Jill Rogers Barham - Junior League of Little Rock

Building on lessons learned By Karen Fetzer
opportunities presented itself when I
was offered a job with an association
management firm – nothing I had ever
done before – I am not sure I knew jobs
like that existed. I had the confidence
to change my retail career path because
I had training through the League. Let
me digress a bit to say I didn’t always
understand the assignments given me, but
I trusted … trusted the system and trusted
those that placed confidence in me.
was given my next and possibly greatest
opportunity to work for the Rotary Club
of Little Rock. During the time between
those two jobs I served on the Association
of Junior Leagues International Board of
Directors. This perfectly prepared me
for my position as Executive Director
of the Rotary Club. With my League
training, a sense of greater purpose and
the opportunities Rotary provides, I knew
it was a “perfect storm”.
I
was never one of “those” people…
you know the ones that always
knew what they wanted to do when
they grew up. I guess it is just my
personality to let life come to me, to be
open to possibilities and to grab hold of
the opportunities allowed me. I believe
my philosophy has served me well most
especially in my career. I received my
first real taste of volunteering in the
community through the Junior League of
Little Rock and credit this organization
for training me for my career. I had
worked in several aspects of retail for
many years and while there are people
that would say I was perfectly suited for
that, I always felt I had more to give….I
WAS one of those people….the ones that
had been given much.
The League exposed me to numerous
opportunities to serve the community. I
also learned the value of giving but most
importantly I realized the obligation to
give. It is not ok to wait for someone else
to step up, it is not ok to simply identify
a problem, need or deficiency, those who
are able must take the next step and do. I
realized I wanted to be a doer!
While in the League, one of those
My favorite saying is “that which does
not kill us makes us stronger”...there
were times in my League career I began
to doubt it! My first opportunity in the
League was as the Warehouse Chair
for Bargain Barn. Since the warehouse
space was donated that year we ended up
moving several times, landing in the old
VA Hospital on Roosevelt Road. After
a year, Barn Sale Day was finally here
and I have never felt better about an
accomplishment that I did on that day
when the last pallet of merchandise left
the VA for Barton.
The decision to accept the job with the
association firm changed my life. From
my job in association management I
A quick side note- I did meet some of my
best friends through the League….my
best friend and I worked together on the
75 th Anniversary – I did not know her
until we were put together through the
League. Nothing builds friendships like
working side by side.
Now I was one of “those people” the
ones that are doing what they should
be – even if it took me 20 plus years to
figure it out. I use my League training
every day. So I encourage you to try new
things, be open the possibilities, embrace
the opportunities allowed you – even
the ones that may not have first blush
appeal….you might be surprised where
your journey may take you.
16 Interaction l Holiday 2009