Mockingbird

About Our Chapter

NCL, Inc., Mockingbird 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 private and public schools in North Dallas, Park Cities, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow and Dallas. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Mockingbird aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.

We are a nonprofit organization with a mission to foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.

With over 270 members, our chapter supports over 20 philanthropies in and around the Dallas area. Some of the community service areas supported by our chapter include: disadvantaged children’s services, educational organizations, food and clothing pantries, healthcare, children and adults with special needs, elderly, environmental preservation and animal organizations.

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.

The 2026 membership drive is currently closed. The 2027 drive will open at the end of the year.

Being a member of the Mockingbird NCL Chapter offers many benefits through both our local chapter and our national affiliation with NCL, Inc. Applications for membership are submitted annually based on standardized guidelines from the National NCL Chapter. 

If you know someone in the Mockingbird Chapter or NCL, talk to her about the Chapter’s boundaries, membership obligations, and membership drive timeline. All Dallas Area chapters have the same membership requirements and timeline.  For any questions regarding Membership, please email us at Mockingbird Membership

An overview of the membership process includes: 

Timeline: Applications for Membership are accepted during the Annual Membership Drive from January through March each year for daughters in 6th grade at the time of the Membership Drive.  Typically, members join during their daughter’s 6th-grade year and formally begin the summer before their 7th-grade year.  This process moves pretty quickly, so it’s important to stay on top of the deadlines and process.  Openings for daughters in grades 7th – 9th are at the discretion of the board and based on predetermined class sizes.  We currently do not have any openings in the 7th – 12th grade classes.  

Residence: A Prospective Member in Mockingbird shall reside in North Dallas, Park Cities, Lakewood, Lake Highlands, and Preston Hollow. 

Application: A Prospective Member shall only apply to one Chapter, so it’s strongly encouraged to attend an information session before applying to Mockingbird.  We offer two information sessions per year, both in-person and virtual.  It is also a good idea to attend as many prospective member meetings as possible if considering more than one chapter.  We plan to have an in-person prospective membership meeting in January 2026 for the class of 2032. Please submit a request for information at the membership inquiry form or email listed above.  

Our Mockingbird Chapter follows a rewarding six-year program designed to further the NCL, Inc. mission through our three pillars of community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences.

Thank you for your interest in our Mockingbird NCL Chapter. We look forward to meeting you! 

 

 

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
  • Austin Street Shelter
  • Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas
  • Buddy Up Tennis
  • Carry The Load
  • Carson Leslie Foundation
  • Children’s Health
  • Community Partners of Dallas
  • Dallas Arboretum
  • Dallas Police Department (Northeast & Northwest Divisions)
  • Dickinson Place
  • Disaster Response
  • Dwell With Dignity
  • Educational First Steps
  • Equest
  • FaLaLa Toy Collection
  • Feed My Starving Children
  • For the Love of the Lake
  • Interfaith Family Services
  • Magdelen House
  • Meals On Wheels
  • National Day of Service
  • North Texas Food Bank
  • Operation Gratitude
  • Operation Kindness
  • Ronald McDonald House Dallas
  • Salvation Army
  • Snowball Express
  • Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
  • The Family Place
  • The Kindness Campaign
  • The Rise School of Dallas

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: Mary Ellen Kendall
  • President Elect: Mimi Herd
  • Secretary: Tamara Robinson
  • Treasurer: Summer Loveland
  • Parliamentarian: Stephanie Howells
  • Vice President Communications: Tammy Berbarie
  • Vice President Membership: Kara DeVita
  • Vice President Philanthropy: April Slovensky
  • Vice President New Members: Traci Finch
  • Vice President Ticktockers: Jody McDaniel
  • Vice President Chapter Engagement and Inclusion: Kate Neylon

TICKTOCKER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Each year each Ticktocker class has a variety of different focuses. Beginning in 7th grade the Tictockers explore leadership styles and NCL, Inc. core values. In 8th grade they learn to communicate more effectively and lead their grade level meetings. As 9th graders, the girls further develop their listening skills, practice time management tools, and build self-confidence. The 10th grade Ticktockers learn to strengthen conflict resolution skills, prepare for future employment, and engage in public speaking. In 11th grade the Ticktockers establish future goals and identify college opportunities. Lastly, as seniors this class mentors the younger Ticktockers and explores Sustainer opportunities.

Each Ticktocker class has Board Officers and Committee Members.

Board Officers:

  • President
  • Vice President – Philanthropy
  • Vice President – Programs / Cultural
  • Vice President – Recording Secretary
  • Vice President – Corresponding Secretary
  • Vice President – Events (9 – 12th Grade Only)

Committee Members:

  • Philanthropy
  • Programs/Cultural Event
  • Events (9th-12th Grade Only)
  • Communications
  • Ticktocker Council Representative
  • Hospitality
  • Historian
  • Inspiration
  • Sunshine
  • Welcoming
  • Parliamentarian

Chapter Leadership – Class Event Hosting

  • Freshman – Celebration of Service (Recognition Awards)
  • Sophomores – Mother/Daughter Tea and Philanthropy Workshop
  • Juniors – Senior Recognition
  • Seniors – Ticktocker Retreat

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.

TICKTOCKER CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

As future leaders, 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.

The NCL Experience provides Ticktockers the opportunity to participate in grade level appropriate experiences that build understanding and awareness of issues related to culture and diversity. Grade level activities may include:

  • Performing & Visual Arts
  • Positive Identity
  • Life Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Interviewing & Resumes (college & National Panhellenic Council)
  • Art of Etiquette
  • Social Media Etiquette
  • Culture of Cuisine
  • Written Thank You’s
  • Addressing Formal Invitations

Etiquette and deportment play a pivotal role in our chapter events for our Mother/Daughter Tea & Fashion Show, Senior Recognition, and Ticktocker Recognition Awards.