What is National Charity League, Inc.?

 

The Mission of National Charity League, Inc.:

 

To foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.

 

National Charity League, Inc. is a national mother-daughter membership organization with affiliated local Chapters in communities throughout the country.  The mothers are called Patronesses and the daughters are called Ticktockers.  Our unique focus on the mother-daughter relationship while serving the community is the keystone to NCL’s success and growth.  Mothers and daughters work together as volunteers to support the community while developing as leaders and role models.  During the developmental and formative years between 7th and 12th grade, Ticktockers absorb the standards and ideals that generations hold to be important and worthy of preservation.

 

National Charity League provides opportunities for mothers and daughters to enjoy both mother-daughter and peer relationships through the NCL Experience.  The purpose of the NCL Experience is to inspire and empower women to succeed as confident, well-rounded and socially aware contributors in their communities.  All Chapter activities fulfill the NCL mission to foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.

 

Community Service:  Our desire is to learn what philanthropic needs exist in our community and to help meet those needs whenever possible.

 

Leadership:  Our intent is to enhance potential leadership skills through team building, problem solving, mentoring, and group dynamics.

 

Cultural:  Our goal is to create an environment that nurtures a positive identity by recognizing and appreciating the value of differences in each other and the world. 

The Ticktocker experience is designed to be a small group leadership program that provides opportunities for each developing young woman to know the joy of helping others, to learn tolerance and kindness, to mature and build confidence and to make friends while sharing and participating in these activities in a safe and comfortable age appropriate environment. 

 

The Legacy of National Charity League, Inc.

The history of National Charity League can be traced back to 1925 when a small group of women in Los Angeles, interested in philanthropic work, met together and called themselves The Charity League.  They worked quietly, doing Red Cross work, making layettes and assembling and delivering food baskets to the needy at holiday time.  A few daughters met with their mothers to help; one of these daughters was the future Mrs. Paul William Lawrence, considered the founder of National Charity League. 

By 1938, daughters of The Charity League decided to form their own group.  Organized under the guidance of Mrs. Bruce Anderson and Mrs. Lawrence, this was the first youth group of Charity League.  At the first meeting, the name Ticktockers was chosen by the girls. 

In 1947, The Charity League was incorporated and renamed National Charity League.  It was at this time that the mothers chose to take the name Patroness.  The reorganized nonprofit corporation became the original mother-daughter charity organized solely for philanthropic, educational and cultural purposes. 

On June 6, 1958, the Los Angeles Chapter amended its bylaws to change its name from National Charity League to National Charity League – Los Angeles Chapter.  This paved the way for a new corporation of national significance, National Charity League, Inc.  This new corporation was dedicated to expanding its vision and giving more mothers and daughters the opportunity to experience NCL.  New NCL, Inc. Chapters continued to form, embracing the purpose of NCL and established Chapters.

 

National Charity League, Inc. now has over 160 Chapters in 17 states with more than 40,000 total members, and in 2008 celebrated 50 years of success and growth.  All Chapters embrace the philosophy of strengthening the mother-daughter relationship and the communities in which they exist through philanthropic work and the development of future community leaders.  We may all be proud of our legacy and grateful to that small group of women in 1925.