85th History Booklet - Junior League of Minneapolis

Perspectives
on our 85th Year
President Emily Backstrom and Sustainer President
Becky Odland share highlights and refl ections
The Junior League of Minneapolis
celebrated its 85th year in 2008-2009
with a renewed focus on its members
and their impact on the community… all
while moving into a new home.
“You could really feel a positive vibe
this year when out at JLM events,” said
2008-2009 President Emily Backstrom.
“For me to feel the energy and see
what a good time everyone was having
made the year extremely rewarding.”
That positive energy came from a
number of initiatives set out by the
League’s Board of Directors. One
of the most successful, that Emily
hopes continues, was the 85 Leaguers
initiative. Showcasing the personal
side of its membership, the League
published short features on 85
members, including new
members, transfers,
actives and sustainers,
throughout the year.
“I heard much more
positive feedback than
I expected from the 85
Leaguers concept,” said
Emily. “It let members
share their story and bridged generation
gaps among our members.”
The major initiatives begun this year
by the Board of Directors included
beginning to implement the threeyear
strategic plan, bringing back
the Community Advisory Board, and
implementing a pilot mentorship
program for first-year actives.
One of the biggest changes of the
year, of course, was moving the
headquarters to The Woman’s Club
in Minneapolis. “I think the members
feel that this is the right place for us
to be,” said Emily. “We found ways to
collaborate with The Woman’s Club and
I think that spirit will continue.”
“I worked with an amazing Board of
Directors this year,” said Emily. “We
made this a year of celebration and it
was so fulfilling to see everything we
planned for come to life. It will be a
year I always treasure.”
Cheerfulness radiates
from 2008-2009 Sustainer
President Becky Odland. It’s
no surprise that in her 26 years
in the League she has made
countless friends, served on
numerous committees and was
chosen Sustainer President for
the 85th league year.
“It is so gratifying to look on the
sustainer representatives and think
back on our time in the Junior League
of Minneapolis,” she commented. “We
have all helped each other in and out
of the League and it’s truly amazing to
think of all that we have accomplished.”
For the League’s 85th year, Becky
and Junior League of Minneapolis
President Emily Backstrom created
the 85th Ad Hoc Committee to help
organize and commemorate the year.
“The ad hoc was specifically formed
to unite everyone throughout the
year,” says Becky. The committee’s
events included the fall bus tour, the 85
Leaguers initiative, two Impact Days in
January and the May annual meeting
celebration. All the celebratory events
were planned by active and sustainer
representatives working together.
Another highlight of the year for Becky
was serving as Sustainer President. “It
was a year of leadership growth and
a League career highlight for me,” she
says. Looking ahead, Becky is excited
about the League’s new projects voted
on in our 85th year: Backpack Buddies,
Between the Lines and Reading
Circles. “They all serve very different
purposes to help us nourish the
community in new ways,” says Becky.
“Here’s to 85 more years of the same.”
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