Awards
San Angelo Junior League
2016 International Award for Membership Recruitment and Engagement
The Junior League of San Angelo was recognized for our Membership Recruitment and Engagement program at the 94th Annual Conference of The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) held in Atlanta in May.
Twelve individual Leagues were acknowledged for innovation at the conference, which brought together women from 291 Junior Leagues in four countries. The commended Junior Leagues received awards in areas ranging from fundraising to membership development to achieving community impact.
Four years ago in the Junior League of San Angelo, membership stagnation resulted in a membership class in the low twenties with a drop in retention to 67%. In its 2015-2016 league year, in contrast, JLSA recruited 47 provisionals (new members) which was the largest class ever and currently has one hundred and ten women on the recruitment list for the 2016-2017 class and most recently accepted 46 provisionals for the 2016-2017 league year.
What changed? JLSA did. JLSA reformed membership requirements allowing members to tailor their JLSA experience to match their own lifestyle and interests. Then, it fully emersed provisionals in league life through a new curriculum. That was the flexible part of the strategy. The other part came through a vicious social media campaign to raise awareness and to showcase JLSA’s projects bringing our mission to a much larger audience of potential members. A great side benefit was community visibility shot up too.
“Our annual awards program celebrates the outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions that Junior Leagues make in their communities, day in and day out,” said AJLI President Ellen Rose, a member of the Junior League of the City of New York. “But this is more than just an awards program for our Leagues; it also celebrates the commitment of the women who design and implement these initiatives and exemplify the spirit of volunteer leadership that has been a feature of The Junior League for 115 years.”
“I am so proud of what our league has been able to accomplish,” says Lindsey Elliott, JLSA 2015-2016 President. “Winning an award of this caliber shows how much work and dedication our league has put in; not only in growing our own membership, but in training women to be leaders in our community.”
Pictured at right – 2015-2016 Junior League of San Angelo President-Elect Stacey Leigh Patterson and JLSA President Lindsey Elliott with AJLI President Ellen Rose as JLSA receives the International Award for Membership Recruitment and Engagement at The Association of Junior Leagues International’s 94th Annual
1995 Mary Harriman Award Winner
Helen Lowenfield Chandler
Causes/Issue Area(s): The Arts, Diversity, Education, Child Welfare
What’s her impact?
Helen Lowenfield “Tilly” Chandler received her first Junior League award in 1958 as an El Paso Provisional for her work on a tough assignment. One of her first placements was in an understaffed child welfare office. Seeing the problems caused by lack of funding, Tilly wrote her first grant proposal for a special adoptions department, which the agency used to place more than 30 children in the first 18 months of its operation. A fourth-generation Texan, she moved to San Angelo in the late 1970s and, after transferring to the Junior League of San Angelo, soon became known as “a one-woman gang” for her work in education, diversity, civic pride, art museums, and historical celebrations. Among her many other roles, Tilly co-chaired the town’s centennial celebration in 1989 and developed tourism programs, including a cowboy breakfast.
Active of the Year Award
San Angelo Junior League
This award was first given in 2000 and recognizes Junior League of San Angelo Active members who exhibit exceptional commitment to their work during a specific year. Past recipients have demonstrated past and present leadership ability, enthusiasm for the volunteer work, extraordinary time commitment, and a strong desire to further the goals of the Junior League of San Angelo.
This award is not limited to a single recipient. There are many dedicated members in our League and more than one member per year may exemplify the qualities necessary for selection. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the final selection of the Active of the Year and are not eligible themselves for the award. The recipient shall be honored at the May General Membership Meeting.
2019 Award Winner - Heidi Douma
Student Closet Chair
Class of 2015-2016
2019 Award Winner - Whitney Watson Wood
Western Dance 2019 Co-Chair
Class of 2016-2017
Past Recipients
2017-2018… Stacy Greaves
2016-2017… Ashley Snook
2015-2016… Marcie Puckitt
2014-2015… Colleen Heartsill
2013-2014… Stacy Bryan
2012-2013… Amanda Bragg
2011-2012… Lara Coleman Slaughter and Angela Spencer-Nile
2010-2011… Stacey Leigh Patterson
2009-2010… Nichole Bartz
2008-2009… Jaime Whitson
2007-2008… Crystal King
2006-2007… Amber Smith
2005-2006… Dana Nolen and Val Frank
2004-2005… Carol Barton
2003-2004… Apryl McDonald
2002-2003… Cindee Roberts
2001-2002… Claire Hogg and Kim Mikeska
2000-2001… Michelle Elliott-Kearby
1999-2000… Debbie Mackey and Mary Jane Steadman
Provisional of the Year Award
San Angelo Junior League
Started in 2014, this award is presented annually to honor and recognize Junior League Provisional Members who exhibit exceptional commitment to their work during their provisional year. Similar to the Active award, this award is given to a provisional member who shows enthusiasm for the volunteer work, extraordinary time commitment, and a strong desire to further the goals of the JLSA. The Board of Directors is responsible for the final selection of this award. The recipient is honored at the May General Membership Meeting..
2019 Award Winner - Kayla Moore
Past Recipients
2019-2020…
2018-2019… Kayla Moore
2017-2018… Courtney Waren
2016-2017… Tricia Peterson
2015-2016… Kori Knappe
2014-2015… Courtney Carson
2013-2014… Olga Stone
Sustainer of the Year Award
San Angelo Junior League
This award is presented annually to honor and recognize a Junior League Sustaining Member for outstanding achievement in the area of community service. This award seeks to recognize Junior League Sustaining Members who have enriched the lives of their neighbors and community through extraordinary volunteer public service. Previous recipients are not eligible. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the final selection of this award. The recipient shall be honored at the May General Membership Meeting.
2019 Award Winner - Sheryl Pfluger
Past Recipients
2017-2018… Courtney Waren
2016-2017… Tricia Peterson
2015-2016… Kori Knappe
2014-2015… Courtney Carson
2013-2014… Olga Stone