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by jci64413 on June 04, 2008, 11:25:00 PM
While I was spending time yesterday with visiting Hawaii State President Patrick Tomiyasu in Chicago, we covered a full range of topics which were discussed days prior at the US Jaycees' GALS conference in Washington DC.
He was pumped up, excited about where the US Jaycees are going now - focused on taking the lead once again, and getting away from the arrogance of the past (my words, not his). Sure, there's a long road to hoe, but it was sure great to feel so much energy coming from Patrick, as we discussed a wide range of ideas and ideals about Jaycees.
That guy's nuclear-positive!
Gotta say, this is one damn good crop of State Presidents this year - Tanya Lee in Illinois, "Coker" in Michigan, Tomiyasu keepin' it real in Hawaii - Jaycees, and a whole lot more of them, I think we're in for a really interesting and positive decade or so. We just need to KEEP encouraging contested elections at a local, region, state and national level, don't you think?
As Patrick laid on me on our 3-hour delayed train ride from Chicago to my home town in Crystal Lake, "Out of every conflict, there is profit."
What's his point? Without last year's controvercial debacle at the Presidential level (no need to re-visit), we likely would not have had a contested election this year. It likely would have been another ho-hum anointment coming from the (still) outdated hack system. With conflict, comes resolution.
Without a "no-contest" approach toward elections, the organization itself falters. With a "no-contest" approach, and a pre-coronation of our leadership, the membership loses out on the passionate discussion that accompanies campaigns.
Without last year's contested election for US Jaycee President, many people would not have been privy to hear the passionate speeches from Garrett and Denise - to learn what it truly means to legitimately LEAD an organization of leaders.
The REAL good news? I just got word that this year, we've got another contested election for 2009.
Now, if we could only change from a sickeningly archaic "Institutes" backroom style of voting to a MODERN, one member-one-vote system, wouldn't that be refreshing? Hey, it wasn't too many years ago when JFK and Nixon LOOKED TO THE JAYCEES to see HOW to run a national election.
That system was new and appropriate for 1960, and perhaps 1970. Nearly five decades later, it's time to put the power of the Jaycee membership where it belongs - with the members themselves.
Ahhh...One step at a time..
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on December 24, 2007, 12:41:00 AMThere's Never Enough
BY KATHY HANSON
Des Moines Register
Keeping an unbroken holiday tradition spanning 76 years, the Ames Jaycees have assembled 89 food baskets this year for Mid-Iowa Community Action to give to low-income families for Christmas Jaycee Becky Perkovich said the number of food baskets donated over the years has waxed and waned, but no matter how many baskets there are, they never meet all the needs.
"This year, we really stepped up our efforts based on the reports MICA gave us," she said.
MICA food pantry assistant Lindsay Cook said the number of people visiting MICA's food pantry was up 50 percent this past summer.
"Numbers don't usually increase during summer months," she said, "so we recognized we had to prepare for the possibility of an even greater need this winter."
Cook said visitors to the food pantry have been asking since August to have their names put on the list for the holiday meal baskets.
Jaycees project chair Jamie Laurson said food budgets get strained during the holidays because low-income people like to give gifts this season just like everyone else.
"Spending money on gifts takes away from their food budget," she said.
Perkovich said in the early years of the project when Jaycees was an all-male organization, the wives helped prepare and deliver "hot Christmas dinners" to needy families.
These days, the basket is a wrapped Christmas box containing traditional ingredients for a holiday meal, which recipients can prepare for themselves. Perkovich estimated the retail value of the goods in each box, including turkeys donated by 3M employees or hams from Hy-Vee, ranged from $40 to $50.
The wrapped boxes contain either a turkey or a ham, celery, potatoes, corn, green beans, apples, a pie, cheese and dinner rolls.
Laurson said proceeds from fundraisers held throughout the year, like the Jaycees Haunted House, contributed to the food basket account. Partner organizations like local Girl Scouts and the Silver Wings fraternity stretched the Jaycees' resources by helping with purchases and assembling the baskets.
Laurson said hands-on projects help give Jaycees a perspective that there's more to success than making money and advancing one's career.
"Projects like this one bring the community together to meet needs," Laurson said. "They inform us and remind us there is a need and we have a responsibility to make choices for the benefit of the entire community."
Laurson said the Jaycees hope to expand the project and planning will commence again soon after the New Year.
"If you're interested in donating or partnering with us in any way, we'd like to hear from you," said Laurson. "We know we'll never be able to meet all the needs, but we want to make this project grow."
For more information, contact Laurson at sec@amesjaycees.com.
Editor's Note: That's what Jaycees is all about.
Leadership through community service.
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on December 18, 2007, 07:36:00 AMJaycees, Leader to Discuss Bills
by: OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer - Tulsa World
12/16/2007 12:00 AM
Talks will center on credit-card repayment.
The Jaycees are expected to sit down with controversial president Chris A. Oldham to discuss his repayment of $12,000 in unauthorized and undocumented credit-card bills, an official said.
After narrowly escaping an impeachment attempt on Monday, Oldham agreed to talk with the Jaycees audit committee to firm up a repayment date, an official said.
Oldham's unauthorized charges include liquor, adult entertainment, massages, car repairs and other personal charges.
"Mr. Oldham has agreed to meet with the audit committee to determine what he owes and that he will repay that amount before moving into the chairman position Jan. 1," said Brad Gemeinhart, Jaycees interim executive vice president.
That means Oldham could be on the hook to repay $12,000 in the next two weeks...
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on December 14, 2007, 10:33:00 PM
Jaycees National Chief Survives Ouster Vote
Chris A. Oldham: The Jaycees held a teleconference meeting Monday to consider firing Oldham, the group’s national president, for his questionable credit card use.
By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer
12/13/2007
The Jaycees retained their national president this week, despite allegations he misused his credit card on liquor, adult entertainment, car repairs and other personal expenses. Chris A. Oldham survived a removal vote by the board of directors of the United States Junior Chamber, according to sources who asked to remain anonymous.
Oldham is the 87th president of the organization, which is based in Tulsa. Oldham, 41, lives in Wittmann, Ariz. Known as the Jaycees, the junior chamber held a teleconference meeting Monday to consider firing Oldham for his questionable credit card use, sources said.
During the first nine months of 2007, Oldham allegedly made $9,227 in unauthorized charges that he must repay, according to an audit provided to the Tulsa World. Additionally, he must repay...
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The 2007 Ten Outstanding Young Americans awards ceremony in Omaha recognized some amazing young folks, setting a great example for us all to follow.
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) project exists to recognize and honor ten Americans each year who exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people, aged 18 through 40.
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by jci64413 on October 30, 2007, 09:38:00 PM
The U.S. Leadership Academy is designed to give members the opportunity to sharpen their skills to be effective leaders throughout their Jaycee careers. Formerly known as the Local Presidents' Summit, the 2008 U.S. Leadership Academy will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Doubletree Downtown Hotel. The event will take place January 10-13. Only 200 leaders from across the country will be invited to participate. Those chosen will be notified by November 21, 2007.
See the US Jaycees website for more.
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by Henry's Place Innkeeper
 In 2006, Henry's Place went live. Dedicated to none other than Henry Giessenbier, Founder of the Jaycee movement.
Guests are always welcome here at Henry's Place. As a Guest, you can view articles and forum posts - lots to see - but there are some things you can't gain access to until you register as an HP Member. As an HP Member, you can participate in the Speakeasy Forum - the liveliest Jaycee Forum on the web. That's where the heart and soul of Henry's Place comes alive (and yes, it's free).
To register, click here. There are only a few things to fill out, like a "user name" and password and email address. Join in and let's share the spirit of Jaycees and JCI.
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