HISTORY
OF THE JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a worldwide federation of
young professional and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40. The
National organizations federated to Junior Chamber International are
active in more than 8,000 chapters in 123 nations and territories. The
mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by
providing the opportunity for young people to develop the leadership
skills, social responsibility, fellowship and entrepreneurship necessary
to create positive change. Junior Chamber International was founded in
Mexico City on December 11, 1944, when representative from eight nations
met to create an organization that would address global concerns. From
these eight nations, Junior Chamber has grown to include more than 123
nations and spans every continent.
The JCI
Headquarters was established in 1951 and is now in Coral Gables, Florida,
U.S.A. A professional staff of 35 full time employees provides services to
JCI members. Its chief executive officer is Secretary General Benny
Ellerbe. JCI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with active
participation in the United Nation Systems, including several UN agencies
such as UNICEF and UNCTAD. JCI has cooperation agreements with the
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Association of
Students Economics and Management (AIESEC), the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United
National Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and
the Inter- American Foundation (IAF).
JAYCEES
or JUNIOR CHAMBER is a worldwide association of young people between the
ages of 18 and 40, which welcomes all nationality races and religions.
This is a unique organization which gives to its members an opportunity to
under take projects of a worth while nature in their own communities and
at the same time to develop qualities within themselves that will make
them better individuals. All member of Junior Chamber, from the World
President to the newest member, through a process that is helping them
become a better person. Young people who joint the Jaycees get an
Opportunity for improvement by participation in its internal and external
programs, which make them more developed individuals than they would
otherwise have been.
Junior Chamber is established in 15,000 communities through out 100
member nations. Jaycees International (JCI), the international association
of Junior Chambers, is the largest young people’s organization in the
world with over 600,000 members. Its membership believes in the principles
stated in the Jaycee Creed. It does not have an occupation classification
as determination for membership except the age requirement. Basically a
leadership training organization, its projects are action oriented.
THE
BEGINNING OF JAYCEES
Henry Gissenbier, a young man from St. Loius, Misouri, U.S.A felt
that young people acting in a voluntary capacity could fashion new
standard of life of their communities. On October 1915; he called a
meeting, attended by 32 men, who left up an organization called the Young
Men’s Progressive Civic Association. It was devoted to community
betterment.
The vigor and imagination of the youthful group attached the
admiration of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, which on February 11,
1918, asked the young men to consider the title “ Junior Chamber of
Commerce” so was the name born.
The movement spread, so that by June 1920, the United States Junior
Chamber of Commerce marched on to Canada, New Zealand. Over to Asia, over
Europe and to Africa. In 1944, in Mexico City, the world organization, the
Junior Chamber International was formed and since that date, JCI has fired
the imagination of hundred of thousands of young men across the face of
the earth.
In 1972, the World Organization officially adopted the name, “
Jaycees International”. The Origin of Junior Chamber can be traced as
formed the Herculaneium Dance Club with the main objective being the
preservation of conservative dance style.
Five years later, in 1915, Colonel H. N Morgan, a prominent St.
Louis citizen, inspired the members of the dance club to become more
involved in civic issues. Giessenbier and 32 other young men formed the
Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA) on October 13, 1915.
This organization grew to a membership of 750 in less than five months.
THE
FIRST WORLD CONGRESS
Two years later, In February of 1946, the first World Congress was
held in Panama City. This Congress was attended by 44 delegates from
different countries. The international organization was formally
constituted, a temporary constitution was approved, and the word
“Commerce” was omitted from the official name.
Erasmo Chambonnet of Panama was elected the second JCI President at
that Congress, and Australia and Canada were officially affiliated.
In 1948 the JCI Creed was officially adopted at the IV JCI World
Congress in Rio de Janeiro, and in 1952 a permanent Secretariat was
established. In 1972 the name was changed to Jaycees International;
however, 1n 1988 the name was changed back to Junior Chamber
International.
MILESTONES
Every year, new and exiting advancements and decisions are made in
this organization. As it is impossible to list them all, the following are
the events that are truly regarded as landmarks in the history of the
worldwide organizations.
In 1910, the organizations began in Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
the founder, Henry Giessenbier, had formed the Herculaneum Dance Club with
the purpose of bringing about the social elevation of its members.
1915, the first step forward the creation of the Junior Chamber
movement was taken in 1915 when 32 young men met at the Mission Inn on
October 13, 1915, to form the Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association
with Giessenbier as President.
1916, In August the organization’s name was changed to Junior
Citizens and it was at this time that the initials “JC” were first
used. This group became affiliated with the Saint Louis Chamber of
Commerce and in 1918 the name Junior Chamber was adopted.
1920 On January 21 through the 22nd, the first National
Organization, the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce was formed.
Twenty nine clubs around the nation were in attendance. Henry Giessenbier
was elected as the First National President. From 1920 to 1944 the Junior
Chamber movement crossed international borders. Organization was formed in
many countries form five continents.
1932 Many actions were taken to form a Junior Chamber International
including the creation of the International Executive Council of Junior
Chamber of Commerce formed at the Olympic Games in 1932.
1944 JCI was born in Mexico City on December 7-11, 1944. Witness to
the birth of the organization were 30 delegates from North and Central
America. Raul Garcia Vidal, from Mexico, was elected the first JCI
President.
1946, In February the first JCI World Congress was in Panama City.
There were 44 delegates from 16 countries attending. It was at this
Congress the JCI Constitution was drafted. Also in 1946, C. William
Brownfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, drafted the JCI Creed.
1952, the JCI Senate was formed through the efforts of 1951 JCI
President Phil Pugsley at the 1952 VII JCI world Congress in Melbourne,
Australia.
1953 the first permanent World Headquarters was established in 1953
at the United States Jaycees War Memorial Headquarters Building in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Philip Van Slyck was hired as JCI’S first full time Secretary
General.
1955 The rapidly growing World Headquarters moved to its own
building on Miami Beach, Florida, USA in 1955.
1969 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Junior
Chamber International, the central World Headquarters was built in Coral
Gables, Florida, USA.
1972 in 1972 at the XXXVIII JCI world Congress in Taipei, the
organization’s name was changed back to Junior Chamber International.
This year also marked the first JCI Academy.
1989 was a historic year for Junior Chamber International when
services were extended to the Eastern European countries of the Soviet
Union, Poland and Hungary. The historic trend of 1989 continued in 1990 as
more Eastern European countries sought ties with JCI, including Romania,
Bulgaria, Estonia, and Czechoslovakia.
1994 at the XIIV JCI World Congress in Kobe, Japan, the fifth Area
of Opportunity- Business was adopted.
1996 The JCI Home page on the Internet was established. The JCI
Home page is http://www.juniorchamber.com
.
1999 The World Headquarters enters the world of technology by
gradually eliminating the paper documents and sending CD- ROM and
electronic main to National Organizations and Board of Directors. The
Cyber Business Network is launched and a new electronic directory is the
newest feature of the World Headquarters.
THE
BIRTH OF JAYCEES IN THE PHILIPPINES
The first Jaycee organization in the Philippines was born on
December 20, 1972, in Manila. Ground work for the organization was laid by
Artemio Vergel de Dios. He had read an article entitled “ Young Men in
Action”. In an American magazine and he saw the need for such movement
here. He wrote US Jaycees to send him literature about the organization.
Artemio Vergel de Dios received a reply asking him to contact Bert
Talbot, a former St. Paul Minnesota Jaycee, who was born then in the
Philippines. Talbot, together with his assistant Greg Feliciano, invited
de Dios to draw up plans for the organization. The first organizational
meeting was held at Manila Hotel on December 20, 1947, and among those
present were; Oscar Arellano, De Dios, Rafael Estrada, Greg Feliciano, Oil
Leperal, Peping Mayuga, Gena Puyat, Monching del Rosario, Graciano
Yupangco, John Bachman, Steve Brodie, Chruch Nelso, Steve Stonich, Talbot,
Bob Trent, and Wylie Young.
On February 3, 1948, the Constitution and By Laws were approved and
the following officers were elected: President- Del Rosario; Vice
President- Puyat and Mayuga; Secretary – De Dios; and Treasurer-
Feliciano. During the third JCI World Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Delegates received the charter of the Philippine Jaycees form JCI
President Taylor Cole. The rest of the year, 22 new chapters through out
the Philippines were organized. By April 1949, sufficient strength had
been gained to organized the Philippine Jaycees and the First National
Convention was held in Manila with Greg Feliciano as Chairman of the
Executive Committee. During this convention, the constitution and By- Laws
of the Philippine Jaycees were approved and del Rosario was elected as
first National President.
THE
PURPOSE OF THE JAYCEES
The
Purpose of Junior Chamber, inspired by the Jaycee Creed.
To develop the
individual abilities and stimulate joint efforts of young men for the
purpose of improving economic, social and spiritual well being of mankind
by
Developing
and awareness and acceptance of the responsibilities of citizenship
Individual
participation in internal training program to develop leadership
potentials.
Active
participation in planning and executing programs for the development of
the individual and the community.
Promotion
of economic development; and
Furtherance
of understanding, good will and cooperation among all men
“Providing
the opportunity for you people to develop the leadership skills, social
responsibility and fellowship necessary to create positive change”.
UNVEILING JUNIOR
JAYCEES MOVEMENT
A.
CONCEPT
The
Junior Jaycees Organization is a younger counterpart of the Jaycees and
was formally organized in 1975. It adapted the same concept, creed, principles and
philosophies of the Jaycees movement.
It builds the youth so that in turn, the youth will help build
better communities.
It
supports the philosophies of JCI of contributing to the advancement of the global
community by providing opportunities for members to develop leadership
skills, fellowship and social responsibility necessary to achieve positive
change.
B.
MEMBERSHIP
The
Junior Jaycees is a student-run nationwide youth leadership training
organization and its local organization members (LOM) are
present in some of the major colleges and universities, communities in the
country. LOM members are
between 14 to 26 years old.School-based chapters are recognized of course,
as extra curricular student organization schools.
Membership of this chapters are open to all college and that it has
to comply with the policies, regulations and rules, set by the school.
Junior
Jaycees becomes effective and potential membership recruitment base of the
Jaycees. With the early
experience of the JC movement, through JJC Organization, becomes a
positive motivation for them to be a member of the organization.
C.
PURPOSE
AND OBJECTIVES
The
Philippine Junior Jaycees is a nationwide youth leadership training
organization. The
organization whose members are interested in or engage in self-development
and training for leadership. The
various programs and activities, which the members will undertake or
render to their respective areas of operation the means for achieving
these ends. The organization
looks to be young people of every community to develop primarily their own
initiatives- a representative and effective vehicle for services for the
community and the nation.
The
organization operates on the premise that the development of the
individual for life, not just to be able to perform job.
Life is caring, sharing, loving,
understanding and communicating.
Life is much more than just doing a job.
The JJC strives to complete any lack in the development of
individual members.
The
PJJCI is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-partisan youth organization.
Meaning, it does not support nor endorse any political party, ideas
or political personalities. Neither
does the organization leans to favor any religious organization or sector.
Though, political personalities or young people with different
political colors and with diverse religious learning can join the
organization.
D.
HISTORY
On one
of the many September that passed is recorded at the embarkment of a truly
meaningful organization of the young – The Philippine Junior Jaycees.
And as it moves towards its 20th year, a wholesome
desire is carried on, in an aura of leadership example.
The
beginning of the Philippine Junior Jaycees could perhaps been started when
the Youth Activities Commission of the Philippine Jaycees was organized.
Chapters from all over the Philippines tried to organize projects
that would fall under the Youth Activities Commission.
In Cebu
City, Cebu Jaycees had their Jaycee Youth Clubs of Cebu, which was an
organization of students in high schools.
You can find in the annual publication of the Southwestern
University the projects of these young people dating back 1965.
The
conception of the organization registered two dynamic JCI Senators, JCI
Sen. Jose P. Lardizabal, 1966 Chapter President of the Cebu Jaycees and
Jorge Alcordo when at the 21st Philippine Jaycees National
Convention, they created this association of the young.
So inspired by the idea of organizing a younger counterpart of the
Jaycees, Davao Jayceeism, spearheaded by JC Rene Al Madrazo founded the
Davao Jaycees and thus, the first Junior Jaycees Chapter president JJC
Butch Francisco was elected. They had their Davao Junior Jaycees Chapter
Presentation and Induction Ceremonies at Davao Insular Hotel on September
28, 1968.
In
order to propagate and promote the ideas of the movement, the Davao Junior
Jaycees conducted several tours in Dumaguete, Bohol and other neighboring
places. But despite the fact
that it was launched with high hopes of a polished and established
organization, it failed and lost its aspirations, brought about by, yet
poor leadership. In 1971, all these youth clubs vanished in thin air.
The extinction of the organization became apparent.
In
1973, JCI Sen. Felicano ‘Sonny’ Belmonte, Jr., then JCP National
President under his Affairs Commission laid down a year long program for
implementing the Accent on Youth project nationally.
It disseminated information on the rationale of the AOY project,
guidelines, on organizing and on effective operation of the Youth Councils
and on the choice of the projects to be undertaken along the lines of
health, welfare, recreation and education.
These were published as part of the 1973 JCP Program Manual.
During
Belmonte’s administration, other traditional projects were likewise
being encouraged such as the organization of University Youth Councils and
Jaycee Youth Clubs carrying out the anti-drug abuse program.
Jaycee chapters nationwide sponsored the creation of Youth Councils
in various schools, which was accepted as a proper vehicle for civic
action projects required by the government as a condition for graduation
from secondary schools.
Other
Jaycee chapters organized Junior Jaycee Chapters as a younger counterpart
in their locality. The Jaycee belles of Cainta, Metro Manila, who were
either daughter of Jaycee members or young beauties in their locality
often held meetings or seminars only to be interrupted or disrupted by
boyfriends who dropped by to pick them up for a date. To solve this
problem, the Cainta Jaycees thought by inviting the guys into the club
under the new Jaycees organization.
During
the provisional years of the Cainta Junior Jaycees, headed by JC Manny
Duldulao, he registered the organization in the Philippine Jaycees as its
auxiliary unit in the Philippine Jaycees inspired other chapters in Metro
Manila to organize auxiliary units too. With the encouragement and
motivation of JCI Sen. David Chua-Unsu, 1974 JCP national President and
past JCI Vice President, the formation of Junior Jaycees by the Jaycees in
Manila and the nearby provinces sprouted fast.
Then on
November 30 to Decmber 1, 1974, the first Metro Manila Conference was
held. This was hosted by the Manila Junior Jaycees at the University of
the Philippines, Padre Faura with the theme “Youth for a Brighter
Tomorrow”. It was participated by the Cainta, Marikina, Capitol, Manila
and Parañaque Jaycees and a resolution was passed to make the Junior
Jaycees Movement a national organization.
After
the successful regional conference, the Jaycees of Metro Manila decided to
elevate the movement from regional to national level. The Philippine
Jaycees, Inc., through the leadership of JCP Sen. David Chua-Unsu, the
Philippine Junior Jaycees as a national organization and as an auxiliary
of the Philippine Jaycees Inc.
Thus,
on March 1975, a circular from the Philippine Jaycees entitled “Kabataan
‘75” was issued by Rogelio Rayala. The circular contained among the
others the guidelines on how to organize JJC Chapters in the respective
localities together with their timetable of organization and a sample
constitution and by-laws of a Junior Jaycees LOM.
In the
same circular, the timetable for the first JJC of the Philippines National
Convention was scheduled for October 1975 during the semestral break of
the classes. It was how rescheduled to December 16-18, 1975 with the
organization registering some 60 Junior Jaycees Chapters from all over the
Philippines of which 23 chapters attended.
The
first National Convention of the Junior Jaycees of the Philippines was
hosted by the Mandaue Junior Jaycees at the St. Joseph’s Parish Hall.
The first National President was JJC Ma. Elizabeth Marcelo of Caloocan
Junior Jaycees. Appointed at the first JCP National chairman for the
Junior Jaycees was JC Rogelio Rayala. The theme of the said convention was
“A United Youth for the National Development”. Metropolitan Cebu
junior Jaycees was the chapter to be awarded as most outstanding LOM of
the Philippines. The National Constitution and By-laws of the organization
was drafted it was also agree during the convention what every year Junior
Jaycees will hold its convention in the Month December.
In
1979, during the 4th Jaycees of the Philippines National
Convention held in Cavity City, the general assembly changed the name of
the organization from Junior Jaycees of the Philippines to what is today
the Philippine Junior Jaycees. At present, the Philippine Junior Jaycees
has undergone tremendous changes due to its colorful history and
outstanding Youth leaders it has produced. Today, the organization has
grown into a strong and dynamic youth movement, surviving on its own
challenges and obstacles in the past and now foresees a brighter future.