One of my favorite quotes comes from a little girl, many, many years ago. She was in a life altering situation and someone volunteered to help her and her family. With the wisdom of a child, she proclaimed, ‘How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world."

We all know that child was Anne Frank and I think truer words have never been spoken and these simple words are why I stand here today, a proud member and leader of an organization dedicated to encouraging its members to not wait a single moment to improve the world through volunteerism.

Our club has come a long way in the last 76 years. From the beginning when a dedicated group of women stood together to address the civic, social and cultural needs of our community to the equally as dedicated and empowered group of women who lead community projects, the members who work diligently to fundraise and recruit new members and the board, who step up and take the leadership reigns to make sure the work gets done.. We have come a long way, baby. we have had our challenges, seen our share of woes, persevered and continued on with one singular goal in the forefront of our hearts and minds: we can make the world a better place through the gift of our time.

If I had to bring everything into focus for the upcoming year and narrow it all down to a single word, that word would be compassion. It is the quintessential quality of a volunteer and it is the quality that allows us to do what we do.

If we are to honor our rich history of the privilege of volunteerism at all, we are to do it by promoting the most deeply felt emotion of all humankind, compassion. In fact, developing and strengthening the qualities of courage, empathy and the habit of helping, that is latent in all of us and is the very cornerstone of what The League is all about.

This capacity to care is what the league means to me. I work in a job where I see people at some of the lowest points in their lives. And in this economy, that has meant many more people who could just as easily be me or you. But through my work alongside all of you, I see people at their very best, too. I am honored to be a part of such a compassionate and dedicated group of women and their families. It does indeed take a village and it takes time and commitment. And it takes heart to do what all of us do. It takes courage to care and to turn that caring into action. And as we look back over our history, we can know that our actions are making a difference. Our projects, past and present speak volumes to the depth of the spirit of volunteerism of the league. The Willich Kids Bridge Family Visitation Center, The St. Augustine Lighthouse, our Lightner East Project , Done in a Day and most recently the Wounded Warrior Project are all programs that affected the lives of so many within our community. They have all been made possible because of the work we do together and our commitment to take a young Anne Frank’s words to heart and to not wait a single moment to improve our world.

We can start by continuing our work with Kids Bridge and helping them to become self-sufficient. Further our work within the areas of historical preservation and rehabilitation; inspire the membership to take a new and challenging long term project and provide volunteer support that will compliment and assist in improving the social, economic, cultural, educational and civic conditions in our county.

I admit. I have some lofty goals. And as is true of every incoming president, I have some big shoes to fill. Holly has done an incredible job this past year. She has, as each president before her, taken the league to new heights and expanded our reach ever more than in years past. My main goal is to continue to honor the legacy of the all of the women who have come before me by doing the very best that I can. Our rich history demands nothing less.

But I also want to challenge, each and every one of you who are a part of this wonderful organization. I know you are all so rich in spirit and so generous in your hearts. I ask each of you to dig just a little deeper, give one more hour than you thought you could, take on another project when you think you can’t and go the extra mile… when you can. And in the example set for us by the Good Samaritan, my promise to you this year as President, is that I will go the extra mile…. Occasionally. I will give someone a hand.. when I can.. I will take my share of civic responsibilities.. When I can manage it and when we put it all together…we can look back and say.. We improved our world!

I’d like to leave you with another favorite quote: a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.

Sincerely,

Ellen S. Walden-Gillis, President 2011