Ready to go!

Dear Ladies of TJ,


Today was a most inspiring day today.


Several of us attended the Lee District Leadership Workshop and what fun we had!  There were so many wonderful ideas for fund raising, for Arts projects, conservation, international affairs and so forth.  My dining room table is covered in brochures, handouts, sticky notes and email addresses for new friends.  I got the "official" skinny on my presidential duties, and dutifully accepted the handouts on parlimentary procedure.  And I thought I just got to bang that gavel with gusto!  Nope. We will be observing and learning together the formal rules that help us get along, and get things done.


After the workshop we had a delicious luncheon at Homemades by Suzanne as we sat by the railroad tracks and watched the trains go by.  Ashland is truly a beautiful, welcoming little town and it was a pleasure to sit with my fellow clubmembers and visit like ladies who lunch.  : )


TJ got some accolades today, too.  Our facebook page and blogsite were held up as examples of how to socially connect, when a website just is too much. 


Isn't that what our club is about?  Making new friends, taking the time to post a comment or say something encouraging to a member, and join together in making the world a better place.  Facebook is proof that people are "viral".  We all love to be connected and know each other.  I for one welcome technology into the world of GFWC.   I say, spread the love!


Remember our first meeting is Monday, 9/13 at 7:15.  New members, please come at 6:30 for a light dinner and orientation.  We've got much to teach you!


All the best,

-A-


Abby Magruder, President

Thomas Jefferson Junior Woman's Club

August is Upon Us

Hi Everyone!

August is not only Upon Us, it's half gone.  Can you believe this summer?  It seems the extra hot weather just burned the summer right up.  I'm looking forward to cool fall weather, but my goodness, where did the summer go?

While you've been lazing around the pool or "sweating out your impurities", your Board has been busy at work, eating Chinese food and planning for our coming year.   A  couple of things we have on the agenda: 

• At the end of this month we will conduct new member orientation and get all our newest members up-to-date on club info.  Also the calendar for othe new year will be announced. 

• Thomas Jefferson Junior Woman’s Club (TJ Juniors) is launching a new project this year called "Clothes for Kids". TJ Juniors Clothes for Kids project was started in response to an increasing need of families who are unable to provide enough clothing for their school age children.  We're finalizing the details, and will launch this new initiative in the fall.

Stay tuned!  As summer winds down and the excitement of a new school year begins, TJ has lots of opportunities to offer.  Come help us out!  We'd love to have you.

Abby Magruder
President
Thomas Jefferson Junior Woman's Club

Get out of your cocoon!

Thanks to everyone for a very special installation ceremony on Sunday, May 9th! I'm looking forward to working with everyone for the 2010-2011 year.

My symbol this year is the butterfly. My theme is "Get out of your cocoon!"

As we stand posed in a new direction, we dry our wings like a butterfly newly emerged from a cocoon. Let's take a moment and gather our thoughts, then take flight together towards our new projects and commitments.

As we do, let's remember this "Advice from the Butterfly"

Get out of your cocoon
Let your true colors show
Take yourself lightly
Look for the sweetness in life
Take time to smell the flowers
Catch a breeze
We can’t all be monarchs.

Have a great summer!  I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

Abby

TJ Juniors are proud to support Team Moody!

Freedom House received over 400 pairs of socks and outerwear items from local Moody Middle School teen efforts. Thomas Jefferson Junior Woman’s Club was honored to support both the Freedom House and the teens by donating socks, outerwear and a monetary sum to Team Moody Middle School’s Sock Hop for Socks.

The event took place in response to Destination Imagination’s® newly added Challenge; projectOUTREACH®.

Destination Imagination® is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Every year, the organization reaches over 100,000 students across the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Team Moody Middle School met with the director of Freedom House, a local homeless shelter to learn that the harsh winter and over all decrease in donations, as well as an increase in the homeless population led to a need for socks and winter outerwear.

For their efforts Team Moody Middle School won first place in both Henrico District and Virginia State competitions. They are now on their way to Globals where they will compete internationally. Part of the challenge was to create an 8 minute skit and make a scrapbook to include all aspects of the challenge. The skit is an authentic 8 minute musical depicting their efforts with Freedom House performed by 5 puppets that were created by the teens.

TJ Juniors are proud to support Team Moody! Way to go!