The Junior League of Northwest Arkansas (an educational and charitable organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers) is hosting their annual Prospective Member meeting on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at EOA Children’s House in Springdale, located at 2577 N. Lowell Rd., Springdale, AR 72764.

The purpose of the meeting is to share information about the Junior League’s charitable activities, the League’s mission and purpose, and opportunities for membership with women who are interested in joining the organization.  The League will begin taking applications for membership via the League website (www.JuniorLeagueNWA.org) starting May 1, 2013.

The Junior League of Northwest Arkansas emphasizes the training of women in volunteer service and developing their potential to act as community leaders. This commitment to training not only serves the needs of the League, but it also provides a service to other local organizations, both non-profit and for profit.

“We are not only here to help our community, but also to help cultivate the potential of women as community leaders, giving our members opportunities to learn, to grow, and at the same time, make a real difference, ” says Junior League President, Vanessa Miller.

Currently the League has over 250 active members and 150 sustaining members, with an average of 50 new members each year.   Members are residents of Washington, Benton and Madison counties, who provide more than 35,000 volunteer hours every year, and raise over $50,000 annually in support of community causes.

“Each year, as our League grows, our ability to reach out to the community is enriched by the new members who join us,” says Beth Farmer, VP of Membership. “The League’s goal is to ignite a spirit of voluntarism and help build an army of women who are ready and able to positively impact the Northwest Arkansas community by serving on boards, fundraising, and further developing community organizations.”

The Junior League measures success not only by the partnerships we make to impact the community, but also by the members developed to move into service with other organizations and boards.  Junior League members serve on the board of directors for Walton Arts Center, NWA American Heart Association, NWA Human Resources Association, Project for Victims of Family Violence, NWA Crisis Center, Jones Center for Families, Washington Regional Medical Foundation, Washington County EOA, Ozark Komen Race for the Cure, Mercy Health System Foundation, New School, Community Clinic at St. Francis House and NWA Children’s Shelter Family Network and hundreds of area nonprofits benefit from Junior League members serving as regular volunteers.

For more information about the Junior League of Northwest Arkansas, visit www.juniorleaguenwa.org, call 479.751.7054 or email info@juniorleaguenwa.org.