Programming with purpose.
Growing leaders for life.
From our youngest Jacks and Jills to our teen leaders, every experience is an opportunity to explore, connect, serve, and grow. Our chapter develops thoughtful, age-appropriate programming rooted in leadership, financial literacy, education, and meaningful community engagement.
Every activity has a purpose.
Our programming creates room for learning, friendship, and exploration while helping children build confidence and develop the skills to lead and serve. Activities are planned around developmental needs and national programming priorities.
Education & enrichment
Engaging experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, cultural awareness, and a love of learning.
Leadership & financial literacy
Age-appropriate lessons that strengthen decision-making, responsibility, communication, and money skills.
Service & civic engagement
Opportunities to understand our communities, show compassion, and make an impact together.
Our programming leadership
Dedicated chapter mothers work together to deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate experiences across the grade groups.
Our program leadership team guides the chapter’s programming vision, coordinates curriculum expectations, and supports meaningful learning experiences across every grade group.
Monica Dickerson-Gaddis
Leads the chapter’s programming vision and curriculum coordination.
Brandi Madere Cooper
Supports planning, collaboration, and execution across the program year.
Jersey & Jade / Oxford & Onyx
Lindsey Willis · Kendra Calloway
Tweed & Topaz
Tiffani Smith · Lakeisha Green
Suede & Sapphire
Stephanie Orr · Ayrika Johnson · Lauren Lacy
Rayon & Ruby
Hope Miller
Cashmere & Crystal
Tamyra Lawson · Amber Sims
Denim & Diamonds
Tonya Mitchell · Cheryl Savage · Kameisha Gethum · Shauntai Harvey
Learning that builds year after year.
National programming includes Jacqueline Moore Bowles (JMB) leadership development and financial literacy education. The following requirements reflect the programming guidance supplied for the 2026–2027 program year.
Core requirements
- Grades 6–12: 4 different JMB leadership modules or credits.
- Grades 3–12: 4 different financial literacy modules or lessons.
Expanded achievement
- Grades 3–5: 6 different financial literacy modules or lessons.
- Grades 6–12: 8 different financial literacy modules, lessons, or credits.
- Grades 6–12: 8 different leadership modules, lessons, or credits.
Summit eligibility
- 8 different financial literacy modules, lessons, or credits.
- 8 different leadership modules, lessons, or credits.
- Plus: 6 additional leadership credits from approved national programs, webinars, or activities.
What excellent programming looks like.
The Five Star Chapter Guide describes chapter programming as the heart of Jack and Jill. Effective experiences are planned collaboratively, connect to national priorities, reflect children's developmental stages, and make participation enjoyable, educational, and meaningful.
Five national programming thrusts
Guidance for grade-group planning
- Build an annual calendar that addresses all five thrusts and includes at least one activity connected to the national theme or national programmatic thrust.
- Organize children and teens primarily by grade for developmentally appropriate experiences; involve youth in planning.
- Plan together as mothers, grade-group leaders, and the Program Director. Set clear responsibilities, encourage participation, and communicate expectations in writing.
- Maintain a chapter-wide calendar in the Program Handbook, distribute it to mothers, and submit the handbook according to current national guidance.
- Collect new liability and medical information release forms annually; provide secure, confidential access to responsible leaders when needed.
- Following activities, complete evaluations, record attendance and meaningful outcomes, and organize approved photos for documentation and possible chapter publications.
Required national observances
- September: Jack and Jill Day
- September: Carole Robertson Day (may be observed with Jack and Jill Day)
- January: Founders Day
- January or February: Associate Appreciation Day
- April: Father's Appreciation Day
- May: Black Family Day
Five Star programming success measures
The 2025 Five Star 3.0 Guide's 2024–2026 assessment cycle identifies five measures for programming excellence:
- Activities spanning all five national programming thrusts.
- Observation of all six designated national observances.
- A Chapter Program Handbook score of 90% or higher.
- A chapter-wide or grade-group legislative advocacy activity, such as a candidate forum or Get Out the Vote event.
- At least one community-open event, such as a health fair or book drive. Fundraisers do not qualify for this measure.
Documenting activities for Five Star evidence
For the 2024–2026 assessment, the guide specifies evidence including event programs and approved chapter minutes for each thrust; group photographs and minutes for observances; the National Program Director's handbook score letter; a legislative activity photograph and minutes; and, for the community-open event, its program or agenda, short description of community benefit, and one photograph.
Grade-group participation benchmark
In the guide's separate Membership assessment for 2025–2026, each grade group was expected to conduct at least five grade-group activities, each reaching at least 50% attendance. Chapter-wide events did not count toward that measure. Sign-in summaries documented participation. This is historical Five Star assessment guidance, not a verified requirement for the current cycle.
What we’re focusing on
Our monthly programming highlights give grade groups a shared direction while leaving room for creative, age-appropriate experiences.
Education & STEAM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Experiences that encourage exploration, problem-solving, creativity, and new interests.
Civic & Legislative
Learning about civic responsibility, community participation, and the power of informed, engaged leadership.
Programming shaped by the voices of our children.
“Teens spoke. Parents listened. Let’s activate!”
Our Area Workday conversations reinforced the importance of listening closely to young people and building environments that respond to their experiences, aspirations, and needs.
From a great idea to a documented impact.
Consistent planning and reporting help our chapter capture the full value of each activity and strengthen our annual Program Handbook.
- Plan with intentionAlign experiences with the appropriate national program thrust and curriculum requirements for the grade group.
- Make every experience countDesign inclusive, accessible activities and clearly identify the who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- Document the outcomeComplete attendance and post-activity surveys promptly and capture meaningful outcomes and permitted photographs.
2026–2027 Program Handbook update
The October Programming Committee report lists October 31, 2026 as the chapter Program Handbook (PHB) deadline. Grade groups should review the program calendar, curriculum modules, thrust alignment, and complete activity descriptions. The October presentation also notes upcoming Curriculum Ad Hoc training.
Best of the Best · Autumn Cycle 1
Eligible activity period: September 1–November 30, 2026. Submission deadline: December 8, 2026.
- Explain who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- Show inclusivity and accessibility.
- Describe innovation, growth, and developmental impact.
- Highlight publicity, partnerships, and above-and-beyond efforts.
- Include up to two photographs.
After-activity reminders
Complete attendance forms after every activity and submit applicable surveys promptly. Host mothers should follow the chapter’s established event-planning and documentation expectations.
Chapter members: refer to official chapter communications for forms, internal submission instructions, and any updated deadlines.
