Dear Council of 101,



February, the month of love, is packed with lovely things for the Council of 101! I’m excited about all of the plans for the special events taking place at the 40th annual Council of 101 spring fundraiser, Art In Bloom (AIB). Attendees can expect to be wowed by the creative floral creations interpreting art and fashion, gorgeous antiques and tabletops, and interesting lifestyle and design speakers.

Mark your calendars for the Thursday, March 23rd Preview Party, an exciting night to be the first to see the show with friends while enjoying gourmet food and cocktails. This fun event, chaired by the Stacey Jennings, our overall AIB Chairman, will be a great reward for all the 101 members who worked so hard bringing this beautiful show to the museum!

Friday the 24th is a special opportunity to meet international designer and author, Amanda Lindroth, and get her book signed while enjoying a champagne brunch with friends before attending her lecture. Her breezy elegant style is perfect inspiration for our Florida homes!

Saturday the 25th Mystery Home Tour is always a treat - touring a stylish local private home. And a VIP champagne breakfast with artist and author Jill Steenhuis is on the agenda for Saturday as well. Jill will also be doing a live painting demonstration and a special pastels workshop on Sunday the 26th. And don’t miss the specially selected antiques dealers, appraisals, the outdoor market and our inviting cafe! 

Important information for ticket purchases through our Council of 101 website is detailed below in the newsletter. While we have a financial obligation which your ticket purchases cover, feel free to exceed that amount and enjoy the full show and all these special events. 

I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Nominating Committee for delivering such a wonderful 2023-24 Council of 101 slate of officers! These nominations will be presented at the February Council of 101 general meeting. Congratulations to all who are nominated!

I look forward to seeing you at the General Membership morning meeting on Thursday, February 23. 

Wishing you all love and happiness this Valentine’s Day!

Linda Cegelis

President

Art in Bloom

We're a little over one month away from kicking off our 40th Annual Springtime Fundraiser!

Postcards have been sent and tickets are available for purchase now by clicking HERE. Please forward the link to friends, family, other organizations, etc and post on your social media pages. You are all our ambassadors for promoting Art in Bloom and we thank you!

Be sure to take a look at our exclusive 101 Member Ticket Package (one ticket package per member) "Bursting In Blooms " which includes our First Look Preview Party, one regular Guest Speaker event, and a tour of our 2023 Mystery Home - all for $200 (and it satisfies our membership obligation!).

2023 Art in Bloom promises to be a fabulous event and we couldn't do it without additional financial support. We hope you'll consider sponsoring an area or making a general donation to ensure our costs are covered. We'll graciously accept any sponsorship and donation in any amount! Two areas of particular need are Fashion in Bloom (3 mannequins in Hubbard Hall to be garbed in faux and dried florals) and Overall Decor. Several Pedestal Sponsorships are still available as well. Please complete a sponsorship form now by clicking HERE

Thank you to all of you fabulous ladies working tirelessly to deliver a beautiful 2023 Art in Bloom!

Stacy Jennings

Chair, Art In Bloom

Membership News

We are off to a great start for our Provisional Class for 2023-24!  Our Mix and Mingle on January 19^th was well attended.  We currently have 9 Provisionals for 2023-24 year. Our second Mix and Mingle is scheduled for Wednesday, March 29^th at 5:30 pm.  So now is the time to recruit new members, bring them to our February or March General Membership meetings too.  Attending a Mix and Mix or a General Membership Meeting is part of the requirements for becoming a new member.  All applications and new member payments are due by April 1^st. Our New Member Orientation is scheduled for April 6^th at 5:30 pm at the Orlando Museum of Art.

Our Art in Bloom is fast approaching, so I wanted to remind you that under our Council of 101 Bylaws/Policies we are responsible for BOTH financial and volunteer shift requirements.  Actives and Associates are required to work ONE shift during Art in Bloom.  Provisionals are required to work TWO shifts during Arts in Bloom.  Please refer to our Membership Treasurer’s article for your financial obligations. 

To remain in good standing, it is imperative that as an Active, Associate and Provisional we fulfill these requirements.  If you do not, you could be in jeopardy of being on probation for the 2023-24 calendar year.

On a sad note, two of our dear Council of 101 members lost their husbands recently – Gayla Greenwald and Sandra Schantini.  Please keep these ladies and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Also, one of our founding members, Ardis Fratt, has passed away. Her daughter is current Provisional, Corkie Fratt. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. Council of 101 will be making a $101 donation in honor of Mrs. Fratt to the Education department in her honor for her service and commitment to the Orlando Museum of Art.

Lisa Shepard , VP Membership

Marketing News

Council of 101 website has a new look! Check it out! Countdown to Art in Bloom, details on all the events for our spring fundraiser and a toolbox with member resources....better than ever!

Help us promote Art in Bloom through social media! Are you working on a special event? Post about it and include #artinbloomorlando - our marketing efforts are the responsibility of our entire membership!

Spread the word and share Councilof101.org to drive traffic to our website! Tickets for all events are on sale now at Councilof101.org. 

Carla Bray, VP of Marketing

2023 Art in Bloom Member Financial Obligation

The 2023 Member Financial Obligation is $140 for Actives and Provisionals and $100 for Associates. 

You can fulfill your obligation by purchasing tickets to the many wonderful AIB events, sponsorship, or by making a donation.

You’ll find links to all options on the website:

Log into 

councilof101.org

 click on “Members” passcode is 1965

Scroll to find tickets for purchase as well as sponsorship and donation opportunities. Click “View All”to see all available options. You’ll find more information on each event on the website. 

For ease in purchasing, all event items below are

clickable links:

Adult AIB General Admission tickets - $20 each  

Child (ages 3-12) or Senior (60+) AIB General Admission

tickets - $12 each 

First Look Preview Party tickets - $120 each 

101 Members only Exclusive “Bursting with Blooms” Package (one package per member only)

$200 each (savings of $20)

Ticket to First Look Preview Party

Ticket to One Guest Speaker event

Ticket to One Mystery Home Tour 

 Guest Speaker Amanda Lindroth – presentation and book

signing - $50 each

Friday, March 24, 11:00am-1:00pm

Her book is available for pre-purchase (does NOT count

toward member obligation) 

Guest Speaker Amanda Lindroth – VIP Champagne

brunch -$130 each

Friday, March 24, 9:30-10:30am

ticket includes presentation & book signing 11:00am-1:00pm

Guest Speaker Jill Steenhuis – lecture, painting

demonstration & book signing - $50 each

Saturday, March 25, 11:00am-1:00pm

Her book is available for pre-purchase (does NOT count

toward member obligation) - 

 Guest Speaker Jill Steenhuis – VIP Champagne brunch

$130

Saturday, March 25, 9:30-10:30am

Ticket includes lecture, painting demonstration & book signing

11:00am-1:00pm

Pastels Workshop led by Jill Steenhuis - $250 each

Workshop does NOT count toward member obligation

Sunday, March 26, 12:30-3:30pm

Materials and refreshments provided

Mystery Home Tour - $50 each

Saturday, March 25

Four tour options: 11:00-11:45am, 12:00-12:45pm, 1:00-1:45pm, 2:00-2:45pm

Member-only Sponsorship opportunity - $1000

Donation - $140, $120, $10 



Thank you for your financial support of AIB and Council of 101!  We encourage you to use the website for purchases, but if you prefer to pay by check, please send to the Council of 101 office. Please reach out if you have questions or need assistance to andreab34567@gmail.com

Andrea Balanzategui, Membership Treasurer

Sponsorship Corner

Check out the redesigned sponsorship packet and forms. There are many sponsorship opportunities available. If you are interested or know someone who is interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Allison Hudson, VP of Corporate Development and Sponsorship, at ashudson@me.com. 

Links to all the forms below:

AIB Sponsor Submission Online form for all donations

AIB 2023 Overall Sponsorship Packet

Cash Sponsorship Opportunities for Council of 101 Members Only



Become a Silver Sponsor ($2,500-$4,999) for the price of a Bronze Sponsor ($1,000-$2,499)

Sponsorship includes your choice of the following and all the other benefits at the Silver level:

2 Opening Night Party and 10 General Admission 

or 4 Guest Speaker and 10 General Admission

Satisfies membership obligation. Contact Allison

at ashudson@me.com for more information  

Sponsor a Floral Design Pedestal $200

What a wonderful way to honor family members, friends and our past members of old! Please consider sponsoring a pedestal in memory of someone, in thanksgiving, or as a happy anniversary/birthday or even a corporate sponsorship. Complete the AIB Sponsorship Form and indicate Pedestal Sponsorship and list details in the information section. For additional questions, contact Allison Hudson, VP of Corporate Development & Sponsorship at ashudson@me.com or 407-920-7868. Direct link HERE to Shopify to purchase pedestal sponsorship.



Allison Hudson, VP Corporate Development & Sponsorship

2023-2024 Council of 101 Slate of Officers

Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the proposed slate of officers for the 2023-2024 year. We thank these women for their dedication to serve in leadership positions.

Section 3: ELECTION OF VOTING DIRECTORS: 

A nominating committee shall prepare a slate of candidates to be presented to the membership and voted on at the March general meeting and installed at the April annual meeting for a term of one (1) year, which shall begin May 1^st.  Nominations for any office may be made from the floor at the March general meeting provided consent of the candidate has been obtained prior to the nomination being made.

President: Lisa Sheppard

President-Elect: Allison Hudson

Vice President of Provisional Membership: Elizabeth Benoist

Vice President of Long-Range Planning: Amy Arnold Sirmans

Vice President of Marketing and Media Relations: Donna Neck

Vice President of Sponsorship and Development: Anne Olenek

Recording Secretary: Lauren March

Corresponding Secretary: Paula Kennedy

Treasurer: Lee Nimkoff

Membership Treasurer: Andrea Balanzategui

Nominating Committee Chair: Joan Kennedy

Nominating Position 1: Stacy Jennings

Nominating Position 2: Han Truong

Long Range Planning:

Chair: Amy Arnold Sirmans

Associate: Susan Goyer-2^nd year

Sustainer: Tiffany Freeland

Any Member: Jerri Graham

Financial Member: Stacy Manos-2^nd Year