Leadership Team Retreat

On June 3 and June 5, I had the privilege of presenting a Leadership Team Retreat. The JLM’s Leadership Team consists of the Board of Directors and the Chairmen of all standing committees. The first evening of the Leadership Team Retreat was held at JLM’s Headquarters and consisted of training our League leaders on how to run their committee meetings, make notebooks for each committee member, and effectively take minutes during each meeting. Every member of the Leadership Team signed a Code of Ethics form and had the opportunity to write down goals for themselves for the year.

The JLM operates under a Council System, which was also presented to the Leadership Team. Our councils are Finance, Community, Membership and Education. Learning about our Council System shows our leaders how to be involved in their council. This is important because this is the avenue where we develop our strategic plan for the year. We have a four-part strategic plan that is created by the Chairman of each council and its members. Each council discusses areas where members would like to see improvements in the League. Several strategies are formed using this information. Goals are listed as to how to implement the change desired. At the end of the League year, we will evaluate each strategic plan to see if the goals for the year were accomplished.

The second evening of the Leadership Retreat was held at Shared Spaces. Shared Spaces is a new building in town that houses several non-profits and has fabulous meeting spaces. The second evening focused on our new Social Media Campaign. SDB Creative Group presented a training session on how our League could make a greater impact by turning to social media to advertise for ourselves. Several Chairmen gave updates on what they hope to accomplish in the coming year and let everyone know event dates. Our Finance Vice President presented the budget. Each member was trained on how to read and understand the budget, as well as the best ways to utilize their funds.

I’d like to include a few of the goals listed by members of the Leadership Team:

HopeWorks Chairman, Ellen Wheeler:
I want to pass along my passion to my committee members. My goal is to continue my support of Rays of Hope after my placement is complete. I will remind each committee member of the impact they are making on the children in our program to better their lives.

Suits with Skills Buckner Family Place Chairman, Rebecca Patterson:
I will help women realize their potential to create a better life for themselves and for their families. I will inspire them to have confidence in themselves and realize that they are the masters of their own future.

Nominating Chairman, Monica Tucker:
My goal is to run an efficient, high-integrity, fair committee. I strive to be a leader: strong, positive, knowledgeable, and firm yet respectful and fair.I am so inspired by the drive and passion of the members of the Leadership Team.

I can’t wait to see what everyone will accomplish this year. I truly believe that all members of our League will “Find their Spark and Realize their Potential” when they have such amazing women leading the way!

-Michelle Dinger
President, 2014-2015