December Board meeting update

Hi all! Last week the Board met for the December board Meeting. Typically this is just a festive and fun meeting before the holidays. But, t his year, we had important work to do. Due to the economic conditions, our endowment has dropped significantly this year. The good news is that we are not alone in this. However, the Board thought it would be wise to evaluate our investment advisors and even hear from a new firm. So, we did just that. From now until the next board meeting, we will be chewing on the informaiton provided and will vote in January to determine who will manage our money between now and then. Let's just hope the market improves as well...

Hollydays!

I hope you all made it to hollydays this weekend. What a great event! It takes so much to pull off an event like this so I'd like to personally thank the committee, chairs (Andrea and Alice) and the Fundraising folks on the board (Susan and Elizabeth). Y'all are fantastic! We're still tallying the numbers but this Art and Gift Market appears to have been very close to hitting or exceeding our goal. In a tough economy that is fantastic! Thanks also to all the volunteers who worked over the weekend. A true group effort ladies!!!! Well Done!

JLL Recruitment Event

JLL welcomed roughly 35 women interested in joining the League last night at the Crane House. It was a fun group and they asked a lot of great questions. Hopefully, they will all be new members in January! Thanks for coming to visit us, ladies!

November Board Meeting

The JLL Board of Directors met on the 6th of November. We used a portion of the meeting to do a mid-year "self-assessment". We talked about how we are operating as a Board, what is going well this year and what could use improvement. Run Wild quickly became a hot topic with the discussion revolving around whether or not we are making a real impact on the community with this event. After much discussion, we all agreed to look at this event top to bottom to see what we can do to make sure we are making a measurable impact on the community in future years.

We also discussed HollyDays, the upcoming Art andd Gift Market, the annual plan, our recruitment event (it was last night), the Two of a Kind Gala, our community impact numbers and more. Everything is on the web so check there frequently for upcoming events!

Who is our next president?

No, I'm not talking about Obama or McCain. I'm talking about Mary Ellen Wiederwohl - the next President of the Junior League of Louisville. Mary Ellen takes the reigns June 1st so I thought I'd let you know a little bit about her.

Mary Ellen Wiederwohl is the Assistant Director of MML&K Government Solutions, a lobbying and government relations firm based in Frankfort, KY. She joined MML&K with a background as chief legislative aide for the Senate Majority Floor Leader and later as a lobbyist and public relations director of the state Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB), Kentucky’s state teacher preparation and certification agency.

Mary Ellen is a native Kentuckian; she was born in Louisville and grew up in Meade County. Mary Ellen is also a first generation American; her father immigrated to this country from Europe after World War II. Mary Ellen graduated with Highest Honors from the University of Louisville with a major in music. She has performed with numerous ensembles including the Louisville Youth Orchestra and the Louisville Chorus. She resides in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood with her Great Pyrenees and two cats.

As for JLL, Mary Ellen joined our organization in 1999. In her decade in the League, she has held numerous leadership and committee positions, including VP of Communications, Membership Mentor/Placement, Public Affairs Chair, and Membership Training Chair.

Mary Ellen has been a great asset on the board and I know she will be a great leader for the League's 89th year!

Nanz and Kraft for the Cure

This caught my attention - especially since I have a sorority sister bravely fighting breast cancer right now. Nanz and Kraft Florist on Breckenridge Lane is hosting two open houses to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Go to the store on Nov 9th or 16th from 1PM to 4PM and enjoy shopping, music and more - all for a great cause...

Signing off for the evening...

I've had a full day of JLL. So, as I sign off for the evening, I thought I'd share this quote with you all. Have a good night!

Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. ~Elizabeth Andrew

Ever wonder what happens at Board Meetings?

Well, now you don't thave to wonder! After every Board Meeting I will post some notes of what we discussed. I'll also try to highlight a board member or two so you can get to know the League leaders. So, here is a summary for the October Board Meeting! Happy Reading!


Review of Annual Plan Progress/Committee Updates - Westport Whiskey & Wine event great for Splendor in the Bluegrass, Hollydays committee still seeking vendors, we've compleeted 916 hours of community impact hours and impacted 526 lives in the community, we've had great attendance at Done in a Day events and members seem happy with number/flexibility of options; we're evaluating and the 2nd annual RunWild! and already starting planning for the 3rd annual event; there is a Recruitment event scheduled for November 11, 2008, at the Crane House, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.; check the web for all of the Membership Connection and Transfer events scheduled; Annual Giving is off to a good start this year - $5875 collected with $1025 in additional pledges; September general meeting had 151 attendees - great job JLL!

Carrie Widman - VP of Finance or Budget Woman Extraordinaire?

Carrie Widman is our VP of Finance. As VP Finance, Carrie is responsible for preparation of the JLL budget, overseeing the Finance Council (Annual Giving, Endowment, Investment Committee, Dues), financial reporting and so much more. Carrie has been a League member since 2000.

She attended Transylvania University in Lexington and moved to Louisville after marrying her husband, Paul. 

She and Paul have been married 11 years and have two girls – Kate, 5, and Ella, 2.

When Carrie isn't doing League volunteer work, she's busy at home. She enjoys reading, shopping, sports, and playing with her girls.

Her proudest accomplishment in life is her family!

Carrie's favorite League experiences include working on the past Blooming Deals Committee and serving on Nominating. 



This year, make a point to get to know your Board. Start this month by looking out for Carrie at functions and meetings. You might see if she caught the most recent Design Star episode!

Tuesdays with Courtney

Happy Tuesday everyone! Lots of good stuff going on right now so check out the calendar on the web. Log into the members only section then go to the calendar. And don't forget to sign up for the November general meetings - they are in the homes of past presidents and space is limited so sign up quickly. It is a great way to meet new Junior Leaguers!

A picture of the JLL balloon at Run Wild! Sorry its a bit fuzzy!

Congrats to one of our sustainers...

Congratualtions to Sustainer Cissy Musselman on her recent Woodrow Wilson Award! Way to go Cissy!

JLL throws Halloween party for kids with cancer

Did you hear about the fantasatic Noogiefest at Gilda's Club on Saturday? In case you missed it, here is the link to the C-J article.

After providing a grant to Gilda's Club a few years ago, our members have loved spending time there with kids affected with cancer. This is the second year for our Noogiefest Halloween party and it looks like a good time was had by all - especially the kids. Definitely a worthwhile project for us...

Shopping and fun for a good cause!

HollyDays 2008 is upon us! Make sure you tell all your friends and family how great this event will be. Here are some pictures of HollyDays 2007. Remember, all money we raise at this event goes directly to JL community projects such as our work with teen mothers at the Home of the Innocents, our health and wellness event, Run Wild, and so many others. So, come out, shop, have fun and support our cause!

Welcome to the JLL Blog!

Hi everyone! This is my first attempt at a JLL Presidents Blog. My hope is that this site can be used to share info, learn what's going on in our League and have some fun! We do so much good work in the community so I hope this will help us share with each other.

Our Done in a Day events have been spectacular - thanks to Monica Schroeder and her committee for their leadership! Above is a picture of one of our Done in a Day events where we helped out at Grace House celaning up and revitalizing a playground for them. Great work everyone!