October 10, 2009

9TH ANNUAL MENLO PARK PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFITING LOCAL BURN FOUNDATION

The Junior League of Palo Alto•Mid Peninsula, Menlo Park Fire District and Stanford Park Hotel piled up the pancakes to host the 9th Annual Menlo Park Pancake Breakfast to benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. This family-friendly event was held at the Menlo Park Fire District Headquarters at 300 Middlefield Road on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
“The Menlo Park Pancake Breakfast has become an annual tradition that is embraced by the entire community,” says Junior League of Palo Alto•Mid Peninsula (JLPA•MP) President Jan Woolsey. “The League is extremely privileged to have the opportunity once again to partner with the Menlo Park Fire District and the Stanford Park Hotel to support the development, confidence and growth of burn survivors in our local neighborhoods.”
In addition to pancakes cooked to perfection by Menlo Park firefighters, the event featured a variety of children’s activities including face painting, arts and crafts and tours of antique fire engines. All proceeds will go to The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and its programs for burn survivors.


About the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation works to promote burn prevention education and enrich the lives of burn survivors in California with the widespread support of the fire service, medical professionals, and community volunteers. One program provided by the foundation is Champ Camp, a week-long, residential summer camp that allows burn-injured children to meet others who have gone through similar experiences and realize that they are not alone with their injuries. Champ Camp spotlights inner beauty, not the burn scars, in a supportive atmosphere where kids feel at ease and enjoy summer. For more information on the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and Champ Camp, please visit www.aarbf.org.

About the Stanford Park Hotel
An oasis of refined elegance and sophistication awaits you at the Stanford Park Hotel. Located at 100 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, the Stanford Park Hotel is one of the Peninsula's Five Star Diamond hotels, featuring 163 luxurious guestrooms, award-winning dining in the Duck Club Restaurant and a chic vibe permeating in the Lounge at the Park. For special events or meetings, the hotel offers six architecturally unique conference rooms for up to 190 people and a beautiful outdoor courtyard in a park like setting able to accommodate up to 300 people. These features combined with a host of amenities, will meet the needs of the most discerning traveler.

About the Junior League of Palo Alto•Mid Peninsula
The Junior League of Palo Alto•Mid Peninsula, Inc. focuses on developing the potential of families through its projects, community grants and public policy advocacy. It focuses on training a diverse group of women volunteers, with a goal of serving those interested in developing their leadership potential, broadening their skills and effecting positive change in our community. The JLPA•MP serves the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula communities of Atherton, Belmont, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, Stanford, Sunnyvale and Woodside.
The JLPA•MP is a part of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), which consists of 294 Leagues and more than 170,000 members from the USA, Mexico, Canada and Great Britain. For more information, please go to AJLI’s website at www.ajli.org.

October 01, 2009

October 2009 - Inspiration for Leaders

"The past does not define you, the present does." -- Jillian Michaels


What kind of leader are you?

This month’s inspiration is more of a reflection for each of us as League leaders. While these are not the end-all-be-all of leader descriptions, they are general categories that can help you identify where you are, and help you grow in new directions.

Basic Leadership Styles

(Adapted from Leadership and the One-Minute Manager, Kenneth Blanchard et al)

1. Directing

The directing leader provides specific instructions and closely supervises task accomplishment. Feedback from members is minimal, and it is assumed that they will comply automatically with the instructions they receive.

2. Coaching

The coaching leader continues to direct and closely supervise task accomplishment, but also explains decisions, solicits suggestions, and supports progress. Members’ input is sought in setting goals, in determining what tasks should be scheduled, and how the tasks should be done. This method is a combination of the directing with supporting styles.

3. Supporting

The supporting leader seeks the members’ input in planning and decision making, and facilitates their efforts toward task accomplishment.

4. Delegating

The delegating leader turns over responsibility for decision making and problem solving to subordinates who have shown that they can handle the responsibility.

In all cases the leader maintains ultimate responsibility for members’ actions. The progression inherent in the move from directing to delegating indicates maturity and increased capability of both leader and member. A good leader does not operate as the sole decision maker. As she moves from directing to delegating (or to any appropriate combination of the four styles), the leader must share some of the authority and glory inherent in getting the job done. True sharing requires comprehensive knowledge of the goal and task, a high degree of self-knowledge and self-assurance, and a great capacity for persuasion.

Do you feel inspired? Do you have suggestions for future topics? If you have questions or comments, or just want to comment on what you’ve read, please send a note to the Nominating Committee.