April/May 2009 - Junior League of Minneapolis

President’s Note
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Emily Backstrom
President-Elect
Anna Lyon
CFO/VP Finance
Maggie Kirchoff
Recording Secretary
Sarah McLeod
VP Administration
Julie Dosek
VP Community
Sarah Borchers
VP Fundraisers
Jessica Zeaske
VP Marketing
Tara Sullivan
VP Membership/Training
Stephanie Bartling
VP Projects
Heather Tansey
Legal Advisor
Adriana Luedke
Sustainer Representative
Carolyn Dahl
MISSION
The Junior League of Minneapolis
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.
REACH OUT STATEMENT
The Junior League of Minneapolis
reaches out to women of all races,
religions, and national origins who
demonstrate an interest in and
committment to voluntarism.
April showers not only bring May flowers, but also the conclusion
of the Junior League of Minneapolis year. And what a year it
has been Celebrating 85 Years of Service!
You, the women of the JLM, have accomplished so much. There are
the quantifiable activities … hours volunteered, members mentored,
dollars raised, lives touched in our community. But there are also the
qualitative aspects … membership energy built, training received,
friendships shared. What an amazing group of women to celebrate!
The Junior League of Minneapolis, as an organization, has also
accomplished much. We are now settled into new headquarters at The
Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. We have revised and updated our
Bylaws and Standing Rules. We have evolved our project and fundraiser
portfolios building on our learning and continuing to seek ways to improve our community. We
have grown our membership. What exciting events to celebrate!
Our Annual Meeting on May 12 at The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis will serve as our
opportunity to celebrate all of these accomplishments, as well as recognize our annual award
winners and officially pass the gavel to our 2009-10 leadership. As the conclusion to our 85 th
anniversary year, we will also take a moment to Celebrate a Toast to the Future of the Junior League
of Minneapolis. I hope you will all participate in this wonderful evening.
Before I close this last letter as JLM President, please allow me to share my gratitude.
Thank you to …
Our talented 2008-09 Board of Directors and the many women who served in leadership
roles throughout the year,
Becky Odland, Sustainer President, and our wise sustainers who served as advisors
officially and unofficially,
Each active member for your commitment to furthering our mission, and
Our new members for the wonderful energy that you brought to our League.
The JLM is lucky to have Anna Lyon as our next President with a strong 2009-10 Board of
Directors. These women are going to bring terrific energy to the continued pursuit of our
mission – promoting voluntarism, developing women and improving our community!
Last May I wrote in the MINI, “I hope that you are as excited about the future of the Junior
League of Minneapolis as I am.” I continue to maintain that sentiment today and look forward
with enthusiasm to all the League has to offer our members and our Minneapolis community in
the years ahead!
Thank you for a tremendous year!
Emily Backstrom
2008-2009 President
BOARD NOTES by Sarah McLeod, Recording Secretary
The Board worked with the Governing Documents Ad Hoc Committee, the Fundraiser
Management Board, and the Community Management Board to bring forward motions
for membership vote at the March General Meeting.
The Board continued to review JLM Financials and provided directional input for the
Investment Review Committee.
The Board worked with the Placement Committee to get ready for Placement Fair.
The Board approved the Wallin Scholarship for this year. The winner will be invited to
speak at the May meeting.
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