JCI

As i write this i reflect back on January when State VP Geno asked me what was my Goal for Nothing But Nets? I pondered for a second and said I want to double what we made in 2010 and I wrote down $3000 dollars and then i started to wonder could we really do it? Well I’m excited to say that in just 5 months we’ve crossed the $3,000 dollar mark and were still going. That’s huge in my book Illinois Jaycees put their brains together and thought of ways they could help some chapters ran Bar Olympics for the cause while other chapters ran change collection drives. If you haven’t done so visit our donation website and make a contribution to help save a life http://www.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/site/TR/Events/NBN?pg=team&fr_id=1040&team_id=4161.

By Richard Lewis

National Programs & Government Involvement State Chairmen

Richard.lewis@iljaycees.org

It’s that wonderful time of year if you’re a student the nice weather outside may signal the near end of another year and it’s the time when most Jaycee chapters give away there annual scholarship to students in their communities. But did you know that as a Jaycee member you and your family are eligible for FIVE scholarship programs funded by our organization? There are three from The U.S. Jaycee Foundation and two from our very own Illinois Jaycees Charitable Foundation below is a little information about each scholarship program and the requirements. If you have any additional questions feel free to email me at Richard.Lewis@iljaycees.org

Want to win 100 bucks? This year’s National Chair for the Support Our Troops program has setup a facebook group to communicate challenges and project ideas to directly to chapter members.

She is running a challenge, she wants the chapters around country to send their completed CPG’s to her for projects they’ve ran this year by June 1st and she will give the best one selected One Hundred Bucks. Join her group at http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Jaycees-Support-Our-TroopsToys-for-Tots-Program/112406932168921

I was reading a section of a Book called Young Men Can Change The World the other day and wanted to share it with you. It told the story of group Jaycee members out in California who were so passionate with some the legislation being passed in their community that they put together a committee to find someone from their community to run for Representative. After months of searching they found a young Jaycee member who was a lawyer and encouraged him to run, with their support and determination not to lose he went on to win and get elected. At the age of 34 he was recognized by the US Junior Chamber as a Ten Outstanding American. Then just three years later in 1950 he was elected Senator from California and in 1953 he went on to become our nations 36^th Vice President and a few year later our nation’s 37^th President. This man was Richard M. Nixon and for his efforts and involvement with the Jaycees movement over the years was he was recognized as JCI Senator # 72. Remember to vote on Tuesday April 5^th. A list of local voting polls can be founded at http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php

I was reading a section of a Book called Young Men Can Change The World the other day and wanted to share it with you. It told the story of group Jaycee members out in California who were so passionate with some the legislation being passed in their community that they put together a committee to find someone from their community to run for Representative. After months of searching they found a young Jaycee member who was a lawyer and encouraged him to run, with their support and determination not to lose he went on to win and get elected. At the age of 34 he was recognized by the US Junior Chamber as a Ten Outstanding American. Then just three years later in 1950 he was elected Senator from California and in 1953 he went on to become our nations 36th Vice President and a few year later our nation’s 37th President. This man was Richard M. Nixon and for his efforts and involvement with the Jaycees movement over the years was he was recognized as JCI Senator # 72. Remember to vote on Tuesday April 5th. A list of local voting polls can be founded at http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php

Richard Lewis

National Programs and Government Involvement State Chairmen

In 1954 Jaycees from many nations provided medical relief to the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees fleeing North Viet Nam. This became one of our first big international projects; it was known as operation brotherhood and brought international attention to the US Jaycees and our international organization JCI around the globe. When I think of the line in our creed “The Brotherhood of man transcends the Sovereignty of Nations” It makes me think back about the Jaycee organization over the years and our acceptances of each other and our commitment to help heal the world and make it a better place. In 2008 we found that as members we can fight and save lives and stopped malaria and so we took to it and got involved with the United Nations program Nothing But Nets. In 2010, Jaycee members raised more than USD $500,000, which doubles campaign donations from the previous two years. This impact has led to the purchase and distribution of more than 50,000 life-saving bed nets in Africa. Our goal this year in the state is $3,000 that translates to 300 lives we can impact. As members you can help by Send a message to all your friends through Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or whatever social media network you use to get the word out about the dangers of malaria. Let them know how they can contribute a net through our state nothing but nets fundraising site or your chapter nothing but nets site, and encourage them to get the word out to all their friends. More information about the Illinois Jaycees involvement with this national program can be found at http://www.globalproblems–globalsolutions.org/goto/2011iljaycees and if you have any questions or comments about my article feel free to email me at Richard.Lewis@iljaycees.org.