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PAGAS and almond (and any other JL-ers)
Tell me about the commitment for the JL once you're an active. I became inactive shortly after Charlotte was born (it was my first active year, but I hadn't even gotten to start my placement ~ the MFAH ~ before I got pregnant and was sick enough to not be able to do it)...so, it's been 4 years since I was a member. I MISS doing it and like having the structure of a community service project that I've signed up to do.
I've got a lot on my plate right now and am a little afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up, but I also have nothing to base that on since I had really just completed my prospective year, which as you know, was crazy.
Thoughts? How much time each week/month do y'all spend on it? Almond, I know you're super involved b/c you have an exec position (right?), so subtracting that time commitment...just a regular ole active's time commitment.
Thanks!!
Re: PAGAS and almond (and any other JL-ers)
That's the great thing once you are a active you can be committed as you really want to. These are the current guidelines:
1 Set
4 General Meetings (you can get credit for 2 of those with group meetings)
1 Placement n be less intensive if you want.
I think that's not too much. right?
My schedule is pretty heavy but I chose that. Come back ccc. :-)
Okay, remind me again what the Set is?? It's been so long I've forgotten
Is that like the Breakfast with Santa thing?
As far as the placement, are they generally once a week? Or does it just depend on the placement?
Yes the SET is a one time big event. I have some that Ieally like to do for many reasons and always try to get those.
most placement are a commitment of 60 -72 hous over the course of a year. depending on how it's set up you could be heavy action during one time of the year and lighter at others or spread out completely over the year.
You know you want to ;-)
September is right around the corner.....
A SET can be a bunch of different things. Breakfast with Santa is one. Sometimes there are envelope stuffings, waitressing for different events etc. Each month ones open up that you can sign up for. After 8 years you no longer have to do a SET and after 6 years you only have to do 3 meetings.
I am in my last year so I just have my placement and 3 meetings. I do CPR which is approx 2-1/2 to 3 hours every Monday night. I start next week and will finish at the beginning of January. It is a total of 18 weeks. Some placements might be 2x's a month for the whole year, it just depends. I work full time and have two young kids and I do not find it hard to meet my obligations.
SET is a special event. I normally work a lunch in the ballroom, which is 10 am to 1:30 pm, but you are normally let go a bit early. It is just once a year, so it isn't a big deal at all.
The daytime general meetings are now all at lunch time, which is so nice. I like the group meetings, the last one I did was a tour of the Children's Museum with Finley.
As far as placement time, that totally depends. Here is the breakdown of what I worked on so far:
HMNS Touchcart docent - 24 three hour shifts (72 hours total), you could also work longer than 3 hours in a shift if you wanted to.
Picture Pals - write a letter with pictures on the computer every other week for 6 to 10 kids. Pick up the kids letters every other week at the Junior League. Meet the kids for lunch 4 times over the course of the school year.
Pen Pals - hand write a letter every other week for 10 to 15 kids. Pick up and drop off the letters every weel at the Junior League. Meet the kids for lunch 4 times over the course of the school year.
BEAR Shopper - shop once a month for CPS BEAR, approximately $2000 worth of items. Take all the goods to the warehouse every month.
Obviously, I prefer self-paced placements. I would write the letters during nap time or once Finley went to bed. I especially liked Picture Pals because it was all done on the computer and I only had to go to the League every other week instead of every week. I really loved both Picture Pals and Pen Pals because you developed a relationship with a small group of kids over the course of the year. I really love BEAR because I have a good outlet for all my shopping deals/coupons. With the self-paced placements, I am not sure how many hours it entailed, but because I could work on it whenever I had free time, it was really easy.
almond - this is my first year not doing Childspree and I am so bummed. I totally forgot to sign up.
So Tasty, So Yummy
THANKS for all the explanations!!! Wow. You guys are awesome
PAGAS ~ the BEAR shopping seems totally up my alley, too. And would also satisfy my couponing needs! I love that. I'm sooooo tempted to go active again...would I need to do it by September, I'm guessing? Agh. I know my husband is going to look at my like I have three heads
Although, if I can convince him that the commitment isn't that much...the meetings and the SETs, especially since I can do those during the day, are totally no big deal. Neither is the placement if I can do something like BEAR, which is self-paced. I need something like that at this point in my life.
Now just to talk to him about the dues...at least they only come about once a year
I think you should definitely come back! There are plenty of placements to choose from that will adapt to your schedule. And the dues aren't bad and, like you said, only due once a year.
I am doing Childspree on Saturday! Looking forward to it!
FYI - and I know you know this, but there's no guarantee that you'll get the placement you want or even one that totally works with your schedule. Most of the desirable placements, like BEAR, are hard to get on the first try.
My placement is Children's Museum Overnight. I have two trainings that are 3 hours each, then I will spend five nights over seven months at the Museum. It's always on a Friday night beginning at 5:30 p.m. One of those shifts, I have to go by the JL before or after and pick up supplies to take with me. It's pretty easy.
I know
And I'm guessing that sign-ups already happened, right? I don't want to rejoin and then get "stuck" with a placement that is going to require way more time than I can give...so I'm torn. Anyone know who to contact to talk to about this in the JL...and who I'd need to email about becoming active again? I suppose I COULD just go look on the website 
I'm taking the CPR class next week at St. Luke's. = )
I'm at Chapelwood...I like it there b/c the classes are smaller and it is closer to work/home.
My good friend Ashley Beth is teaching at Chapelwood. I go to church at St. Luke's so it was just easier for me to go there since I know my way around.