Introducing our New Member Spotlight, Andrea Klockow

We're so happy to feature this outstanding New Member as part of our Member Spotlight Series! The New Member Spotlight is the second spotlight in our Member Spotlight Series. 

Andrea Klockow was nominated and selected as JLGNF's New Member Spotlight based on her volunteerism, enthusiasm and dedication to JLGNF and our Strong Girls, Bright Futures community impact focus. 

"Andrea is a shining star!  From the application process to today, she has put her whole heart into becoming a New Member!  She is very so thoughtful of others, engaged in the New Member program and is committed to the mission of our League!"  - Penny Sibley, 2015-2016 New Member Development Chair

About Andrea:

Current Placement:  JLU

Other volunteer organization involvement?  Memory Walk Committee Member for the Alzheimer's Association in Polk County, FL

Currently resides in?  Roswell, GA (moved from FL in May 2014)

JLGNF Member Since: September 2015

Current Profession:  Human Resources for FIS (Fidelity Information Services).  

Tell us about your family:  I am the only one in my family who was not born in Wisconsin, thus I have Packer and Badger football in my blood!  :)  My Mom and Dad live in the mountains of Blairsville where I love to spend time relaxing.  I have two daughters, well 4-legged daughters, who are basically my life!

Why did you join JLGNF?  I mainly wanted to get to know more people in my community as well as help out my local community.

What is your greatest life accomplishment (personally or professionally)?  I packed up everything I knew from Florida and moved to GA without looking back once!

What is your favorite activity or hobby?  Basically anything outdoors that involves being outside. I enjoy taking my dogs to the dog park, taking walks on the local trails, riding around in the warmer months with the top off of my jeep in the mountains. 

What about “Strong Girls, Bright Futures” resonates with you?  I was always the overweight kid that always got picked last when playing games in gym class.  I was always made fun of as a young girl so I know how hard it is for younger girls these days.  Even more so now than 20 years ago.  

What’s your favorite part of JLGNF?  Networking with like-minded women and meeting new friends

Tell us something unique about you:  I have a knack for renovating antique furniture.  I use power tools!  :)

Introducing our Active Member Spotlight, Rachael Gibbs!

We're so happy to kickoff our Member Spotlight Series! Throughout the 2015-2016 League year, we will profile specific Members who are kicking butt and taking names – those who exemplify the very best of the Junior League of Gwinnett & North Fulton Counties and our Strong Girls, Bright Futures community impact focus.  

Our first Spotlight features Active Member, Rachael Gibbs.

"I'm thrilled that Rachael is being recognized! She has brought so much to JLGNF with her dedication to serve, enthusiasm for our mission and positive attitude!" - Molly Stone, 2015-2016 V.P. of Finance

About Rachael:

Current League Placement: Casino Royale 

Past League Placements: High Heels & High Times

Other volunteer organization involvement? GASPCA 

Currently resides in: Dacula, GA 

JLGNF Member since: Fall 2014

Current profession: Preschool/Daycare Owner

Tell us about your family: I have a husband (Derreck), two daughters (Kristen & Madelyn), and two dogs (Charlie & Oliver) 

Why did you join JLGNF? To meet like-mind, strong women that I can work closely with to make a difference in our community

What is your greatest life accomplishment? My family 

What is your favorite activity or hobby? Vacationing with my kids 

What about our community focus “Strong Girls, Bright Futures” resonates with you? The more girls who realize at a young age that they are strong, smart, and awesome, the brighter their futures will be. I know that women (including myself) could have benefited from having more self esteem and more activities geared toward building a brighter future for girls when we were younger. 

What’s your favorite part of JLGNF? Bonding while we work and give back!

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.

The Power of Mentoring

“Mentoring is a power-free, two-way mutually beneficial learning situation in which the mentor provides advice, shares knowledge and experiences, and teaches using a low pressure, self-discovery approach.”

- Starcevich, Matt, 1999, “Coach, Mentor: Is There a Difference?”

Originally, I joined the Junior League of Gwinnett & North Fulton Counties to make a difference in the community and make friends.  I’ve been able to do both of these things, but I’ve also developed many great mentors along the way.

As a new Active Member, I was given the opportunity to co-chair High Heels & High Times, our League’s largest fundraiser. We had the crazy idea to bring our focus area, Strong Girls, Bright Futures, to the center of High Heels & High Times. As a new Active Member with BIG ideas, I needed mentorship.  I found that within the President and V.P. of Finance. Both of these women were true examples of mentors and empowering leaders and gave me advice and encouragement to take the reigns. The encouragement from these two mentors, along with the many friendships I’ve made, I found a support system that has cemented my commitment to JLGNF.

This year, JLGNF is introducing a structured Mentoring Program.  The intention is that this new program will help new Active Members the same way that my mentors helped me. My hope is that it will enable members to create friendships and find the direction to complete their league goals. As volunteers, I think it is of utmost importance to be fulfilled by what we are doing. Authentic conversations will be directed by the various topics of the month to create an environment of acceptance, friendship and support.

If you’re interested in joining JLGNF, please contact us at recruitment@jlgnf.org or visit our website to learn more at www.jlgnf.org.

-Alex Klein

V.P. of Membership, 2015-2016