You might not know her, but if you’ve been to NAJA’s Annual Education Conference, chances are you’ve seen her.
She’s the one with a camera in her hand, an eagle eye for candid pictures and a talent for herding NAJA reps into neat rows for group photos.
Janie Neighbours, a Life member of the Junior Auxiliary of Lake Providence, who began her NAJA journey as a provisional member in 1989, doesn’t just record history through photographs. She is a history maker herself, serving as a charter donor and former trustee of the NAJA Foundations, and she was recognized as a 1996-97 Betty Robbins Volunteer of the Year.
“I felt it an honor to be asked to join our local Junior Auxiliary chapter,” said Neighbours, who served as the chapter’s president, vice president, provisional trainer and ex-officio. “I have treasured friendships to this day that I would have never had if not for Junior Auxiliary.”
Neighbours is a snap away from the action at AEC, bobbing and weaving from banquets to workshops, zipping to the Foundation’s fundraising room, then pivoting to members sharing those once-a-year special moments.
“Pictures to me are like capturing history,” she said. “My husband always says I take too many, but I never think that, as evidenced by the approximately 1,800 I took at AEC in Franklin!”
Angela Pierce, who recently retired as NAJA’s longtime executive secretary, has been on the AEC front lines with Neighbours for decades.
“I’ve known Janie ever since she jumped on board to the NAJA national level in 1990,” Pierce said. “She served as treasurer, on the PR committee, board of directors, executive committee and board of trustees of the Foundation, all the time with a camera in hand.
“Janie is always ready to take action shots or have everyone placed just right. Janie loves JA and it shows through her personality and pictures. She’s a very caring and giving person that I am proud to call my friend.”
Neighbours is special to Mary Carole Bowers, a former trustee of the Foundation and its first Crown Benefactor level donor. Bowers’s NAJA journey includes serving as chapter support coordinator for JA of Lake Providence.
“Janie was one of the first people I saw at the annual education conference that I knew I would relate to,” Bowers, whose home chapter is JA of Rankin County in Mississippi. “Unbeknownst to me, we had more in common than I knew. The big surprise was her husband worked for the local newspaper, and mine did, too,” Bowers remembered. “When I was CSC, Janie and I would meet up, or she would attend my visit. A friendly, known face was always welcomed.” Neighbours describes herself as a “picture person.” Her photographs capture emotional moments such as the joy that comes with chapters being recognized for exemplary service.
“I’m always looking for that ‘wow’ picture,” she said. “My theory on taking pictures is ‘snap, snap, snap’. You can always delete what you don’t want, but if you miss it, there’s no going back.”
Neighbours maintains close ties with her home chapter, attending events such as its brunch for Life, Associate, Active and Provisional members. “Active members are not always aware of who our Life members are, but my continued involvement with NAJA keeps me visible to my local chapter so they know who to contact if they have any questions,” she said.
When Bowers’s home chapter honored her several years ago with a reception, Neighbours was at her side.
“I was overwhelmed,” Bowers said. “She’s just a special friend that you know God put in my life’s path to counsel me, to pull me through doubts, to make me relax at unknown ventures, and to encourage.”
Neighbours’s NAJA journey is far from over. As history unfolds, Neighbours stands ready to harness it.
“I love what JA stands for, and I love being associated with just a great association,” she said. “JA forever!”
Reprinted with permission from The Crownlet, the magazine of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries.
