PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - Ginny Kennebeck

January

Winter looks like January when she’s wrapped in days of white;

She’s a diamond-sparkled fairyland covered in crystal light.

Winter looks like January with snowflakes, frost and cold,

With icy winds and frozen lakes and sledders brave and bold.

Winter looks like January with drifts of snow piled high,

But the north winds briskly blowing makes me wish it was July!!

Nora M. Bozeman

Happy New Year! 2016 is here bringing with it a “leap” day in February, another

election cycle for our country (although it seems to have been going on for years

already) and many more days to enjoy the beauty of winter, bringing

opportunities to spend time in the company of friends and family hunkered

down by the fireplace with chili in crockpot!

We are half way through our year already! The old adage, “Time flies when

you’re having fun” is so true! It has been a pleasure serving as your president in

2015!! As we look forward to the possibilities in the New Year, it is important to

take time to reflect on past successes, failures, good times and the not- so-

good ones too. It is in taking this inventory that teaches so much. The “rocks”

we have had to climb allow us to reach new heights and often lead to places we

didn’t even know we were going! Climbing rocks is never easy, often exhausting

and disheartening, yet when the going smooths, as it will, new understandings

and wisdom takes their place. Trials melt into empowerment and the feeling of

strength gained in having been tested and endured.

2016 will bring changes and challenges to our chapter in the form of new sorting

and pricing techniques in the back room and new cash registers in the sales end

of the Thrift Shop. An open mind and heart will be necessary as change can be

difficult (think rock climbing) but take heart; training will be copious and

frequent to your comfort level! These changes have been well researched and

carefully thought through with a mind to improve our processes and ultimately

increase Thrift Shop sales which, as you know, remain the main source of income

for our philanthropic spending! A big “THANK YOU” to the Thrift Shop Task

Force for “climbing the rocks” that brought all of us to this new and exciting

place!!!! You really rock! (Pun intended).

Have a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Generous New Year -Ginny

MISSION STATEMENT

Assistance League® of Boise is an

all-volunteer, non-profit organiza-

tion that puts caring and commit-

ment into action through philan-

thropic programs in Ada County.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ginny Kennebeck

President

Becky Woodruff

President Elect

Marianne Spiegel

V.P. Membership

Elen Hunt

V.P. Philanthropic Programs

Kathy Palmrose V.P. Resource Development

Cathy Reynolds V.P. Communications

Carolyn Rapp Recording Secretary

Nicci Griebe Treasurer

Joan Asson V.P. Education

Mary Ann Arnold V.P. Administration

Libby Hofmann V.P. Public Relations

Laura Miller V.P. Strategic Planning

Karen Menz

Parliamentarian

PHILANTHROPIC CHAIRS

Carolyn Hancock &

Shirley Harrison

Baby Bundles

Laura Miller

Cinderella’s Closet

Carolyn Rapp

History in the Bown House

Jean Cassell & Nancy Duke

Operation School Bell®

Laurel Neilson

Operation School Supplies

Arlene King & Pam Kelch

OSB Teen Retail

Sandy Gauss

Project Hearing

Pat Fletcher

Empowering Youth

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Jeff Souza

Kara Brascia

Anna Eberlin

Shannon Erstad

Jeff Harry

Tom Scott

Patty A. Miller

Molly Smith Patchin

Dawn Tolan

Alex Westfall

January 2016

Newsletter Assistance League® of Boise: Organized in 1976,

chartered in 1980, 67th Chapter of National Assistance League®

BOARD REPORTS January 2016

Public Relations – Libby Hofmann

Business After Hours

Sent out numerous invitations to our contacts

Shopped for beverages for event

Myself and other board members prepared appetizers for event.

Approximately 20 people attended. Tours were given to those who were unfamiliar with Assistance

League.

Lisa Hunter (Garden City Chamber) sold opportunity tickets at the event. Items to be won were

displayed.

Attended Garden City lunch for the check presentation. We were presented with a check in the amount

of $1,770.00 as a donation.

Attended Thrift Shop fashion show at the Plantation Place Assisted Living facility. Took photos of

the models.

Submitted article for our Newsletter (with photos) for our Make a Difference Day presentations.

Worked with Tom Scott Communications to produce a 30 second radio spot for our Mistletoe House.

KIZN radio had airtime available at a discounted price.

For Discussion:

Am working with Kelly Martin with Western Heating and Air to see about a way to advertise

Assistance League of Boise on their trucks. Need feedback from the board on what the sign

should say. Further investigation into making this happen is ongoing.

National Marketing Committee is soliciting pictures from the past from chapters for their new

feature, “Throwback Thursday”. I will work with Historian to obtain photos from the past with a

story to submit.

VP Education

Joan Asson

MINI-MEETINGS – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 AND TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

It’s time again to sign-up for the February Mini-meetings. The host locations are listed below, divided

between the two days. All members, including SPARKS, PIPS, Sustainers and Voting Gold, are invited and

encouraged to attend. Watch for the email sign-up notice during the first two weeks of January.

Remember, if you do not have email, there will be a sign-up sheet and more information at the January

18th general meeting. NOTE: All information is subject to change.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Gail Lindblom Nancy Howell

Ginger Fryling Lou Ann Moutrie

Jeanne Fitzgerald Karen Hathaway (located at The Tea Store)

Sue Oliver Juno Van Ocker (located at Bishop’s House)

Mary Ann Arnold Sandy Huntley

Carolyn Rapp Joan Asson

January 2016 BOARD REPORTS

VP Strategic Planning, Laura Miller

“National Assistance League 2015 Member Survey Results”

National Assistance League distributed a member survey via email to all members in March 2015. A reminder to

participate was sent in April 2015. The Strategic Planning Committee reviewed the results during a recent meeting

and is now sharing this information with the membership. Further exploration and discussion of the survey re-

sults will take place during the mini-meetings in February.

2015 Member Survey Highlights:

Response rate of 5,602 members or 21.5% nationally;

Our chapter had 89 members respond: 72 members identified as voting, 15 members identified as nonvoting and

4 members as auxiliary;

75 members became aware of ALB through friends, 11 members through the thrift store;

46 members responding have been with ALB for 5 years or less; 13 members for 16 to 25 years;

In response to why you joined Assistance League (check all that apply), our members reported as follows:

75 responses (84%) – “hands-on service to the community”

59 responses (66%) – “friendships”

30 responses (34%) – “new to the community”

15 responses (17%) – “work at the thrift store”

12 responses (13%) – “volunteer on a specific philanthropic program”

9 responses (10%) – “leadership opportunities”

2 responses ( 2%) – “other”

81 members are “satisfied” to “very satisfied” with their volunteer experience; 4 members had “no opinion” and 3

are “unsatisfied.”

Reponses to the question “how many hours are you personally willing to give to Assistance League monthly” our

members reported as follows:

22 members – less than 8 hours

37 members – 9 to 16 hours

13 members – 17 to 24 hours

17 members – more than 24

67 members responded to the question “what do you believe is the unmet need your chapter could address:”

27 members – literacy

14 members – dental care

13 members – homeless

8 members – hunger

2 members – clothing/shoes

2 members -- other

1 member -- housing

BOARD REPORTS January 2016

Membership

Marianne Spiegel

Current Member Statistics

393 Members, 140 Voting Active, 22 Voting Gold, 2 Voting Limited Service, 4 Voting LOA, 135

Sustaining,

28 Professional Voting, 18 SPARKs, 17 PIPPs, 21 Associates, 6 PALs

Status Changes

Voting Active to Voting LOA—Linda McGrath

Voting LOA to Resigned—Sandy Dunn

Voting Active to Voting Gold—Marilyn Dutra

Voting Active to Voting Limited Service—Sue Troyer

The Grant Committee has been hard at work writing proposals and asking for funds to support our programs. We are

pleased to report that we have raised $118,000 so far this fiscal year which is 31% over the Grant revenue budget of

$90,000 for this fiscal year! And, we hope to report even more good news before the year ends.

Kudos to all past Grant committee members who have helped to develop and establish a solid base of support over the

years. Below you will see what ALB has raised each year from grants since 2007:

2007 - $ 26,000

2008 - $ 23,500

2009 - $ 75,370

2010 - $ 73,000

2011 - $ 90,000

2012 - $ 94,550

2013 - $ 86,835

2014 - $ 99,500

2015 - $116,982

2016 - $118,000 TO - DATE (Received & Committed)

The 3 largest grants ALB has received this year totaling $95,000 are:

Julius C Jeker Foundation-$50,000 ($25K for OSB & $25K for OSS)

Nagel Foundation-$30,000 ($20K for OSB & $10K for Teen Retail)

Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation-$15,000 for OSB

Special thanks to the entire OSB Committee for accommodating tours this past fall for our Grant funders AND to pro-

gram chairs who provide important information about how our programs are making an impact on the lives of so many!

From your Grant Committee: Sarah Rupp, Sue Troyer, Angel Bowie, Pat Dye, Suzanne Harrington and Pam Humphrey

COMMITTEE REPORTS January 2016

Empowering Youth

Pat Fletcher, Chair

Three of our committee members, Donna Gudmundson, Liz Criddle, and Pat Fletcher headed to

Walmart the last Monday of October to buy enough supplies to fill six bags and laundry hampers. We

filled four shopping bags to overflowing and loaded all in our cars with the help of one Walmart employ-

ee. Then we had to task of carrying it all upstairs. Thank you so much those in the Thrift Shop that

helped us with this daunting task. We have a system down to fill the bags, so that they are fairly uniform.

Thanks to Donna Gudmundson, we now have a list of what to pack where in our duffels and laundry bas-

kets. See the pictures below of our committee in action.

The next week, our Health and Welfare contact picked up five of the bags (all she could get in her

small car). She brought her intern with her who has been instrumental in contacting all the case workers

who deal with the youth we serve and explain to them our project. Hopefully, this will result in more

youth who qualify to get our supplies for setting up their first apartment. We still have not received any

of our cards back from the youth, but the case workers assure us that the kits are greatly appreciated.

Social Committee

Judy Davis & Betsy Griffith, Co-Chairs

Looking for some fun on a winter afternoon? Save this date! Wednesday, January 27, 2016. The

Committee is sponsoring the first ALB ”bunco” party. There will be prizes and lots of snacks. If you

haven’t played before, you can learn in five minutes. We will also have a few board games, too. Everyone

is welcome!

We also look forward to seeing you at our January 18, 2016 ALB member meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS January 2016

History in the Bown House

Nancy Perry-Dale co-chairman

The classroom teachers at the adjoining Riverside Elementary School did an outstanding job of decorating the

Historic Bown House for Christmas. There were fifty people who attended the first Saturday, December 5th Open

House Tour, led by Juno Van Ocker.

There are four hundred and one fourth grade students going through the History in the Bown House Program in

January, 2016. The classes scheduled are Jan. 7 10AM-12:30, Jan. 8 9:30AM-Noon,

Jan. 14 9:30-Noon, Jan 15 9:30AM-Noon, Jan 20 9:30AM-Noon, Jan 22 9:30AM-Noon, Jan 26 9:30AM-Noon, Jan 27

9:30AM-Noon and Jan 28 9:30AM-Noon.

The docents of the Bown House wish you and your family a healthy and safe New Year in 2016.

We hope this will be the year you visit and step back in time to 1879 in the Historic Bown House.

If you have a love of children and history, we would invite youu to volunteer to be a docent. There

are scripts available to assist you for each of the six rooms (school room, kitchen, parlor, geography,

history/news and farm) which 6-8 students rotate through each of the rooms for twenty to twenty-three minutes per

room. Period clothing is available for use during the day of volunteering,

Give me a call 208-651-8390 or nancy@dogpawsonly.com

New Member Orientation

Kathy Duncan Chair

We had eleven members graduate from the class of 2015-B at our recent Christmas luncheon. Only six

were able to attend. We graduated seven active members, three PIPS and one Professional.

The class of 2016 A is closed and we have seventeen people signed up. There will be thirteen active, three

professional and one PIPP. It will be exciting to have such a large class thanks to all of you who have

brought in new members.

We will want to give them all a big welcome! Our orientation sessions will be January 14th and 21st from

9:00 until noon in the Philanthropy Center.

FRIENDSHIP, NANCY HOWELL

DECEMBER FRIENDSHIP REPORT

Thinking of You Sympathy Flowers

Karen Raese Jeanne Fitzgerald Connie Creek

January 2016 COMMITTEE REPORTS

Thrift Shop Sales

Sales: Days Open: Sales/Day:

Nov 2015 $40,482 21 $1,928

Nov 2014 $31,896 21 $1,519

For internal ALB use only

Thrift Shop News Jan Lang

Alice Buehler is the November member of the month for the back room. Alice has been a member of As-sistance League since 2012. She has served as the chair of PC Management and Daily Staffing. She al-so works in the back room regularly. She spends many hours doing these jobs and on top of that makes many hats for Operation School Bell. Thanks Alice for all you do. Phyllis Huesser is our December back room member of the month. Phyllis has worked in apparel since she joined ALB in 2012. Her work in apparel has extended to being an apparel manager; one of three. Phyllis retired from teaching in the Boise School District at Roosevelt School. She has been a part of the Social Committee and is known in the back room as the scone lady. The back room has undergone some reorganizing in various departments. The goal is to improve the pro-cessing of apparel. As everyone probably knows, the apparel department receives so many clothes dona-tions that often there is no place for members to work. The flow of the work space is configured to allow processed clothes to flow more easily from sorting, to hanging and tagging, and then to pricing. This pro-cess has been researched extensively by a task force set by our President. Some things to remember:

Please save the tie and scarf hangers in a box under the counter. Please be vigilant and watch for shoplifters; yup they’re at it again. Please hold your comments about merchandise. One customer complained recently that a member

said, “Oh I wanted to buy that outfit after my shift. We can’t buy things while we’re working.” Yikes!

“I have noticed an increase

in customers asking for a

discount or lower price on

an item, for a variety of

reasons. What should I

say?”

Tell the customer we research all items for

quality and price and feel we offer a good

product for the price. We just can’t lower the

price. Remind the customer of the good work

we do for the community through our 7

philanthropies.

January 2016 COMMITTEE REPORTS

Oh What Fun Was Had

ALB Christmas Parties 2015

January 2016

Donations to ALB

In Memory of

Mary Ellen Drashner

Roger & Kay Keithly, OSB

Robyn Greer

Jack & Alice Buehler, OSB

Barb Child

Jack & Alice Buehler, OSB

Judy Crow

Evelyn Cates, OSB

Jack & Alice Buehler, OSB

Jim Mahoney

Jack & Alice Buehler, OSB

Dale Hartner

Jeanne Doering, PP

Ramona Beck

Bev Williams, OSB

In Honor of Christmas from Barry & Jeanne Fitzgerald

Marsha Burr, OSB; Sally Burr, OSB; Mike & Barbara Burr, OSB; Garth & Joann Fisher, OSB; Dick &

Karen King, OSB; Steve & Sue Oliver, OSB; Don & Joy Stillwaugh, OSB;

Juno Van Ocker, OSB; Jess & Harriet Walters, OSB

General Donations

Frank & Vickie Stoppello, Douglas Sato, Freda Cenarrusa

Grants

Nagel Foundation, $30,000 ($20K for OSB, & $10K for Teen Retail)

Four J Foundation, $500 unrestricted

Micron Foundation, Community Fund $1,000 for OSB

Community Support Campaign Donors (OSB)

Klara Hansberger, Don & Jaye Spiers, Jack & Alice Buehler, Mary Rarick, David Giles, Darlene Burke, Edwin

& Donna Dahlber, Katherine Duerr, Cindy Wong, Sue Troyer, Kevin & Debbie McDonald, Jason LaForgee,

Mary Lou Orndorff, Phyllis Hereth, Norma Bush, Barbara Richner, Dale & Leanne Sullivan, Marilyn Shuler,

Mike & Becky DeArmond, Tina & Dick Morgan, Betty Sullivan, Jean Cassell, Wate & Jenny Peterson,

Joyce Lewis

January 2016

Jan-02 Peggy Ice Jan-14 Vicki Madden Jan-21 Janet Shackelford

Jan-03 Vickie Chaney Jan-16 Gerry Lumenello Jan-26 Taya Mahoney

Jan-03 Linda McGrath Jan-19 Marsha Bennett Jan-02 Joann Lukesh

Jan-04 Darlene Burke Jan-19 Karen Ferguson Jan-08 Marta Sandmeyer

Jan-05 Harriet Calverley Jan-25 Alberta King Jan-11 Angel Bowie

Jan-07 Ellie Miller Jan-26 Jan Ware Jan-23 Mary Ann Kiefer

Jan-08 Sue Fornander Jan-28 Jan Shelton

Jan-12 Jaye Spiers Jan-29 Pat Fischer

Jan-12 Mary Wagers Jan-30 Janet Worthington

Jan-13 Barbara Miller Jan-02 Shirley Harrison

5825 Glenwood

P.O. Box 140104

Boise, Idaho 83714

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® OF BOISE

We’re on the Web!

boise.assistanceleague.org

Find us on Facebook©

Philanthropic Center contacts for

January 2016

Robin Baker 995-4963 (c)

Alice Buehler 908-3775 (c)