March 2012

SCHENEXUS

2011-2012 JLSS OfficersPresident: Julie White Eklund

President-Elect:Mary Catherine White

Treasurer:Patty Christensen

Secretary: Paula Ohlhous Committee Chairs

Communications:Deanna Fox

Community:Shannon KellyStephanie Russell

Membership:Traci KoppenhaferJae Tracey

Ways & Means: Staci Marra

Nominating:Sarah Stotz

Supporting Roles

Schenexus Editor: Deanna Fox

Sustainer Advisors:Barbara Landon

NYSPAC Delegate:Kathy Van Allen

Thank You For Making House Tour 2011 A Huge Success!

Home of Ray and Valerie BleserNiskyuna, NY

Home of Dr. Quintin BullockNiskyuna, NY

Home Dr. Stephen and Judith Gardner Ainlay

Union College, Schenectady NY

The 2011 Presidential House Tour and Gift Boutique was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of our dedicated members and supportive community partners. A delightful preview party, sponsored by our wonderful friends at ShopRite, was held at the home of Mark and Terri Little. Featured homes (including those of Northeastern Fine Jewlery owners Ray and Valerie Ble-ser, Schenectady County Community College President Dr. Quintin Bullock, and Union College President Dr. Ste-phen Ainlay and wife Judith Gardner Ainlay), were exquisitely decorated by Anthology Design Studio, Capital InterierScapes, Experience and Creative Design, and Felthousen’s Florist. Our Gift Boutique, held at Proctors, drew vendors from across the Northeast and offered unique gifts to fulfill holi-day wishlists. More than 350 people visited the featured homes, helping to raise over $13,000 to support JLSS programs. 102 JLSS members served as hostesses over the event weekend, with more than 385 volunteer hours contributed in order to make the event a truly memorable event. Thank you to all those who assisted in any way with our fundraising event, especially the dedicated HTGB committee. We look forward to building on the success of our 2011 event in years to come.

SCHENEXUS JLSS ~ March 2012

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

A Message from our President“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ~ Lao Tzu

Last week I was at the final event of our fall new member class’ project, a baby shower for young, underprivileged moms. The class did such a great job organizing the many donations and then arranging a fun party with food, games, prizes and gifts. It was such a treat to spend time with the class members and meet the moms- I even learned some new baby games. Each mom received, among other things, a gorgeous basket of supplies, and I was lucky enough to be sitting with an adorable one-year-old boy when his mom handed him, from the basket, a little blue stuffed elephant. His eyes grew wide as he laughed and hugged the elephant kissing it on the trunk over and over for the next ten minutes. Coincidentally, the little blue elephant happened to be one of the items I had purchased for the supply drive, so through the efforts of the class I was able to see in action the wonderful results of my small gesture. It made me smile a bit goofily for the rest of the day.

When local author Kim Perone spoke at out January meeting, she talked about theimportance of celebrating love and finding our own passion. While every Junior Leaguer I have met shares a desire to help others, we all have different elements that inspire and sustain us. As much as we want to give to others, it is also important to be kind to ourselves. We have so many demands on our time and energy, and JLSS can and should be something that makes our lives better even as we improve the world around us. That may mean taking our upcoming training class to get over that fear of public speaking, or networking at one of our Chamber outings, or stopping in at one of our mixers for a chat with friends. Or sometimes,what you need may be a few hours spent in the tub with a book, or watching a movie with your husband or baking with the kids. Whatever it is that feeds your soul, and it won’t always be the same thing, be sure to look out for yourself so that you can help others. As Kim Perone reminded us, every time we take an airplane somewhere, we’re reminded that if there’s an emergency, we need to put on our own oxygen mask first before looking out for anyone else who may need our help. It applies on the ground as well. They say, ‘If you want to get something done, ask a busy woman’ and certainly our League ladies bear that out - so many of us are scheduled within an inch of our lives. But it’s important to be sure that what we manage to think about our own needs as well, rather than letting guilt take over. The saddest thing for me is when I hear a member say, ‘I feel so guilty and unhappy because I can’t give as much time as others do/as I used to/as I think I should .”

We don’t want you to devote every free minute to the Junior League! That might sound good, but it is a recipe for burnout. We want you to be a part of this mission for life, in the tradition of so many amazing Leaguers past and present. So it’s important for you to make this a sustainable part of your life. I know that one of the things that always energizes me is having a chance for hands-on volunteering, to actually meet in person some of the many people whose lives we are impacting. Sometimes, , even after all of the meetings and discussions, it’s still easier to appreciate what we do when I see that one child hoisting a backpack of brand-new school supplies or the new insulation in a flood victim’s house.

Getting together with other Leaguers is also always a way for me to feed my soul. I often find myself feeling so lucky and blessed just to be in the same room with so many smart, kind, and thoughtful women. I always come home with a spring in my step. So, thank you for what you have given the world, through JLSS and everything else you do. And thank you for what you have done for me personally - my experiences with League women have made this the best volunteer experience of my life. Ladies, you should take a moment to be proud - and put on your oxygen maskso that you can keep on saving the world.

JLSS PresidentJulie White Eklund

SCHENEXUS

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

JLSS ~ March 2012

Fall Provisional Class Completes ProjectThe Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties (JLSS) partnered with Catholic Charities’ Community Maternity Services (CMS) to assist new and expectant mothers in the Catholic Charities Residence and Community Programs. The JLSS Provisional Class hosted a “baby shower” event for 8 young mothers and 10 children on January 28, 2012. The ages of the children ranged from newborn to 4 years old.

The JLSS Provisional Class would like to thank the corporate sponsors who made generous donations: Beech Nut, Bettie’s Cakes, and Bread Basket Bakery. In addition JLSS recognizes Lisha’s Kill Reformed Church, St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, Catholic Families Schenectady and The Children’s Museum at Saratoga for providing drop off locations for donations. Donations included diapers, bottles and other baby items.

A special thanks to CMS Residence Manager Regina Middleton and JLSS members Mary Catherine White, Shannon Kelly, Traci Koppenhafer, and Janet Tracey for their donations and personal efforts to this successful event.

Getting To Know YouErika Browne is a member of the Fall 2011 Provisional Class. She graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in Government and subsequently obtained her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. She lived and worked in Manhattan for several years before relocating to Saratoga Springs in September 2010 to be closer to her family. Erika is presently employed as an Associate Attorney at the Albany law firm of Segel, Goldman, Mazzotta & Siegel, P.C. In her spare time, Erika volunteers for St. Lawrence University as a Laurentian Admissions Associate and raises funds for the University as a member of the Young Alumni Committee. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Junior Committee for the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center and serves as Winter Ball Fundraising Co-Chair for 2012.

Anne King is a member of the Fall 2011 Provisional Class. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature. After college she then moved to Ocala, FL with her now husband, Chris. While in Ocala she worked in the equine insurance industry for over four years. A year ago her husband was transferred for his job, and they moved to Saratoga Springs. Currently she works for a local company that does art-based fundraising programs for schools and civic groups. Her volunteer career has included working with the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association and community work through Kappa Kappa Gamma during college. She enjoys hiking the Adirondacks with her hus-band, horseback riding, reading, cooking, and playing with her dog, Boss.

SCHENEXUS

May Your

Wishes

Come True!

FEBRUARY

Carol CascioPaula OhlhousDenise Murphy McGrawSally LathropFrederica AndersonPeggy Haldeman-WatkinsDiane Kilbourne LewiseConstance Soron

MARCH

Sue FrisoniShannon KellyMolly MacElroyMarion “Jet” JacksonPatricia PurcellElizabeth Lovejoy KnaussDebby MullaneyMargaret GainesElaine KennedyNancy HartCarol Schweizer

Happy Birthday!

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

JLSS ~ MARCH 2012

Member News and Updates

APRIL

Lois MatochaAnne AstemborskiHeather KisslebackErika BrowneElizabeth KorniatSabrina HartlePatricia RowledgeStaci MarraKathryn OzimekKathy Van AllenPearl HaliSusan Marlette

At the National Automobile Dealers Association’s 2012 conference in Las Vegas, DrivingSales announced that Potratz Partners Advertising of Schenectady was the Highest Rated recipient of the Dealer Satisfac-tion Award for Search Engine Marketing and Pay Per Click services. The DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Awards measure dealer satisfaction with services provided by vendors in 2011. Potratz Partners Adver-

tising is owned in part by JLSS active member Christy Potratz.

Molly MacElroy (JLSS active member) and the Artic Foxes held their annual Women’s Ice Hockey Tourna-ment at the Clifton Park Arena on February 3-5. Thanks to Molly’s efforts as tournament director and support from other local organizations the tournament raised over $3,000 to benefit local charities

(including STRIDE).

Our condolences to Sustainer Advisor Barbara Landon on the passing of her beloved husband, Ned. For all intents and purposes, Mr. Landon WAS a Junior Leaguer. He dedicated more hours of active service than many lifeong members. He was essential to crafting, honing and spreading the message of our

League and was also our historian for decades. For more anni-versary celebrations than many of us can count, Mr. Landon, single-handedly and with great care, prepared what was always the highlight of the evening, our slideshow. Our League and our community will miss the bril-liant, thoughtful and kind Mr. Landon.

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

SCHENEXUS JLSS ~ MARCH 2012

JLSS Prepares to Celebrate 80 Years

2012 marks the 80th Anniversary of The Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties. In honor of this great achievement, we are planning an 80th Anniversary Gala, “A Red Carpet Affair,” to be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Key Hall, State Street, Schenectady, New York.

Please join the Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties past, present, new and future members as we celebrate the women who founded and contributed to this organizations success.

Kids in the Kitchen is Back

Some of the evening highlights will include honoring those who have exhibited exemplary community service, introduction of our new members and a receiving line of the Past Presidents. You will not want to miss this opportunity to join as we honor those that have contributed to the success of this organization and their community service projects which include founding Family & Child Service of Schenectady County, founding the first hospice in the state, creating the award-winning Community Voicemail program which allows victims of domestic violence, the homeless and those in transition to leave a reliable telephone number for prospective employers and landlords. We will also celebrate two of our most recent signature projects, Kids in the Kitchen and Operation Back-to-School.

Please plan to join us for an evening filled with delicious food, delightful cocktails and wonderful dancing to the music of T.S. Ensemble. This will certainly be a night to remember! Formal invites are soon to come.

Thanks to Deneen Palmateer, Schenectady Community College, and our partners at ShopRite, JLSS's Kids in the Kitchen will be held for Schenectady High School (Smart Scholars) at SCCC on April 23 from 3:30 to 6:30. The Smart Scholars will compete for one of 30 spots to cook a meal in the kitchen with SCCC culinary students. The healthy meal will be created by a ShopRite dietician and served to the students’ parents’. Both students and parents will take home cooking supplies from the Junior League, SCCC, and the Schenectady City schools.

Congratulations to JLSS active member Leesa Perazzo for her campaign success and swearing-in as a City Council Member for Schenectady. We wish her all the best in civic duties. Her election left a va-cancy in the Communications Chair position on the JLSS Board. That role has been filled for the rest

of the 2011-2012 year by Schenexus Editor Deanna Fox.

SCHENEXUS

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International,

Sustainer Highlight: Deneen Palmateer

JLSS ~ March 2012

Deneen Palmateer has held many positions in the Junior League, including two-time JLSS President. Current JLSS President Julie White Eklund conducted an interview with Ms. Palmateer, as detailed below.

What was the reason you originally decided to join the Junior League? The year was 2003 and I had recently moved to the Schenectady area and a friend (who has since left the area) suggested that I join the League because she had recently joined and thought it would be a good fit for me and my ideals. She indicated that the women were wonderful and that she had really enjoyed her provisional project. I had done some research and really enjoyed hearing about the service to the community and hoped to make a few new friends along the way.

Throughout the years, the Junior League has completed many community projects. Was there a particular project that held special meaning to you? So many projects are special to

me but I would have to say there are 2 that hold special meaning. The first is my provisional project. There were 13 provisional members and the YWCA had just had a domestic violence shelter donated which was in dire need of room renovations. Since no one was in residence yet, we were able to get in and renovate their social gathering room. Together we painted, had new carpeted donated and installed and had a variety of furniture, TV, books, shelving, games, and decorations donated. It really showed me how working together as a team gets things accomplished. The second would the OBTS, while I know that this project has been with the League since 2003 when it was started by Denise Murphy McGraw and Patty Rowledge and I have loved each and every minute of it; I was especially excited when in 2010, we began the collaboration with Schenectady County Community College and providing the educational supplies to the Smart Scholar’s Program, a program with Schenectady High School to provide those that are less fortunate with the opportunity to attend college while also attending high school and to help them on the path of obtaining a college degree. I know that together we all make a difference and seeing those children succeed, really brings that message home for me and I cannot wait for that first cohort of students to graduate in 2014 and see the success on their faces as they continue on their path to higher education. How has your volunteer experience with the League enriched your personal life? I just tear up at hearing this question because it brings me such memories of the most amazing people the Junior League has brought into my life. My life is better because of the women and the friendships I have made through the Junior League. A few years back, I had surgery, nothing too serious, but was completely unable to drive for a couple of weeks and was held captive at my house and I can tell you that these amazing JL ladies stopped by with so many dinners, desserts, flowers, cards, rides, and visits, that it never felt like I was recuperating, I was just spending some much needed time with those people important in my life. Not one day went by when a fellow Junior Leaguer did not stop by or call to check on me. Enrich my personal life you ask, oh yes, every day! How has your volunteer experience with the League strengthened your professional life? As a member of the League, I was given the most amazing opportunities to participate in the development of my professional skills whether through AJLI training, JLSS training or just through the conversations with other members of the League about professional development. I believe that the League has helped me become a better speaker, communicator, networker, organizer, advisor, event planner, and leader. I received my position at GE when someone I had met through the Junior League recognized my skills for communication, organization and leadership and offeredme the position. (interview continued on following page...)

JLSS ~ March 2012

SCHENEXUS

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International,

(...continued from previous page) As a sustaining member, why would you suggest that women join The League? The women of the Junior League not only become your friends and supporters, they become your family; the lives we touch in the community are made immeasurably better by our commitment; the community is strengthened because we work together; the skills learned from just being in the company of so many leaders, has a daily impact in your life; open the door to this organization and its women and I guarantee you, you will be richer for it. I know that I am.

What other community organizations are you affiliated with? I also sit on the board of direc-tors for Family & Child Service of Schenectady (an organization started by the Junior League in 1929) and am chair of their Fund-Development committee. I am a member of the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Schenectady, a council member for the Long Term Care Council of Schenectady County, a volunteer disaster preparedness instructor for the American Red Cross, a big sister to Emily (through Big Brothers/Big Sisters); a member of the advisory committee for Schenectady County Community College’s Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism programs, and I am especially excited to take on a new role this May as a member of the Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors of the Association of Junior Leagues International.

The Junior League’s NYSPAC is gearing up for our annual conference. On our recent conference call, the committee discussed the progress made thus far in preparation for Lobby Day (April 17, 2012). Our distinguished colleagues have met with Senator Ruth Hassell Thompson, our foremost champion in the State Senate, to discuss the issues for which we will be advocating in April.

This year, we will be supporting two domestic violence bills. One is the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, a bill which we have supported for two years now. This bill is designed to protect a class of domestic violence survivors who have retaliated against their attackers, but whose actions do not qual-ify them to use the legal defense of self defense, which is a very narrowly construed principal. This bill would allow judges statewide to consider the victims history of violence in their sentencing.

Our second bill relates to housing discrimination with regards to victims of domestic violence. This bill would seek to curtail discriminatory practices against the victims who seek housing in the private sector.The committee is asking that delegates return to their respective Junior Leagues and request a letter of support to be sent to the committee. NYSPAC is suggesting that we reach out to our community partners- organizations, public officials, etc. to write letters in support of our efforts as well.

In addition, the Junior League of New York City has a large sustainer membership that is becoming involved with NYSPAC and is encouraging other sustainers to do so as well. If anyone is interested in attending the Spring conference, contact Julie White Eklund at juliewhite@yahoo.com or 275-5833.

JLSS NYSPAC Delegates Prepare for 2012 Lobby Day

SCHENEXUS

JLSS ~ March 2012

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International,

GMM Announcements

MARCH

Our March GMM will be held Tuesday, March 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Ballston Spa National Bank, 990 State Route 67. Please enter through the side entrance. We will be in the BSNB community room. In addition to an exciting talk with Chris Davis, founder and editor of From Scratch Club, we will be discussing NYSPAC and the Junior League's commitment to social advocacy, a wealth of training opportunities, our upcoming 80th anniversary gala, and more. There will also be some very special "from scratch" treats for attending members! Please RSVP to Julie White Eklund at juliewhite@yahoo.com or 275-5833.

APRIL

Our April General Member meeting will be held from 6:00-7:30 PM on Tuesday, April 10, at Union Graduate College (room TBA.) This is the final GMM of the League year, as we will be celebrating our 80th anniver-sary with a gala on May 4 at Key Hall. Please make a point to attend this meeting as we will be voting on a number of items, including the slate of officers and the budget for 2012-2013. In addition, we will hear from Martha Asselin, Vice President of Student Affairs at Schenectady County Community College, on the amaz-ing Smart Scholars program our League has been working on with SCCC. Debbie Forester, from Roots and Wisdom, will also speak about creating community and her experiences in founding this vibrant local non-profit. This promises to be an important and inspiring GMM.

For January’s GMM Community Chairs Shannon Kelly and Stephanie Russell gave a presentation about “Moving our mission forward: Building a stronger organization within, so we can impact the com-

munity outside our doors.” Issue based community impact leverages the community and civic leader-ship skills of league members to address the issues

faced by their communities and to meet those needs with significant and sustainable solutions. How, you ask, will we get closer to achieving this? We will train

our membership on community issues, get input from our upcoming Community Advisory Board

(CAB), and input from our membership. The CAB will be composed of people from both Saratoga and Schenectady Counties who deal with health issues, elderly, youth, poverty, and within the government

of each community. Continue to watch for more information on JLSS’s Issues Based Impact!

P

D

I

romoting Voluntarism

eveloping The Potential Of Women

mproving Community

SCHENEXUS

JLSS ~ March 2012 JLSS ~ March 2012

A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International,

Announcing Sisterhood Dues FundJLSS is committed to being there for our members throughout their lives’ joys and difficulties, just as so many of our members follow in the footsteps of Helen George and remain committed to the League for a lifetime. Thanks to a generous, anonymous donation, this year we will be launching a new Sisterhood dues fund to assist those who may be suffering short-term hardships but wish to retain their involvement with the League. Active or sustaining members in good standing may apply for a full or partial dues scholarship for up to two years in any ten-year period. Applications must be received at least two weeks prior to the dues deadline and will be reviewed by the JLSS executive committee. Funds will be allocated based on need, League and community involvement, and fund availability. If you would like an application, please contact any board member after you receive your dues letter.

Upcoming Events and Training

March 17th 8:30am - 1:30pm. We will be providing a booth at the Saratoga Farmers Market in Saratoga with nutrition-based activities. Children will be able to plant seeds and participate in a scavenger hunt. We will

hand out coloring books and recipes. We are in need of members that can staff the booth from 8:30am-11am and/or 11am-1:30pm. Please contact Shannon Kelly at 518-377-0591 or Katelyn Galbraith at gabrk@sage.edu

if you are able to help staff the event.

Planting the Seed

Saturday March 24th 9am-12 PM. JLSS is committed not only to voluntarism but to training our members to become the best women they can be. On Saturday, March 24, we will be sending a group of members out to the Junior League of Syracuse for a training from 9 AM - 12 with well-known motivational speaker Vicki Clark. Clark has been featured at many AJLI conferences and this promises to be a truly inspiring morning as well as a chance to make connections with the Syracuse Leaguers. To attend, please contact Julie White Eklund at juliewhite@yahoo.com or 275-5833.

Training with Vicki Clark

JLSS is offering our members a series of exciting training opportunities in conjunction with the Schenectady chapter of Business and Professional Women. Each seminar will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at First Reformed

Church, 8 North Church Street, Schenectady, NY 12305. This is open to all new, active and sustaining members. If you are interested in attending any or all, please RSVP to Julie White Eklund at juliewhite@yahoo.com or

275-5833. (Training Events: Tuesday April 3: Succeeding in Grant Proposals. Dr. Stephen Schechter, Russell Sage College; Wednesday, April 11: Standing Up and Speaking Out. Loralynne Krobetzky, Public Speaking

Coach; Wednesday April 18: “Goal Setting for Grown-ups: Where Values & Purpose Shape the Goal and the Path to Get There,” The Right Fit Coaching-BPW; Wednesday April 25:”Leveraging Your LinkedIn Profile for

Success.” Debra Best, Human Resources Consultant)

Member Training Opportunities

Dates To Remember!

March 13 GMM, 6p-7:30p Ballston Spa National Bank

March 17 Planting the Seed, 8:30a-1:30p Saratoga Farmers Market

March 24 Vicki Clarke Training Event Junior League of Syracuse

April 10 GMM, 6p-7:30p Union Graduate College

May 4 80th Anniversary Gala Key Hall, Proctors

Our Mission

The Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties 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.

Non-Profit OrganizationUS Postage

PAIDPermit #460

Albany, NY 12205P.O. Box 857 | Schenectady, NY 12301

IMPORTANT!!

Please Note: The deadline for 2012-2013 dues is March 15, 2012. You should have received a

dues notice via post already. Please contact Patty Christensen with questions at 518.669.0664. We

look forward to another year of your membership!

Like Us on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/

pages/Junior-League-of-Sche-nectady-and-Saratoga-Coun-

ties/127393537303770

Follow Us on Twitter!

@JrLeagueSS