Junior League of Champaign-Urbana Welcomes New Year

A packed house welcomed the new Junior League year at our first General Membership Meeting on 9/20/16. The meeting got started with a welcome from our current President, Jennifer Romine. Jennifer gave a brief update on summer happenings within JLCU, most notably, the move to our new administrative office location in Champaign!

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THANK YOU!

Two Champaign-Urbana area businesses were instrumental in assisting us with the move – The Ryan Dallas Team and This is It Furniture – by donating usage of their trucks this past weekend. Any unneeded furniture and fixtures that we owned but did not need at our new location was donated to Salt & Light Ministries. A big thanks, as well, to all members, family, and friends of JLCU who helped in this process.

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New Member Announcement!

Welcome to our newest members! 42 local women have joined our organization this year, and got started earlier this month with their first new member meeting. We are looking forward to getting to know all of you!

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Project Development Update

Historically, the PD Committee presents at the September meeting and voting occurred at the October meeting. There is a proposed change to this policy that will be voted on at the October meeting. A new project will be proposed at the October GMM, too.

• Currently, the Policies Approved by Members (PAM) 5.1.A reads: “All projects shall be approved by the membership at the October GMM. Prior notice shall be given and absentee ballots allowed.”
• Proposed change to PAM 5.1.A: “All projects shall be approved by the membership at the November GMM. Prior notice shall be given and absentee ballots allowed.”

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JLCU Gives Back/Done in a Meeting

Areas of Louisiana were devastated by flooding in August, such as Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The Junior League of New Orleans has been collecting and distributing items to help local women and children. We collected diapers, feminine hygiene products, and gift cards to be donated to help. Many members brought items to help out this worthy cause. Also, extra school supplies from League Locker are being donated directly to schools in the area.

Jennifer Romine’s in-laws have been impacted by the flooding, and she shared the following about some of the schools and how impactful our assistance will be, “they [the schools] flooded and have lost many school supplies right at the beginning of the year. In addition, the students’ homes flooded, and as they come back to school they are unable to bring in new supplies with them.”

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JLCU Structure & Council Updates

Loni Trimble, JLCU Executive Vice President, shared information about JLCU’s structure and introduced Council VPs to give exciting updates for the new League year.

Membership Council VP, Kristen Sackley, introduced the new 1^st-year member mentor program to the group. The mentors will also plan league-wide social events during the year. Stay tuned for fun events coming soon!

Finance Council VP, Allie Teagarden, announced the exciting 2016-2017 schedule of fundraising events. There is something for everyone! Keep reading Tuesday Tidbits and the JLCU website for details.

• That’s What She Said Ladies’ Night Out Pre-Party: 10/13
• Festival of Trees Weekend: 11/18-11/20
  • Daddy Daughter Dance: 11/18
  • Public Hours: 11/19-11/20
  • Brunch with Santa & Mrs. Claus: 11/19
• JLCU Trivia Night (NEW!): 1/26
• Red Carpet Affair (NEW!): 2/26

Communications Council VP, Ashley Morgan, presented that we are relaunching the I Am Junior League campaign with updated photos and more. More information coming soon to Tuesday Tidbits on how to be involved.

Community Council Updates: Caitlin Drake, Chair of Bright Starts, shared that there are several change to the “preschool at night” program this year. Any children in the pre-K age range (3-5) are welcome to attend, and there is now a financial scholarship available through Busey Bank for children that attend 7 classes. The next event is 10/11 and maximum enrollment is at 40 children. For more information, visit our Bright Starts webpage.

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JLCU Training – The History of Junior League

This video is worth the watch! Members were inspired to learn about JL’s amazing impact on our country and the world.

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Congrats to our very first Shining Star Award for 2016-2017,  Laura Gerhold!

She is pictured here with President Jen Romine (L) and Membership Council VP Kristen Sackley (R). Laura was nominated for her diligent work in assisting with the office move this summer. She also volunteered for every shift on Sunday of move which allowed us to finish 1.5 hours early!