Impact Magazine: See the full edition
President-Elect Nominee Announcement
Ashley Baerwaldt is an avid volunteer and mother of two young children. She grew up in Tyler, Texas, and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Ashley has been a part of the Junior League of Seattle (JLS) for seven years and served her Provisional year in Memphis, Tenn. She has most recently served as a member of the Junior League of Seattle board of directors for the past two years, concentrating on strategic planning and working closely with Provisional projects.
Before serving as director at large, Ashley has positively impacted many other areas within the JLS. She has led our organization in the following leadership areas: membership manager, community manager, done in a day chair, Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Community Service Award recipient selection committee chair, president’s assistant, standards panel and various ad hoc scholarship and organizational committees. Her vision for the next two years will focus on taking our organization to the next level within our community in the areas of community projects, diversified fundraising and sustainable membership growth.
Outside of our League, Ashley has spent most of her professional career in management and sales of various sized commercial printing entities. She reached the peak of her career with Consolidated Graphics as a graduate of their Leadership Development Program and VP of Wimmer Cookbooks in 2004. Since then she and her husband, Craig, have enjoyed various entrepreneurial pursuits.
Northwest Exchange
“Going to Northwest Exchange was a great experience. Not only was it an opportunity to meet great women from other Leagues, but it was a chance to get new insight and perspective on how other Leagues operate, and bring new ideas back to Seattle.”Kellea Williams, Provisional Chair
The Junior League of Seattle is honored to be hosting Northwest Exchange (NWX), a regional training event for Junior League members from throughout the Northwest, on February 4, 5, and 6, 2011. The conference will be held at the Washington Athletic Club in Downtown Seattle, where out of town attendees will stay overnight and enjoy the location close to local attractions such as the Pike Place Market and the Flagship Nordstrom department store.
The Executive Director of AJLI, Susan Danish will be participating on Day 2 of the exchange. She will be facilitating an interactive presentation on the new AJLI Strategic Roadmap. This will be a unique opportunity for Junior League members in the region to hear first-hand the strategic planning process that the Association has been engaged in.
The weekend promises to start on a high note - Women With Impact is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 PM. Hosted by the Nominating committee, this AJLI Award Winning Event features inspiring conversations about leadership in the community and the Junior League of Seattle. Learn more about the role you could play in contributing to future of the JLS and how skills gained through your League experiences can impact the community at large. All members are encouraged to attend, especially those with an interest in JLS leadership positions. This will also serve as a welcome reception for all NWX attendees.
A little History lesson on NWX: What is it?
Northwest Exchange has been a regional training for over 30 years. During that time, it has evolved as the needs of Junior League women and the communities that they represent have changed and grown. In the 1970’s, Northwest Exchange emerged as a geographical affinity group. It expanded in the 1980’s to a large annual meeting which brought together 150 to 250 delegates who represented higher levels of leadership. Today’s Northwest Exchange is an interesting and diverse mix of newer members and seasoned leaders from area Leagues both large and small. Currently, NWX Leagues rotate hosting each year, providing an opportunity to gain insight and perspective on how other leagues operate.
“Attending the Northwest Exchange in Boise was definitely an impressionable event. An hour after I got off the plane I found myself at dinner with women from the Tacoma League! Both the informal gatherings and the formal trainings brought being a League member down to such an approachable level and inspired me to explore approaches outside the JLS norms. I also had such fun with the women I went with from the Seattle League. I hadn’t met Chris or Tammy before that weekend, and I enjoyed getting to know them both!” Becky Allardice, Provisional Advisor.
Attending Northwest Exchange will enhance League experience, as well as prepare members for leadership positions. It is a motivating training that attracts attendees from all membership levels and all League sizes. The JLS is pleased to offer this exchange to further develop the potential of Junior League members.
“I found NWX to be a very inspirational experience. The caliber of the training facilitators was excellent and the content was very targeted to be specific to the nonprofit world and Junior League." Chris Lewis, Management Council Secretary
Northwest Exchange will highlight Junior League’s community involvement and positive role models in an innovative way, while encouraging an open and thoughtful exchange of ideas that provide a road-map for implementation.
The agenda will include trainings in the areas of communications, change management, community impact, goal setting, and balancing your passions. There is something for everyone at each stage of membership. Attendees will learn from and engage and interact with respected presenters, professionals and current and former League leaders.
Founding Junior League member Mary Harriman once said, “Our League, as I see it, was organized as a means of expressing the feeling of social responsibility for the conditions which surrounded us. We have the responsibility to act, and we have the opportunity to conscientiously act to affect the environment around us.” Through Northwest Exchange, attendees will be provided with ideas on new ways to serve and will be armed with solutions to meet the challenges that face our Leagues and our communities.
Interested in viewing the agenda, learning about the speakers, and registering for Northwest Exchange? Please visit www.jrleagueseattle.org.
Find Your Advocacy Voice at Capitol Days
There are many ways to help our community using the power of the JLS. You could perform a service shift at one of our long-term partners like the Jubilee Women’s Center, you could work at the Premier Event to help the JLS raise funds, or you can attend Capitol Days and learn how to advocate.
Advocacy
Advocacy means speaking, pleading or arguing in favor of a cause, idea or policy. It’s becoming a voice for those in our community who can’t speak for themselves. In order to communicate clearly and hope that your message rises about the din of all the others, it’s a great idea to learn the tools and tricks of advocacy. This is where Capitol Days can help. The JLS Advocacy Committee is teaming up once again this year with the Junior Leagues of Washington state (JLWS) to bring to you the opportunity to attend Capitol Days in Olympia February 20 and 21, 2011. The two-day training is chock-full of advocacy-focused workshops and speakers. Capitol Days is designed to teach members about the legislative process and bills that are of importance to our mission. It also gives members a chance to meet local lawmakers. The focus area differs each year. The theme for 2011 is “overcoming obstacles while advocating for your cause."
What is the JLWS?
The Junior Leagues of Washington State (JLWS) is a partnership between members from the Seattle, Olympia, Yakima and Spokane Leagues. Its purpose is to educate not only the Washington Junior League membership but also lawmakers on issues that are important to the JLWS. By using the power of four Leagues this unified voice can make our message stand out in the crowd. The JLWS keep the leagues connected with each other, and are committed to helping members find their individual voices so that they may become advocates for healthier and stronger communities. While it’s true strength in numbers works incredibly well, one person may also make an impact by advocating for change.
The voice of someone’s who has been there
Tina Quinn, Pilot Projects Vice-Chair, attended Capitol Days last year and was very impressed by what she learned. “The guest speakers were very informative, engaging and helpful. It was a great way for anyone, novice or expert, to learn about politics and get first hand knowledge and access to an individual who can answer your questions. It was also fun to see where it all takes place!”
Tina says also said, It took the “scary” out of wanting to become more involved with advocacy because I got a much better perspective on the government process.”
So clear your calendar and learn how to find your voice to help advocate for changes in our community. Capitol Days is free for Junior League of Seattle members and hotel accommodations are provided for those attending both days. Members receive one training credit for each day attended.
You can register online: http://www.jrleagueseattle.org/?nd=form__46 or email Advocacy at advocacy@jrleageseattle.org with questions.
Bite-Sized Policy Advocacy
Compiled using “Advocacy For Busy People” and “The Advocacy Starter Kit” from Nancy Amidei.
Step 1: Stay Informed
Follow the JLS Advocacy Committee on Twitter at @JLSAdvocacy. The feed features a roundup of news articles relevant to the League’s focus area. Keep informed on issues impacting women and children in King County and statewide. You may also visit the JLS Advocacy Committee website monthly and read Take 5 For Advocacy: http://www.jrleagueseattle.org/?nd=advocacy.
Step 2: Prepare a 60-second speech/”Elevator Pitch”
You should have something handy that you can remember and pull out in a moment’s notice. Your speech should include the following five pieces of information: Your name, where you live, your group, your issue and what action you want them to take.
Step 3: Call or E-mail Your Legislators
Washington state has a TOLL-FREE hotline to the State Capitol: 1-800-562-6000. Operators will take your message and send it to your Senator, Legislators or the Governor. Most days it only takes about two-minutes if you use the 60-second speech you developed in Step #2. Or, you can send a simple e-mail. Mention any relevant legislation or issue in the subject line; state clearly what you want the legislator to do; and be sure to put your home address so they know that you live in their district. For more information Visit the Washington State Legislature website at www.leg.wa.gov or The Seattle League of Women Voters at www.seattlelwv.org.
