Leading During Unusual Times

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Shannon Brice – President-Elect

What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020?  One of the biggest challenges during 2020 was trying to shift business processes. As organizations and businesses had been shut down to slow the spread of the virus, it became a high priority to navigate those challenges to continue operations successfully while remaining connected.   

What were some of the League’s biggest successes?  JLNO has had many successes in 2020, but one of our largest successes was the Virtual Women’s Leadership Summit. The Committee did a wonderful job shifting from a 500 in-person planned event to a virtual conference that exceeded expectation. The summit featured the esteemed Phyllis Taylor as the Keynote Speaker. 

How did the League and Board of Directors pivot or change strategies?  Facing a global pandemic plagued our communities worldwide. Junior League of New Orleans pivoted by creating a proactive mindset for ideas and concepts to keep our members engaged, all while still being a leader in our community. The League is currently operating on a hybrid model. We continue to follow the CDC guidelines to ensure our staff and members remain safe. Large meetings and events are held virtually, and only small group meetings where members could be socially distanced were held upon approval.   

What was the role of technology in helping bring folks together?  Technology played a major role in bringing people together during this difficult time. Online platforms made a large impact in businesses and organizations to help everyone remain connected when meeting in person was not an option. Remote working will likely not go away in years to come. We have learned to successfully operate this way and will most likely adopt a hybrid model moving forward.

What is your hope or vision for 2021?  I am optimistic for 2021.  My hope is that we will become more patient with and supportive of one another. I am hopeful that COVID will become controlled and we can begin to bring the community back together.

 

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Sophie Martinez – Business Council Director

What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020?  One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced with COVID-19 is changing the ways we raise money through events that are typically hosted in person. When we started this year, we knew COVID was here, we hoped it would improve in the fall, and then realized it wasn’t going anywhere.

How did the League and Board of Directors pivot or change strategies?  We didn’t want to push back the new Women’s Leadership Summit further, and after considering a hybrid event, we decided to go fully virtual. It was challenging to deviate from our original plan, but we beat our expectations and brought in committed sponsors who supported us that helped us surpass our fundraising goal. Now we feel confident providing a virtual component to all of our events, figuring out which options people prefer and offering that as an option when possible to help fit people’s schedules and lifestyles.

 

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Rachel Stickney – Community Council Director

What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020?  I think the biggest challenge faced was that many of my committees had to rework their programs to move forward during the pandemic, but in ways that kept our members and the community safe. There was a lot of pivoting and having plans A, B, C and D, always with an understanding that we might still have to go with something that wasn’t planned for. Some committees had a little bit more of a natural path to virtual events/programming or reworking their programming to have smaller numbers of people in attendance and more sessions. For others, it wasn’t as easy, or there was the potential that it would impact the quality of the programming. But the women in leadership roles on the Community Council are amazing. They have stepped up all along the way and have been flexible and fluid in every decision and situation. 

How did the League and Board of Directors pivot or change strategies?  The WE Fellowship committee was so patient while we were in limbo about whether an in-person event was possible, if it was going to be all virtual, or if it was going to be a hybrid event. The whole committee was so thoughtful throughout the entire planning process to make sure that the applicants had the best experience and opportunity to pitch their product. I was so incredibly proud of them and the way that they stepped up. The pitch competition was wonderful—the finalists pitched from headquarters and audience members tuned in via Zoom. 

Our summer classes for Safe Sitter were done in partnership with the Parenting Center, and there were a lot of logistics to work out with the Parenting Center and JLNO to ensure the participants were safe and still able to get the necessary training. Again, thanks to incredible committee leadership, they faced each challenge head on, and we were able to offer more classes this year to meet community needs. Their class schedules were altered a bit and the way that the class utilized Headquarters was changed; students were put in “pods,” masks and social distancing were required, and temperature checks were implemented. 

As a board, we’ve just had to be very adaptable and had to meet members where they are. We’ve added a lot more options for volunteer opportunities that can be done remotely or in a very safe way, most all meetings have a virtual option, and I think just giving people grace (and ourselves) a little grace. This has been a year of challenges on so many fronts and it is inspiring to see our members continue to show up and respond when there is need (the Hurricane Laura response was amazing!). 

What was the role of technology in helping bring folks together?  Technology has been invaluable. Community Council is such a big council that it hasn’t felt safe to get us all together in person. There are some committee chairs that I haven’t even met in person yet—but Zoom keeps us all connected. We’ve also been able to offer a lot of programming for some of our committees that might not have otherwise been able to happen this year. 

What is your hope or vision for 2021?  I just hope that at some point in 2021, we can safely come together as a group. I think some of the human connection that is so valuable in JLNO is missed. 2020 was a particularly challenging but fulfilling year. I hope 2021 has a few less curveballs.

 

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Sarah Peltier – Ways & Means Council Director

What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020?  The Ways & Means Council is responsible for fundraising, and most of the fundraising has traditionally been through events. So, this year the chairs have had to get creative with events that fit COVID restrictions. One of the biggest successes so far has been the Holly Jolly Market. In the past, the holiday market was held at JLNO Headquarters, but the chairs took the event online. They saw the need to be a good NOLA neighbor and support small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. The committee kicked off the event at the holiday GMM with videos from sponsors and a holiday fascinator contest. Members were enthusiastic about the contest and market!

Because of the pandemic, our “Touch a Truck” event has been on hold. The chairs plan to host the event in April 2021, but I am certain it will look quite different. We have brainstormed the best way to hold a safe, community event that we hope can bring in funds for JLNO.

What is your hope or vision for 2021?  I think the key for this year has been flexibility and creativity. I am excited to see what else the council can accomplish!

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