The 2018-19 fiscal year for the Junior League of Oakland – East Bay ends on May 31. In this final quarter, we are reflecting on the year and wrapping up our projects and obligations, all the while preparing for 2019-20 to begin.

It was a good year from my perspective.

Our CALSPAC delegates worked toward passing AB 2302 in the California State Legislature, which extends the statute of limitations in cases involving the failure to report an incident known or reasonably suspected by a “mandated reporter” to be sexual assault from one to five years. Our CALSPAC delegates also produced a public panel discussing the issues involved in homelessness and various social programs working toward improving the situation for the unhoused. CALSPAC also sponsors Day at the Capitol on May 6, where Junior League members meet their state legislators.

Other good things are happening, too. The Community Enrichment Fund grant process is finishing up. Members of the Community Programs Council have been working since November on inviting, collecting, and evaluating applications. We received 20 applications in total. The committee selections will be presented to the board for approval on April 2, and we will announce the results and distribute the checks at our Celebration Meeting on May 14.

Members are completing their volunteer shifts. We worked with a variety of agencies that contribute to our focus area of family self-sufficiency and four pillars of food, clothing, housing, and jobs.  My favorite shift that I volunteered for involved giving away the makings of thanksgiving dinner through Harbor House in Oakland. My 12-year old daughter was able to join me and we had a good time working with other Junior Leaguers and their family and friends to care for neighbors in need.

Our New Member Class will be graduating in May. We are excited to have 18 new members join the league. We are also looking for new faces to join our class of 2019-20. If you are interested please contact newmember@jloeb.org. We will have several socials to talk about what the league is about over the summer. Orientation and classes begin in the fall.

Finally, we are preparing to digitally publish the Bay View. The Bay View is the Junior League of Oakland – East Bay’s magazine that will include our perspective on Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We will examine the major communities in which we serve, looking at poverty and services through the JLOEB lens. The Bay View will be issued in May.

Next year, while I will remain as President for a second term, JLOEB will have a new slate of officers, focus area, and strategic plan. Members will have new committee assignments and opportunities to learn and develop their volunteer skills. We will begin again to serve our community with renewed energy and focus.

Stay tuned to see what happens next.