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It is an honor to serve as President of the Junior League of Dallas for 2010-2011. For 89 years, we have been an “organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.” This mission speaks volumes to the many accomplishments of our members who exemplify what true “Leaders of Women” really are. I am humbled by this opportunity to guide our way this year.
Junior League of Dallas (JLD) women are achieving great things in the Dallas community. Our members will contribute over 120,000 hours of volunteer service to more than 41 nonprofit agencies and community projects this year, and we will give back approximately $1 million dollars to those in need. Since our inception, we have provided almost 7 million volunteer hours and approximately $34 million to improve the lives of others in our community. These numbers represent a three-fold increase in the value of every single dollar of support provided by the JLD.
We continue to dedicate our volunteer efforts to six issue areas: Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Education, Family Preservation, Health, Poverty, and Violence Intervention. Our Active members serve as advocates for senior citizens, rock and feed premature infants, provide guidance to college bound students, build homes for deserving families, tutor students with special needs, and feed and care for animals, among many other services. Our Sustaining members serve as ambassadors of the League, supporting our mission and ensuring JLD’s impact on the Dallas community well into the future. Additionally, JLD’s Community Outreach programs, such as the Kids in the Kitchen initiative and Salvation Army Angel Tree, its Community Assistance Fund, Grants for Innovative Teaching program, and Provisional projects provide much needed support to the Dallas community year after year.
The JLD is also constantly looking for new and innovative ways to serve the community. This year, for the first time in the history of the JLD, we will collaborate with five other area Junior Leagues to support a service learning project called SLANT 45 (Service Learning Adventures in North Texas). JLD members will volunteer as youth coaches, helping children tackle a variety of community problems in their neighborhoods while inspiring creative thinking, developing problem solving skills, and encouraging civic minded approaches. The project will be led by the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and will impact approximately 20,000 students. It is the largest education initiative ever undertaken by a Super Bowl Host Committee and one of the largest community-wide service projects in U.S. history. JLD is proud to be a part of this history making endeavor.
Not only does the JLD give back to those in our community, but we also invest in and support the personal and professional development of our members, exceptional leaders of women that they are. This is the second year that over 50 JLD women will participate in our yearlong T. Boone Pickens Leadership Institute (the Institute). The Institute provides participants with an opportunity to explore their strengths, their skills and passion with community need, and to more fully understand the critical skills necessary to affect change. The Institute also provides an extensive personality assessment to all JLD members who wish to learn more about their personal strengths and challenges.
Of course, JLD could not support our community, our mission, and our members without the continued assistance of our valued sponsors, mentors, and donors. Even during challenging economic times, they have continued to provide their guidance, support, and funding. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to the JLD and for the commitment of all of our members, both Active and Sustaining. I encourage you to learn more about the JLD by exploring our Web site. Thank you for your continued support, believing in our mission and our women, and making a difference in our community!
Leigh Anne Haugh
2010-2011 President
