OF THE
Years This book belongs to:
Each day, JCI members around the world work to create positive change by providing sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. United by the same mission and vision, each JCI member contributes their effor ef t to sustain the JCI legacy. Make your mark in the JCI Legacy. Use this book to share your story of impact by filling in the sections marked with the pen icon.
A Legacy of Impact: 100 Yea Y rs of the JCI Movement St. Louis, USA | Published by JCI (Junior Chamber International), Inc. Š2015
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Contents Forewords
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Mission, Vision, Values
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Inspire Confidence
12
Unite Communities
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Enhance Equal Opportunities
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Establish Justice
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Embrace Diversity
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Create Sustainable Impact
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The Beginning of a Movement
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Expanding the JCI Movement
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Collaborating for Impact
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Commitment to World Peace
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JCI in the New Millennium
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The Beginning of a Movement
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Expanding the Movement Across the World
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Collaborating ora ti ting ng fo forr Impact Im pact pa ct
30
Commitment to Everlasting Co World Peace
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JCI in the New Millennium
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Post 2015 and the Future of JCI
Post 2015 and the Future of JCI 34 Evolution of Corporate Identity
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National Organizations
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JCI Memorabilia
42
Fun Facts About JCI
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100th Anniversary Donors
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The Century Ahead
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A LEGACY OF IMPACT: 100 YEARS OF THE JCI MOVEMENT
J C I To d a y
Thatt the b Tha brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations Across nations’ borders, geographic dividing lines are drawn and redrawn as the decades pass; however, there lies an intersection of arts, science and commerce that knows no boundaries. The JCI Movement celebrates these crossroads of cultures at every event, project and meeting that has taken place over the organization’s 100-year history. JCI recognizes that while the borders of nations may transform and the hands that control them may change, it is humanity’s search for dignity that unites us. JCI members unite communities of different backgrounds and beliefs each day to ensure human dignity for all. JCI Local Organizations collaborate across far distances of land and sea
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A LEGACY OF IMPACT: 100 YEARS OF THE JCI MOVEMENT
to impact the communities of their global neighbors. In 2007, through the JCI Twinning program, JCI Dominican Republic enlisted the support of JCI T wan to address the fact that 8% of Tai newborns in the Dominican Republic are blinded by an eye disease known as Retinopathy. With the support of the International Cooperation and Development Fund, a team of 12 doctors, two nurses, one medical assistant and three JCI members from T wan were trained. One hundred JCI Tai Dominican Republic members and volunteers welcomed those in need and provided mobile medical clinics, local expertise, prevention education and therapy to treat 1000 patients in 10 days.
Sharing tools, funds and knowledge across borders can lead to creative solutions to our most complex challenges. JCI demonstrates this idea everyday through the movement’s commitment to the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, which distributes insecticidetreated bed nets and prevention education throughout Sub-Saharan Africa while also encouraging action by malaria advocacy. Since 2008, JCI organizations have coordinated documentary screenings, cross-country tours and other creative initiatives to raise over US $3 million and save nearly one million lives. Nearly all of JCI’s organizations have contributed to this campaign by raising funds, educating policy makers and working on the ground to implement this life-saving program. In 2005, a delegation from JCI Komaki (Japan) journeyed to Moshi, Tanzania to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets to 200 families. Young active citizens inspired by the movement’s legacy of impact dare to travel to the other side of the world to help individuals they have never met and contribute to another community. They do this because they ey understand that it is through roug h uniting communities off d diverse backgrounds iverse backgro kgrounds that a more peacefull world wi will follow. ore peacefu
Believing in the power of uniting communities has been essential especially during times of great migration when populations seek refuge from economic crisis, war and terrorism in new countries and communities. Since 1954, JCI has worked to assist refugees through JCI Operation Brotherhood; it was first initiated to support refugees fleeing war-torn Vietnam. JCI members carry on this tradition as whole communities uproot in search for opportunities in new regions of the world. JCI Malta has responded to the surge of African refugees joining their community through the creation of the “Ying Yang Refugee Integration Program.” Together with refugees and policy makers, they have worked to draft legislation that supports refugee communities, coordinates educational workshops and provides a platform to exchange cultures with their new neighbors.
Has your organization created impact by uniting with another JCI organization? If so, which organization and what projects have you collaborated on?
Over the course of the last century, the JCI Movement has brought together young people whose countries are c at war and who hold conflicting e these differences, differenc , beliefs. Despite oung active ac ve citizens recognize gnize JCI’ss young th that at acknowledg ack acknowledging ing and em embracing hu humanity’s manit y’s differe different nt races, race colors and creeds unite the world in cr ds will unit everlasting peace.
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T h e 1 0 0 - Ye a r J C I L e g a c y
The JCI Movement began in 1915 by one man, with one vision that included igniting a movement that worked toward the establishment of a permanent and everlasting world peace. Founder Henry Giessenbier Jr. lived during a time of growth and expansion where only ninepercent of youth nationally were provided with the opportunity to graduate from secondary school. After leaving school at the young age of 12 years old, Giessenbier himself experienced xper xperienced and witnessed the need for youth to develop develo their skills as leaders in order to add address es the civic challenges es of theirr tim time and to reach their greatest potential. On October 13, 1915, the first Local Organization was founded when 32 men joined together to form the eY Youn g Men’s Progressive Association (YMPCA) at the Mission Inn located in their hometown of St. Louis, USA led by Giessenbier, Andy Mungenast and John H. Armbruster. The YMPCA sought to offer young men the unique opportunity to take action as active citizens by sharing their voice and engaging with community members and officials to address the community challenges by creating sustainable solutions. Within the first five months of its existence, the organization grew from 32 to 750 members. Through the organization, members took action revitalizing their city through initiatives which included developing parks, improving housing, working toward
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building better schools and drafting sanitation regulations. YMPCA members received acknowledgment as young active citizens from the broader community, however on November 30, 1915 official recognition of the organization was granted after enrolling ng as a member of the Mayor’s Mayor s Conf Conferenc ence of Civic Or Organizations. ganizations. ons. One On year later, the YMPCA MPCA became b came known as the Junior Citizens and nd soon s on the JJunior uni Chamber off Comm C mmerce, erce , aft after official affiliation with the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce.
his expressed goals for the organization:
As young people worked to improve the St. Louis community, they could not ignore the need for similar actions to take place across the nation. During World War I, St. Louis members enthusiastically spread the mission of the movement, and as a result the interest on how to form similar groups came from across the country. In response, in October of 1919, the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce sent caucus invitations to like-minded organizations throughout the United States to join in the expansion of the movement. It was on January 21, 1920, with 30 cities present, that the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce (USJCC) was born.
Following the national expansion, nationally endorsed programs began to develop which multiplied the organization’s impact. In 1926, after commercial aviation pioneer Charles A. Lindbergh became a member, the USJCC pursued to expand aviation throughout the United States by working to establish and promote airport construction, encourage air mail usage and mark towns for easy identification from the air. The same year, the GetOut-The-Vote campaign was initiated in which the USJCC became the first national organization to conduct a systematic campaign to educate active citizens of their civic duty to vote. As a result, 12 million more individuals voted in the 1928 election than in 1924.
In June of the same year, with 41 cities present, the USJCC held their first official convention where they not only adopted their first constitution but also elected their first President Henry Giessenbier Jr. Giessenbier closed the ceremony with
A LEGACY OF IMPACT: 100 YEARS OF THE JCI MOVEMENT
“We have definitely launched a great institution into th the world of pr progress. prog ogre ress ss Let us hope that at from this instituti institution will e emerge eme merge rge c citizens citi iti of loftier ideals, higher privileges, greater id opportunities, purer patriotism, broader ideas of service and greater capacity for happiness.”
The organization demonstrated it’s ability to create positive change in communities across the United States, however, its impact was destined to expand beyond all borders.
Born June 26, 1892, Henry Giessenbier Jr., a gentle-natured boy, grew up in a middle-income household in St. Louis, USA. Like many young men of his time, he never finished high school and started work at the age of 13 as a photography assistant. In 1909, Giessenbier entered the field of banking, which would soon become his career path in life. However, it was his ability to organize and lead others around a common purpose that would prove to be his life’s passion. At the age of 18, Giessenbier formed the Herculaneum Dance Club, a social outlet for the
community’s youth. Unknown at the time, Giessenbier was laying the foundation for what would become a global movement. It was Giessenbier’s dedication to serve others that made him unswerving in his commitment to the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to empower young people to build a better community. It is that same dedication and vision that has inspired millions of young people worldwide to believe in the mission of the JCI Movement.
Henry Giessenbier Jr. as a child.
Henry Giessenbier Jr. and some of his associates, 1914.
Founder, Henry Giessenbier Jr.
The Mission Inn Restaurant, St. Louis, USA
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F E AT U R I N G A R T I FA C T S D AT I N G B A C K T O T H E F O U N D I N G OF THE JCI MOVEMENT
JCI Pocket Watch A popular merchandise item among JCI members and a common gift that Local Organizations would present to exemplary members.
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Handwritten JCI Creed by C. William Brownfield, 1946
JCI Stamps issued by JCI Nicaragua, 1961
Inspired by the enthusiasm and passion of JCI USA
The Nicaraguan government produced a set
National Convention delegates, William Brownfield
of 12 airmail stamps, with multiple designs, to
authored the JCI Creed to unite members worldwide
honor Junior Chamber International. This was
through a six-line principle statement. It was
the third nation to honor the organization with
officially adopted internationally in 1947.
a special issue of stamps, among many others.
A LEGACY OF IMPACT: 100 YEARS OF THE JCI MOVEMENT
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A LEGACY OF IMPACT: 100 YEARS OF THE JCI MOVEMENT
A Message from Arrey Obenson JCI Secretary General
The century that lies ahead is even more complex than the last. The challenges the world faces today can no longer be resolved by the simple solutions of the past. Globalization presents unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities. A rapidly changing economy is forcing countries around the world to cope with the unknown. Individual skills do not match market requirements; there is an everwidening disparity between the haves and have-nots; too many people live a life without dignity, social injustice continues to prevail; and conflict and violent radicalism is occurring in too many parts of the world. It is with this global backdrop that JCI marches into a new century equipped with one hundred years of experience. What does the future hold for JCI? Will JCI be the organization that |unites all sectors of society to resolve these challenges? JCI must claim its rightful place as a solution provider. Through empowering young people to embrace difficulties instead of providing short-term solutions, we can challenge the status quo and craft creative, forwardthinking sustainable solutions in ways that world has never seen. By being bold and audacious in taking on the challenges of the world, JCI will develop a new generation of global shapers who will lead the world to a better place then how they found it.
the next generation. However, accepting responsibility and acting alone will not suffice; young people must connect and collaborate with one another. With technological advances being made daily, young people have the tools in their hands—tools that are so powerful, they can transform the world if used properly. JCI is uniquely positioned to create opportunities for connecting and enhancing collaboration of young people from across the world. It is necessary for young people, to reach out to engage and mobilize stakeholders within their communities. JCI members therefore must be advocates of their beliefs and equip themselves with the tools and skills necessary to influence policy making within their communities. The last seven years have demonstrated significant transformation of the organization; it has transformed from being an organization focused on opportunities to an organization that challenges its members to use these opportunities to create sustainable impact. These ongoing transformations uniquely position JCI to transform the world at the grassroots levels. Could JCI become the organization that the world turns to in times of crisis? A network of young active citizens empowered with the abilities to address the very complex issues of the world? This is the arena into which we step; this is what the next century holds. Will JCI falter or prevail? Only a century will tell.
We hope you enjoyed the A Legacy of Impact: 100 Years of the JCI Movement preview! For JCI to attain its ambitious goal of being the organization that unites all sectors of society to create sustainable impact, JCI members must accept and assume their responsibility as active citizens and act beyond what is required by law. Young people must not see themselves as spectators but as actors in shaping the future of their communities, countries and the world. Every JCI member must assume th responsibility for the development of their communities and serve as an inspiration for
Celebrate 100 years of impact by purchasing your copy of Arrey Obenson JCI Secretary General A Legacy of Impact today for only US $20. This publication is a
limited edition item created for the 100 Anniversary of the JCI Movement, and it is sure to sell out! http://jci-store.myshopify.com/ 57