Members use “Superpowers” to Train and Empower Children

 

Emily Fairchild, Monique Fuller, and Jennifer Cutrer from the Junior Auxiliary of Picayune recently attended the area meeting of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA) held in Hattiesburg, MS on October 3.

This year, JA members are being encouraged to focus on their own individual “superpowers” and strengths they bring to the children in their communities. After a summer full of opportunities and membership growth, JA chapters are recharged and encouraged by ideas from speakers, national representatives, and each other. The open network of ideas and communication would make any superhero proud.

“It was a good opportunity to refocus and reenergize going into the holiday season.  That's typically a time of real need in our community.” said member Jennifer Cutrer. The Picayune has 14 active members who dedicated hundreds of community service hours to Picayune and Pearl River County in the 2014-2015 year.

The members in attendance had a variety of open discussion forums and workshops to choose from led by NAJA Board and committee members. Jean Smith Vaughan, Special Assistant Attorney General for the state of Mississippi, spoke on cyberbullying and cyber-crimes against children. Her knowledge base provided relevant material for this growing issue. The Junior Auxiliary of Clinton, MS was there to help and encourage chapters wishing to build or maintain a strong and active Crown Club. These clubs, while under the guidance of the local JA chapter, can incite young women to have a volunteer’s heart at an early age.

There were specific areas of focus for certain officers such as Treasurers, Provisional Trainers, Membership Recruitment, and Presidents. Here chapters were given tools to effectively communicate and facilitate their local projects, ask questions and have a NAJA representative on hand for direct responses, and most effectively, see what is working in other chapters just like theirs and share their ideas to spark some inspiration to take back home and apply.

“NAJA hosts area meetings across the southeast each year to offer these resources and training guides for the organization’s 96 chapters. Area Meetings are a great way for members to get motivated as the new JA year really kicks into full gear as kids head back to school.  Our members can hear inspirational speakers as well as gain new insight into areas of Chapter operation once they have settled into their new roles for the year.  The more members a Chapter can send, the better.  When more members of a Chapter are able to hear the message, the better they can communicate it to the rest of the Chapter and get them motivated to make a bigger difference in the community they serve”,  said Amanda Knauer, NAJA President.

The ladies of Junior Auxiliary are shining examples of positive empowerment and role models for the children in their local communities. Their “superpower” lists are great, and the impact they have reaches many. Together, they work to educate, lead, and cultivate a future for many. Each member joins and truly lives with a servant’s heart believing “Care Today, Character Tomorrow.” NAJA is proud to have the opportunity to provide resources for these efforts.

For more information on Junior Auxiliary of Picayune, visit their website at http://jaofpicayune.wix.com/jaop or on Facebook. For more information on NAJA, visit www.najanet.org.