A virtual format for March’s General Membership Meeting allowed the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) to join with the Junior League of Winston-Salem, Inc. (JLWS) for an energetic meeting on belonging with special guest Blaire G. Hervey, owner of The Corporate Strategist. JLC business was covered in the first half of the meeting then the two chapters converged for Blaire Hervey’s talk in the latter half. We’ll recap the meeting below.
JLC President Christina Gratrix opened the meeting by citing two books by Yuval Harari called “Sapiens” and “Unstoppable Us.” “Unstoppable Us” credits the human ability to cooperate better than any other animal for our survival. Our abilities to cooperate and support each other are two pillars of the success of the JLC. Each council in the JLC depends on and supports the other in a circle.
Jonell Logan, JLC President-Elect, offered the reflection on belonging and collaboration. There are various reasons women join the JLC, whether it be to meet like-minded women, learn more about Charlotte as newcomers, or volunteer; however, we all count on being able to collaborate and belong to an organization that serves the community.
Following the opening remarks by JLC’s leaders, Spencer Lash, Executive Vice President-Elect, provided a brief history of the JLC’s Follies Fundraiser, a variety show for the public that JLC members starred in, that took place from 1927 to 1998. The show raised $1,785 in its first year that went directly to the Baby Home of Charlotte, which provided care for area children who had lost their parents. At its peak, The Follies raised $102,000, which allowed the JLC to open over 85 new accounts to benefit the Community Trust Fund and $6,000 was used to open the JLC WearHouse. Finally, the Fund Development Council chair Jen Emerson updated members on the Little Black Dress Initiative’s fundraising progress. As of the meeting, $22,000 of the $55,000 goal had been raised. You can donate until the end of March.
Blaire Hervey spoke for the latter half of the meeting. She advises the Junior League of Portland, Oregon and is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, Belonging and Accessibility (DEIBA) evangelist with her company, the Corporate Strategist. Opening her talk, she cited belonging as a basic human need and reminded us of how we might have felt being picked or not picked for sports teams in grade school. According to Hervey, there are four dimensions of belonging:
1. Understanding – I understand what is expected of me.
2. Self-Enhancing – I feel valued at work.
3. Control – I have a sense of how to get results.
4. Trusting – I can count on others.
External and internal components of communication, empathy, allyship, dignity and transparency play parts in belonging. Hervey urged members to consider the acronym for what’s at their C.O.R.E: what they CARE about, how they OPERATE, how they RESPOND, and what kind of EXPERIENCE they want to leave for others, and to learn where they most belong. At each workplace, ensure that the work and company values are in alignment with your “why,” that interactions are meaningful and positive, and that others have permission to fail without fear so that they can be brave. To finish her inspiring talk, Hervey left members with a question to ask themselves: Would you want to be on your team?
