Friday, June 1, 2012

5... 4... 3... 2...1...  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

There’s no fireworks display.  And there are no noisemakers, unless you count my kids, who are currently chasing each other around the dining room while I am typing this.  And I should probably say there is no champagne, but I bet I could manage to rustle up a glass if I searched my fridge long enough.  Tiny bubbles....  I digress.  
Happy New Year, JLSA! Welcome to your new year, a happy new year, filled with new challenges, new placements, new opportunities, and new faces. I might even be one of those new faces. I’m Kelly Anderson, and I’m this year’s JLSA Blogger, on our fabulous Communications Council. I’ve been in the League since 2008, and this is my first time to match one of my creative interests (writing/blogging) to my League placement. I’m excited about this opportunity. But enough about ME--there’s plenty of time for that. We have a great big year ahead! Let’s talk about YOU. Do you have any resolutions for this New Year in the Junior League? Have you tackled a challenging placement that you hope will help you grow? Are you heading into a brand-spanking-new placement, with no idea what the new year will hold? Are you inspired to give back to our great community this year? What are your new year’s goals? I asked a few of our members what their JLSA New Year’s Resolutions were.  Here’s what they said:
Mallory Ahl, Vice Chair of New Members, shared, “Communication is the key to a successful year.  This includes communication with the new members, mentors, and any JLSA members who are helping the New Members to complete a successful New Member Year. Communication needs to be timely, detail-oriented, and reach the appropriate audience. With successful communication, the New Member "team" will understand its responsibilities and my expectations throughout the year.” Sounds like Mallory is up to the challenge!
Diane Castillo, a New Member Mentor, told me, “Last year I was the Business Manager for FÊTE DU CUVÉE, which is more of an in-league position.  So, this year I decided that I wanted to be in a placement where I could get back in touch with our Community Partners but also be in a leadership type of position. Luckily, I was given my first placement choice of being a Mentor to our New Members!  What a blessing, and I've already started on this year's journey with Super Saturday!”  Terrific, Diane! I remember Super Saturday fondly--I learned about several of our community partners and made new friends in the process.
Finally, Shannyn Romero, Green Spaces Alliance Co-Chair, remarked that she and Brett Beyer “are excited to chair a new placement this year. Having the opportunity to develop a new partnership in a placement that is so intricately tied to our mission and new signature project is an honor.” I can’t wait to hear more about this new partnership and what our members will be doing to help keep South Texas green. And I’m looking forward to sharing the stories, challenges, and successes of the women who comprise our League this year, on-line, with you.
It’s going to be a great New Year, JLSA. Oh, hey--there’s that bottle of champagne I was looking for.  I think I’ll pour myself a celebratory glass. Cheers!


5 comments:

  1. Thanks, Kelly, for your 1st awesome and creative post!! It is the New Year for the JLSA and I, for one, can't wait to get started - officially! Thank you to all our members who are already hard at work on their new placements and those who will begin in the weeks to come. It's great to be a part of the JLSA!

    Debbie Callihan,
    2012-2013 President

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  2. Kelly! What a great introduction to the new JLSA year! And LOVE your hat and the bubbly -- although would've loved to share a glass with you!
    Looking forward to reading more of your blogs!
    Great job!
    xoxo
    Jenny Hall

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  3. Yea Kelly! Looking forward to reading your blog this year. Shandelle =)

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  4. Adorable Kelly! You'll be great at this!! Passing the torch onto an awesome blog writer!

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