Celebrate Earth Day with PIP!

Earth Day, celebrated every April 22 in the United States, is a 48 year old holiday that was created to increase public awareness of environmental problems throughout the world. It is often celebrated through educational programs and volunteer work to focused on improving the environment.  

The New York Junior League founded Playground Improvement Project (PIP) over 25 years ago. PIP volunteers design, plan, fund, and complete one playground renovation each spring. Renovations include repainting playground equipment, benches and lamp posts to repairing batting cage areas and cleaning up garden beds and shrubs throughout the park.

Starting April 14th through May 12th, we invite you to join the NYJL to improve the Corlears Hook Park, next to the beautiful East River along the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Drive in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. To learn more about this year’s PIP project and see a full list of volunteer days.  

If you are unable to attend and are interested in contributing to this cause, you can make a donation today!

Becoming Future NYJL Leaders

On a recent Saturday, the New York Junior League hosted Leadership Day – a day filled with learning, empowerment and networking. Built upon the NYJL’s mission of training the next generation of leaders, Leadership Day brings together volunteers who have been identified as “up and coming” leaders and provides them the opportunity to cultivate their talents and hear from current and past NYJL leaders.

The day began with training session, “Leaning into Leadership” led by Laura Schwartz, Founder & CEO of i² Leadership. During the session, she covered different styles of leadership – action, empathic, vision and analytic – provided insights on how volunteers can draw on their strengths in order realize their full potential and become leaders in their community.

Morning session speaker Laura Schwartz of i² Leadership addressing styles and approaches to leadership in “Leaning in to Leadership.”

After lunch, current president Suzanne Manning along with past presidents Mary Ellen Fahs (1970-1972), Melissa Lewis Bernstein (1992-1994), Lisa Hathaway Stella (2010-2012) and Fiona Grant Small (2012-2014), discussed challenges and successes they experienced during their leadership terms. Despite challenges, past presidents were amazed by politicians, community leaders and celebrities and who were equally excited to work with the NYJL.

Panel of past NYJL presidents: Melissa Lewis Bernstein, Fiona Grant Small and Lisa Hathaway Stella discussing challenges and successes of leading the biggest Junior League in the United States.

During the afternoon, keynote speaker J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network spoke about the need for personal networks and why they essential in reaching leadership potential. She assigned the following homework to the room of leaders:

  • Be consistent by doing what you love – it becomes your “brand.”
  • Google your name because your (public) reputation precedes you.
  • Use your peer network, including the people in this Harriman room, as your most accessible resource.
  • Update your NYJL resume without fear of discussing your proudest achievements.

Keynote speaker J. Kelly Hoey discusses developing leadership potential.

The day was an inspirational exercise and reminder to consider your own leadership potential with the NYJL, the community and in your personal lives.

Are you looking for an opportunity where you can give back and continue to develop your knowledge and skills? Are you interested in becoming a future leader in your community and share your strength with others?  The NYJL is the place for you! Check out a new volunteer orientation to learn more about becoming a volunteer and current volunteers can learn more about leadership development opportunities on the calendar of events.

Shopping to Support the NYJL

Shop spring’s freshest styles while supporting the charitable activities of the New York Junior League during the upcoming Shop & Stroll fundraising event, taking place on April 28 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. The NYJL is partnering with many Madison Avenue retailers to offer an amazing shopping experience with a portion of proceeds benefiting the NYJL. Whether you’re looking to revamp your spring wardrobe or support the NYJL, this is the event for you! Be sure purchase tickets today for what promises to be a fun spring Saturday with fellow volunteers.

The NYJL is partnering with many Madison Avenue retailers, who will be serving up a variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, exclusive shopping discounts and in some stores, special gift items. Interested in learning more about the NYJL Shops! program or becoming an NYJL Shops! partner? Contact Courtney Cook, fundraising events manager, for more information.

The upcoming Shop & Stroll sponsors include:

                                             

Done in a Day On Demand Committee Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day at Stanley M. Isaacs

Once a month, volunteers from the New York Junior League’s Done in a Day on Demand Committee (DIAD-OD) help to create a festive and fun dinner party for the seniors served by the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center. As showcased at the 2018 Winter Ball, the NYJL and Stanley Isaacs have had a long-standing partnership since the Center’s inception in the 1960s.

The Sunday Supper series has been a signature event for DIAD-OD. The recent March event marked the first time that the DIAD-OD Committee was able to cover all costs associated with the event, providing decor, gift bags, raffle prizes, and side dishes and arranging for the donation of the main course.

Each month features a holiday celebration, and the March event was dedicated to St Patrick’s Day. NYJL volunteers in leprechaun hats decorated tables in green, prepared gift bags, and served corned beef and cabbage to guests as traditional Irish music played. The entree was generously prepared and donated by Wine34, a wine bar located in Midtown East.

The evening was capped off with the traditional post-dinner raffle, which features different prizes each month and gift cards were provided by DIAD-OD for March. The dinner guests, many of whom were already waiting in line more than an hour before the dinner started, were thrilled and thankful for the opportunity to eat a cheerful holiday meal among friends.

We welcome all NYJL volunteers to join DIAD-OD at our next Sunday Supper event for a uniquely rewarding experience. Please look out for future events in the Friday Flash and on the calendar of events.

Celebrate Service during National Volunteer Week this April

Every year across the United States, organizations including the New York Junior League celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power they have when they come together to tackle difficult challenges and build stronger communities. First established in 1974, National Volunteer Week will be celebrated this year from April 15-21.

We invite all NYJL volunteers to take part in our community events this week and throughout the month of April:

DIAD-OD: American Lung Association NYC Stair Climb
Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14
Lend a helping hand at the American Lung Association NYC Stair Climb! Volunteers are needed for both event setup and day-of event support. Event setup volunteers help the American Lung Association NYC prepare for this great event. Day-of event support volunteers help with day-of event management, including t-shirt distribution, signs, check-in, and more. Register today to help out with event setup or event support!

Personal Empowerment Project: Career Day
Saturday, April 14
The Personal Empowerment Project committee is holding Career Day for the young girls of SCAN and GOAL, and they need your help securing donations for their educational goody bags. Please visit their Amazon wish list for suggestions. Personal Empowerment Project greatly appreciates your help and support for Career Day!

DIAD-OD: Union Settlement Meals on Wheels
Saturday, April 14
Help pack and deliver meals to hundreds of seniors in the East Harlem community. Many seniors are home bound and live alone, so volunteers provide them with a warm meal and give them someone to talk to! Sign up today!

Playground Improvement Project: Park Days
April & May
Help PIP Beautify and Improve Corlears Hook Park! Spring is right around the corner so we invite you to volunteer during a Playground Improvement Project Park Day and lend a helping hand at Corlears Hook Park. Get your gloves dirty gardening, painting, planting, and mulching in this great park! Sign up to volunteer during one of our PIP Park Days!

 

These are just a selection of events held in and around the League and we invite all NYJL volunteers to attend. Check out the Friday Flash or the calendar of events for more ways to get involved! We hope to see you there.

And if you are looking for ways to volunteer in New York City, we invite you to learn more about volunteering with the New York Junior League.  Join us for an upcoming new volunteer orientation!

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