On behalf of JLA Board I’d like to welcome everyone to the 2013-13 League year and to our revamped blog. We have a busy year ahead of us. To kick things off the Provisional Committee will be trying out a two Provisional class structure. We hope that this will make JLA more accessible to potential members and more inclusive for our current members, allowing Provisionals to join the ranks of Active membership even earlier.

We’re also excited to be going into the second year of our two community impact programs at Sarah’s House and the Center for Help. We learned a lot last year, were delighted by the support we received from our membership, and are hoping our experience will serve to strengthen our projects.

Back in 1982, with 196 members, we became the 250th League admitted into the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. As we go forward it’s as important as always that we remember to remain strong to our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. That means everything we do this year will help shape us into leaders with the ability to make a real impact on our community.

I’d like to thank all of the Sustainers who remain on this journey with us and the Active members who have recommitted for another year. Our Sustainers are our history, reminding us where we come from, while our Active members provide the vision to determine where we are going. Both are an integral part of JLA.

Finally I’d like to thank all of JLA’s donors and sponsors. I look forward to continuing our relationship, since without your support we could not be women as catalysts for lasting change.

Hope Stewart

President, 2013-2014