In an environment that fosters TRUE FRIENDSHIP, we offer the best opportunities for BUSINESS and CAREER DEVELOPMENT and COMMUNITY ACTION to men and women 21-39 years of age.

So you are interested in becoming a member of the greatest young persons' organization in the world! We believe that the below answers to frequently asked questions will serve as a starting point to help you get involved.

VISION
To become the organization of choice for young men and women providing direction and leadership to our communities and nation.

MISSION
To provide young people the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills through local community action and organizational involvement while expanding the Junio Chamber movement.

HISTORY
The Junior Chamber movement began in 1920 in St. Louis, when Henry Giessenbier reorganized a need for an organization to teach young men leadership and business skills in order to advance their careers.

Through the years, the Junior Chamber has made an impact on communities all over the country. If you interview the leaders of your community today, you will probably find that many of them are former Jaycees.

Many local and national leaders got their start in the Junior Chamber. Here are a few of the national initiatives with which the Junior Chamber has been involved:

1920s   Get Out the Vote, U.S. Airmail service
1930s   National Wildlife Federation, Safety with Light, venereal disease prevention programs.
1940s   Junior gold program, endorsement of military draft, founding of Junior Chamber International
1950s   Junior tennis program, support of statehood for Alaska and Hawaii
1960s   Uniform Vehicle Code, Clean Water program, Shooting Education
1970s   Operation Red Ball, Operation Identification, Muscular Dystrophy fundraising
1980s   Compaign for Liberty, St. Jude's Research Hospital fundraising
1990s   Hurricane and flood relief, KidCare ID, Greenworks, Junior Chamber Mission Inn, Social Security reform, Get out the Vote, Jaycees Against Youth Smoking.

How can I get involved?

Begin by attending your chapter's general membership meetings and reading your chapter's newsletter. These are excellent ways to learn what your chapter is doing and pinpoint those areas where you can make a difference.

The Springboard and Degrees programs are designed to walk you step by step through the Jaycee experience. Once you have completed the tenth degree, you will have a complete understanding of the Junior Chamber organization. Your Chapter President will be able to give you information on the Springboard and Degrees programs.

To get the most from your Jaycee experience, volunteer for at least one chapter project each month. When your chapter holds a new member orientation, be sure to attend. You will learn more about your chapter, develop friendships, and begin to feel comfortable and productive.

After you've gotten your feet wet on a few projects, volunteer to chair a project committee. This experience will give you a feel for what the Junior Chamber is all about while providing opportunities to develop those valuable skills we mentioned earlier.

Finally, you may want to assume a position of leadership on your chapter's Board of Directors. Each level of your involvement brings its own personal and professional growth and true sense of satisfaction.

How can the Jaycee organization help me?

The Junior Chamber organization provides opportunities for you to develop and polish skills that will benefit both your personal and professional lives. These skills include: time management, fiscal responsibility, teamwork, delegation, public speaking, writing, organization, project management, negotiation, and goal setting to name a few.

Your involvement also gives you opportunities for community service, networking, and life-long friendships. Ultimately, what you get out of the Jaycees is what you put into it. Your involvement will reap huge benefits.

The Junior Chamber offers its members benefits such as low-interest cred cards and discounted medical and life insurance for qualified members as well as discounts on rental cars, hotels, magazine subscriptions, and much more. You can learn more about these benefits by visiting our web site www.usjaycees.org.

How far reaching is The U.S. Junior Chamber?

As a Jaycee, you belong to a vast network of Junior Chamber organizations in all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries. Jaycee membership begins with the local chapter but it also includes your state organization, the national organization and Junior Chamber International. You'll receive a quarterly publication entitled Jaycees Magazine from The U.S. Junior Chamber.

A great way to learn more about other Junior Chamber chapters is by doing a "visitation." Your chapter president can fill you in on what events have been scheduled by other chapters in your aorea. take along  a few of y our new Jaycee friends and pay another chapter a visit. This is a great way to have fun and learn at the same time!

What opportunities are available for Jaycees?

Once you have become an active, integral part of your local chapter, you may want to consider becoming a state or national officer.

Each state is covered by District and Region Directors, and each state organization elects a President, several Vice Presidents, and other officers from local chapter members in your state. The U.S. Junior Chamber has an elected Board of Directors made up of Jaycees from all around the country. All Jaycee members have the potential to serve as a state or national officer.

There are also numerous training opportunities available at the state and national levels. Most states hold quarterly meetings to recognize Jaycees for their hard work and train them to lead their local chapters. The U.S. Junior Chamber conducts educational programs such as the U.S. Leadership Academy, the Local Presidents' Summit, and the National Business Summit. At these meetings, members are provided with valuable training opportunities. For information about these opportunities, contact your Chapter President, your state office, or call the National Service Center at 800JAYCEES.