Connecting with the Calgary Community and Beyond

Lynne Christensen, President

Supporting our effort to “connect for impact,” November’s General Meeting featured guest speaker Eva Friesen, CEO of The Calgary Foundation.  Members learned of the valuable role the foundation plays by connecting donors and community organizations.  At the January 21 General Meeting, Meaghan Bell, Interim Manager of Policy and Research with the Calgary Homeless Foundation will inform members of issues of homelessness and the foundation’s work, focusing in particular on the youth segment.

Beyond our Calgary community, JLC members have the advantage of being part of national and international organizations.  The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues (CFJL) serves as the link among the five Canadian Junior Leagues.  To coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, the CFJL will issue a press release highlighting the Canadian Leagues’ contributions to women’s civic and community leadership.  Come to February’s General Meeting to be part of this buzz.

As members of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) we are connected to over 155,000 women all working toward the same mission.  At a Special Meeting of the Association later this month, League leaders will consider a proposed External Resolutions Process that would allow Junior Leagues to “act collectively” on public issues that enjoy deep and widespread support among Leagues.  If approved, an External Policy Resolution regarding childhood obesity will then be considered.

The AJLI Board of Directors believes that the Junior Leagues can serve as “catalysts for lasting community change” by addressing the prevention of childhood obesity with a collective voice. The intended outcome is that the AJLI advocates for programs and policies that increase knowledge and change behaviors to prevent childhood obesity and its associated health risks.  For additional information on the Special Meeting as well as research and background information on the issue of childhood obesity, go to the Governance Tab of the Member Area at www.ajli.org