Introductionto JCI

What is JCI?• Worldwide community of nearly 200,000 young

active citizens and leaders with shared beliefs and purpose

• Young people ages 18 to 40• Members create positive change in themselves

and their community• A grassroots network of nearly 5,000 Local

Organizations in 115 countries

JCI History

1910: Henry Giessenbier formed a social group, the Herculaneum Dancing Club in St. Louis, Missouri, USA

1915: After hearing Colonel Huse N. Morgan argue the case for the construction of a highway through the City of St. Louis, Henry Giessenbier felt compelled to become more active in his community.

JCI History

October 13, 1915: With 32 other young men, Giessenbier established the Young Mens Progressive Civic Association. Giessenbier’s aim was:

1918: The name Junior Chamber was adopted.

December 11, 1944: Delegates from 8 countries met in Mexico City at the first international conference to officially form Junior Chamber International.

“bringing the young men of our great city together into one grand body with that great purpose of fellowship, advancement and everything which would make a good boy a better boy, a good student a more proficient scholar and a good citizen a better citizen.”

JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change

JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change

JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change

JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change

JCI Vision

To be the leading global network of young active citizens

JCI Values• That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human

life;

• That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;

• That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;

• That government should be of laws rather than of men;

• That earth's great treasure lies in human personality;

• And that service to humanity is the best work of life.

Be Better

• Be Better is the JCI Slogan that symbolizes positive change.

• Not only is improvement possible, it is our responsibility.

Young Active Citizens

• Taking ownership of the community and its needs

• Taking action by working together to accomplish society’s shared goals

• By uniting as active citizens:– JCI members cultivate a sense of social responsibility

– JCI members inspire their own growth as well as that of the community

• JCI is the original organization of young active citizens

International Events and Partnerships

• JCI members have been collaborating internationally since 1944

• JCI offers members a global perspective– 5+ international events each year, plus many international

academies and meetings– Partner with UN, UN Global Compact, ICC and others to target

global issues– Members understand challenges and opportunities of a

globalized world– The international dialogue generates new international

development projects

One-Year-To-Lead • Yearly elections produce new opportunities for

leadership• Learn to lead by doing• Developing socially responsible leaders• Democratic participation of all members fosters

respect, responsibility and interactive decision-making

Living the JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people

to create positive change

Living the JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change

Living the JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change

Living the JCI Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people

to create positive change

“Nobody knows about the future, but we know who owns it…”

-Edson A. Kodama, JCI Secretary General

The future belongs to the hundreds of thousands of young active citizens around

the world who are JCI members.