Learn from yesterday,
Live for today,
Hope for tomorrow.
~ Albert Einstein
We are fast approaching the end of our Junior League year and looking toward the future of the League with our May GMM/Placement Fair. As our Mission states, we are an organization dedicated to developing the potential of our members and we strive to accomplish this through the placements that each member selects, which offer an opportunity to grow and develop both personally and professionally.
As a League, we have accomplished much this year, however I ask each member to consider the following question... What have you personally learned and accomplished this year? I hope that each of you find yourself better because of your placement because you succeeded at your responsibilities or learned from your experiences when something did not go as planned. As the Monty Python boys say, "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" and one of the most important things I have learned from my experience within the League, is that you can never be afraid to fail, but instead see it as an opportunity to learn what doesn't work and then see how you can make it better moving forward.
As you consider your placement for this coming year, ask yourself, "Where do I see myself moving within the League? What skills am I looking to acquire or strengthen with the support that the League provides and how can I help move the JLLI Mission forward?" Don't be afraid to ask questions about the various committees, we are all volunteers here to support the League's mission, which starts with the development of our members!
Make it your personal mission to try something new, break down the barriers that have held you back and Live Your Legacy!
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
Friday, May 11, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Reflections
"Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience some-thing and some-one new. Seize the opportunity. Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world."
~ Rodney Williams
This month has special significance as it marks the Junior League of Long Island's 50th Anniversary as a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International organization, and offers us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our lustrous past as well as look ahead toward our future.
Mrs. David R. Grace, president of the League at the time of the change, said it most eloquently when she explained the change from a Service League to a Junior League as, "a new affiliation, not a new organization; to a new chapter, not a new principle; to a new name, not a new membership." Fifty years later, we are continuing the legacy that those who came before us put into motion with passion and enthusiasm.
Our founding members saw a need in the community and looked to fill that need just as we do today. They took on issues that others turned their back on and worked side by side to achieve their vision. We continue to support the Long Island community through our dedication to training and offering hands-on experience to our members on issues where there is a need for us to take action. It is with pride that our shared desire to make a difference and lasting change allows us to do more than others think possible, and we achieve results that can be seen on the faces of those who we help.
Our affiliation with AJLI is one that not only contributes to our identity, but also allows our members further opportunity to develop their potential and create effective change in the community. I recommend that each of you explore the many opportunities that are offered such as annual conferences, organizational development institutes, and the monthly webinars offered by AJLI and supported by JLLI. The knowledge that we receive from such opportunities creates the potential for lasting change that is used to sustain our mission and inspire future generations to continue the work that those who came before us began.
I look forward to lifting my glass at our upcoming Gala and celebrating with each of you the accomplishments of the League and toasting to another successful 50 years of programs and projects devoted to helping the Long Island community!
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
~ Rodney Williams
This month has special significance as it marks the Junior League of Long Island's 50th Anniversary as a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International organization, and offers us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our lustrous past as well as look ahead toward our future.
Mrs. David R. Grace, president of the League at the time of the change, said it most eloquently when she explained the change from a Service League to a Junior League as, "a new affiliation, not a new organization; to a new chapter, not a new principle; to a new name, not a new membership." Fifty years later, we are continuing the legacy that those who came before us put into motion with passion and enthusiasm.
Our founding members saw a need in the community and looked to fill that need just as we do today. They took on issues that others turned their back on and worked side by side to achieve their vision. We continue to support the Long Island community through our dedication to training and offering hands-on experience to our members on issues where there is a need for us to take action. It is with pride that our shared desire to make a difference and lasting change allows us to do more than others think possible, and we achieve results that can be seen on the faces of those who we help.
Our affiliation with AJLI is one that not only contributes to our identity, but also allows our members further opportunity to develop their potential and create effective change in the community. I recommend that each of you explore the many opportunities that are offered such as annual conferences, organizational development institutes, and the monthly webinars offered by AJLI and supported by JLLI. The knowledge that we receive from such opportunities creates the potential for lasting change that is used to sustain our mission and inspire future generations to continue the work that those who came before us began.
I look forward to lifting my glass at our upcoming Gala and celebrating with each of you the accomplishments of the League and toasting to another successful 50 years of programs and projects devoted to helping the Long Island community!
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
Monday, February 6, 2012
Making Connections
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~ Leo Buscaglia
The true essence of these beautiful words came alive at our January First Step event, that opened up our HQ and Thrift Shop to almost 20 deserving women who received not only three complete outfits (accessories and all) but also training from a Human Resources professional. Although these women came to us in order to receive our assistance, they instead touched our volunteer's hearts and lives as our members helped them find not just clothing but their inner confidence and beauty. The most wonderful thing is that the exchange was mutual, as we received many notes of thanks and gratitude from the ladies who joined us for the afternoon, expressing how much it meant for someone to take the time to help, listen and support them in a way that they had not received before.
An ancient Chinese proverb states, "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break." Although February is our shortest month, there are so many opportunities in which each one of us can make a difference in another's life. Let us take this month to begin to find and make these connections to others within our communities through our thoughts, acts and deeds both within our League and personal life. Consider incorporating a random act of kindness into each day, something as small as a smile for a stranger on the train or as great as a thank you note to your mail carrier on a rainy day.
I had the pleasure of publically thanking my personal "Angels" at our January dinner, however I would be remiss to not thank each and every member of the League, past and present, for making the League what it is today. Your dedication and enthusiasm is what allows us to be a driving force of change here on Long Island and I love your passion and commitment to our mission! Thank you!
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
The true essence of these beautiful words came alive at our January First Step event, that opened up our HQ and Thrift Shop to almost 20 deserving women who received not only three complete outfits (accessories and all) but also training from a Human Resources professional. Although these women came to us in order to receive our assistance, they instead touched our volunteer's hearts and lives as our members helped them find not just clothing but their inner confidence and beauty. The most wonderful thing is that the exchange was mutual, as we received many notes of thanks and gratitude from the ladies who joined us for the afternoon, expressing how much it meant for someone to take the time to help, listen and support them in a way that they had not received before.
An ancient Chinese proverb states, "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break." Although February is our shortest month, there are so many opportunities in which each one of us can make a difference in another's life. Let us take this month to begin to find and make these connections to others within our communities through our thoughts, acts and deeds both within our League and personal life. Consider incorporating a random act of kindness into each day, something as small as a smile for a stranger on the train or as great as a thank you note to your mail carrier on a rainy day.
I had the pleasure of publically thanking my personal "Angels" at our January dinner, however I would be remiss to not thank each and every member of the League, past and present, for making the League what it is today. Your dedication and enthusiasm is what allows us to be a driving force of change here on Long Island and I love your passion and commitment to our mission! Thank you!
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
Sunday, January 8, 2012
New Year's Resolutions
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Dear Friends,
As I have gotten older, I have found that I no longer make New Year's resolutions, but this year has been one in which I have found much to be reflective about thanks to many things, and I have decided to rededicate myself to striving and achieving toward new goals set for the New Year.
I have been filled with joy at the birth of my son as well as the health, happiness and accomplishments of my family. There are many families who do not have much to celebrate and look forward to due to lack of food, health, love and support and so I resolve to be grateful for the time I have with friends and family. I will delight even in the smallest smile or gesture and will be sure to let others know how I feel about them and not let a moment pass without them knowing how much they mean to me.
Although this year has had many truly joyful times, it was also marked by the loss of a long-time advocate of, and for, the League who was both a personal mentor and someone whom I was honored to be able to call a friend. She lived her life with such grace, passion and humor and was an individual whom helped make things happen. She was an extraordinary woman who lived life to its fullest and never took a single moment for granted, and I resolve to live as she did, by looking for ways to help those in need, helping make the connections to ensure that support is available and most importantly, taking some time to appreciate every sunrise and sunset. I will find happiness in the fact that I am helping others achieve their dreams whatever they may be and knowing that I was a small part of their success.
Whether you make resolutions or not at the turn of a New Year is a personal decision, however this year I am looking toward the accomplishments and achievements that we as a League have achieved together as inspiration. Although we are a small League, it is amazing what we can accomplish when we work together, and so it is this knowledge that makes me believe that my "small" resolutions could achieve great things not for just myself, but for all those around me!
May the New Year bring these "Small Wishes" to you all...
Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true.
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.
Happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each facet of your life.
Family beside you.
Close and caring friends.
Health, inside you.
Love that never ends.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to beautiful tomorrows.
Dreams that do their best to come true.
Appreciation of all the wonderful things about you.
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
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