Hundreds of women from as far away as Seattle and Canada travelled to Charlotte in late May to attend the Organization Development Institute (ODI), which is a weekend-long training provided by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) proudly hosted these women by offering recommendations for dining and shopping, welcoming sustainer Jane McIntyre as the keynote speaker at the “Celebrating Voluntarism” luncheon, and hosting a welcome reception at Bubble on Friday night for the delegates who travelled far and wide.
Delegates from the JLC included TaLeayah Johnson (Nominating Chair), Ashley Lowery (Community Impact Manager), Emilie Duncan-Heffernan (Fall Fundraiser Chair), Destiny Jenkins (Board of Directors), Tricia Magee (Communications Manager), Charlitta Hatch (Human Resources Manager), and Mary Sherrill Ware (Education, Training & Advocacy Manager). Past-President Beverley Shull and President Lisa Johnson spoke throughout the event to welcome delagates to the Queen City. President-Elect Shannon Vandiver, JLC and AJLI Past-President Toni Freeman, and sustaining members Cynthia Marshall and Sharon King attended the Celebrating Voluntarism” luncheon on Saturday to hear JLC sustainer Jane McIntyre encourage attendees during her keynote speech.
JLC delegates spread out to attend different breakout sessions, but a common theme emerged during the final day’s wrap-up session – the delegates were incredibly grateful to have been nominated to attend ODI and they could not wait to get to work implementing all they had learned. TaLeayah Johnson noted, “I was truly enlightened by the different ways we can continue to improve our organization and empower our members to be the best volunteers they can be.” JLC board member Destiny Jenkins said, “My main takeaway from this experience was that, as leaders, we are all responsible to serve as mentors. By having all of our leaders committing to serve as mentors, we will definitely impact and improve member experience and engagement. We will be able to continue moving forward with our mission while assisting with the growth and development of our members.”
Ashely Lowery who attended the breakout sessions on Achieving Community Impact added, “Being able to attend the ODI conference as a delegate for the Junior League of Charlotte was an amazing experience. I cannot wait to share all that I learned with the Community Impact Council. I was already excited for this year, but now I have even more of boost!”
