Improving Leadership Skills Through Education

As members of a professional organization like the Jaycees, we tend to cultivate different skills through our social interactions with each other and in the workplace. However, is there a certain point we reach that we can no longer just count on these interactions to improve our skills? One of the most effective ways to improve leadership skills is through education.

What is your leadership style? The best way to start improving your leadership skills is to understand the best way for you to lead. There are many quizzes out there that can help evaluate your dominant skills and determine how they help or hinder your leadership abilities. Educate yourself here and uncover areas in which you need assistance.

Learn more about communication. We don’t doubt that most Jaycee members are able to effectively communicate with one another, but how do you fare on providing one-on-one communication? Are you able to take nonverbal cues from peers/coworkers/team members that could influence your effectiveness as a leader? Communication is key when it comes to becoming a better leader so make sure that you are aware of what is required of you.

Be motivating. How do great leaders get their team to spring into action? Motivational leadership, that’s how! Check out some great tips to help yourself learn a little more about how to inspire those you lead here.

Consider continuing education. If you are interested in making a career out of being a great leader, perhaps you should consider furthering your education; with an additional undergraduate or graduate degree, one can become a ninja-level leader.

One great thing about being a member of the Jaycees is that we never stop learning, whether we simply listen and learn from our peers, or we take the time to fine-tune the skills that we wish to improve. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Jaycee, contact us today!

Building Blocks: How Large Does Your Network Need to Be?

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again – “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Of course, your network can’t make up for lack of knowledge or capability, but they can help get you an interview when you might otherwise not. While building a network, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s the quality of the connections you make that matter – not the quantity.

Your network should and will continue to grow as long as it is beneficial to you – however, handing out business cards at any chance you get will earn you no favors down the road. Here are some simple guidelines to follow to keep increasing your network with quality industry professionals:

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          Do something nice for someone in your network at least once a week. Yup, being nice is a way to increase your network. But how do you grow your network if you focus on the people that you already know, you ask? It’s simple! People talk and if you do enough selfless acts (we’re not talking moving mountains here – more like bringing in donuts, passing along a job opportunity to someone that may be a fit, exceeding expectations on deadlines, etc.) for others, it will become apparent and those people will remember you when speaking with others in their network. Do unto others, right?

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          Make an effort to meet new people in your industry at least once a month. Again, you’re hearing us right – just once a month. It could be as simple as attending your local Junior Chamber meetings, a business-women networking event, an entrepreneur meetup group or more. Not only does this give you the opportunity to enjoy after-hours time with your peers, you also are getting your name and face out there while enjoying a nice night out.

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       Maintain existing relationships. OK, so this final bit of advice is a mixture of the first two but important nonetheless. Making contacts is important, but it’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Cultivating those relationships will show that you are invested in them, giving you the benefit of the doubt when an opportunity arises. Remember that it is the tortoise that wins the race, not the hare.

Networking is all about building relationships not increasing the amount of connections you have on LinkedIn. Would you honestly put yourself out there of an industry professional that you know nothing about other than their business card credentials? Be in the forefront of everyone’s mind for the right reasons. Not a member of the Jaycees? You’re missing out on a great opportunity to create some meaningful networking connections! Visit our website to find out more about our organization and how to join

7 Questions with Andrea Pack, 32nd President, Ohio Valley Jaycees

Andrea Pack served as the 29^th and also the current 32^nd President of the Ohio Valley Jaycees (OVJC). Born and raised in Wheeling, WV, she stayed in the area to attend college West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Andrea has served on the OVJC Board of Directors for the last eight years - since she was 21 years old! Currently, Andrea is employed at Russell Nesbitt Services, Inc. providing employment services to individuals with disabilities. In addition to her commitment to the Jaycees and her full-time position, she also waitresses at a local restaurant part-time. In what little of her remaining free time, she enjoys reading, riding four-wheelers and hanging out with her family.

How did you decide to get involved with the Jaycees?

I’m actually what you might call a legacy. I have been involved with the Jaycees through my parents since I was a small child and always knew I would be one. My dad was president twice and I am now on my second term.

What has your experience been as a leader within your organization?

It’s been an amazing learning experience. I’ve learned more about interacting with people, putting out fires, and “walking the walk” than I ever thought I could. But most of all I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of.

Is there a special recipe for leadership? Or is it more about learning as you go?

Being a leader takes lots of hard work, a good tongue biting reflex, the ability to take constructive criticism, and being able to let go of the small stuff. “Confidence is the feeling you have before you understand the situation.” You have to be able to learn and grow as you go to be a good leader. If you’re not learning, you’re not living.

How has joining the Jaycees enriched your life?

I can’t imagine my life without the Jaycees. Having grown up as a Jaycee, I have had the unique experience of really being raised by that proverbial village. The Jaycees are my family, as much as my cousins, aunts and uncles are. The feeling of being able to give back to the community is such a great thing. It never fails to make me feel like a better me when I can help others.

Do you have any advice for Jaycee members seeking a leadership role within the organization or in the workplace?

Ask someone! I guarantee that the people on your local or state board of directors will be super excited that you’re interested (I know I would be)! And for those leaders/board members already out there: the reverse is true, sometimes all you have to do is ask someone to become more involved and they will. In the workplace, I would say use those skills you learned in Jaycees like public speaking and event planning using the CPG. You’ll blow them away (my boss will tell you so)!

What are the best skills or knowledge to have in order to be successful in this job? 

I’m going to list my top three: 1) You will never make everyone happy. 2) You will inevitably make someone mad (see No. 1) 3) Don’t be afraid to be innovative, but listen to constructive criticism and keep it in mind (always with a grain of salt).

What part of your involvement in the Jaycees makes you most proud to be a key member of the organization?

Watching my father run our local organization and then having the opportunity to do it myself. Learning that I’m capable of doing things that scare me to death. Knowing I can hold my own among professionals of every level. Having a Jaycee family who always has my back.

Want to share your experiences as a leader with the Jaycees? We’d love to hear from you! Contact our National Chapter to find out how.

Digital Downloads: Stay Connected with the Jaycees

So you signed up to be a member of the Jaycees – now what? A HUGE part of being a member of our professional networking organization is staying connected with both your local chapter and other Jaycee members around the world. Where can you go to talk with other members? The real question is where can’t you go and find a Jaycee member!

Facebook – If you have become a fan of The United States Junior Chamber yet, you need to do so immediately! We’re always sharing important Jaycee information, professional tips and tricks and of course because we are just an overall cool group of people to chat with. Don’t forget to also become a fan of your local Jaycee Facebook page. Your chapter doesn’t have one? Take that as a challenge to set one up and gain fans!

Twitter – Tweet tweet! Yes, we are on Twitter, too. Twitter is a great social media platform to get short hand news and industry information on the fly – both from us and other professional outlets. Whether you’re looking for a way to impress your Wednesday night networking group or need a better way to stay up on current events, connecting with the Jaycees on Twitter will definitely help.

Linkedin – If you joined an organization that is designated for young working professionals and are not on LinkedIn or connected with the Jaycees, you need to change that ASAP. This social media network is where professionals go to connect, share job opening and more. Need another reason to join LinkedIn besides connecting with other Jaycee members across the country (and we hope you don’t, because that alone is a wonderful networking opportunity)? Recruiters use LinkedIn as a place to find qualified candidates for job openings. Give yourself a presence on LinkedIn or you may miss out on a great opportunity.

Webinars – If knowledge is power, then look out for all of the Jaycees that sign up for our webinars! The frequency varies, but generally there is one or two webinars a week that can span from New Member Orientation to Public Speaking 101 to The Art of Negotiation. These are FREE for members. That’s right, we said FREE. If you’re looking for a way to improve your professionals and persona; skill set, then tune in for a webinar!

So there you have it! Staying in touch with your industry peers is an essential part of maintaining the network that you have work hard to build and digitally connecting with fellow Jaycees is a great place to start.  Have questions about social media? Visit our Facebook and Twitter and take a look around! We’re always sharing information to help members get started.

The Jaycees Through the Years: Charles Lindbergh

Over the 93 years of the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) has been an organization, we’ve seen some very bright and famous names become members of our organization. Did you know that before he was the first person in history to travel on a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, he was a member of the Jaycees? Together, the Jaycees and Charles Lindbergh helped make history.

Prior to becoming a Jaycee, Charles Lindbergh attended engineering school at the University of Wisconsin – that is before he dropped out to learn how to fly. And boy, are we lucky he did! After joining the Jaycees, Lindbergh graduated from Nebraska Aircraft Corporation in 1925 at the top of his class. No surprises there!

With the Jaycees’ national project focusing on the development of aviation, it was only a natural pairing for Lindbergh and our professional networking organization to work together to help improve how we are using flight to the country’s advantage. Before the flight from New York to Paris, Lindbergh and other Jaycee members collaborated to develop what we now know as our current mail system: Airmail.

After that, the rest is history (no pun intended). Lindbergh wowed the world when he achieved ultimate fame by completing the first trans-Atlantic solo flight. He eventually settled down, married and had a family. Following a long period of war, drama and family tragedies, the Lindbergh's finally found solace in travel and permanently took up residence in Maui, HI until his death in 1974.

Not only did Charles Lindbergh do so much to increase recognition for the United States Junior Chamber, he also was a pioneer in aviation and many of the luxuries we know today would not be possible without his knowledge. Do you have a favorite famous or well-known Jaycee member that you would like to see featured in our “The Jaycees Through the Years” series? Visit our Facebook or Twitter and let us know!

Overcome the Challenges of Fundraising with Crowdsourcing

Over the last few weeks, we have showcased the Jaycees' primary public policy platform – the U.N.’s Millennial Development Goals. Chapters all over the country host thousands of events that raise awareness and help the United Nations come closer to completing their objectives. Unfortunately, the biggest struggle for any organization’s cause is coming up with the funds to help support their event. A great solution for these funding dilemmas is to turn to the digital fundraising tool known as crowdsourcing.

What exactly is crowdsourcing? It’s a little different from the traditional fundraising route in that the organization is trying to obtain contributions – money, items, ideas, etc. – from an undefined public. Fundraising efforts are primarily successful when working from a mailing list or another specifically— named group. Crowdsourcing can help you identify an audience to increase awareness, inspire people to volunteer, collect more information and roll right through the day of your event —all for a minimal investment.

So how do you get your philanthropic crowdsourcing efforts to reach maximum potential? Simplicity is key – be honest and forthright, why you need it and what donors can expect their funds to support. Whether you are soliciting uniforms for an underprivileged Little League team (if Mark Cuban can do it for the Mavericks, you can do it for deserving children!), raise funds for a local women’s shelter, or even for a trip to an international Jaycee Leadership Summit, people will only donate to a cause that they deem worthy.

Your local community crowdsourcing project will not only help to fund your philanthropic community efforts, it will also help drive engagement toward the Jaycees and make a positive impact on the organization of both the local and national level. Do you have any experience with crowdsourcing? Visit our Facebook or Twitter and share your experience with us!

7 Questions with Kris Wilke

Kris Wilke joined the Fergus Falls Jaycees in 1996 and was immediately nominated (and added) to its board. Because of her job at a local radio station, Public Relations Vice President (PRVP) was the perfect fit for her. After serving as PRVP, Kris then served in multiple capacities: President, Community Development Vice President, Management Vice President and Secretary. Kris has won numerous state awards, including Gold PRVP, Gold Secretary and Gold Jaycee. In 2010, Kris stepped up to the role of Regional Director (Region 1), a region that had not seen a regional director in more than a decade. Kris was able to make contact with all of her chapters in her region and get them involved. As a result of her hard work, Kris was awarded numerous awards: Gold Regional Staff of the Year, a Presidential Medallion, Silver & Bronze Regional Staff of the Trimester and a Silver Key.

The following year, Kris served as Jaycees Awards/Performers Points Program Manager. In that capacity, she continued to fill up her trophy case, nabbing a Gold Program Manager of the Year award, a Presidential medallion, a Gold & Silver Program Manager of the Trimester nod and a Gold Key. Kris also received a US Jaycees Presidential Medallion and was awarded the Sergi Hourchi (Sir-gee Ha-ruchee) award for her work in her programming area. In 2012, Kris served as the Community Development Vice President, where she landed the Gold State VP of the Trimesters award and also received the Sheridan Adams Memorial award for the outstanding service as the Vice President of the Year.

Kris also serves her community outside of the Jaycees in a number of different volunteer capacities. For the past six years, she has been the Walk MS Fergus Falls site coordinator. She also is serving on the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team and on the Downtown Association. Kris also has served on the Fergus Falls Summerfest Committee as a board member and chairperson, and the Fergus Falls Bike-MS/Tram planning committee in 2008, 2010 and in 2012.

How did you decide to get involved with the Jaycees? 
I was “voluntold” to join the Jaycees by my employer when the chapter was re-chartered in Fergus Falls by the Brainerd Jaycees. At the time I was not old enough to join the chapter, as the age range was still 21 – 40. BUT – once I turned 21, I joined and have not looked back.

What has your experience been as a leader within your organization? 
This is an amazing organization. I have never grown, learned, or have been tested as much as I have with the Jaycees. Every opportunity is a chance to learn something new and to grow as an individual. I have learned that a positive attitude can go a long way and bring amazing results. The lessons I have learned in my Jaycee career can never be duplicated.

Is there a special recipe for leadership? Or is it more about learning as you go? 
It truly is learning as you go. Going into your year as President, whether it is local or state, you know there will be problems – you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. But learning how to deal with those problems is one of the amazing things about this job. Learning how you deal with problems and conflicts only makes you stronger.

How has joining the Jaycees enriched your life? 
I cannot imagine my life without the Jaycees. I have been a Jaycee for most of my adult life. The friends I have are because of Jaycees. My career I have is because of the Jaycees. I don’t want to even imagine how my life would be different if I had not found this organization.

Do you have any advice for Jaycee members seeking a leadership role within the organization or in the workplace?
DO IT! When people approach you and ask you to step up and lead, go for it. It is an amazing opportunity. The people you meet, the places you road run to, the experiences you have are all fabulous – but the self-confidence and the self-esteem that I have gained - absolutely priceless.

What are the best skills or knowledge to have in order to be successful in this job? 
Communication is key. I have tried throughout my Jaycee career to make sure that my communication with others is swift and prompt. Even if you do not know the answer, reply with a response that you are looking, and when you find the answer you will get back to them. You also need to realize that people are here to help you and the organization succeed. Accept their help – you are not in this alone!

What part of your involvement in the Jaycees makes you most proud to be a key member of the organization? 
I love watching people and chapters succeed. Whether it is a local chapter running a food drive, or a local chapter member receiving an award at convention for their hard work – I love to see the pride they have on their face. Their successes make me work harder. I am so proud of the work of the Minnesota Jaycees chapters. The chapters don’t realize the impact they are all truly having in the local communities.

Exploring the UN Millennium Development Goals: Part Two

Did you know that the Jaycees has officially been a partner with the UnitedNations since 1954? So it’s no wonder that our organization decided in 2003 to make the U.N.’s MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) the official public policy platform we support. In the past decade, the Jaycees has helped advance these time-bound goals that target poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. How exactly have we been doing our part to help the United Nations achieve their goals?

Every year, members of The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce organize thousands of projects that help raise awareness of the U.N.’s MDGs. At our Global PartnershipSummit, we join representatives from the United Nations to brainstorm workable solutions for our members to bring back and implement at their local chapters. Here are a few of the Jaycee events that local chapters have created to help the U.N. reach their 2015 goals:

• Nothing but Nets – US Jaycees, in partnership with the U.N. Foundation’sNothing But Nets campaign, has kicked-off a multi-city “BzzzTour” to encourage elected officials, chapters and communities throughout the country to continue the fight against malaria globally.
• One Thing That’s Green – A New York Jaycees chapter participated in an EarthDay event earlier this year, supporting the sustainability goal of the U.N.’s MDGs. This is the fourth year that they have participated.
• Can’t Stop the Serenity – The Mid-County Jaycees in St. Louis, Mo. are hosting the Can’t Stop theSerenity event in September. This affair promotes and protects the human rights of women around the world – another MDG. By encouraging gender equality, this chapter is doing their part to empower women.

Have you or your local chapter participated in a Leadership Summit? Does your chapter have an event that helps promote one of the eight U.N. Millennium Development Goals? Do you have a great idea that can help raise awareness? Visit our Facebook or Twitter and share your answers with us!

Exploring the U.N. Millennium Development Goals: Part One

The United States Jaycees has adopted the U.N. MillenniumDevelopment Goals as our public policy platform. The Millennium Development Goals – or MDGs – are eight ambitious goals set by the United Nations to address some of the most pressing needs here in the United States and also around the world. The U.S.Junior Chamber is doing our part to help the U.N. achieve the following goals:

1. Ending poverty and hunger
2. Universal education
3. Gender equality
4. Child health
5. Maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases
7. Environmental sustainability
8. Global partnership

Why exactly did the Jaycees choose to support the U.N.’s MDGs? The Jaycee Creed aligns specifically with what the United Nations is trying to accomplish worldwide, specifically, “…that Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life!” We are happy and proud to be a part of the most successful global anti-poverty push in history.

With two more years to achieve the lofty goals set, there is still work to be done. While many Millennium Development Goals have or will be met by the 2015 deadline, progress in many areas is still short. Join the United Nations in their efforts by participating in events with your local Junior Chamberchapter. Tune in next week for details on how you can help!

Florida Jaycees' Quarterly Conference

August 23-23, 2013

Altamonte Springs, FL

Learning, laughing, and leading with Jaycees from throughout our great state! Early registration ($50) ends August 8th and includes opening ceremonies, awards, training, lunch on Saturday, Florida JCI Senate hospitality throughout the weekend, and a tropical luau buffet on Saturday evening. Accommodations at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs start at $99/night.

Download the conference registration form here.
Register via PayPal here.