Junior League of Monmouth County 2014-2015 #Time #JLMonmouthCounty #JLMC

I don’t have time for this. (Or at least I shouldn’t.)

I have often run into women who, when approached with the idea of joining the Junior League of Monmouth County say, “Oh, I would never have time for that!”

My life was very different when I joined ten years ago, and I probably did have more time than I have now. Though my membership years have also been the years that have brought me a new business, a new husband, a new house, and most recently, a new baby, I find that I’m getting more accomplished now than I ever could have before.

What I’ve gotten from the JLMC in return for my membership is an invaluable support system of smart, dedicated friends who have taught me about volunteering and leadership, yes, but who also remember what it was like to be a busy new mom. My fellow Leaguers helped me with baby care when I went back to work, dropped off meals, answered a million what-if & new-mom questions, gifted hand-me-downs, and maybe most importantly, haven’t judged me when I looked/felt/acted like a zombie, but just jumped in and found a way to help.

The result is that instead of feeling overwhelmed and out of time, I am encouraged and inspired. When we all work together, we do important work at the League. We promote voluntarism, we develop the potential of women and we improve our community through the effective action of trained volunteers. What I’m realizing now is that while we were learning and working to do this for ‘other people’, we are really doing it for each other as well.

I’m able to accomplish being a working mom AND volunteer because of all of the other busy women that don’t have the time either. As my good friend and fellow Leaguer, Carol Scott, once said, “ Busy women make time for what is important.”

I’m proud to be one of these busy women, and I’m proud to be setting a good example for my daughter by seeing the value and reward of learning how to help others. I am also indebted and grateful to my JLMC friends who have turned these lessons into action.

So, do I have time for this? I’m going to let Elizabeth Andrew’s words answer for me: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

Lauren Porter

Girls on the Run Coordinator

The Junior League of Monmouth County (JLMC) membership has a wide range of backgrounds, interests and professional pursuits. They all share an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism. Each member has her own personal story of how the JLMC has made a difference. The JLMC is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLMC focuses on facilitating the empowerment of girls to become confident women.