Five Metro Atlanta Area Junior Leagues Unite to Train Each of its Leadership Teams

On Saturday, July 18, women leaders from five area volunteer organizations convened for a combined leadership training at the Atlanta Speech School. Members from Junior League of Atlanta, Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, Junior League of Dekalb County, Junior League of Douglas County, and Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties gathered to share ideas and enhance their skills to better serve their respective communities. Training topics included Leadership 101, Leadership 601, Personal Branding, Project Management, and Social Media Engagement.

Speakers and trainers were notable women from a variety of backgrounds and industries, including Ms. Anna Cablik, Owner and President of Anatek, Inc. and Anasteel; Ms. Charlotte King, President/Creative Director of Snowden & King Marketing Communications; Ms. Ginny Nickles, Director of Mission Mobilization and Innovation at Peachtree Presbyterian Church; Ms. Ursula Reynolds, PhD Graduate Program Manager at Georgia Tech; Ms. Charlotte Ros Terrell, Talent Management Consultant in Human Resources at Southern Company, and keynote speaker Ms. Kimberlyn Daniel, CEO of YWCA of Greater Atlanta. Ms. Daniel stressed the importance of equality and inclusion across gender and racial disparities in today’s business and non-profit worlds.

“Since its founding in 1901 by social activist Mary Harriman, The Junior League has evolved into one of the oldest, largest, and most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, encompassing more than 150,000 women in 292 Leagues in four countries,” says the Association of Junior Leagues International.

The Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties, Inc. (JLGNF) has approximately 125 Active and Sustaining members consisting of CEOs, entrepreneurs, mothers, and professional women from diverse backgrounds.

JLGNF is currently seeking new members for the Fall 2015 New Member Class. Membership in JLGNF offers opportunities for women of all races, religions and national origins women over the age of 22, who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to volunteerism.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining JLGNF, email recruiting@jlgnf.org or visit www.jlgnf.org to apply online. The application deadline to be a part of this amazing organization is August 29, 2015. New Member Orientation will take place at Rainbow Village in Duluth on August 29, 2015.

A Transfer's Experience

I left a magical place, Verona, NJ, nestled in Essex County, only 30 minutes from New York City. Verona was a place of happiness, safety and a beautiful county park. The teachers at school are all married to the local policemen. The elementary school consisted of only two classes per grade and no buses. I walked my kids to school and everyone showed proper thanks to our crossing guards at holidays and year-end. Magic, I tell you.

In Verona, I was an active member of the Junior League of Montclair Newark (JLMN). That League's mission was (and is still) Children at Risk. I joined JLMN because a number of my friends were already members. I also felt it was an organized and social way that I could give back because I have been blessed with three perfect, healthy children and there isn't much more to life than that.

In 2013, my family decided to seek employment in/around metro Atlanta. While I loved almost everything about Verona, the insane property costs, snowy weather (my nemesis), parking issues, and the fact that you can't do u turns in NJ got to me. While most folks relocating to a new area look at schools and real estate, I immediately checked out the local Junior Leagues.

My research led me to learn that the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties would be the geographically logical League to join. I reached out via the proper channel. That led me to Renee Adams, my transfer chair. 

Not everyone will have Renee as a Transfer Chair. We realized we were both Keller Williams agents and our children attended the same preschool. Later we discovered we both gave a son the middle name of James, we are both December babies, and left-handed. Our friendship turned into magic.

But it didn't stop there. While not all JLGNF members and I lead parallel lives, everyone I met made me feel as if I had known them forever. Everyone I met was sweet, smart and sincere. I immediately loved everyone. I felt closer to these women after the first General Membership Meeting (GMM) than after a year in my other League. The acceptance was immediate, both administratively and emotionally. The Board was quick to "process" me, and everyone else was quick to make me feel like I belonged without having to be sponsored or invited. I was able to begin this transition into my new world immediately.

This all-inclusive, open-armed League is the perfect fit for me right now. I would not have wanted to wait to become established in order to join the JLGNF. I am thankful that they allowed me (and other transfers) to join first and establish later.

When my friends in NJ ask me how I like Georgia, without missing a beat, I tell them it's magical.

-- Melissa Boozikee, Active Member; Attic Sale Co-Chair

Never had I ever thought I could have such influence on another person

I always seemed to be one step ahead of my college friends and one step behind friends who were having babies. My friends who lived in town made friends with other young people who lived in town. My friends with babies made friends with other people with babies. I was stuck in the “in-between” with no place to meet anyone who seemed to be where I was in life.

And so when I joined JLGNF in the fall of 2013 my main goal was to find one or two friends with whom I had something in common and were in similar places as me in their lives. But in all honesty, I expected to get very little out of the experience.  Little did I know, JLGNF would offer so much more!

“Make new friends, but keep the old… one is silver and the other gold….. “

“Make new friends, but keep the old… one is silver and the other gold….. “, “To help people at all times” and “to make the world a better place” – These were some key messages I was taught in my younger years and also what I encourage my two daughters to do.  Then I realized, I’m not doing what I’m asking my daughters to do….other than through their associations (Girl Scouts, Beta Club, Chorus, their friends’ parents, etc., etc. etc.).  It was time to do something on my own! 

Why I joined the Junior League...

Allison Fillman
2014 JLGNF Marketing Chair

Moving from New York City to John’s Creek, GA was a HUGE change for me! Not only was I recently married, buying my first home and starting a new job, I did not have many friends (or any family) in the greater Atlanta area.

I had a very basic understanding of The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. I had friends that were in different chapters (New York City, Montclair, NJ, etc.). My original perception of Junior League was that it was for stay-at-home moms who baked pies and wore pearls and heels (which was NOT me)! So, I never joined.

Renee Adams and Allison Fillman

After moving to John’s Creek, I wanted to get involved in my new community, meet new friends and learn more about my town. My friends (in other AJLI chapters) encouraged me to seek out the local Junior League chapter. This is how I found The Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties. 

And my mother used to ask me why I spend my free time tied up with the Junior League….

 

Ashley Shoemaker
VP, Membership

I was excited when my friend Anne Marie moved to the Suwanee area, just down the road from me.  Most of my girlfriends from college were married and busy with their own lives.  I on the other hand, was dating a great guy, but found myself in a bit of a lull in my personal and professional life.  I had recently left my job as a staff nurse in the NICU at Northside Hospital.  I was tired of working 12 hour night shifts and I was ready to try my hand at a normal nine to five job like the rest of the world.  I landed a great (or what I thought was a great) gig working as a NICU Case Manager for a national insurance company.  The best part about it was that I was going to get to work from home…in my pajamas, drinking coffee, and watching Days of our Lives everyday.  What could be better?