One of Virginia's latest appointee to the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism, July currently serves as a government relations and grassroots advocacy consultant and as an appointed member on the Fairfax County Planning Commission. Her professional experience includes 12+ years as the American Bar Association’s grassroots director and legislative counsel for civil legal services, Legislative & Public Policy Director for the National Employment Lawyers Association, and Washington Representative for the University of Florida.

Julie’s life-long commitment to volunteerism incorporates her professional experience and her personal passions: history and government, K-12 and higher education, the rule of law, access to justice, and community involvement and leadership. Remembering her own 8^th grade experience with Law Day, Julie is a strong advocate for promoting this important program as part of K-12 civics education. In 2015, she was appointed by the ABA president to a three-year term on the Standing Committee on Public Education, which organizes the national Law Day celebration. Last year, she worked with the Virginia General Assembly to enact a bipartisan Resolution recognizing Law Day and has organized Law Day programs in Fairfax County elementary schools. In addition, since 2012, Julie has served as a judge and parent volunteer for the Virginia middle and high school “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” regional and state competition.

Julie’s main volunteer role this year is PTA president for O.W. Holmes Middle School in Alexandria. Holmes MS, located in the Mason District, is the proud home of a diverse student body representing over 50 countries. Her goal is to build a PTA organization that will support this International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP) Title I school with active parent involvement, significantly increased community funding, and volunteer service. As part of its 50^th anniversary celebration (1967-2017), the PTA will encourage Holmes MS students as they perform #50ActsofService.

Welcome Julie Strandlie!