On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management Team, Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month! We appreciate everything you all contribute to help JLPB improve our community as we advance the leadership skills of our volunteers. This year, you have helped us serve the community in meaningful ways by constructing little libraries that give children access to books, helping our partners carry out their missions by providing access to education, and participating in League operations that are crucial to advancing women as civic leaders in Palm Beach County. As we draw closer to the end of the year, I have a few updates that I want to share with you all as they will impact your continued service and hopefully result in optimization of our future operations.

The Board of Directors has approved the creation of a Sustainer Council within the Management Team, which will allow the Sustainers to be more meaningfully engaged in League operations and strategic decision making throughout the year. The Nominating Committee will be circulating forms for self-nominations for Sustainer Vice-President in the near future so that candidates may be interviewed and elected at the beginning of our next League year. We feel this is a very exciting development that will improve our operations and membership engagement. If you have any questions about this new role, please reach out to nominating@jlpb.org. Updated governance policies and job descriptions will also be made available shortly.

We have several exciting finance related updates for you all too. As you may recall, the Board set a goal at the beginning of the year to hire a part time office manager and bookkeeper. Unfortunately we interviewed many wonderful candidates, but were unable to find someone to fill that role. As a result, JLPB has retained the services of a remote bookkeeper who works directly with the Treasurer and Treasurer-elect to maintain our day to day accounting and reimbursement processes. I am biased, but I think this may be one of the best decisions the Board has made this year as it has significantly alleviated the stress and time-consuming duties of those on the Finance Council. Our Endowment Fund has officially been fully transferred to Northern Trust as well and we look forward to pioneering a new partnership with their team.

Just a friendly reminder that tickets and sponsorships remain available for May Dinner, on May 21, 2024 at the Pelican Club. A ticket includes plated dinner, open bar and other exciting surprises! Please join us, with Past President and Honorary Chair, Laura Russell, to celebrate our many accomplishments this year. We look forward to celebrating the wonderful work we have done in the community together. This event is open to everyone and we welcome all to attend. Buy your ticket today before they sell out!

During this event, we will not only celebrate our contributions as a League to the community, but will also recognize some outstanding members for their wonderful work on behalf of JLPB. We are currently accepting nominations for these awards so please consider submitting recommendations for nominees you know made a positive impact here this year. You can submit nominations through this form until May 1st.

As always, if you have any questions or wish to share feedback with me, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued membership and support of JLPB. I hope to see you at May Dinner next month and hope those of you who attended events like our Sip & Shop at Hill House, Meet Me at the Mezzanine with the Palm Beach Symphony, and the Placement Fair at our April General Membership Meeting have enjoyed yourselves.