I first heard about the Junior League of San Francisco (JLSF) back in 2017 from the CEO of the first job after moving to San Francisco. I’d lived in San Francisco since 2013, and while I’d initially made friends through Meetup groups and events, by 2017, many of those close girlfriends had moved. I was looking for a way to build a new community in San Francisco, and joining the Junior League turned out to be the best decision I could have made.
The Junior League’s focus on women’s leadership development deeply resonated with me, and I’ve had a rewarding experience. I took a brief pause when I moved to the suburbs of Chicago in 2021, and then joined the Junior League in New York City (which speaks to its reach!). When I returned to the Bay Area in 2023, rejoining the Junior League of San Francisco was an easy decision, and I’m now an active member & Board Member.
What is the Junior League?
The Junior League is an organization focused on developing women leaders through community service and training. It exists in hundreds of cities across the US and internationally, making it easy to stay involved even when you move.
Your First Six Months: Provisional Membership
When you first join the Junior League of San Francisco, you enter a six-month provisional period. Think of it like new member education in a sorority – it’s designed to get you acquainted with the organization. During this time, you’ll learn about:
- The Junior League’s mission and focus areas (currently bridging the gap of essential needs in SF)
- Our Community Partners
- The different committees and how they operate
- How the Junior League functions
This period also helps you build connections with your fellow new members.
Committee Placement: Where You’ll Make an Impact
After your provisional period, you’ll be placed on a committee for the year (which runs from June to the end of May). We offer a wide range of committees, both internal and external facing, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your interests and skills. Examples include:
- Member Development: Focused on creating training programs and bringing in guest speakers to develop our members’ skills across a variety of topics beyond just leadership.
- Community Partners: Committees that work directly with our partner organizations, which are currently:
Events: Social, Volunteer, and Training Opportunities
JLSF has a very active calendar filled with diverse events, including:
- Social Events: Fun, member-organized gatherings and interest groups (tennis, moms, golf, foodies, arts, professional women’s network, etc.).
- Volunteer Opportunities: Ways to give back to the community through our Community Partners and what we call Done In A Day, one-off volunteer opportunities with organizations e.g. the Randall Museum kid’s day events.
- Training Opportunities: Workshops and sessions focused on leadership development and skill-building.
Time Commitment: It’s More Than Just Socials
It’s important to understand that the Junior League of San Francisco is not just a social organization. Our primary mission is to develop women leaders, which means there is a time commitment. We operate on a point system, requiring members to attend four different types of events over a 12-month period:
- Volunteer event
- Fundraising event
- Training event
- DEIB event
You’ll also be actively involved in your committee. While the social aspect is a benefit, be prepared to dedicate your time and effort to the JLSF’s mission.
Making Friends
With over 200 active members and 400 sustainers (aka active alumni), the Junior League of San Francisco is a large organization. At almost every event, you’ll meet new people. While it’s natural to feel a bit hesitant when joining a large group, my advice is: you get out what you put in.
While some women already know each other (which we encourage!), many attendees are there to expand their own circles. Be prepared to introduce yourself and strike up conversations. You’ll find a welcoming community if you’re willing to put yourself out there.
Financial Commitment: What to Expect
Like most membership organizations, the Junior League of San Francisco does involve a financial commitment. The annual membership dues are currently $280. This fee helps support the ongoing operations and mission of the JLSF.
In addition to annual dues, we host multiple fundraisers throughout the year to raise essential funds. We highly encourage our members to support these initiatives by purchasing tickets for events and advertising them within their personal and professional networks. The price points for these fundraisers can vary depending on the event, ranging from approximately $80 for gatherings like our Ski Apres event to around $400 for our annual Gala, which is a significant fundraising opportunity. Participation in these fundraisers, while encouraged, is not mandatory for maintaining active membership.
Beyond dues and major fundraisers, participation in social events organized by JLSF or its various interest groups is entirely optional, allowing you to tailor your spending based on your preferences. Similarly, any minimal financial commitment through your assigned committee (for example, contributing to small social gatherings or supplies) is usually very modest.
What your dues support:
A significant focus of the JLSF is on developing women leaders. Your dues help fund the creation and delivery of monthly training content featuring amazing external speakers and expert-led workshops designed to enhance our members’ skills and knowledge. Beyond training, we do have other operational costs i.e. maintaining our historic HQ on Fillmore Street, staff salaries, etc.
Understanding the financial commitment upfront is an important part of deciding if the Junior League of San Francisco is the right fit for you. We strive to be transparent about how your investment supports our vital work in the community and the development of our members.
Is the Junior League Right for You?
The Junior League of San Francisco offers a rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand if it aligns with your current lifestyle and goals. Here are some things to consider:
Time Commitment is Real: As mentioned earlier, membership in the JLSF involves a genuine time commitment. While you can shape your experience to some extent, the committee requirement and the need to earn points by attending various events (volunteer, fundraising, training, DE&I) are integral parts of being an active member. If your schedule is already very demanding with little flexibility, carefully consider if you can dedicate the necessary time.
Active Engagement is Key: This isn’t a passive social club. To truly benefit from and contribute to the Junior League, you need to be willing to actively engage in your committee work and participate in events. Your contributions are valued and essential to the organization’s success and impact, and for developing your own leadership skills!
Openness to Building New Connections: The JLSF is a fantastic place to expand your network and build meaningful friendships with a diverse group of women. However, you need to be open-minded and willing to step outside your comfort zone to meet new people. Be prepared to initiate conversations and invest time in building those relationships.
A Desire to Serve Your Community: A core tenet of the Junior League is its commitment to community impact. If you have a genuine interest in learning about and addressing the essential needs gap in San Francisco and want to contribute to positive change through volunteerism, the JLSF offers valuable opportunities to do so. You’ll gain insights into local issues and work alongside other passionate women to make a difference.
Embrace Learning and Growth: The Junior League places a strong emphasis on women’s leadership development. If you’re eager to learn new skills, participate in training sessions, and grow both personally and professionally, you’ll find a supportive environment within the JLSF.
Ready to join?
My experience with the Junior League of San Francisco has been incredibly rewarding, and I highly recommend it to any woman looking to grow and give back. If you’re interested in learning more about joining, learn more here.
