You Give & You Get

In many nonprofit organizations, members join to selflessly give back to their community with little to no expectation of receiving anything in return. What makes the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) different is the alignment of what members give with what they get.

Throughout its 94-year history, the JLC has been dedicated to investing in each, individual member not only as volunteers, but as leaders within the community. It is through this exchange of giving and getting that makes the JLC one-of-a-kind organization. The women of the JLC not only give back to the community, but they get a great deal in return.

The women of the JLC give a lot, for example… • They give their time to fostering the JLC mission through organizational placements and the community partners • They give their passion to projects and initiatives critical to the development of young children in the community • They give vaccinations to children to make sure they can go to school • They give meals to families who do not otherwise have the means to put food on the table • They give clothes to newborn children of underprivileged mothers in need • They give Charlotte students the opportunity to grow and develop with digital education programs • They give confidence and support to less fortunate parents and children

It’s easy to see what they give, but it may not be as obvious to see what they get. Through the dedicated investment that the JLC provides each woman, members get just as much as they give.

So what are a few things that members get? • They get leadership training coordinated by a dedicated team of members who host programs, such as the Leadership Development Institute • They get specialized education and development geared towards bolstering their personal and professional skills • They get opportunities to lead other women and drive change throughout the Charlotte community • They get connected to additional areas and organizations where they can best leverage their expertise and strengths to further value the community through programs such as Get On Board and Public Policy Institute • They get life-long friendships and support from like-minded women, with the added ability to mentor or be mentored

“Community volunteerism” does not traditionally go hand-in-hand with “female empowerment”, “leadership development”, or “professional training”, but the JLC isn’t quite a traditional organization. At the JLC, they give and they get.

I give time and leadership skills to the JLC.

I get the opportunity to serve the Charlottearea community in multiple ways from the JLC.

Becca Walters

I give my time and ideas to the JLC.

I get leadership skills from the JLC.

Brandi Edwards

What I have received: There have been life lessons around professionalism and how to navigate challenging situations, organizational lessons around the work we do and how it continues to evolve to meet the needs of this ever-changing community, friendship lessons in learning how to ask for help amidst the sometimes challenging workload that the JLC can create and just how many people are willing to support you.

What I have given: The JLC has given me an opportunity to impart some of the things that I love doing the most- I truly enjoy coordinating and facilitating programs, events and trainings. I was a provisional adviser, tapping my interest in developing people. I love the opportunity to be creative.

Meredith Cook

The JLC has helped me create connections with the community and organizations whose missions are aligned with causes I care about. I love meeting new people and enjoy giving my time, talents and treasures with like-minded women. I have met my closest friends in Charlotte through the JCL and glad we connected through the JLC.

Morgan Squatriglia McDonald

I have given my time and leveraged my strengths for the greater good of the Charlotte community

I have received leadership training and friendships with incredible women who share the same passion for service and community betterment as I do.

Charlotte Stanton

What I have given: What a joy it has been to lock arms with these women and give our time to volunteering. Whether I am stuffing backpacks, gathering donations, or setting up for a mobile food pantry, I know an impact is made on our community.

What I have received: When I joined the JLC, I had no idea the magnitude of sisterly bond and incredible feeling of warmth from giving back. The impact these women make on our community is stupendous and I continue to be blown away year after year!

Mallory Moyer

I give my leadership and tech skills to the JLC.

I get personal enrichment and mentor/ mentee opportunities from the JLC.

Jane McIntyre

We get lifetime friendships.....We get and develop leadership skills..... We learn our community, especially the nonprofit sector...

Charlitta Hatch

I have given my time and energy towards something greater than I could ever imagine.

I have learned how to advocate in the JLC. The advocacy shows up in advocating for others within and outside of the Junior League. I have learned how to turn my advocacy into action to truly broaden impact. Most importantly, I have learned how to advocate for myself in many settings.