Starting a debutante club...how?

aouibitofred · #1 10-07-2009, 10:54 AM

Hi there. I am looking for some insight and advice. I have two young daughters and would like for them to have the opportunity to debut.

I did not debut but attended Sweet Briar where many of my classmates did this. From what I can understand, debuts range from simple affairs (eg-being presented by the garden club) to all out bashes (eg-International Ball in NYC). I am told that, in some cases, it is not even about how much money you have but how long your family has been in the area.

I live in the Northeast; the nearest ball is The Cotillion in Boston. I am assuming that this one is for the "high end" debs.

I would love to start a "debutante club" but have no idea how. I did some online research and found this close to what I would like to accomplish

www.olddominioncotillion.org

I like how the girls actually go through a process and earn the right to debut.

Does anyone have any guidance for me?

PS: I am entering the Junior League this year and hope to meet some like minded ladies who might want to help me start something like this....

MysticCat · #2 10-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aouibitofred

PS: I am entering the Junior League this year and hope to meet some like minded ladies who might want to help me start something like this....

If I am not mistaken, some Junior Leages sponsor annual local debutante balls.

FSUZeta · #3 10-07-2009, 11:18 AM

the debutante coteries that i am familiar with are long standing and the girls who debut are daughters of long time donors to the organization that presents them. the debs are usually h.s. seniors or college freshman. parents host parties thruout the year prior to the debut ball.

could you contact some of your college friends who were debutantes? they might be a good source of information.

aopirose · #4 10-07-2009, 12:02 PM

Many of the coteries here are assembled by family association and parental club membership. Sometimes the young woman herself is the member but it's not often. Quite a few of these organizations are more than 100-years-old.

You can also check out the National League of Junior Cotillions. They now have a Presentation Society. http://www.nljc.com/debutantecotillion.htm

My deb year was tons of fun and I look forward to when Little Miss aopirose makes her bows.

OleMissGlitter · #5 10-07-2009, 12:05 PM

I made my debut down in New Orleans. I know my father, grandfather and great-grandfater were members of those organizations. It was a fun time and in New Orleans most debs make their debut their junior year in college.

ThetaDancer · #6 10-07-2009, 04:10 PM

I can't say I've heard of anyone just starting up a "debutante club"...is this something that is commonly done? All of the organizations with which I am familiar and or/have been involved are quite old and rather well-established. I agree with talking to some of your college friends or other people you know who may already be involved to see if they have insight.

puglover · #7 10-07-2009, 10:46 PM

We have them in my area and you can attend a conference to become a director.

Maybe you have already see this site but here it is.

August 1-2, 2009 Charlotte, North Carolina

"It was everything I expected and more. It is exactly what I have always wanted to do."