Governance of the Association

Governance Of The Association #

The Board of Directors #

AJLI is governed by a Board of Directors, whose members also are members of the Junior Leagues in their communities. The Board is accountable to the Leagues for the development of goals that enhance their ability to fulfill The Junior League Mission.

The individual Leagues own, and are responsible for, the entire organization and delegate the governance of AJLI to the Board on their behalf through the Bylaws and Operational Policies Approved by the Junior Leagues.

The Board ensures that AJLI members (the Junior Leagues) are committed to the Mission and adhere to standards of excellent performance.

The Board in its turn is committed to ensuring a future-focused vision and the overall financial health of the Association.

Board Responsibilities #

The key responsibility of the AJLI Board of Directors is to govern the Association effectively, assuring the viability and integrity of the organization and providing leadership that inspires the Junior Leagues to achieve the Mission.

The Board exercises this governing role in four (4) primary ways:

  • Setting the strategic direction of the organization
  • Linkage with the Junior Leagues, who are the Association’s stewards and members
  • Development and monitoring of policies and organizational goals
  • Oversight and evaluation of the CEO, to whom the Board delegates the authority and responsibility for accomplishing the organizational goals

Board Composition #

Positions on the Board include President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Governance Chair, Governance Vice Chair and At-Large Directors.

For more information, see the AJLI Certificate of Incorporation & ByLaws - Article IV, Section V; Article V, Section VI and Article VII, Section IV.

Removal of Members of the AJLI Board #

If your League feels that a member of the AJLI Board is not meeting her legal duties, you have the right, on behalf of your League, to bring a motion forward to remove a Director at any Annual or Special Meeting of the Association. Removal of a Director requires a vote of two-thirds of the Junior Leagues.

For more information, see the AJLI Certificate of Incorporation & ByLaws - Article V, Section V.

The Governance Committee #

The members of the AJLI Governance Committee come from across the Association and represent all Junior Leagues. The committee is led by the Governance Chair and Vice Chair.

The Governance Committee’s Composition #

The Governance Committee is comprised of the following 9 members plus the AJLI CEO, who serves as a non-voting member of the committee.

  • Seven (7) At-Large Members. Each serves a two-year term.
  • One (1) Governance Committee Chair.The Governance Committee Chair requires previous service of at least two (2) years on the AJLI Board, Governance Committee or former Nominating Committee (other than as AJLI Governance or Nominating Committee Chair). The Chair serves a one-year term.
  • One (1) Vice Chair. The Governance Committee Vice Chair requires previous service of at least two (2) years on the AJLI Board, Governance Committee or former Nominating Committee (other than as AJLI Governance or Nominating Committee Chair). The Vice Chair automatically succeeds to the position of Chair after a one-year term.

The Governance Committee’s Responsibilities #

The AJLI Governance Committee is responsible for matching organizational needs and individual strength to produce a leadership team that will most effectively forward the Association’s Mission, goals and strategic plan.

Specifically, members of the Governance Committee accomplish accountability by:

  • Staying up to date on Association governance issues
  • Assuring that a broad range of members are informed about the availability of Association positions and the competencies required to serve in these elected positions
  • Identifying individuals who have the competencies and who understand the responsibilities of serving in Association elected positions
  • Working collaboratively with the entire Committee to decide which candidates best meet job requirements and organizational needs
  • Evaluating Committee work to continually improve the results and process

Participating in the Nominating Process #

Presidents and Presidents-Elect play a critical role in the success of the nominating process. It is their responsibility to nurture and encourage talented women to consider applying to serve on the AJLI Board of Directors and Governance Committee. It is important that they are knowledgeable about the skills and experience required to serve on these entities so they can share the information with women in their Leagues.

It also is their responsibility to vote on the slate of the AJLI Board of Directors and Governance Committee as presented annually by the Governance Committee.

For more information, see the AJLI Governance Opportunities on the AJLI website.

The Nominating Process #

There are four (4) phases in the Nominating Process:

1. Application Screening #

Applications for AJLI governance positions (Board of Directors and Governance Committee) are submitted to AJLI Headquarters by the application deadline. After the application deadline, the Governance Committee screens all applications and determines which applicants will be brought forth for an interview. Applicants will be notified by email and/or letter regarding the status of their application.

Note: AJLI recognizes that the Internet provides unique opportunities to participate in interactive discussions and share information on social media. An online review of applicant’s social media and networking platform tools will be performed to ensure applicant has not used unlawful, discriminatory, racist, obscene, offensive or otherwise objectionable statements, language or content, or shared private information about others.

2. Interviews and Reference Checks #

The Governance Committee interview teams then conduct interviews with the selected applicants. Interview questions are behaviorally based, which focus on the applicant’s experiences and past practices in their Junior League, at work or in other community organizations. References will be checked after the interviews.

Note: The Junior Leagues adopted an operational policy, which provides for a League Check in addition to the League and Non-League Reference applicants are asked to provide in the application packet. Prior to slating a candidate, the Governance Committee will contact the President of the candidate’s League to confirm that the candidate is a member in good standing and to obtain a reference on her League service regarding the leadership and service ethic competency. In the event the candidate is currently President of her League, the President-Elect will be contacted.

3. Slating #

After interviews and reference checks are complete, the Governance Committee slates the available positions. All slated candidates are notified of their selection by telephone within 24 hours of the close of the slating meeting, and applicants who are not slated for positions will be notified by mail and/or email within a week of the conclusion of the slating meeting. After the slating meeting, the Governance Chair prepares the final slate and submits it to the AJLI Team for distribution to the Junior Leagues no later than 70 days before the Annual Conference.

Right to Propose Additional Candidates #

Your League has the right to propose additional candidates if you do not feel the candidates slated by the Governance Committee meet the expectation of representation at the Association level. Any eleven (11) Junior Leagues may nominate additional candidates for any positions. Nominations must be made within 30 days after the publication date of the official Governance Committee Slate announcement.

For more information, see the AJLI Certificate of Incorporation & ByLaws - Article VII. Section V.

4. Election #

The Governance Committee issues the final election ballot to the Junior Leagues no later than four (4) weeks before Annual Conference. Ballots must be returned to the Governance Chair no later than seven (7) days before Annual Conference. Governance members are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by Leagues eligible to vote for slated positions.

The Governance Committee announces the results at the opening session of Annual Conference.

Responsibility to Vote #

The AJLI board leads the organization and ensures that it is future focused. Therefore, voting for Board and Governance Committee members is a critical action and responsibility of League leaders.

Ballots will be made available in early spring, prior to Annual Conference, and every League must return their ballot to AJLI on or before the date specified.

Note: More detailed information, including the application deadline, is available in the Member Area of the AJLI website.