National League of Junior Cotillions
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Chapter
Welcome
WELCOME TO NLJC, SWFL
Notes from the Parent Reception & Orientation, 2024
Thank you for your patience - due to the disruption from the two back-to-back hurricanes, updates are delayed.
Meeting notes should be up by the evening of October 22nd.
Reference Material
FIVE STEPS TO MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CHILD'S COTILLION EXPERIENCE - LINK
2024-2025 SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON I - LADIES - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON I - GENTLEMEN - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON II - LADIES - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON II - GENTLEMEN - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON III - LADIES - LINK
DRESS CODE SEASON III - GENTLEMEN - LINK
COTILLION DRESS CODE STANDARDS - LADIES - LINK
HOW TO BE LOVELY - TIPS ON CHOOSING A FORMAL GOWN - LADIES - LINK
RESULTS OF INDEPENDENT STUDY ON THE PROFICIENCIES OF IMPACT NLJC, SWFL
links to present and past "Reminders"
OCTOBER 2024
PRE SEASON EVENTS
PARENT RECEPTION & ORIENTATION AND ONBOARDING SURVEY - LINK
OCTOBER 2024
COTILLION EVENTS
SEASON I - OPENING DANCE - COMING OUT BY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND
SEASON II - OPENING DANCE - COMING OUT BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
SEASON III - COUNTRY DANCE - LINK
Mission
The Mission of the National League of Junior Cotillions is to teach children how to treat others with dignity and respect for better relationships with family and friends and to teach social dance
About Us
Cotillion in Southwest Florida is offered in partnership with Florida Arts, Inc. and managed by the Coventry Payne Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3. The Regional Home Campus is located at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers, Florida
Benefits of Membership
The National League of Junior Cotillions, founded by the late Anne Winters in 1979 and headquartered in North Carolina, is one of the finest character education programs in the country. Cotillion in SWFL is a three-season program. Each season builds on the lessons and skills taught the previous year. Lessons include Manners in the Home, Table Manners, Basic Party Courtesies, Etiquette in Public Places, Characteristics of a Young Man or Woman of Good Characterr, and much more.
Registration
The membership drive for the upcoming season opens on February 14th. Early registration is recommended because class size is limited and must balance between the number of boys and girls in a class. Seasons II and III are open to students who have successfully completed the previous season Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is through the national office. A $300 deposit is required with registration. Deposits are et aside until acceptance is confirmed. Seasons II and III are open to students who have successfully completed the previous seasonClick the class tab to the left to access information on the classes available, the cost, and the registration form.
Acceptance
Provided the class is open and space is available, students are accepted in the order in which their registration was received. Only students whose registration is accompanied by a deposit are considered for acceptance. Deposits are held in a set-aside account until acceptance is confirmed. To keep the number of students in the class even between boys and girls, students are accepted in pairs - one boy and one girl. The only exception to the acceptance policy is this: If a girl nominates a boy and I am aware of this in advance, when he registers and pays a deposit, she is accepted with this acceptance no matter where she is on the waitlist. The same goes for boys who nominate a girl.
Membership Fees & Payment Policies
Membership fees must be paid in full by September 15th to attend class. Out of fairness to those on the waitlist, there are no refunds after acceptance is confirmed. If a class fills or if there is no corresponding registration at the opening of the season, deposits are returned to the credit or debit card used
Payment Plans & Sponsorships
Summer payment plans are available. Contact the director for information on payment plans or to find out about the Foundation's Sponsorship Seeker Program.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ACCEPTANCE AND PAYMENT POLICY
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PARENT REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS
To register, click the registration tab on this site and follow the prompts
WE DO NOT ADVERTISE BUT DEPEND ON THOSE WHO KNOW OUR PROGRAM
TO NOMINATE OTHERS FOR THE PROGRAM
SHARE YOUR STORY
INVITE A FRIEND - MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2025-2026 OPENS FEBRUARY 14TH, 2025
Payment Plans & Sponsorships AVAILABLE
CONTACT THE DIRECTOR FOR INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
LAURIE COVENTRY-PAYNE, DIRECTOR
DOUGLAS COVENTRY, EVENT MANAGER
YARAH ALLEY, PROGRAM ASSISTANT
COURTNEY MCGIRT, GLT ADVISOR & MANAGER
EVOKE PHOTOGRAPHY, COTILLION PHOTOGRAPHERS
LINKS TO FURTHER INFORMATION
COVENTRY PAYNE FOUNDATION, INC.
DRESS CODE - COTILLION STANDARDS
DRESS CODE - FORMALWEAR - HOW TO BE BEAUTIFUL
DRESS CODE - SEASON I - GENTLEMEN
DRESS CODE SEASON I - LADIES - LINK
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - 2024-2025
SERVICE LEARNING VERIFICATION FORM
VIDEO ON COTILLION - SEASON II
VIDEO ON COTILLION - SEASON III
Cotillion in Southwest Florida is Magical
Join us!
Announcements
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE FO the 2025-2026 season OPENS ON FEBRUARY 14th, 2025 |
About Director
Laurie Coventry Payne, director of the National League of Junior Cotillions Southwest Florida, opened her first chapter in 2004. Since then, 4000+ students have registered representing six counties and fifty-two schools in Southwest Florida.
Miss Laurie was a professional classical dancer in Europe. Upon retirement, Miss Laurie earned her master's degree in environmental science. She worked for several years as an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University before becoming the executive director of a non-profit Foundation. The Foundation manages, supports, and sustains programs for students that encourage creativity, build character, and strengthen community. NLJC is the Foundation's largest program.
Miss Laurie to her husband of thirty-five years. She has five grown children, three grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Pony.
Laurie Coventry Payne, M.S.
(941) 855-0777
if there is no answer, leave a message