Active member of the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington brings strong leadership skills to her new role

Toronto, ON, Canada – July 1, 2011 – The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues today announced that Marion Goard, an actively participating member of the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington, has been named National Coordinator of the CFJL for a two-year term.  She succeeds Deborah Maw, who held the position for the last two years.

Ms. Goard, a member of the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington since 1998, served as League President along with other leadership positions, including Fund Development Chair and Board Secretary.  In her role as President, she was also a Director of the CFJL and recently served on The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc.’s Strategic Roadmap Steering Committee.

“Marion continues in the tradition of strong national coordinators guiding and coordinating the activities of our Canadian Leagues,” said Delly Beekman, President of AJLI.  “Like all of our 292 Leagues in four countries, CFJL’s five member Leagues provide women who are committed to building better communities with the training, programs and support to create lasting community impact.  I also want to thank Deborah Maw for her leadership.”

“Since the first Canadian Junior League was formed in 1911, Junior Leagues in Canada have been creating lasting positive changes across the country,” Ms. Goard said. “As each League focuses primarily on the needs of their local community, Junior Leagues can be credited with implementing changes and improving conditions in almost every sector of our society. With the hundreds of thousands of member volunteer hours and the substantial financial support provided by these Junior Leagues, the impact on our Canadian communities is truly remarkable.”

She added, “In 2011, the Junior Leagues of Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton-Burlington, Toronto and Halifax continue to share a unified goal of improving their communities, developing the potential of women and promoting voluntarism. They are also committed to increasing our presence on the Canadian volunteer scene and within our local communities. And, at a time when many organizations are retrenching, Canadian Junior League members are supporting an international Junior League initiative where bold steps are being taken to ensure a bright future for the organization that has contributed to the development of effective volunteer leaders and meaningful community improvements.”

About The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues
The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues was established more than 30 years ago to serve as the link among Junior Leagues in Canada and represent the unique perspectives and needs of the Canadian Leagues to the Association of Junior Leagues International, as well as to all Canadian external stakeholders. Today, all five Canadian Junior Leagues (Halifax, Toronto, Hamilton-Burlington, Calgary and Edmonton) are tackling several critical issues. To address childhood obesity and create healthier families, members are facilitating healthy eating workshops and cooking classes as well as working with youth to prepare them for a 5 kilometer race. Others are focusing their efforts on improving the educational success of young women affected by poverty, or working with adolescents to educate them on healthy living, developing positive body image and promoting positive self esteem. The Canadian Federation of Junior Leagues facilitates the potential for increased impact through League collaboration and sharing of valuable resources and best practices. For more information, visit http://www.cfjl.org/. 

About The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer, Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, creating demonstrable community impact.

Today, The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) is comprised of more than 155,000 women in 292 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Together, they constitute one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world. 

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