Msp.assistanceleague.org Volume 21, Number 6 January 2014 Sharyn Meagher, Editor THRIFT SHOP Terri Hudoba & Amy Stark Changes Continue at Thrift Shop: New Leadership Proposals In January 2013, the newsletter cover article documented the Thrift Shop’s phenomenal growth in sales over the previous 5 years. It further cited a number of changes that better positioned the shop for this growth. And growth continues, with the shop experiencing its best sales figures ever in November 2013. Over the past several months an advisory group of TS managers past and present (Susan Dolan, Nancy Larson, Alice O’Connor, Amy Stark, Terri Hudoba) has been working on a proposed Thrift Shop business plan. As discussed at the November chapter meeting, one of the items in that plan includes improvements to the leadership structure. The proposal’s overall intent is to better align TS management duties and time commitments with those of the philanthropic programs, as well as cultivate new leaders by sharing responsibility for the shop among a broader number of people. The proposed new structure for TS leadership will allow many members to participate in shop management. The model features (a) a shorter time commitment; (b) clearer definition of responsibilities; (c) overlapping time for transitioning management in and out; and, (d) strong supporting secondary leadership. The model divides leadership into 2 main areas: planning and shop management. Planning managers (2: 1 veteran, 1 rookie) would serve for 12 months and oversee communications (internal, eg, to board and members, and external, eg, email, social media, and website), training (for newer members and E* members), and the ordering/purchasing of supplies. Assistants in this area include training coordinators (2) and supplies coordinators (2), each of whom would also serve for 12 months. Shop managers (3: 1 veteran, 2 rookies) would serve for 4 months and oversee both backroom (monitoring/managing donations and inventory) and retail activities (shop events, floor arrangement/appearance, color change-outs, and shop signage). Assistants in this area include backroom specialists (many, serving for 12 months), day managers (many, working on specific days), and a staffing coordinator (1, serving for 2 months). Additionally, the proposal provides for an on-going advisory group, with members having the title of management mentors. If you are interested in filling any of these positions, please contact Terri, Amy, Susan, Nancy,or Alice. We‘d love to hear from you and share more of our thoughts. January 2014 Newsletter ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Linda Rosedahl We’ve had a busy holiday season. I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year. I don’t know what you do at the beginning of the New Year but I’ve been cleaning closets, organizing my office and thinking about all those Assistance League projects that need to be finished by the end of May. We’ve had a very busy year for our chapter but as hard as it is to believe we are starting to prepare for next year. Budgets are due by January 15th to Sharon Hicks-if you have questions or concerns please call Sharon. Nominating is busy looking for the best candidates to serve on our Board. Please send recommendations to Susan Timm and call her if you have questions. If asked to serve, please consider taking on this responsibility. Remember you are being asked because you have demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to fulfill the job. We are proud of our volunteer organization and we can’t do it without all our members taking on some responsibility. Remember as you clean your closets to set aside items for the Thrift Shop. We have many empty shelves to fill with new treasures for our customers. This month we have two members of the Minneapolis School Board as our speakers and we are looking forward to hearing what they have to tell us. EDUCATION Pam Barer New Year’s Resolutions Since I am an optimist, I make New Year’s Resolutions every year. Here are mine that pertain to Assistance League. I resolve: 1. To turn in my hours regularly not just at the end of the year. 2. To get in all 12 of my Thrift Shop shifts. 3. To get to know one member, that I don’t know, better each month. 4. To delegate more even if it is easier to do it myself. 5. To turn in recommendations to the Nominating Committee. I figure that even if I only keep my resolutions for part of the year; I will be making our chapter run more smoothly and make others’ jobs easier. Interested in ordering a personalized AL apron? Email [email protected] 2 ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL January 2014 Newsletter OPERATION GRADUATION Mary Claire Schultz Operation Graduation Challenge Thursday, January 16 You have probably heard the rumor that changes are afoot with Operation Graduation. Here's the scoop. This is the last time graduates will take their GED exam on paper. This has resulted in a surge of GED graduates. We had a record number last June and this January they are predicting that our graduating class will be twice as large as last June. We are making preliminary plans for a class of about 160 grads. Because of this larger class the site for the graduation has been changed. We are going to be at Edison High School at 700 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, 55418. The auditorium holds close to 1000 and there will be one ceremony. For those of you who have volunteered at Operation Graduation in previous years you will recognize the challenge. The reception after the ceremony has always been a little chaotic. Can you imagine what it will be with twice the number of people? I have complete faith in the Assistance League volunteers who will be there. It will be busy but we will manage! ACADEMIC ALL-STARS Nancy Hanson There have been two Academic All-Star events so far this school year. On November 15th, over one hundred and fifty Lucy Laney students were honored for being Academic All-Stars and on December 12th seventy-six Riverview students were honored. This was the first Academic All-Star event for Riverview and was a great success. School staff and Assistance League volunteers were especially pleased with the large number of proud parents who came to the event to see their children receive the award. There are three upcoming Academic All-Star events. On Friday, January 31st at Lucy Laney from 8:45 am to 11:00; Friday, February 7th at Bethune from 9:00 am to 11:30 am; and Friday, February 28th at Maxfield from 8:30 to 10:00 am. You can volunteer for these events online and there will also be a sign-up sheet circulated at the January regular meeting. 3 January 2014 Newsletter ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL OPEN YOUR HEART GOAL: $68,000 Susan Casey/Jeanne Schmitz As of the end of 2013, we have received donations from 241 generous people who have given a total of $58,450! 85% 100 of 177 members have participated in OYH this year! Last year, that number was 75. 100% Our team is optimistic about building member support to 100%. If you haven’t, please make a donation in any amount to help achieve that goal. 56% MEMBERS PARTICIPATING REMEMBER: • $15 pays for an Assault Survivor Kit. • $25 feeds two families on a weekend. • $20 buys a book for each of 4 children. • $100 buys a book for each of 20 students. • $24 provides a child with a school uniform. TOGETHER WE CLEARLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. CARE & CONCERN Deb Sholl Congratulations and best wishes to Kathy Shipp on her marriage to her long-time partner, Martha. We wish a speedy recovery to Colleen Sherry, our “contact person” at St. Patrick’s, after an automobile accident. Ruthie Gaustad, our “Saturday” person at the Thrift Shop, will have knee surgery on January 15th. We send our good wishes to her for a comfortable recovery and rehabilitation. HOSPITALITY Mary Arnold Hospitality reminder: January CHILI CONTEST, Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Need 3 more Chili’s call or email Mary if you can bring. PLACEMENT Kathy Shipp Remember to report your hours to [email protected]. 4 ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL January 2014 Newsletter TREASURER’S REPORT Jeanette Berg I will be on vacation January 31st thru February 7th. If you require a check, please contact Linda Rosedahl. MEMBERSHIP Judy Nagel December’s Very Valuable Volunteer is Nancy Larson Nancy Larson joined the ALMSP in 2003 and has been a very active volunteer. She has been involved with Operation School Bell in various capacities and is currently a liaison for Maxfield School (St. Paul). Two years prior Nancy was the liaison for Jenny Lind. From 2008-2009 Nancy served on the Board and has also chaired the Available Hands committee since its inception. During our Thrift Shop expansion in 2010 Nancy was a valuable member of the Thrift Shop management team. She continues to be a dedicated behind the scene as a Thrift Shop volunteer with lots of energy and the willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. ALMSP is a better chapter because of Nancy Larson. December’s Triple V Recipient Nancy Hanson (L) and Nancy Larson 5 January 2014 Newsletter ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL NOMINATING COMMITTEE Susan Timm This year’s Nominating Committee’s members are: Jeana Fox, Laurie Lokar, Carolyn Pierce, Amy Stark, Susan Timm and alternates Jeanette Berg and Sharyn Meagher. What is the function of the Nominating Committee? It convenes for the sole purpose of filling the Board slate for the next year. The committee reviews open positions and confidentially identifies possible candidates. The committee contacts candidates until the slate is filled. The committee will soon be busy looking for candidates to fill the following positions: President Elect, VP Philanthropic, VP Resource Development, Strategic Planning Chair and Secretary. Additionally, we are seeking two members at large to serve on the Budget & Finance committee. And we would like your input! Is there someone that you could recommend who has really impressed you in their leadership skills, in their chapter knowledge or their passion for this organization? Or might you be interested in serving on the Board? Serving on the ALMSP Board of Directors is a privilege we all can participate in. Recommendations forms were emailed on December 20th, but if you would like another copy, please let me know and I can resend them. Or you can submit names to any member of the Nominating Committee in an email or by phone. We have scheduled meetings for January 8th and 22nd. Working together, we can ensure the continued success of our chapter. 6 ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL January 2014 Newsletter Link to calendar on website: www.msp.assistanceleague.org You will need to sign-‐in and then go under “Calendar” in the member section. 7 January 2014 Newsletter ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL 8