Jaycee Tid Bits
The Jaycees (which stands for Junior Chamber of Commerce) began in 1921 as an all male organization. In the early 1980s, women were permitted to join as full members. Prior to that, interested women could be "Jaycettes," an offshoot of the Jaycees.
The motto is "leadership through community service." As a worldwide organization, the Jaycees develop leadership in young people ages 21-39 all the while, giving to the communities in which they live.
The Raleigh Jaycees began in 1932 and has grown to nearly 400 members today.
We are a not-for-profit organization run entirely by volunteers.
We run over 100 projects a year and raise over $100,000 annually to benefit state and local charities.
The Raleigh Jaycees run the longest continuously running Jaycee project in the world- the annual Goodfellows project for underprivileged children, held during the Holiday Christmas season.
The Community Fundraising area runs projects to raise money for 5 state charities: Duke Cancer Center, JC Burn Center at UNC Hospitals, Boys Home at Lake Waccamaw, Mission Inn Home for Children with Pediatric AIDS, and Cystic Fibrosis. At the local level, we raise money for Helping Hands, Raleigh Rescue Mission, YMCA, SPCA, and many others.
Major Projects:
HOBY- Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. A three-day "leadership for service" seminar for 150 rising high school sophomores from across eastern North Carolina.
Pet Trek-Benefits the SPCA. Jaycees and local sponsors organize a one-mile dog walk and many other fun-filled pet activities.
Bid for Bachelors-Benefits the Duke Cancer Center. This event "auctions" eligible bachelors, matched with date packages to the highest bidder.
Traditionally, the Community Services area has been separate from the individual development area. However, this year, we're trying something new by combining them. We believe in giving back to the community and building leadership skills to improve the chapter as well as ourselves. You will find that projects in this area are aimed at doing one or both of these things. The Community Services side will be more geared to volunteering time to make a positive difference in our community. The individual side is designed to stimulate personal, leadership, spiritual, and family development.
Major Projects:
Goodfellows- Our annual Christmas project. We take 200-250 underprivileged children to a traditional Christmas dinner with carols, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and gifts of toys. Afterward we take the children to the Crabtree Valley Mall Hudson Belk for much needed clothing.
HOPE- Heritage Park Outreach Partnership Enterprise. We "adopted" a public housing development in downtown Raleigh. We run about 12 projects a year for the benefit of children and adults of the community. We organize things such as a yard sale, tutor/mentoring programs, elderly BINGO, and outings for the children to local cultural events.
CARE- Care and Regard for the Elderly. This program works in the community with local retirement homes. We visit the homes about once a month to play BINGO, sing Christmas carols, or to have a cook out.
Tax Seminar-This workshop covers the basics for personal income tax filing.
Tips for Decorating- A workshop that offers suggestions about "little extras" that really make your house look great.
The Membership team is responsible for recruitment and activation of new members as well as retention of existing members. They accomplish their goals through a variety ways such as Open House for new and prospective members, new member socials, and membership drives.
Major Projects:
New Member Socials-Monthly social outings aimed at facilitating new member involvement.
M-nights/Days-Membership drives run in conjunction with projects in other areas.
Annual Jaycee Beach Trip-A trip to the beach that the whole chapter is invited to attend. This trip is a great way to meet more people in the chapter.
The Management team takes care of the "behind the scenes" business. They check phone messages, take care of the office, handle contracts for equipment and meeting spaces, organize social activities, and they facilitate chapter communication.
Major Projects:
SWAMP Parties- Socializing Without a Meaningful Purpose. Theme parties hosted in the homes of various Jaycees.
Blackout Party- Just our chapter's way of saying thanks to all those who worked hard during the Haunted House and Turkey Shoot.
Project Chair Training- Workshop for new project chairs to learn the ropes or for older ones who need a refresher course.
Just as Community Fundraising raises money for charities, the Ways and Means team raised money to run the chapter. They projects they manage bring in the operating money and are what makes it possible for us to have a phone, office, meeting space, etc.
Major Projects:
Brookhill Steeplechase- This annual horse race is part of the National Steeplechase Association. With over 14,000 guests in attendance, our chapter administers this race in its entirety. From sales to fence building to the cleanup, this manpower intensive project requires 200+ members to work.
Turkey Shoot- The longest running game on the midway at the NC State Fair. This 10-day project is run entirely by Jaycees and raises $18-23,000 annually.
Haunted House- An annual tradition for the Raleigh Jaycees. We completely construct, staff and take down a new Haunted House each year. The project runs the last 12 days of October and raises $11-20,000 annually.