Capistrano Coast

About Our Chapter

NCL, Inc., Capistrano Coast 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 the Capistrano Coast area. This area includes, but is not limited to, the southern Orange County coastal community of Laguna Beach and follows the coastline south through the beach cities of Dana Point and San Clemente. The boundary shall extend inland to include the communities of San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, and Laguna Hills. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Capistrano Coast aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.

The Capistrano Coast Chapter was founded in 1985 and is the proud, two-time recipient of the “Most Outstanding Chapter” national award (2010 and 2015).  Over the last five years, our membership of over 185 members has donated over $132,000 to our designated local philanthropies, assisted 35 local students with college scholarships and provided over 21,000 hours of volunteer service.

Join Our Chapter

Interested in joining our chapter? Membership opportunities are dependent on chapter openings.

Please complete the Membership Inquiry Form so we can contact you directly. If you know a current chapter member, feel free to reach out to them as well to learn about getting started.

Membership Inquiry Form

For any questions regarding Membership, requests for transfers or assistance with connecting as a Sustainer, email us.

 Our membership drive for the 2026/2027 school year opens on January 15 for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade girls and their moms!

Please fill out the membership inquiry form above to join our interest list.

Our in-person prospective membership meetings will be held on Sunday, January 18th from 3:30-5:00 PM at the Sea Country Center in Laguna Niguel and Thursday, February 5th from 6:00-7:00 PM at the Avondale Clubhouse in Ladera Ranch. A virtual option is available on February 18 at 6:00 PM via zoom. These meetings are for moms-only and are meant to be an opportunity to learn about NCL and the Capistrano Coast chapter.

Membership only opens once per year – now is your chance to join! 

You must submit an interest form to receive an application. Applications are due by March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. 

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:

  • Age Well Senior Services – San Juan Capistrano Senior Center
  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • American Heart Association
  • American Red Cross
  • Beyond Blindness
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley
  • Capistrano Care Center
  • City of Mission Viejo Community Services
  • Coast Keepers
  • Disaster Response
  • Families Forward
  • Family Assistance Ministries (FAM)
  • GiGi’s Playhouse
  • Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens
  • Homefront America
  • J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center
  • Jessie Rees Foundation (NEGU)
  • Kinoshita Elementary School
  • Laura’s House
  • MaxLove Project
  • Miracles for Kids
  • Mission Hospital Medical Center
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter
  • OC Public Libraries – San Juan Capistrano
  • OC Public Library – Friends of the Library
  • OC Ronald McDonald House
  • Ocean Institute
  • Operation Be Kind
  • Operation Gratitude
  • Operation Interdependence
  • Philharmonic Society of Orange County
  • Susan G. Komen Orange County
  • Team Darkhorse

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: LeLani Duckwitz
  • President Elect: Sharla Hinkey
  • Secretary: Eleonora Serra
  • Treasurer: Shadi Amin
  • Parliamentarian: Stephanie Chao
  • Vice President Communications: Katy Curameng
  • Vice President Membership: Michelle Berger
  • Vice President Philanthropy: Linda Luna Akrawi
  • Vice President New Members: Melody Cooperrider
  • Vice President Ticktockers: Tracy Necessary

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.