All About The League’s Leaders

If you’re familiar with the Junior League of Washington (JLW), you probably know we’re a women’s service organization.

What sets us apart is how we prime our members for leadership - whether through voluntary service, as civic leaders, as leaders in their professions, or otherwise.

Another unique aspect of JLW is that nearly 100 percent of the day-to-day management of the League is executed by more than 2,300 unpaid volunteers – our incredible members (with the valuable support of our three-person staff). Managing this volunteer workforce is no small task.

Our Board of Directors composed of 16 women, who provide the League with strategic governance. They hold periodic meetings, which are open to the public.

The members of JLW’s Board, called Council Directors, are supported by Assistant Council Directors (known as “ACDs”), who fulfill other critical management tasks.

The Council Directors and ACDs are supported by the work of the League’s nearly 50 committees, each chaired by one or two well-qualified League members. These committees focus on the aspects that make our League function – our service to the community, our membership development and retainment, our communications and marketing strategy, our grant-making, our fundraising, and beyond.

Each chair has a different role. Some serve as liaisons to community partners and organize volunteer schedules, others are tasked with raising the funds the League needs to operate, and some are tasked with recruiting new members. But all are charged with key leadership responsibilities, such as ensuring our members have a rewarding experience while fulfilling our Mission.

In all, JLW offers more than 100 leadership opportunities to members within our organization! While these women provide critical knowledge, experience, and expertise to their roles, they also receive greater experience leading teams, managing  a sizeable nonprofit, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and more. JLW leadership is not only a service to the League and the DC community, but also to your resume!

Serving as a JLW chair or Board member helps women grow as leaders and individuals. Many League leaders say they are able to transfer the lessons they learned as chairs or Board members to other aspects of their lives, including leadership positions at work or in other organizations.

JLW’s Board and chairs receive additional training throughout the year to help them develop their skills as leaders. Learn more about how our trainings tap into the potential of our members.

JLW is a place for women not only to give back to their community, but to learn, grow, and thrive as civic leaders and servants. There is a place in leadership for almost everyone based on her skills, personality, and even her time constraints, and we are proud to provide these opportunities to our members.

Find out more about the role our Nominating Committee plays in identifying great League leaders here.