Is the Junior League relevant?
Advocacy, Voluntarism 2 Comments
As volunteer groups diversify with the addition of men and fundraising goes viral with the click of a key, where does that leave female-only charitable organizations like the Junior League? Founded over a hundred years ago by young debutantes with time on their hands, its relevance is called into question in this age of equal pay, mommy-blogs and hip young professionals flocking to Arts organizations.
There aren’t, however, many volunteer groups with a national infrastructure and local autonomy, that can count 160,000 trained members actively fundraising and volunteering in the community.
Jean Larette – a San Francisco based interior designer with her own successful line of Tibetan rugs, has chaired many charity events, including the 75th Anniversary of the San Francisco Ballet Gala.
“Time after time I have found the Junior Leaguers to be professional, motivated, creative, resourceful, reliable, cheerful, possess a very strong work ethic and a dream to have on the team. The Junior League is the training ground for the strongest volunteer force in the country.”
It is obviously not just a place for women who cherish their pearls and gloves. There are plenty of accomplished women who have proudly served: Shirley Temple Black, Eleanor Roosevelt, Katherine Hepburn, and Sandra Day O’Connor to name a few. Even now there are scores of elected officials, including U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, NC, who are active members not to mention CEOs at major corporations and nonprofits, such as Kimberly Violich – President of Schwab Giving.
Yet, what about the current tech-savvy twenty-somethings, why should they care?
Active young fundraiser, Michelle Curtis, is a Provisional member.
“I chose to join the Junior League because they provide the education, mentorship and growth for women of all ages and in all communities. It carries you through different life stages, careers and even through different cities. I look forward the time when I can provide mentorship for younger members.”
The technology times are changing, though, and fast. Can an old-school organization steeped in tradition keep up?
With the click of a blue bird, we found a couple of dozen chapters tweeting away. Over at Facebook, their national Fan base is growing rapidly. What are they saying? Commending the volunteer and fundraising work the individual chapters are doing for their communities.
So, what kind of training do they get?
Says Layne Gray, Founder of Vivanista:
“When I was Fashion Show Chair, I ran a committee of 80 for more than a year. And it’s not as easy to manage volunteers as it is employees – they are not beholden to you for their paycheck! More importantly, though, I’ve made lifelong friends with women who have the same passion I hold when it comes to giving back.”
With more than two hundred chapters in North America and England, it is apparent the Junior League is not only surviving, but thriving. They’ve been able to keep up with technology innovation and offer the kind of volunteer training not easily found elsewhere.
Do you have an opinion?
What other organizations do you think provide great training?
Please comment below.
The Junior League may have begun as an outlet for women with a lot of spare time, but it now is the ideal volunteer and leadership development organization for women with limited spare time. As a 10-year member (and past president and five-termer on the board) of the Junior League of Sacramento (JLS), I am able to use my time most effectively and efficiently by being part of the organization. Also, while once an outlet for a more homogeneous crowd, from what I’ve seen at Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) conferences and trainings, it’s an incredibly varied and diverse group of women — with women from all walks of life, all backgrounds, and all ages. I’ve used my JLS and AJLI training in my busy career with a global corporation. I truly cannot say enough great things about my Junior League experience. When I joined in 2000, my mom questioned why such a nice, down-to-earth girl of modest means would join this supposedly elitest group — she quickly changed her mind when she learned of the significant community impact we have and when she got to know my diverse group of Junior League friends, friends I will have for the rest of my life.
My mother was pregnant with me when she joined the JLSF in 1983. When I was 5, I was a child model in the JLSF fashion show and later I was a teen model in the show. Throughout my childhood I remember spending time at the JLSF headquarters while my mother was at board meetings or out helping the League members volunteer at civic events throughout the city. These experiences taught me about the value of serving your community. As a little girl, I remember looking up to these exceptional women who had meaningful careers (whether they be professional or volunteer), and those memories have motivated me in my quest to become an accomplished young women who dedicates her time to improving San Francisco. The women of the Junior League truly served as role models to me and to countless other young girls.
When I first moved back to the City after college, I immediately joined the Junior League; I hoped I would have the good fortune my mother had in making life long friends. My experience in the League has been magical. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with exceptional women who inspire me in the same way that my mother and her friends did years ago.
As if the above was not enough of a testimony about the relevance of the Junior League, then I offer the following: within last year’s provisional class was a small group of women (about 40) who despite their inexperience, were able (with the support and training of the League) to raise over $60,000 for the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco. An organization that trains and empowers women to do something so significant, must surely be relevant during a period in which we need now, more than ever, to rely on our community volunteers to build up our city.
The thing I find most astonishing about the Junior League is that it is this organization which has produced the majority of the Chairs of recent Symphony, Ballet, and Opera and many other galas in the City. You can’t think about legendary San Francisco event chairs without taking note of how many are members of the League. Consider Patricia Sprincin, chair of the Black and White Ball (one of the largest events in the nation), or Layne Gray, the founder of Vivanista. Consider Merrill Kasper, Jane Inch, Anne Marie Massocca, Gail De Martini, Usha Burns, Marsha Monro, Debbie Bocci and so so many others (I am remiss for excluding many incredible women, please forgive me!).
Finally, I can’t think of anything more relevant than an organization that promotes relationships, networking, and camaraderie among successful, civic-minded women. I know these women have had a tremendous impact on my life, but above all, the Junior League has had an immeasurable impact on San Francisco and other communities throughout the nation that they serve.