The Junior League of Dallas is known for many things. It’s the largest one in the country. Its members serve on 50 boards and coalitions. It provides more than $1M to Dallas County non-profits. It has provided Dallas with countless leaders.
But if you’re counting how much it contributes to Dallas in hours, that’s a good question. It’s a heck of a lot. But the MySweetCharity team pulled out the corporate abacus and figured that if there are 5,000 members and each one “dedicates” 60 hours annually to “worth causes in the community,” then the answer is 300,000 hours. But if you look at the JLD website, it says the number of hours is 120,000. And if you got an invitation to the Milestone Luncheon, it says 130,000.
Very confusing. So a knowledgeable JLD type was asked and here is the answer:
“JLD currently has more than 5,000 members including Sustainers (the 3,000 Sustainers are active but do not have the 60 hour/year volunteer time commitment). We have more than 2,500 Active and Provisional members, who give 60+ hours in volunteer time – 2,500 x 60 = 150,000. The numbers on the web site and the invitation do not account for JLD’s growth over the years or the size of the provisional class, which varies year to year. This information is in the process of being updated.”
So, that means that 150,000 of “uncompensated hours given to area non-profits” are contributed “to greater Milestones for thousands of individuals throughout the Dallas community.”
To celebrate the contributions of this 90-year-old organization, the Milestone Luncheon is held to celebrate these mega-numbers of hours of improving the city. One of the high points of the lunch will be presentation of the 2012-2013 Sustainer of the Year award to an “individual who continually reflects the mission and standards of the JLD: promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community.”
This year under the chairmanship of Andrea Weber, the November 2 luncheon in the Stemmons Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole will honor Debbie Taylor as the Sustainer of the Year. And just what has Debbie done to earn this recognition? How about:
“Debbie is most accomplished with her involvement in the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. She has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2011, set new records as Campaign Chair in 2007 by raising $60 million, and was founder of the Women of Tocqueville Society. Debbie is also a previous board member of ChildCareGroup, Dallas County Community College District Foundation, the Girl Scouts Development Committee and the Crystal Charity Ball Advisory Committee.
“In addition to her countless hours and efforts in her volunteer work, Debbie is also a career woman. As the Southwest Regional Director for Citi Community Development, she specializes in the empowerment of those in economic distress through grants, microfinance initiatives and executive involvement in the community. She once again reflects the spirit of the Junior League of Dallas by claiming: ‘I couldn’t work for a company or corporation that doesn’t put a value on volunteering.’ ”
According to JLD President Aimee Griffiths, “Debbie’s remarkable attitude and commitment to improving the Dallas community through her work as a JLD member and beyond made her the perfect candidate for the Sustainer of the Year Award. She recognizes the opportunities the League has given her and is appreciative for all it has done to impact her life, as well as the lives of others.”
Debbie simply claims, “I am the perfect poster child as to what you learn in the League transfers to so many different many things.”
In addition to Debbie, Deloitte will be presented with the “Community Hero Award.”
Keynote speaker for the luncheon presented by Inwood National Bank will be Genesis Women’s Shelter Executive Director Jan Langbein.