Embracing The Responsibility Of Governance #

The Junior League is comprised of The Association of Junior Leagues International (alternatively the Association or AJLI) and the 290+ individual Leagues throughout the U.S, Canada, Mexico and the U.K.

Becoming a leader of The Junior League—either at the Association level or in your individual League—is an incredible opportunity to lend your voice and vision to the future of one of the most highly respected and storied institutions in the world. With it comes a tremendous responsibility to uphold the reputation and legacy of our organization–one that has trained some of the most inspiring and galvanizing civic leaders in history.

As a Junior League leader, you play two equally important roles in the Association:

As a steward of the Association, the big question on your mind should be: “What can I do, as my League’s representative at the Association, to ensure the health, vitality and viability of The Junior League for future generations of civic leaders?"

In your role as steward of the Association, you will help govern AJLI. You are responsible for keeping up to date on all Association-wide matters throughout the year and, in turn, ensuring that your League Members are informed about key issues in a timely manner. You will serve as the voice of your League by participating in discussions and selecting a voting delegate to vote on items of importance to the Association as outlined in the following sections.

As your League’s leader, you will help ensure that your League Members are aware of the information and services we provide, staff roles and responsibilities and how to access resources and tools. In this role, you would ask: “What can the Association do for me and my League?”

If you would like a quick refresher on our Mission, Vision and our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, you can read those here.

Brand Identity & Voice #

A key part of governing the Association is governing The Junior League brand. With Leagues spread across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom, The Junior League brand serves as our common bond, reinforcing our heritage and the unique value we bring to society.

We have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that our extraordinary legacy of leadership–a precious cultural inheritance–thrives. It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly, and one we cannot do without the foundation of a clear and consistent Junior League identity and voice.

Leagues have been given the right to use the brand to further our Mission. In your role as steward of the Association, you also have the obligation to protect and defend The Junior League brand, and not allow it to become diluted or tarnished.

For more information, see the Brand Standards.

How AJLI Works #

The Junior Leagues are responsible for electing the members of the Board and Governance Committee who in turn work with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to set the strategic direction for the Association.

The CEO reports directly to the Board and has sole discretion, within boundaries, to direct the Association Team.

Electing The Association’s Board Of Directors #

By electing the Association’s Board of Directors, the Leagues give it the authority and responsibility to govern and manage the Association within the parameters of its Mission, Vision, Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, The Operational Policies Approved by the Junior Leagues (OPALs) and External Policies.

Participating In Association Leadership Meetings #

Presidents and Presidents-Elect exercise their joint authority as stewards of the Association by preparing for and attending business meetings, staying apprised of Association issues and voting at Annual and Special Meetings of the Association, as well as participating in Governance Dialogues at conferences.

The Association also solicits input and feedback from Presidents and Presidents-Elect via surveys, webinars, emails and telephone conference calls throughout the year.

The Board of Directors keeps Leagues informed by holding Governance Dialogues at Association meetings.

Conference Rules Call to Conference materials

Having Your Voice Heard #

Presidents and Presidents-Elect have the right and responsibility to communicate with fellow League leaders and the AJLI Board of Directors to share ideas, concerns or grievances related to the Association.

If you’d like to implement a change within the Association, you can propose an Advisory Resolution at an Annual Conference or Special Meeting.

If you’d like to discuss a matter with the AJLI Board of Directors, you may do so by:

• Calling, emailing, or meeting in person with any Board member
• Contacting a Board member via the AJLI website
• Participating in Governance Dialogue’s open mic session at an AJLI Conference

If you’d like to speak with other League leaders, you may do so by:

• Participating in area Conferences, Delegate Dialogues and AJLI Association Visits and trainings managed by (Affinity) League Groups
• Networking at Association Conferences during Governance Dialogue, open business office hours and networking lunches
• Connecting with others on the AJLI website by asking a question, the JL Directory or joining one or more of the various private Junior League Facebook Groups