JLCNB History
2000 - Present

1999-2000 

 Linda M. Molica “Kicked it up a Notch” with an exciting and fulfilling year.  Revamping the league office with new technology over the summer made it possible for us to save time and money with  advanced technology.    We began the year in June with the Board & Training Retreat. At our Autumn Brunch in October, we were informed about adolescent drug abuse and of S.A.F.E., one of the few long-term residential adolescent drug treatment programs in the United States.  

The Ornament Sale was kicked off at the “Santa’s Coming to Town” Christmas party.  Seventeen new actives were installed at our Holiday Dinner with The Junior League of South Brevard and the AJLI President, Clotilde Prez-Bode Dedecker as guests. 

March was the month for our fundraiser “Seashells & Daffodils.”  It consisted of a Daffodil Sale, Culinary Classic, Silent Auction, and the Masters of Brevard Golf Tournament.  $69,502.00 was raised due to the hard work of the entire league. 

In the month of May we met at the Radisson Beach Resort for the League Installation Dinner.  The Junior League presented P.A.L. with a $12,648.00 check, which brings the total to $22,048.00 in two years.  Six $500 Scholarships were given to six area high school students as part of our ongoing Sustainer Project.  Twelve new actives were installed along with the new Executive Board. 

Statistics:    84 Actives      29 Provisionals      140 Sustainers    1 Non-Resident

   Linda Molica’s year began with the first annual Pumpkins in the Park Fall Festival, fund-raiser.  This event began on Friday evening with a Five-K Run, entertainment, food, rides and games for every age.  The festival resumed on Saturday and continued with even more activities for families to enjoy.  The festival closed that evening with the community wanting more.  The Culinary Classic and Wine Tasting Extravaganza was held the weekend before Pumpkins.  It was held at a multi-million dollar home on South Tropical Trail and was a great success.  The events together raised more than $30,000.00. 

This was our third and final year with the Cocoa P.A.L. Project.  JLCNB presented this P.A.L. with a $9,072.23 check, which brought the total to $27,169.43 for the three years.  Enough food was contributed to make up five large Thanksgiving baskets given to five needy families of the P.A.L. children.  Christmas gifts were collected and given to the P.A.L. children at their Christmas Party.  Proceeds from the League Ornament Sale were used to provide three P.A.L. families each with a complete Christmas, from the tree to gifts for every family member to all the fixings for Christmas dinner. 

Seven $500.00 Scholarships were given to area high school students. 

Done-in-a-day projects were The Southern Living Cooking School, Burdines Partners in Time, W.E.N.D.Y. Program, Kidney Foundation, and Crosswinds Changewinds Boutique. 

The Public Affairs Committee educated the League and community about the need to propose legislation requiring child car restraint requirements for the safety of our children.

 Twenty two new members joined the league.

Statistics:    83 Actives      22 Provisionals      131 Sustainers   

2001-2002 

Vicki Baughan’s debut as an award-winning director led the League to an Oscar winning performance. With an all-star cast and a theme of  “At The Movies” the red carpet was rolled out at the board retreat, placement fair, family movie night and throughout the year.

Vicki’s first goal was to continue to improve the League’s knowledge both internally and in the community by focusing on our rich history and the AJLI Centennial Celebration. She worked with the Brevard Museum of History and Science in Cocoa to bring the AJLI Centennial Exhibit, “The Junior League - Women Improving Communities since 1901” to our community. This was one of only 24 stops the traveling exhibit made on its  tour of the world.  League members celebrated our history during the opening reception for the Centennial Exhibit, at our children’s holiday party with Santa, our Sustainer brunch and our Past President’s Luncheon. 

Her second goal was to continue developing an effective training program. League members enjoyed training at the Annual Conference, the Board Retreat, ODI and at the many other training opportunities offered. Our League also co-hosted a Membership Retention Seminar with the Junior League of Greater Orlando.

 Her third goal was to maintain focus on our community in all aspects of the League activities. In its second year, Pumpkins in the Park Festival, 5K Run & The Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Classic were a huge success. Funds raised from Pumpkins In the Park helped with the Done In A Day projects, the Booster Seat Initiative and the scholarships for local area high school students. The League also voted in a new 5-year signature project, a therapeutic foster care home to be built in Central & North Brevard.

 Her final goal was to have fun, League members enjoyed many fun events. From the great clusters that included the popular Chef Pascal cooking class to the Holiday Ornament sale held at Suzie Enlow’s home and the Board retreat at the Port of Pottery. The fun continued in March with a Placement fair that had the five councils themed after different movies competing for the best decoration. As the year came to a conclusion, members enjoyed a fun family movie night. 

As the League looks to the future with a well-developed fall fund-raiser, a new community focus, strengthened ties with the Junior League of South Brevard, we are positioned well for the next 100 years.

 Statistics:    94 Actives      20 New Members      137 Sustainers    3 Non-Resident

What a journey we have had this year! It is amazing to me how much we Junior Leaguers can pack into a year. To say that this Roadtrip has been an eventful one would be an understatement! Our adventure kicked off at the May Board Retreat  with the very energetic Beth Ramsay (Past-President, JL of Ft. Myers) as our trainer. The theme for the day was a “RoadsidePicnic” complete with yummy food, picnic baskets, and red & white checked decorations. Through teambuilding exercises and discussions, leadership of the JLCNB learned more about the workings of our Council System and goals and expectations for the year were expressed.

During the summer months, Pumpkins in the Park committees started making their plans for the 3rdannual event, with goals of making it the most successful year yet. Public Affairs committee members attended the SPAC Summer Task Force meeting in Tampa and our Training committee was busy planning Leadership Orientation and fundraising training sessions. The Yearbook committee was working toward their printing deadline and Membership Development was busy planning the Membership Social and Membership Gathering.

As fall approached, our Roadtrip really got exciting! Board of Directors meetings and General meetings were in full swing. The Executive committee hosted an informative luncheon at the Black Tulip for the Community Advisory Board. There, the advisors were encouraged to give input and advice on community issues and were informed of the JLCNB’s plans for the 2002-2003 league year.

The Fall Provisional members began their training classes working toward active membership status, and all PIP committees were working very, very hard. Members of the Done-in-a-Day committee were seen volunteering all over the community – National Kidney Foundation’s “Taste of Brevard”, Sunflower House, Boo at the Zoo, and Crosswinds, just to name a few.

October was a busy month! A Sustainer brunch was held in the lovely home of Freda Matuk, where our generous Sustaining members brought holiday themed Silent Auction items to donate to the Classic. Then it was Pumpkins in the Park time. The 5-K Pumpkin Run and Fitness Walk, Family Fall Festival, and the Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Classic were huge successes. I truly appreciate the generosity of sustainer, Jonnie Swann, for graciously allowing us to hold The Classic at her lovely riverfront estate. Netting over $45,000, our fundraising efforts drive us that much closer to making our signature project a reality. With Linda Molica in the driver’s seat, the signature project committee continues to pave the way for the development of our Cygnet House. In the midst of all of the PIP preparations, Maro and I took a “Roadtrip” of our own (by plane) to attend the AJLI Fall Conference in Los Angeles. The networking and interaction with leaders from other leagues was just what we needed to recharge our batteries. 

As our journey took us into the Holiday Season, the Arrangements Committee really got busy with preparations for the November Cluster meetings. Our members enjoyed a variety of choices such as lunch with friends at Café Margaux, wreath making, a CPR class, Jazzercise, and a Culinary demonstration and wine tasting with Chef Pascal and The Village Gourmet in the Cocoa waterfront home of Rachel Bachand. In early December, the Membership Development committee held the Winter Membership Social and planned for the January Gathering to meet and greet potential new Provisional members. Then, Board members and Committee chairmen joined me on a charter bus “Roadtrip” to Palm Beach Gardens Mall. A big thanks to Ginger Allen for helping me plan this fun day.  Next, our member’s children were treated to a fun Holiday party complete with a visit from “jolly old Saint Nick”, himself. Soon after, the Arrangements committee dazzled us again with the Holiday Progressive Dinner.  The new logo for the Cygnet House, designed by our own talented member, artist Joan Herrick, was unveiled and 11energetic ladies from the Fall Provisional class were welcomed into active membership.

The month of January rolled around and the ladies of the JLCNB hit the ground running. How we had the energy after the previous few months, I don’t know! Our active members enjoyed a Potluck dinner at the general meeting and the Spring Provisional members began their training classes. In mid- January, I had the honor of entertaining our “Past-Presidents” with a luncheon at the Rockledge Country Club. It was fun for me to listen to each of them reminiscing about “their year” as President of the JLCNB and how things change and evolve. Next, our league had the exciting job of hosting the Florida Presidents/Presidents-elect Leadership Conference in Cocoa Beach. Special guests included AJLI Nominating Vice-Chair, Brandy Hand and AJLI President, Christine Benero. A big thanks you to Vicki Baughan for organizing the conference where delegates from leagues across Florida attended to be enlightened and inspired. At the end of the month, our Public Affairs committee “co-organized” with the Junior League of South Brevard, the Legislative Reception at the Brevard Zoo. Elected officials from Brevard County and child advocate and guest speaker, Jack Levine were in attendance. Doreen Sley and members of the Done-in-a-Day committee provided an awesome spread of food that was enjoyed by many. Also during January, a really big change occurred in the Junior League of Central & North Brevard. Carol Towns, our office manager for over 13 years, retired and her position was filled by active member, Jamie Beasley. While I truly miss Carol’s pretty smile, witty sense of humor, and FSU chats; Jamie is the perfect replacement to fill her shoes. The dedication to the league that each of these ladies has shown is incredible!

As we continued our journey, February and March proved to be just as busy. Our Nominating committee presented the Slate of Officers for next year as well as the slated positions for Membership Development and Placement/Nominating. In mid-February, sustaining members enjoyed sweet treats and wines at the beautiful Baytree home of Andrea Molitor and the Arrangements committee treated us to tastes of Mardi Gras at our February general meeting. With the end of our journey right around the corner, Vicky Boydstun and the Placement committee took us on a tour “Around the World” at the March Placement Fair. Each council did a fabulous job representing their “continent” by creating festive decorations and interesting foods for us to sample as we explored the many committee opportunities each Council had to offer. Meanwhile, Faye Browning and sustainers on her Scholarship committee geared up for the many applications from area high school students that were sure to be submitted for review. The Fund Development committee continued their research and plans for future funding of Cygnet House through grants and other sources. Cygnet House committee members continued to make great strides in the development of the project and the Cygnet House Board of Directors became a reality.

The month of April brought “Spring fever” among league members. It was a time for us to celebrate our accomplishments for the year. At the general meeting , members were treated to a delicious Italian dinner provided by the Arrangements committee. In mid April, Public Affairs committee members held a Child Passenger safety seat check-up at the Firestone on Merritt Island.

Approximately twenty-seven seats were checked and drivers were given educational materials. Done in- a-Day committee members volunteered at the Cadillac Classic Golf Tournament and Gala for the National Kidney Foundation. At the end of the month, the Board of Directors went on one last Roadtrip to The Water Grill in Cocoa Beach for an evening of a little bit of business and a whole lot of fun!

Well, this is the end of the road! In the beginning of May, I will take my final “Roadtrip” as I travel to 47 Nashville, Tennessee, with Maro Nime, Laura Geier, and Denise Travers for the AJLI Annual Conference. I am also looking forward to our May Installation Banquet that will be at the Rockledge Country Club on May 8th. We will welcome new actives, honor those actives going sustainer, and install our 2003-2004 Executive Board. I look forward to seeing each of you there. I have had the most wonderful year as your President. Thank you for giving me this opportunity for training and personal growth. Time truly does fly by when you’re having fun, and I’ve had a blast!

With a theme of “Lighting the Fire within” and “Keeping the Flame Alive”, the Junior League Olympic team was off to the games. My goals for the year were to focus on our signature project The Cygnet House, to host successful fundraisers, to update the look of our office and to have fun events and meetings that our members could look forward to attending. 

With training and team building being an integral part of developing the potential of women, we skated right into our year with our Board Retreat in Cocoa Beach that taught our members the fish philosophy and fundraising training. Our August council meeting offered a team building opportunity. Our members attended conferences such as Area III, Organizational Development Institute, SPAC fall conference, AJLI fall and Annual conferences. Our general membership meetings offered training on child passenger safety, conflict resolution and parliamentary procedure.

 Our office saw some changes with a new computer and a network. We have a new and improved website that keeps our members up to date on the latest happenings in the League; Our League Launch has gone online.   The office was repainted; new blinds and a new carpet were installed giving the office a new modern look. Thanks to the generosity of members that donated their time, efforts and supplies, the project was completed within budget.  

 Our Fourth annual Pumpkins In the Park Race, Fitness walk, Kid’s run, Festival and Attic Sale were hosted on October 22 & 23, 2003 in the Cocoa Village Riverfront park. The events were a huge success with nearly 550 runners signing up for the Race. Our festival featured lots of food vendors, games, pony rides, community expo, animals and entertainment. The Attic sale was brought back on a small scale and was organized by our spring & fall 2003 provisional classes and was held in conjunction with the festival.

 Our Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Classic was held at the beautiful Riverfront home of John & Michelle Porter on November 15^th . Over 500 people attended the event that featured over fifteen restaurants, wine stations from the Village Gourmet, a silent and a live auction. Our combined fall fundraising events netted $60,000.

 The Done in A Day committee hosted a plethora of events ranging from Car seat checkpoints, garden day at the Haven and our Adopt a Family Ornament party at the home of Vicki Baughan that raised money to adopt several families during the holidays.

 The Cygnet House committee and Board organized the first fundraiser, Souper Sunday to help raise funds for our Group Foster Care home, the fundraiser featured soup stations and a judging contest for the best soup.

 Our Arrangement committee planned fun meetings on the beach, the Inn at Cocoa Beach, the Planetarium complete with a laser show, and a poolside meeting at the home of Vicki Baughan. Our cluster meetings featured many fun events ranging from a Bunco night, a lunch bunch and the ever-popular Chef Pascal lunch and dinner. Our Holiday dinner was hosted by Dr. Roxanne Johnson-Giebink at her pool house and featured a tour of decorated holiday trees at her home and the home of her sister Andrea Johnson-Shreves.

 Our Sustainer advisors really kicked it in high gear by organizing so many fun events starting with a Brunch in October at the home of Freda Matuk, Bunco Dessert in January at Rebecca’s, Shopping and Lunch in February, an Art show and Dessert in March at the home of Peta Adovasio, Dinner at Fusion Bistro in April and the grand finale with a fun Cinco de Mayo party at the home of Debbie Covington.

 In its first year as a combined committee, Nominating-Placement hosted an international food night at our first general membership meeting. Keeping in line with this year’s Olympic theme, they organized a Bunco tournament at members’ homes. The placement fair held in March featured the different councils as Olympic teams representing different Olympic Sporting events; all council chairs provided information about their committees to the membership.

 We concluded our year with a fun Spring Board and Chairmen dinner sunset cruise of Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. The fun continued with a Spa day and a Family Beach party. Finally to mark the end of a great year and the beginning of another wonderful one, we hosted a very special guest at our Installation dinner, AJLI president & CEO of the Denver Red Cross Christine Benero.

 Just as in an Olympic torch relay, each person holds the flame of volunteering high for an allotted portion of the route, and then the torch is passed to the next runner in the relay.  Sometimes we run alone and sometimes we run together with others, but the goal is to move the flame forward, to illuminate the darkness, to allow the next team to start just a little closer to the goal.  We are called upon to run our lap with skill, dedication, vigilance, hard work, and pride.

 It has been truly a privilege and an honor to serve as your president; I’ve had the opportunity to work with the most competent, committed and enthusiastic group of women I have ever met. What I have gained from each of you is invaluable and I appreciate each and every one of you for your dedication, commitment and willingness to give so unselfishly of your time and talent. I have truly been surrounded by the best team anyone can ask for. Thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity, I have had the best time and it is an experience that I will cherish forever.

 18   Provisionals           82 Actives        125 Sustainers              3 Emeritus