Brave New Ending. A President's Message

When we deny our stories, they define us.

When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending. –Brene Brown

The history of the Junior League of Ogden is noteworthy and an important part of our community. It is a history that we in the League are proud to carry. The story of the Junior League of Ogden carries a prestige that draws women to our organization – women who hunger to be a part of something bigger than themselves with a deep desire to leave a lasting impact on our community.

Women in the League were – and are – innovative, passionate, and determined to create programs and organizations that serve the needs of those who call Ogden home. Most of these programs are still in effect today and speak to the leadership and efforts of Junior League women. Through these programs and initiatives, the League has had a profound role in shaping the philanthropic landscape of Ogden.

The last decade brought many challenges to the League. Those challenges include an emerging field of various non-profits, a growing community and evolving membership base, and a shift in issues and values among the current culture. In turn, the Junior League of Ogden has had difficulty in finding our role and footing amidst these changes.

We now face the burden, and opportunity, of finding how the Junior League of Ogden is best suited to serve the larger Ogden community.

In order for us to hone in on where we believe we are strong, it requires two simple values. One, we must be honest in evaluating our current realities as a League – strengths and weaknesses. Two, we all must be willing to change - our projects, our understanding of how to serve our members, and change in how we choose to interact with the larger community.

Change can be hard, but it can also be beautiful when we are courageous enough to evolve within the process. It is time to own our reality and write a ‘brave new ending’ for our season with the League.

We desire to handle this next season with transparency and great care, but with a fierce determination to position the League to serve our women and the Ogden community to the best of our ability. Over this next year, the Board will be leading the League through a renewal process – a reset, if you will. We’ll be evaluating and filtering every project, program, event, and practice in light of our mission. As we use that filter we will hone in on how best to utilize our people, time, and money to best impact Ogden while continuing to develop our women as community and civic leaders. 

Our goal is the legacy and the longevity of the League.

Please reach out with questions, concerns, suggestions, or ideas as we move forward. The legacy of the League is best exemplified in the collaboration of its members - whether active or sustaining. 

Cindy Reinhard 2019-2020 President Junior League of Ogden