302 members (as of May 8, 2000) 159 Actives and 143 Sustainers. Our theme “Take Your Passion and Make It Happen” encouraged league members to discover what they felt strongly about and then to take that passion and share their unique and inherent talents to make a difference in the league and community.

This was a transition year for the League, moving from a focus area of family support to one of mentoring. The highlight of the year was the development of a new vision statement and values. Both were created by the membership through interactive exercises and discussions throughout the year.  This new vision statement and the values will be the foundation for the new strategic plan (to be developed in 2000-2001) and reflects the current needs and interests of the membership and community.  They read as follows:

Values

• Helping other people through meaningful work, leadership, trained volunteers, honesty/integrity/ethical practice, commitment, effectiveness, forward thinking
• Updating the League technologically. Four new computers were purchased with updated software, headquarters gained access to the Internet and e-mail, and the JLA launched its first official web site at jlannapolis.org.
• Membership database was also updated to accurately reflect current membership numbers.
• Welcomed in the year 2000 by joining with 85 other leagues across the country and performing 2000 good deeds.
• Arranged for the 2000 Pages Reading Marathon and invited celebrity readers from around the county to help out.
• Analyzed current and future trends that are impacting volunteer organizations across the country and discussed ideas and ways to address some of these trends. In response to the trend of declining human resources, feedback from the membership led to the combination
• Creation of the Fundraiser Evaluation and Development Committee and Resource Development Committee. This was in response to the trend of declining human resources. Feedback from the membership led to the combination.
• The new committee will be called Fund Development and Evaluation and will take effect in the 2000-2001 year.

The Financial Resources Council

• Insured the League’s future financial standing and developed policies to help the league make better use of its investments.
• Created an Investment Advisory Committee whose accomplishments included the selection of Merrill Lynch as the League’s money manager, the development of expectations of the money manager, and the development of investment guidelines.
• Researched the feasibility of purchasing property to be used as headquarters for the League.
• Decided the League is not currently in a financial standing to support such a purchase and that if this were a long-term desire of the membership that a capital campaign would need to be instituted at least five years prior to such a purchase.
• Recommended that the League renegotiates the current lease for 2-3 additional years (taking it out 5 years) and that the issue be re-addressed in two years.

Board of Directors

• Created a fun, inclusive and welcoming environment so that any league member would feel welcome and be motivated to continue their membership in the JLA.
• An effort to be available and welcome members at the general membership meetings and to show appreciation for jobs well done.
• A Good Will Ambassador was ordained and official greeters welcomed members at each GMM.
• Special training sessions were conducted to help the membership feel welcome in a group and learn how they can be welcoming to others.
• Focused on governance and policy issues versus management issues and developed outcomes to help direct the efforts of committees in charge of the External Ambassadorship Program, the Provisional Committee, Open Houses, Carousel, Carousel preview party, the Public Relations Committee and a potential signature project.
• In response to limited office space at headquarters, the membership voted that $10,000 be allocated (as a capital expenditure) for use towards space planning and the purchase of cabinets, shelving, etc.
• A new office administrator was hired in September with increased responsibilities and hours (25 hours a week).
• A JLA pin was created and given to all active League members.The intent of the pin is to serve as a welcoming gift for new actives when they are voted into membership.

League Membership

• League members through its volunteer efforts contributed over 22,750 hours. (average of 3.5 volunteer hours per week (according to AJLI survey) times 52 weeks in a year times 125 actives).
• League members completed over 85% of JLA’s Strategic Plan and goal objectives which helped the League make great strides in achieving its mission of improving the community, developing the potential of women and promoting volunteerism.
• Committed the majority of its resources to improving the community.
• Program expenses for the year comprised 75% ($127,744) of the operating budget and administrative expenses only comprised 25% ($43,664).

Highlights of the Year

Goal #1: Increase member awareness and knowledge of the JLA structure and AJLI

• Conducted mini-training sessions at the GMMs on topics such as the straw ballot process, parliamentary procedure. Hosted Dr. Brenda Lloyd Jones, Ph.D. to speak on how to market with our mission statement. Jane Silverman, AJLI’s Executive Director spoke at JLA’s annual luncheon regarding ways the sustainers and actives can best work together to accomplish the mission of the JLA. Ms. Silverman also gave an overview of the Association and its future plans.
• Incoming leaders, the provisional class and membership were invited and encouraged to participate in several training sessions in the spring, summer and fall with facilitators and trainers from our League, other leagues, AJLI and outside speakers. Topics included JLA and AJLI structure, numerous leadership issues, committee issues and team building.
• Held Placement Information night at the February and March GMMs which gave the membership the opportunity to hear presentations from each committee to help them be better informed when deciding where they would like to be placed the following year.
• Bylaws and Policies and Procedures were updated and the membership was told of the updates.
• The membership was informed about JLA and AJLI issues with monthly updates in the LOG.
• Monthly Board Briefs were published in the LOG to keep the membership informed of Board actions.
• The membership was encouraged to access the JLA and AJLI web sites for more information.
• Nominating and Placement and the Provisional Committee either held exit interviews and/or utilized exit forms to request information and opinions on ways to improve the JLA (i.e. membership requirements, fundraising efforts, community placements, training, flexibility, etc.) to help broaden members’ perspectives and ideas.
• Revised the Straw Ballot into a nomination form and updated the placement brochure.
• In-house photo coverage for League activities was increased and pictures were utilized in the LOG.
• 10 editions of the monthly newsletter, The LOG, were published.
• The Blue Book was updated and included pictures of League members as well as a new section of Provisional members.

Goal #2: Increase visibility of JLA in the community and awareness of other community organizations.

• Reach Out and Read (ROAR) continued to promote the importance of literacy and reached out and read to over 800 children, collected approximately 1200 books and distributed over 1000 books. League members were seen reading at the Clay Street Clinic, the Department of Social Services’ Family Support Center, the Kunta Kinte Festival and the Eastport Library. In conjunction with the Department of Social Services, they planned celebrity readings around the community during National Reach Out and Read week in April. The committee also acquired a lion’s costume to increase interest and visibility. The JLA entered into a two-year collaboration with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, “Newborn Home Visitation Program” (beginning in fall 1999), whereby the JLA would supply approximately 960 books for 960 children (80 books per month). This collaboration expires in the fall of 2001.
• The Kiva Committee continued its efforts of mentoring to the teens at the Kiva House with weekly Friday night projects and monthly outings.They also worked in conjunction with the Naval Academy Midshipmen in tutoring the kids and providing positive role models. The kids at Kiva were able to participate in numerous recreational outings because of the League’s assistance—opportunities that they would not normally have had. The committee also worked on skill building exercises with the teens throughout the year. The Kiva House closed so the League will not be continuing this project.
• The Kids on the Block Committee (KOB) impacted over 4600 elementary aged kids by giving 18 performances this year and received numerous standing ovations.Skits were performed on learning disabilities, divorce, bike safety and cerebral palsy. The committee was anxious to respond to the needs expressed by the school system and is hoping to receive future grant monies to allow them to do skits on child abuse, sexual abuse, multiculturalism and drugs. The KOB committee was renewed for an additional year in response to a possible collaboration and is up for renewal in April 2001.
• The Book Bag Committee collaborated with local businesses and the United Way Community Partnership and distributed over 800 supply-filled book bags for needy students at Germantown, Meade Heights, Odenton Park, Shady Side and Tracey’s Landing Elementary schools, as well as for children at the Kiva House and the Allen Apartments in Annapolis who attend Mills-Parole Elementary School.
• The Community Outreach and Project Research Committee (COPR) offered league members several opportunities to band together and help out the community, these included:

1. 2nd annual Volunteer Fair in the Annapolis mall to promote volunteerism. This was a collaboration with the United Way of Central Maryland and included several other non-profits.
2. Family Fun Fair at Sarah’s House on the national Make a Difference Day. Sarah’s House is a shelter for homeless men, women and children and offers transitional housing to help people get back on their feet.
3. 2000 Pages Reading Marathon.
4. $3000 in Community Assistance Donations were given to The Conflict Resolution Center’s Family Connections Program and Parents for Public Schools’ Schoolyard Connections Program. Both projects fell within the League’s mission and focus area of family support.

• The Teen Resource Guide was updated and distributed to over 10,000 teens in the County. The 20 page guide is filled with resources geared toward teens, offers suggestions for whom to contact when they need someone to talk to in a crisis situation, are interested in information on obtaining a GED, or want to find Cool Places to Go.
• The Public Policy Committee accomplished their goal of identifying and researching public policy issues of general interest to the JLA for support and action as well as coordinated advocacy efforts with the Junior Leagues of Maryland (JLM) State Public Affairs Committee. The membership from the Baltimore and Annapolis Leagues were given the opportunity to advocate at JLM night on five issues dealing with domestic violence, temporary Ex Parte Orders, Surrender of Firearms, Responsible Gun Safety, Integration of Child Welfare and Substance Abuse Treatment Services and the Working Parents Opportunity Act. The membership gave the go ahead on these issues and the committee teamed up with the Jr. League of Baltimore to hold JLM night and gave the membership the opportunity to advocate on these issues.
• The Provisional Class solicited and gathered supplies for the YWCA’s Arden House, a domestic violence shelter in the Annapolis area.
• The Excellence in Volunteerism Award was awarded to Dr. Deborah Wood and $500 was donated to the Chesapeake Children’s Museum.
• The JLA awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Jennifer Gardner from Arundel High School through Scholarships for Scholars.
• Two Proclamations were received: One from the Governor proclaiming April 9th-15th as National Volunteer Week and the other from the Mayor of the City of Annapolis and the County Executive’s Office.
• Collaborations in the community included Anne Arundel County Public Schools (for ROAR, KOB, Book Bag and Building Bridges Project), Chesapeake Children’s Museum and the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis MEOW bus (ROAR and possible future KOB activities), the United Way (Book bag and the Volunteer Fair), and March of Dimes (Star Chefs). Joint efforts included the YWCA’s Arden House, Department of Social Services (ROAR); Sarah’s House (COPR), the Family Support Center and the Clay Street Clinic (ROAR).
• The Community Advisory Board was diversified and enlarged from 5 members to 20 and included community leaders from both the public and private sector who were considered to be representative of our new focus area of mentoring. This Board was utilized to gain community feedback on the 2000 good deeds project and the preliminary vision statement. Many Advisory Board Members also participated in the 2000 Pages Reading Marathon.
• Publicity was stepped up to increase visibility of the League in the community.Fifteen press releases were submitted to local publications highlighting League activities and feature articles ran on the Book Bag project, the Teen Resource Guide, Cookbook, KOB, Carousel, Star Chefs, and the Queen of Hearts Tea. In addition to newspaper releases, JLA activities were highlighted in the community via the newsletter, magazines, cable television spots and the use of JLA brochures. Advertisement was also purchased for fundraisers and open houses. Signs, posters and banners were also created and distributed for several of the fundraisers and projects.
• JLA member involvement on community boards and involvement in other community organizations was encouraged. Volunteer opportunities were published monthly in the newsletter. Three League members were placed on community Boards.
• Quarterly articles were printed in the LOG spotlighting various community organizations with the goal of making the membership aware of other community groups.
• The first official JLA web site was launched.

Goal #3: Increase membership, diversity as it relates to JLA’s mission statement, and retention by at least 10% per year.

• Prospective, provisional, active and sustaining members were educated on the value of their membership through awareness of skills, abilities, learning opportunities and community impact.
• This was the first year of the new standing Multicultural Development Committee (MDC). They, with the help of several other committees, helped to educate the membership and raise their awareness on multicultural issues to help foster an environment of inclusivity. Activities included the following:

1. A multicultural calendar was distributed to help chairs plan events while remaining sensitive to holidays.
2. The JLA leadership and MDC committee (general membership was also invited) received multicultural awareness, sensitivity and attitudinal training. Mimi Hull (past president of the Orlando Florida League and a trainer often utilized by AJLI) conducted the leadership training.
3. Presented the “Tale of O” at the January Provisional Meeting.
4. Ruth Terrell from AJLI spoke at the February GMM (in lieu of area groups) and led the membership in an interactive video exercise called Building a House for Diversity.
5. The MDC committee created centerpieces for the Holiday Luncheon and based them off of various religious and cultural observances of holidays around the world.
6. The MDC committee published monthly articles in the newsletter to help educate the membership.
7. Developed a multicultural resource library in headquarters
8. Arranged a private tour for League members of the local Frederick Douglass beach cottage in Highland Beach.
9. The JLA advertised in the Beth Shalom newsletter and Chesapeake Family Magazine with the goal of attracting a diverse membership.
10. The Board of Directors signed the multicultural leadership commitment statement, reaffirming the Board’s commitment to multicultural development.

• JLA members were encouraged to bring guests to the General Membership Meetings (GMMs), events and open houses.
• Membership requirements were re-evaluated for flexibility to accurately reflect member needs.
• Continued offering social opportunities to the membership which included a fall family picnic, Navy tailgate, wine tasting, holiday greens workshop, holiday social, Valentine’s Black Tie Gala, Cajun Hoe Down Preview Party for Carousel and a golf outing. The Provisional Committee also held three socials for the Provisional members to help foster friendship and camaraderie within the class.
• Two open houses were held. The open houses were revamped and developed into a trade show format, which met with much positive feedback.
• A Good Will Ambassador was ordained and greeters welcomed members at each GMM.
• 28 provisional members were trained and welcomed into active membership. 10 new transfers joined the ranks of the JLA.
• The Nominating and Placement Committee attended an Advisor Training Program and committee leaders also participated in the first regional Nominating and Placement Leadership Conference to help them be more effective advisors for the membership.
• Informal feedback was solicited from members at spring placement interviews to ensure the League is on track with member’s needs.

Goal #4: Research and develop the future direction of the League.

• The membership participated in several break out sessions throughout the year to determine the direction they would like to see the League head in the future. Leaders also participated in discussions at a combined council meeting in October. The Board of Directors discussed and analyzed the information from these meetings, and a new vision statement and values statement (the beginning stages of a new strategic plan) were created, based on the membership input and feedback.
• Utilized the Community Advisory Board to help determine unmet community needs.
• Meetings were held with the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis and the Children’s Museum to discuss possible future collaborations.
• Combined Council was held with the Financial Resources and Membership Councils to discuss pressing issues regarding membership obligations and efficacy of fundraisers.
• The Board defined the new focus area of mentoring, based off of membership feedback, to direct future activities.
• The membership voted on League research about potential signature projects and presented them in the fall of 2000. $21,000 was earmarked over a three-year period for this project.
• The Board developed outcomes to guide COPR in researching potential signature projects, based off of feedback from the membership and community need.
• The League analyzed current and future trends that are impacting volunteer organizations across the country and discussed ideas and ways to address some of these trends.

Goal #5: Increase Financial Strength

• At the time this report was written, the accounting firm and Board of Directors had not reviewed the final financial statements for 1999-2000. All numbers below should be considered approximations. For more accurate information please refer to the League’s financial statements, which are usually available by September.
• An investment plan and policy were created to increase JLA investment returns and clarify responsibility.
• All investments have been or are still in the process of being moved to and consolidated at Merrill Lynch thus allowing for more diversification and greater earnings potential.
• The checking account at AB&T was rolled over into a “sweep” account to earn interest on overnight investments. Of note: after several months, the recommendation was made to consider changing back to the regular account as the potential cost of this account when money is low, is extremely costly. It was recommended that all excess funds be moved to Merrill Lynch.
• Increase or decrease in overall net assets of the League could not be determined at the time of this report since the final review was not yet complete (please see final financial review statements for this information).
• Resource Development submitted 9 grant applications and the JLA was awarded 4 requests, which provided $8,275 of the $10,500 goal for Kiva, ROAR, KOB and Book Bag. Excess revenue over expenses was $8,047 (expenses were $228).
• The Star Chefs event was held for the 2nd year in collaboration with the March of Dimes. The event was held at the Loews Hotel and 232 people attended. Twelve chefs from local restaurants participated. Tickets were $45. The JLA brought in $10,000 in corporate contributions. $18,850 was raised on 58 auction packages, a raffle and baskets. A total of $44,100 was raised, which was split between the March of Dimes and the League. $22,050 of the $28,000 goal was raised for the JLA. Excess revenue over expenses was $19,913 (expenses were $2,137).
• The 20th annual Carousel was held in early April at the County Fairgrounds. Over 1000 people attended and Carousel exceeded their goal by raising $23,856 of the $23,000 goal. Of note, a used BMW was donated and auctioned off at the preview party. Excess revenue over expenses was $17,316. (Expenses were $6,540).Of note: In January and February, this fundraiser was evaluated in great detail by the Board of Directors and at a combined council of the Membership and Financial Resources Council. Manpower hours, quota dollars and other expenses were compared with monies raised over the past five years. It was determined that with decreasing resources and increasing financial and community needs that this issue be re-evaluated by the Board of Directors at the June Board Meeting and that future possible means of raising money (with less manpower requirements and more income potential) be investigated.
• Of Tide and Thyme cookbook raised approximately $58,765 of its $75,000 goal. Excess revenue over expenses was $29,116 (expenses were $29,649). Inventory level of cookbooks as of May 31, 2000 was $33,426. This year, in our 7th printing, we sold more than 5000 books, with more than 36,000 sold to date since it’s first printing in 1995. Over 50 wholesale accounts were in place. The committee showcased the book at events such as the Seafood Festival, Homegrown Days at Fresh Fields, the Mid-Atlantic Wine Festival, tastings during the Powerboat Show, the Parade of Lights and Barnes and Noble bookstore events.The committee also got creative by planning and holding several Cookbook and Camaraderie Dinner parties at various League member homes with the goal of renewing member’s interests in the book. Other new and inventive ideas included tastings during Midnight Madness and the Naval Academy commissioning week. Cookbook swaps with other Leagues proved highly successful with over 125 books swapped on an even exchange basis. This gave members more choices in fulfilling obligations or adding to their own cookbook collections. Of note: The committee was restructured for the 2000-2001 League year to more resemble a business and to change the cookbook placement to a two-year commitment. The new plan will distribute the workload to a greater number of managers focused on specific areas: distribution, finance, JLA relations, wholesale accounts and AJLI relations. The goal of this restructuring is to increase sales by providing greater continuity, stability and focused energy to the cookbook committee.
• The Queen of Hearts Tea was held for a second year for further evaluation as a possible standing fundraiser for the League. Over 250 women and children attended the tea at the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Hotel in February. Two seatings were held. Tickets were $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 years of age and younger. The Ballet Theatre of Annapolis performed and Ms. Gal Greco, local author and host of a cable TV series and Ms. Katie Moose, author and League Sustainer, were guest speakers at the event. The event raised $9,838 of its $16,000 goal.  Revenue in excess of expenses was $3,183 (expenses were $6,655).  Of note: After two years of evaluation, the Financial Resources Council decided that the Queen of Hearts Tea is not a viable fundraiser for the future and therefore, the event will not proceed.
• $820 was raised by the Fundraiser Evaluation and Development Committee through mini-fundraisers which included a 50/50 raffle, Pampered Chef Party, and proceeds from a fashion show to benefit ROAR.
• League fundraisers and grants raised a total of approximately $123,604 of the $152,500 goal. Total revenue in excess of expenses for fundraisers and grants was $78,395 (expenses were 45,209).
• The Fundraiser Evaluation and Development Committee evaluated the Star Chefs, Carousel and Queen of Hearts Tea. Surveys were sent out to participants and league members and the results were distributed to the committee chairs and the Financial Resources VP.
• $964 of the $1000 goal was raised for the endowment fund.
• PR surpassed their $500 goal and raised $1000 through increased LOG advertising sales efforts. Consolidated bank accounts at Annapolis Bank & Trust.

Goal #6: Increase member’s skills, knowledge and abilities to be more effectively trained volunteers.

• Provisional, Chair and Board training manuals and Prospective Member Packets were revised and updated.
• The provisional training program was revamped. Five training sessions were conducted that included project development (hands on), fundraising and resource development, AJLI overview, JLA overview, Council System overview, multicultural awareness, as well as parliamentary procedure training.
• The 1999-2000 incoming leadership was trained in two separate training programs in May 1999. Inspirational speaker, Shar McBee, author of the book, To Lead Is to Serve, spoke. The general membership was invited to this segment of the training as well. Various league members presented at the Chair Training. Trainer and speaker Mimi Hull of Hull and Associates led the Board Training and multicultural segment for the leadership training.
• Emphasis was placed on the education and training of League Members this year with the following trainings offered. These trainings also received very positive evaluations from the attendees:

1. DiSC Personal Profile in July 1999 and February 2000. 21 league members participated and follow up training and reminders were placed in the LOG.
2. Advisor Training in August 1999 was attended by 18 Nominating and Placement Advisors and Provisional Committee Advisors.
3. Delegation Training for the leadership at the October Combined Council Meeting.
4. First JLA University Day was conducted in March. 24 members participated in the technology conference that was held at the Anne Arundel Community College. The Education and Training Committee hosted the Power Point and Internet Technology conference. The committee started small and hopes to expand on this conference training idea in the future. Knowledge grained from this conference was utilized later in the year by presenting in PowerPoint at the General Membership Meeting and at the Open House.
5. Alderman Herb McMillan spoke on the importance of advocacy and shared ideas on ways that the League could increase its effectiveness in this area.
6. Training in the LOG newsletter.
7. Training at GMM on the purpose of the mission.
8. The Board and membership were trained on how to develop vision statements.
9. In addition, the Education and Training Committee assisted in conducting the following GMM sessions:

• Mission Possible with Dr. Brenda Lloyd-Jones, Ph.D.- taught the membership how to have passion for the mission of the JLA.
• Making Effective Connections with Dr. Brenda Lloyd-Jones, Ph.D. – taught the membership how to feel welcome in a group, when first meeting people and how to help others feel welcome.
• AJLI Executive Director, Jane Silverman spoke at the annual luncheon in December. In addition to giving an overview of the Association and its plans, Ms. Silverman also addressed the Leagues’ Active and Sustainer membership bonds and the importance of maintaining an interactive relationship between the two. Ms. Silverman also stressed the importance of multicultural development and applauded the JLA for its efforts. Later in the day Ms. Silverman led an informal roundtable discussion on current and future trends in the volunteer sector.
• Developed 2000/2001 Chair Training Program.
• Sent over 20 emerging leaders to 9 different AJLI conferences throughout the country and advertised conferences in the newsletter to increase interest.
• An Education and Training Ad Hoc reviewed the existing three-tiered training curriculum that has been utilized in the past and reevaluated current training needs. Recommendations included focusing on three levels of training (Leadership, Membership, Provisional), increasing the amount of money the League spends on training (phasing in up to 16% of the budget if possible), and focus on the training of the general membership.
• List of educational resources available in League Headquarters was updated and published in the LOG.