CORE VALUES

We, the members of the Junior League of Wilmington, Inc., are committed to building an organization that accommodates diversity and provides a comfortable, rewarding atmosphere in which to learn, work and enjoy one another. As a major step toward accomplishing this, we have established and accepted the following Core Values. They define the ideal of how the organization and its members should operate with one another. Through their use, we show that the Junior League of Wilmington values and takes pride in how we accomplish things, as well as what we accomplish.

1. Promotion of friendship and teamwork.

As friends working together, we value interdependence, collaboration, trust, authenticity and openness. We are a team. Whether a member contributes in a small way or a big way to our job, all efforts are valuable. We need each other. Although our commitment levels may vary, we trust that all of us are in the Junior League for positive reasons. We are trustworthy--we say what we mean and do as we say.

2. Responsibility at all levels.

We believe in the concept of shared leadership. It is the task of every member of the League to help the group reach its goal. We are all responsible for the work of the Junior League, and we all share its successes and failures.

3. Expectations of flexibility and fairness.

Creativity, innovation, collaboration, and effective decision-making thrive in a system that is both flexible and fair. We respect the needs of individual members as well as the needs of the organization, and strive for understanding and fairness.

4. Support of risk taking.

We are a training organization. The League provides a support system which allows individuals to take on challenges. It is OK to make a mistake in the Junior League of Wilmington because we learn from our mistakes as well as our successes. We promote personal growth and development.

5. Acceptance of diversity.

We respect differences among members. Our differences make us strong. They provide natural resources--varying talents, expertise, experience, education and personalities. The most effective decision-making is done by heterogeneous groups rather than homogeneous groups. We all have varying lifestyles, time constraints, priorities, needs, satisfaction and stress levels. We will respect and value our diversity.

6. Willingness to face and resolve our differences.

We are committed to the idea that differing viewpoints are good for the organization. They challenge the group, inspire creativity, and move us toward growth. We will work together to develop effective means for managing conflict.

A League career, based on the six Core Values, will result in a sense of accomplishment, the building of meaningful relationships and the development of skills for on-going community involvement. We would like to thank the Junior League of Akron whose Philosophical Norms provided the foundation for our Core Values.