mornings.  The program has since expanded and now the committee provides volunteers for Wednesday evening sessions at DC General as well as Saturday morning sessions at the New Beginnings shelter in Columbia Heights.

Our December holiday party gave the committee members and the children an opportunity to celebrate the season and participate in activities that we don't do during our regular weekly sessions. The most active part of the evening involved three craft projects.  With the help of JLW volunteers, each child had the opportunity to make and decorate a snowman bookmark, frost a gingerbread man cookie and make a holiday card for their family.  When the crafts were done, we read a holiday story and sang a few rounds of Christmas carols. Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells were particular favorites.  At the end of the party, each child had an opportunity to pick out books of their very own to take home with them.
                                          
The entire evening was gratifying and fun, and it was great to watch the kids carefully pick out their books and make their crafts. We're all looking forward to the next holiday event in February!

Bright Beginnings 5K, Register now!

Put your feet in motion at the Bright Beginnings 5K on March 7, 2015, for homeless children and families in DC.

Run, walk, join stroller brigade, or be a virtual runner!

All proceeds from the 5K directly support Bright Beginnings’ programming that prepares young children for kindergarten and helps their families get back on their feet.

Get registered now (here)! Prices go up on January 15!

Can’t make it on race day? You can still help by making a donation (here) to Bright Beginnings.

First Year in the Junior League

The summer of 2006 was my first real introduction to Washington, DC.  When I was younger
my family and I had made a few visits to see the sites, but it was not until my junior year of
college that I decided I wanted to work and live in the city.  That summer, my friends and I spent
many hot summer days in Georgetown, popping into shops and running around Georgetown
University and M Street. It was on those trips walking around the city, that I decided I wanted to
make a greater impact. I did not just want to live in D.C.; I wanted to be an active member of the
community.

I reached out to a friend who was in the Junior League of Washington (JLW) and went to the
first social meeting. I remember feeling a sense of community from the beginning.  Everyone
was so welcoming and genuinely friendly. My first year in JLW was one of the best; I enjoyed
the variety of activities in which we participated. From working at the Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial Library to setting up a dozen Christmas trees for the Holiday Shops, there was always
a flurry of excitement and connection. During my first year, I moved to a new area of the city.
The JLW neighborhood group embraced me and introduced me to my new surroundings.  We
met at many local eateries and coffee shops, and I have fond memories of sharing laughs and
experiences with my new neighbors and JLW members.

From cheering on the Nationals at baseball games, to volunteering at the National Book Festival,
I had a wonderful time and more importantly, I felt part of the city. I learned so much as a result
of joining the Junior League, from how to navigate public transportation to what members of our
community needed in support. It was a great introduction to the city that I now feel is my second
home.

I met one of my best friends Susan Schreiber through the JLW (pictured below). We had so much fun working  together on the Centennial Committee and we bonded over so many experiences in and outside of league work. Susan moved to Oregon last year to pursue her Ph.D. in Psychology and has
joined the Junior League of Portland but we still talk about league events and are connected
cross-country through our league work.  Looking back, I am so grateful that I made the decision
to join the JLW. I have meet new people that are now some of my closest friends and I feel
connected to the city in a way I would never have imagined possible.

“Getting to Know the JLW” Open Houses

The Junior League of Washington kicked off our recruitment season over the last few weeks by hosting two “Getting to Know the JLW” Open Houses, with women from across the greater DC community meeting Active and Sustaining members of the League.

Women interested in joining the Junior League of Washington gathered with League members for great conversation and light refreshments at the Loughborough House on September 21st and October 4th. Not only did women interested in joining get to meet other members, but they had the opportunity to ask a wide range of questions regarding our League work while also connecting with Sponsors who will assist them during the application process.

Member Recruitment will host three more “Getting to Know the JLW” Open Houses in the coming weeks.  Women interested in being apart of the 2015-2016 New Member Class should consider signing up to attend a Member Recruitment event!

Photo 1: President Jennifer Hemingway and President-Elect Cameron Gilreath (Shown with Member Recruitment Chairs Sarah Meyer Walsh and Erin Miller) showed their support of the JLW recruitment efforts and the October 4th “Getting to Know the JLW” Open House

Photo 2: Member Recruitment committee members, Mandy Asgeirsson and Katherine Rodriguez, prep the Loughborough Room for the October 4th “Getting to Know the JLW” Open House

Author Sarah Pekkanen One of Many to Speak at JLW Book Club

Summer may be winding down, but that book you can’t put down doesn’t have to be packed away with your shorts and sandals. International bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen writes those books. Pekkanen’s women’s fiction—or “chick lit”—genre of books are guaranteed to be a good read year round.

Her latest book, Catching Air, is the fifth of her published works. Hoda Kotb of the Today Show said she was “flying through the pages” and People magazine remarked, “Pekkanen's wry voice and engaging characters keeps things fresh.” Other works by Pekkanen include These Girls, Skipping a Beat, The Opposite of Me and The Best of Us. Her next novel is due out in spring 2015.
As a mom of three boys she says she has penned at least half of one of her books inside of Chuck E. Cheese, literally, and got her start at the ripe age of 10. She also has worked as an on-air correspondent for e! Entertainment Network and for multiple metro area newspapers covering the Capitol Hill beat and as a freelance writer.

Pekkanen will answer questions from JLW members as one of the four female, Washington, D.C.-based authors at the Book Club Kick-Off, which will be hosted at JLW Headquarters in the Loughborough Room on September 23 at 6:30 p.m. Other authors include Judy Bachrach, Monica Barnett and Amie Parnes. The event will also include food, beverages, book sales benefitting the League and plenty of time to mingle with other women participating in this year’s book clubs. If you’re interested in attending the Book Club Kick-off event, please RSVP here. 

The Membership Outreach Committee is proud to host author Amie Parnes at the annual JLW Book Club Kick-off event, Tuesday, September 23, at 6:30 p.m. Parnes covers the Obama administration as the White House correspondent for The Hill newspaper, a D.C.-centric publication.

As a 10-year veteran of political journalism, Parnes has traveled extensively with Politicians we all love to love or love to hate…or at the very least, would love to hear about. The list includes those affiliated with the Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain presidential campaigns during the 2008 presidential race. She also appears frequently on MSNBC and has been featured on CNN and Fox News, as well as various other recognizable networks.

In 2014 Parnes took politics to pen, publishing HRC: State Secrets and the Rebirth of Hillary Clinton, along with co-author Jeffrey Allen. The political biography offers readers a rare look inside the Clinton political powerhouse while demonstrating how Clinton fundamentally transformed the U.S. Department of State using the force of her fame and following, and her unparalleled knowledge. It also provides an in-depth look at Clintons personal relationships and how the power of Washington works.

Parnes will answer questions from JLW members as one of the four female, Washington, D.C.-based authors at the Book Club Kick-Off, which will be hosted at JLW Headquarters in the Loughborough Room. Other authors include Judy Bachrach, Monica Barnett and Sarah Pekkannen. The event will also include food, beverages, book sales benefitting the league and plenty of time to mingle with other women participating in this year’s book clubs. If you’re interested in attending the Book Club Kick-off event, please RSVP here.

Don’t Miss JLW’s Book Club Kick-Off Event!

The Membership Outreach Committee is excited to launch this year’s book clubs with the most anticipated Book Clubs Kick-off event yet! In the weeks following the National Book Festival, league ladies have been busy filling out the book club’s survey, pondering which genre fits their mood this year—New York Times best sellers? Chick lit? Or perhaps even classics?

On September 23, we invite those who filled out the survey to join us for the annual kick-off event, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at JLW headquarters. Attendees will have time to mix and mingle before taking part as an active audience before a panel of renowned local authors including Judy Bachrach, Monica Barnett, Amie Parnes and Sarah Pekkanen. The event will also include food, beverages, book sales benefitting the League and plenty of time to meet with women in your book club of choice.

Forgot to fill out the survey? Don’t worry, RSVP for the Book Club Kick-off Event here and we can place you in a book club at the event.

The very popular JLW Book Clubs are organized by the Membership Outreach committee as a way to bring members together in a social setting based on common reading interests. Interested ladies are placed into groups based on location and genre of their preference determined during the online survey process. In addition to promoting league member connections and friendships, JLW book clubs promote literacy in the League and set a tone for our mission and an example for the larger D.C. community.

Fall Into Fashion: A beauty and fashion event

Shopping for a cause can bring happiness to more than just the buyer of a gift and its recipient. Join the ladies of the Junior League of Washington for a fashion and fun-filled evening as we celebrate the kick-off of the 56th Annual Holiday Shops with an exclusive “Fall Into Fashion” event at Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase (5300 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815) on Wednesday, October 1. Bloomingdales is conveniently located near the Friendship Heights Red Line Metro.

Channel your inner fashionista, as you sip, snack and shop for the season’s hottest looks. The festivities commence at 6 p.m., and Bloomingdale’s is staying open for an extra hour, until 10 p.m., for their guest shoppers.

Event tickets are $25 in advance ($35 at the door) and not only do attendees receive special savings off their purchases, but 10% of the proceeds will be donated back to the League. Fall into Fashion is also a MEMBERSHIP CREDIT!  Last year, this event helped raised over $8,000 in support of the Junior League of Washington’s mission, and we’re hoping to exceed that number this year!

Product and brand exclusions may apply.  Please see a sales associate for details. We look forward to seeing everyone on October 1st!