Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2018-2019

n Feature “I think a lot of women subconsciously, without even thinking about it, don’t even consider themselves for these roles,” Gillett says. “This [program] really instills in a lot of women the idea that they can do this, that it’s a feasible opportunity for them to also sit on boards and serve in these leadership positions.” The experience didn’t disappoint. In addition to put- ting her passion for retail and marketing to practical use, she learned how boards operate. “It was really key and pivotal in understanding what it means to be on a board of directors, all the things that people need to keep in mind when making decisions for the betterment of an or- ganization,” Gillett says. “Sitting on a [corporate] board isn’t possible until we get farther into [our] career, but getting that experience through a nonprofit is possible.” For club leaders, providing those experiences to fe- male peers was especially important. Women make up more than half the population, but hold just 20 per- cent of all C-suite positions, according to a 2017 study by McKinsey and LeanIn.org. California is no excep- One study released by UC Davis in 2015 found that women hold just 12 percent of corporate board seats and high-level positions at major businesses based in the state. A ssistance League® of Sacramento is transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs. It’s one of 120 Assistance League chapters nationwide. Chartered in 1968, the local organization just celebrated 50 years of meeting essential needs and helping families. Past president Charlotte Stott identifies three service categories – “we clothe, educate, and comfort.” Ten programs carry out those services, including three to clothe schoolchildren, homeless women, and survivors of sex trafficking and assault, four to help educate students from elementary school through college, and three devoted to comforting people from children to the elderly. Volunteers run the organization’s primary revenue source, Fabulous Finds on Fulton, a $400,000-producing resale store that leverages donations into clothing, scholarships, and more. Our volunteers’ hours are calculated annually to be worth $1.7 million of labor.” SPONSORS Striving to serve more people, the organization also appreciates grants, cash contributions, and could use assistance with heavy lifting and moving and shared marquee or billboard space. “We have a healthy membership of 280 volunteers – a community with volunteers is a community with heart – LEBRATING CE 50 2751 Fulton Ave Sacramento, CA 95821 916.488.0828 CORPORATE ANNIVERSARY YE ARS AssistanceLeague.org/Sacramento 20 CAPITAL REGION CARES 2018-19 | comstocksmag.com

Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2018-2019 | Page 20