2006 – 2007

395 members (204 Sustainer, 159 Active, 32 Provisional)

Building upon a successful 25-year past, focus shifted to streamlining the League’s budgetary and administrative functioning, improving the quality and impact of volunteer efforts and forming new community partnerships.

The year’s greatest accomplishments were an expansion of community programming, the initiation of an Administrative Director, the formulation of a 3-year Strategic Plan, the completion of a new cookbook and the addition of a new fall fundraiser.

At Board & Chair Training, league leaders received a signed copy of To Lead is to Serve and heard author, Shar McBee, share tips on improving volunteers’ experiences. Mid-year, a leadership-only shopping/social was held at Talbots. Self-designated future leaders were welcomed at the Combined Council Meeting, which focused on Anne Arundel County. Griff Hall, Director of Leadership Anne Arundel was keynote speaker.

Financial Resources Council

Membership voted to continue all current fundraisers and to establish a 5K Fun Run Fundraiser in the fall.
Of Tide and Thyme had income of $40,865 and opened 35 accounts. A motion passed requiring members to make cookbook purchases by January to pace annual cash flow.
A Thyme to Entertain: Menus and Traditions of Annapolis was sent to print upon approval of membership and triple testing of recipes. Sponsorships totaling $23,595 were raised from JLA Actives, Sustainers, Past Presidents and several corporate sponsors, including Oreck which provided $10,000. 20 cases were sold at Chef’s Kickoff Presale.
Chefs by the Bay raised over $80,000 and was held at the Navy Marine Corp Stadium’s Banquet Hall. Attendance was over 500.
FDE raised over $12,000 for the Annual Fund including a few corporate donations.

Community Impact Council

Membership approved Council’s recommendation to require volunteers to serve 8 hours (as desired) within the Community Impact Council, beyond their active placement.
The membership voted in four community programs for the following terms:

Friends of Foster Care – 2 years
It’s Elementary (including Bookbag) – 3 years
Juvenile Justice – 2 years
Children’s Literacy – 1 year

TEAM continued positive expression and self-esteem building activities at Waxter Juvenile Detention Center. JLA involvement provided a continuous presence of a core group of positive, successful females, a safe atmosphere with an adult in whom to confide or seek advice and an opportunity for goal development through recognition of potential and guidance.
COPR’s theme was “Rebuilding”, highlighted by a trip to New Orleans with other Junior Leagues to spotlight continuing need for assistance in rebuilding Gulf Coast areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. Other rebuilding included rehabilitating the family apartment at Lighthouse Shelter and repairing an elderly woman’s home. In addition, JLA partnered with the Foster Families Association and Evolutions Body Clinic to host 300 foster families for Jingle Bell Jubilee a holiday party.
Tag Sale continued bulk pricing and the remainder from the sale allowed us to donate a substantial amount of high quality items to our community. Proceeds were $4,000.
Public Advocacy continued to publish Log articles and to spotlight news pertaining to woman and children through links in the weekly Blast. The committee, along with partners, the National Safe Haven Alliance and The Maryland Department of Human Resources, hosted a Safe Haven Summit to promote better implementation and increased public awareness about Maryland’s Safe Haven Laws.
Bookbag delivered 1030 full backpacks to Marley Elementary, Germantown Elementary, Mills- Parole Elementary, Van Bokelen Elementary and Tyler Heights Elementary. A Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, including restocking supplies for all 530 students was held at Marley Elementary thanks to Office Depot. Connections for future project initiatives were made to 21^st Century Educational Foundation, the County’s non-profit.
Teen Resource Guide had first ever budget of $4000 for reprinting. To meet demand, a grant request was submitted to (and committed to by) The Carl M. Freeman Foundation.

Communications Council

An ad hoc committee confirmed that upgrading the JLA website is necessary. Closerware was chosen to reduce dependence on technically-savvy volunteers, to improve League operations through the use of various Junior League specific modules, and to provide free annual training for new users.
Public Relations revitalized external marketing pieces including The JLA Fact Sheet and, through liaisons, prepared PR materials for each committee. Outstanding committee efforts resulted in significant local press for the JLA.
Meetings & Events changed the kickoff event to a cocktail party and the annual dinner to a members-only Luau. GMMs each had a theme and attendance at all was significantly improved. The Holiday luncheon was held at Rockfish, a Chef’s supporter.

Membership Council

Membership approved Council’s motion to require attendance at, at least one League-approved training per year.
Education & Training used theme of Women’s Stress Management with numerous articles supportingUniversity Day on the same topic. The event was held at AACC as a panel discussion. 55 League and community members attended. Committee coordinated Mayor Moyer to speak at Holiday Lunch and provided online mission statement training.

Provisional Committee

Formulated new section of the JLA website entitled “Join the JLA”. 40 women attended a summer Open House at Rockfish in Annapolis and 32 completed the Provisional Course. Fall Projects were a Halloween Party at Allen Apartments and a holiday party at Waxter. Spring project was “Anne Arundel Reads,” which focused on children’s literacy. Volunteers collected 2800 books for AA County After School and Head Start programs.
Nominating & Placement’s attention was on 24-hour response time to issues, better transfer immersion and additional mid-year communication (including probation letters). The deadline for straw ballots was extended to encourage dialogue amongst members