NAME: Junior Chamber International Philippines better known as Philippine Jaycees, Inc., registered under the Laws of the Republic of the Philippines, is an affiliate of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a Worldwide Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs.

MISSION: To contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, social responsibility and fellowship necessary to create positive change.

MEMBERSHIP: Over 6,000 young adults between 18 to 40 from 250 local organizations (LOMs) or chapters throughout the Philippine archipelago.

2004 PRESIDENT: JCI Sen. Jose “John” B. Jimenez III from the Quezon City Celebrity Jaycees.

HEADQUARTERS: National Headquarters is located at Philippine Jaycees Bldg., 14 Don Alejandro Roces Ave., in Quezon City. The three-storey building houses a Secretariat of seven (7) personnel who provides membership and development services to local chapters and organization members. Chief Administrative Officer is an Executive Director who reports directly to the Secretary General.

NATIONAL EVENTS: The National Convention is held every second weekend of October. This year the 55th National Convention will be held in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan from October 8–10, 2004. The General Membership meets in this annual gathering to conduct training and business seminars, as well as undertake its other activities provided in its annual order of business. Its five (5) Area Conferences is simultaneously held every second weekend of September of every year.

This year the simultaneous conferences will be held on September 5 to 7 in Baguio City for Area I to be hosted by Baguio Jaycees; Area II will be in Metro Manila to be hosted by the Manila Jaycees; Area III in Daet, Camarines Norte hosted by the Daet Bulawan Jaycees; Area IV in Bacolod City hosted by the Kabankalan Bangkal Jaycees; and Area V, in Dipolog City hosted by the Greater Dipag Jaycees. All these meetings produce specific plans for community-based action on issues of leadership training and business or entrepreneurship. Also during this event, the General Membership will elect its incoming national officers.

HISTORY: The first Junior Chamber was organized in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. on October 13, 1915. On December 11, 1944, representatives from eight (8) nations met in Mexico City and the world organization-Junior Chamber International was founded. In 1974, the movement crossed the Pacific and the Manila Jaycees was founded with the approval of its Constitution on December 20, 1947. By 1948, eleven new chapters were organized in the following key cities: Cebu, San Pablo, Bacolod, Zamboanga , Davao, iloilo, Lucena, Cabanatuan, Capiz, Cavite and Tacloban.

The first national convention was held February 11-13, 1949 at the Manila Hotel. The former Hon. Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. was elected the first National President.

HOW THE JAYCEES ATTAIN ITS GOALS: The Jaycees operates of the premise that the development of individual character and personality will result in better communities and eventually, a more peaceful world. The organization may be described as a University of Leaders--the students are its members; the curriculum is leadership development; and its campus, the world.

PROGRAMS: The Philippine Jaycees, Inc. evolve around four (4) areas of opportunity. These areas offer numerous activities for members to acquire or refine their leadership skills and provide multiple channels for communities to benefit from the Junior Chamber experience. The four (4) areas of opportunities are:

INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES: Jaycees offers opportunities for personal development. Seminars such as Leadership in Action, Personal Dynamics, Effective Communications, and Goal Setting, among others, help members to improve public speaking skills, learn leadership skills, improve their communications abilities and enhance their personality.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES: The Jaycees provides the member immersion program in his community, becomes aware of its needs and implements to answer those needs. In this key area, Jaycees become catalysts for positive change, serving the greater good of the society. The Jaycees put into practice the skills they have developed through service to their communities, to the country and to mankind.

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: The Jaycees make available very impressive international opportunities. In this area, the member can derive awareness of what is happening in other cultures, and helps the member to establish a network of professional and business connections throughout the world. The Jaycees offers its members the opportunity to contribute towards world peace, simply by creating goodwill and friendship with their fellow Jaycees from other countries. In brief, the Jaycees provides young people the opportunity to succeed. It offers the challenges that make life more meaningful, worthwhile and personally rewarding.

BUSINESS AREA OF OPPORTUNITY: Junior Chamber since established in 1915, almost around 400,000 of its members all over the world are offered or involved in some business networking activity and working on their own for another company or preparing to open their own business. It is definitely a federation/organization of young leaders and entrepreneurs. And among the Junior Chamber’s program thrusts are: (1) to give emphasis on entrepreneurship (2) to enable young people to have an active role and voice in the business community and, (3) to learn how to conduct business through their leadership skills and become successful leaders in the business industry.

Business opportunities give Junior Chamber the chance to enhance the economics life of the community, by conducting projects to increase business productivity. Economic progress can be achieved by visiting successful companies to learn how they conduct their business, and by inviting successful entrepreneurs to speak at monthly meetings. Junior Chambers can conduct training sessions on how to enhance company operations and promote free enterprises as the best way to achieve economic justice.

Many National Organizations and chapters organize special trade missions to other countries to establish business relations and exchange technology; organize small investment clubs; publish business directories, and other relevant activities. At World Congress, trade seminars encourage members to practice free enterprise and develop business contacts or networks.