Good afternoon, Junior League of Nashville (JLN) members.
As a result of a comprehensive study on membership dues and an anticipated increase in our Association of Junior League International (AJLI) dues, the year 101 Board of Directors (2022-2023) voted to propose an increase to Membership dues beginning in Year 103 (2024-2025).
This is the first increase in 20 years. Inflation during that period has risen 58.57%. While the League budgets conservatively, our programming, membership, and operational needs continue to evolve. The Board is optimistic about the future of our League and feels that this dues adjustment will enable us to provide the kind of member experience all JLN members deserve. The proposed amounts are in line with the financial obligations of our peer Leagues as well.
To proactively minimize the need for a lump sum increase again in the future, the current JLN Board of Directors will present a second motion to enact an incremental increase each year, if applicable. The incremental amount will be calculated as a three-year rolling average of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Historically, the inflation amount averages 1-2% each year. The annual incremental increase will help maintain our goal of small, iterative changes to membership obligations, even in times of prolonged, high inflationary periods. Any dues increase greater than 3% in a given year would require a new Membership vote, in accordance with our bylaws.
These two initiatives will be separate, distinct votes posed to our Active Membership during our General Membership Meeting on December 12, 2023, in accordance with our bylaws.
- Vote 1: Approve a one-time, lump-sum dues increase in effect for Year 103
- Vote 2: Approve incremental dues increase, effective for Year 104
The increase amounts beginning in the 2024-2025 league year are outlined as follows:
- Provisional Members – $25 increase, from $325 to $350
- Active Members – $50 increase, from $225 to $275
- Sustainer Members – $25 increase, from $100 to $125
*Sustainer members in the age 75-79 category and Sustainer Emeritus category will not incur a dues increase.
To ensure full transparency of the due diligence that went into these proposed increases and to provide members the opportunity to ask questions and gain full clarity and understanding, the Board of Directors hosted informational sessions on the dates below:
- Thursday, October 19 at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
- Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m. on Zoom
- Monday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. at HQ
- Tuesday, November 14 at 12:00 p.m. at HQ
We appreciate your support and understanding and can assure you that the JLN Board of Directors has worked diligently to find the proper balance of financial accessibility and sustainability for our individual members and for our League. If this dues increase presents a financial hardship for you as a member, please reach out to Treasurer Britney Gannon to discuss.
Thank you for how well you serve JLN. We are immensely grateful for all you have done – and continue to do- for JLN. It is because of each of our members that we can continue to carry forth JLN’s Legacy of Leadership across the Nashville community and we are well-positioned to continue carrying that forth for the next 100+ years.
Respectfully,
Jade Sampson, President Britney Gannon, Treasurer
On behalf of the 2022-2023 Board of Directors and the 2023-2024 Board of Directors
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