JLMC History

1992-1993
Beth Conway, Kim DeMeulemeester and Suzanne Karr, who met with an AJLI representative before asking 22 other
women to join them in officially chartering the organization, began the Junior Service League of Martin County, Inc. in the
spring of 1992. The 1992-1993 League years were devoted primarily to organizing and educating members. Bylaws were
adopted and members were informed about the mission and accomplishments of Junior Leagues.

Twenty-two women joined the Provisional class. Members were polled by Community Research, selected "Family
Preservation" as our focus area and voted to research and produce a Community Resource and Teen Guide as the first
community project. Community Placement opportunities were offered at Hibiscus House and at the ESE Program at
Martin County High School. Members voted to produce and sell note cards by local artists for our first community
fundraiser. A Halloween Party at Snug Harbor Clubhouse was the first In-League fundraiser and raised $518. The year
ended on a very positive note with the receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Children's Services Council to support the
publication of the Community Resource Guide.

1993-1994
The second year began with a membership of 52 Actives. Junior League Sustainers were invited to join us and
encouraged to lend their support; approximately 15 Sustainer members were added. The Sustainer Committee held a
Welcoming Tea for the Provisionals and their sponsors. With "Family Preservation" reaffirmed as the focus area, all
Actives served dual placements this year (in-league and community). For community placement, all members served on
the Resource Guide Committee in some capacity. The community fundraiser, the sale of local artists' note cards, raised
more than $4,000. A Road Rally was held as the In-League fundraiser. The Provisional class consisted of 25 members
who chose to sponsor a "shower" to supply clothing and other needed items for mothers and children at Safe Space.

1994-1995
The League neared its goal of one hundred members as more than 20 Sustainers and 31 Provisionals joined 60 Actives.
The Sustainers again held a Welcoming social for the Provisionals and their sponsors. The highlight of the year was the
completion and distribution of 14,000 copies of the Community Resource Guide, "Pathways," and the "Teen Yellow
Pages." In addition, this year's community project provided more than 300 toiletry baskets containing basic necessities
for Safe Space. Provisionals donated clothing, etc., to a program of migrant children in Indiantown. The note card
fundraiser raised in excess of $4,600 for the Community Trust Fund, while In-League funds were supplemented by the
profits from a Miniature Golf Tournament and Party at Golf World 76. A concerted effort by the Public Relations
Committee resulted in several successful media treatments of our league.

2001-2002
A new committee was formed, Community Project Review (CPR), to help evaluate potential community projects. Mothers
and Infants for Success (MISS) had their pantry stocked each month and a playground built. MISS housing received new
flooring, the building was pressure washed and given a fresh coat of paint. A project entitled Great Smiles provided
goodie bags and dental hygiene instructions in English and Spanish to children and their parents in Indiantown. There
were several Done In A Day Projects. The Treasure Coast Children's Museum (TCCM) will be a children's museum for
ages 2-12. We agreed to a two-year commitment to help promote the museum. We had two board members and
volunteers work at various festivals. TCCM used our 501c3 status until they received their own. Two individuals were sent
to A Youth Museum conference. We built exhibits to promote the project. We participated in the Soroptimist Holiday
Parade. The second Golfers Diehard Marathon brought in $5,000. The Pineapple Ball and Auction brought in $29,000 and
was held at Mariner Sands. The Members in Training Class held an Antique Appraisal Workshop as a fundraiser and
raised $1,000. Community Research Committee held its first Community Outreach Breakfast with 30 not for profit
organizations in attendance to learn about the Junior League and to solicit input for project opportunities.

2005-2006
Fall 2005 brought the commencement of the JLMC year and our annual Leadership Retreat. At the retreat in Snug
Harbor, we reviewed the nuts and bolts of the League's rules and mapped out our work on the Strategic Plan.

After voting in four projects in May, our members got right to work over the summer and throughout the year. The MIT
class of 30 was impressive; they joined in on our projects and fundraisers like professionals.