Laguna

About Our Chapter

NCL, Inc., Laguna 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 South Orange County. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Laguna aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.

The Laguna Chapter was founded in 1984 starting with 85 mothers and their 99 daughters.  Today, more than 300 active members are serving 21 philanthropies in Orange County.  These non-profit organizations meet a variety of needs within the community ranging from children with special needs, senior populations, families at risk, environmental sustainability and food insecurity. 

The Laguna Chapter is a dynamic group of mothers and daughters, in grades 7-12, who understand the importance of giving back; who are committed to the mission of NCL, and always willing to step forward to fill a need in our surrounding communities. We are unique among other NCL, Inc. Chapters in that we host an annual Debutante Ball, are home to two Original and “Award Winning” philanthropies, and have a growing and thriving Sustainer Membership group that remains connected and actively engaged in serving our philanthropies and also several of the Laguna Chapter’s mission based events and activities.

Our Chapter Tea is an annual event that mothers and daughters look forward to attending each year where values, traditions, and community connections are cultivated and embraced. Hosting a Tea provides our Ticktockers the opportunity to develop and practice modern etiquette in an easy and fun way while nurturing the mother/daughter bond. NCL Inc. has a comprehensive curriculum around manners and etiquette created in partnership with Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette, based in New York City, beaumontetiquette.com 

The New Member and Debutante Announcement Luncheon is another chapter-wide event held annually each Spring. New Members are formally introduced to the Chapter at this Luncheon. Ticktocker Award recipients are recognized for their hours of service to the community. Senior Class Ticktockers announce their intentions to become a Debutant, which is then followed by heart felt Senior mother/daughter tributes. This memorable afternoon culminates with the Senior Class starring in an exciting Fashion Show sponsored by our partner, Bloomingdale’s of South Coast Plaza. 

The Debutante Ball is a formal, time-honored tradition celebrating a Senior Ticktocker’s six year experience of philanthropic service to her community through National Charity League. This special evening is traditionally held between the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays of a Ticktocker’s freshman year of college. Each graduating class is recognized and honored for wholly embracing the spirit of NCL, their dedication to our community, and commitment to the philanthropic partners our chapter serves. The Laguna Chapter is one of only five chapters, nationally, to hold a Debutante Ball.

 

Follow Us!

 

For questions, email: Vice President Membership, Joanne Kuy at ncljoannekuy@gmail.com

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.

Membership Inquiry Form

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

APPLY TO JOIN OUR CHAPTER 

Our Membership Drive is now closed. We anticipate a few spots in our 2030 class will be opening on April 15, 2024. Please apply now for our next Membership window next month!

 

 

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
  • Angel Aid
  • Boys and Girls Club — Capistrano Valley
  • Create, Grow & Eat
  • Disaster Response
  • Ecology Center
  • Family Assistance Ministries
  • Festival of Children Foundation
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Handmade Brigade
  • J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center
  • Laguna Art Museum
  • Laura’s House
  • LPAPA Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn.
  • Miracles for Kids
  • Mission Hospital Foundation
  • National Day of Service – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service – January 15, 2024
  • OC Parks
  • Ocean Institute
  • Operation Gratitude
  • Operation Valentine
  • Orangewood Children’s Foundation
  • Pacific Marine Mammal Center
  • Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
  • Senior Services: Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel
  • Special Camp
  • Surfrider Foundation, South Orange County
  • Waymakers Youth Shelter
  • YMCA

 

The Laguna Chapter serves 18 philanthropies in Orange County, with a variety of opportunities to serve. Collectively our mothers and daughters volunteer an average of 10,000 hours per year.

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:

Mothers and daughters have the opportunity to take on leadership roles throughout their time in NCL. Ticktockers are encouraged to run for a grade level office at least once in their six years, with most holding an office two or three times. Ticktocker officers are trained and mentored by Patroness Board Members, and guided throughout the year by Grade Level Advisors. They prepare agendas and run meetings, with the opportunity to work as a team to create meaningful philanthropic activities.

Member Patronesses have opportunities to hold one of 11 Board positions, with training provided by NCL, Inc.  

 

2023-2024 NCL Laguna Board of Directors 

  • President: Jen Blakey

  • VP Membership: Joanne Kuy

  • VP Communications: Marivic Schaefer

  • VP Chapter Engagement & Inclusion: Ann Hirakawa

  • VP Ticktockers: Maureen Aitken

  • VP Philanthropy: Anne Glass

  • Treasurer: Celeste Vos

  • Secretary: Mistie Whalen

  • Parliamentarian: Boriana Farias

 

 

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.

As a mother-daughter volunteer group, the Laguna Chapter serves Orange County in many different ways. Developing a sense of awareness of those in need and stepping forward to offer help is just one part of the NCL experience. Living in a community of natural beauty and evolving lifestyle, we also seek to discover its diversity and gain an understanding of the unique treasures that make up its culture. Laguna Beach is world-renowned for its beautiful coastlines and its distinctive artistic history dating back to the early 1900s. Our chapter’s goal is for mothers and daughters to experience many facets of local area culture, together, in order that we may gain insight into our community and a broader global perspective, overall. 

Various activities supported are Laguna’s Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, Botanical Garden and Architectural tours, museum visits, dance and theatrical events and concerts. Additionally, the Laguna Chapter is a preferred volunteer organization supporting the Laguna Plein Air Painter’s Association’s annual Invitational and Exhibitions.

In an effort to raise awareness and provide a broader perspective of Orange County’s rich culture, the Laguna Chapter coordinates ongoing educational opportunities through informative documentary screenings, inspiring speakers and districtwide forums.

 

Laguna Chapter Philanthropies

 

HANDMADE BRIGADE

 
A modern day sewing circle, Handmade Brigade is the Laguna Chapter’s response to seeing a need in our philanthropy community and stepping in to fill the gap. More than a decade ago, several chapter Patronesses offered to help a small start-up non-profit organization make costumes for kids receiving medical treatment in local area hospitals. Soon members were making tutus, Princess wands, and pink power capes for girls; super hero capes, masks, and power cuffs for boys.    
 
Mothers and daughters gather for regularly scheduled crafting sessions to learn about pattern design and fabric construction, while honing basic sewing skills. Designed for simplicity and fun, projects are geared for all crafting abilities. No experience is necessary, just a great attitude and a willingness to give your creative talents a try. Over the years the number of handcrafted products has grown to include other items such as lap blankets, comfort pillows, finger puppets, and bedside games. 
 
During the pandemic, Handmade Brigade had to adapt its programming to ever changing needs and quickly stepped forward to serve the community by sewing personal protection fabric face masks for a number of its philanthropy partners and their clients. The Laguna Chapter is proud of the way Handmade Brigade continues to be instrumental in providing useful items to those most in need and has been nationally recognized for this by NCL, Inc., in 2017, as a Most Innovative Chapter.