Celebrating 90 Years

As the JLP's 90th year comes to an end, the provisional class of new members organized a day of service to our past community partners and a picnic afterwards.  43 members volunteered for four hours with HEARTH, Vintage, the Thelma Lovette YMCA and The Pittsburgh Project.   The Independent Sector values the volunteer hour at $22.14, thus the League's members donated $3,808.08 in their time to furthering the mission of these community organizations.

I spent my day at The Pittsburgh Project to clean Fowler Park. Maddy Wahl, Jessi Simms and I dug a ditch that will help with flooding on the backside of the park. Jessi and Maddy were naturals with a shovel, and I wasn't about to let a torn meniscus stop me!

At the picnic. Hannah Morrison designed the t-shirts. 

The end of the semester is finally here, and I'm glad to have my classes wrapping up. With one final assignment outstanding, my focus is on working with my Policy Implementation classmates to complete this team project. I've learned that the best way to convince my teammates to attend team meetings is to feed them!  Tacos and brownies are on the menu for tonight. 

Brownies placed on shamrock dollies to bring us luck for finals. 

Introduction Questions

Recently, Lights Editor Katie Kozora asked the incoming Board of Directors a series of questions to introduce everyone to the membership.  My responses are below: 

1. How long have you been in the League?

I joined the League as a provisional in 2005. 

2. What was your favorite JLP placement or experience?

The opportunity to chair a signature project was the most rewarding experience. The second playground build with KaBoom! strengthened my volunteer management skills and introduced me to asset-based community development. I had the opportunity to build a playground in New Orleans 9th ward, five months after Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, I utilized my Junior League and Kaboom experience to build a playground in my hometown in Southeast Ohio with my family and neighbors.  It is rewarding to be an active member of the Pittsburgh community, yet nothing compares to the pride I felt working with my childhood friends, neighbors and family to invest in the community we first called home. 

3. Where do you live? Family or pets?

The East End has been my home since I arrived in Pittsburgh in 2005. 

4. What are your goals for the 2013/2014 League year?

To further the mission and vision of our organization in the Pittsburgh community by nurturing a supportive environment where members can develop their skill sets through engagement with community partners and activities. 

5. Where do you work?

My professional life centers around my work for the University of Phoenix in the Corporate Relations department. My graduate student life at the Heinz College will come to an end this August. 

6. What is your advice to new members?

New members should say "yes."  I am so glad that I said yes more often then I said no as a new member in the League, from that Pittsburgh became a home instead of a stop on my professional career path.  I'm especially grateful to Sarah Lowery who encouraged me to try my hand as Communications Director and to Jennifer Daurora who supported my enrolling in Leadership Pittsburgh's Leadership Development Initiative class. These women offered me opportunities and I do not regret saying yes. 

7. Favorite band, song or quote?

"Life is not a spectator sport." Major League Hall of Fame member Jackie Robison

8. What is your favorite thing about/or place in Pittsburgh?

My favorite things are too numerous to mention so I'll focus on the museums - it is such a privilege to have multiple quality museums at my disposal. 

9. How do you de-stress?

Instead of letting myself become overly stressed, I try to mange it daily with trips to the gym and meditation.

10. If you had a day to do anything, what would it be?

I would spend the day with my Grandmother and Grandfather Sheskey working in their garden, enjoying afternoon cocktails, sharing the newspaper and watching a baseball game on television. 

Becoming a Mentor

The League consistently challenges me to expand my skill sets, and this past month was no different - I've become a mentor to three provisional (new) members. It's different to be the mentor when I'm more accustomed to being the mentee.  As the mentee, I know how to ask questions, be coached and decide which advice to follow. Yet as the mentor, I worry that I'm providing quality knowledege and teaching how to give critical thought to every situation.  Fortunately, my three mentees have made this new role an enjoyable one. These ladies are an asset to our organization - Olivia Benson, Haley Kozlowki and Brandi Darby. I'm excited to see their Junior League careers progress and all the talent they bring to our  projects.

With one of my mentees Olivia Benson at the Board of Directors meet and greet.

My good friend Pam Golubski and me at History Uncorked. Pam and I designed a student-alumni mentoring program when we were colleagues in the College of Engineering Dean's Office at Carnegie Mellon. 

Happy International Women's Day! In the past week, I've celebrated the power and potential of women and girls with the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania and former League community partner Strong Women Strong Girls.

The Girls Coalition sponsored a symposium featuring Spark Movement bloggers Julia Bluhm and Izzy Labbe, two high school freshman who successfully campaigned against the use of Photoshop on models in Seventeen magazine, as this manipulation of reality creates unrealistic expectations of young women. These two powerhouse ladies explained that you can affect change when you align resources, people and their voices toward a common cause.  Additionally, young girls from the greater Pittsburgh area discussed causes they are passionate about. Including the efforts of Sarah Pesi, who has drafted a bill to address Pennsylvania's weak stalking laws.

SWSG Advisory Council Beth Vucic and President-Elect Elect Eileen Bundy

Strong Women Strong Girls hosted a reception to celebrate the Mean Girls exhibit at the downtown Space Gallery.  League Sustainer and SWSG Advisory Council member Beth Vucic helped to organize the event, and active member Katie Kozora contributed publicity in her role as Leadership Coach.  The art pieces depicted the pain of both the bully and those who are bullied.  For me, this exhibit highlighted the need for current project iQ Kids that teaches children how to express themselves, introduces new customs and cultures, and ultimately builds a child's capacity for empathy.

After a volunteer shift at the Junior League's Home and Garden Show booth, I had the privilege of speaking to admitted students considering my alma mater Ohio University.  Always fun to combine volunteer opportunities!

Do the Right Thing

One of my favorite Heinz College professors Dave Lassman's said "Do the right thing.  In doing the right thing you can't go wrong - in business and in life."

I was reminded by Prof. Lassman's words this week as many people have provided me with guidance and help in structuring League activities.  I'd like to highlight the following friends:

Tracey Manzi of The Junior League of Boston for her support of a prospective member, whose mother is a sustainer in Pittsburgh.

Jordan Pallitto of The Hill Group for providing strategic development coaching as leadership incorporates the feedback received from the Speak Out meetings.

Kim Carter of The Pittsburgh Project for creating spring volunteer opportunities for the League.

Gina Evans of The Children's Museum for entertaining any and every collaboration I suggest.

Soup's On!

Each December, months in advance, League members have one question - are we volunteering with The South Side Soup Contest?

This annual event is a fun-filled, winter activity that introduces ticket holders to the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Approximately 25 restaurants enter an original soup into the contest, and 25 stores and businesses host the restaurants as they serve three ounces of steaming goodness to each participant. At the end of the day, votes are cast for best all around, best veggie, most unique and host with the most. 

Our members volunteer at the different soup stations, helping to keep things tidy and the guests happy. It's a fun way to spend the day with your fellow members, meet people in the community and support a local food pantry.  We're honored that the contest welcomes us back each year, with 50 ladies volunteering this past Saturday.  

As an added bonus, in most recent years, the day is filled with the type of sunshine that can only be appreciated in the middle of February.

Special thanks to Leah Worbs, Megan Worbs and Rick Hoffmaster for joining me on this soup crawl, providing rations, and helping me navigate the perils of seafood gumbos and chowders. 

The Soup Contest supports the Brashear Association, including their food assistance program. This holds a special place in my heart, as my community and civic engagement began as a pre-teen working in a soup kitchen with my grandparents.  Through this experience, my grandparents taught me the innate dignity and integrity of every person, and how we must show each other respect in all circumstances.  While I enjoy the work of the Junior League of Pittsburgh - the building playgrounds and the mentoring of young women - my grandfather often reminds me "Don't forget to feed people, Gretchen." 

Allison and Samantha with a fellow volunteer.

Diane and Lauren at their soup station.

Meghan and Vicky in the library. 

Lauren and Serina relax after the event.

Lara and Lauren with the Smiley Cookies.

Enjoying the fruits of a well done volunteer shift. 

Speak Out Meetings

This week marked the League's annual Speak Outs.  These small group meetings allow for easy discussion of issues and concerns affecting our membership.  In Pittsburgh, we're fortunate to have a welcoming and gracious sustaining member population to host us in their homes for these conversations.

At the Speak Outs, our membership always proves to be articulate women with vision and focus on furthering our work together. From these meetings, we're able to create our strategic plan for the year ahead.  A consistent and open conversation with one another provides the Board of Directors with an understanding of the membership's needs and wants. From this, the Board is able to align our resources with our shared vision for the future.

Tracy, Julie, Stephanie, Allison and Eliza at the Highland Park Speak Out.

Huge thank you to our Hostesses and Advisors for their efforts in bringing such important and energized discussions to life!

Hostesses:
Maria Burgwin
Lynne Chadwick
Collyn Evans
Jennifer Kilgore
MaryAdele Krowlikowski
Peggy Mooney

Advisors:
Katie Collins
Nancy Davis
Collyn Evans
Jennifer Grossman
Kristen Hawkins
Nneka Hawthorne
Sarah Lee
Lauren Santori
Allison Saras
Beckey Smith
Alaina Warren