Cactus Wren
About Our Chapter
NCL, Inc., Cactus Wren 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 NE Phoenix, NE Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree and Cave Creek. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Cactus Wren aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.
In April of 2012, National Charity League, Inc. decided that the Scottsdale area could support an additional chapter. They put an advertisement in the newspaper and held an interest meeting. Eight women decided to embark on the journey to lay the foundation for a new chapter.
Cactus Wren Chapter was fortunate to attract businesswomen who had experience across many sectors. Our Founding Board was comprised of business owners, lawyers, accountants and a graphic designer. Each woman took her position seriously; researching, studying and learning the NCL, Inc. way.
During the Expansion process, the Chapter created its governing documents, filed for non-profit status, established policies and procedures and held an official membership drive while developing its own personality. Unanimously, leadership decided that the Chapter would initially focus its community service projects around young, local philanthropies who had little or no support from other chapters or leagues. National approval for the original three philanthropies partnerships was obtained.
Our first Chapter Kickoff meeting was held on October 26, 2012.
Join Our Chapter
Interested in joining our chapter? Membership opportunities are dependent on chapter openings.
If you know someone in our chapter, talk to her about getting started, membership obligations and our membership drive timeline. If you do not know someone in NCL, you are invited to complete this Membership Inquiry Form.
For any questions regarding Membership, requests for transfers or assistance with connecting as a Sustainer, email us.
Prospective Members for the Cactus Wren Chapter shall reside in the Northeast Phoenix, North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree and Cave Creek areas at the time of application and admission Our Membership Drive runs from January 1 – March 1.
Mothers and their daughters (grades 7-12) participate in a program that embraces:
Community Service
We understand and serve communities in partnership with local and national nonprofits. Each NCL, Inc. chapter promotes social awareness by considering the local community’s needs and selecting appropriate non-profit organizations to support through different volunteer activities.
We work with the following philanthropies:
- Alzheimer’s Association
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- ASU Gammage – Liaison: Lori Lee
- Audrey’s Angels – Liaison: Lori Lee
- Back to School Clothing Drive – Liaison: Diane Frei
- Ben’s Bells – Liaison: Wendy Okraski
- Chemocessories – Liaison: Diane Frei
- Disaster Response
- Feed My Starving Children – LIaison: Wendy Okraski
- Foothills Food Bank: Liaison – Wendy Okraski
- GiGi’s Playhouse – Liaison: Luz Molina-Wilkerson
- Hope and a Future – Liaison: Gina Hansen
- Hospice of the Valley (HOV) – Liaison: Jyoti Pillai
- MAM (Military Assistance Mission) – Liaison: Jyoti Pillai
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy – Liaison: Kari Berger
- Miracle League of Arizona – Liaison: Luz Molina-Wilkerson
- Mom’s Pantry – Liaison: Diane Frei
- National Day of Service – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service – January 15, 2024
- Native American Connections – Liaison: Tanja Buhay
- Operation Gratitude
- Puppy Luv – Liaison: Kari Berger
- Purse-Impressions – Liaison: Kari Berger
- RMHCCNAZ – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona – Liaison: Julie Ransom
- Ryan’s House – Liaison: Lori Lee
- Scottsdale Arts – Liaison: Lori Lee
- Shoebox Ministry – Liaison: Courtney Fligeltaub
- Southwest Human Development – Liaison: Gina Hansen
- Teen Lifeline – Liaison: Julie Ransom
- The Foster Alliance (Previously Arizona Helping Hands) – Liaison: Brenda Kimery
- Trees Matter – Liaison: Eileen Friedman
- UMOM New Day Centers – Liaison: Caroline Economopoulos
- Welcome to America Project – Liaison: Caroline Economopoulos
As the only volunteer force of its kind serving the local community, NCL, Inc. and Cactus Wren Chapter allows our mothers and daughters to focus their minds, hearts and talents towards creating a positive change in our community. Last year, our Chapter volunteered over 6,600 hands-on hours directly benefiting our not-for-profit philanthropy partners.
Leadership Development
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.
Examples of skills developed include:
- Confidence
- Consensus building
- Team building
- Conflict resolution
- Event planning
- Parliamentary procedure
Our Chapter Board of Directors:
- President: Caroline Economopoulos
- Secretary: Ariella LaBell
- Treasurer: Catherine Brookfield
- Parliamentarian: Whitney Hubbard
- Vice President Communications: Jennifer Coy
- Vice President Membership: Amy Euske
Amy Euske - Vice President Philanthropy: Tanja Buhay
- Vice President New Members: Lindsey Achterfeldt
- Vice President Ticktockers: Betsie Reynolds
- Vice President Chapter Engagement and Inclusion: Allyson Mahmood
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.