Junior League of Sacramento

Happy Birthday Sacramento Junior League! The #SacJL has decades in building organizations and supporting the growth, skills, and self efficacy of our youth in the Sacramento Region. I was thrilled to learn more about the organization, members, leadership, and their legacy in building many flagship organizations in our region. Many of my friends from Sacramento State and Drexel University (Sacramento) have been or are members. A few years ago, I re-sparked my interest, where I meet several members at a Saint John's Program for REAL CHANGE Chefs dinner. The organization is truly committed to helping make a difference, building new programs and outreach, and last year had the opportunity to sponsor their Touch-A-Truck event with my partners at New York Life in offering our community outreach Child ID Program.

Having joined the League in 2000, I have gained tremendous experience, insight, and leadership development. Noting Lindsay's experience below, it's not a good fit for everyone, and each person comes with a different perspective. For me, it was the opportunity to be involved in community service through an organized effort. It's easier to make an impact when more people are contributing. My career keeps me busy and away on travel, and the JLS is flexible enough for me to be as engaged as my schedule allows. With a multitude of opportunities to be involved, one's JLS involvement can fluctuate to accommodate life's ebbs and flows. As Kristen notes in her review, like anything else, it's what you make of it. I personally opted to get involved in leadership, including five terms on the board, one year as president, and various other committee chair and slated positions. It's a great support network, too, as I got laid off mid-way through my presidential term. I'm far from one of the "rich" members Lindsay notes, and my job loss was a huge source of stress, as I had a mortgage to pay. I was raised with incredibly modest means and have worked since I was 11, and being out of work was tough. I relied on my fellow JLS members to get us through that critical time, and the JLS was also a great network for me while job-seeking. The training I received at AJLI conferences was top-notch, and I use the information daily. Through the JLS, I've established great friendships with some of the most down-to-earth women I've ever known. For anyone interested in learning more about the JLS programs and projects, go to www.jlsac.org for all of the details.

As with all things in life... this experience is what you make it. Each woman will get out what they put in. In my 5 years with the League I have found some of my best friends, great training and tons of self fulfillment though this amazing organinzation. Though it is not sunshine and roses every minute, I feel truly blessed that I'm able to share in the important work these women do. If you roll up your sleeves and are willing to put yourself outside your comfort zone in order to grow there is no limit to the good that can come from this experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone interested in giving back to the community.

Very thankful to have joined the Junior League. Every General Meeting or Volunteer Opportunity is filled with such positive energy. Very thankful to have the joined because not only do we get the chance to volunteer around Sacramento but we also get the chance to be around vibrant and friendly women !

I know Kristen O. from the League. We shared the same committee last year and I respect her passion and defensiveness for the League. I am happy that she paints a positive view of the League and that her experience in the League has been so different than mine. I think people coming to Yelp will now have two points of view to consider, which only makes their choice about joining or not joining the League a more informed one. I agree with her comment of "as with all things in life... this experience is what you make it." I guess that's what makes my time in the League so frustrating. I did try to put roots down in this organization. As for her comment "each woman will get out what they put in," I feel thankful that she can understand why the League didn't provide me what I was looking for. I did put in so much to the League with the expectation that I would get out of it what I was putting in. I've spent my whole life doing service work of some kind. Unfortunately, myself and a few other girlfriends didn't have that glowingly positive experience that Kristen did. Sometimes some things in life are not a good fit, no matter how hard one tries. I guess my hope in writing such a frank and candid review of my time in the League was to give another view of the League, one that is tightly guarded if you are not a part of it. Make no mistake about it, there is great work being done by the League. There is also great work being done outside of the League. I think non-traditional League-type women who do not fit the mold will have to work a little harder to make connections in the League. I know I did... and I don't regret having to work harder for those friendships. I wish no disrespect to the League or to Kristen and I appreciate that Yelp provides a safe forum for people to give honest, personal feedback.