About Our Chapter

NCL, Inc., Walnut Creek 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 or attend school in Walnut Creek. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Walnut Creek aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.

Our Chapter’s Journey and Impact

The Walnut Creek Chapter of National Charity League was established in 2013 and officially chartered in 2016. Since then, hundreds of dedicated mothers and daughters have helped build a vibrant, thriving chapter that continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact on our community.

When the Founding Board Members began the journey to establish NCL’s presence in Walnut Creek, they wondered if they could gather the required minimum of 25 mothers for the formation meeting to become an official Expansion Chapter. Much to their delight, the meeting far exceeded expectations—more than 150 mothers and daughters expressed enthusiastic interest, confirming both the need and excitement for a chapter in Walnut Creek.

In our first year (2014–2015), we contributed 2,300 hours to our philanthropy partners. Since chartering, our chapter has proudly averaged more than 5,300 volunteer hours annually.

Our Legacy of Service

We continue to offer a variety of meaningful service opportunities, both in person and at home, allowing members to engage in ways that are impactful and flexible.  Together, we are building a legacy of leadership, compassion, and community service. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished—and even more excited for what’s ahead.

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.

Membership Timeline

Applications are accepted during our Annual Membership Drive, which runs January through March each year. Daughters must be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade at the time of the Membership Drive.

Residence Requirement

Prospective Members must reside in Walnut Creek or have a daughter who attends a school in Walnut Creek.

Application Guidelines

Each Prospective Member may apply to only one NCL Chapter.

For additional information or questions about our chapter, please email membershipwalnutcreek@nclonline.org. Thank you again for your interest in our chapter. We look forward to talking with you!

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:

• ALS Network
• Alzheimer’s Association
• American Heart Association
• American Red Cross
• Awards/End of Year Recognition Event – Chapter Sponsored
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area
• Cantare
• Children’s Skin Disease Foundation
• Creek Kids Care
• Diablo Ballet
• Disaster Response
• Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area
• Elks Lodge
• Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County
• Friends of the Creeks
• Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley
• Hospice East Bay
• Hosting/Assisting/Food Prep at Ticktocker Meeting (hour for hour)
• Ivy Park at Walnut Creek
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Loved Twice
• Make-A-Wish
• Meals On Wheels and Outreach Services
• National Convention (hour for hour)
• Operation Gratitude
• Party In Kindness
• Project Open Hand
• Save Mount Diablo
• Shelter, Inc
• Special Olympics Northern California
• Sunrise Senior Living of Walnut Creek
• Sydney Paige Foundation
• The Crayon Intiative
• The Kindness Campaign
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital
• Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation
• Walnut Creek Historical Society
• Walnut Creek Little League: Challenger Baseball
• Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation
• WCEF (Walnut Creek Education Foundation)

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: Michaela Caughlan
• President Elect: Jennifer Pickett
• Secretary: Jillana Miller
• Treasurer: Kara Piantidosi
• Parliamentarian: Cynthia Thomas
• Vice President Communications: Marisa Rose
• Vice President Membership: Jennifer Wu
• Vice President Philanthropy: Gina Schneider
• Vice President New Members: Amber Holwell
• Vice President Ticktockers: Camarin Madigan
• Vice President Chapter Engagement and Inclusion: Gwenn Ertoz

Leadership in Action

Our chapter empowers Ticktockers to actively practice leadership within a supportive, encouraging environment. With guidance from their Grade Level Advisers, each girl takes on a different class role every year—from President, who leads monthly meetings, to VP of Programs, who curates engaging speakers and activities, to roles like the Tea Committee, where members explore event planning and discover which areas they enjoy observing and learning from. As part of her six-year journey, each Ticktocker serves as an officer at least once, building confidence and leadership through experience.

We’ve seen firsthand how our members grow—from quietly observing in early meetings to confidently leading and organizing future ones. By encouraging Ticktockers to step outside their comfort zones and try new roles, we help them discover strengths they didn’t know they had.

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.

From attending a belly dancing performance while dining at a Moroccan restaurant, to exploring the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, enjoying a live musical or theater performance, or screening and discussing a documentary film over dinner—our members’ lives are enriched through cultural and educational experiences that spark dialogue and connection.

We’re always seeking new and exciting opportunities for our members to grow, learn, and experience the world together!

CHAPTER TEA

Our beloved Chapter Tea is a cherished NCL tradition that takes place at the end of each program year. It has become the cultural event with the most lasting impact on both our Patronesses and Ticktockers. This special gathering brings our entire chapter together and provides a meaningful opportunity for connection, celebration, and inspiration—especially as older Ticktockers serve as role models for the younger classes. One of our most heartwarming traditions is the presentation of a beautiful teacup from each Patroness to her Ticktocker. This special surprise marks the end of their first year in NCL and serves as a lasting memento of their journey together.