CookbookCalender

6

Junior DirectionsA publication of the Junior League of Athens

Vol. XXVI No. 7 March 2015

8

Community Service

12

Placement

9 13

Bargainza

14

Spring Event

15

TGH

16

General Membership Meeting p5

Provisional

Check out the March calendar for all the upcoming JLA events!

Motions

10-11

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Board MembersAlicia Battle, President: abattlek@yahoo.com

Michelle Dickens, President Elect: mdickens79@gmail.com

Lauren Williams, Treasurer: lauren.williams85@gmail.com

Jennifer Register, Assistant Treasurer: jenniferregister@yahoo.com

Carey Brown, Recording Secretary: careyleighbrown@gmail.com

Katherine Barrow, Communications VP: barrowkatherine@gmail.com

Jennifer Whitaker, Community Council VP: jennwhitaker79@att.net

Jo Sullivan, Finance Council VP: jo.boling@gmail.com

Pattie Strickland, Membership Council VP: pattie.strickland@gmail.com

Laurie Wilburn Bailey, Nominating Chair: lwilburn115@hotmail.com

Oonah Benson, Community Partners Chair: oonaghbenson@gmail.com

Deanne Rosso, Community Partners Co-chair: deanne.smith3@gmail.com

Karen Gilmore, Sustainer Representative:karengilmore@bellsouth.net

Katherine Crosby, Parliamentarian: katherinescrosby@gmail.com

To Contact UsThe Junior League of Athens Headquarters

634 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601. (p) (706) 549-8688 (f) (706) 613-0860

athensjl@gmail.com www.juniorleagueofathens.org

MISSION STATEMENTThe Junior League of Athens, Inc. is an

organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism,

developing the potential of women and improving

communities through the effective action

and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and

charitable.

REACHING OUT STATEMENTThe Junior League of Athens reaches out to women of all races, religions,

and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment

to voluntarism.

OUR FOCUSLiteracy

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Message from the President

Alicia BattlePresident 2014-2015abattlek@yahoo.com

As we continue to spring into what seems like our busiest League season, we are fast approaching Bar-gainza (25th Annual!), Live on the Lawn, Taylor Grady ToGo’s, and TGH weddings/events. All prom-ise to be fun, rewarding, and simply fabulous! The process of brainstorming, planning and executing League-wide fundraisers and community out-reach endeavors is tied directly to our Mission: to IMPROVE our communities through action and leadership of TRAINED volunteers.

Sometimes going through the training aspect is utilizing your committee as a team, learning what we didn’t know before, being willing to try new and different things and to make mistakes. The worries and the mistakes can keep us up at night, but making them are very important learning steps - as long as we learn from them. We have to often remind ourselves that we need to let others learn through experi-ence – both the good and the bad, because that is what it takes. ‘On the job training’ is the best way to learn and success comes with repetition, involvement, engagement and mentorship.

So have we been successful thus far this year? Yes!

I see our successes from my own self-reflection and in the growth of our members. Our members – new and experienced - bring ideas and energy to our tried and true endeavors and kick start new and exciting ones. Without our members, our organization ceases to grow and exist. I see our successes when I watch our board members and chairs work tirelessly to mentor and guide their fellow members. I see our successes in watching members go the extra mile - to not just see outside the box, but to get rid of the box altogether - to learn things that will make themselves, other members and our organization more successful.

While we all might be experiencing sleepless nights, I am not worried that the outcomes will not be what it needs to be: The Junior League of Athens will be a SUCCESS through the effective ACTION and LEADERSHIP of all of our members. So go forth and MAKE EVERY WORRY and MISTAKE a LEARNING EXPERIENCE!

Sincerely,

Alicia BattlePresident

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” ― Henry Ford

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Board Meeting Minutes: February

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February Board MeetingTaylor Grady House ~ Monday February 23, 2015 ~ 6:30 pm

Members Present: Alicia Battle, Jennifer Whitaker, Pattie Strickland, Lauren Williams, Kate Crosby, Carey Brown, Karen Gilmore, Michelle Dickens, Deanne Rosso, Laurie Wilburn-Bailey, Tracey Hickey, Julie McGinty, Jennifer Register, Oonagh Benson.

Members Absent: Jo Sullivan.

Alicia Battle called the meeting to order at 6:27 pm.

Happy Dollars-4-Literacy were shared and collected.

Laurie Wilburn-Bailey motioned to approve the consent agenda and Pattie Strickland seconded. The agenda passed. The consent agenda includes Council VP reports, updated financials, January Board meeting minutes and League Emergency Communication Plan draft.

Alicia Battle updated the Board of Directiors on the Junior League of Athens 80th year Special Committee. Alicia and Michelle Dick-ens will select members for the committee in the near future. Alicia will table the JLA Fundraiser Research Committee discussion until April.

Lauren Williams updated the Board on League finances. Lauren is continuingto collect membership annual dues. Housekeeping cost has increased due to more events being held at the Taylor Grady House. Alicia reviewed and passed out a list of the last five years of net/profits of the JLA donations and Ways & Means. This gave the Board an opportunity to compare expenses vs net profits for dona-tions and League events from 2009-2014. The hand out will be available to all League members to use as a helpful reference.

Alicia presented the League with an Internal and External Emergency Communication Plan. The plan includes clear guidelines on how all League members can appropriately communicate about League information, inclement weather and crisis situations. The plan also includes a diagram exhibiting how items get discussed, how motions get brought to the table, how member information can be changed, how information gets added to JLA electronic announcements and how information is updated in Closerware. All thoughts and recommendations will be sent to Carey Brown for revision. The Board will further discuss the JLA Communication Plan in March.

Alicia opened up the floor for the Board to discuss Spring Event and plans to hold off on a Fall/Spring Event in 2015-2016. The Board is striving to continue to communicate positively about Fall/Spring Event and the committee’s future plans. Kate Crosby shared the idea to train League leadership members on how to communicate effectively by utilizing the JLA Communications Plan. The Board will table the discussion about the $60 membership Spring Event requirement until the March Board meeting.

Alicia shared an update on the Community Service Grant Application process. The current application has been sent out. A letter was sent to all the prior year applicants regarding their application status during Summer 2014. Laurie Wilburn-Bailey is going to follow up with the Chair and Co-Chair of Community Service Committee about the application process.

Karen Gilmore distributed reservation forms for the Sustainer Luncheon on Saturday March 7. The cost is $28 per person and all members are invited to attend. There will be an opportunity for Provisionals to fulfill meeting/shift requirements by setting up for the Luncheon during the evening of Friday March 6.

Training opportunities, to teach members about the JLA leadership structure will be discussed and added to the March Board meeting agenda as a New Business topic.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Carey Brown, Recording Secretary

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General Meeting Minutes: February

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February General Membership Meeting Minutes

President Alicia Battle called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm.

Jennifer Whitaker awarded Joi Akridge, Emily McArthur, Laura Tucker and Melissa Pepin with the JLA Gems awards for their hard work on the Cookbook Committee. These four ladies have achieved 90% of their financial goal for the League year and raised ap-proximately $8,000!

Jennifer Register motioned to approve the February meeting agenda and Lauren Williams seconded.

Parliamentarian, Kate Crosby, asked for a motion to approve the January General Membership meeting minutes. Merryn Walker motioned to approve the minutes and Daynes Mackey Parker seconded.

Joi Akridge informed the League of the Cookbook Committee’s Taylor Grady To-Go meals. Meals can be pre-ordered on JLA web-site and picked up on March 24 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Sally Jarratt and Caitlin Askins shared updates for Bargainza. Now is the time to start collecting and pricing quota. Two Queen spots are still available until February 15th. Bargainza Queens qualify to win a trip and other fantastic prizes after dropping off their $1000 quota! The sale starts this year on Thursday March 19 with League/Sustainer Night. Bargainza is open to the public on Friday March 20-Saturday March 21.

Katie Jacobs and Alex Phillips shared details about Live on the Lawn that will be held at the Taylor Grady House on Saturday April 11. Dinner will be provided by Saucehouse and Ansley and the Replaceables will be providing musical entertainment. Tickets are $30 each and VIP tables can be reserved. BYOB wristbands are $5 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. A fabulous vacation getaway, golf outing, night out on the town in Athens and a tailgate package are available to win with the purchase of a $5 raffle ticket.

Assistant Treasurer, Jennifer Register, reminded members to submit annual $125 JLA dues by March 1.

Kay Manning, from Future Planning asked all members at the meeting to fill out the February strategic planning survey on their mo-bile devices.

Kimberly Liebowitz presented options for February Mini-Training Sessions.

Session 1: 6:57pm to 7:27pm (30Min) • Journey Juice Nutrition Talk • Interior Design: Make it work for you! • Spin Revolution

Session 2: 7:37pm to 8:03pm (30min) • Lindken and Your Career: How this tool can improve your career outlook. • Lessons Learned from Business Owners of The League • Advocacy for People: Learn how to advocate for people you serve.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Carey Brown - Recording Secretary

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March 2:

March 7:

March 9:

March 16:

March 16:

March 19:

March 19:

March 20-21:

March 23:

March 24:

April 11:

Calendar for March Provisional Social

Sustainer Luncheon

JLA General Membership Meeting at Holiday Inn

Combined Council Meetings

Committee Annual Report due to Marketing Committee

Georgia JL Capitol Day

League Night & Prospective Member Info Drop In at Bargainza

Bargainza at Commerce Blvd

Board Meeting, 6pm TGH

Cookbook’s ToGo’s at the Taylor-Grady House

Live on the LawnFor additional information: www.juniorleagueofathens.org

It ' s R e cr u i t i n g T i m e !Do you know anyone interested in joining the Junior League of Athens? NOW is the time to reach out to them! Have them complete the Membership Interest Form on the Membership tab on the Junior League of Athens website (juniorleagueofathens.org). Reach out to interested friends and co-workers today!

Monthly drop-ins continue through June. They are “come-as-you-are” and stay as long as your schedule permits. Our next drop-in is Thursday, March 19 at Bargainza League Night. Thursday, March 19~Bargainza League Night Monday, April 13~JLA General Meeting Monday, May 4~Alta Moda Thursday, June 4~Georgia Museum of Art

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Communications ReportLittle Leaguers:

Congratulations to Natalie and Gus Sams on the birth of their daughter, Anna Blake “Annie” Sams, on Feb. 19, 2015

Congratulations to Nancy Bowen on the birth of her granddaughter, Tallulah Rae “Tally” Bowen, on February 9, 2015.

Resignation:Shelly Stratton, Active Member

Transfer-In:Welcome Victoria Cooper, a Sustainer-Transfer from the Atlanta League.

Congratulations:Jennifer Conner, UGA MBA student, on receiving the Howell Newton

Scholarship.Junior League Sustainer, Andree Terry was named by the Athens Area

Chamber of Commerce as the 2015 Athena recipient for her work with her company, Andree’s Essential Soaps, and her efforts in providing support for other cancer survivors and their families. She has given scholarships to 339

students after they lost their mothers to breast cancer. Thanks, Andree, for all

Sustainer Update

The Junior League Endowment To make a contribution or a gift “in hon-

or” or “in memory” of someone please makeyour checks payable to “Junior

League of Athens”.

Please note “Sustainer Endowment contribution” in the memo line of check and include memorial details. For more information about the endow-

ment, please contact Jane Begnaud at jsbegnaud@hotmail.com.

Update Your InformationPlease send updates

(email, address & phone number) to: Katherine Barrow barrowkatherine@gmail.com or call the league office at 706-549-8688

Sustainer DuesRenew your membership by March

1st for the 2015-16 League YearPlease send $75 payable to

“The Junior League of Athens”

Mail dues or Endowment Checks to:JLA

634 Prince AvenueAthens, Ga. 30601

Communications VP: Katherine Barrow

you do to make our community a better place!

Sympathy:Sustainer Robin Towns, who lost her husband

Senior Active Laura Tucker, who lost her father

Active Member Jennifer Whitaker, who lost her Grandfather

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Jane Eldridge, Emeritus Sustainer, who has passed away.

We are also thinking of the family and loved ones of for-mer President and Sustainer, Lynn Bryant.

Save the Date: JLA Friends and Family NightMark your calendars for Tuesday, March 31st Sustainers will host dinners for members of JLA Lead-ership including Board Members and Committee Chairs. Our Friends & Family Night provides an opportunity for Sustainers and JLA members to meet through small group interactions. The Sustainers will host groups of 8-10 in their homes. Each group will include the Sustainer Host plus 2 additional Sustainers, 3 Board Members, and 3 Committee Chairs. The Sustainer Host and 2 Sustainers plan the menu and share the cost and preparation of the dinner. Sustainer Hosts may ask two of their friends to assist with the dinner or 2 interested Sustainer volunteers

may be assigned to the Host. At least 8 homes will be needed as locations for the dinners in March.

If you are interested in offering your home or volunteering to assist one of the Sustainer Hosts for our Friends & Family night, please contact Sustainer Representative, Karen Gilmore at 706-540-7920 (cell) or karengilmore@

bellsouth.net.

80th Anniversary of Junior Assembley/ Junior League of AthensThis is our 80th anniversary year, 1935-2015! You and your ideas and participation are so important and need-ed. If you are interested in planning events for Sustainers to celebrate our 80 years of service, please contact Karen Gilmore, Sustainer Representative at karengilmore@bellsouth.net.

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Sign-up NOW! There are limited tickets left available for the Taylor Grady To-Go’s! A few extra tickets have been added for the BBQ Chicken dinner option. The Cookbook committee is excited to cook dinner for the League’s families and friends! Tickets can be pur-chased at through the JLA online store.

Taylor Grady To-Go’s is service program from the Cookbook which will provide two options for a frozen meal service plan. There will be two packages and two different price points. There will be limited space sign up SO be sure to get your slot RIGHT AWAY. Sign-ups will require a payment through the online store and members will be given the option of Meal 1 or Meal 2. Food is intended to feed a family of four.

Our projected income for this pilot program is $200-$250 and if successful, we will continue to offer it again through this League year and into 2015/2106 JLA year. Perhaps on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. The food will be prepped the Monday (prior to the event) and frozen for safekeeping. On Tuesday March 24th, those will have ordered and paid can come to the Taylor Grady to pick up their meals. Then people can pull through the Taylor Grady House drive and pick up their food and be on their way.

Cookbook is pleased to announce that our spring schedule is shaping up with a lot of fun activities. We are hosting the After Hours Chamber event on April 9th at the Taylor Grady. This is a great opportunity to network and support the League. Mark your calen-dars.

Also, we are going to be hosting a non-profit booth along with Bargainaza at the Athens Twilight Crite-rion on April 24th and 25th. This is HUGE project for the Cookbook and give us a chance to increase League awareness in the community. In cooperation with Bargainaza, we have received a discounted booth rate with a savings of over $500 to make our partici-pation in this event possible and we are SUPER EX-CITED for this opportunity. A big shout out to Sally Jarratt and the Bargainaza ladies who took time out of their busy schedules to help us make this coopera-tive effort with the Twilight Foundation and the Junior League a reality.

We are also going to have a booth at the Winter-ville Marigold Festival in May.

Love Pinterest? Cookbook does! Please follow and pin with our Pinterest Board and BE SURE to do an AMAZON review of Beyond the Hedges. This is how we will get national sales exposure. It only takes a minute and you can do it from your mobile device.

Are you still in need to fulfill your yearly Cookbook requirement?! Don’t fear, Bargainza and Live on the Lawn are fast approaching! Check-out and sign-up on Closerware for the latest Cookbook shift opportuni-ties.

Cookbook Pinterest Link: www.pinterest.com/jlathens/jla-cookbook/

To Purchase TG To-Go Tickets: www.juniorleagueofathens.org/online-store

Cookbook Chair: Joi AkridgeCo-Chair: Emily McArthur

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JLA In Action: Provisional Class ProjectThe Provisional Class completed the first night of their project on February 17 at the Athens Home-less Shelter for residents of the Women’s shelter.

Unfortunately, the workshop the night before, which was to be held at the Salvation Army, was cancelled due to weather. Don’t worry-- these ladies weren’t discouraged at all! They went full steam ahead the next night and have already re-scheduled with the Salvation Army for March 3.

The project included a guide to interview prepa-ration and financial literacy with budgeting tips. League members modeled outfits for proper and improper dress for interviews. They also talk-ed about how to budget your money once you get that job. Interactive activities were presented with wants vs. needs and residents were really in-volved in the discussion. To help put them on the road to success, residents were given containers to use for savings, vouchers for clothing at Project Safe thrift store, and bus passes.

The Provisional Class women worked tremen-dously hard putting this project together and their efforts have paid off. Please congratulate them on their success!

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GMM voting

I, Pattie Strickland, on the behalf of the Membership Council, move that we change the bylaws to reflect a realignment of the Board of Directors by removing the Community Partners Chair position from the Board of Directors effective beginning the 2016/17 League year. Background: In an effort to align our board with a governance focus, the removal of the non-governance roll of the Community Partners Chair position from the JLA Board of Di-rectors would structure our organization like other Junior Leagues, as AJLI suggests Boards should be organized, and reinforce our Council structure to a more effective and account-able system.

Bylaw Changes: 1) Update Article VI, Section 1 2) Remove Article VI, Section 4.I 3) Remove Article VI, Section 4.J 4) Add #2 & #3 to Article X, Section 3.b

---------------------------------------------------------------- I, Pattie Strickland, on the behalf of the Membership Council, move to combine the posi-tions of Membership Council VP and Nominating Chair, beginning in the 2016/17 League year. Background: In an effort to align our board with a governance focus and to reduce a two-year board placement to a one year board placement, combining these positions will con-solidate member-focused duties into one board position and provide additional leadership placement options for qualified candidates for leadership positions. Bylaw Changes: 1) Update Article VI, Section 1 2) Update Article VI, Section 4.E.23) Update Article VI, Section 4.H 4) Update Article VI, Section 4.H.1.a5) Update Article VI, Section 4.H.26) Update Article X, Section 2.E.2.b; b.iv-vi7) Update Article X, Section 2.E.2.c.i8) Update Article X, Section 2.E.2.d; d.i.A9) Update Article X, Section 2.E.2.f

-Pattie Strickland-

Bylaw Change

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 GA-SPAC 2014-2015 Position Statements

Aid & Protection Ad Hoc Committee Committee includes Leagues from Albany, Athens, Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett-North Fulton, and Macon

Position Statement

Human Trafficking: Supports the decriminalization of women and children who have been commercially exploited. SPAC also endorses “Safe Harbor Laws” that provide rehabilitative services to those victims affected by human trafficking Foster Care: Recognizes the unique challenges faced by children currently in foster care and the emancipated youth aging out of the foster care system including: homelessness, unemployment, unplanned pregnancy, health care, and incarceration. SPAC supports efforts to ensure that foster youth and young adults emancipated from foster care have the opportunities and services essential for their future wellbeing.

Health Ad Hoc Committee Committee includes Leagues from Atlanta, Augusta,

Columbus, Dekalb, Gainesville, and Savannah

Position Statement Supports and promotes responsible programs, policies, and concepts that improve healthcare for women, children, and families. We recognize that access to quality healthcare is vital to the well-being of women and children, and that we have a responsibility to shape Georgia's healthcare policies.

2014-2015 SPAC Position Statements

Your Enthusiasm is Needed!(Actives and Sustainers)

JLA’s 80th Celebration Special Committees

What is an Special Committee?Committee formed for a specific task or objective, and dis-solved after the completion of the task or achievement of the objective.

Interested? Please email athensjl@gmail.com

JLA’s 80th Celebration Special Committees

GMM voting

[12]

JLA sponsored the 2014 Healthy Families Christmas Party Held for Prevent Child Abuse Athens. Executive Director of PCAA, David Earnest, writes: These are the mission moments made possible through participation in Ways & Means.

Thank you to all of our members who continue to im-pact literacy & improving the Athens community both directly & indirectly. Thank you to everyone who participated in Spring Cleaning at the Taylor Grady House as well as at Ath-ens-Clarke Literacy Council’s “Letters for Literacy” Scrabble Tournament! The FoodBank AND Books for Keeps also continue to express gratitude for the work that you’re doing on sometimes very cold nights in the warehouse!

We continue to add volunteer opportunities on Closer-ware, and the upcoming PEDS READS Program on March 24th is a chance to promote healing & happiness through providing books/art supplies & reading to chil-dren at ARMC’s Pediatric Unit.

Community Service

For information about upcoming volunteer opportunities check closureware or email Ansley Crisler at ansleycrisler@gmail.com

Please remember to bring DIAPERS to the Make A Difference Drive at the March General Meet-ing benefitting Prevent Child Abuse Athens. There will be a prize for one member who do-

nates to the MADDrive! Please also remember to bring spare change for Change for Change.

Chair: Ansley CrislerCo-Chair: Laura Ambrose

Is there someone who you think should be recognized for their exceptional efforts in the community this year?

The Junior League of Athens is seeking nominations for our annual Community Service Awards!! The Com-munity Service Awards are designed to recognize outstanding volunteer efforts that have made a significant and positive impact in the community. Awards will be given to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism in the following four areas: Teen Volunteer of the Year, Collegian Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement. The outstanding volunteers will be recognized Monday, April 13, at the Hol-iday Inn at 6:30pm during our April General Membership meeting. The awards nomination form can be found at www.juniorleagueofathens.org.

Junior League of Athens Community Service Awards nomination forms are due by March 16, 2015. For addi-tional information, please call 706.549-8688.

This is the Junior League of Athens and Athens First Bank and Trust’s 20th year celebrating our community volunteer achievements. Send your nomination today!

2015 Community Service Volunteer Award Nominations Needed

“ The support for PCAA and our families, by the Junior League of Athens is deeply appreciat-ed...and important. Your incredible kindness resulted in a great many smiles and produced some wonderful memories for the parents that are working so hard to provide a healthy and nurturing environment for these children. JLA is shaping future leaders in Athens who will have a positive impact on this community for a long, long time.”

[13]

Junior League Journey

My Junior League journey actually began in Houston, TX. Most of my friends were League members, and they had been encouraging me to join. The day I received my application, my husband came home and told me that we would be moving to Athens in the not-too-distant future. He’d been talking about this move for a while and, even though they have a two-year Provisional pro-gram, I was sure I had some time and I forged ahead with the process. Then, I had my application prepared and was ready to send it…and I found out that I was pregnant. I figured the universe was telling me that it wasn’t my time to join the League.

I moved to Athens and I had the baby, but my desire to join the League didn’t wane. Fortunately, my neigh-bor was a JLA Sustainer. I was afraid that, being so much older than the average Provisional member, I might feel uncomfortable joining. Luckily, many JLA members and sustainers assured me that there was a place for me in the League.

My Provisional year was wonderful, yet a little over-whelming. I was learning a great deal about the League’s guiding principles and organization, but it was through my connections with League members – while completing shift requirements as well as informal talks before and after GMMs – that I was able to put everything I was learning into context.

For my first active year, I was surprised, yet excited, when I was approached to Chair the Cookbook Com-mittee. As a first year active, I wasn’t sure I was up to the task, but my Placement advisor assured me I was ready. I had spent a few years working on fundraising events, and I remember saying how much I would like to be able to offer people something rather than going to them for donations! The year I spent as Cookbook Chair was one of my favorite years in the League. The Cookbook Committee is involved in almost every ac-

tivity that the League sponsors, and the Chairs work with almost every committee during the year. It is a big job, but I learned so much about the functions and activities across JLA. It gave me incredible insights into the breadth of what we do.

The following year, I was asked by another organiza-tion of which I am a member to chair a spring event, so I needed a placement that would work with that schedule. I was excited when I was asked to serve as the Fall Event Co-Chair. Although I had some ex-perience organizing fundraising events, I was look-ing forward to working within the framework of the League and learning from other League members to expand my fundraising skills. One of the most valuable aspects of my tenure as Fall Event Co-Chair was the depth of knowledge that I gained about JLA. When approaching someone for a donation, the first question is usually, “Why?” Why should they donate? Where does the money go? How do we help people? In order to answer those questions accurately and thoughtfully, I needed to truly understand our organization as well as our mission.

For my third active year, I was excited to bring the breadth of knowledge that I gained from my time on Cookbook and the depth of knowledge that I gained from Fall Event to my placement on Placement and Membership Support. Every year, I have leaned on my Placement advisor for guidance and advice about my path in the League. Now, I am happy to use what I have learned to offer that same support to other mem-bers. There are so many incredible learning opportu-nities within the League, and I love talking to current members and potential members about the possibili-ties available to them through JLA.

Placement Advisor: Erin Gray

First Active Year: 2012

Our next installment Junior League Journeys is from Placement Advisor, Erin Gray…

[14]

Bargainza Chairs: Sally Jarrett/ Caitlin AskinsCo-Chairs: Mimi Chandler/ Alden Mergenthal

It’s the 25th Anniversary of Bargainza!Let’s make it the biggest yet!IT’S THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF BARGAINZA

Let’s make it the biggest and best Bargainza yet!

It’s March, so it’s time for Bargainza!!! Bargainza will take place March 19-21, 2015, at Athens Arena, 280 Commerce Boulevard in Bogart.

League-Sustainer Night will be Thursday, March 19 at 6:00 P.M. Come and enjoy an exclusive shopping night open only to members, sustainers and their guests. Refreshments will be served, complements of JLA’s Cookbook Committee. Tickets for League-Sustainer night are $15 per person; JLA members will receive $5 off their own entry fee when they bring a guest. All items are regular price.

NET SALES GOAL = $24,000

TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, WE NEED YOU!

Please find and like us on Facebook at Bargainza Athens. Share, share, share our updates!!!

We need donations of nice, well-kept items—housewares, appliances and especially, FURNITURE! The better the quality of items, the more money we make. We’re calling for all hands on deck—this includes our sustainers. Sustainers, expect our phone calls and requests for donations in the coming days!

Royalty Program: Members, in our continued effort to increase the quality of our thrift items, do not forget about our Royalty Program. While all slots for our Queen Level ($1,000) are filled, we are still have availability for our Princess Level ($750) and Duchess Level ($500). As a reminder:

• Princess Level – o Qualification: The member must donate $750 worth of quota. o Benefits: (1) Exempt from all your shifts and (2) Shop League-Sustainer Night early (before

general admission at 6:00 P.M.)! • Duchess Level –

o Qualification: The member must donate $500 worth of quota. o Benefit: Shop before everyone else on League/Sustainer Night early (before general

admission at 6:00 P.M.)!

If you are interested in being a Princess or Duchess, notify the Bargainza Committee. You will price your own items, and a designated member of the Bargainza committee will verify your quota.

DONATE A TRIP AND EXEMPT BOTH SHIFTS: Any member who can secure a trip for us to give as a prize to one of our Queens will be exempt from both shifts! If you have a trip to donate, please let us know as soon as you can.

Upscale Raffle: We will raffle off a few of our donated furniture pieces that have been refinished, remade and refurbished by area designers. Be on the lookout for more information on social media!

REMEMBER: Bargainza is one of our League’s biggest fundraisers. Let’s make our 25th Anniversary the best Bargainza to date!

Please contact us at jlabargainza@gmail.com if you have any questions or donations!

~ The Bargainza Committee 2015

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Dinner will be provided by Saucehouse. Ansley Stewart will rock the night away, and the cornhole tournament is sure to be competitive fun! Please purchase Event Tick-

ets and Raffle Tickets. Invite all of your Friends! We need to raise tons of money to bring back mini grants

and help combat illiteracy in Athens.

Lawn Tickets are $30 per person and VIP table tickets are $40 per person. Get your VIP tickets

before they sell out!! There are 8 seats at a table and currently only whole tables are for sale. If any VIP seats are still available individual tickets will go on sale at the March general meeting. Bring a quilt or

lawn chair if you purchase lawn tickets. The event is BYOB with a $5 wristband fee. Wristbands can be purchased in advance.

Purchase your raffle tickets now! Sell them to all of your friends! The prizes are fabulous!Raffle Tickets are $5 each.

Grand Prize: Escape to Anna Maria Island5 day, 4 night stay on Anna Maria Island, FL

2 bed/ 2 bath newly renovated condo, 3 minute walk from the beach and private pool

2nd prize: A Night in AthensOne night stay at Hilton Garden Inn- downtown Athens, $100 gift certificate to Five & Ten, couples

massage at Massage Envy, 2 passes to Creature Comforts

3rd prize: His and Hers18 holes of golf for 4 at Athens Country Club

2 areas of laser hair removal and Botox from Yuva Medical Spa

4th prize: Go Dawgs!25 person tailgate package from Saucehouse Barbecue

Event tickets and raffle tickets will be on sale at provisional and general membership meetings before the event. You can also contact Lauren Ellison at lauren.p.ellison@gmail.com to purchase raffle and event

tickets

If you are willing to help us sell raffle tickets please contact Lauren Ellison, lauren.p.ellison@gmail.com, and we will get you a envelope of raffle tickets to sell.

Cornhole tournament with great prizesPlease sign up to play in the cornhole tournament. Or sign up your significant other. Email Lauren Elli-

Spring Event Chair: Lauren EllisonCo-Chairs: Katie Jacobs/ Alex Phillips

April 11th from 6-10 pm

at the Taylor Grady House

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TGH/ HospitalityA HUGE thank you to everyone who came out for our Taylor Grady House Spring Cleaning Day!

We had so much fun and the house looks fantastic.

Please help us keep up the good work by cleaning up after your events and making sure things are are stored in their correct spots.

Chair: Daynes MackeyCo-Chair: Stacey Hillard

[17]

Film Screening: If We So Choose….  

Documentary  from  Southern  Foodways  

 

To  celebrate  Black  History  Month,  the  Athens  Clarke  County  Library  hosted  a  free  community  film  screening  and  panel  discussion  on  If  We  So  Choose-­‐Untold  Stories:  Preserving  Athens  Civil  Rights  History.    Nicole  A.  Taylor,  an  Athens  Native  who  now  lives  in  Brooklyn  New  York,  produced  this  short  film.    She  and  her  friend  Stacy  West  (Junior  League  of  Cobb-­‐Marietta  Provisional)  hosted  this  event.      

History  books  may  tell  the  story  of  segregation,  but  "If  We  So  Choose"  is  a  documentary  short  film  introducing  audiences  to  the  people  in  Athens,  Georgia  who  not  only  lived  through  Jim  Crow  separatism  but  fought  against  it  and  won.  Through  the  lens  of  a  little  known  protest  demonstration  at  the  lingo  laden  fast  food  restaurant,  The  Varsity,  new  light  is  shed  on  the  tall  order  for  equality  that  was  placed  by  unsung,  young,  African  American  heroes.    

Residents  of  Athens  know  what  to  do  when  they  hear  phrase,  “What’ll  ya  have?”  At  the  Varsity,  a  famed  drive-­‐in,  the  response  can  vary.  Some  want  an  F.O.  and  strings  (that’s  a  frosted  orange  and  french  fries).  Others  want  red  dogs  or  yellow  dogs  (hot  dogs  with  ketchup  or  mustard).  Or,  if  a  guest  is  in  a  hurry  and  knows  the  lingo,  he  might  answer  that  he  wants  an  “MK  Dog  walking”—that’s  a  hot  dog  with  mustard  and  ketchup  to  go.  The  Varsity  has  been  home  to  prom  dates,  homecoming  crowds  (for  both  UGA  and  Georgia  Tech),  and  even  a  wedding  reception  (or  three).  It’s  perhaps  the  best  known  drive-­‐in  in  the  South.  

Perhaps  lesser  known,  however,  is  the  story  of  the  Varsity’s  integration  during  the  Civil  Rights  Movement.  In  the  short  documentary  If  We  So  Choose,  filmmakers  introduce  the  individuals  who  were  part  of  the  sit-­‐ins  and  give  a  history  of  their  effort.  

(Information  from  Southernfoodways.org)  

Follow  the  link  to  see  the  short  documentary:  

https://vimeo.com/99725662      

Black History Month

[18]

The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the Angel and Spirit of the League Awards!

Please take this opportunity to recognize an active member, provisional and/or sustainer for their dedication to the Junior League of Athens during this League year. Award recipients are chosen by the Nominating Committee with an awards presentation at the League’s Annual Meeting in May.

The Angel Award is awarded annually to two active members. A nominee for the Angel Award must be an active member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the League during the current League year. Board members and past recipients are not eligible for consideration.

The Spirit of the League Award is awarded to one Provisional member and one Sustaining member who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the League during the current League year. She should personify the true “spirit” of volunteerism.

Nominations are due May 2, 2015. A link to the application will be included in the Tuesday Tidbits.

Thank you for helping us recognize members of outstanding service, Laurie Wilburn BaileyNominating Chair

Angel and Spirit of the League Awards

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF ATHENSJUNIOR LEAGUE OF ATHENS

[19]

JLA Impacting the Community: One Agency at a TimeFriends of Advantage (Advantage Behavioral Health System): ad-DRESS a Need Designer’s Challenge & Top Model Competition

For the last four year, The Junior League of Athens has supported Friends of Advantage by participating in their annual fundraiser: ad-DRESS a Need Designer’s Challenge & Top Model Competition.

Friends of Advantage (FOA) is a 501c3 non-profit that directly assists Advantage Behavioral Health Systems with bridging gaps in funding for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and addictive disease recovery.

This year’s fundraiser netted over $10,000. Junior League of Athens, President Alicia Battle, Provisional Chair KaDee Holt, and Sustainer Pamela Gardner participating and garnered mon-etary votes for a cause.

Mini Training Sessions: February 2015 GMM:Learning, Engaging, and Sharing at it’s Best!

[20]

Nearly all the women I know are stressing themselves sick over the pathological fear that they simply aren’t do-ing enough with their lives. Which is crazy -- absolutely flat-out bananas -- because the women I know do a lot, and they do it well. My cous-in Sarah, for instance, is earn-ing her master’s degree in international relations, while simultaneously working for a nonprofit that builds play-grounds at woefully under-

funded public schools. Kate is staying home and raising the two most enchanting children I’ve ever met—while also work-ing on a cookbook. Donna is producing Hollywood blockbust-ers; Stacy is running a London bank; Polly just launched an artisanal bakery...

By all rights, every one of these clever, inventive women should be radiant with self-satisfaction. Instead, they twitch with near-constant doubt, somehow worrying that they are failing at life. Sarah worries that she should be traveling around the world instead of committing to a master’s degree. Kate worries that she’s wasting her education by staying home with her kids. Donna worries that she’s endangering her marriage by work-ing such long hours. Stacy worries that the capitalistic world of banking is murdering her creativity. Polly worries that her artisanal bakery might not be quite capitalistic enough. All of them worry that they need to lose 10 pounds.

It’s terribly frustrating for me to witness this endless sec-ond-guessing. The problem is, I do it, too. Despite having writ-ten five books, I worry that I have not written the right kinds of books, or that perhaps I have dedicated too much of my life to writing, and have therefore neglected other aspects of my being. (Like, I could really stand to lose 10 pounds.)

So here’s what I want to know: Can we lighten up a little?

Can we draft a joint resolution to drop the crazy-making ex-pectation that we must all be perfect friends and perfect moth-ers and perfect workers and perfect lovers with perfect bodies who dedicate ourselves to charity and grow our own organ-ic vegetables, at the same time that we run corporations and stand on our heads while playing the guitar with our feet?

When I look at my life and the lives of my female friends these days -- with our dizzying number of opportunities and talents -- I sometimes feel as though we are all mice in a giant exper-imental maze, scurrying around frantically, trying to find our way through. But maybe there’s a good historical reason for all this overwhelming confusion. We don’t have centuries of edu-

cated, autonomous female role models to imitate here (there were no women quite like us until very recently), so nobody has given us a map. As a result, we each race forth blindly into this new maze of limitless options. And the risks are steep. We make mistakes. We take sharp turns, hoping to stumble on an open path, only to bump into dead-end walls and have to back up and start all over again. We push mysterious levers, hoping to earn a reward, only to learn -- whoops, that was a suffering button!

To make matters even more stressful, we constantly measure ourselves against each other’s progress, which is a truly dread-ful habit. My sister, Catherine, told me recently about a conver-sation she’d had with a sweet neighbor who -- after watching Catherine spend an afternoon organizing a scavenger hunt for all the local kids -- said sadly, “You’re such a better mother than I will ever be.” At which point, my sister grabbed her friend’s hands and said, “Please. Let’s not do this to each other, okay?”

No, seriously -- please. Let’s not.

Because it breaks my heart to know that so many amazing women are waking up at 3 o’clock in the morning and abusing themselves for not having gone to art school, or for not hav-ing learned to speak French, or for not having organized the neighborhood scavenger hunt. I fear that -- if we continue this mad quest for perfection -- we will all end up as stressed-out and jumpy as those stray cats who live in Dumpsters behind Chinese restaurants, forever scavenging for scraps of survival while pulling out their own hair in hypervigilant anxiety.

So let’s drop it, maybe?

Let’s just anticipate that we (all of us) will disappoint ourselves somehow. Go ahead and let it happen. Let somebody else be a better mother than you for one afternoon. Let somebody else go to art school. Let somebody else have a happy marriage, while you foolishly pick the wrong guy. (Hell, I’ve done it; it’s survivable.) While you’re at it, take the wrong job. Move to the wrong city. Lose your temper in front of the boss, quit training for that marathon, wolf down a truckload of cupcakes the day after you start your diet. Blow it all catastrophically, in fact, and then start over with good cheer. This is what we all must learn to do, for this is how maps get charted -- by taking wrong turns that lead to surprising passageways that open into spectacularly unexpected new worlds. So just march on. Future generations will thank you -- trust me -- for showing the way, for beating brave new footpaths out of wonky old mistakes.

Fall flat on your face if you must, but please, for the sake of us all, do not stop.

Map your own life.

By Elizabeth Gilbert, From the Huffington Post

The Best Thing You Can Do For Yourself -And All The Women Around You

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March Community Partners

Cha Cha Cha Publishing, owned by Vance & Cheri Leavy, produces the Bulldawg Illustrated (newspaper) and guide2a-thens (guidebook).

Be sure to grab the 2014-2015 edition of the guide2athens - capturing and connecting the best of local. The chic lit-tle black book and www.athens.guide2s.com will be all you need to navigate America’s best college town, Athens, GA. Whether you are a native or a visitor to the Classic City, guide2athens is an insider’s perspective of its inspired resources, people and enterprises.

Also be sure to read Bulldawg Illustrated - Bulldawg Illustrated is the way for Georgia fans to keep up with the best of the Red and Black between and beyond the hedges. Bulldawg Illustrated in print and www.bulldawgillustrated.com is a cel-ebration of Georgia football in its unrivaled lifestyle … in-depth unique analysis, fanfare lifestyle features, recruiting, tail-gate recipes, fan Q&As, historical flashbacks and statistics as well as dozens and dozens of photos of Georgia fans enjoying the festivities of those special gamedays and UGA events. Visit www.bulldawgillustrated.com - a community meeting spot for Georgia Bulldawg fans....students, alumni and all supporters!

And be sure to check out Cheri’s venture…www.thesouthernc.com. The Southern Coterie is an online resource for the entrepreneurial South. Designed to offer a community of passionate business owners the opportunity to connect, collab-orate and create, the “Southern C” is capturing the South’s entrepreneurial renaissance one post at a time. The Southern C Summit brings the online content to life with a unique multi-day conference where attendees network and connect in person with the best and brightest names in Southern business and branding.

Global Escapes®

a t r a v e l c o n s u l t i n g c o m p a n y

697 S. Milledge AvenueAthens, GA 30605

www.globalescapes.comfacebook.com/globalescapes706.549.1164 | info@globalescapes.com

BULLDAWG

Moving families in Northeast Georgia for

40 years

For a carefree, quality move from

an experienced mover you can trust706-549-8902

www.thelindsaygroup.net

If you move with us, we will pick up your Bargianza items on the day of your move, store them and deliver them to

the next Bargainza FREE OF CHARGE!

[22]

Community Partners 2013-2014

DIAMOND LEVEL PLATINUM LEVEL GOLD LEVEL

SILVER LEVELAlways, Always Flowers • Bulldawg Illustrated • Lindsay Mayflower

Southern Distinction Magazine • Wingate Downs Photography

BRONZE LEVELAllstate Insurance • Athens First Bank and Trust • Athens Parent Magazine

Athens Regional Medical Center • Ciné • Consultants Unlimited • Global Escapes Travel • JHP PotteryJWR Jewelers • Massage Envy • Piedmont Impressions • Satisfactory • The Body Shop of Athens

FRIEND OF THE LEAGUEAthens Diagnostic Center • Belk • Carl A. Blount Insurance • Chase Street Storage • Em’s Kitchen on Hawthorne

Partner Technology • SCANA Energy • Urban Sanctuary

MEMBERS CIRCLEChick-fil-a • DM3 Salon • Plain Jane • Stoltz Business Services

The Junior League of Athens634 Prince Avenue

Athens, Geogia 30601

706.549.8688jlathens@aol.com

www.juniorleagueofathens.org Printing Provided By:The Athens Printing Company

Periodicals PostagePAID

Athens GA 30601Permit #035600

Chair: Oonagh BensonCo-Chair: Deanne Rosso

Junior Directions (USPS 035600) is published monthly except July and August by the Junior League of Athens,

at 634 Prince Avenue, Georgia 30601. Periodicals postage paid at Athens, GA.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Junior Direc-tions, 634 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601.

SilverAlways, Always Flowers; Bulldawg Illustrated; Courtney Rosen Photography; Occasionally Ellyn Jeanne; Wingate

Downs Photography; Southern Distinction

BronzeAllstate Insurance-Merryn Walker; Athens First Bank & Trust; Athens Parent Magazine; Athens Regional Medi-

cal Center; Cine; Global Escapes; JWR Jewelers & Engravers; Lindsay Mayflower; Piedmond Impressions/Greater Georgia Printers; satisfactory; Thomas Built Cabinets; Vickery Financial Services, Inc.

Friend of the LeagueAthens Diagnostic Center; Belk; Carl A. Blount Insurance; Chase Street Storage; Chick-fil-A Beechwood/Atlanta Highway/Barnett Shoals; Em’s Kitchen; Georgia Plastic Surgery & Reconstructive Care; Georgia Power; Partner

Technology; Plain Jane Designs; SCANA Energy; The Sign Brothers; Urban Sanctuary Spa

Member’s Circle Melissa Pepin Photography; Yuva Medical Spa

2014-2015