APRIL UPDATES

The Leadership Link - April 27, 2025

Good evening everyone! I am filling in for Julius this for this week’s update, and I have a few things to share:

Projects

Owl Enclosure

The teams that worked on the owl enclosure this weekend made some great strides toward project completion! There are more opportunities to help out next weekend: May 3 from 9-1 and 1-5, and May 4 from 1-5.

You can sign up for next weekend here.

Organizing Day

Once the owl enclosure is complete, we’ll be assembling a small group to do some shed organization at CWC. I know some of us are excited about spring cleaning, so I’ll be putting out a poll soon for availability. Keep an eye out!

Bags, Beers, and Braggin Rights

Promotion

Per Kelli:

If sharing on social media, use the flyer without the QR code (attached, ends with .PNG) and include our Eventbrite link: LLC's Class of 2025 Cornhole Tournament Tickets, Sat, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
(thanks to Holly for creating!)
For printing a flyer, please use the version with the QR code (attached, ends with .PDF). The code links to our Eventbrite.

Please look out for a post from the official Leadership Lexington County Facebook and Instagram if you’d like to share that way.

Sponsorships

The sponsorship PDF is also attached here. We are soliciting one sponsor each for Title Sponsor, Food Sponsor, Music Sponsor, Beverage Sponsor, and Field Sponsor (already secured, thanks Kim!). We would like to have multiple Board Sponsors. Please communicate any sponsorship sales to Gabe, who will be tracking them.

Teams

Jason has kindly “salted the tip jar,” so to speak, by purchasing the first two tickets for the event! The goal is to have 20 or more teams at $100 per team or $50 per person.

Miscellaneous

Per Danyelle, insurance for the tournament has been paid.

Because there are many moving parts, if you have any questions and you’re not sure who it goes to, please reach out to Gabe and he’ll point you in the right direction.

Thank you to everyone who has put so much effort into making this event a success. Let’s pull out all the stops to get sponsors and teams secured these next few weeks!

Housekeeping

Don’t forget to put the next monthly virtual check-in on your calendar: May 14 from 11:00 to 11:30 AM.
All civic events and volunteer hours can be submitted here. If you’d like to know what you have completed so far, please respond to this email and I can give you an update.
Curious about where we stand as a group? Group hour and fundraising counts are being updated regularly here.

Thanks everyone, and I hope you have a great week!

Warmly,

Lindsey Woolley

April 20, 2025 - Leadership Link

Leading with Purpose: Civic Engagement in Action

Our partnership with the Carolina Wildlife Center (CWC) reflects a core belief: true leadership begins with service. Civic engagement isn’t just about giving back—it’s about stepping up to create meaningful, lasting change.

CWC’s Mission in Motion:

Rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife
Inspiring environmental stewardship through public education

From every hour volunteered to each conversation sparked, we’re not just supporting a cause—we’re shaping a more compassionate and sustainable community. This work isn’t simply service. It’s leadership in motion.

Let The Leadership Link be your reminder to show up boldly: lead with heart, protect what matters, and engage with purpose.

🔗 www.carolinawildlifecenter.org

Teamwork in Motion: Embracing the Stages of Growth

As we continue working toward our shared goals, it’s clear we’re moving through the natural stages of team development—forming, storming, norming, and performing. The recent conversations and decisions around fundraising reflect the storming stage—where differing perspectives surface. But by clarifying direction and adjusting how we operate, we’re beginning to norm—establishing shared understanding, boundaries, and trust.

This clarity positions us to perform at a higher level in the months ahead, staying focused on impact while strengthening our collaboration. Let’s keep leaning in, communicating openly, and growing together.

Project Update: Month 3 - Gaining Momentum

Owl Enclosure Expansion

Demolition of the two smaller habitats is now complete, and construction of the new, higher-capacity owl enclosure is underway—on track for completion by within the next few weeks. Update forthcoming from Bobby.

New Storage Facility
Looking ahead, our next big milestone is securing $20,000 to construct a much-needed storage facility.

Fundraising Progress Update

Egg Hunt

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our peers who volunteered across multiple communities this past weekend. We’ll share the total amount raised during our upcoming LLC day.

Cornhole Tournament – Save the Date!
Our Cornhole Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at Irmo Community Park. More details to come.

Donations Update

Donation Totals to Date

In-Kind: $3,586.35
Cash (Bank Account Balance): $3,019.63
Total: $6,630.98

Please note: the donation tracker will be updated soon, as Danyelle was out on vacation last week. If you receive any additional Easter Egg funds or in-kind/cash donations, please reach out to her.

As we continue our fundraising efforts, a friendly reminder: all donations—monetary or in-kind—must follow our established documentation process to ensure accurate tracking and tax acknowledgment.

If you secure a donation, send the following details to Danyelle:

Name of Donor
Donation Amount (clearly note if it’s cash or in-kind)
Donor’s Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Team Member who obtained the donation

Once submitted, a donation invoice will be sent to the donor for tax purposes (email preferred, but mailing is an option).

Reminder: Donations directly contribute to your team’s Green Hour totals.

➡️ $1,000 = 1 Green Hour, per our Leadership Secretary, Lindsey Woolley.

Thank you for your continued dedication, transparency, and commitment to maximizing our impact.

Let’s keep the momentum going—and don’t forget to track those Green Hours!

April 24 LLC Day

We’re looking forward to a full and exciting class day Thursday with a behind-the-scenes experience at Riverbanks Zoo, a tour of Sorinex, and wrapping up with the LLC Alumni Happy Hour at Ohara’s!

While time for project work will be brief, we’ll use it intentionally to hear focused updates from each committee. Project chairs come prepared to highlight progress, next steps, and any support needed so we can continue moving forward together with clarity and purpose.

-J. Scott

April 14, 2025 - Sweat Equity Opportunity

Good evening,

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26th. We are hoping to get another big chunk of the owl enclosure done by splitting into teams to work in multiple areas of the owl enclosure. Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A4A72BA3F8C34-56316637-april

Please reach out with any questions.

Best,

Lindsey Woolley

April 13, 2025 - Leadership Link

Leading with Purpose: Civic Engagement in Action

Our partnership with the Carolina Wildlife Center (CWC) is rooted in a powerful truth: civic engagement drives lasting change. Through education, advocacy, and active service, we’re championing a mission that reaches beyond ourselves—one that safeguards wildlife and inspires a deeper connection with the environment.

CWC’s Mission in Motion:

To provide care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife
To cultivate environmental stewardship through public education

Every hour of service, every thoughtful conversation, every act of care—it's all part of something bigger. This is more than volunteerism; it’s leadership in action, paving the way toward a more compassionate and sustainable future.

Let The Leadership Link be your constant reminder: lead with intention, protect what matters, and engage with purpose.

🔗 www.carolinawildlifecenter.org

Project Update: Month 3 and Building Momentum

It is month 3 of our 9-month service window and the progress is both visible and inspiring!

Owl Enclosure Expansion
The demolition of two smaller habitats is now complete, and construction of the new, larger-capacity owl enclosure is on schedule for completion by April 2025.

New Storage Facility
Next on our radar: raising $20,000 to build a much-needed storage facility. Fundraising and construction planning will take place from April through June 2025.

How We’re Making Progress:

Fundraising Progress
- Eggs for Animals has raised $550 to date. Thanks to our peers that have volunteered to make this happen across communitites this weekend.
- Cornhole Tournament is set for Saturday, May 17 at Irmo Community Park:
  - Kim Dennis is handling park permits.
  - Jason King is coordinating with the Cornhole Tournament Association, providing boards and scorecards.
  - Nikki from Tipsy Toed is recruiting cornhole players from Chapin.
  - April 14 is Jason’s deadline to finalize tournament details.
  - Marketing materials and next steps will be finalized by April 18.
  - Ashton will host a CWC merch table at the event.
Sponsorships
- All sponsorships must be communicated to Ashton and Kelli to avoid duplicate outreach and ensure recognition across platforms.
- Ashton will manage all sponsor acknowledgments (e.g., plaques).

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed sweat equity this past week and weekend. Your hands-on dedication is the engine behind our progress and continues to bring these projects to life.

Let’s stay focused, stay unified, and keep the momentum going—our collective impact is growing stronger every day!

Donations Update

Donation Totals to Date:

In-Kind: $3,586.35
Cash/bank account balance: $3,019.63
Checks: $25.00
Total: $6,630.98

Danyelle will be on vacation next week but will monitor GroupMe. Please continue to update the tracker if you receive any additional Easter Egg funds or in-kind/cash donations.

As we continue our fundraising efforts, please remember that all donations—monetary or in-kind—must follow our established documentation process to ensure accurate tracking and tax acknowledgment.

If you secure a donation, please send the following details to Danyelle:

Name of Donor
Donation Amount (specify cash or in-kind)
Donor’s Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Team Member who obtained the donation

Once submitted, a donation invoice will be sent to the donor for tax purposes (email is preferred, though mail is an option).

As a reminder, donations directly impact your team’s standing:
$1,000 = 1 Green Hour, as laid out by our Leadership Secretary, Lindsey Woolley.

Thank you for helping us maintain transparency and maximize our impact!

Let’s keep the momentum going—and don’t forget to track those green hours!

April 9 Check-In Meeting Recap

We held our first check-in meeting on Wednesday, April 9 with 15 members in attendance. Thank you to everyone who showed up and leaned in! As promised, the meeting was recorded for those unable to attend.

Access the Zoom Recording:

us06web.zoom.us
Password: E?uy4&UN

Let’s keep the momentum going—your time and energy are making a real impact!

Call for Volunteers!

CWC board member Arnie Wodtke needs a few extra hands on Tuesday, April 15 to help install plywood sections in the aviaries. Arnie will handle the bulk of the work—he just needs 2–3 helpers.

Volunteer with Arnie – SignUpGenius

Your support keeps us soaring—thank you!

No Sweat Equity Hours This Weekend

Due to the Easter holiday weekend, no sweat equity hours were scheduled. We hope everyone enjoys time with loved ones.

-J. Scott

April 12, 2025 - Call for Volunteers! 4/15/25

Good afternoon,

One of CWC's board members, Arnie Wodtke, needs some assistance on Tuesday, April 15, putting in the plywood section of the aviaries. Arnie will do the bulk of the work, he just needs 2-3 helpers. Here is the link to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44A4A72BA3F8C34-56262331-assist

Please reach out with any questions.

Best,

Lindsey Woolley

April 11, 2025 - Marketing/Fundraising Call Notes

Good evening,

Kelly, Gabriel, Ashton from CWC, and some members of the fundraising and marketing committees met earlier today about efforts for upcoming events. The notes are available in the class Google Drive. Please reach out with any questions!

Best,

Lindsey Woolley

April 6, 2025 - Leadership Link

Leading with Purpose: Civic Engagement in Action

At the core of our work with the Carolina Wildlife Center (CWC) is a shared belief in the power of civic engagement to create meaningful change. Through education, advocacy, and hands-on involvement, we are advancing a mission that extends far beyond ourselves—one that protects and uplifts the natural world around us.

CWC’s Mission in Action:

Provide care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife
Inspire environmental stewardship through public education

Every hour volunteered, every conversation sparked, and every effort made contributes to a greater purpose. This isn’t just community service—it’s a leadership commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future.

Let The Leadership Link serve as your ongoing reminder: we lead with purpose, we protect what matters, and we show up with intention.

🔗 www.carolinawildlifecenter.org

Project Progress: Month 3 and Gaining Momentum

We are now in month 3 of our 9-month service window (January 31 – October 31, 2025), and real progress is underway!

Owl Enclosure Expansion
Demolition of two smaller habitats is complete, and construction of a larger-capacity owl enclosure remains on track for completion in April 2025.

New Storage Facility
Our next goal is to raise $20,000 to fund the construction of a new storage facility, with fundraising and construction planning for April–June 2025.

How We're Making It Happen:

The Egg Hunt is helping generate community engagement and additional donations.
The Cornhole Tournament on May 17 at Irmo Community Park is a key fundraising event to move us closer and beyond our $20,000 goal.

A Huge Thank You to everyone who contributed sweat equity hours this past week and weekend. Your time, energy, and hands-on commitment are powering our progress and bringing these projects to life. As we look ahead, your continued energy, teamwork, and outreach are vital to bringing both projects to life.

Let’s stay focused, united, and fired up—our impact is only getting stronger!

Budget Tracker: Building Toward $20K

We’re on our way to reaching our goal of $20,000 to fund storage solutions at CWC!

Here’s where we stand:

Funds Raised to Date: $2,280
Goal: $20,000

Every dollar raised brings us closer to making a lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who’s contributed—whether through donations, in-kind support, or your time and energy.

Donation Tracking & Green Hours Reminder

If you secure a donation, please send the following details to Danyelle:

Name of Donor
Donation Amount (specify cash or in-kind)
Donor’s Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Team Member who obtained the donation

Once submitted, a donation invoice will be sent to the donor for tax purposes (email is preferred, though mail is an option).

As a reminder, donations directly impact your team’s standing:
$1,000 = 1 Green Hour, as laid out by our Leadership Secretary, Lindsey Woolley.

Also, for those who helped with in-kind donations for the March Madness giveaway: Danyelle will be sending you a list to help collect any missing donor contact information. Thank you for helping us maintain transparency and maximize our impact!

Let’s keep the momentum going—and don’t forget to track those green hours!

Sweat Equity Opportunities – April 9 & 12

We have two upcoming volunteer workdays at CWC:

Wednesday, April 9
Saturday, April 12

These hands-on days are a great way to contribute directly to our class projects and log sweat equity hours.

📌 Sign-Up Here:
Click to sign up on SignUpGenius

Thank you for continuing to show up, serve, and lead with impact!

Monthly Check-In Reminder: Staying Connected Between LLC Days

We are launching our monthly virtual check-in meetings to help us stay connected, aligned, and moving forward between our in-person LLC Days.

🗓️ When: April 9
🕚 Time: 11:00–11:30 AM
🔗 Zoom Link: Click here to join
(Recordings will be shared for those who can’t attend live.)

Purpose of the Check-In:

Highlight key insights from the monthly report to the LLC board
Share updates from each committee chair or designee
Prepare for the upcoming LLC Day

Meeting Norms:

Focus on ideas
Keep comments constructive and brief
Stay solutions-oriented
Redirect off-topic or personal concerns for follow-up

We look forward to seeing many of you as we continue building momentum together. Thanks for being an essential part of this journey!

Mark Your Calendar: Connection Opportunity This Thursday

Looking to unwind and connect outside of our usual meeting spaces? Don’t forget about the casual gathering happening this Thursday. For all the details, please refer to Kim Dennis’s message in the GroupMe thread.

These moments of connection help strengthen our relationships and keep our momentum going—hope to see many of you there!

Thank You for Showing Up & Making a Difference

A big thank you to the entire cohort for your consistent presence and engagement at recent civic events. Your participation reflects our shared commitment to leadership, service, and community impact.

Friendly Reminder:
Don’t forget to log your sweat equity hours! These hours are vital for tracking our collective contributions and telling the full story of our impact throughout the year.

Let’s keep showing up, supporting each other, and making every hour count!

Staying Aligned: CWC Communications and Clarity

If you have questions related to the Carolina Wildlife Center, Ashton Blume, Director of Development, is available to support our efforts. She can be reached directly at development@carolinawildlife.org.

🔍 Important Reminder:
Before taking any action based on your conversation with Ashton, please inform your committee chair. This helps ensure that the monthly information we share with the LLC Board remains accurate, aligned, and reflective of our collective efforts.

Clear communication keeps us strong and unified—thank you for doing your part!

-J. Scott

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