While it might seem early, now is the perfect time to reflect on the current League year and begin considering your potential placement for next year. Here are some guiding questions that can help you evaluate your placement experience:
How has this year gone? How have I contributed to my committee? How has my committee supported me?
- What have I enjoyed the most? What aspects did I not enjoy as much?
- Where have I been most useful?
- What skills have I gained that I can use within the League? What expertise do I need, and how might the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) help me build it?
- Have I met my obligations for the League year? What remains, and when do I plan to fulfill those commitments?
These reflections can serve as a guide when attending one of the two Placement Matching Fairs. The first fair is a Virtual Placement Matching Fair on March 12 at 7 p.m. Register now through Digital Cheetah. The second Placement Matching Fair will take place one hour before the Annual Meeting. Both fairs will be highly informative and will feature a raffle!
Placement Matching Tool
In addition to attending a Placement Matching Fair, all New and Active Members must use the Placement Matching Tool within Digital Cheetah to complete the placement process. This tool will be available to JLP New and Active Members from March 14 until April 30 at 11:59 p.m.
To locate the Placement Matching Tool, follow these steps:
- Log into Digital Cheetah using your username and password.
- Go to the “Resources” tab and hover over it until a drop-down menu appears.
- Hover over “Resources” within the drop-down menu.
- When a side menu appears, click on “Placement Matching Tool.”
Another helpful resource is the Placement Matching Guide, which is available on the Placement Matching Tool landing page. At the bottom of this page, there is a link to FAQs, which includes a direct link to the Placement Matching Guide.
The Placement Matching Guide helps Members assess their availability and commitment level for their future placement. Using the guiding questions above, the Placement Matching Tool, and information insights gained from a Placement Matching Fair, Members can find the best fit within the League for the upcoming League year.
Important Placement Considerations
Once you begin using the Placement Matching Tool, New and Active Members can revisit and revise their selections until the tool closes on April 30. The Placement Committee reviews each submission and makes every effort to place Members into one of their top three ranked committees. However, placement in one of your top three ranked committees is not guaranteed.
One of the best ways to increase the likelihood of being placed in a desired committee is meeting your current League obligations before April 30 at 11:59 p.m. Make a plan now to complete obligations such as a Thrift Shop shift and Ways & Means credits.
Thrift Shop Shift Obligation
Keep in mind that the Thrift Shop shift requires planning, including signing up in advance, traveling to the Shop, and completing a three-hour shift. If you also plan to fulfill your Thrift Shop quota at the same time, additional organization may be needed.
The Thrift Shop shift requirement has returned to pre-COVID obligations. While extra donations can be used toward Ways & Means credits, they can no longer be used to fulfill the Thrift Shop shift requirement. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Vice President of Membership at membershipdevelopment@jlphiladelphia.org.
Ways & Means Credit Obligation
Meeting the Ways & Means credit requires planning. Active Members can fulfill this obligation by:
- Donating an extra $100 worth of quota to the Thrift Shop ($100 = 1 credit).
- Volunteering extra time at the Thrift Shop (1 credit per weekday hour, 1 credit per weekend shift).
- Participating in a ticketed fundraising event.
- Donating to the Annual Fund ($35 = 1 credit).
New Members may have specific limitations to earn their Ways & Means credits. Please reach out to your New Member Liaison with any questions about meeting the Ways & Means obligation.
Why Participation in Placement Matching Matters
Completing the Placement Matching Tool is an essential process for New and Active Members. Those who do not participate in Placement Matching will receive a random placement, so be sure to take part in this process!
Questions About Placement?
If you have questions about placement or the placement process, please contact the Placement Committee Chairs, Lauren Woehr and Joan Allmaras, at placement@jlphiladelphia.org.