Junior League of Bergen County Holds Membership Information Session

If you like to volunteer, meet new people, make a difference, learn new skills and believe in the importance of giving back to the community than the Junior League of Bergen County may be the organization where your skills and interest that matches

The Junior League of Bergen County hosted an information session at  Starbucks in the Boulder Run Shopping Center in Wyckoff Wednesday night.

Jennifer Pataki of Allendale decided to attend to learn more about the volunteer opportunities the League is involved with.  

"I have volunteered for the Allendale Education Foundation and wanted to explore other community service projects that like minded women in the area are involved with," she said.

According to their mission statement, “the Junior League of Bergen County, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. [They] reach out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.”

Marlies Drahouzal of Wyckoff answered questions about the time commitment and opportunities and projects the League is involved with.

Drahouzal received nods of approval from the attendees when she said "meetings start on time and end on time... the League respects your time." 

Laura Behrmann is the current president of the Junior League of Bergen County. The Ramsey resident has been a member for 7 years.  

“Our members represent a vast majority of the 70 towns in the county: any woman interested in community service who is over 21 years of age is welcome to join.”

Deborah "Beechie" Jackson of Teaneck has been a member since 2009 and shared her experiences with the League. 

"They are supportive of me as friends, we have fun working together and doing good things in the community," she reflected. 

Folders with information were distributed at the information session which contained material about the League's partnerships with non-profit groups in the county.  

“When you fill out an application and pay your dues you become a provisional member, said Behrmann. Provisional members will attend a one day training session on November 4. New members are required to attend a monthly meeting and can choose a committee to work on. “Most women enjoy the experience of helping others and spend many more service hours than our minimum requirement,” she added.

Growing up in Wyckoff, Courtney Lisecki was taught the importance of giving back to her community. Now a Ho-Ho-Kus resident, she found the opportunities to donate her time and talents as a 20-year member of the Junior League. 

“I have met and worked with women from all over Bergen County who have become friends. This a wonderful service organization,” she said. 

Stasi Seidler of Fair Lawn heard about the Junior League's activities from her neighbor who is a member and decided to attend the information session.  

"I am a lifelong Bergen County resident and stay at home mom and I thought this group may be a way for me to help in the community and meet other women," she said. 

Upcoming events sponsored by the Junior League of Bergen County include the Star Power workshop for 4th and 5th grade girls and their moms on October 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. and a Comedy Night fundraiser at the Brownstone in Paterson on November 17.

The Bergen County Junior League is an affiliate of the Association of Junior Leagues. The next information session is September 14 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Panera in Paramus. For more information about League activities and membership information visit www.thejlbc.org or call (201) 447-2292.