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Historical Outline
The Junior League of Springfield, Inc.

1939 -1949
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000 to present

1939-1949
1939 - On March 15, 74 volunteer workers formed the Service League of Springfield. On November 2, we incorporated as the Service League of Springfield. Our first project was a Placement Bureau, which filled requests by agencies for volunteer service.

1940 -Dental Clinic project established. First Follies netted over $4,000.

1941 - "Gaieties of 1890" netted over $2,500.

1942 - Another $2,500 from our production, " Dream of a Clown." U.S.O. established in cooperation with other local organizations.

1944 - Sky Ranch for teenagers in YWCA. Turned over to the YWCA. Sponsored a Christmas Ball with a $1,500 profit.

1946 - Follies netted over $8.000. Sponsored "Town Meeting of the Air."

1948 - Financed "Books Bring Adventure", a weekly radio series of dramatized stories for children.

1948 -1949-1950 Co-sponsored the Midwest Horse Shows with Midwest Association, with profits of $1,000, $2,900, and $1,700 respectively.

The 1950's
1950 - The Service League affiliated with the Association of Junior Leagues of America and became the Junior League of Springfield.

1951 - A two-day Next-to-New Sale was held and made a profit of $1,570 in March, and in the fall, a second sale netted $2,000. An inter-league newssheet, the Leagueliner, was inaugurated, summarizing League business and giving personal news items of members.

1952 - Last semi-annual Next-to-New Sales generated $2,775.

1953 - Public Relations Committee presented a brochure to public, explaining League activities to the community. A Subsidized Foster Home project offered $50 a month to Child & Family Service and the same to Catholic Charities. League established a School for Mentally Retarded Children in cooperation with Aid to Retarded Children, Inc.

1954 - League gave a film to Child and Family Services for use in recruiting foster homes. "Caine Mutiny Court Martial" stage production sponsored by League.

1955 - Paid salary of one teacher and had seven members serving on Aid to Retarded Children, Inc. Board. Purchased audiometer and presented to the Board of Education. Speakers Bureau started with seven members graduating from a public speaking course at Springfield Junior College.

1956 - League handled publicity for Civil Defense recruiting campaign resulting in 1,100 volunteers for Ground Observation Corps. Assisted Finance Committee of Citizens' Committees for Public Schools in locating improved property not yet on tax rolls.

1957 - In cooperation with other organizations, League sponsored a supervised Children's Concert. More than 7,000 school children attended these programs in two years under League co-sponsorship. Follies of 1957 added $16,794.53 to League's Community Trust Fund. Purchased equipment for Boys' Club Craft Shop for $2,500. A volunteer program was started at the State Museum.

1958 - Contributed $1,000 to pay salary for full-time supervisor for Craft Shop at Boys' Club for first year; $300 towards a shelter for YMCA Town Camp at Lake Springfield.

1959 - Golden Laurel Awards Banquet designed to provide community recognition for all high school seniors who had attained membership in the National Honor Society, in cooperation with the Inter-Civic Club Council. Presented mass showings of two cancer films for the Sangamon County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Spent $6,000 to help build a community center for Lincoln Heights Association. Contributed administrative assistance, artwork, and the sum of $500 for an educational Survey for the Public Schools. Paid $2,500 for half of the yearly salary of the Director of Volunteers for Memorial Hospital.

The 1960's
1960 - Lincoln Heritage Project was adopted by the League. The Tenth Anniversary as a Junior League was commemorated. Better Homes and Garden Magazine honored the League with the "Action in Education" citation for helping to start the Golden Laurel Awards Banquet.

1961 - Our Community Account swelled with the "Sixty-Onerdurful Follies" adding $22,116.73 and the Next-to-New sale $4,847.25. Feeling the need for guidance in our Lincoln Heritage Project, we received our first visit from an AJLI consultant in September. Under this project there were four "Special Events," plus the completion of the first eighth grade school tours in February, and the saving of the historic Corneau House for restoration by the State of Illinois.

1962 - "Puppets" rented a building. Lincoln Heights Improvement Association was given $500 this year with a matching funds program. Lincoln Heritage Historical Research produced 22 New Salem costumes, 7 Lincoln Home addresses, cataloging of Springfield papers from 1860-1865. League moved the Corneau house on April 10. The Legal Aid Project was adopted on March 4. Local awards: T.B., Mental Health, Aid to Retarded Children, Springfield Safety Council. State awards: Illinois State Mental Hospital at Jacksonville, Illinois; Illinois Youth Commission. National Awards: the Award of Achievement from the American Association of State and Local Histories.

1963 - $8,000 given for Landscaping Project of street closures in Lincoln home area. $600 contributed to architect's model for Old State Capitol. Assistance was given in countrywide Sabin Vaccine Program. Awards received were from Illinois Youth Commission, Sangamon County Tuberculosis Association, Springfield Mental Health Association and Springfield Commission on International Visitors. The 25th Anniversary of Springfield Service League was celebrated.

1964 - Headstart at Lincoln School. Delegation sent to New York World's Fair opening, April 22. Study course embracing Art, Philosophy, History, Literature from University of Illinois Extension service. Participated in the first Consular Conference in Agricultural Exports held by State of Illinois. Held a Foreign Visitor workshop.

1965 - Yearlong study and evaluation of Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Project. Dedicated the Corneau House. Participated in Civil War Centennial events at New Salem, Lincoln's Home, and Old State Capitol. Served as hostesses for the first Combined Regional meeting of Regions IV and VII. Sent delegates to the Conference on National School Volunteers in New York City.

1966 - Payment of $1,500 towards salary of coordinator for School Volunteer Program. Financial support given as sponsoring organization for citywide summer "Festival of Arts." Sponsoring organization for Community Meeting on Foreign Policy.

1967 - Six delegates sent to Evanston conference, two delegates sent to St. Louis Chamber of Commerce Conference. The Sustainers entertained and were in turn entertained by the Chicago Sustainers.

1968 - Contributed $10,000 to Lincoln Home Survey as co-sponsors with Abraham Lincoln Association. Adopted Beautification and Natural Science center as additional new projects. Attended the first meeting of Illinois Leagues. Public Affairs Committee initiated. Next-to-New nets $8,164.

1969 - Initiation of Ballet Project (with Illinois Foundation for the Dance) for area high school students. Final New Salem Open House and School Tours. Publication of the Lincoln Home Survey. Next-to-New Sale nets $9,178. Participated in the dedication of Old State Capitol building. Delegates sent to community Leadership Seminar, Puppet Festival and Children's Theatre Conference.

The 1970's
1970 - Earned $7,737 during Next-to-New Sale. Final Young Audience Concert series held. New Junior League brochure published. Beautification puppet show was presented in 42 schools. Paper Bag Players brought to Springfield for the presentation of children's theatre to 7,808 people. Headquarters moved to First Congregational Church. Daylong seminar put on by Dr. Eva Schindler-Rainman. Established first Sangamon State University scholarship ($5,000). Suicide Prevention-Crisis Intervention Center given a grant of $1,000. "Something to Believe In" follies netted $30, 170.

1971 - Supported Civic Center referendum with volunteers and $2,000. Appointed representative to citizen's committee for School Improvement and donated a total of $2,500 toward their work. Provided additional funding of $500 and volunteers for expansion of Suicide Prevention Crisis-Intervention Service. Provided $4,500 for a Mini Park at the John Hay home site. League testified before the House of Representative Subcommittee in favor of the Lincoln Home Bill. President Nixon came to Springfield to sign bill providing for Lincoln Home Area to become National Historic Site. Supported Free Neighborhood Theater Workshop program with volunteers and $2,608. Purchased film "Drugs Are Like That" for use in Springfield schools. Created and published Lincoln Land Days coloring book. Next-to-New Sale netted $7,270.

1972 - Co-Sponsored "A Symposium in Family Living." Added guided tours of Old State Capitol. Zoo tours became a project. MOVE, INC., housing for low-income families was established and funded by membership - $15,000. Voted to support the Attention Home with funds of $1,000 and volunteer help. Next-to-New Sale - $10,403. Endorsed, supplied funding - $2,500 - and volunteers towards passage of School Bond Referendum. Held "Candidates Night" in cooperation with League of Women Voters.

1973 - Professional Group established. Follies netted over $32,000. Loan of $3,000 granted to the Attention Home. Presented first Community Orientation Course. Sponsored Dancers-in-the-Schools and Paper Bag players.

1974 - Next-to-New receipts - $10,418. Community Orientation Course.

1975 - Admissions Study produced new Admissions Procedures as a Pilot Plan for two years - Justice for Juveniles Workshop. Professional Group name changed to Night Actives. A Financial Vice President was added to the Executive Committee increasing the committee to six members. Next-to-New receipts: $9,191.40. Co-sponsored a Child Abuse Seminar. Held series of training courses on the Association Management Process. Supported Sound and Light Program at the Old State Capitol with $3,000 and volunteers. Salvation Army Women's Center: $6,500. Carver Clinic: $5,000.

1976 - Held training sessions on Career Development. Supported Group Home for Girls with $13,000 and volunteers. Established Community Advisory Board. Supported Springboard with $3,000 and volunteers. Next-to-New receipts $10,903.

1977 - Co-sponsored Town Meeting and Child Advocacy Seminars. Sponsored Community AMP Training. Next-to-New receipts: $11,445.66. Salary for Springboard Director: $3,000. Hosted SPAC Conference. Hosted a Grantsmanship Seminar. Voted $1,300 toward the establishment of Illinois Chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse. A Victim-Witness Project was established in cooperation with the Sangamon County State's Attorney Office.

1978 - "Movin' Ahead" Follies receipts - $48,659.52. Voted to raise the maximum admissions age to 37. Hosted SPAC Conference. Hosted a Creative Life Planning Seminar. Record Next-to-New Sale profits $12,882.36. Initiated Springfield Area Reading is Fundamental project. Junior League Puppets re-initiated. Voted to combine Admissions and Provisional Committees.

1979 - Voted $9 increase in membership dues. Compiled and printed a comprehensive Board Manual. An evening Criminal Justice Panel was hosted by four League Committees. Sponsored two Career Development Courses for community groups. Hosted and participated in 2nd Annual Governor's Conference for Prevention of Child Abuse. Accepted Governor Thompson's invitation to participate on Executive Committee for the Illinois Activities on the White House Conference on the Family, 1980. Successful IRS audit was held of '77-'78 financial statements. Project moratorium invoked by membership while Advisory Planning set thorough Project Guidelines. Annual fee for General Meeting set by Arrangements.

The 1980's
1980 - A Minimum of 90 placement hours requirement passed. Next-to-New Sale minimum contribution raised to $50.

1981 - Celebrated 30th anniversary as a Junior League. Initiated use of timed agendas to streamline Board and General membership meetings. Next-to-New nets record receipts of $18,698.87. Hosted February SPAC Conference. Presented testimony before House Committee on Children in Need. Position statements on Children, Voluntarism and Downtown approved. Voted to hold "Follies" n March 1982. Voted to change number of required sponsors to two. Executive Committee increased to seven with addition of Community Vice President.

1982 - Record receipts of over $25,000 for Next-to-New Sale. Admissions delayed until report of ad hoc committee to determine admission procedures and Provisional course requirements is completed. Hosted Downstate Illinois Partnerships for Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Greater Alton and Springfield Leagues. Project Committee was established to develop and evaluate continuing projects. Our 1982 Follies, "Looking Good," netted over $75,000. Sent delegates to Main Street Training Center on Downtown's. Passed position statements on Voluntarism, Children, Downtown and Lincoln Heritage. Established Headquarters at 3 West Old State Capitol.

1983 - Reaffirmed position statements on Voluntarism, Children, Downtown, and Lincoln Heritage. Assisted in the establishment of Junior League Illinois Presidents' Council. Adopted new Admissions/Provisional process and course format. In coalition with the League of Women Voters and United Way, organized and facilitated regional public hearings on Block Grants for the Governor's Task Force. Co-sponsored a conference, Women, Politics & Power. Co-sponsored community workshops with Springboard - Developing Marketing Strategies, Marketing Tools, and Grantsmanship. Lincoln Heritage Committee re-established. Additional Project Committee policies adopted - Project, Featured Placement, and Event categories, multiple year projects differentiated from continuing projects. Record-breaking Next-to-New Sale with net receipts of $27,457.73.

1984 - Administrative and Community Trust Funds combined into one General Fund. Child Advocacy held forum on underage drinking. Community Research identified five community needs as priority areas and matched with League interest: elderly, jobs, downtown revitalization, public education, and housing. Co-hosted a Candidates Night with the League of Women Voters. Held Community Seminar "Aging, Your Parents and You." Next-to-New netted over $24,000. The largest Provisional class in the history of League with over 60 members. Ann Hart served as Area IV Council member.

1985 - Forty-fifth anniversary of League. 1,000,000 volunteer hours given to the Springfield community since JLS's founding. Adolescent Sexuality Task Force established. Reaffirmed League existing position and enabling statements on: Voluntarism, Children, Downtown, Elderly, and Lincoln Heritage; added Domestic Violence. Approved an additional statement on Children for the State Public Affairs Committee use. New graphics, color scheme and modified logo utilized. Purchased a computer. Financial records and bylaws computerized. A Spring Next-to-New netted $21,289. Year-round warehousing available. Implemented voting rights for Sustainers at Board Meetings. General Meeting site moved to Temple B'rith Sholom. Headquarters moved to 3 S. Old State Capitol Plaza. Proposal sent to National Park Service to lease the Corneau House.

1986 - Contract signed with National Park Service to lease Corneau House for League Headquarters. Went to night general membership meetings. Collaborated with the Chamber of Commerce to develop the "Greater Springfield Leadership Institute." Ronald McDonald House opened on February 14. Dues increased to $60 per year for Actives, Provisionals, and Non-residents. Increased to $48 for Sustainers. Held second spring Next-to-New Sale and netted $19,000. Reaffirmed the AJLI position statements on Voluntarism, Children, Downtown, Elderly, Lincoln Heritage, and Domestic Violence. Reaffirmed all AJLI position statements. Established Sustainers Memorial Fund. Goals and Objectives and the Future Plan were combined into a Management Plan. Received a grant for $7,000 from the State Illinois for a new roof on Corneau House. Moved into new headquarters in March.

1987 - "Folliewood" netted over $73,000. Changed the league Bylaws to eliminate the residency requirement for admissions and to allow for self-submissions. Secured and implemented $7,000 grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Society for a new roof and storm windows at the Corneau House. Emergency Housing Project presented "Affordable Housing Day" community program. Published first League In-League Directory. With the Chamber of Commerce held the first class of the Greater Springfield Leadership Institute. Sent first League delegate to this program. Endowment Fund and Investment Policy established.

1988 - Community Council System dissolved. Cookbook passes.

1989 - Celebrated 50th Anniversary since founding. Recipes submitted and double tested, layout, cover and design considered for the cookbook, Honest to Goodness. Carolyn Barris named as Sustainer of the Year. Adopted a Joint Venture for The Greater Springfield Leadership Institute.

The 1990s
1990 - Published Honest to Goodness cookbook, which was presented at a Kick-off party, hosted by Franklin Life. Successful Next-to-New Sale raised $17,810. Other fundraisers included 50/50 drawings at General Meetings, Initial Impressions stationary sales, Envelope Party raising $2,800, and Kitchen Tour put on for the Actives by the Sustainers raising $6,000. Began selling ads in Leagueliner. Hosted the IL/WI meeting of all the Executive Committees. Due to financial constraints, held a mid-year budget revision and drastically cut budget. Raised Active dues to $80 and Sustainer dues to $60. Homeless Focus Group held a Public Forum. Florence Lee Wellons named as Sustainer of the Year.

1991 - Talbot's Opening Reception raised $1,200. Expanded Next-to-New netted $27,631. Continued Initial Impressions and 50/50 Raffle fundraisers. Cookbook sold over 15,000 copies in first year and returned $36,000 to the treasury. $3,500 was added to the budget for Joint Ventures and Enabling Grants. Cookbook won the Tabasco Midwest Regional Award and the AJLI Marketing Honorable Mention Award. Lowered hours requirement to 80. Presented Business Skills and Grantsmanship Workshop. Completed Board Development Training with the Theatre Centre. Co-sponsored the Moving Out Hunger Food Drive. Held Public Forum on Children at Risk of Academic Failure. Anne Morgan named to 3-year term on AJLI Membership Diversity Support Team. Ellen Fiersten named Sustainer of the Year. Hosted SPAC Legislative Breakfast.

1992 - General meetings met at Westminster Presbyterian Church this year. Babysitting was available during the meeting. Next-to-New grossed $28,351.48. Received "Outstanding Service Award" from Sojourn Women's Center. The National Society of Fund Raising Executives selected League as the "Outstanding Philanthropic Organization". Co-sponsored "Springfield Magical" to recognize Springfield area volunteers and volunteer organizations. Held Kitchen Tour in April and raised over $6,000. President went to Washington, D.C., to receive the Conservation Service Award from the Dept. of the Interior for the three decades of service the League has given to the Lincoln Home Historic Site. Sustainer of the Year award presented to Mary Beth Roland.

1993 - Follies "A Little Off Broadway" grossed over $123,000. Next-to-new grossed over $26,000. The Cookbook Committee averaged 200 books sold each month. The Teen Mother Day Care Center became a reality. Julie Dirksen was Sustainer of the Year.

1994 - The Goal-Centered Approach to Strategic Planning (GASP!) was introduced to members. Next-to-New grossed approximately $28,000. The Cookbook Committee sold more than 2,200 cookbooks. The Public Relations/Marketing Committee developed a series of television commercials to promote League on WICS TV-20. It also produced an informational video to market the Junior League of Springfield. The Arts Committee revived the children's puppet shows. Carolyn Oxtoby was named Sustainer of the Year. Pat Jacobs received the first annual ABCD Award for an active career "above and beyond the call of duty."

1995 - League helped host "Christmas in Mr. Lincoln's Neighborhood." In addition, puppet shows were held at Lincoln Library and First Night, and they provided Lincoln School kindergartners with a greater appreciation of their school's namesake. League hosted a Community Forum with 40 social service agencies, and 55th Anniversary Luncheon honoring agencies served over the years. The GASP! Process was furthered, resulting in a Focus Area for League in the coming years - "Child Growth and Development and Parental Education." We removed our upper age requirement for membership and created a Done In A Day Committee to orchestrate one-day service projects using League volunteers. Finally, we set the stage for publishing our newsletter and Yearbook in-house as cost-saving measures. We continued to excel at fundraising, netting a $24,000 profit from the Next-to-New Sale, $10,000+ from the sales of Honest to Goodness, and a net of $5,000 from the Kitchens in Bloom Kitchen Tour. Meanwhile, we began planning for our first Holiday Mart. Awards presented included the ABCD to Trish Egler; the Sustainer of the Year Award to Mayor Karen Hasara; and community Partner Awards to Security Bank and Underfanger-Mayflower.

1996 - League moved from the Corneau House to a new Headquarters at 1018 ½ W. Lawrence. Both the Yearbook and Leagueliner were set in-house on desktop publishing as a cost-saving measure. Next-to-New raised $24,400; Honest to Goodness cookbook presented a check to League for $15,000; Kitchen Tour profits were close to $6,000. Our newest fundraiser, Heartland Holiday Mart, was viewed as a success with 23 vendors represented in the very first year. To add flexibility for members regarding their fundraising commitments a "menu plan" was devised and voted upon by the membership. An Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning was established to develop a plan for our League that will give us direction toward our Signature Program. League conducted a survey of un-met needs in the community. The membership endorsed these un-met needs as research topics for a future signature program: after school/respite care for parents; parenting classes and education; and access to these social services. Lincoln Heritage/Historic Preservation, Arts, and Done In A Day committees were combined into a Special Events Committee. The Ways & Means Committee was eliminated and the function absorbed by the Finance Committee. Babs Dickerman, League's nomination, won the JC Penney Golden RuleAward for community service. Mary Forsyth was named sustainer of the Year and Cindy Hamilton received the ABCD award.

1997 - Several milestones occurred during this League year: A Strategic Plan was adopted, a Signature Program was approved, and the American Girl fundraiser event was added to the complement of League fundraisers. We also welcomed a fantastic new group of Actives - 26 in all. The Next-to-New Sale raised approximately $18,000 on October 18-19 at the Orr Building at the State Fairgrounds. For the first time in Junior League of Springfield history, League Sustainers organized and hosted Samantha's Ice Cream Social (an American Girl event) on November 9-11 at the Springfield Hilton, raising $11,600. Proceeds from the event benefited the Ronald McDonald House Expansion Project. The program, which coincided with the Heartland Holiday Mart, included raffle prizes such as two round-trip airline tickets, overnight stays, and American Girl dolls and clothes. The Heartland Holiday Mart, held on November 8-10, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center's Budinger Room, raised approximately $8,000. The HHM included a Preview Party and Silent Auction (which brought in $2,400). Plans for next year's HHM already include a date: November 7-9! The membership voted to cancel the Kitchen Tour for spring 1997. The Education & Training Committee was very busy and offered some incredible programs, such as self-defense training; Camp Watchayadunfor U Lately; bread making; wine tasting; Victoria's Workshop; Internet 101; training for effective meetings, and strategies for financial fitness. The Community Research Subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning (a.k.a. the Public Issues Committee) began researching community organizations and their work as it related to League focus areas. Extensive surveys were conducted and results pointed to many gaps in community services. The gaps were grouped into target areas in preparation for the development of a signature program. The Public Issues Committee at the November General Meeting presented seven proposals from community groups. The wonderful work that the Public Issues Committee did in gathering these proposals dovetailed into the formulation of a Ad Hoc Signature Program Development Committee and their end product: a Signature Program. The Signature Program was adopted at the May General Meeting: to establish a Youth and Parent Center -- location to follow! The Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee did a wonderful job writing the Strategic Plan, and together with membership input, came up with four basic values: Membership Satisfaction & Ownership, Community Services, Education & Training, and Resource Management. The Strategic Plan was formally adopted at the May General Meeting and replaces the Management Plan. In 1996-97, the League membership began talking about how we govern ourselves, namely the existing Executive Committee/Board structure versus a Council System. We will learn more about this important issue in the coming League year. Ten grants were awarded totaling $13,500. Many League members were involved with the Parent Help Line, the Safe Haven Project, and the Mini O-Bierne Crisis Nursery. The Provisionals participated in the "Green Bean Sandwich" Project as well as the Contact Ministries Project. The Leagueliner committee conducted a reader survey. On a fiscal note, the due date for League dues was changed to April 15 from March 1. The new date went into effect because AJLI changed its dues deadline. Diana DeWeese was presented with the ABCD award and Lois Davis won the Sustainer of the Year award.

1998 - League operated under a new Strategic Plan for the first time. The Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning developed a council system of governance and membership endorsed this for the 1998-99 year. This was finalized by rewriting the Bylaws and Standing Rules to fit this model of governance. Four major fundraisers were held this year. Our 45th Next-to-New Sale netted $21,000 for League. The American Girl committee hosted "Welcome Josefina" and together with a successful Heartland Holiday Mart netted nearly $12,000. The Honest to Goodness cookbook sales soared again and provided a check to League for $17,000. The Kitchen Tour, a last minute but successful effort, raised nearly $5,000. Two additional Ad Hoc committees worked hard this year. One committee researched and purchased a computer for headquarters and another began the search for a new headquarters. This was a monumental task and will continue into the next League year. The Signature Program had a busy year. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfields of Springfield was approved as a site and partner in the proposed Youth and Parent Center. Imani, Inc., and Springfield Community Federation were also named as partners. PACT - Parents and Children Together - A Community Partnership, Building Brighter Futures was chosen as the name for the Signature Program. A $5,000 grant was received from the City of Springfield and a program director was hired. Volunteer efforts began with orientations for League members and an extensive painting project to brighten up the club. Springfield Mass Transit collected art supplies and Ace Hardware donated $1 for every League member who shopped on May 15. Kim Ervin received the ABCD award and Betty Blythe won the Sustainer of the Year award.

1999 - The League celebrated 60 years of service to the Springfield community as a service league in 1999. On the community side of League operations, our major initiative, the Signature Program, Parents and Children Together, or P.A.C.T., moved from the planning and administrative stage to the implementation stage. Partnering with the Junior League are The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfields, Springfield Community Federation, and Imani, Inc. Program activities kicked off in November with a Thanksgiving Feast hosted by the Signature Program Committee and Provisionals. It was followed by the tutoring segment of the program that ran throughout the school year. Also, a Girl Scout Troop, #80, was funded and staffed. In cooperation with the Education and Training Committee the Signature Program held a two-day diversity training course in November and again in April with a nationally recognized expert who led 22 members through lectures, videotapes and interactive group exercises tailored to League and P.A.C.T. issues. P.A.C.T. also instituted a grant program to further the P.A.C.T. mission. A total of $11,000 in P.A.C.T. funds was awarded to four community service providers. A springtime arts and crafts event was held and under the P.A.C.T. umbrella, League members participated in "Sprucing Up Springfield". To provide more consistent support for the P.A.C.T. program, the membership voted to require League members to serve four volunteer hours on P.A.C.T. Outside of P.A.C.T., the League awarded 14 community grants totaling $15,000, of which 94 percent of the services provided fall within our focus area of child growth and development and parental education. Also, $1,000 in emergency grant money was awarded to the Springfield Area Arts council to help alleviate a financial crisis threatening the existence of the organization and its community arts programs. A new award was established this year, the Junior League High School Senior Girls Community Service Award. The award recognizes one outstanding senior girl from each of the 16 eligible local public and private high schools. This year, girls representing 14 schools were recognized at the annual banquet.

With a look toward the internal side of operations, the League began operating under the new council system of governance. Three major fundraisers were held during the year. Our 46th Next-to-New Sale was held October 16-17 at the Orr Building on the State Fairgrounds. The sale netted $15,000. The Honest to Goodness cookbook, now in its 9th year of circulation, presented a check to League for $12,000 and retained funds for its own savings to cover a possible reprint and costs associated with researching the feasibility of a new cookbook. The Kitchen Tour featuring six fabulous homes on April 18 netted $8,6000, well above its goal. The Ad Hoc Committee on Admissions sought to increase our numbers and helped recruit for a trial January -to-May Provisional class. The mentoring program for all Actives returned to League this year, administered by the Membership Development Committee. Springfield was the Host City for the State Public Affairs Committee's second Public Policy Institute. It was held March 5 and League participated in the panel on "Best Practices" highlighting our signature program. Cindy Stephenson was announced as the winner of the ABCD award. Carolyn Oxtoby was announced as a repeat recipient of the Sustainer of the Year award.

Looking toward the future, the Ad Hoc Committee on fund Development, based upon Board recommendation and membership approval, undertook a feasibility study on the possibility of relocating and restoring the historic Condell House as a future League Headquarters. The membership voted to go forward with the Condell House project and move the house to a lot on South 8th Street, pending acquisition of the lot from the Iles House Foundation. League will dedicate $20,000 of its reserves toward the cost of the project. Additional funds will be raised through donations, grants, and dedicated fundraisers. To celebrate and commemorate our 60th anniversary as a service league in 1999 and our upcoming 50th anniversary in 2000 as a Junior League, the membership voted to collaborate with the Springfield Park District to create a playground and adjacent rest/sitting area at the District's new 180+ acre park located west on Wabash Street at the junction of Lenhart and Bunker Hill Roads. Reserve funds of $5,000 are committed to this project.

2000 to Present
2000 - The League has provided 61 years of service to our community. Our Signature Program, Parents and Children Together (P.A.C.T.) continued in a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, Imani, Inc., and the Springfield Community Federation. Our Provisionals adopted P.A.C.T. as their class project. Each month they organized and conducted a special activity. In September, they hosted an open house. From October through May, they coordinated the "Learn with Me, Share with Me" workshop series. Our Actives worked with the Provisionals in their sessions in order to fulfill the four hour placement requirement for P.A.C.T. The Signature Program committee awarded a grant of $12,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield for their projects focusing on activities for parents and children. Junior League awarded approximately $10,000 to eight agencies to provide services in our focus area to the community. The money to fund these grants is provided through our major fundraisers: Next-to-New, Kitchen Tour and Honest to Goodness cookbook. Our Next-to-New Sale netted $17,392. The Kitchen Tour netted $7,216. The Honest to Goodness cookbook sales provided net receipts of $8,050. But that was not the only fundraising occurring in League. With the decision to adopt the Condell House as our headquarters, we had to find a location and raise the funds for a major restoration and renovation project. We purchased property facing the Lincoln Home National Park at 816-818 East Edwards. We started major fundraising efforts with our Capital Campaign lead by a joint committee of Actives and Sustainers. Two fundraising events, the "Save the Condell House" brunch at the Cillini home and a "High Tea" at the Sangamo Club, combined with donations and a loan from League reserves to accumulate about two-thirds of required funds to complete our project. We plan to move in to our new headquarters during the next League year. We are also selling bricks for our Anniversary Project for the playground area patio in the new west-side park. This is another project that should be completed during the next League year. As we concluded our year, Lisa Stone was awarded the Sustainer of the Year award and Gail Kacich received the ABCD award.

2001 - This was a year of change, discovery and focus. We began the year with the theme "Celebrating Our Too Grand Members" in honor of the new millennium. The Next-to-New Sale netted over $15,000. We gave nearly $10,000 to community grant recipients. We concluded our four-year project with the Boys & Girls Club, Parents and Children Together (P.A.C.T.). We ran out of cookbooks, only to discover that the printer in Hong Kong had disappeared with our films. We spent the year recreating the cookbook with the help of local printer, Williamsons Press.
In November the Board re-examined our strategic and long range plans, as well as our League goals, capabilities and commitments. We conducted a due diligence review of our project to relocate, restore and renovate the historic Condell House. The review revealed that the project would take considerably more time, funds, and effort than the League had originally planned. The League voted to suspend the project. Donations were returned, and JLS members, disappointed, but not disheartened, refocused on our core mission of helping others.

In March we held the first annual JLS Oscar Party as a recruitment event. More than 60 members and prospective members came. April brought a most successful Kitchen Tour, netting $8,500. In May the Projects and Grants committee recommended four community projects to return our League to its roots- to improve the community through the effective action of trained volunteers. Four hands-on volunteer projects were approved: The Anniversary park Project to build a park for disable children and parents at Centennial Park in Springfield; a collaboration with Sojourn House to assist emergency room professionals in educating domestic violence victims about the services Sojourn can provide; the birthday Room, in honor of JLS Sustainer and past President Lisa Stone; and the Women's Health Project, including a road race against heart disease in July 2001, and a symposium on women's health issues in the fall, sponsored b the Prairie Heart Institute and St. John's Hospital.

Liz Patterson was awarded the ABCD award, and Karen Barber won Sustainer of the Year.