THE MACON JAYCEE STORY

The forerunner to the Macon Jaycees, the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce, began to take shape in 1921 when C. B. Lewis, who was president of the Senior Chamber of Commerce, called Mark Etheridge, Leo D. Sheridan and J. Douglas Carlisle to his office. Mr. Lewis had been visiting with friends in Atlanta who were organizing a Jay-Ce Chapter; and their enthusiasm inspired him to return to Macon with a firm determination to start a chapter in this community.

These three young men; Etheridge, Sheridan and Carlisle, formed the nucleus of what was to become one of the finest chapters in the world.

1921-22 Mark Etheridge was elected the first President of the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1921. During his administration the project to purchase books and furnishings to open the Washington Memorial Library was approved.

1922-23 Leo D. Sheridan became the second President and it was during this year, 1922-23, that the chapter raised the $20,000 necessary to open the library.

1923-24 On November 15, 1923, the corporate papers of this already outstanding Jay-Ce Chapter were signed and the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce became the second chapter in Georgia.

1924-25 At the Fifth National Convention held in Cincinnati, Ohio, Macon Jaycee, Leo D. Sheridan was elected a U.S. Director for 1924-25.

1925-26 Plans were formulated to develop Lakeside Municipal Golf Course.

1926-27 Lakeside Golf course officially opened and the Jay-Ces began operating the facility. At the 7th Annual convention, J. Douglas Carlisle was elected a U. S. Director for 1926-27.

1927-28 This year was highlighted by the gift of Radio Station WMAZ to the Macon Jay-Ces from Mercer University.

1929-30 National publicity was focused on the heavyweight championship fight in which a Macon Jay-Ce, Young Stribling, almost won from Jack Sharkey, a Brooklyn Jay-Ce.

1930-31 Macon Became an official U. S. Junior Chamber of Commerce Chapter receiving its charter on June 4, 1930.

1932-33 Macon sponsored the development of what is now the Ocmulgee National Monument.

1933-34 Tennis courts were built by the chapter and presented to the City of Macon. Macon sponsored jointly with the YMCA a benefit boxing match between Primo Carnera and Maxie Baer at the City Auditorium for the Stribling Memorial Foundation. The chapter also began its sponsorship of the G.I.A.A. Basketball Tournaments.

1934-35 Radio Station WMAZ was sold to the Southeastern Broadcasting Company for $16,000 and a Trust Fund was set up from these funds.

1937-38 The Macon Jay-Cees won the "Clifford Hendrix Award" for the most outstanding achievement.

1938-39 The Macon Jay-Cees initiated and began implementing plans to build Bowden Golf Course. The 1939 Jay-Cees received the "Most Active Club Award" from the Georgia Home Builders.

1939-40 Bowden Municipal Golf Course was completed and the operation of the course was turned over to the City of Macon. Macon Jay-Cees Warren Oliver, Jr., promoted the Peach State Theme, and because of his efforts the State Legislature passed a bill which authorized placing a picture of a peach on the Georgia auto tag with the words "Peach State". At the State convention the Macon Chapter was awarded the Peach Promotion Trophy and the Giessenbier Memorial Trophy.

1940-41 During the World War II years, the Macon Jay-Cees took part in every National defense project sponsored in Macon by governmental agencies, the military services, and other civic clubs.

1941-42 During the year of 1942 the Chapter changed the spelling of its nickname from "Jay-Cees" to " Jaycees".

1946-47 The post war years, 1947-50, was rebuilding years for the Macon Chapter, and an outstanding job was done in getting the chapter headed in the right direction.

1949-50 The Macon Jaycettes were organized. A Georgia Jaycee, Lee Price, of Swainsboro, was elected National President.

1954-55 The Macon Jaycees bought the Macon Peaches Baseball Team and operated it in an effort to keep professional baseball in Macon. Macon’s first Christmas Tree Sale was conducted during this year. Macon Jaycette Blanche Westmoreland was elected first President of the Georgia Jaycettes.

1955-56 Perry Jaycees were awarded the bid for a state headquarters of the Georgia Jaycees.

1957-58 George W. Oetter, Macon Jaycee President 1957-58 was awarded the "Abit Massey Award" for outstanding local President.

1959-60 The Macon Jaycees adopted a new organizational structure using the concept of Internal, External and Ways & Means Vice-Presidents.

1961-62 Macon Jaycee Charley Snyder created "Macon on the Move" slogan and insignia to promote Macon. Jaycee radio "straw poll" was very instrumental in the Macon Coliseum being approved.

1962-63 Macon Jaycee Don Miller was selected as a National SPOKE winner. Doug Blankenship of College Park was elected National Jaycee President.

1966-67 Macon Jaycee, Ronnie Thompson, was elected Mayor and selected as one of Georgia’s Five Outstanding Young Men.

1967-68 Macon became Georgia’s first "Gold Chip" Chapter and President Don Sheffield was selected as Outstanding Local President. Macon Jaycee Neil Holton was elected President of the Georgia Jaycees to become the first State President from Macon.

1968-69 The Macon Jaycees became the only chapter in the United States to "Gold Chip" twice. The Macon Jaycees Co-sponsored with the C&S National Band, "Operation Spring Clean-up 1969". The Macon Chapter sponsored for the first time the Middle Georgia Christmas Parade. The Macon Jaycees began raising funds to construct High Hope School for mentally retarded children.

1969-70 The Macon Jaycees were awarded the Giessenbier award for outstanding local chapter and became the only chapter in the United States to "Gold Chip" three consecutive years. Construction began on High Hope School on April 20th and the building was dedicated on October 25th.

1970-71 Camp Pineworth was adopted by the Macon Jaycees as a community service project. The business office of the Macon Jaycees was moved to the Macon Coliseum. High Hope School received its first state-federal grant for operations.

1971-72 The Macon Jaycees received the Georgia Jaycee Blue chip award. The Haunted House project was produced for the first time at Halloween and received the State R.O.C. Award as the most outstanding project in the state during the year. The Macon Jaycees purchased Camp Pineworth, 58 acres on Lake Tobesofkee for $100,000. Pineworth was to be operated as a Day Camp for the youth of Macon and Bibb County, and many improvements to the property were made during the year.

1972-73 The Macon Jaycees were awarded the Giessenbier Award for outstanding local chapter. Macon Jaycee President Billy Deason, was named outstanding local president, in Division 6. Macon Jaycee, Robert A. Berlin, was selected as one of Georgia’s Five Outstanding Young Men. The Georgia Legislature presented the Macon Jaycees a Proclamation for outstanding services to the community, the first such Proclamation ever given by the Georgia Legislature to a Jaycee Chapter.

1973-74 The Macon Jaycees’ God Bless America Day was selected as the outstanding project of the year by the Georgia Jaycees. The Middle Georgia Christmas Parade was selected as the top public relations endeavor in the state. In our population division, we were recognized for having the best Individual Development Program, the best Community Action Program and Don McQuirk was chosen as Outstanding Local President. We did Blue Chip again this year.

1974-75 The Macon Jaycees were recognized for having the best Individual Development Program, the best Community Action Program and Wayne Reaves was chosen as Outstanding Local President in our population division. Macon Jaycee Ron Cyphers was named one of Georgia’s Five Outstanding Young Men. Wayne Reaves was also elected the first state wide Administrative Vice President of the Georgia Jaycees. Bill Patterson was elected District Director serving District 7C of the Georgia Jaycees.

1975-76 The Macon Jaycees were again recognized for having the best Individual Development Program, best Community Action Program and received the Giessenbier Award for the Outstanding Local Chapter.

1976-77 The Macon Jaycees were awarded for their outstanding efforts, in Individual Development Programming and Community Action Programming. They also received the Giessenbier Award and Blue Chip Award for the outstanding local chapter. President John Wolfenbarger served as Treasurer of Bob Rushton’s successful campaign for President of the United States Jaycees. David Wallace was awarded Georgia Jaycee Administrative Chairman of the Year for his job as chairman of the Federal Affairs Seminar.

1977-78 The Macon Jaycees won all honors in the population division with top prizes for Individual Development Programming, Community Action Programming, Chapter Management and Giessenbier. Bill Patterson received the Outstanding Local President Award. Chapter Blue Chipped and won 9 Individual Project Awards. Tom Stevens was named one of Georgia’s Five Outstanding Young Men. Wayne Reaves, Macon President 1974-75, was elected Commander of the Rebel corps. Alan Hancock was elected State Metro Vice President. Stewart Brown was appointed State Legal Counsel.

1978-79 Macon Jaycees Restoration of Central City Park Project was named Civic Organization "Project of the Year" by the Macon Telegraph & News. We were named Outstanding Local Chapter in our population division based on our Giessenbier submissions.

1979-80 A successful Haunted House and other Ways & Means projects put the Chapter back on firm financial footings. Fifty-two flags sponsored by the Macon Jaycees were flown on Poplar St. in honor of the American Hostages held captive in Iran.

1980-81 The Macon Jaycees worked with the Macon community Sports Committee to raise money to upgrade Luther Williams Stadium and were instrumental in bringing the Macon Peaches Baseball team back to life. Billy C. Bass was named Outstanding Young Man of the year for Macon and Bibb County. Alan Hancock and Dick Justice were awarded JCI Senatorships.

1981-82 The Jaycees had another successful Haunted House and Winter Board resulting in a good financial year. Stan K. Shaw was named Outstanding Young Man of the year for Macon and Bibb County. Tom Stevens and Bill Patterson were awarded JCI Senatorships.

1982-83 The 1982-83 year was a great one for the Macon Jaycees. Starting the year with 66 members, the organization grew to 182 members by year end. Almost tripling our membership. We extended 30 Jaycee Chapters in Georgia and had 5 In-Chapter Extensions (22 members each). Macon was recognized as the No. 2 Chapter in Georgia for the year, No. 2 chapter in population division VII in the U.S. Jaycees and No. 5 Chapter in the U.S. Jaycees overall. Macon was also named the External Chapter of the Year for the Georgia Jaycees and the Outstanding Metro Chapter for the State for 1982-83. We received the National Blue Chip Award from the U.S. Jaycees. Joey Kinard and Robert Bowen were inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Rebel Corps.

1983-84 The Year 1983-84 was a continuation of the previous year. During this year we had 7 in-House Extensions (154 new members). Macon was recognized as the number 1 chapter in the state at Jekyll Island. We ran numerous Internal, External and Ways & Means projects and we finished the year with a positive bank balance. Don Lucas and Steve Landers were inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Rebel Corps and Stan Shaw was inducted into the JCI Senate. Jim Morgan was local President.

1984-85 The year 1984-85 was led by President Johnny R Swank. This year was significant because women were permitted to join the Jaycee organization. This was voted on at special National Jaycee meeting held on August 16, 1984 in Tulsa , Oklahoma, which President Swank attended. This called for drastic changes to be made in the Macon Chapter. The members pulled together and re-organized with little difficulty. We continued to run excellent projects and finished the year in the top ten chapters in the State. Chuck Faircloth and Jim Morgan were inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Rebel Corps and Dick Justice was selected as Macon’s first U.S. Jaycee Ambassador.

1985-86 Chuck Faircloth was President in 1985-86. We ran numerous projects throughout the year. The most outstanding being the Toys-for Tots Christmas project, in which the Macon Jaycees collected over 5000 toys and helped over 200 families to have a Merry Christmas. During this year we hosted the State Winter Board Meeting at the Macon Hilton chaired by Past-President Johnny Swank. The Macon Jaycees were awarded the Giessenbier Award at Jekyll Island and Chuck Faircloth received the T. Malone Sharp Award for being one of the Outstanding Local Presidents in Georgia. Johnny Swank was elected State Metro Vice President and was also inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Rebel Corps.

1986-87 Rob Perkins was elected President for the year 1986-87. During his term a lot of successful projects were completed, most notable being the Haunted House and the Toys-for-Tots. In January of 1987 President Perkins had to move from Macon, because of his job, leaving the position of President vacant.

1986-87 At the Board of Directors request Past-President Johnny Swank was elected to fill the position of president for the remainder of the year. This was the first time in Macon Jaycee history that a person had held the presidency for more than one term. President Swank concentrated the remainder of the year on recruiting new members. Don Lucas was inducted into the JCI Senate at Jekyll Island.

1987-88 Rena Swank, the first woman president of the Macon Jaycees, led the chapter to blue chip status in 1987-88 and we were recognized as one of the top ten chapters in the State. The Macon Jaycees hosted the Dixie Institute Convention, chaired by Rena and Johnny Swank, which is a convention for the nine Southern States. We were recognized as No. 1 in our population division and received the Giessenbier Award for being an Outstanding Chapter in Georgia. Other successful projects were the Soap Box Derby of Middle Georgia, a very successful Haunted House, the Christmas Parade, Industrial Children’s Home shopping tour, Kids-Yule-Love, and our first "Mobsters for MDA" project. The Macon Jaycees were in the top ten chapters each quarter at the State Board Meeting. Annual dues were $30.

1988-89 Steve Landers was president and the Macon Jaycees continued to run excellent community and Individual development projects. We won several awards on the state level and finished 8th in the parade of chapters. Steve was also awarded the Trafton Award for outstanding Chaplain from the U.S. Jaycees. Johnny Swank was inducted into the JCI Senate. Mike and Bonnie Barron were Jaycees of the Year.

1989-90 Don Coffey, led the Macon Jaycees to a bronze chip status his year as president and we were recognized as one of the top ten chapters in the state, at the year end Convention on Jeklyll Island. We were number six over all. That year the chapter hosted the winter board meeting at the Hilton in Macon Ga. which was the nomination meeting for the new officers for next year, chaired by Kathy Faircloth. We were recognized as No. 1 in our population division and received the Henry Giessenbier Memorial Award for being an Outstanding Chapter in Georgia. The chapter was in the top ten chapters each quarter at the state board meetings, Don also received the T. Malone Sharpe Memorial Award for the Ten Outstanding Local Presidents and numerous other awards.

1990-91 Michael Barron was elected President and the Board of Directors consisted of Individual Development VP - Rena Swank first half of year and Rita Keller second half of year, Community Development VP - Brenda Coleman, Management VP - Debbie Cook, Ways & Means VP - Fred Cook, Membership VP - Mike Worley, Treasurer - Johnny swank, Chaplain - Johnny Ball and Chairman of the Board - Don Coffey. The chapter raised over $10,000 for various community projects including Muscular Dystrophy, Camp Dream, Cancer Society and the Rena Swank Bone Marrow Transplant Fund. They also collected and distributed toys for Kids Yule Love and helped over 2400 children have a Merry Christmas. They started a needy child birthday party each month which later developed into the Georgia Children’s Home Birthday Parties. This project won the Macon Mayor’s Presidents Club Award for best new project of the year. They also adopted the Highway Cleanup project, held CPR training, Firearms Safety Course and parliamentary and leadership training for future officers. Beginning membership for the year was 94 and the ending membership was 123 which won the Presidents Cup Award for membership growth from the state. The chapter was also recognized with the Henry Giessenbier Award for the most outstanding chapter in the state in population division 7.

1991-92 Mike Worley was President. Again the chapter ran excellent projects in all the areas and we received numerous awards both on the region and the state level. Mike Barron was inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Rebel Corps and Chuck Faircloth was inducted into the Georgia JCI Senate. Past President Rena Swank died and the Jaycee of the Year award was named the Rena Swank memorial Award in her honor.

1992-93 Fred Cook was President. It was evident from the beginning of the year that this was to be a year filled with obstacles and challenges to overcome. Fortunately, the chapter had many members of all ages that were determined to ensure that the chapter continued to be the strong, competitive chapter that it had always been. We ran numerous projects and held several training sessions to ensure that we provided individual growth and training. Many of the projects under each portfolio helped to mold all of our members into well rounded Jaycees. Projects like the Macon Christmas Parade, Kids Yule Love, Labor Day Rest Stop, Family outings to Callaway Gardens and the Thanksgiving Dinner combined with training courses in areas like CPR, Cpg writing and Competition training helped develop the personal skills of our members. Throughout the year we signed 60 new members and Alyson Swank received the Rena Swank Award for the Jaycee of the year. Overall, we all helped our community, and our chapter, but most of all we helped ourselves grow to be all around Jaycees. To sum it up with a theme, the Macon Jaycees were: "Simply the Best".

1993-94 Kathy Faircloth was president. Alyson Swank received the Dick Garrett Award and Johnny Swank received his Ambassadorship and was inducted into the Triple Crown.

1994-95 The year 1994-95 was a very interesting year for the Macon Jaycees. By the 2nd quarter, the chapter had experienced the resignation of 2 presidents. On November 3rd, 1994 Debbie Cook was elected President. With her determination the chapter pushed and made us No. 1 in the state for the winter quarter. We ran several projects including Highway cleanup, flood relief, Christmas parade, teddy bear carwash, candle show, church visitations, thanksgiving family social, Macon braves concessions, dunking booth , haunted trail, scavenger hunt and the monthly birthday bash. The chapter also hosted five French students in five different homes in July. Alyson Swank chaired this project and won national recognition for the CPG which she submitted. Through the hard work we finished No. 3 in the state at year end. Our theme for the year was "The Best Is Yet To Come" and this couldn’t have been more true. Alyson Swank was District 9D director. Donald Moore was the recipient of the Dick Garrett Award, Debbie Cook received a T. Malone Sharpe award for outstanding local president and Bonnie Barron was inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Congress.

1995-96 DeDe Holt was president. Membership we finished No. 17 year end, No. 10 Community Development, No. 11 Individual Development and No. 12 Management Development. We received the Humanitarian Assistance Award for the Georgia Children's Home Birthday Parties. Alyson Swank was Region 9 director. Mark Mullis received the Rena Swank Award for Jaycee of the year and Mike Barron was inducted into the Georgia Jaycee Congress.

1996-97 Alyson Swank led the chapter to a blue chip finish with the theme of "Celebration". We finished No. 3 overall in the year end parade of chapters. Sabra Mayfield , the Community Development VP, received Community Development chapter of the year. Kellye Ivey, the Individual Development VP, received the year end Individual Development VP award for the state and Mark Mullis, Membership VP, received Membership chapter of the year and VP of the year. The chapter celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary with a banquet held at the Crown Plaza Hotel.

1997-98 For the first time in Macon Jaycee history we had a president serve two consecutive terms, Alyson Swank. Annual dues were increased from $45 to $50. The chapter received the humanitarian Assistance Award for our Kids-Yule-Love project. Alyson Swank and Marti Hudson were inducted into the Rebel Corps. Johnny Swank became the first Macon Jaycee to become President of the Georgia JCI Senate.

1998 This was the year that we changed our year from May - April to January-December. As president, Donald Moore served May to December 1998. As state Jaycee Jeopardy competition winner Alyson Swank competed in Washington D.C. on the national level and placed No. 3 in the nation. Kathy Faircloth was inducted into the JCI Senate. The major projects were kids-Yule-Love, Christmas Parade, dunking booth at the State Fair and the July 4th concessions at Lake Tobesofkee. Alyson Swank received the Dick Garrett Award and Kathy Brown received the Rena Swank Award for Jaycee of the year.

1999 President was Danny Martin. Several community projects were ran this year including the Georgia Children's Home Birthday Parties, the Macon Water Authority picnic, the downtown Music Jamboree which from the proceeds a donation was made to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Kathy Coffey and Mike Barron were inducted into the JCI Senate. Don Coffey was awarded the Ambassador and Triple Crown honors. Johnny Swank was awarded the coveted "Bubba" Award in May at Jekyll Island. A very successful Christmas Parade was run this year chaired by Johnny Swank and Don Coffey.