National League of Junior Cotillions
Charlotte Harbor Chapter
Welcome
Letter to Parents
Our area has undergone major changes in the past couple of years. Despite a global pandemic, two major hurricanes that damaged or destroyed many of our homes, and the changes since Allegiant Airlines established Sunseeker and purchased Kingsway Golf Club, where we held Junior Coitllion Instructional Dances for several years, we are still here.
To cope with these major challenges, NLJC Charlotte Harbor merged with NLJC Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. We are likely to merge again for the 2024-2025 season, or not, depending on whether we can REBOOT CHARLOTTE HARBOR.
With the help of a strong Advisory Board, we may be able to pull off having instructional dances for Season I in this area starting in the fall. If not, at the very least, we are laying the foundation for doing so in 2025-2026.
If you are interested in working with me on the REBOOT OF NLJC CHARLOTTE HARBOR, email
But even so . . .
DON'T DELAY
register today
Whether or not we merge this season, NLJC has operated in Southwest Florida for over 20 years. Hundreds of testimonials are on file, all pointing to the same thing: The National League of Junior Cotillions, founded by the late Anne Winters in 1979, is of exceptional benefit to the development of a child as they transition through those sometimes difficult middle school years to young adults.
We are still here and hope to be for many years to come.
Check out the information below.
If you have questions, email me. I am always available to our Cotillion community.
Blessings,
M Laurie
2024-2025 SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - LINK
2023-2024 SEASON SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - 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 is a three-season program. Each season builds on the lessons and skills taught the previous year.
~ Manners in the Home ~ Table Manners ~ Basic Party Courtesies ~ Etiquette in Public Places~
~ Characteristics of a Young Man or Woman of Good Character ~
and much more . . .
Early Registration Recommended
Registration opens on February 14th, 2024
Class size is limited and must balance between the number of girls and boys in the class
We accept 30 boys and 30 boys in Season I. A second class opens only if a minimum is met
Seasons II and III are open only to students who have successfully completed the previous season
Classes fill quickly
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
Registrations are taken online by the national organization and forwarded to the director of the local chapter
An online deposit of $300 is required with registration
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 Rules of Acceptance is this
Students who nominate a corresponding registration, for example, a girl nominates a boy or visa-versa,
that student is accepted into the program when their nominee registers wherever they are on the waitlist.
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 has been filled, or if there is no corresponding registration to balance at the opening
of the season, deposits are returned to the credit or debit card used
Payment Plans & Sponsorships
Summer payment plans are available
Students may also enroll in the Foundation's Sponsorship Seeker Program
For information on payment plans and the
Sponsorship Seeker Program, contact the director
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ACCEPTANCE AND PAYMENT POLICY
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS MOST RECENT REVIEWS
EARLY REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SEASON
OPENS ON FEBRUARY 14TH
TO REGISTER, CLICK THE REGISTRATION TAB ON THIS SITE AND FOLLOW THE PROMPTS
SAVE THE DATE, SHARE YOUR STORY, INVITE A FRIEND
THURSDAY, MAY 2ND, 2024
PARENT RECEPTION
SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS
6:15 PM
An evening reserved for Cotillion Parents to introduce their nominees to the Cotillion program
in Southwest Florida, see the facilities, meet the director and staff, and enjoy an evening out with friends.
Click here to r.s.v.p.
SCROLL DOWN FOR LINKS TO ADDITIONAL 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
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!
EARLY REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SEASON
OPENS ON FEBRUARY 14TH
SAVE THE DATE
THURSDAY, MAY 2ND, 2024
PARENT RECEPTION
An evening reserved for Cotillion Parents to introduce their nominees to the Cotillion program
in Southwest Florida, see the facilities, meet the director and staff, and enjoy an evening out with friends.
MAKE THIS YOUR PARTY
HOST A FULL TABLE AT THE PARENT ORIENTATION
ON THURSDAY, MAY 2ND - BYOB
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 in the program, 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
We look forward to welcoming back the Class of 2025 and 2026
and will welcome with open arms our new Season I students, the Class of 2027!
Blessings,
M Laurie
The National League of Junior Cotillions, founded by Charles and the late Anne Winters in 1989, is one of the finest character education programs in the country. There are two chapters in Southwest Florida under the direction of Coventry-Payne, the Charlotte Harbor Chapter and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Chapter. Both chapters are managed by a 501(c)3 public charity in partnership with the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. 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.
COTILLION IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS MAGICAL!
REGIONAL HOME CAMPUS
SIDNEY & BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER
SPREAD THE WORD!
WE DO NOT ADVERTISE BUT DEPEND ON THOSE CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM
OR THOSE WHO GRADUATED TO LET OTHERS KNOW ABOUT US
SHARE YOUR COTILLION STORY
BE BLESSED AND BLESS OTHERS
Announcements
SPREAD THE WORD - SHARE YOUR STORY
CLASSES FILL QUICKLY
About Director
Laurie Coventry Payne, director of the National League of Junior Cotillions Southwest Florida, opened her first chapter in 2004. Since then, 3500 students have registered in the program, 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. Miss Laurie to her husband of thirty-four years. She has five grown children, three grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Pony.
Laurie Coventry Payne, M.S.
(941) 677-3277
if no answer, leave a message