Yesterday was bittersweet for me. I assembled my last JLT GMM Agenda, I oversaw my final General Membership Meeting, I gave my final speech, and I passed the gavel to the 2012-2014 JLT President. I got a little choked up at times during the meeting, more during my speech, but I pulled it together and made it through.
I know not many follow this blog, but for those of you who do, Junior League has been a MAJOR part of my life for the last two years. I was honored in 2010 when leadership selection chose me to lead the organiation. An organization that I so very much respect. Here is what I had to say to the membership last night:
I know not many follow this blog, but for those of you who do, Junior League has been a MAJOR part of my life for the last two years. I was honored in 2010 when leadership selection chose me to lead the organiation. An organization that I so very much respect. Here is what I had to say to the membership last night:
This point of the meeting is a time that as President you look forward to, but it is just as bittersweet. A time to face the next chapter in your Junior League journey. As
I was putting thoughts for tonight together, the song “We weren’t born to
follow” by Bon Jovi continued to run through my head. I think it can best
assist me in describing my journey to today!
This one goes out to the man who mines for miracles
This one goes out to the
ones in need
This one goes out to the
sinner and the cynical
This ain’t about no apology
No
apologies here! Eleven years of my life have been devoted to the mission of the
Junior League of Topeka. I joined as a new generation in my family to be
members of the Junior League. I grew up having the League in my blood. But I
didn’t join because it was what the family wanted, I joined to meet new people,
volunteer, be trained, and learn more about myself. I can honestly say I have
accomplished each of those and so much more.
This road was paved by the hopeless and the hungry
Walking beside the guilty
and the innocent
How will you raise your hand
when they call your name?
I
raised my hand each time! From auction chair of the Next-to-New sale to the two
years I am completing tonight, it has been a pleasure to serve. I had the
opportunity to learn and train alongside women in the community that I have the
deepest respect for. Whether it was face-to-face training, hands-on training or
observation of these incredible individuals, I continue to have “ah ha” moments
daily of how my life is better because of the Junior League. I’ve learned how
to lead a meeting, speak in public, build consensus, delegate and so much more.
Junior League gave me the first taste of what would become a profession in
non-profit fundraising… all starting by saying yes to Next-to-New.
Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow
We weren’t born to follow
You gotta stand up for what
you believe
I
believe in the mission of the Junior League: The Junior League of Topeka, Inc.
is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the
potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action
and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational
and charitable.
I
believe that when you step back and look at your journey through the Junior
League, you realize that you have lived these words… you have volunteered,
developed your potential and in some way whether you realize it or not, you
have been trained.
This one’s about the one who does it differently
This ain’t about our livin’
in a fantasy
This ain’t about givin’ up
or givin’ in
These
past two years have been difficult both personally and for the League. But as
hard as it may have been, we have persevered and even had a little fun along
the way. As an organization we navigated a dues increase, new auditors, new
bookkeeper, the crashing of the ONLY office computer and a signature project.
We didn’t give up on Happy Healthy Me, we let it live out a good life, and are
giving birth to new life in the membership. Did I get all right along the way?
No way! If I had I wouldn’t have learned anything along the way. But through it
all, we didn’t give up. I’d like to take this time to thank the board that has
been there every step of the way. Thank you to Liz, Sarah and Joan for spending
the last 2 years, 24 months, 104 weeks, 730 days however you want to look at it
on this ride with me. Thank you to Miranda, Haley and Laura for jumping in with
two feet. I hope all of you know that I take away a special place in my life
for each of you and your dedication to the League.
To
my mom who is here with us this evening, thank you for instilling the value of
philanthropy and voluntarism in my life at an early age. I can only hope that I
do the same for Ethan as he grows.
Most
importantly, thank you to Chris. I could never have done this without you. I
knew when I said yes, two years ago, that we would make it through just fine
with just the two of us, but you became my hero when Ethan arrived. You never
complained about the long hours, the dinners that weren’t cooked, the messy
house, the board Christmas party’s around our dining room table, the many
nights I was gone, or that you got every bath night for weeks. You listened
when I needed to talk, and played devil’s advocate when I truly needed it the
most. Thank you for being you!
In closing, Bon Jovi says it best “we weren’t born to follow”:
In all honesty, thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to succeed as President of Junior League. Raise your glass to the next chapter in my JLT journey!
Until next time!
E
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