le weekend

I spent this past weekend at a Junior League conference in Toronto. it was an amazing weekend. I met some wonderful women, learned a lot, and most of all just had a lot of fun. I have always been glad that I joined the Junior League of Buffalo. It is a group of intelligent, involved women. It’s nice spending time with people with whom you share interests. And attending a Junior League conference is like a weekend-long warm fuzzy. Everyone was in great spirits. It’s fun having a lively conversation with someone who’ve just you met in the breakfast line or in the elevator ride. It’s an instant connection with a perfect stranger--- a perfect stranger that is quite possibly not an idiot (like 98% of the world). Of course there’s not an organization in the world without its share of idiots but the majority of Junior League members are people who are interested in improving their community, developing the potential of women, and contributing their skills to the betterment of each. And that’s pretty great.

So. I learned a lot about corporate solicitation and the work being done by the Junior League of Toronto. Ladies of JLB, we’ve got a great resource just up the road – and in a great city to boot. I’m all for a road trip sometime in the near future. Their Show House next year looks like it’s going to be incredible. (this is last year’s but I’ve seen a picture of the next one and it’s just as awesome).

I met some really fantastic people that I plan on keeping in touch with --- both in Buffalo as well as in Toronto, Erie, NJ and other places in Canada. Three women even flew all the way from Alabama from the League in Morgan County ---- who, by the way, seem to have a wonderful community project! (map on the homepage)

Toronto’s is also great: “JLT Kickstart for Health is a program designed to empower teenage girls and their families to embrace a healthy lifestyle by building confidence, developing new skills, and inspiring positive life choices. Developed by the Junior League of Toronto, Kickstart includes a series of workshops, events and a running program with the girls of St. Alban's Boys’ & Girls’ Club.” every Wednesday they run with the girls in preparation for a final race at the end of the season.

In addition to learning a lot from what these other Leagues have done, I learned a lot about women in my own League. We had such a fun time together. I know some people dread going to conferences, but I would gladly spend all my time at them if they were all this much fun. we had dinner out on/in? Yorkville, we spent the car ride to and from Toronto chattering nonstop about league business, we pretty much talked League the whole time. It was really a terrific experience.

So…. Wow, now it’s Sunday night. June 1! Lord. Spring always flies by…. It’s almost summer. Hurrah! Sun, travels, skirts… summer in buffalo in nice.

Ok well that’s it for now, I’m pooped!