Hello! I am Michelle Chenault and it is my honor to be President for the 2010-2011 League year. There are so many positive reasons to be a Junior League member today so I would like to take a moment and tell you why I joined the Junior League:  

1. Commitment: Membership in this organization requires a commitment to the principle of volunteerism as well as to your community.  As Amy so eloquently explained, the friendships and love within this organization is priceless and I look forward to developing more lifelong friendships in the coming year.  With over 170,000 members and 294 Leagues across our nation, our  League stands tall among leaders nationwide who hold firm to the belief in improving one’s community.  The Jr. League of Clearwater-Dunedin shares this commitment to improve its community evident in its rich history of community projects. 

2. Training: Recognizing the positive effect that skilled volunteers have on the process of community living, the Junior League offers a unique approach to service through its distinctive training process. Attending conferences, ODI’s and now our League is hosting the upcoming Area III conference in June, 2010 is a special event and an honor indeed. 

The Jr. League of Clearwater Dunedin is the 221^st member of our parent organization, AJLI, who share the values of Commitment and Training. How have these two values impacted my Junior League history?  

My Junior League history began when my youngest son was born, 8 years ago. Only 2 weeks old, and still nursing every 2 hours, I drove around the corner to my first salad supper with a neighbor – and felt the welcoming embrace of women who shared a common purpose. I wasn’t sure I could manage it with a new born, but I joined.  Over the following years, I lived the commitment through the joy I received performing countless puppet shows for elementary kids, collecting my “magic 10” silent auction items for our annual fund raisers, and receiving valuable training on how to update our “new” website . . . which then motivated me to update our newsletters, and by that point, why not go all the way and learn how to update the Red Book too! Thank you Becky for so many years of joy working on these projects only a couple years ago.  Co-Chairing last year’s Casino Night event was a fun –filled night for everyone and it seemed to bring my League work full cycle because 7 years earlier I had Co-Chaired the Provisional event called “Breezing by the Bay” in my Provisional year.  

Reflecting on our history is a great way to learn and grow as an individual, so I’d like to share a brief inspirational part of my family history that not only inspires me, but also stands as a constant reminder to be the best I can be and never ever give up. 

How do you define your history?

Growing up in Tennessee, I heard many war stories about my relative, a man named General Claire Chennault (2^nd “n” added ) from WWII era. After serving nearly 20 years in the US Air Force, the then Captain Chennault retired in 1937 only to fly the very next day to China to accept a civilian position training Chinese pilots. Chennault developed a deep passion to assist the Chinese people against unfair Japanese aggression of the time.  Chennault requested  U.S.  Air assistance, to help against the Japanese, but Franklin D. Roosevelt and the US Government were not in a position to enter the war (pre-WWII) effort at that time. Rather than give up and return home as most of us probably would have done, in 1938 Chennault decided to create the  “1^st American Volunteer Group “for pilots to voluntarily fly personal missions against the Japanese bombers.  The AVG group adopted the nickname “Flying Tigers” and quickly grew in numbers with Chennault recruiting his earlier acrobatic flying friends and enlistees. These were volunteer pilots risking their lives to help a foreign country.  The Flying Tigers, protected the Chinese people and saved countless lives in amazing acts of heroism and flying expertise. Two years later, iIn 1940, Chennault was able to persuade the US Army to send in American aircrafts but the first aircrafts did not arrive until early 1941, only months before the US officially entered WW2, in December 1941, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After the US officially entered the War, Chennault’s “Flying Tigers” continued to fight against the Japanese as an independent “volunteer “ entity for another six months! An older version of the popular storyline, Iron Man.  In 1942, The “Flying Tigers” were absorbed into the US 14^th Air Force where Chennault continued to command until he retired again in 1946. He was honored on the cover of Life Magazine in August, 1942 and Time Magazine in December, 1943.  

When any of us face daunting challenges, either at home, or in our community, we have to remember to be strong, keep the faith and do the best you can. My family’s history teaches me perseverance, don’t lose sight of the mission,  and love for my fellow man. Look back at your own history and find the strength from those who walked before you. I am sure General Chennault and the men of the “Flying Tigers” wondered if they would live another day to protect China, a country that was not their homeland. But they stayed focused on the mission to help the Chinese families who were not  their own-- just as the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin stays focused on its mission in helping foster children and families that are also not our own.  To me it is all the same.

We may not be military war heroes but we are certainly heroes of the same kind! The Junior League of Clearwater Dunedin is reaching out to help foster children because we see a need to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.... and just like the “Flying Tigers” we are helping because we truly care about people,  all people –  even those that are not our own. I salute each and every one of your for your commitment and dedication to the JLCD mission.  

I am excited about our future this year together in the League. I look forward to the upcoming days of laughter and smiles as we “Fly together” at our Summer Salad Suppers, (one will be at my house and I invite all of you to come on July 14), Back to School supplies drives, Art Harvest and our Foster Teen Training Center developments all year! 

As the President, I believe that a strong Membership is the Key to Great Community Impact!

As outlined in “Servant as Leader”, by Robert Greenleaf , presented by AJLI ‘s Vicki Clark last Fall,  the following 8 qualities can be applied to every aspect of our organization – as the League leads the Foster Care initiative or as you lead your individual Committee work. The following 8 qualities will serve as our year’s monthly theme and will hopefully stand as a reminder of Servant Leadership qualities:  

1. September:  Listening

2. October:  Conceptualization

3. November:  Empathy

4. December:   Healing

5. January:  Stewardship

6. February:  Growth

7. March:  Nurturing the Spirit - JOY!

8. April:  Foresight

So, with your history as your foundation, and these 8 principles as your guide, I believe that by next May, the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin  will be an even stronger: “Membership: Building Great Community Impact”

Thank you for the honor to serve as your President and God Bless.