Who are the Jaycees?
The Jaycees are an internationally recognized leadership-training organization for people between the ages of 18 up to 41. Leadership training is accomplished through planning and participating in chapter activities, project management, community service, training sessions, and serving on the Board of Directors.
For over 80 years, the Jaycees have been involved in community service in America and around the world. The Jaycees build parks, hospitals, playgrounds, and conduct other services as well as support programs in thousands of communities. The Jaycees have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the March of Dimes.
This organization offers a chance to develop and utilize skills that can help in career advancement and personal growth. Through projects and social events, lifetime friendships are developed.
Our Mission
To provide young people the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills through local community service and organization involvement while expanding the Jaycee movement
Who are the Auburn Jaycees?
We are men and women between the ages of 18 and 41 that have diverse backgrounds and different life experiences. Our chapter includes married couples, singles and members who have children. Many of us live in Auburn but we have members who are from surrounding cities such as Bay City, Midland, Sanford and many more!
Past Auburn Presidents
Kimberly Gibaud, 2009
Amanda Sandow, 2008
Noel Arnold, 2007
Sue Tipler, 2006
Dave Friebe, 2002
Sue Tipler, 2001
Karen Friebe, 2000
A Brief History of the Jaycees
Henry "Hy" Giessenbier, Jr. wanted to develop the business skills and the reputation of young men. This approach was a bit unusual, as his era was one in which most young men were out of school and working by the age of 15, and their first jobs were the jobs they died in. If they were lucky, they might work their way into an executive position by the time they were in their 40s.
Hy decided to do something positive for the young men of St. Louis. On October 13, 1915, at the Mission Inn in St. Louis, Missouri, Hy and 32 young men agreed to form the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA), developing their skills as leaders by tackling difficult civic problems. Giessenbier wanted young men to make an impression early in life, so development of business and leadership skills was offered to YMPCA members.
In 1916, the YMPCA changed its name to Junior Citizens at the request of Clarence H. "Daddy" Howard, a St. Louis industrialist and early benefactor of the Junior Chamber organization. The Junior Citizens were affiliated with the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce in 1918. Following the first World War, a plan to form a national coalition of young men's groups was widely circulated.
The "St. Louis Plan" resulted in a gathering of 29 organizations from around the country in January of 1920. This caucus on January 21 and 22 is the official date of birth for The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.
A world alliance of Jaycees formed during 1944 in Mexico City, finding the Junior Chamber International (JCI) with the avowed purpose and one obligation: "way towards world peace." The JCI now consists of a network of 107 free world nations with more than 350,000 members on its rolls.
Today, there are over 6,000 chapters in the United States.
