On September 27, The Junior League of Philadelphia hosted a Mingle and Brunch, bringing together first- and second-year members with seasoned leaders for a morning of connection, conversation, and inspiration.
Held at JLP Headquarters, the event welcomed more than 30 attendees who gathered to enjoy bagels and light bites, meaningful conversation, and a warm introduction to the JLP community. The morning opened with remarks from Erin McCahill, Co-Chair of Education and Volunteer Training (EVT), and Le Anne Ahern, Vice President of Membership Development, who highlighted the League’s mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities.
The brunch offered members the chance to get to know one another outside of trainings and volunteer shifts. Emily Forte, Co-Chair of EVT, led the group through a lively icebreaker (“This or That”) that revealed an abundance of beach-goers, dog-lovers, and early risers among those present.
Informal conversations sparked new friendships and helped members begin building the kind of connections that make League work both impactful and fun. We learned that our group included members from Luxembourg and Kazakhstan — and many former band geeks, including JLP President Pam Phojanakong, who played both saxophone and clarinet!
Looking ahead, members can expect a year filled with service, leadership, and learning. The brunch set the stage for deeper engagement, encouraging everyone to explore new ways to get involved and grow within the League. President-Elect Carrie Scheitrum inspired members to “just say yes” and to embrace opportunities outside their comfort zones, recounting her own experience accepting a role as Treasurer despite not having a formal background in finance.
Special thanks to EVT, the Social Committee, and Membership Development for planning such a thoughtful event, and to everyone who attended for bringing their energy, enthusiasm, and spirit of connection.