The Junior League
 

I wanted to know if anyone has joined the Junior League in their area after college. The one here in Houston has sponsered admissions, and a person has to be proposed by 3 people to join. Has anyone joined a JL with similar selectivity? And do you have any tips?

I am a member of the Junior League in Boston (JLB). Our membership runs about 1,500 with aprox. 200 provisionals a year. Though, I had two sponsors, the JLB no longer requires sponsorship to join. Do you know any active or sustainers that could sponsor you for membership? Also, you need to show not only an interest in volunteerism, but also a record of volunteering in your community.

My Junior League chapter also does not require recs. We aren't very big compared to Boston or New York....our New Member (Provisional) classes usually are around 30 or so (it might be higher this year because of Showhouse) with approximately 200-ish actives. I know that a few of the women in my league are Greek alumnae, so perhaps there are some in Houston too. Maybe you can check with your Alumnae Chapter?

You may also want to ask if they do non-member events that you could participate in. The Junior League near me does that, and it gives you a chance to get to know women so they can then sponsor or recommend you for membership. Good luck - hope it works out for you!

We don't have a Junior League in our area ....you have to drive an hour to the nearest......but i think it would be a great organization to join if you have one near you.

The OKC VP of the Junior League subleases in my father's law office. I can't say I know that much about them though except that they kind of sound like a sorority for adults.

I been thinking of looking into membership with the Junior league of Washington which requires you to be 20 years of age and a DC resident and have a sponsor. However, if you don't have a sponsor, they put your application in a sponsorship pool and assign you to someone. So I guess it varies by city.

I looked on their website, and they do not have any non-member events, but that if you want to meed JL members than to volunteer and places where they place JL volunteers. So I've been working on that. I've also been volunteering with the Girl Scout council in my area for a year. I will also check with my alum chapter here and see if any of them are members, thanks for the idea!!

Weird question: Does anyone know why the age varies from chapter to chapter? I was in the NYC League's website and their minimum age is 16! I don't know about you, but most high school girls aren't really going to be interested. It is 18 in Toronto.

I'm a Provisional with the San Antonio Junior League. My sponsors were all adpis from my alumnae association. I think that the age requirements must vary from organization to organization. Here are our requirements for membership:

Must have reached the age of 23, or be less than the age of 40, before March 31st of the year she is invited to Provisional Membership.
Must live in Bexar County and surrounding counties for a minimum of one year by the time she is sponsored.
Must be sponsored by 4 members of the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc.; 3 of the 4 must be Active members. No more than 1 sponsor may be a Sustaining member. Not more than 1 sponsor may be first-year Active member.

I have really enjoyed my time in the Junior League so far. I encourage you to look in to it. Does the Houston JL website have a contact person for interested persons? Ours does and I would recommend you to see if there is anyone that you could call or e-mail. Best of luck!

Junior League
 

I have a couple of questions:
First what do the sustained members do and how do they vary from actives??
Second are provisional members only taken in the Fall?? and what are they required to do in that "provisional" time?
How long is the provisional time?
Thanks
DDDMiami

Re: Junior League
 

Sustainers are:

Women who are over 40 and have served the League as active members for x number of years (it is five for the JLT). They have all the privileges of active members except they cannot hold office or vote. However, an individual league may allow Sustainers on their Board of Directors the right to vote on questions that are before the Board as can Sustaining Directors who are on the Association Board.

Provisional Members (aka New Members): My league only takes new members in the fall, and it lasts until the spring. Right now, the ladies are working on projects about the Toronto League (history, how it works, etc), and will start their New Member projects after the holidays. I do understand that there are Leagues that take in new members in the winter.

I was a member of the Junior League of Washington for about six years. One year shy of going sustainer. In my opinion, the JLW itself was not a good experience. The volunteering I did however was. And the people were nice that were on the committees I were a part of. However, the politics of the JLW, the disorganization, the "elite inner circle" and their rules I found were way too much. I wish it was more like a "sorority for grown women" but it wasn't. It was volunteering. A few social events but it was difficult for me to take part in most of them. And, the outside cas needed for lunches, admission, food, arts/crafts etc took me by surprise. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm happy to volunteer my time and money but would like some notice. The communication (or lack of communication) I had from the league made my decision to quit a very easy one. And, DC being such a transient city, I met many people from other leagues and they hated their experience with the JLW unfortunately.

I'm still waiting for a response from the JLW after sending them three e-mails last year. Oh well.

I'm volunteering with another organization and love it so much more.

I was told that many chapters of this organization are kind of elitist-snobby. Not elitist by ability or anything like that, but elitist in a socially-exclusionary way. Hence the word snobby.

Is that a reasonable characterization?

James, in my experience with my chapter only, I would say yes and no. There were many women I called, "the 8 carat ring club" who were above everyone and spoke in weird voices, etc. However, the majority of my experience was the exact oposite. Women who were educated, many who worked on the Hill, credentials out the arse, attractive/well put together, not poor but not above at all standing behind a counter at a soup kitchen dishing out pasta salad. We all wore jeans and became friendly with women/children/people who happened to have different life experiences than us and it was great.

I think the JL in general has that reputation, as do sororities, but I never focused on the people, I focused on the committee/volunteer opportunity first and then became friends which the people on that same committee. I know I wouldn't have lasted ten secnds on those committees that appeal mostly to the "8 carat ring club."

Re: Junior League
 

Sustainers are League members who've "served their time." ;) The Junior League of Miami (JLM) doesn't have an age requirement anymore to go sustaining; it's now based on # of years as an Active. I became a sustainer last year, or the year before last..I can't remember? And I'm not 40.

The JLM has also started taking Provisionals in the spring.

Provisionals just have to attend more meetings & do their own community service project. They also might be required to volunteer at League functions...but it's so flexible.

It all depends on the League you're joining.

It certainly has that reputation. Though I know some members in Pittsburgh and they certainly don't fit the profile.

KD had partnered with Junior League in some way, but then I never heard anything about it. Wonder why......

Annie, do you have any clue?

JLW
 

I'm bumping this because I attended a "Prospective Member Meeting" for the Junior League of Washington last evening. I was a bit overwelmed especially when they annouced at the end that they had 2800 members and could only take a class of 300 and had 96 spots left that would be filled on a "first come, first serve" basis. (130 girls came to this session and the same amount came last session and they still have one more session) I went ahead and filled in my member contract and paid my dues. However, I won't know until this summer if I am in the class, wait listed or in a potential "2nd class" they may form since they had "an influx" of applications this year. I'm a little nervous but I guess if it's meant to happen, it's meant to happen. So if people could send good vibes my way that would be great! Thanks!

Adrianne, I had no idea the JL was even active in Washington. You'll have to tell me next time they're recruiting. You know, when you're on the other side. :)

Seriously, though, I'm sure you'll be welcomed in with open arms. Don't forget to let us know when it happens!

Another thought
 

I don't know where either of you are located in DC, but there is also a Junior League of Northern Virginia which takes members from Northern Virginia as well as Maryland and DC. I will be a second year active next year and have enjoyed my experience. We have our meetings at Tysons Corner, but some of the volunteer opportunities are in Arlington. We work with homeless and at risk children as our focus area. The requirements are less as well.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, PhiMuLady!!

I had a wonderful new member year (some Leagues still use "provisional". I guess they're not required to use "new member" by the Association of Junior Leagues International) last year and I'm just about wrapping up my first active year! You'll have a GREAT TIME! :)

The Junior League of Washington was my chapter. Congratulations!

While I miss the volunteering and the people I met in my placement I do not miss the politics at all. The rules change year after year so be wary that one policy you love may change the following year.

A Capital Collection -- the big fundraiser in the winter time -- right before Christmas is fabulous and Tossed & Found, the rummage sale in the spring is great.

Take advantage of all you can.

While I lived in the suburbs and bitched about having to trek "all the way" into the city, I did like having an excuse to get out and meander in Georgetown.

Keep us posted.

Any idea what placement you will choose?

Out of curiosity, how often does the JL usually meet? I know it will probably vary from chapter to chapter, but I'm just looking for an average or your area I guess :)

JLNV meets once a month and your committee varies on how often it meets.

After your provisional year..

I am a member of JLB (Boston).

Active Status:
Meet once a month within our volunteer group and have a 24 hour (though it depends on the project/committee you are on) volunteer requirement and 8 hours of training credits.

As an active you also have to work the Show House or you can pay ($100.00) a shift.

Attend 2 GM.

Active II status: (after five years as an active).
Are responsible for 24 hours minimum on a committee and 4 hours minimum of training credits.

They do not have to staff the Show House.

Attend 1 GM.

What's the age limit like? And isn't it kind of like COB -- you have to know someone who's already in to get an invite?

Many leagues no longer have upper age limits. The youngest one usually can join depends on the league. It usually runs between 18-22, although the New York league allows 16 and 17 year olds to join, according to their website. New Members are usually between 28-35.

I guess it's kind of like COB. One of this year's new members commented that the information meeting we had felt like rush to her.

i served and provisionaled in des moines iowa.
one general meeting a month

Re: The Junior League
 

im a member of the league in baltimore. we are not as selectiveas other chapters but from what i have heard new member requirements are similar.

If I wanted to find out more about the Washington, DC JL, what would I need to do?

They should have a website you can go into which will provide contact info. :)

ETA: The Washington, DC League's website is here :http://www.jlw.org/jlw/index.htm

thanks!

i was in jr. league when we lived in tulsa, ok and had a fabulous time. if you are intersted in jr. league at all, check it out and go for it. it is a great way to meet new people, serve your community and the networking can be terrific too. good luck.

I just received my issue of Connected, the Junior League publication. There was information on the AJLI boutique in it. I didn't realize it existed. Is it something new?

I got that Connected too - it is the first one I've gotten from Nationals...maybe it is something new!

Oh yeah, I got it too.

But I thought it was because I transferred Leagues (Miami to Seattle) and that Seattle was more "on it" - lol!

What do you ladies think of the AJLI boutique? I can see some younger women who MAY want JL t-shirts or lavaliers and things like that, but how many 70 year old sustainers would?

Hey! Not all sustainers are 70 years old! ;)

The JL of Miami has been selling t-shirts for years. My sister bought me one when I joined (she joined the year before).

The t-shirts are nice to wear when you're doing a group activity in within the community.

I wear tee shirts for community events...but we always have our own shirts made. I did not pay much attention to the boutique stuff - I don't see myself getting that stuff! We have a gift shop here and all the profits go back into our league. We have to spend X amount of dollars in there every year. I bet they will start carrying some of the boutique items in there. Maybe the provisionals will buy it all up!

Is it a really big time commitment? I'm interested in joining but I already do too much so I'm a little wary!