Welcome to the start of the 2022-2023 League Year! It is an honor to serve as your President and I’m thrilled to extend a warm and inviting Junior League of Fort Myers (JLFM) welcome to all as we start this new league year.

Since our founding in 1966, JLFM has had a tremendous impact within Southwest Florida (SWFL) through our legacy of community impact through dedicated service from the action and leadership of trained volunteers. For over more than 50 years, the members of the JLFM have initiated collaborations, coalitions, partnership, and programs that have effectively responded to and served our community’s needs with courage and commitment. Over the years, our efforts have benefitted many Projects and Community Partners including Teen Court, The Women’s Resource Center, Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Ronald McDonald House, Our Mother’s Home, the Dept of Juvenile Justice, and many others. It is with great pride that we’ve worked to better our community.

Over the years, many women have laid the foundation for our organization’s longest-lasting and best-loved projects and institutions. The development and training of these women into civic leaders has led many to a lifetime of civic service. With many serving on non-profit boards and coalitions throughout our community, the results of the League’s training and development programs over the years are easily witnessed.

The past few years have presented us with unprecedented and unexpected challenges. Despite this, our League has been resilient. It has adapted and shown the strength to continue onwards no matter what. Therefore, it is with hope and excitement that we now embrace the promise that this new League year will bring. 

While there is much work ahead of us, we are proud of our accomplishments this past year. We have transitioned to a virtual environment for events, begun new programming for our community impact work, initiated a new community focus of Women and Children’s Mental Health, and assembled a task force to advance Diversity and Inclusion within our League.  I want to extend my thanks to all members for their continued support and dedication during such a challenging year.

As we lean into this new year, we will direct our focus to stabilizing our League for future growth. We will concentrate on key League needs to facilitate strength and resiliency for our membership, finances, community impact, brand, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Our commitment to the JLFM mission, vision, values and focus will guide us. We will rise together….we will be better together!

Natalie Reckard

President, 2022-2023