About Our Chapter

NCL, Inc., Riverside 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 Riverside area. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Riverside aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.

With 235+ active members and 30+ philanthropy partners throughout Riverside, we thrive through community engagement. The Riverside Chapter values our long existing ties with the city of Riverside and surrounding communities. Supporting local school districts including Riverside Unified School District, Alvord School District, and Jurupa Unified School District, our members volunteer at over 20 local philanthropies, including the American Cancer Society, Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center, Operation Safehouse, California School for the Deaf, Fox Theater Foundation, and the Riverside Art Museum. We are proud of the many community service hours our chapter has donated to support our community. 

In addition to service, developing strong female leaders is important to the mission of NCL and our chapter. Our mothers and daughters develop and refine their leadership skills through participation in various leadership positions during their time in NCL. Members serve on our chapter board of directors, in grade-level leadership positions, and as members of a wide variety of committee positions that help support the function and guidance of our chapter. We believe strongly that leadership development among our members supports our communities today and for generations to come. 

Additionally, one of our core values is personal growth through participation in cultural experiences. Mothers and daughters enjoy a variety of annual chapter events including our Chapter Tea, Senior Recognition Event, Ticktocker Day, as well as grade-level designed mother-daughter cultural outings and father-daughter events. 

The National Charity League, Inc. Riverside Chapter proudly supports our chapter’s history while continuing to honor the founders initial mission of strengthening our local communities.

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 NCL membership drive is a multi-step process that takes place over several months beginning on January 15th and ending on March 1st annually.

 

        *Legacy Membership drive opens on December 1, 2025 and ends on January 14, 2026 (at 11:59 pm PST). Email membershipriverside@ncl.org if you have additional questions regarding the legacy process. 

• If you have a legacy daughter, you need to complete the Legacy Form by the January 14th deadline, as well as a Legacy Application by March 1st, to receive priority admission. Only if these conditions are met, will a legacy be given priority admission. A “Legacy” is all daughters- 7th through 12th grade- of Forever NCL Lifetime members or currently active Patronesses. Daughters of former members who do not fall into one of the above categories shall not receive priority admission.

• For non-legacy members, beginning on January 15, 2026, you may submit a membership application no later than March 1, 2026, to be considered in our chapter’s admission process. For access to the application, please submit an inquiry request form. Please see this information from National NCL regarding the membership drive: Membership Drive Information

• If you are interested in joining us and have any questions, please contact our VP of Membership at: membershipriverside@nclonline.org.

 

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:

• Alvord Unified School District of Riverside
• Alzheimer’s Association
• American Cancer Society of Riverside
• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• Brava
• California School for the Deaf-Riverside (CSDR)
• Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire
• Disaster Response
• Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery
• Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino (FARSB)
• For Goodness Cakes
• FOX Riverside Theater Foundation
• Friends of California Citrus Park
• Hot Meals Program at Calvary Presbyterian Church (Copeland Hall)
• Human Migration Institute
• Janet Goeske Foundation
• Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center- Riverside
• Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful (KRCB)
• Love Riverside
• Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center-Riverside
• Mission Inn Foundation
• Operation Gratitude
• Operation SafeHouse (and Transitional Living)- Riverside
• Riverside Art Museum (RAM)/The Cheech Museum
• Riverside Meals on Wheels
• Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation (RMCCF)
• Riverside Police Foundation
• Riverside Unified School District (RUSD)
• Riverside University Health Systems (RUHS)
• The Kindness Campaign
• Victoria Avenue Forever

Each NCL, Inc. chapter promotes social awareness by considering the local community’s needs and selecting appropriate non-profit organizations to serve.  Each chapter then supports its philanthropic service partners through different volunteer activities. Philanthropy is the heart of our Riverside Chapter as we proudly support our 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:

 

Board President – LAUREN COWEN

President Elect – ALISSA CHITWOOD

VP Communications – ANNIE PATNO

VP Philanthropy – CAROL SOWELL

VP Ticktockers – BERENICE LECHNER

Treasurer – ASHLEY BARNES

Treasurer Coordinator – NATALIE KLEVENO

Recording Secretary – DOROTHY MCLAUGHLIN

VP New Members – SARA MCDONNELL

VP Membership – NOREEN HOLLENHORST

Parliamentarian – KARRIE BRUSSELBACK

VP Equity and Inclusion – NANCY ELKHOURY 

 

2025-2026 BOARD POSITION COORDINATORS

President Coordinator – LEISHA MASI

President Elect Coordinator – MONIQUE WALSH

VP Communications Coordinator – KRYSTEN STEELE

VP Philanthropy Coordinator – KRISTY GOLDSTEIN

VP Ticktockers Coordinator- TASCEAIE CHURCHWELL

VP New Members Coordinator- JENNIFER JACKSON

VP Membership Coordinator- JENNIFER HSU LARRETT-SMITH

 

Leadership Development is one of the pillars of the NCL organization. Through mother-daughter relationships and guidance, the NCL experience is designed to develop strong women leaders in our community. Mothers and daughters take on leadership roles within the chapter to further skills in team building, event planning, conflict resolution, and parliamentary procedure. Leadership opportunities include roles as Grade Level Advisors, chapter board members, grade level officers, and committee members.

The National Charity League, Inc. Riverside Chapter supports the founders beliefs of chapter engagement and inclusion. 

Each year we vote on several Patronesses that receive the honor of participating in the governance of our chapter and serving as our Board of Directors.

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 future leaders, we continually strive to build stronger ties with the community and the individuals within them. It is through this understanding that we grow and develop broader world views that will shape and support our lives.

We celebrate our history through traditions that honor the past while preparing for the future

Our annual Chapter events include: The Mother Daughter Tea, The Patroness Holiday Party, Mother Daughter Cultural Event, and Father Daughter Outing. 

Looking to See What We’re Up To?

Follow us on Instagram: @nclriverside

Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/NCLRiverside

 

 

We thank our Chapter’s Past Presidents who have paved the way for our organization to grow and thrive

 

Past Presidents of the Riverside Chapter 

 

2025-2026 Mrs. Lauren Cowen, Ms. Leisha Masi
2024-2025 Mrs. Colleen Kiemele, Mrs. Kim Hansen
2023-2024 Mrs. Krysten Steele, Mrs. Kristen Bristow
2022-2023 Ms. Lisa Lennox, Mrs. Karen Lindwall
2021-2022 Mrs. Jenah Kuderman, Mrs. Brandy Sharpe
2020-2021 Mrs. Brandy Sharpe, Mrs. Julie Stowe
2019-2020 Mrs. Barbara Robinson, Mrs. Kristin Varner
2018-2019 Mrs. Ann Babcock, Mrs. Lisa Cook (John)
2017-2018 Mrs. Shelby Roemer (Carl)
2016-2017 Mrs. Dawn Van Wagenen
2015-2016 Mrs. Patty Moorman (Keith)
2014-2015 Mrs. Patty Moorman (Keith), Dr. Hilma Griffin-Watson
2013-2014 Mrs. Lorraine Mooney
2012-2013 Mrs. Laurie Arias (Greg)
2011-2012 Mrs. Cindi Maynard (Danny)
2010-2011 Mrs. Anita Kramer Gorder (Matt)
2009-2010 Mrs. Raul Aballi (Jamie)
2008-2009 Mrs. Richard Folger (Wendy)
2007-2008 Mrs. Kevin Boling (Laura)
2006-2007 Mrs. Bradley Sackett (Barbara)
2005-2006 Mrs. David Tracy (Toni)
2004-2005 Mrs. Matthew Webb (Katy)
2003-2004 Mrs. Daniel Bear (Gabby)
2002-2003 Mrs. John Allavie (Kathy)
2001-2002 Mrs. Daniel Buoye (Dannette)
2000-2001 Mrs. Dominick Betro (Jackie)
1999-2000 Mrs. Jeff Tavaglione (Allison)
1998-1999 Mrs. Don Inskeep (Claudia)
1997-1998 Mrs. William Boyce (Cheryl)
1996-1997 Mrs. Jack Chappell (Judy)
1995-1996 Mrs. Kenneth Stream (Victoria)
1994-1995 Mrs. Joe Perrone (Susan)
1993-1994 Mrs. Melissa Utterback
1992-1993 Mrs. Gary Clem (Suzie)
1991-1992 Mrs. John Kane (Maureen)
1990-1991 Mrs. Dean Brown (Kerren)
1989-1990 Mrs. Dean Brown (Kerren)
1988-1989 Mrs. Neil Hatcher (Joan)
1987-1988 Mrs. Richard Low (Kathy)
1986-1987 Mrs. Sharon Shanndon Hughes
1985-1986 Mrs. Robert McCarty (Marion)
1984-1985 Mrs. Stephen Davis (Sue)
1983-1984 Mrs. Elden Smith
1982-1983 Mrs. Burleigh Quesinberry (Joan)
1981-1982 Mrs. Keith Brandon
1980-1981 Mrs. John Miller (Joan)
1979-1980 Mrs. William R Bailey, Jr. (Rosemary)
1978-1979 Mrs. Douglas Boyd (Jean)
1977-1978 Mrs. Arthur Miller (Patty)
1976-1977 Mrs. Walter Linaweaver (Ann)
1975-1976 Mrs. John H. Barnard (Jean)
1974-1975 Mrs. Russell H. Jenkins (BJ)
1973-1974 Mrs. Ralph B March
1972-1973 Mrs. M. J. McCorkie
1971-1972 Mrs Donald Jameson (Ruthann)
1970-1971 Mrs. James Coleman (Edith)
1969-1970 Mrs. John H. Hews (Virginia)
1968-1969 Mrs. Donald Stalder (Kay)
1967-1968 Mrs. Stanley A. Dodson (Ida Mae)
1966-1967 Mrs. Stanley A. Dodson (Ida Mae)
1965-1966 Mrs. James E. Smith
1964-1965 Mrs. Sam W. Ryan
1963-1964 Mrs. John A. Guin (Evie)
1962-1963 Mrs. Ralph Mason
1961-1962 Mrs. Marcus W. Meairs (Edna)
1960-1961 Mrs. Marcus W. Meairs (Edna)