Q&A: Junior League President on Initiatives

Patch asked Junior League of St. Louis (JLSL) President Sue Felling about the organization's initiatives, role in the lives of women and an upcoming recruitment event.

What are some of the Junior League's major initiatives in St. Louis?

Currently, we have a program called Developing Strong Women. In partnership with the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, we are staging a one-day event where disadvantaged women in the St. Louis region can come to one location and receive on-site services in areas as diverse as health care, dental care, legal assistance, financial/banking assistance, and employment and educational assistance for no cost. 

Additionally, we are in our 24th season of a partnership with called St. Louis Family Theater. This program brings in professional theater groups who bring children's literature to life on stage. We offer very subsidized pricing so that all children can experience live theater. We serve over 30,000 children annually and also offer a docenting program to educate the children about what they will experience. 

Past major programs include being the organizing sponsor responsible for bring the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure to St. Louis, starting the Girls Club of Soulard (now known as Girls Inc. of St. Louis), co-founding St. Louis Crisis Nursery, forming the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, starting Junior Kindergarten (which was the forerunner of the nationwide Head Start program) and many more.

Why is it important for women 21 and older to be a part of this group?

The Junior League promotes voluntarism, develops the potential of women, and improves our community. Not only do we have a variety of volunteer opportunities, ranging from the larger programs listed above to short term projects with a wide variety of community agencies, but we provide incredible training opportunities. 

It is one thing to volunteer; it is another to be a trained volunteer. We teach our members how to be effective volunteers and civic leaders. It is a fabulous way for women to work with other women who have a similar regard for volunteering.

How many members does JLSL have?

Approximately 550.

What are benefits of membership?

A huge benefit is the training we provide. We encourage our members to learn new skills that they can carry forward to other community organizations and their jobs.  Additionally, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities so members can try different things knowing there will be other JLSL women there too. 

We also have a that members can use. Finally, they develop relationships with other women who value community service, not only here in St. Louis, but among the 292 other Junior Leagues throughout the world.

Talk about what will happen at the upcoming member recruitment event in Clayton and at others like it.

At the member recruitment events, interested individuals have the opportunity in a casual setting to meet JLSL members, learn more about JLSL and the benefits of membership, as well as ask current members any questions.   

We have two spring new members recruitment events planned. The first event will be held on Thursday, March 22 at (26 N. Meramec Ave.) in Clayton, MO from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

The second event will be held on Friday, April 13 at RSI Kitchen and Bath (9700 Manchester Road) in Rock Hill, MO from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in conjunction with the Kitchen Tour Pre-Party Celebration, an annual kick-off event celebrating 2012 Kitchen Tours. 

The Kitchen Tour event is the JLSL’s largest annual fundraiser. Advance reservations requested for both new member recruitment events. Please call 314.822.2344 or recruitment@jlsl.org to make your reservations for these events.

Is there anything else you would like to add?   

Yes! We would like to remind everyone about our Kitchen Tours event.
JLSL proudly announces its second annual Kitchen Tour that will showcase beautiful local kitchens while raising funds to benefit community projects supported by JLSL. 

The 2012 Kitchen Tour will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seven remarkable residential kitchens located in central St. Louis County will be highlighted on this year’s Tour. Modern and traditional kitchens will be featured with varying architecture and design. 

Attendees will be exposed to the latest work of St. Louis’s most celebrated kitchen designers. This is the largest fundraiser for the JLSL. The Kitchen Tour event will be held rain or shine.

The public is also invited to the Kitchen Tour Pre-Party Celebration, an annual kick-off event celebrating Kitchen Tours to be held on Friday, April 13 at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The party will take place at RSI Kitchen and Bath at 9700 Manchester Road in Rock Hill, MO. This memorable event will feature cocktails, appetizers and music, as well as a silent auction including celebrity chef aprons. 

For tickets or additional information on the 2012 Kitchen Tour or the Kitchen Tour Pre-Party Celebration, go to www.jlsl.org or call 314-822-2344. Advance purchase tickets for the 2012 Kitchen Tour are $20 per person and $25 per person the day of the Tour. A Pre-Party and Kitchen Tour combination ticket is available at $45 per person. 

Credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, Discover and American Express) are accepted online at www.jlsl.org or www.designspeakstl.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 314-822-2344.  Ticket price includes admission to every home on the Tour.

The Junior League of St. Louis (JLSL) will host a member recruitment event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at in .