HIstory of the Jaycees
HISTORY OF THE JAYCEES
It all began when a 22-year old St. Louis bank clerk and Herculaneum Dance Club president set out to attack such wild new dances as the grizzly beat, tango and fox trot.
From this modest beginning, Henry Giessenbier’s dance club moved forward and on October 13, 1915, 32 young men formed the Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association, turning its attention to civic affairs. In 1916, the Y.M.P.C.A. changed its name to Junior Citizens, from which came the name JC, or when spelled out Jaycees.
The JCs were quickly noted by various civic-minded businessmen and in 1918 became affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and changed its name from Junior Citizens to the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce, after which the fame of its civic work began to spread.
The idea was contagious and, in January 1920, chapters in 12 cities met to form the National JC organization with Henry Giessenbier as its first president. After battling for its existence during World War II, the U.S.J.C.C. boomed and today there are more than 6000 clubs and nearly 300,000 young people across the country.
A world alliance of JCs was formed in 1944 in Mexico City, with the founding of the Junior Chamber International with the avowed purpose and one obligation of a “way toward world peace.” The J.C.I now consists of a network of more than 130 free world nations with more than 350,000 members on its rolls.
WHAT DOES THE CREED MEAN?
What does the Jaycee Creed mean anyhow? Written by C. William Brownfield, his vision of providing young people with leadership through community service can be broken down into five Areas of Opportunity: Business, Management, Individual, Community, and International. Embodying the lines of the Jaycee Creed which states “…”
· Business: “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: “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: “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: “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: “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 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.
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.
1920s
1920 - The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (USJCC) formed 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.
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.
1930s
1936 - National Wildlife Federation established with guidance of USJC.
1937 - Programs begun 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.
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.
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.
1959 - Jaycees supported statehood for Alaska. Hawaii gained statehood the following year due to Jaycee efforts.
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.
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.
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. 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.
1990s
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.
It all began when a 22-year old St. Louis bank clerk and Herculaneum Dance Club president set out to attack such wild new dances as the grizzly beat, tango and fox trot.
From this modest beginning, Henry Giessenbier’s dance club moved forward and on October 13, 1915, 32 young men formed the Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association, turning its attention to civic affairs. In 1916, the Y.M.P.C.A. changed its name to Junior Citizens, from which came the name JC, or when spelled out Jaycees.
The JCs were quickly noted by various civic-minded businessmen and in 1918 became affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and changed its name from Junior Citizens to the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce, after which the fame of its civic work began to spread.
The idea was contagious and, in January 1920, chapters in 12 cities met to form the National JC organization with Henry Giessenbier as its first president. After battling for its existence during World War II, the U.S.J.C.C. boomed and today there are more than 6000 clubs and nearly 300,000 young people across the country.
A world alliance of JCs was formed in 1944 in Mexico City, with the founding of the Junior Chamber International with the avowed purpose and one obligation of a “way toward world peace.” The J.C.I now consists of a network of more than 130 free world nations with more than 350,000 members on its rolls.
WHAT DOES THE CREED MEAN?
What does the Jaycee Creed mean anyhow? Written by C. William Brownfield, his vision of providing young people with leadership through community service can be broken down into five Areas of Opportunity: Business, Management, Individual, Community, and International. Embodying the lines of the Jaycee Creed which states “…”
· Business: “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: “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: “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: “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: “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 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.
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.
1920s
1920 - The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (USJCC) formed 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.
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.
1930s
1936 - National Wildlife Federation established with guidance of USJC.
1937 - Programs begun 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.
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.
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.
1959 - Jaycees supported statehood for Alaska. Hawaii gained statehood the following year due to Jaycee efforts.
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.
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.
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. 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.
1990s
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.
