United States Junior Chamber

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United States Junior Chamber
Motto: National Association of
Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Type: NGO
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Key people: President Denice O'Neil
Interim EVP Brad Gemeinhart
Foundation Chairman Raj Nadkarni
War Memorial Trust Chairman Michael Faller
Fields: Individual, Community, International, Business
Services: See complete services listing.
Members: 35,000
Website: US Junior Chamber

The United States Junior Chamber (JCs or more commonly Jaycees) is a leadership training and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40. Areas of emphasis are business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and international connections. The U.S. Junior Chamber is a non-profit corporation/organization as described under IRS code 501 (c)(4).

Established January 21, 1920 to provide opportunities for young men to develop personal and leadership skills through service to others, the Jaycees later expanded to include women after the United States Supreme Court ruled in the 1984 case Roberts v. United States Jaycees that excluding women from membership was unconstititional.

Since the organization's founding, Jaycees have been involved in civic, national and international affairs. Jaycees helped establish Airmail services in America with Jaycee Charles Lindbergh, and have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the March of Dimes. They have built parks, playgrounds, hospitals, ball fields, and housing for the elderly while conducting service and support programs in thousands of communities nationwide.

Jaycees can be found in all walks of life: governmental leaders such as past Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford; business tycoons such as Domino's Pizza mogul Tom Monaghan; registered nurse and former Miss America Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson; sports legends such as basketball great Larry Bird; and recording artists such as Bradley Joseph.

Contents

[edit] The Junior Chamber Vision and History

[edit] Vision

The U.S. Junior Chamber founder Henry Giessenbier’s vision of providing young people with leadership through community service can be broken down into four Areas of Opportunity: Business, Individual, Community, and International.

  • Business: embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed, which states “Economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise,” this area provides an opportunity for individual members to contribute to the development and enhancement of the economic infrastructure, prosperity, and well-being for their community as well as all nations.
  • Individual: embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “Earth’s great treasure lies in human personality,” this area provides an opportunity for individual members to realize their personal potential through training programs.
  • Community: embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “Service to humanity is the best work of life,” this area develops the sensitivity of individual members to societal problems and community dynamics by providing experience in community problem solving.
  • International: embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations,” this area provides an opportunity for individual members to contribute to the development of goodwill, understanding, and cooperation among all peoples.

The Junior Chamber organization is: “a constructive action organization of young persons who devote a portion of their time to community service in the public interest, developing young persons as leaders in their communities.” (Taken from The U.S. Junior Chamber Bylaws Manual.)

The purpose of the Junior Chamber is: “to promote and foster the growth and development of young persons’ civic organizations in the United States, designed to inculcate (to teach and impress upon) in the individual membership of such organization a spirit of genuine Americanism and civic interest, and...to provide them with opportunity for personal development and achievement and an avenue for intelligent participation...in the affairs of the community, state, and nation, and to develop true friendship and understanding among young persons of all nations.” (Taken from The U.S. Junior Chamber Bylaws Manual.)

Simply put, the purpose of the local chapter is to become a force for good in the community, determining community needs and providing solutions by planning and facilitating community service projects. In the act of serving, members receive hands-on experience, which translates to the enhancement of personal growth and the development of valuable leadership skills. This is the total Junior Chamber Concept.

Henry “Hy” Giessenbier visualized an organization that would allow young men to develop their business skills and reputations in the community. In his era, most young men were out of school and working by the age of 15. Their first jobs were most likely the jobs they held throughout their lives. With luck and hard work, some might reach executive positions by their forties. Giessenbier felt that young men were not receiving the opportunities necessary to develop their skills at a younger age, thus depriving our nation of an important resource, and so he formed the founding ideals of the U.S. Junior Chamber.

[edit] History

[edit] 1920s

1920 - The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (USJCC) was formed in St. Louis, Missouri, with 3,000 members.

1923 - Get Out The Vote was the first Jaycee program to receive national endorsement.

1925 - Beginning of national projects Know America First and Fire Prevention. Birth of EXPANSION, the first USJC national magazine.

1926 - Development of aviation adopted as national project.

1927 - Jaycee Charles A. Lindbergh made the first solo flight between New York and Paris. Jaycees worked with Lindbergh to develop the U.S. Air Mail Service.

[edit] 1930s

1931 - Distinguished Service Awards program established at the chapter level.

1935 - Death of founder Henry Giessenbier.

1936 - National Wildlife Federation established with guidance of USJC.

1937 - Programs begun at state and national level to inform public of need for diagnosis and treatment of venereal disease.

1938 - Future Magazine established. USJC name Ten Outstanding Young Men for the first time.

1939 - Safety with Light campaign gained national attention as thousands of street lights were donated to communities by Jaycees.

[edit] 1940s

1940 - USJC endorsed the principle of a military draft.

1944 - Junior Chamber International (JCI) formed at Pan American Congress in Mexico City.

1946 - USJC established permanent headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Junior Golf program begun.

1947 - Official approval of Jaycee as synonym of organization. Adoption of Jaycee Creed.

[edit] 1950s

1951 - War Memorial Headquarters in Tulsa dedicated. At urging of Andy Mungenast, the reference to “Faith in God” was added to the Jaycee Creed.

1953 - Jaycees sponsored stops on Professional Golfers’ Association tour for first time at Greensboro, North Carolina, and Hartford, Connecticut.

1954 - First Outstanding Young Farmer and Junior Tennis programs held.

1959 - Jaycees supported statehood for Alaska. Hawaii gained statehood the following year due to Jaycee efforts.

[edit] 1960s

1961 - First Governmental Affairs Leadership Seminar conducted.

1962 - Jaycees urge adoption of Uniform Vehicle Code, with emphasis on state action resulting in adoption nationally.

1963 - Clean Water Program launched to improve water quality in communities across America.Gun Safety/Shooting Education adopted as a national program.

1964 - Project Concern adopted as International Relations activity. Program raised money and equipment for clinics providing medical care to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.

1965 - Jaycees presented first annual National Award of Distinction from National Clean Up-Paint Up-Fix Up Bureau.

1966 - Name of organization officially changed to U.S. Jaycees.

[edit] 1970s

1970 - Do Something campaign sparked national interest in volunteerism. Jaycees’ cooperation with other service organizations resulted in the founding of the National Center for Voluntary Action.

1971 - More than 3,000,000 volunteer hours were provided by Jaycees to help administer seven million doses of rubella measles vaccine.

1972 - Jaycees undertook model Operation Identification program to combat burglaries and aid crime prevention efforts. Five million stickers were distributed nationally through Operation Red Ball to reduce fire fatalities. Bylaw change admitted 18-year-olds as regular members.

1973 - The United States Jaycees’ Center for Improved Child Nutrition opened in Bloomington, Minnesota.

1977 - Operation Threshold, a program dedicated to reducing alcohol abuse, reached more than 23 million Americans. Muscular Dystrophy Fund Raising adopted as national program.

[edit] 1980s

1980 - Daisy/U.S. Jaycees Gun Safety/Shooting Education program honored with National Safety Council Award for Youth Activities.

1982 - Healthy American Fitness Leaders adopted as national program.

1984 - Bylaw change admitted women as full and regular members following Roberts v. United States Jaycees. Sign Up America campaign collected 1.5 million signatures supporting America’s Olympic athletes.

1985 - The U.S. Jaycees endorsed Campaign for Liberty to encourage public support for restoration of Statue of Liberty. St. Jude Fundraising adopted as national program.

1986 - First woman honored by Congress of Ten Outstanding Young Americans.

1987 - Bylaw change established membership age as 21 through 39. Name of U.S. Jaycees’ official publication changed to JAYCEES MAGAZINE.

[edit] 1990s

1990 - Name of organization officially changed back to The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce.

1992 - National Wake Up America program urged communities to get involved in politics by coordinating voter registration campaigns, hosting debates, and embracing pertinent community issues. Jaycees responded to devastating hurricanes in the southeast with national support.

1993 - GreenWorks! environmental education and community action program adopted by USJC. Jaycees Against Youth Smoking (JAYS) adopted as national program. Junior Chamber members were instrumental in bringing relief to the flood-stricken Midwest.

1994 - Junior Chamber Mission Inn Foundation created to build a nationwide network of care facilities for children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS.

1995 - The Jaycee Alliance was formed as a non-partisan, educational, grassroots governmental advocacy organization to give young Americans a voice in government. The Jaycee KidCare I.D. Program was organized to provide identification to aid in the recovery of missing children.

1996 - The Jaycees Wake Up America Tour bus began a journey through the 48 contiguous states promoting programs and membership. Social Security Reform Town Hall Meetings program initiated.

1997 - Junior Chamber Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Advancement begun — a program designed to train young entrepreneurs and improve local economies.

1998 - Junior Chamber Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Advancement name changed to Junior Chamber Center for Business Advancement. Two new programs, National Business Network and Virtual Networking, added to encourage Junior Chamber members to business network via the Internet both nationally and internationally.

1999 - JAYS program reintroduced as an educational program that informs children about the dangers of smoking. Value Investing and Career Advancement added to the Junior Chamber Center for Business Advancement.

[edit] 2000s

2000 - First female elected National President. Junior Chamber Center for Business Advancement develops web-based video seminar training.

2001 - Name changes to The United States Junior Chamber

2004 - Bylaw change established membership age as 18 through 40; previously 21 through 39.

[edit] Jaycee Creed

The original handwritten copy of the Jaycee Creed is currently housed in the USJCC headquarters in Tulsa, OK.
The original handwritten copy of the Jaycee Creed is currently housed in the USJCC headquarters in Tulsa, OK.

The author of the Jaycee Creed was C. William Brownfield. The Creed was adopted by the Junior Chamber International in 1946 and the United States Junior Chamber in 1947. The original version of the Creed did not include a reference to faith in God. This refence was not added until 1951. [1]

WE BELIEVE:

That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth's great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.

[edit] National Presidents

[1]

[edit] Jaycee Honors

[edit] Senator

The title of Senator is the highest honor that may be granted to a member of the Junior Chamber International.

[edit] Ambassador

The title of Ambassador is the highest honor that may be granted to an individual member of the United States Junior Chamber.

[edit] State Honors

Approximately 20 state-based Junior Chamber organizations have an established program that recognizes the achievements of Junior Chamber members at the state level. The process for establishing and administering these recognition programs is decentralized to each individual state organization. Many of these honorary state organizations are referred to as Corps and the members of these organizations typically meet once a year at the Corp of Corps Convention. The title conveyed on recognized members varies from state to state. Examples of these honorary titles include:

  • "Bama Brigadier" in Alabama.
  • "Colonel" in Georgia, Indiana (Hoosier Corp),Missouri (Muleskinner Corp), North Carolina (Cardinal Corp), South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
  • "Eagle" in Arkansas.
  • "Gator" in Florida.
  • "Governor" in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, New York and Delaware.
  • "Militia Major" in Maryland.
  • "Roughrider" in North Dakota.
  • "Statesman" in Connecticut, Minnesota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
  • "Tiger" in California.
 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.


[edit] Notable US Jaycees

[edit] Jaycee terminology

[edit] Aged-out members

Individual Jaycees “age out” when their membership year ends following their 41st birthday. In the past, the friendly term “Exhausted Rooster” was used for such individuals, who had completed their Jaycee careers. Some remain available to assist their former organizations through advising on request, acting as a trainer, and being present at organization functions. Recently, the Exhausted Rooster has given way to the gender-neutral term, “Jaycee Graduate”.

[edit] Armbruster

The Armbruster competition, named for John H. Armbruster, is a resume writing and interviewing competition sponsored by the US Junior Chamber and its state affiliate organizations. The competition is open to any new Junior Chamber member with a minimum of 12 months in the organization. The competition includes an oral interview (50%) and a review of the competitor's Jaycee resume (50%) or portfolio.

[edit] Blue Chip

A planning, evaluation, and reporting process, utilizing membership and community input to develop an annual plan designed to impact the community and provide leadership training opportunities for its members.

[edit] Brownfield

The Brownfield competition, named for C. William Brownfield, is a resume writing and interviewing competition sponsored by the US Junior Chamber and its state affiliate organizations. The competition is open to any new Junior Chamber member with less than 24 months in the organization. The competition includes an oral interview (50%) and a review of the competitor's Jaycee resume (50%) or portfolio.

[edit] CPG - Chairman’s Planning Guide

The US Junior Chamber provides those interested in running a successful project the Chairman’s Planning Guide (CPG). [2]. A two-page form, this cover sheet provides insight to those interested in running a new project. Together with attachments and other documentation, a CPG can provide valuable assistance to those wishing to run a the same or similar project in a different year or location. Regions, states, and the US Junior Chamber at the national level also have competitions for outstanding CPGs.

[edit] DD - District Director

A District Director is a Junior Chamber officer at the state level with responsibility for assisting a minimum of 4 - 6 local chapters in a defined geographical area. A DD is expected to provide local chapter officers with training, develop an incentive program for chapter performance, and lead the effort to start new Junior Chambers where appropriate.

[edit] DSA - Distinguished Service Award

An award presented to a young person of Junior Chamber age for outstanding community service.

[edit] EVP - Executive Vice President

The appointed officer of the US Junior Chamber in charge of managing the national service center operations in Tulsa, OK.

[edit] Exhausted Rooster

A title bestowed on a Jaycee upon reaching the age of 40, the age of Jaycee retirement. Also Jaycee Graduate or Jaycee Alumnus/a.

[edit] Extension

The organization of a new local chapter; also referred to as an affiliation.

[edit] HAFL - Healthy American Fitness Leaders

A Junior Chamber recognition program for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the area of physical fitness. The program was discontinued in the 1990s.

[edit] HOL - Hall of Leadership

This opportunity has been established to recognize former Jaycees over 40 years of age whose active leadership qualities during their Jaycee career contributed to a continuation of leadership and service in their communities subsequent to their active Jaycee years. Inductees are usually recognized in conjunction with the annual TOYA program. There is not a requirement to have an annual inductee. For more information, contact the US Junior Chamber Foundation. The link below is to the nomination form. [2]

[edit] Institutional Chapter

A chapter that exists within a confined, rehabilitative, or job training facility.

[edit] JAYS - Jaycees Against Youth Smoking

The U.S. Junior Chamber's Jaycees Against Youth Smoking (JAYS) project was created and piloted in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1998. It is a free, educational program that goes directly into elementary and middle school classrooms to teach children about the dangers of smoking and to help them make the informed decision to be smoke free. The children begin the program with a pretest and end the program two weeks later with a posttest. The program is sponsored by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.

[edit] JCFAN - Junior Chamber Family AIDS Network

JCFAN was founded in 1994 as a service project dedicated to developing a network of care facilities for children and adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS. The United States Junior Chamber initiated this project in an effort to help address gaps in services specifically for children. After a decade of work, the Foundation was officially dissolved in 2006.

[edit] JCI - Junior Chamber International

The world-wide Junior Chamber organization operating in over 100 countries and headquartered in St. Louis, MO.

[edit] LOTS - Local Officer Training School

A training forum traditionally sponsored by Junior Chamber organizations at the state level designed to train newly elected local chapter officers.

[edit] Metro

A consortium of local chapters within the US Junior Chamber with a minimum of 100 local members and/or from a community with a population of at least 100,000.

[edit] OYF - Outstanding Young Farmer

A national recognition program for young farmers and is sponsored by the John Deere Company.

[edit] On-To

A slogan used in promoting attendance at the annual meeting of the US Junior Chamber.

[edit] Parade of Chapters

A recognition program sponsored by Junior Chamber organizations at the state level in which points are earned for conducting certain programs and chapters are ranked based on performance within the competition.

[edit] Plan of Action

A local Junior Chamber annual goals and objectives for achievement developed by local chapters officers on an annual basis.

[edit] RD - Region Director

A Region Director is a Junior Chamber officer at the state level with responsibility for assisting a minimum of 8 - 10 local chapters in a defined geographical area. A RD is expected to provide local chapter officers with training, develop an incentive program for chapter performance, and lead the effort to start new Junior Chambers where appropriate. RDs will typically have one or more District Directors working with them.

[edit] Speak-up

An individual development competition designed to provide Junior Chamber members with the opportunity to develop their verbal communication skills.

[edit] TOYA - Ten Outstanding Young Americans

An annual recognition program that honors ten dynamic young leaders from across the country during the annual meeting of the US Junior Chamber in September. The more than 600 TOYA recipients include: John F. Kennedy, Gerald R. Ford, Ann Bancroft, Gale Sayers, Elvis Presley, Dan Quayle, Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, Larry Holmes, Bill Clinton, Jeanna Yeager, Colonel "Doc" Warr, Christopher Herring, Joe Atkins, Lani Rae Rafko-Wilson and former Congressman Les AuCoin.

[edit] Twinning

The official partnering of two Junior Chamber chapters in different nations, usually on different continents, that includes but is not limited to visitations, idea sharing, and other support.

[edit] Write-up

An individual development competition designed to provide Junior Chamber members with the opportunity to develop their written communication skills.

[edit] World Congress

The Annual Meeting of JCI held each year in November.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b [1] USJCC History
  2. ^ Chairman's Planning Guide

[edit] External links

[edit] National Organizations

[edit] Honorary Organizations

[edit] International Organizations