What about the Junior League of Washington

[Anonymous]

What about the open bar parties? Does anyone know about those?

[Anonymous]

Former Junior League of Washington member here. There is no such thing as a "senior volunteer".

The Junior League was founding in NYC ~100 years ago. At that time, "respectable" unmarried ladies weren't allowed to go around the city without an escort. A young woman who wanted to make a difference helping the city's destitute citizens formed the Junior League as an acceptable way to help. Junior refers to the fact that it was for unmarried women.

Fast forward to Junior League of Washington in the 21st century.

JLW does not require sponsors to become a member. They are really trying to diversify their membership, with limited success. The majority of their active members are 22-35 years old. I'd venture that most start out single and are married by the time they quit (or go "sustainer") in their mid-30s.

JLW strives to have *trained* volunteers. Ones who can be useful, not just show up and not get anything done. They partner with a lot of organizations throughout DC. Martha's Table, N Street Village, College Bound, National Book Fair, Iona Senior Services, among many others. You probably aren't aware of the activities they are in, b/c they look just like the other volunteers at those organizations. I was never a super enthusiastic member on the social side, although I do think they provide solid opportunities to volunteer in DC.

They also raise money to maintain their facility and to donate to organizations that apply for grants.

I quit a year or two after my DC was born. I just didn't have the schedule that would allow me to make the various meetings and events. I honestly don't think they have figured out how to make it work for working moms or SAHM with kids too young for school.

As for all of the members looking alike, there is a bit of truth to it. Quite a few blonds, quite a few multi-carat diamond rings, some seem to have gone to the same plastic surgeon. But not all by any means. It is quite a bit like a southern sorority, although they really are trying to change that. It is just a slow process when all the southern sorority girls move to DC and want to join b/c their mothers expect them to do so. A few years back they actually had a waiting list to join, as they can only handle a certain number of new members every year (b/c of the training demands).

Instead of trying to figure out fact from fiction on this board, go to their site:
http://www.jlw.org/

[Anonymous]

Went to jlw.org and all I saw was something about A Capital Collection and Shop Hops/Shop Around. Where is the information about volunteering? Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

JLW Member here. And a Mom. Brunette to be exact. And my son goes to public school. I joined the JLW when I moved to DC about 4 years ago because I wanted to get involved and didn't know how to break in to the volunteer/philanthropic scene here. Seemed to me at the time that you had to know someone who knew someone. So a colleague of (yes, I am also a working mom) recommended the league. Couldn't be happier. The JLW provided me with an opportunity to volunteer, learn about the area, meet some new people, and have a good time doing it. There are no "open bar" parties. Other leagues, maybe, but not the JLW. This is a group of women who volunteer in the community. Yes, we could just go direct to the organizations, but the league provides an opportunity to be involved with many different things. I second the recommendation to check out the web site and look into the history of the league's accomplishments before jumping to conclusions and false stereotypes.

[Anonymous]

If you are really curious, read "The Help" - GREAT book, although set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 60's. You'll at least get a good sense of the Junior League stereotype. I think its a much bigger deal in the south...interesting to hear that it started in NYC.

[Anonymous]

In this age of flash mobs, pillow fights on the National Mall, and meetup.com, the Junior League seems like such an antiquated system that only continues to serve exclusive elite wannabes who want to stick together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Went to jlw.org and all I saw was something about A Capital Collection and Shop Hops/Shop Around. Where is the information about volunteering? Am I missing something?

Try looking under Improving Our Community:
http://www.jlw.org/?nd=improve

[Anonymous]

I would be very curious how many of the critical posters volunteer themselves. How crass to criticize those who volunteer for literacy causes in DC? And, to the poster who only saw what they wanted to see on the website, shame on you. You obviuosly ignored "improving our community" and only posted what you wanted to be seen.

[Anonymous]

Pp, I am a current member and I have attended open bar sustainer parties.

[Anonymous]

What are sustainers? Does the bar have anything to do with the name? I'd like to join if they have open bars. Are these the 'teas' I've heard mentioned?
As to pp who scolded someone for seeing the shopping information on the website... That's the first thing a visitor would see--why would someone fish for what the organization clearly sees as the fine print? If you want someone to see something, put it out there!

[Anonymous]

I have been a member of JLW for 5+ years. The stereotypes and how other leagues work around the country is not at all how it is in DC. For example, admission to the league in DC is a lottery system and not sponsorship based. I volunteer through the league in the community weekly or bi-weekly and have worked with many great organizations in dire need of volunteers. For me it has been a tremendous way to meet and form bonds with successful women who want to contribute to their community. Yes, you can volunteer on your own but for me the Junior League has provided comradery and accountability which has kept me active in the community even when I was in school full time, working, had an infant and just didn't think I had time to volunteer. I really don't take advantage of the social networking aspect of the league outside of my volunteer efforts. IMHO they are more geared to singles. However, they are fantastic for those who are new to the area.

The shopping events are one of the main fundraisers that allow the league to support community organizations through grants, providing books, scholarships, etc. The focus of the DC league is on literacy but the community involvement is not totally limited to that. Organizations currently supported by the Junior League include Calvary Women's Center, Bright Beginnings (established in 1991 by the Junior League of Washington, who identified a critical need for quality childcare among homeless families in Washington, D.C), Community Life Family Services, Langley Residential Services, The Women's Center (often referenced on this board), the National Book Festival, N Street Village, Doorways for Women and Families, Iona Senior Services and MANY more.

Don't people on this board have more important things to bash than organizations and people who are trying to make positive contributions to the community? Just because may not agree with how we/they are doing it doesn't mean that the organization and its members aren't having real and meaningful impacts on people’s lives in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Why doesn't the community at large know what impact the Junior League of Washington is having? If they are having an impact, that is. They have become insignificant in the last ten years or so. What is your drop rate???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn't the community at large know what impact the Junior League of Washington is having? If they are having an impact, that is. They have become insignificant in the last ten years or so. What is your drop rate???

Why don't you call up N Street Village, Bright Beginnings or any other non-profit with significant staffing from the Junior League and ask them if it is insignificant to them. PR takes time, money and resources. Junior League is focusing those on people in need not self promotion. If you are not a member or considering becoming one why do you care?

[Anonymous]

You provide staff?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a friend who quit because she felt discriminated against. The Junior League of Washington is not a reflection of this diverse community. You won't be included unless you are a member of a country club and send your children to private school.

I left this org. about the same time as I left other snotty, snobby clubs. I don't know about now but when I was a member, one had to be invited to join and it was purely social snobbery. Their noses were so high in the air they could have drowned with a tea cup of water. I didn't stop volunteering, but I volunteered with organizations and projects that were enlightened and inclusive.