Re-printed from the Winter 2010 Piper
By: Joy Peacock, Community Vice President, 2010-11
Fostering Families is one of our Community Projects and was featured in our Fall 2010 Piper magazine. This reprint features the upcoming classes planned for this League Year.
FOSTERING FAMILIES 2010-2011 CLASSES
At the beginning of each session, children will be grouped with a leader for dinner that includes a fun “ice breaker” to establish a social connection. They will be given an opportunity to practice and improve their basic everyday etiquette. Following dinner, the children will participate in a craft project related to the evening's curriculum. After completing the craft, the children will re-group to practice in social transitions. The new group will engage in a team-building exercise that explores emotional expression and how that affects their ability to communicate with others. At the conclusion of the evening, the children will return to their original group and be given an opportunity to share their experiences. A take-home packet reinforces each evening’s program.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Self Esteem
Sept 13th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Self-Talk
Oct 4th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
This first curriculum will focus on personal development and a child’s sense of self through games and exercises relative to the topics below. Following dinner, the children will participate in a craft project that explores and affirms the inherent good in every child, fostering self-esteem and exploring their inner voice (self-talk).
Exercises:
• Self-Talk
• How to Communicate with Friends and Family
• The Concept of Self-Esteem
• Listening Skills
• Interpersonal Communication
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Assertiveness
Nov 8th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Conflict Resolution
Jan 10th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM (to volunteer for this click here)
The second curriculum will focus on interpersonal communication and improving a child’s communication skills through games and exercises relative to the topics below. Following dinner, the children will participate in a craft project that focuses on how they feel in their relationships with family, healthy assertiveness, and managing conflict.
Exercises:
• Assertiveness at Home and at School
• Managing Conflict
• Maintaining Good Emotional Health
• Emotional Expressiveness
RELATIONSHIPS
Respectful Behavior
Feb 7th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM (to volunteer for this click here)
Anger Management
Mar 7th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM (to volunteer for this click here)
The third curriculum will focus on relationships and helping a child understand their value in relationships through games and exercises relative to the topics below. Following dinner, the children will participate in a craft project that focuses on how they feel in their relationships with family and friends, the power of respectful behavior, and the damage caused by un-harnessed anger.
Exercises:
• The Impact of Respectful and Responsible Behavior
• The Impact of Abuse and Dishonesty
• Anger Management Techniques
• Community Development
Get Involved!
This year, to further support Fostering Families you can volunteer to be either an assistant at one of the sessions described above, or help prepare and serve dinner. Actives can fulfill their DIAD obligation and get a sneak peek of the project for possible placement on next year's committee! Open to Provisionals, Actives and Sustainers, you can even
bring your family (children over 12 welcome) to prepare dinner. For more information, please see our website, www.thejuniorleague.org.
Our next DIAD shift is Monday, January 10th. Available shifts are for Kitchen Assistants 4:30-6:30pm and Table Assistants (assisting the children with projects) 5-8:15pm. Sign up online: Member Area/Volunteer Shifts (in Quick Links), choose January, 10 2011.
November 27, 2010
November 26, 2010
Sprinkles Home Tour Cupcake!!
The Finishing Touches Holiday Home Tour is the Event of the Year,
And what better than Sprinkles Cupcakes to bring you good cheer.
From Nov 29-Dec 3 special Home Tour cupcakes make their debut,
All proceeds benefit the Home Tour so please have a few.
The peppermint frosting must have come straight from heaven,
And we promise not to tell if you have one, two or seven.
Hurry on over to Sprinkles at the Center Stanford Shopping,
Or pick some up while Home Tour Boutique hopping.
There will be many new exciting vendors sure to intrigue,
Come show your support for Palo Alto-Mid Peninsula Junior League!
The Sprinkles Home Tour cupcake promotion is 11/29-12/3. Purchase the Home Tour cupcake at the Sprinkles at Stanford Shopping center and the proceeds go back to the League.
Top Ten Things I Learned at ODI
By Amy Truel
I meant to write this article a month ago-really. I had such a great experience at ODI (Organizational Development Institute) in Houston and there was so much I wanted to share. But, I came back to my life-my busy, busy life. You know the deal.
So there I was, one month later, on a 7 hour car ride to Newport Beach for Thanksgiving and something really cool happened. I thought, “I’m going to come up with the top 10 things I learned at ODI and it will be genuine since I have to do it all from memory.” I didn’t have my notes, but I did have my iPad, some noise canceling headphones, and a strong desire not to listen to Prince of Persia which the kids were watching in the backseat :) I’m sure it is a great movie, but I want to watch it, not listen to it.
So here you go, the product of my procrastination:
Top 10 things Iearned at ODI no particular order)
1. It is easy to finish a book when you have a weekend without your kids. Loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!
2. The Houston Junior League HQ is a palace and they even have their own parking garage.
3. We are a 110 year old women's movement. It is true because Vicki Clark says it is so.
4. Humanity: look for the good in people and focus on that. Sara Speer Selber evoked a lot of emotion around the room when she dared to mix things up and challenge some common beliefs. Read for yourself here.
5. We need to do a better job communicating what we want from our external partners. We worry so much about what we have to offer that we sometimes forget to think about what we want out of the relationships.
6. Toiletry drives are great when you are staying in a hotel! I collected two large bags full of toiletries to benefit domestic violence victims at Next Door Solutions, our DIAD November toiletry drive.
7. Some leagues offer Affinity Groups like Book Clubs or Running Clubs. Not sure if we’ve tried this before but sounded like a good idea to me.
8. Motivate by being passionate and tapping into what members are passionate about.
9. We are a part of something so much bigger and should capitalize on collective resources. How cool would it be to have buddies in similar roles at other leagues to chat with? Be sure to check out the AJLI Website for helpful info!
10. You can design your league focus around one issue and still appeal to a variety of member interests. DIAD can help by providing a broader focus for balance. I have to admit I was skeptical when I first heard about leagues that focused on one issue, but thoughtful planning can make it work. Check out how they do it in Phoenix here.
Thanks for this amazing opportunity-I really enjoyed it, learned a lot, and met some great league members from all over the country. I have lots of handouts for anyone with a burning desire to learn more about Achieving Community Impact!
Amy Truel is currently serving as a co-chair for our Done in a Day (DIAD) committee.
I meant to write this article a month ago-really. I had such a great experience at ODI (Organizational Development Institute) in Houston and there was so much I wanted to share. But, I came back to my life-my busy, busy life. You know the deal.
So there I was, one month later, on a 7 hour car ride to Newport Beach for Thanksgiving and something really cool happened. I thought, “I’m going to come up with the top 10 things I learned at ODI and it will be genuine since I have to do it all from memory.” I didn’t have my notes, but I did have my iPad, some noise canceling headphones, and a strong desire not to listen to Prince of Persia which the kids were watching in the backseat :) I’m sure it is a great movie, but I want to watch it, not listen to it.
So here you go, the product of my procrastination:
Top 10 things Iearned at ODI no particular order)
1. It is easy to finish a book when you have a weekend without your kids. Loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!
2. The Houston Junior League HQ is a palace and they even have their own parking garage.
3. We are a 110 year old women's movement. It is true because Vicki Clark says it is so.
4. Humanity: look for the good in people and focus on that. Sara Speer Selber evoked a lot of emotion around the room when she dared to mix things up and challenge some common beliefs. Read for yourself here.
5. We need to do a better job communicating what we want from our external partners. We worry so much about what we have to offer that we sometimes forget to think about what we want out of the relationships.
6. Toiletry drives are great when you are staying in a hotel! I collected two large bags full of toiletries to benefit domestic violence victims at Next Door Solutions, our DIAD November toiletry drive.
7. Some leagues offer Affinity Groups like Book Clubs or Running Clubs. Not sure if we’ve tried this before but sounded like a good idea to me.
8. Motivate by being passionate and tapping into what members are passionate about.
9. We are a part of something so much bigger and should capitalize on collective resources. How cool would it be to have buddies in similar roles at other leagues to chat with? Be sure to check out the AJLI Website for helpful info!
10. You can design your league focus around one issue and still appeal to a variety of member interests. DIAD can help by providing a broader focus for balance. I have to admit I was skeptical when I first heard about leagues that focused on one issue, but thoughtful planning can make it work. Check out how they do it in Phoenix here.
Thanks for this amazing opportunity-I really enjoyed it, learned a lot, and met some great league members from all over the country. I have lots of handouts for anyone with a burning desire to learn more about Achieving Community Impact!
Amy Truel is currently serving as a co-chair for our Done in a Day (DIAD) committee.
November 22, 2010
Next Door Solutions Toiletry Drive
By Melissa Hollatz
I just got back from dropping off the first batch of toiletries at Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, the beneficiary of our November toiletry drive (www.nextdoor.org). We’ve collected two full bins already, and we still have through the end of November to continue our collections.
What a great group of Junior Leaguers we have to give so generously – our donations really make a difference to the women and children who flee their abusers and are unable to bring anything with them. There were three women in the lobby when I went by, and they looked just like anyone I pass on the street every day. It’s horrible to think of how much violence goes on that we just don’t know about. Sadly, Next Door’s shelter ran at around 97% of its capacity last year, and it doesn’t look like things are slowing down.
Did you know last year Next Door answered over 10,000 calls to their hotline, served hundreds of women and children in its shelter, and thousands more through its advocacy work, drop in safety planning, and other programs? Thank you to everyone who contributed to the drive (and, by the way, if you’re looking for a holiday gift for someone who already has everything, I think a donation to Next Door in their name might be just the ticket!).
Next Door just did a teen survey where 2/3 of the teenagers surveyed said they knew of people in abusive relationships, and where 17% admitted to committing abuse themselves and another 20% were experiencing it. Terrible statistics, and it makes me think of what important work Next Door is doing and it makes me proud that we can help. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed.
Melissa is a Board Member at Next Door Solutions and a member of the Done in a Day (DIAD) Committee. Along with fellow League members Liz Webb and Kate Yagen, Melissa is coordinating the drives for DIAD this year.
I just got back from dropping off the first batch of toiletries at Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, the beneficiary of our November toiletry drive (www.nextdoor.org). We’ve collected two full bins already, and we still have through the end of November to continue our collections.
What a great group of Junior Leaguers we have to give so generously – our donations really make a difference to the women and children who flee their abusers and are unable to bring anything with them. There were three women in the lobby when I went by, and they looked just like anyone I pass on the street every day. It’s horrible to think of how much violence goes on that we just don’t know about. Sadly, Next Door’s shelter ran at around 97% of its capacity last year, and it doesn’t look like things are slowing down.
Did you know last year Next Door answered over 10,000 calls to their hotline, served hundreds of women and children in its shelter, and thousands more through its advocacy work, drop in safety planning, and other programs? Thank you to everyone who contributed to the drive (and, by the way, if you’re looking for a holiday gift for someone who already has everything, I think a donation to Next Door in their name might be just the ticket!).
Next Door just did a teen survey where 2/3 of the teenagers surveyed said they knew of people in abusive relationships, and where 17% admitted to committing abuse themselves and another 20% were experiencing it. Terrible statistics, and it makes me think of what important work Next Door is doing and it makes me proud that we can help. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed.
Melissa is a Board Member at Next Door Solutions and a member of the Done in a Day (DIAD) Committee. Along with fellow League members Liz Webb and Kate Yagen, Melissa is coordinating the drives for DIAD this year.
Spotted: That Inspiring Little Girl at Safeway
By Cynthia Muñoz
Those of you who attended the November General Meeting might appreciate this.
At 8:30 on Saturday morning, my husband, son and I stopped at a Starbucks in Almaden Valley for some morning caffeine. As we're leaving the parking lot, we drive by the front of the Safeway and I spot a little girl standing in front, with what appears to be a violin in her hands. I take a second look and also see who I think is her father sitting in a lawn chair by her, a collection bucket of some sort, and a poster with some graphics that I vaguely recognize. I realized it was the little girl that Poppy Pembroke (from the Second Harvest Food Bank) talked about during her presentation to us!
I couldn't believe it and I started excitedly telling my husband about her inspiring story of being appalled that there were children who went without food and decided she wanted to help raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank by playing violin for donations. My husband thought I was a little nutty for being so excited about it, like I just saw Brad Pitt standing there playing violin or something, but what a coincidence! (And in the end, he did agree that she was one amazing little girl.) How proud her parents must be of her! I thought about my own little guy in the backseat and I hoped we'd be able to teach him to be as selfless.
Tonight at dinner, he announced he wanted to go through his toys and pick out things to give to kids who don't have toys. Don't know if it's motivated by thinking of others and being thankful for how much he has, or if it's because his birthday AND Christmas are coming up and he's trying to make room for new stuff. I didn't ask too many questions. I just enjoyed the moment and chalked it up to a great start for an almost-six-year-old.
Those of you who attended the November General Meeting might appreciate this.
At 8:30 on Saturday morning, my husband, son and I stopped at a Starbucks in Almaden Valley for some morning caffeine. As we're leaving the parking lot, we drive by the front of the Safeway and I spot a little girl standing in front, with what appears to be a violin in her hands. I take a second look and also see who I think is her father sitting in a lawn chair by her, a collection bucket of some sort, and a poster with some graphics that I vaguely recognize. I realized it was the little girl that Poppy Pembroke (from the Second Harvest Food Bank) talked about during her presentation to us!
I couldn't believe it and I started excitedly telling my husband about her inspiring story of being appalled that there were children who went without food and decided she wanted to help raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank by playing violin for donations. My husband thought I was a little nutty for being so excited about it, like I just saw Brad Pitt standing there playing violin or something, but what a coincidence! (And in the end, he did agree that she was one amazing little girl.) How proud her parents must be of her! I thought about my own little guy in the backseat and I hoped we'd be able to teach him to be as selfless.
Tonight at dinner, he announced he wanted to go through his toys and pick out things to give to kids who don't have toys. Don't know if it's motivated by thinking of others and being thankful for how much he has, or if it's because his birthday AND Christmas are coming up and he's trying to make room for new stuff. I didn't ask too many questions. I just enjoyed the moment and chalked it up to a great start for an almost-six-year-old.
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