League leaders will explore new fundraising techniques, Washington advocacy and Baby Boomer volunteers as well as AJLI’s position on child sex trafficking

New York, NY – September 17, 2012 – The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. today announced that as many as 400 leaders of nearly 200 independent Junior Leagues will come together on Sept. 20-22 in Chicago for its 2012 Fall Leadership Conference. Working together under the AJLI umbrella, the 293 independent Junior Leagues are one of the largest, most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world, with more than 155,000 members in four countries.

AJLI President Toni Freeman said, “It is fitting that this leadership event will take place in Chicago, the home of one of our oldest Leagues, which is now celebrating its 100^th anniversary. Since its founding in 1912, the Junior League of Chicago has developed exceptionally qualified civic leaders who identified and addressed the city’s most urgent and pressing needs with meaningful programs and initiatives that improved lives and changed the status quo. Their efforts included launching the first children’s theater in the United States in 1920, funding the first consultation clinic for epilepsy in the 1940s at the University of Illinois and partnering with the Woods Foundation and the Children’s Memorial Hospital to establish the first pediatric psychiatry center in the 1950s.”

Ms. Freeman noted that the communities in which today’s Leagues operate are confronting a broad range of issues, and that leadership training—the main focus of this event—is a critical element to finding success in dealing with them. The conference involves women who are either Presidents or Presidents-Elect of their Leagues. Together, they will explore logistical and motivational issues like new fundraising techniques, organizing effective advocacy meetings in Washington, and increasing the involvement of Baby Boom women as volunteers.

At the same time, the League leaders will learn more about the implementation of AJLI’s Strategic Roadmap and Plan, which addresses the future of The Junior League and its changing member roles, as well as engaging them on AJLI’s position on the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, a world travel industry initiative that aspires to end child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

About The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.
Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer, Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, creating demonstrable community impact.

Today, The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) is comprised of more than 155,000 women in 293 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, they constitute one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world. 

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