1989-1990

Theme: Surviving and Thriving in the 90’s

• The Hands On Museum completed its first full year as an official League-initiated project, highlighted by the exciting purchase of Stuffee, a 7-foot anatomically correct doll used to teach third graders about health and nutrition in a fun, interactive way.
• Leadership development flourished, as 13 women successfully completed the Provisional Training Course, and 44 signed up to begin the following year’s Provisional Class.
• To support continued growth and financial stability, the Ways and Means Committee adopted a comprehensive three-year fundraising plan that would be effective from June 1, 1990, through May 1993.  The League also celebrated a significant financial contribution from The Wise Penny thrift store, which turned a profit of over $27,000 to support the Junior League of Saginaw’s mission and programs.

A proud achievement was the third annual Festival of Trees.  Exemplary publicity efforts set new standards and attracted a record-breaking 12,000 attendees over just three days.  The Public Relations team entered the Festival of Trees publicity campaign in AJLI’s Public Relations Contest, showcasing the League’s growing excellence in community outreach and engagement.

Other key updates and appointments further strengthened the organization.  Membership age requirements were revised to better reflect the evolving needs of prospective members.  Gene Bobic, Deborah L. Babcock, Linda Lein Sims, William Avery, and Joan Trinklein were appointed to three-year terms on the Community Advisory Board, offering invaluable guidance and support. Additionally, a Project Development/Funding Task Force was formed to streamline the League’s funding process and shape the future direction of our funding philosophy.

Successful motions from the Nominating/Placement Committee were:

1. Rescission of the Annual Dance Assessment, and
2. Allowance of one elected active member to the Membership Development Committee.

The membership approved grants and volunteers to:

• Association for Retarded Citizens for purchase of coloring books,
• Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault-Midland Shelterhouse,
• East Side Soup Kitchen for food,
• Easter Seals Society,
• Kids on the Block,
• JLS’ Hands on Museum
• Midland County Child Protection Council for adolescent pregnancy publicity,
• Neighborhood House for parenting teens material,
• O.I.C.M.S. for tutorial learning materials,
• Saginaw Community Enrichment Commission for TLC at the Plaza entertainment,
• Teen Challenge to refurbish dormitories,
• Tri-City SER for purchase of paint,
• Ruben Daniels Lifelong Leaming Center for books and supplies for the Young Parents Lending Library

1990-1991

Theme: Sharing Our Vision, Vitality and Involvement

With AJLI’s official approval of our new name, Junior League of Saginaw Value, Inc (JLSV), the League embraced a broader regional identity and a renewed commitment to service.

In leadership development, 22 Provisionals advanced to active membership.  The League voted to support a three-year conditional continuation of The Wise Penny thrift shop, which generated a strong $23,000 profit.  The annual Festival of Trees was moved to the SVSU’s Ryder Center and drew in a record-breaking 12,500 attendees!

This year also saw the launch of the first evening Garden Club and the debut of the spring “Showstopper” Fashion Show, adding creativity and community engagement to our calendar.

Education and outreach remained central. Stuffee presentations reached more than 7,000 students and adults, with many more at Festival of Trees experiencing its health and nutrition message. Kids on the Block continued to raise awareness about disabilities in youth through its fourth impactful year.

JLSV supported vital community initiatives, including the creation of an illustrated coloring book for children at the Shelterhouse in Midland, and a grant to the Midland Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program for educational materials and training. The League also co-sponsored TLC Thursday Lunch Concerts and helped foster early literacy by providing books for families at the Ruben Daniels Lifelong Learning Center.

The membership approved enabling grants for:

• Saginaw Valley Special Needs Vision Clinic,
• Mitten Bay Girl Scouts,
• City Rescue Mission,
• Tri-City Conferences,
• Easter Seals Friends That Care Day Care,
•  Kids on the Block,
• Saginaw Art Museum.

The membership also approved the following community grants for the 1991-1992 League year:

• Saginaw Valley Zoological Society for revitalization of an exhibit
• Hartley Outdoor Education for the Murphy Farmhouse renovation and museum
• Marshall Fredericks Sculpture Gallery
• Saginaw Community Enrichment Commission for the Thursday Lunch and Concert series
• Frankenmuth Historical Museum for the Hands-On Science Fair

1991-1992

Theme: Joint Leadership for a Share Vision

• August of 1991, Stuffee moved to Midland’s Hall of Ideas as a permanent exhibit.
• The membership approved enabling grants for:

• • Christmas in July
  • Midland County Child Protection Council
  • Family & Children’s Service of Midland
  • Child and Family Service of Saginaw County
  • Recordings for Recovery
  • Courthouse Clock Tower
  • Youth Protection Council
  • Saginaw County Probate Court
  • American Red Cross, Midland Chapter
  • Saginaw Public Libraries
  • Delta College

The membership approved the following community grants:

• D.A.R.E., Saginaw Police Department
• Underground Railroad
• Saginaw Art Museum
• Family & Child Services of Midland
• C.A.C. Housepainting Project
• Christmas in July

• The Project Development Committee was directed by
• Community Council to designate a grass-roots agency for a $5,000.00 grant. In March the membership approved Project Development’s recommendation to fund:
• Good Neighbor’s Mission $ 5,000.00
• Festival of Trees V, was another successful event which raised $30,000.00 and boasted an attendance of 10,000 people.
• The Wise Penny raised $23,500.00 for the League. Eight members who donated $1,000.00 of merchandise (or more) to the Wise Penny received 14-carat gold penny charms at the May membership meeting.
• The 1991-92 Provisionals organized the Toy Sale in December ($1,611.00) and Housewares Sale in February ($1,773.00) at the Wise Penny. 19 Provisionals became Active members in May, 1992.
• JLSV held two spring orientations for prospective 1992-93 Provisionals, and 20 new Provisionals attended the May membership meeting
• Public Issues hosted the fall SPAC meeting at Saginaw Valley State University. The committee also participated in Legislative Day in Lansing on March 24, 1992, and later sponsored an environmental project to print and distribute recycling pamphlets. Two committee members attended the Policy Institute Conference in Washington, D.C., on March 4-6
• The Children’s Zoo Project organized a 25th Anniversary Celebration on June 13.
• The Frankenmuth Historical Museum Project organized a summer science exhibit at the Frankenmuth Historical Museum.
• The FYI Committee solicited advertisements to help underwrite the cost of the FYI.
• The Public Relations Committee began work on a slide show to highlight Junior League’s many achievements over the years.

1992-1993

• The word “change” seemed to set the tone for the 1992-93 year.
• The sixth and final Festival of Trees was held at Saginaw Valley State University Ryder Center November 6-8. Proceeds of $44,000.00 were realized.
• A total of $35,000.00 was given in community grants, already highlighted in the previous year’s history.
• The Project Development Committee went on to organize three general membership meetings on Children, Health, and Education through a series of panel discussions to educate members on community needs.
• The Wise Penny turned over a profit of $15,000.00 to the Junior League.
• The 1992-93 Provisionals organized the Toys & Trims Sale ($2,600.00) in December, and the Housewares Sale ($2,000.00) in February at the Wise Penny. Provisionals also participated in the Giving Tree hallway at Festival of Trees. Starting with a class of 20, 14 Provisionals became Active by March, 1993.
• The Membership Development Committee hosted two orientations in March for prospective members. 20 new Provisionals accepted membership into JLSV.
• A total of four delegates were sent to the Organizational Development Institutes on Focusing and the Goal-Centered Approach in September and May.
• The Public Issues Committee researched and proposed that the JLSV participate in the” Adopt-A-Highway” program, which the membership accepted. A site is yet to be determined..
• Lucille Beuthin, David Hall, Maggie Rossiter and James Royle accepted three-year terms on the JLSV Community Advisory Board.
• Emeritus membership was established whereby any Sustaining member who has reached the age of 80 years can elect to no longer have a dues requirement to Junior League.

1993-1994

Theme: Cherishing the Past, Cultivating the Present, and Creating the Future.

• Lyle Kleman, Charles Braddock, John Fallon and Judge Terry Clark accepted three-year terms on the Community Advisory Board this year.
• The Community Project for the year was the relocation of the Wise Penny Thrift Shop with JLSV Headquarters at 114 South Hamilton. Done-ln-A-Day projects included, Public Issues’ Adopt-A-Highway project; Children’s Book Drive for Midwest flood victims; Food for
• Families Done-ln-A-Day -10 bags of groceries given to the SAMS Food pantry at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Midland, $31.00 sent to Saginaw Salvation Army Pantry, and Created for Caring Pantry in Bay City received 4 boxes and 1 bag of items.
• The Board of Directors reviewed Enabling Fund grant requests and approved $1,000.00 for the following: $200.00 for the Saginaw County Probate Court Juvenile Division Recognition Dinner and Awards ceremony; $500.00 for Delta College Women’s History Month; $50.00 for Saginaw County Spelling Bee; and $250.00 for Hoyt Public Library for a renovation project.
• The monthly newsletter was renamed the Informer and made its debut in March, 1994
• The newly formed Cross-Functional Team is a membership driven committee composed of a cross section of JLSV members charged with leading the focusing process. The focusing narrowed after discussions at October, November and January General Membership meetings when Children’s Education received the highest number of votes.
• The Membership Development Committee provided a wide variety of group interactive activities to foster friendship.
• 23 women will begin next year’s provisional course.
• The 60th Anniversary Project was the “Are You OK?” telephone reassurance program. A donation of $7,000.00 established this free service to senior citizens in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland.
• JLSV Public Issues representatives attended the “For the People” conference in Washington, D.C. February 1994, Joint Legislative Day in Lansing, MI, and all SPAC meetings. The fall and spring Adopt-A- Highway pickups on 1-675 were highly successful.
• In-League training was sponsored by ETMM. The April workshops included, “Turn Your Dream Vacation Into a Reality, by Dave Oppermann; “Child First Aid”, by American Red Cross; “Creative Thinking”, with Carol Coppage; and “Interior Decorating”, featuring Jennifer Kamrath and Feiges.
• A Wise Penny Task Force recommended relocating the Thrift Shop to 114 South Hamilton.

1994-1995

• The theme of the 1994-95 year was “JLSV -A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN”.
• The President established a restricted endowment fund under the Saginaw Community Foundation on November 16, 1994. The first donation was made in December, 1994.
• The Board of Directors appointed a Bylaws Task Force.
• The Board of Directors appointed a Ways & Means Committee; fundraising ideas were identified.
• The Board of Directors approved Enabling Grant requests for the following: Saginaw County Spelling Bee -$100.00; Saginaw Township Schools French American Exchange Program -$100.00;
• Midland Mills Elementary School Accelerated Reader Program -$100.00.
• League members took advantage of the following training
• offered: Birkman Leadership Styles -Board of Directors; AJLI Tier III Leadership Training for Presidents -Lori Reetz; AJLI Tier I & II Leadership Training for President Elects -Vanessa Harris; Resources available at JLSV headquarters -membership; Leadership Styles – membership; 1995 Annual Conference and Leadership Training – Vanessa Harris.

1995-1996

• JLSV began a collaborative effort with the Saginaw County United Way and the Voluntary Action Center on the Success By Six Program.
• In conjunction with the Saginaw Art Museum, JLSV Sustainers coordinated a successful Festival of Trees, raising $16,000.00 for the museum’s Art Goes to School Program and JLSV’s Success By Six Program.
• The Provisional class held another successful Toy Sale, raising $1,500.00.
• The Program Committee provided presentations by Carolyn Cummings, Early Childhood Consultant, Pari Michalski, Health Program Manager for the Saginaw Public Schools, and Diane Swisher, Program Coordinator for Healthy Start, regarding current programs available for parents and their young children.
• A Casino Night fundraiser was held, raising approximately $4,000.00. A Silent Auction was held at the April membership meeting and raised $1 ,091.00 for the League.
• A restructuring of the League’s administration, streamlining the Board of Directors, was adopted.

1996-1997

• The theme for the 1996-1997 League year was “Building our League to Build Our Community”
• After 58 years of service to the community, the Wise Penny Thrift Shop closed its doors.
• JLSV Sustainers coordinated a second successful Festival of Trees with the Saginaw Art Museum, raising $18,376.00. Proceeds were distributed as follows: $6,100.00 to JLSV, $6,100.00 to the Saginaw Art Museum, $3,000.00 to the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and $3,000.00 to the First Ward Community Center.
• The Provisional class and the Membership Committee held its annual Toys & Trims Sale in collaboration with the First Ward Community Center, raising $660.00.
• The Board of Directors approved Enabling Grant requests for the following: Saginaw County Spelling Bee-$100.00; Miss Saginaw County Scholarship Pageant-$100.00.
• The membership adopted Festival of Trees as JLSV’s primary fundraiser for 1997-98.
• League members took advantage of the following training: President/President-Elect’s Conference, Toronto -Peggy Lotridge; Organizational Development Institute, Rochester, New York -Mary Beth Burns and Amanda Kitterman; President-Elect’s Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma -Peggy Lotridge; Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia- Peggy Lotridge and Cindy Morley.
• A Silent Auction was held at the April membership meeting and raised $1 ,500.00 for the League.
• The Immunization Program, sponsored by the Program Committee, was very successful; 150 children were immunized at the clinic held May 1-3.

1997-1998

• The theme for the 1997-1998 League year was”Beautiful Flowers”
• JLSV won the AJLI Membership Development Award.
• JLSV Actives sponsored Festival of Trees with the Saginaw Art Museum, raising $16,000.00. Proceeds were distributed as follows: $10,000.00 to JLSV, $5,000.00 to the Saginaw Art Museum, $1,000.00 to the Underground Railroad.
• The Provisional class and the Membership Committee held a raffle during FOT, raising $1,000.00.
• The Board of Directors approved Enabling Grant requests for the following: Saginaw County Spelling Bee-$100.00; Sidelines (Crisis Pregnancy) -$150.00.
• The membership adopted Festival of Trees and Silent Auction as JLSV’s primary fundraiser for 1998-99.
• League members took advantage of the following training: PresidentlPresident-Elect’s Conference, Washington, DC – Cindy Morley; Organizational Development Institute, Toronto & Boston -Karin Hennings and Katie Currie; Annual Conference, Orlando, FL -Colleen Lowry and Cindy Morley.
• Two Sustainer activities were held. Approximately 40 Sustainers attended the Sustainer dinner held in October at the Saginaw Country Club. Gold Rose Awards were presented on April 16, 1998, at the Spring gathering when the 1997-98 Gold Rose Awards were presented to Ethel O’Neill and Margaret Lennon.
• A Silent Auction was held at the April membership meeting and raised $1,500.00 for the League.
• The Christmas Stocking Donations, Immunization Program and Adopt-A-Highway Clean-up, sponsored by the Program Committee, was very successful.
• JLSV purchased a Rounding Board for the Saginaw Zoo Carousel with donations from the Membership, $3,000.00 and $500.00 from the Program Committee.

1998-1999

• The theme for the year was “A Community of Angels Serving Others”.
• JLSV Actives sponsored Festival of Trees raising over $12,000. A $10,000 donation was given to the Saginaw Rescue Mission from the proceeds.
• Active Membership increased to 50.
• The membership adopted Festival of Trees and Silent Auction as JLSV’s primary fundraisers for 1999-2000.
• Gold Rose Awards were presented in April, at the Spring Sustainer gathering to Janet Stringer and Linda Fettig.
• A Silent Auction was held at the April general membership meeting and raised $1,500 for the League.
• .JLSV adopted a 75% meeting attendance requirement for Active Membership.