Why I Joined the Junior League of Columbia: A Provisional's Perspective

Something interesting happens once provisional training meetings start. Even though I knew no magic JLC fairy exists to make everything run smoothly (even though there are many members I could name who just might be that very fairy), I quickly realized just how many women dedicate large chunks of their time and energy to make this organization effective. At a recent meeting the provisionals learned about finance, reimbursements and spending. These are the more administrative placements and functions that are the backbone for all the other events put on by the JLC.

Between the different types of DIAD (Done in a Day) projects, Holiday Market, Clean Sweep and others, it was easy to see that these women do not just dedicate their time because of a sense of obligation but because they feel a deep connection to this group and its mission.

With these thoughts just beginning to help me establish my connection to the JLC, I selected to participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters picnic as my community shift. Beth Richardson did a fantastic job of planning this DIAD event. Along with a handful of other provisional and active members, we gathered at Edisto Discovery Park in Rosewood to help with food preparation, field activities, and showing the kids how to prepare healthy snacks. Some of our JLC members even took up the task of face-painting; believe me when I say that those kids looked spectacular!!

The saying goes that there’s nothing more special than a child’s laughter and watching these kids play and laugh was a truly inspiring sight. But, beyond that, to watch both the individuals who volunteered and who worked for Big Brothers/Big Sisters energetically interact with these children truly brought a smile to my face. This was a showcase of what the JLC strives to do – to reach out into our community and touch the lives of both children and adults.

As for the JLC members themselves, it was a wonderful opportunity to help this gracious group of people and we all had a great time playing field games with the kids; my particular favorite was playing with the parachute – I’m really just a six-year-old in a twenty-eight year old body. It was a fantastic chance to meet other JLC members outside of the normal social time before our meetings; I hope I will have the chance to participate in other community shifts to get a sense of the other good works we are doing in the Columbia community. Narrowing down my choices for a placement next year will be difficult!

To end, I was honored at the most recent GMM to be recognized by the members-at-large for volunteering to blog about my provisional year. Thank you for that, as I know that so many JLC members go above and beyond the call of duty and are worthy of recognition as well. I hope my entries serve to give people an idea of how this particular provisional goes through her first year in the JLC.

Post by: Meggie Baker