Past-Current placements: Rainbow Connection, Rummage Sale-pricing and receiving, Project Coordinator for AMoA, Best of Texas Touch a truck, Morning Provisional Chairman

 Why did you accept this slated position? I am excited to learn more about each individual project we support and the inner workings of supporting those projects.

How do you think serving on the Executive Board will develop your leadership skills? Serving with women who have more experience than I do, will allow me to see a different way to look at situations.  It will also teach me the processes our League uses in its day to day business.

FUNDRAISING VICE-PRESIDENT

Jackie (Rhea) Marr

Provisional Year:  2005 - 2006

Number of active years:  4

Past-Current placements: Teen Court, Teen Court Project Coordinator, Advisory Planning, Rummage Sale Publicity/Secretary, Best of Texas Luncheon Co-Chair, Member at Large, Best of Texas Co-Chair

Why did you accept this slated position? I developed a passion for fundraising when I had the opportunity to be on the Rummage Sale committee last year.  That is when it really hit me – the more money the Junior League raises, the more people we are able to help in our community.  There are two people’s stories that have had a huge impact on me recently:  Liz Murray’s “Homeless to Harvard” and Michael Oher’s “The Blind Side”.  What if there was nobody out there that took the time to help these two individuals?  Where would they be today?  We are so fortunate to be members of the Junior League who raise money and volunteer our time to help the Liz Murrays and the Michael Ohers of Amarillo.

How do you think serving on the Executive Board will develop your leadership skills?  The Junior League of Amarillo is truly a training organization.  Every committee I have been on has been a building block for my next placement.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to raise money through our diverse fundraising activities.  In addition, I am excited about the chance to work with many League members on the fundraising committees for the common goal of raising funds to support our community.     

MEMBERSHIP VICE-PRESIDENT

Stacy (Judice) Johnson

Provisional Year: 2001-2002 (Plano, TX)

 Number of active years: 5

Past-Current placements: 2002-2003-Neath the Wreath Holiday Gift Market-Ladies Night Out Chairman (Plano, TX), 2003-2004-Teen Court, 2004-2005-BOT Arrangements, 2006-2007-Physical Arrangements, 2008-2009-Advisory Planning/By-Laws. 

Why did you accept this slated position? This position offers me a great opportunity to see how the internal workings of the league all function together.  Membership is a vital component to our league and this position offers me the ability to be involved in many different aspects, especially with the various liaison committees I will oversee.

 How do you think serving on the Executive Board will develop your leadership skills? It will give me an understanding of how the league functions and how different decisions that will be made will impact the future of our league.

TREASURER

Gayla (Reyna) Mathis

Provisional Year: 2005-2006

Number of active years: 4

Past-Current placements: Treasurer Elect, Best of Texas Treasurer: 2008-2009, Kids Café Project Coordinator: 2007-2008, Kids Café: 2006 - 2007,

Why did you accept this slated position?  I accepted this position because I really enjoy accounting and finance.  It is what I do as a career and I am happy to use my education and skills to contribute to the success of the Junior League.

How do you think serving on the Executive Board will develop your leadership skills?  I’m proud to admit that all of my Junior League placements have taught me a lot and prepared me to be a better leader within the League and in the community.  My time on the Executive Board will be an opportunity to interact with other experienced leaders and to participate in important League business and the decision-making process. 

TREASURER-ELECT

Donna (Winstead) Knight

Provisional Year:  2007

Number of active years: 2

Past-Current placements: Treasurer Best of Texas, Teen Court

 Why did you accept this slated position?  I have enjoyed my JLA experience so much and have met many people I would not have met otherwise.  Working as the Treasurer Elect will allow me to use my skills while I increase my opportunities to meet and work alongside many more people as we support JLA’s work in the community.

How do you think serving on the Executive Board will develop your leadership skills?  I expect to learn many things while serving on the Executive Board.  I hope that I will develop abilities to ensure the hands-on groups of the League communicate with the financial groups and vice versa.  I want to learn to make inclusiveness and good planning a part of my nature so that we make smart budgeting and financial decisions.  Finally, I hope to develop greater patience!

RECORDING SECRETARY

Donna Furrh

Provisional Year: 2006- 2007

Number of active years: 3

Past-Current placements:  Hope and Healing Place, Northwest Texas Child Life Program, Rainbow Connection 

Why did you accept this slated position?  I feel it will be quite a memorable experience.  Moreover, I want to serve where the Junior League needs me. 

How do you think serving on the Executive Board will develop your leadership skills? I think I will grow in my leadership skills in part by learning from the other ladies on the board, and also by having to take a more active role.   I am very committed to the things I do but always feel more comfortable taking a non- leading role.  This will definitely stretch me past my comfort zone.