MINNEAPOLIS — The Junior League of Minneapolis (JLM) is currently seeking women from the Twin Cities metro area to become part of its 2012–13 New Member Class. The non-profit organization is open to women of all ages and backgrounds who are looking for opportunities to network, volunteer and make a positive difference in their communities.

“We are looking for women who feel passionately about making a difference to join our nearly 800 Active and Sustainer members,” says Mallary Barr, New Member chair of the JLM. “From planning fundraisers to facilitating community projects, we have many ways to get involved and become a part of our 89-year-old non-profit organization.”

"In November 2011, the organization took a strategic step to more closely align its services and resources with one of the community’s most pressing needs: the achievement gap," says Sarah Curfman, president of the JLM. "Specifically, the organization is focused on programs aimed at increasing support for parents and families, increasing access to quality educational programming, and reducing other barriers to learning like housing instability and food scarcity."

Curfman continued, "One of our organization's greatest strengths is the power of our network. In aligning the JLM's programming, and adding the brainpower and willpower of our nearly 800 members, we hope we can be part of the solution to this community-wide issue."

Women who are interested in learning about the JLM or joining the organization are invited to attend one or more informational sessions:

New Member Information Session – Thursday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Vic’s on St Anthony Main (201 Main St. S.E., Minneapolis);
August Presidential Social – Tuesday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m., at Wayzata Yacht Club (1100 Eastman Ln., Wayzata);
September Registration Social - Thursday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m., at location to be announced.

You can also register online at www.jlminneapolis.org.

Women interested in joining the JLM 2012–13 New Member Class must register no later than September 30, 2012.

Members of the JLM represent various cities throughout the Twin Cities metro area and reflect a wide range of professional pursuits, backgrounds and interests. Current members range in age from early 20s to 60s and 70s. They dedicate their time and talents to a variety of projects designed to make a positive impact on the communities where they live and work. The JLM is a great way to connect to the community, broaden your professional network, and make lifelong friends.

New Members of the JLM participate in a New Member Training Program before becoming Active members of the League. These activities and courses are designed to educate new members about the JLM, the Minneapolis community, voluntarism and development, as well as provide opportunities to meet and socialize with other new and active Junior League members.

The 2012–13 New Member Class begins in October 2012. Courses for the New Member Training Program start in October 2012 and conclude at the end of the JLM year in May 2013.

For more information on the JLM or requirements to become a New Member, please visit www.jlminneapolis.org.

About the Junior League of Minneapolis
The Junior League of Minneapolis (JLM) is a nonprofit organization made up of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Established in 1923, the JLM continues to develop projects to fill needs within the Minneapolis community and narrow the achievement gap. Past projects include helping to found the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Free Arts MN and the Jeremiah Program. Current projects address issues from hunger and nutrition to literacy and narrowing the achievement gap. The JLM reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism. For more information, please visit www.jlminneapolis.org.