About Our Chapter
NCL, Inc., Cherry Blossom Chapter is a group of mothers and daughters who have come together in a commitment to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.
Members shall reside in or attend school in Fairfax County, and the surrounding area, including the District of Columbia area. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Cherry Blossom aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.
NCL, Inc., Cherry Blossom Chapter is a 501c (3) organization committed to empowering women in making an IMPACT in our local community and in the lives of our members. Through our variety of age-appropriate and meaningful meeting and event programming, leadership, and service opportunities, our mothers and daughters in grades 7-12 become equipped to carry out NCL’s mission, vision and core values.
Community Service
As our mission states, the Cherry Blossom Chapter is a philanthropic organization committed to community service. Our chapter actively supports our local community as well as national initiatives. From June 1 2021 – May 31, 2022, our Chapter volunteered 6,845 hours with our partner philanthropies.
The dedicated and valuable service by our Chapter has earned prestigious community service awards. The U.S. House of Representatives awarded the Chapter the 2010 Shelter House, Inc. Volunteer Award. In 2014, the Chapter was bestowed the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Award in the Youth Volunteer Group category, and in 2017 we received the Women Giving Back Group Volunteer Award from our partner philanthropy, Women Giving Back.
We work with the following philanthropies:
ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Alzheimer’s Association
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
Best Buddies Capital Region
Children’s Science Center
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Kids Run
Disaster Response
Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV)
Fairfax County Park Authority
Food for Others
Habitat for Humanity of Northern VA ReStores
Honor Flight Capital Region
HOPE in Northern Virginia, Inc.
Katherine Hanley Family Shelter
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, Inc.
Northern Virginia Family Service
Operation Gratitude
Operation Homefront
She Believes In Me
Special Olympics Virginia (SOVA)
Transfer Hours
Wolf Trap Foundation
Women Giving Back
Wreaths Across America
Leadership
We build capable, courageous leaders through opportunities to learn, reflect and develop. Our leaders become successful in their education, career and communities by learning the necessary skills during their NCL experience.
Our Chapter Board of Directors:
President: Chantel Shelton
President Elect: Uzma Geloo
Secretary: Alison Mills
Treasurer: Jennifer Dell’Orto
Parliamentarian: Marilyn Vadon
Vice President Communications: Ann OMalley
Vice President Membership: Katherine Lonnett
Vice President Philanthropy: Elaine Dolan
Vice President New Members: Bhavna Dave
Vice President Ticktockers: Elizabeth Gleason
Sustainer Liaison:H eather Lim
Vice President Chapter Engagement and Inclusion: SallyJean Penna
Our programs assist Ticktockers in building and maximizing their potential to be confident role models by embracing “who they are” which empowers their personal sense of purpose, and increases their ability to be more effective advocates for others.
The leadership development opportunities afforded to members through their NCL Experience six-year curriculum provide foundational knowledge and tools to improve life skills and leadership such as:
Conducting Meetings, Organizational Management, Time Management, Parliamentary Procedures, Consensus Building, Following a Budget, Team Building, Health and Fitness, Conflict Resolution, Event Planning, Public Speaking and Effective Communication
Cultural Experiences
We preserve National Charity League traditions and core values, while appreciating the growth that comes from connecting with different communities and cultures. We continually strive to build stronger ties with our communities and the individuals within them. It is through this understanding that we grow and develop broader worldviews that will shape and support our lives.
Traditions – We celebrate the richness of our history through traditions that honor the past while serving the future.
Values – We embrace values that make us strong as an organization of mother-daughter leaders.
Community Connections – We build connections through experiences that impact our communities.
Etiquette – We encourage and mentor kind, respectful and gracious social conduct.
NCL, Inc., creates an environment that nurtures positive identity by recognizing and appreciating the value of differences in each other and the world. Exposure to culturally diverse peoples and events broadens perspective, promotes awareness and teaches cultural sensitivity.
Cultural values and traditions shape the NCL, Inc., role and contribution in our communities.
Additionally, some time-honored NCL, Inc., traditions are included in the six-year curriculum which are cultural activities designed to teach members appropriate etiquette, graciousness, self-assuredness in social settings, development of personal and community connections, good manners and respect for others.