On an annual basis, the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (“JLC”) places trained volunteers with selected community partners in support of our current area of focus.  The JLC annually reviews project proposals submitted by community agencies and/or League focus area committees. Final decisions are voted on by the JLC membership and are based on community needs, membership interest, and available League resources.

JLC placements generally run from June through May and require an average of 40 hours of a JLC volunteer’s time over the course of the JLC fiscal year, which also runs from June to May. A typical placement consists of approximately 15-20 volunteers organized by a committee chair and vice chair.  Many of our volunteers are working professionals and prefer placements with evening and weekend hours.  JLC volunteers seek opportunities that are fulfilling, where they can feel they are making a difference in the community, that allow an element of flexibility in their schedule and provide adequate skill-specific training in addition to the volunteer and leadership training they receive from the JLC. Ultimately, the goal of the JLC is to match our volunteers with unique, fulfilling volunteer opportunities that allow us to make a measurable impact on the Charlotte community and in our current focus area.

At present, a total of over 2,300 Charlotte-area women are members of the JLC, including over 800 “Actives”, which are members who fulfill community volunteer commitments as well as manage the organization. Over 70% of the Actives are employed, either part or full-time.  Supplementing the Actives are over 200 Provisionals, or members-to-be, who engage in an extensive one-year training course along with hands-on volunteer placement experience.  Finally, there are over 1,200 Sustainers, which are members that no longer actively volunteer with the JLC but who serve in advisory roles and provide support for League activities.  The JLC reaches out to all women, regardless of race, religion, or national origin who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

Junior League of Charlotte Mission Statement

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, to developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.


Healthy Child Initiative

In 2004, the JLC Board of Directors voted to formalize a process that would have the JLC focus its efforts on specific topics of community need for a period of up to five years.  This strategic decision will allow us to better stay abreast of emerging community issues while focusing the energies of our trained volunteers for maximum impact. 

The Healthy Child Initiative (“HCI”), the first five year focus area cycle, will officially begin in June 2006 and last until approximately May 2011.  Through this focus area, our programs, projects and advocacy will be focused on the physical, dental and mental health needs of children aged 0-17 years and their families in the Charlotte community.  All potential community partnerships will be considered against the stated goals of HCI.

Goals of Healthy Child Initiative

• Raise the awareness of children’s health issues, particularly in the areas of physical, mental and dental health, in our community.
• Place trained volunteers to partner with other organizations in our community to address children’s physical, dental and mental health needs and support family needs related to those issues more effectively via our projects, placements and advocacy efforts over the next five years (formally beginning in 2006 and ending in 2011).
• Educate and connect our community to health and wellness services for children aged 0-17 years and their families.
• Facilitate on-going dialogue among the community and its leaders regarding the physical, dental and mental health needs of children and their families living in Mecklenburg County to foster long-term solutions/approaches.
  

Specifically, the JLC will employ trained volunteers, form partnerships in the community and develop programs focusing on preventative physical, dental and mental heath education.  In doing so, the JLC seeks to promote education and programs targeted at healthy lifestyle choices, physical activities and constituent preventative physical care; promote education and programs on dental care and hygiene; and develop and administer programs aimed at education to remove the stigma of diagnosable mental behavioral and emotional disorders facing children and their families. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Community Projects must fall within the current League focus area.
• Applying organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status.
• Community Projects must be located in Mecklenburg County or contiguous counties as approved by the JLC.
• Selected partners must be willing to sign an annual contract with the JLC.

Application Overview

Applications for Community Partner may be obtained by clicking here or by calling the JLC office at (704) 375-5993.  The JLC will only accept applications that are complete, have all required exhibits and include the signature of the agency’s Executive Director or President of the Board of Directors.

The JLC provides both volunteers and funding to community partners.  A community program may receive either strictly volunteers or a combination of volunteers and funding, depending on the needs of the specific program and the goals of the JLC relative to the program.  However, the JLC does not provide funding to a program that does not also have a JLC volunteer component.  The JLC will consider funding requests that are directly related to the program for which volunteers are requested, but we will not fund ongoing operating expenses or staff salaries. 

Community partner applications are due by August 3, 2007 at 5:00 pm.  No applications will be accepted after that time.  Following an initial review, agencies will be contacted by a JLC representative for an interview and for additional discussions regarding the applicant’s program for which volunteers are requested. 

Selection Process

Community partners are recommended to the JLC membership for final approval after an extensive vetting process that includes a thorough review of the agency and the program for which volunteers are requested.  Applications are formally reviewed in October.  Community partner programs are presented for final approval by the JLC membership at our February membership meeting.

Selected agencies will be invited to attend the JLC Community Expo in February for prospective volunteers to learn more about programs for which volunteers are needed.

Volunteer assignments for the new JLC year are made in April based on member preference.  In the event that an approved project does not receive adequate volunteer interest, the project may be cancelled.


Timeline 2007-08

 

June	Application for Community Partners available on JLC website and/or mailed to interested groups.
July	Application process
August	· Final deadline for applications is August 3, 2007 at 5:00 pm. · Following submission of an application, an agency will be contacted by the JLC for an interview and further discussion concerning volunteer needs, scope of the agency’s program, etc.
Sept./Oct.	JLC Application review process
November	JLC Partner selection for recommendation to the JLC leadership.
Dec./Jan.	Agencies notified of final outcome of selection process.
February	· League membership votes on community placements. · Community Expo at JLC General Membership Meeting.
Mar./Apr.	JLC volunteer assignment process
May	· Chairs and vice-chairs for community placements announced. · Community Partner Breakfast held.

Conclusion

The Junior League of Charlotte has a long and distinguished track record of service to the Charlotte-area community.  We look forward to continuing this legacy through collaborative approaches and partnerships within the community that allow us to fulfill our mission of while providing our members with unique, meaningful volunteer opportunities within our current area of focus.

We invite your application and look forward to working with you.  Should you need more information or have questions or comments to share with us, please contact one of the following JLC leaders:
 

Linda Bleakney, Program Development Chair*
lindableakney@yahoo.com
(704) 386-7786

Melanee Smith, Program Development Vice Chair*
melanee.smith@cms.k12.nc.us
(704) 737-1469

Linda Redding, Community Impact Manager**
lredding@carolina.rr.com
(704) 731-2383

Janet Higley, Project Evaluation Chair**
janetjhigley@aol.com
(704) 377-2770

*primary contact for Applicants
**secondary contact for Applicants