At a recent Association of Junior Leagues International training session in Philadelphia, Junior League of Little Rock President Tisha Gribble attended a workshop in which a presenter said something that struck a chord with her. The presenter mentioned a study that shows a direct correlation between one’s happiness level and the amount of community service in which that person is involved.
This could explain why Gribble always has a smile on her face. We’ve seen the Little Rock native volunteering at far too many events to count, including serving as chair for some of the JLLR’s largest fundraisers. She has also orchestrated events for Camp Aldersgate, where she works in the development department. Through it all, we’ve never even seen her furrow a brow.
Her positive attitude will serve her well as she takes on her newly appointed role as JLLR president. She’ll preside over meetings, act as a liaison between the league and other entities and coordinate the league’s participation in annual training. And she’ll do all of this while working to inspire social change within the community.
“The real deal is this: the president is the head motivator/cheerleader of the JLLR,” said Gribble, who has a sociology degree. “You answer a gazillion emails a day, field tons of phone calls/texts, laugh a lot and maybe cry a little. However, I haven’t cried yet!”
Gribble, who’s an only child and only grandchild, first got involved with the league in 1999. In no time at all she was chairing Holiday House and other committees, as well as earning awards and recognition and serving on the board of directors.
As president, Gribble’s management strategy is servant leadership. “I want to lead this organization by serving others so that we can accomplish our goals together,” she said. “My hope is to inspire and transform our Junior League culture, climate and direction. I want members to feel connected and to understand how our organization is mission driven, and I want members to feel valued and respected. Most of all, I want our members to have a meaningful experience.”
Gribble has plenty of positive JLLR experiences to share. “I have gotten such great training,” she said. “At Camp Aldersgate, I am in charge of special events. One of the biggest league positions I ever held was Holiday House chair in 2004 and 2007. This is a huge event, and I learned so much about the logistics of setting up an event like this, cultivating donors, working with all of the vendors and decorating for an event. I have to draw on this knowledge when I am planning an event for the camp. I have also made some awesome connections that I frequently call on to help out Camp Aldersgate. So being a member of the JLLR has helped me hone the skills that I use on a daily basis.”
Her hope is that other JLLR members sharpen their leadership and volunteer skills through engagement with the league’s community programs, including SCAT Night Owls and Be Wise Immunize, two of the JLLR’s newest projects.
SCAT Night Owls provides recreational and motivational activities for residents of three downtown retirement centers on two evenings per month, Gribble said. Some of these activities, which are planned and hosted by JLLR volunteers, include games, arts and crafts and social events. “Congruent with JLLR’s mission, the project improves the welfare of senior citizens in central Arkansas. This year alone, SCAT Night Owls expects to impact the lives of more than 60 retirees.”
Be Wise Immunize is a health fair at which children can receive immunizations and hearing, vision, dental and general medical screening services.
Gribble said the league has chosen two areas to focus on this year: school preparedness and health and wellness. “We have already begun to narrow down impact areas under these two issues,” she said. “Issue-based community impact focuses on [our] member development while providing valuable and much-needed community service. Through this process, we will increase our members’ connectivity to our surrounding community and move from ‘vintage to visionary,’ my theme for 2011-2012.”
She’s got a busy year ahead of her, but that’s no worry for Gribble. She’s prepared to tackle it head-on with a smile on her face. “I want the community in which I live to be a better place. Through volunteering with the Junior League, I am able to help improve my community, and it makes me happy.”
Tisha’s Tidbits
• Her signature color is pink, and she drives a white Jeep Wrangler with pink seat covers. A Jeep is the only vehicle she has ever driven. She likes how her hair blows in the wind when she drives with the top down.
• In addition to the Junior League, she’s volunteered for the Clinton School of Public Service, the American Heart Association, Access Schools, The Colon Club, Little Rock Zoo and more.
• She was the producer of “Shotgun Stories,” a film written and directed by longtime friend Jeff Nichols, who is also the writer and director of “Take Shelter,” an official selection for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival & International Critics Week at Cannes 2011 Film Festival.
• She owns a gift shop inside Shoppes at Woodlawn called Tisha’s Interiors. Check it out at Facebook.com/TishasInteriors.