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Jaycees, jã-séz (n)
A young person's leadership training and community service organization.
If it was
in the dictionary, this is what the textbook definition would
probably resemble. This was the main principle of the Junior Chamber
of Commerce when it was founded by Henry Giessenbier in 1920 in
St. Louis, Mo.
Mr. Giessenbier’s
vision of providing young people with leadership training through
community service can be broken down into five Pinnacle Areas
of Opportunity: Business, Management, 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.
Management:
embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “Government
should be of laws rather than of men,” this area develops
the managerial skill of individual members by offering training
and leadership experience at all levels of the organization.
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
of Commerce Bylaws and Policy 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 of Commerce Bylaws and Policy 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.
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