JL Journal - Spring 2007

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Issue Highlights

• 2006-07 President’s Message
• It’s time for the 6th Annual Awards Luncheon!
• Save the Dates
• President Elect’s Message
• Community Projects
• Inn Transition North
• Creative Expressions
• Early Childhood Music & Movement
• All Aboard Even Start Family Literacy
• Done In A Day
• Miami Magic Celebration Marked 80 Years
• Done In A Day
• Mentoring Moms
• Honey Shine
• Rebuilding New Orleans
• One Vote Can Make A Difference
• Super Leaguer Award Winners
• JLM Member Holiday Party 2006
• Miami, Magic City Historic Film Now Available on DVD
• Annual Dues
• Good HQ News! The Holes Are Gone!
• Placement News
• Training Events
• Provisionals Get Busy!
• Special Feature: Members Talented in Fine Arts Enhance Our League
• Mothers and Daughters From One Generation to Another: Dynamic Duo
• Membership Drive
• Sustainer Events

2006-07 President’s Message
Susan Speaks (and so do you)

By Susan Lerner

At the January 9th area meetings, we asked our members to offer one suggestion on how to improve the member experience. Our Board members reported the responses, and here they are: “Our area meeting was great. The overwhelming response was that they love that type of meeting... Another one was that the more involved you are and the more events you attend, the better the member experience will be.”

“Susan, (you always say they need to hear things several times through several ways) and everyone said they appreciate the constant reminders through email, journal, phone calls, flyers that keep them informed about league events.”

“A provisional suggested that there be more contact (we've heard this before) between the time they apply (sometimes as early as November) and become provisionals in May and September when things get going in the fall. This was the ice-cream social suggestion, but everyone said they would be open to a non-mandatory social event during the summer that would include everyone.”

“More area meetings and opportunities to meet more people, ice breaker at the GMM, etc.”

“The Brickell Key Area Meeting had almost 40 members in attendance (approx. 38 + one or two guests). We had a lot of people who work in the Downtown area or live east of Downtown. Some of the suggestions from our meeting were:

• Shorter GMMs
• Bring back free wine at the GMMs
• Move meeting-s back to the Museum of Science or any more central location
• Possibly alternate locations North & South or Museum & CGCC
• Speakers should speak for a shorter period of time
• More communication among committee members
• More Area meetings – brings people much closer
• Continue lunches Downtown
• Start meetings a little later to accommodate those coming from work & congestion near CG
• Attend Community Projects
• More events for the Provisional Class as a whole (as opposed just within their Mentor groups)
• More social events - happy hour on Thursday or Friday evening
• Bereavement Center placement is sad, but a good placement, extremely rewarding. 2 Committee members wished that they could get together as a committee more often.
• Add more options of meeting nights
• Have lunchtime meetings Downtown for GMMs as an option, hold to 1 hour
• Committee meetings can be held in an area more local to the members of that committee [example was a committee that meets in Miami Beach]
• Placement Advisor could get smaller groups together
• Members could send comments/suggestions for improvement through their Placement Advisors to Placement Chair, then communicated to BOD
• Bring a friend!!
• Small groups meetings or maybe more one to one contact
• More active/provisional contact. Have a mentor like a big sister/little sister, this will help learn more about the league. Or, have a mixer for provisional to meet actives
• Have group projects such as Habitat for Humanity for all the league to be involved for a day with a sense of reward
• More chances to meet people on a social basis
• Provisional class reunions
• Share ideas or lost ideas with others in the league
• A project that all league members can work on
• Do something user friendly: hang out like the picnic idea where you can grab you child and take them to the park
• Socials such as 3rd Tuesday of every month meet somewhere like a bar or book club, or something with the kids on Saturday
• People who work and do not have kids would like a networking event like the Lunching with the League and maybe moving in different locations
• Options for provisional meetings on the weekend or videotape the provisional meetings for make-up opportunities at HQ
• A JLM blog

“We had a GREAT meeting here last night and the overwhelming comment was that area meetings would be a good thing to continue so that we can meet our neighbors. We did focus on future placement and getting out of the league what you need to make it work for you. We had 4 or 5 members who have been in since 1998 or 99 and we/they focused on how much you get back for what you put in. Overall, it was exactly what I hoped it would be and I am so happy I could host my neighbors from JLM.”

Thank you to the over 200 actives, provisionals and sustainers who attended the area meetings this year and who have given the current Board and next year’s leaders some great ideas for how to improve the member experience in JLM.

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JIt’s time for the 6th Annual Awards Luncheon!

By Vicky Hucks & Jen Green, Event Co-chairs

The 6th annual Women Who Make a Difference luncheon is almost here! It’s Sunday, March 4th at the Country Club of Coral Gables, starting at 11 a.m. (VIP reception at 10.) As in years past, we will honor five outstanding women who truly make a difference in our community.

This year’s recipients are Judy Barr & Kemba Gosier, co-founders of the Iron-Barr Group, which provides at risk children the opportunity to express themselves through song, poetry and dance. We will also be honoring Constance Collins, a real estate developer and attorney who founded the Sundari Foundation, through which she was able to open up an apartment building in Overtown to educate and support homeless women and children. Another honoree is Katherine Ezell, an attorney at Podhurst Orseck and a JLM sustainer who volunteers her time as a Guardian Ad Litem and with Lawyers for Children America. Last but not least, we will be honoring Sister Sheila Foy, principal of Lourdes Academy who, by example, encourages and gives an outlet for each of her students to volunteer with more than 15 charities yearly.

This year’s luncheon will feature a champagne reception, a couture fashion show by Rafael Cennamo, 100+ fabulous silent auction items, a grand prize raffle featuring a Royal Caribbean Cruise and a delicious lunch and honoree awards presentation. Each table will have a beautiful arrangement provided by Orchids by Jamie which can be purchased at the end of the luncheon. During the champagne reception, you can buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win beautiful diamond jewelry generously donated by Dasani Jewels.

Both VIP tickets and regular tickets are the same price as last year – $125.00 and $85.00. VIP ticket holders will be invited to a champagne reception immediately preceding the luncheon where you can meet our honorees and be the first to bid on the silent auction items. Attendees with VIP tickets will also have preferred seating and receive a Neiman Marcus goodie bag along with a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory treat. As with all our fundraisers, every dollar we make at this event will go toward our projects and grants.

The Women Who Make a Difference committee and the Junior League of Miami are honored to pay tribute to our 2007 honorees. Through their dedication to volunteerism, these women make a difference community-wide. They are an inspiration to us all!

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President Elect’s Message
A Willingness to Serve

By Lauren Harrison Genovese

Have you submitted your Willingness to Serve form yet? The forms were posted on the JLM website in early February and were discussed at February’s General Membership Meeting. The deadline for submitting the form to President Elect, Lauren Harrison Genovese, is Tuesday, March 6th. Instructions are listed at the top of the form. For confidentiality purposes, please do not drop off the forms at JLM Headquarters.

The Willingness to Serve forms are designed for you to provide candid feedback about what you would like to do in the 2007-08 League year. This is the time for you to be honest with yourself about your time commitment to our organization, the leadership path upon which you aspire to travel and the personal skills and resources that you possess. In other words, how you can best give back to your community through your membership at JLM, and in turn, enrich your life through new and rewarding experiences.

Exciting new plans are in the works for next year! There are several new Leadership positions that are available. These positions have been created as a direct response to members’ inquiries to enable JLM to provide more networking and mentoring opportunities, enhance membership training and elevate our profile in the community. Attached to the Willingness to Serve form is a glossary of the new service opportunities. Please contact Lauren with any questions: hlauren2@aol.com.

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Community Projects
Gift Drive Reflects Overwhelming Generosity of Members

By Leanne Tellam, VP Community

Winston Churchill stated, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” This year’s holiday gift drive for JLM’s community projects sent me searching for great quotes about generosity, and that quote by Churchill stuck out. People who live their lives following Churchill’s statement create a wonderful life (which also happens to be my husband’s and my favorite holiday movie). I have left behind the holiday season in awe of the generosity of our members.

What started as a simple request at our October general membership meeting evolved into an incredible amount of quality donations from our members. Your donations came to the November GMM, to headquarters, to our chairs, and to my house. This was all achieved through the tireless efforts of your friends who sit on the project committees.

So many gifts, warm tokens . . . and, ultimately, symbols of your dedication to the women and children the League serves. Your personal items became countless gifts – for example, they became stocking stuffers for the 19 mothers at Inn Transition North and 56 moms at Inn Transition South. New toys were wrapped, labeled “from Santa” and sent down to each of the more than 200 kids at ITS. A special thanks goes to Stephanie Demos and Susan Lerner for gathering multiple gifts for ITS from their law firm, Josephs Jack, and to Jennifer Buttrick for providing the ITN committee with gifts for each child through donations from her firm, Stearns Weaver.

But we didn’t stop there. Infant and teenage materials were sent to the moms and babies at the CHARLEE Mentoring Moms home. And two amazingly large containers of stuffed animals were distributed amid chaotic joy to dozens of children at the All Aboard/Even Start event at Riverside Elementary School.

As you read about our projects in this issue, feel free to smile as you review the details of the various holiday celebrations at our community projects. I apologize for not acknowledging each donor individually, but I’m afraid that in order to do that we would need a separate publication!

Trust your community council when we tell you that your donations made a world of difference in the lives of the less fortunate this holiday season. Those of us who are lucky enough to sit on the various community project committees and see this difference first hand took home warm and happy hearts to carry us through our own holiday craziness. Thank you to each of you that contributed. While I rushed to wrap those last family presents in the wee hours approaching Christmas, I reflected on your generosity and the difference we made together and remembered, it truly is a wonderful life!

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Inn Transition North

By Brigid Cech Samole, Chair

The Inn Transition North Committee celebrated the holiday season with the ITN families on December 16, 2006. The event, coordinated by ITN Committee members Sande Taylor, Alex Bach-Armas and Kathy Huxley, was an amazing success. All but two families of ITN attended the day-long festivities and all families in attendance were overwhelmed by the day planned for them.

Our holiday event began with a “Trip to the Movies” to see Charlotte’s Web. Filled to the brim with popcorn, soda and candy, the families returned to ITN to find their activity room transformed into Holiday Party central including a pizza party lunch, activities, snacks, over a hundred gifts and take home goodie bags for all. The event culminated with the arrival of Santa Claus. Tears of joy literally rang out as the children ran to greet the man in red. Santa took a picture with each family, talked to every child individually and sent them off with multiple gifts. Thank you Santa!

Santa would have been empty handed without the generosity of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A. Attorneys At Law, and especially Jennifer Stearns Buttrick. Jennifer coordinated and organized the donation of over a hundred gifts for the children currently residing at ITN. “Thank you” does not suffice in recognizing the smiles that Stearns Weaver brought to the children of ITN.

This event marks only one of the amazing events that the ITN Committee members have put on for the families. Attendance by the ITN families has been exceptional throughout this year due to the Committee’s dedication. Thanks ladies and keep up the great work!

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Creative Expressions

By Austin Garilli, Co-chair

One Thursday evening in October, Veronica Ramirez and I were finishing up a craft project with the girls at Gladstone Center, when one of the young ladies slipped away to her residential cottage to get a big memory book she had been keeping. She had collected articles that helped express how she felt as she dealt with family difficulties and had saved mementos of times that were important to her. On the first page she would have you write your name, and each successive page asked you to reveal a little more about yourself — best vacations, favorite items of clothing, future hopes, etc. She asked Veronica to share by writing her selections, and together we chatted about what she had written. It was so touching to know that the Gladstone girls considered us friends and through activities and writing exercises, we realized we had many things in common.

Creative Expressions is a program designed to help girls in foster care through expressing themselves artistically. The 12 committee members meet on Thursdays to plan and participate in therapeutic and creative activities with the Gladstone girls. The League has had a long-standing commitment to CHARLEE programs and the Gladstone Center, and both volunteers and budding artists cannot get enough! Recently, Betty Lopez-Castro's provisional group hosted a spectacular holiday party in Gladstone's honor, complete with gingerbread house construction, a chocolate fountain, manicures and even a special appearance by Santa Claus! The girls remarked to me as they marveled at our headquarters building, "Oh, this is like a beautiful home!" And indeed, that night we did feel like one big family.

For more information on Creative Expressions and CHARLEE, please contact co-chair Austin Garilli at phd_y2k@yahoo.com or co-chair Diane Doolan at dmdoolan@bellsouth.net.

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Early Childhood Music & Movement
Group’s Project Brings Joy to INN Transition South Children

By Keith Landon, ITS Co-chair

What do the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association (ECMMA) have in common with the Junior League of Miami? Miss Leslie and Miss Jane. Each fall, the local Miami-Dade chapter of the ECMMA, a group of music educators largely made up of University of Miami’s Musictime educators, discuss what noteworthy academic projects they will present and how the love of music and movement can be brought to a deserving population.

Late last year, Miss Leslie Cooper, an active member of JLM, told the group about INN Transition South and how the women and children of this secured community would benefit from nurturing music-enriched activities. Miss Jane Spinney, president of the Miami-Dade chapter of the ECMMA, along with the rest of the members of the local chapter, thought this would be an ideal community project.
On Saturday, January 20, 2007, Miss Leslie and Miss Jane presented a fun-filled session to several children and their moms at INN Transition South. They sang, played small instruments, danced the limbo and tickled each other as part of many musical activities. Streams of laughter and numerous hugs were shared by all.

We are fortuate that the members of the Miami-Dade chapter of the ECMMA plan to return to INN Transition South in the spring to present another activity.

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Done In A Day
JLM Helps Lighthouse for the Blind Celebrate 75 Years

By Molly Osendorf, DIAD Chair

On Saturday, December 9, 2006, 19 JLM members volunteered to assist with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. The event was attended by over 150 Lighthouse clients and staff members and included dinner, dancing, live music and top-rate raffle prizes. JLM members assisted with registration, food service, bartending, client assistance and photography.

Midway through the celebration, Lighthouse CEO, Virginia A. Jacko, presented JLM President Susan Lerner and DIAD Chair Molly Osendorf with gifts of thanks for the Junior League’s participation with the event.

At the close of the celebration several JLM volunteers commented on how grateful they were for the opportunity to assist with this particular project. It provided all volunteers with a unique opportunity to see first hand the many wonderful and vital services the Lighthouse provides in our community (see below). Special thanks to the following JLM members for their time and commitment: Elvira Larrain, G. Santos, Jessa Bouso, Ani del Cerro-Fals, Monish DeQuadros, Morgan Hatfield, Emilie Goldman, Kristin Billingsiea, Hadley Nichols, Amy Dawkins, Claudia Sanchez, Susan Lerner, Silvia Rich, Leanne Tellam, Molly Osendorf, Lorrie Martin, Melissa Silva, Lucy Ulmer and Sharon Maurno.

Established in 1931, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is the oldest and largest private agency in Florida to serve people of all ages who are blind or the visually impaired. Services include Adult Programs (Case Management, Travel Skills, Daily Independent Living Skills, Computer and Technology Training, Low Vision Service, Diabetes Education) Youth Programs, and a Blind Babies Program.

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Miami Magic Celebration Marked 80 Years

By Katie Lane Arriola and JJ Snow, Event Co-Chairs

On Saturday, November 11th, 2006, the Junior League of Miami celebrated their 80th Anniversary, with an event that evoked the 1920’s, the era of the Junior League of Miami’s formation. The Junior League also honored those who have contributed to making MIAMI MAGIC at the Country Club of Coral Gables and raised over $100,000 for the Junior League’s community projects. The intimate Honoree Reception, at the Home of Mayor Don & Jeannett Slesnick, highlighted 2006 Honorees artist Xavier Cortada, historian Dr. Dorothy Fields, businessman Ken Gorin, and New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez. Guests mingled with the honorees while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and cocktails graciously provided by Christy’s Restaurant and National Distributing Company.

At the formal main event at The Country Club of Coral Gables, guests were welcomed by Special Guest Emcee and Auctioneer, Lonnie Quinn, NBC6 Weather Anchor/Reporter. The dazzling evening entertained more than 350 guests with the 16-piece Barry Mann Orchestra, dinner and dancing in the Grand Ballroom, a fabulous live auction and puzzle raffle unveiling. Delicious late night treats were provided by Cupcakes by Mischa and Café Pilon.

Auction prizes included beautiful original artwork by Xavier Cortada that will welcome guests at the Junior League’s Inn Transition home, and a thrilling ’Yankee Experience with Alex Rodriguez’ baseball package. JLM president Susan Lerner awarded each Miami Magic honorees with personalized sterling silver trays donated by Snow’s Jewelers.

The evening was special because it raised much needed funds for our projects, while at the same time, celebrated the Junior League of Miami's success in its mission to serve this community.

The presenting sponsor for Miami Magic was United Capital Markets with additional support generously provided by Greenberg Traurig, Snow’s Jewelers, TotalBank, Inktel Direct, National Distributing Company, Sterns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, PA, and KPMG.

See Photos in JLM Gallery online at www.jlmiami.org.

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Done In A Day
JLM Volunteers Join Xavier Cortada in Reclaiming Native Mangroves

By Aniella Gonzalez, Recording Secretary

On November 25, 2006, a sunny Saturday after Thanksgiving, JLM volunteers put on their conservation hats and joined Xavier Cortada, one of this year's Magic City honorees, to distribute mangrove seedlings to retailers in South Beach. JLM volunteers asked local South Beach business owners to "adopt a seedling" and to exhibit the mangrove seedling (inside clear water-filled cups) in a prominent location inside their storefront through January 15, 2006. Seedling caretakers will be asked to return the seedlings so they can be planted at the end of January throughout Biscayne Bay, as part of the The Reclamation Project. Working under the guidance of Miami-Dade Department of Environmental and Resources Management ("DERM"), about 2,500 mangrove seedlings were collected from locations where they would otherwise perish. In January 2007, the adopted mangrove seedlings will be planted in the southern Biscayne Bay areas where mangrove forests once thrived. In addition, The Reclamation Project is working with the City of Miami Beach to prepare the shore of Pine Tree Park so that reforestation can occur there in January 2008. The preservation and reclamation of the mangrove forests are vital to establishing a healthy habitat for marine life, birds and other animals in South Florida. The Reclamation Project is sponsored by Citizens for a Better South Florida, DERM, the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve/State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Miami-Dade County Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach (ECOMB) and Friends of Cape Florida. Junior Leaguers are proud to help Xavier in this worthy effort.

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Mentoring Moms
Charlee Homes Program 2006 Holiday Party

By Sandy Nojaim, Chair

Thank goodness for uncomplicated events! Just before the holidays this year, several Mentoring Moms committee members, along with this year’s amazing provisional class and Charlee staff, helped celebrate a historic moment for the young teen moms – the teen pregnancy home’s first Christmas!

Thanks to all the hard work of Corey’s group, there was a station for decorating picture frames, a scrap-booking station, then into the kitchen for delicious homemade ziti and cupcake decorating. There were ample gifts and prizes for everyone.

Of all of my visits to the house over the past 6 months, this was the most I saw these young ladies relax, participate, open up and interact with JLM members. I am proud of the level of trust that we have built and the profound mentoring that is transpiring. While it may be ideal to have less League members than teen moms at a party like this one, it worked out beautifully because that just meant there were more women to fight for their turn to hold the beautiful, happy babies!

The young moms shared with us what parenting topics are of greatest interest to them and consequently, we have structured the remainder of our mentoring sessions accordingly. In regard to donations, the moms will always need diapers (size 5 and 6), baby wipes and formula. At age 18, the young ladies age out of the home. It is our hope to send them off with their own crib, linens, stroller, car seat and any of the essentials that could assist them on their journey into adult life with a little one. If you are interested in donating any of these items, please contact me at snojaim@yahoo.com.

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Honey Shine

By Mary Prindle, Chair

Our first major event in conjunction with Honey Shine Mentoring Program featured Tracy Mourning, the founding visionary behind Honey Shine Mentoring Program, a program of Alonzo Mourning Charities, Inc. Since 2002, Tracy and her staff have been providing mentoring experiences that nurture the mind, body and souls of young women between the ages of 8 and18 who are in at-risk situations. The girls of Honey Shine, referred to as Honey Bugs, are exposed to positive and enriching experiences through creative forums including bi-monthly workshops and girl talk rap sessions.

Utilizing our warm headquarters building, the committee hosted the Honey Shine Career and Educational Workshop with approximately 60+ people (50 girls and the remainder their chaperones) in attendance. In small groups girls had the incredible opportunity to hear and ask questions of some extremely inspiring women from our community. The speakers, all volunteering their time, included: Shirylon McWhorter, Esq. who spoke about the judicial system; Ms. Angela Rae, Freelance Television Media Specialist talking about TV/Media and what it takes to succeed in today’s environment; Ms. Keisha Wilson, a Miami Dade Firefighter representing Essence of Fire, Inc. a group founded with their mission being empowerment of our youth and goal to motivate and provide mentorship to young girls; Ms. Katherine Cabanas-Hartmeyer and Ms. Nikisha Williams from the public relations firm Golin Harris who provided information on interviewing and public speaking skills. In addition to the speakers, we had a representative from Miami Dade Community College providing a plethora of information from applying to college, requirements, and upcoming open houses to financial aid availability. Each speaker was presented with an incredible orchid supplied by Orchids by Jaime.

Tracy Mourning, Founder of Honey Shine, attended the event, participating side by side with the Honey Bugs throughout the day. As a result of a personal invitation from Tracy to a good friend, the girls were treated to a special guest appearance by national television personality Starr Jones. The day was filled with countless, inspiring words of wisdom!

As a token of the days events, charming backpacks and t-shirts were distributed to all the girls. The unforgettable event would not have taken place if it were not for a wonderful committee: Kameelah Brown, Adriana Farelo, Martha Johnson-Rutledge, Mary Killeen-Griffith, Betty Llorente, Lavonia Denese Martin-Chambers, and Mary Prindle, chair.

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Rebuilding New Orleans

By Andria Hanley, Immediate Past President

“So how is your city, Sir?” That was my first and only question for the cab driver who brought me from the airport to the New Orleans Marriott when I joined nearly 1,000 other Junior League members for a Hurricane Katrina rebuilding weekend. “Not too good, not too bad,” he replied. His response succinctly summed up the sentiments of all the residents New Orleans. The people of New Orleans want to be optimistic, but that is their greatest challenge in a city so tremendously devastated you can’t imagine until you’ve driven through it.

The devastation is the size of seven Manhattan islands. The area feels like a ghost town. There are no signs of people, no sounds of animals barking or children playing – there is no life. Each home has been marked with spray paint by volunteers who went through the area after the storm. The number on the top indicates the date the home was checked. The initials on the home were left by the group that checked the house. For example, DFW stands for Dallas Fish and Wildlife. A large “X” is sprayed on the houses, and in each quadrant of the X the inspector wrote how many bodies were found, animals found, and sometimes there was a note spray painted by the SPCA such as, “Dog, left food”.

With so much of their own rebuilding to do, the Junior League of New Orleans (“JLNO”) coordinated volunteers from more than 70 Junior Leagues in 30 states and three countries. JLNO actives and new members escorted us on buses to various worksites, sustainers made us lunch, and everyone came together to help this city in need. This effort was much greater than they had ever expected when they decided to coordinate a volunteer weekend. As is usually the case with Junior League volunteers, help was needed and we went to give it.

The volunteer opportunities ranged from house gutting to cemetery landscaping. We sanded, scraped, cleaned and painted. The work was physical, hot, and with limited resources. I spent my first day at Willie Mae’s. Willie Mae Seaton, who turns 90 this year, cooks (without any flash or pretension) the kind of food that she grew up eating in Mississippi , like fried chicken and pork chops. Many locals consider her a master craftswoman of Southern cooking, and her 30-seat, soul food spot in the South Ward section was honored as an “American Classic” at the 2005 James Beard Awards. Seaton started her eight-table restaurant nearly 55 years ago in the front half of the double-shotgun (a narrow one-story dwelling without halls) where she also lives. Located just a few blocks away from the Lafitte public housing development, the restaurant was flooded with four feet of water and consequently ruined last December. With no insurance and little savings, Seaton was doubtful that the restaurant would ever reopen. However through help of volunteers, Willie Mae’s Scotch House Restaurant is due to reopen this December. We accomplished a great deal in one day. The highlight was when Willie Mae visited us and made a point to welcome and thank us all.

The Musicians Village, where I spent my second day of work, is a fine tuned machine. Like Willie Mae’s, we met as a group in the morning to discuss the work for the day. We met the sponsors, gave a big shout out when they asked how many Junior League volunteers were there, and shared a morning prayer before we began our work. I spackled all day, and learned a worthwhile and therapeutic trade. Habitat for Humanity is coordinating the building efforts in the Musicians Village, and they are in the process of building 75 homes for people who qualify for a Habitat home. They have supply trailers filled with all the tools and equipment we needed. Their paid staff members were helpful in making sure we had a productive day. The most enlightening part of my time in the Musicians Village was when I had the chance to meet some of the soon to be residents of the homes that were being built. It was my privilege to work on a home for a woman who is raising her grandson, and is so grateful to have a house of her own. She loves the color green so her house was painted a bright green and for her kitchen countertops she chose a great green color as well. There is something very special about meeting and talking with the person you are hoping to help. She made a poster and asked all of us to sign it for her grandson. I was so proud to send our love from the JLM.

As the weekend came to an end, I sat with tired muscles and paint spattered clothes and shared a few cold bottles of beer with my friends from other Junior Leagues. We knew that we had done a good thing. Although no one said it, we also all knew that the work we completed was nothing more than a tiny dot of paint on a canvas that needed a masterpiece…and a miracle. The next time you have a chance for a girl’s weekend, take it. If it allows you to spend some time helping others – even better. It is my guess that there will be a need for this type of volunteer effort in New Orleans for many years to come. Contact Habitat for Humanity if you would like information on volunteering.

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One Vote Can Make A Difference

By Kimberley Thompson, Public Affairs Committee

JLM Public Affairs Committee got off to a running start this year! Voter registration drives were held at both the September and the October GMM meetings in Coral Gables. Also, thanks to ITS Chairs Keith Landon and Jill Falke, JLM PAC was able to host its first voter registration drive for the families that we serve.

A Miami-Dade County Elections representative brought an electronic voting booth on-site for the drive at ITS. First-time voters (and any one else who might not have been comfortable with the equipment) were given instruction and allowed to practice on the voting machines. In addition to registering a few new voters and changing addresses, the Miami-Dade Elections representative spent a great deal of time with our ITS moms and even registered poll workers for the general election!

For more than 80 years, JLM has encouraged the active and informed participation of our members in government issues but, there is still much work to be done. Far too many women are not exercising their right to vote — most likely because they think their vote will not make a difference. The course of history has been repeatedly impacted by just ONE vote. For example:

• California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington, became states by just ONE vote
• In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson, our 36th president, became a U.S. senator by a ONE vote margin
• In the 1960 presidential election, ONE additional vote per precinct in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey and Texas would have denied John F. Kennedy the presidency and put Richard M. Nixon in office eight years earlier

If ever there was a time for JLM members to illustrate how we are joined together, it is through legislative support for issues impacting the women and children we serve. The decisions made by our legislators in Session 2007 (which convenes on March 6, 2007) will affect the quality of life in every community statewide. It is critical that JLM members remain engaged with our Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation about our priorities and issues.
JLM PAC’s top three legislative priorities for 2007 are:

1. affordable housing
2. education
3. foster care/ aging-out

JLM PAC will continue our voter registration drive initiative through Election 2008 and would welcome any volunteers. For more information, please call Kimberley Thompson at 305.495.2512 or email: kimberdt@hotmail.com.

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Super Leaguer Award Winners

Maria Maloof: Maria, is a second year active who was nominated by Kim Sarkisian. Kim writes, “Maria played an instrumental part in helping raise half of the sponsorships for this year’s golf tournament and was responsible for obtaining Wal-Mart as our Ace sponsor. She also arranged to meet me at Wal-Mart where we spent four hours getting UPC numbers and items to provide to the co-manager in order to obtain the items for the “gift bags” for the golfers. Maria also managed to have the umbrellas underwritten. All of this amidst a move and taking care of a 9 month old.”

Liza Winkeljohn: Since late August, Liza, a Done in a Day committee member, successfully spearheaded JLM's participation in the Race for the Cure that culminated in nearly 100 members participating on October 21, 2006. Liza co-created and implemented our inaugural Lunching with the League social which has been a huge success. Liza has been an active since 2001 and was nominated by Susan Lerner because she “exemplifies what our league strives to accomplish - training women to become effective volunteers in our community.”

Lauren Zuckerman: Lauren is a first year active who serves on the public relations committee. Lauren is not being nominated by the public relations chair, but by our President, Susan Lerner, for going beyond fulfillment of her placement and taking the initiative and leadership in co-creating and implementing our inaugural Lunching with the League social. The first event took place in October and was such a huge success that Lauren gladly took on the responsibility of planning and implementing our November event.

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JLM Member Holiday Party 2006

By Melissa Lowry, Meetings Chair

The 2006 Junior League Holiday Party was a fantastic opportunity for sustainers, actives and provisionals to celebrate the season in style at the home of Past President, Debbie Korge. Over 100 Leaguers and their guests sipped champagne and nibbled on fabulous appetizers while taking in the beautiful canal view and the Florida game! The Meetings & Hospitality Committee worked diligently to put on a magnificent event that no one will soon forget. Who can wait for next year?

See Photos in JLM Gallery online at www.jlmiami.org.

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Miami, Magic City Historic Film Now Available on DVD

By JLM Headquarters Board

A new digitized version of JLM's historic film Our Miami, the Magic City is now available on DVD! A special “thank you” goes to Carl Kesser for his assistance with this effort. We also have VHS copies available in Spanish.

You can order your copy today by going to the JLM website under Fundraisers or the History section. Or, call Headquarters to order your copies. All proceeds from film sales will go toward the JLM Headquarters maintenance fund.

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Annual Dues

By Lorrie Martin, VP of Finance and Betsy Harper, Treasurer

With the payment of annual dues quickly approaching, have you ever wondered what happens to your dues check once Junior League of Miami receives it?

The annual dues collected each year goes to fund the supporting services which are necessary in order to run The Junior League of Miami, Inc. Examples of supporting services are the costs to operate Headquarters, General Membership Meeting costs, Membership Outreach, JL Journals and Directory, insurance, AJLI dues and many others.

When dissected, there are three categories which absorb over 50% of the money collected each year. Employee salaries and professional fees account for 22% of money spent from the dues collected. A Headquarters contribution (for windstorm and other insurance), rent, repair and maintenance, and security accounts for 21% spent of the dues collected, and the payment of AJLI dues accounts for 27% of the dues collected.

In other words, the cost to “run and maintain” Junior League of Miami comes from the annual dues. With this structure, Junior League can maximize the money it raises from fundraisers and give those dollars back to our projects. This is just one example of why it is important for all League members to support our fundraisers and why, on occasion as with last year, dues must be increased as the costs to run and maintain the supporting services of JLM increase. There are no dues increases planned for this year. Dues notices will be sent out in February. Dues is due March 1, and a $25 late fee will apply after March 31.

Notices will be sent out in February and dues must be paid by March 1 otherwise, a $25 late fee will apply after March 31.

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Good HQ News! The Holes Are Gone!

By JLM Headquarters Board

Have you noticed that the historic wood floors at JLM Headquarters have a new look? JLM members and guests no longer have to worry about their heels slipping into a cracks since the loose boards and boards with holes have been fixed and the entire floor refinished.

Thank you Domino Floor Company for doing such a professional job on the restoration. Immediate next steps for Headquarters include an interior paint touch up, roof repair and cleaning and polishing of the stone floors.

This coming summer, we hope to embark upon Phase IV of the original master plan renovation which includes replacing existing windows with impact resistant glass windows and repainting and sealing the building’s exterior.

Thank you to all members for your patience and support during needed “touchup” times.

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Placement News

By Jana Hertz, Placement Chair

January Area Meetings
Thank you to those who attended an Area Meeting! The JLM Area Meetings took place on January 9, 2007, and were a huge success with over 200 women in attendance. There were ten meetingsfrom which to choose allowing our membership both an opportunity to meet members in a smaller group setting and at a convenient location. The overwhelming feedback was that membership hopes to have more Area Meetings in the future.

Placement Interviews
Learn more about your placement options for the upcoming year at the April Placement Fair at the General Membership Meeting on April 10. Placement Interviews will take place in the latter part of April and members will have the choice of completing an in person placement interview at headquarters (which will count as a meeting credit) or completing their placement interview online.

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Provisionals Get Busy!

By Christina M. Urena, Provisional Chair

The 2006-2007 Provisional Class has been very busy learning about the Junior League of Miami and the important community projects it supports. The class has attended Community Awareness Training Meetings, General Membership Meetings and completed their mentor group projects. Provisionals have also observed council meetings and been valuable volunteers at the League’s many fundraisers and community projects.

Back by popular demand this year is “JLM 101” meeting and the requirement that the Provisionals attend a council meeting. “JLM 101” was lead by no other than Meredith Mills, who enlightened the Provisionals about the structure of the League and many of the unique opportunities in-league and out-of league. The purpose of these requirements is to provide Provisionals a clear understanding of the League infrastructure, and help them piece together the puzzle that is JLM Leadership (always a subject that eludes Provisionals each year, as well as most actives)!

As part of their training, Provisionals have visited JLM projects and learned about the issues from guest speakers. Provisionals toured Inn Transition North and learned from The Honorable Deborah White-Labora, a judge in the Domestic Violence Division of the Miami-Dade County courts. Touring the site and meeting people who are beneficiaries of the projects gave the provisionals insight into the lives of those the League is committed to helping. The Provisionals have also had the opportunity to hear the community project proposals for next year. This inspired the girls to think about their future years in the League. The class has come away from each of these meetings especially moved and motivated to get more involved.

The Provisionals have participated in the two fall fundraisers this year by stuffing envelopes, manning check-in tables, and selling raffle tickets. They have truly contributed to making our fundraisers a success. The Chairs of the fundraiser committees have remarked that the Provisionals this year are especially terrific!

Most notably the Provisionals have completed 10 mentor group projects lead by their fabulous mentors!

• Nicole Blackburn’s group help with the Christmas store for Gladstone
• Lucy Ulmer’s group made care packages for children being removed from foster homes.
• Carrie Stringer’s group did a Habitat for Humanity project.
• Corey Krissel’s group did a workshop with Charlee Mentoring Moms.
• Leana Marks’ group helped with the Christmas Party for International Rescue Committee.
• Betty Lopez-Castro’s group planned a Christmas Party for Charlee Creative Expressions.
• Nhu Lam’s group put together a Halloween Party for ITS.
• Leslie Cooper’s group worked on “A Day at the Roxy” where they planned events and painted an area at the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center.
• Jamie Adams’ group put on a health and nutrition day at ITS.
• Katie Landsea’s group hosted the Holiday Party at ITS.

Each of these projects touched the lives of so many people. The Provisionals have shown true volunteer spirit and should be congratulated on their efforts to improve our community! We are looking forward to second half of our year and working with these amazing women!

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Special Feature
Members Talented in Fine Arts Enhance Our League

By Susan Lerner

Did you know that the beautiful rendering of our historic Headquarters owes its existence to a sustainer – the talented artist Angela Hoppe? You may not have known this if you are a relative newcomer to the Junior League of Miami. You see, our members come together for meetings and placements but as is often the case, we don’t know much about each other’s lives beyond the League. Through this article, we shed light on three of our members who have more in common than just the League. Each of these members has a passion for the fine arts, and just as Angela Hoppe did, they too share their talents to make our league a better place.

Provisional Lu Coxhead, born and raised in Miami, took full advantage of the excellent public school magnet programs Miami-Dade County has to offer. Lu attended the visual arts magnet at South Miami Middle School and New World School of the Arts. Later, while at the Maryland Institute College of Arts, Lu began painting in oils, her passion. Lu explains, “I love doing oils – you go back in history to the classical paintings – oils give more of a real feeling to the canvas.”

Lu’s talents were exhibited this past fall when her provisional group spent the day sprucing up the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center. Since the center already had a mural, it was Lu’s job to retouch the eyes on one of the faces to make that face a little less scary. To the face, Lu added a pair of glasses, and she painted and decorated the center’s toy box along the way. When she has the time, Lu’s current artistic endeavors include children’s portraits – Lu has a toddler and another baby on the way.

Like Lu, provisional mentor Leslie Cooper was also born and raised in Miami. However, the magnet programs were not around when she was in middle and high school. Instead, Leslie relied on her father to introduce her to the arts. At the age of two, Leslie sat down at the piano with her father who began teaching her jazz chords. Leslie took her first formal piano lesson at age six, and by the time Leslie was in ninth grade at Ponce Middle School, she had already made up her mind to pursue a career in music education.

After graduating from Coral Gables Senior High School, Leslie received her music education degree from St. Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina and studied performance and pedagogy at Meredith College also in Raleigh. Leslie returned to Miami to teach music and she is presently the Fine Arts Department chair at Richmond Heights Middle School. On the weekends, Leslie teaches UM Music Time, music enrichment classes for infants and toddlers at the University of Miami. Many of her young students there are the children of league members as well as the offspring of sports, television and radio celebrities. Leslie and the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, of which she is a charter member, are planning a music workshop for the women and children at Inn Transition South this spring.

First year active Leslie McQueen couldn’t make the October general membership meeting. This was because Leslie had the honor of performing the National Anthem at the Marlins game. Leslie McQueen grew up in Nebraska and moved to Miami in August 2003 (smack in the middle of hurricane season) with her husband who was starting graduate school in music at the University of Miami. According to Leslie, “Tornadoes are still scarier than hurricanes – they are quite horrifying because there is not nearly as much warning.”

Leslie joined the Junior League of Miami at the urging of one of her husband’s piano students, sustainer Leslie Rivera after reading that Miami was rated in the top five of the “Most Difficult Cities to Meet People.” During her time with the League, Leslie has met many women in the League and looks forward to using her musical and acting talents to help out one of our community projects next year. Leslie is currently rehearsing for her part as Fern in “Charlotte’s Web” at Actors’ Playhouse — the same theater where she just finished stage managing two other plays, “No Dogs Allowed” and “Madeline’s Christmas”.

We thank each of these women for letting us share their stories of talent, passion and dedication to the fine arts. We greatly appreciate that they find the time to commit to JLM and share their talents with our community projects.

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Mothers and Daughters From One Generation to Another
Dynamic Duo

By Marlene Fernandez, Journal Committee

One of the greatest benefits of a woman’s involvement in the League, is the ability to create a legacy, pass it on to the next generation, and watch the continued development of an organization that is so close to your heart from the sidelines. Maggie Blake, a League member for almost 34 years, has experienced what every woman hopes to achieve through her membership – learning, contributing and many so many friends along the way. Now, Maggie is “handing over the reins” to the next generation. It just so happens that for her, the next generation includes her daughter, second year active, Caroline Blake.

I had the opportunity to speak with the Blakes, and here is a glimpse of their involvement in the League and what the League means to them as mother and daughter participants in their own words.

On Joining the League

Q: How long have you each been in the Junior League of Miami?

MB: One of the lovely benefits of Junior League membership is being able to transfer. I was a transfer provisional from the Junior League of San Antonio to Miami in 1973 – just out of college and starting my first job [in Miami]. I have loved being a member almost 34 years – active as a single professional, married and married with three young children. I used my journalism background in several League jobs and enjoyed new experiences in areas I wasn’t as knowledgeable.

CB: This is my second active year. Last year, my first active year, I was busy as the Advertising Manager for the Journal...it was a big challenge but fun. This year, I am triple placed: Sustainer Liaison, Advertising Co-Chair, and on the Nominating Committee.

Q: And, Maggie, what prompted you to join the League?

MB: I was a third generation League member – my mother, Caroline Maessen, and my great-aunt were San Antonio League members. Their headquarters was literally across the street from where I grew up. It was fun watching my mother working in their flowerbeds, dressing up to model in their tea room fashion shows and going to volunteer community appointments, like driving blind people to doctor’s offices. She was a wonderful example to follow – from her League membership starting in the 1940s, to mine starting in the 1970s and my daughter Caroline’s in 2003.

Q: Did you ever bring Caroline to League activities prior to her joining in 2003?

MB: My friends often recall when I carried Caroline around in a wicker basket when I was League president in 1983. She was 11 months old when I started my presidency with my annual meeting speech. I had lots of help caring for her that year from League sustainer Leslie Rivera’s mom, Jean Rivera, who called herself Caroline’s “in-town grandmother” and said that watching Caroline was her community service. It was!

Q: What prompted you, Caroline, to join the League?

CB: I have ALWAYS known I would join the Junior League of Miami. It’s in my blood. Being a fourth generation Junior Leaguer I have always talked about it and could not wait to graduate from the University of Florida and join. My mom used to always joke with me when I became frustrated with sorority stuff. I was the Executive Vice-President [of my sorority] which included the responsibility of Bylaws/Parliamentarian. I would get frustrated when motions weren’t done correctly. My mom would tell me “You are going to LOVE the Junior League because they are on top of everything! This is only preparing you for being a very involved League member.”

On Their Joint Involvement in the League

Q: How has your dual involvement in the League strengthened, improved or changed your relationship?

CB: The League has definitely brought my mom and me closer as mother and daughter as well as involved League members. Having Junior League in common gives us many things to talk about; and because I’ve grown up around the League, I know a lot about the way things were done in the past which sparks many conversations. Things have changed over the years and there are some things we agree on and some things we don’t see eye to eye on. Being able to discuss these differences makes me a stronger member. I can hear from an experienced, involved sustainer what things were like and decide for myself how I feel about the way they are done now and whether or not we should revisit the way we do some things.

MB: I’m proud to have a League daughter and one so involved. Sometimes we compare notes on how things are and how they were years ago when policies and rules were more stringent. More meetings were required, many shifts were required in the Encore Shop (I was working and did 12 Saturdays!) and the League was not as flexible with members’ personal schedules as today. However, I have been a sustainer for 18 years so I’m clearly on the sidelines.

CB: This year, I have the opportunity to serve as sustainer liaison and am able to bring the sustainers’ voice to the Board.

Advice to Other Members

Q: What message do you hope other women and their daughters learn from your involvement in JLM?

CB: Joining the League is an incredible experience. One like no other. It gives you the opportunity to grow as an individual, as a woman, and as a leader in the community. You meet so many new people, you develop friendships that you might have never had, and you even have the opportunity to network.

Q: Any other parting words of wisdom?

CB: I am a better person, woman, volunteer and leader because of the League and what I have learned in my short time as an active member. I look forward to many many more years of service and encourage every woman I know to join. It probably would be one of the best decisions she ever made in her lifetime!

MB: Eighty years of outstanding service by members of the Junior League of Miami is a terrific legacy we should take pride in and cherish. Have fun, learn by signing up for varying placements and meet as many members as you can. These women will be your life-long friends. JLM offers you the opportunity to make our community better. Take it and run!

These women will be our life-long friends. We are fortunate to have the Blakes in the Junior League family!

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Membership Drive

The Membership Outreach Committee urges all members to break out their address books and contact lists and contact anyone that may be interested in joining the League to let them know about our membership drive. The deadline for membership applications will be Tuesday, May 8, 2007. However, we encourage all members to get their friends, family and colleagues to submit their applications as early as possible so that they can start receiving information and invites to the exciting events we have planned for this year! Please help us get the word out.

All Prospective Members are required to attend a Membership Open House. Our Membership Open Houses are scheduled for:

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Open House, JLM Headquarters, 6:30 p.m. Social, 7:00 p.m. Meeting

Saturday, March 24, 2007
Open House, JLM Headquarters, 1:30 p.m. Social, 2:00 p.m. Meeting

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Open House, JLM Headquarters, 6:30 p.m. Social, 7:00 p.m. Meeting

To be eligible to join, a prospective member must:

1. Be over 22 years of age on or before May 31, 2007;
2. Possess an interest in volunteerism, a commitment to community service and an interest in developing her potential for voluntary community participation;
3. Have a sponsor (although a sponsor will be assigned if the prospective member does not know a JLM member at the time of application);
4. Submit an application online, by mail or by fax; and
5. Attend one Membership Open House.

Questions? Email Membership Outreach Chair Alison Simon at membershipchair@jlmiami.org.

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