Junior League of Syracuse

Susan Shubmehl, 2012-2013 Active Member at Large

Susan and I arranged a lunch date at Rachel’s at the Sheraton, where we discussed her past and future career in the Junior League of Syracuse.  Susan holds the distinction of the JLS’ longest-serving active member with no changes to associate or sustainer status.  She, along with 50 other women, was a provisional member in 1987-1988 and became active in the spring of 1988 – “back when provisional classes were a year long!” she enthuses.  Many JLS members know that she was among the JLS members instrumental in researching Austin, Texas’ holiday market, bringing the idea to Syracuse, and planning and executing the very first Holiday Shoppes in 1995. 

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Linda Dombrow, 2012-2013 Community Vice President

I sat down with Linda at a location at which I have often met her and she continues to frequently be found – the Junior League of Syracuse office.

Linda, with an extensive career in politics, grant development and administration, and fundraising, has a deep familiarity with the issues facing the Central New York area.  She joined the JLS in the fall of 2006 because of one of the key words in its mission: “its completely voluntary nature.  It provided ways to get out into the community and make a difference,” Linda stated.

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Heather Ford Wallace, 2012-2013 President Elect

Heather and I met one recent late afternoon as she welcomed me into her home for our visit.  Busy as always, Heather was juggling commitments at home (keeping a watchful eye on her children and the muffins baking away in the oven), work (upcoming plans for her business, BaileyBags), and the Junior League of Syracuse (as outgoing Treasurer, preparation for the summer audit).

Before joining the JLS, Heather had been familiar with the Junior League as a women’s civic leadership organization; in fact, she had aspired to one day become a member.  The timing was right several years ago: she had recently seen an article about the Junior League of Syracuse in The Syracuse Post-Standard, and she joined the spring 2009 new member class and became active in May 2009.

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Lynne Hamilton-Johnson, 2012-2013 President

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lynne at her workplace, Plumley Engineering, at which she has served as Comptroller since 2006.  In fact, it is at Plumley that she first learned of the Junior League of Syracuse, from JLS member Jenna Webb.  She credits a conversation she had with her daughters about the importance of volunteering as the impetus for her to join the Junior League.

Lynne went on to become a new member of the Junior League of Syracuse in the fall of 2008, becoming active in May 2009.  She selected the Arrangements Committee for her first placement, but later added a second after learning about the position of Assistant Treasurer at a JLS placement fair for new active members.  Lynne shared that she appreciated that the League offered a way for her to be in her comfort zone by contributing skills she brought to the League.  She went on to serve the League as Treasurer and President-Elect before assuming the JLS Presidency in June of this year.

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  Who are Junior League of Syracuse members?  We are daughters,       wives, mothers, and sisters who live, work, and play in Central New York.  As     members of the Junior League, a 155,000-member-strong international             women’s volunteer movement, we work together to promote voluntarism,         develop the potential of women, and improve the community through the         effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Over the next few months, Online Engagement Chair Jessica Murray will be interviewing the women of the Junior League of Syracuse Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and membership to highlight their accomplishments and achievements, their dedication and drive, and their enthusiasm and willingness to help build a better Syracuse community.

We hope you enjoy reading about our dynamic members!

The Junior League of Syracuse prides itself on the education, training, and leadership development opportunities it offers to our members.  Earlier this spring, noted speaker, consultant, and trainer Vicki Clark visited the Junior League of Syracuse as part of the 2011-2012 League year’s training offerings.

On Friday night, Vicki facilitated a discussion for the 2011-2012 and proposed 2012-2013 boards and leadership teams on mission-driven leadership and the role of strategic thinking.  Then at the March GMM on Saturday morning, concurrently with the March GMM, Vicki led a training on servant leadership and what members can get out of their Junior League.  The JLS is excited to have hosted members from our sister Leagues in Binghamton, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties, Albany, and Hamilton-Burlington (Ontario).

Here’s what some JLS members had to say about their expectations leading up to and thoughts after Vicki’s visit:

“I really loved the breakdown of the new direction of our projects (DIAD to topic-based).  It especially got me amped up given my JLS involvement in the Community Council.” (Courtney Bintz)

“The concept that really resonated with me was Vicki’s explanation of the word “charitable” in the last line of our mission statement.  We should recognize each other’s strengths and support one another and I feel that we’re successful in that endeavor at JLS.” (Jessica Eckerlin)

“The training brought an understanding of the mission statement.  Having the statement pulled apart from Vicki Clark, someone who understands the Junior League, helped me understand it’s more than just words being said.” (Sharon Waskiewicz)

“I really enjoyed Vicki’s presentation and thought she had a terrific, practical approach.  It was a pleasure to participate as a Sustainer and to see and hear the enthusiam of the current actives.” (Helen Druce)

Members of the Junior League of Syracuse 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Boards and Leadership Teams with Vicki Clark.

Members of the Junior League of Syracuse.

Members of the Junior Leagues of Syracuse, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties, and Burlington-Hamilton (ON) with Vicki Clark.

Read more about other 2011-2012 training offerings provided by the Junior League of Syracuse.

Active, sustaining, or new - whatever the membership category, the Junior League of Syracuse loves our members and is reminded how incredibly grateful we are for their dedication to our community.

Happy volunteer month!

It’s spring, and we can’t help but think that it’s raining members!  Recently, the Syracuse Post-Standard ran a story announcing that the Junior League of Syracuse’s fall 2011 new member class had become active members in December.  And, the JLS’ spring 2012 new member class is already underway, with members due to become active later this spring.

Please join us in welcoming these women to the Junior League of Syracuse!  We look forward to sharing information soon about these ladies’ new member class community collaboration.

Read the entire syracuse.com story here: Junior League of Syracuse welcomes 31 new members.

And as thrilled as we were to see our new members in the pages of The Post-Standard, imagine our excitement when learning that New York State Senator John A. DeFrancisco had written the JLS and our new active members to congratulate these ladies for their commitment to our community.

Above: The fall 2011 new member class of the Junior League of Syracuse, soon after they became active members of the JLS.