What is JCI?
Now when 4th May 2021 JCI Stockholm calls all United Nations #Sustainabile developemnt goals focused Start-ups/Scale-ups and Investors to join free www.impactday.live globally, it felt appropriate to re-publish this evergeen text: WHAT IS JCI?
Key words: JCI, Leadership, Young Active Citizens, Pandemic, Digitalization, Non-profits
Disclaimer: The author is 100% biased, as the JCI 2020 Stockholm Local President
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
JCI (Junior Chamber International), a global non-profit membership organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40. From investors to entrepreneurs, managers to directors, students, immigrants and for even the unemployed women and men, regardless of their race, religion or background. The purpose of JCI is to provide development opportunities that empower young professionals to take action. Being in 5,000 communities across nearly 120 countries worldwide, JCI members unite all sectors of society (business, politics, society) for sustainable impact. Active citizens. What is it in reality?
Background quality check
The first local Junior Chamber chapter was founded in 1915, but the international umbrella organization Junior Chamber International (JCI) was founded in Mexico in 1944. It has consultative status with the Council of Europe, with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and with UNESCO. JCI members leadership positions in the organization are held only for one year; this goes for all ranks, for JCI Chapter Presidents, for JCI National Presidents and also for the JCI World Presidents. Some distinguished members are given life membership of the organization and become "Senators" and members of the JCI Senate.
Here in Sweden, where I write this from, our JCI Stockholm chapter strives after four principles: engaging with Businesses (company visits) , impacting Society (World Clean up day, Jul f?r Alla), providing individuals one(1) year manadate only leadership opportunities (such as online training projects) and embracing our International network (variety of nationalities involved), both home and abroad. JCI Stockholm lives and breathes inclusion as we have the young professionals, serial entrepreneurs, small and large company managers, students and public sector officials with us. All projects do not have to be massive, as was the example of recent 15min microlectures online (see the picture). Neat and to the point!
So why should anyone care?
What is the alternative? If the world is not embraced by Active citizens striving for a sustainable future, the alternative is misery. It is not only the Companies, Governments, Teachers or Parents, who have to save the seas and nature from trash, help to fight Malaria or provide people jobs. You, as an active citizen, can have that impact. Not alone, but together, as a global movement. If you think this sounds idealistic or naive, look around and see what unites the successful growth entrepreneurs around the world? Their activity. The same spirit can be used for common good. It is inside all of us, we just have to activate it, and JCI is the vehicle that enables it to flourish.
Have a look at these examples of grass root level projects from London & Asia. JCI London Nothing But Nets project (link) to fight against Malaria and our Asian friends taking care of the nature (link) .You can laugh that these won't have significant enough impact. But when people around the world get inspired, see these examples and unite, it does send out a signal that makes many think. To think that change is possible!
Pandemic changes everything?
Covid-19 pandemic has impacted JCI and its members across the world, as it has impacted everyone. No more flights to conferences to meet for great causes, business or meeting old and new friends. Of course, JCI is promoting safety cautions for all communities worldwide, but the organization is not the same as everything goes more digital. That the majority of traditional conferences became cancelled or transformed into web conference format. This is by no means unique situation that many Global Non-Profit associations feel as their pain.
With this new reality rising, will people be willing to pay any more membership fees, if they only meet to chat online? After all, JCI movement was so much about doing global matters, locally and together . In some countries where there are more strict rules than here in “No-Lockdown” Sweden, it is impossible to run projects in a traditional way, which is both a curse and a blessing. Pandemic changes everything, but humans are still the same. When many people feel lost, leadership is needed!
Increased amount of virtual conferences and efficiency is good for the planet, in terms of less polluting travel and democratization of both networks and knowledge. As an example, recently JCI Russia organized a Europe-Asia Business Summit fully online (link). Cannot resist to just say here a High Five! to Peter Vesterbacka who was one of the keynotes there! While traditionally the informal mingle and business networking would have been at the conference hotel floor, now more people can join without the limits of expenses and time resources available.
Consider upside of the Pandemic being more democratized access to more people. Similar to it we will see charity events, online leadership training and community impact going more digital. Now in October, the European Capitals meeting (www.ecm2020.se) with the "Sustainable city" theme is going to be 100% virtual and free. This is radical and empowers us all. Who and where ever you are, you are welcome to join. Here you can have a sneak peek to see what is coming next: https://jcievents.com/
JCI is NOT for everyone, Do You think You qualify?
There is TikTok, does Active citizenship matter anymore? More than ever! JCI is a Global inclusive network for your people to make the difference. And that is the point that, while JCI is open for everyone, it is NOT for everyone. This is a global network of active citizens, of people who want sustainable change to improve their societies.
What does that mean? It means effort, it means sweat, it means work. It can be materialized in TikTok too, but that is not enough. Regardless of your origins, race, social class, sexual orientation or faith we invite young people to take action. Approach your closest local Chapter and ask them. Don’t have one in your region or town? Maybe you can lead the change? Go and start a new one!
To summarize, loads have been done, can still be done and will be done. The Call to action here is; do not wait until tomorrow for the world to become a better place. Tomorrow starts already today, You can make the difference.
Look after local active young citizens via JCI websites,but to be honest, sometimes with age of digitalization, you might find them even faster via Instagram, Linkedin, Google and Facebook. Identify your local JCI heroes waiting you to join them!
Sources:
https://juniorchamber.international/join-jci/
https://jci.cc/en/featured_project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI7eiH4G5_s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcNump5PCM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLhVbEfZ2no
www.ecm2020.se
https://www.jci.business/?fbclid=IwAR19ZTPZkUaXo0LrgTuFnN-2jXKAo2wUlEBPaROZzXfz3-zgofcae50aIdQ
Professional speaker | Success and life strategist | Corporate trainer | Life coach and author | Certified Canfield Trainer in the Success Principles | TEDx Speaker | Executive MBA
1 年Hi! It's so nice to e-meet you:) I'm a professional speaker, trainer and coach, JCI member. Would you you become my mentor, please? I want to expand my speaker career and personal brand internationally. How can we collaborate? Can we chat in Zoom or whatsapp? +79671978881 Thank you)
Profitable sustainability first
2 年Ping Jermaine Perkins
Profitable sustainability first
3 年Ping Katarina Strandberg
Personaleledelse | Organisering | Logistik
4 年Well written Kari! I agree with a lot of the comments and experiences that people have written. For me, JCI is a playground, where I can learn by doing. What people often forget nowadays is you don't become better by sitting and listen to others tell their story. You become a better leader by taking the lead, or become a better presenter by doing presentations. In JCI you do get theory, listen to trainers/lectures etc., but then you also try it yourself afterwards. That's the only way to actually become better - and that also connects with one of the values of JCI; being active! What I love about JCI is you'll find a lot of people, that have the same mindset, and when working together, you'll reach far more than you ever expected, and you can suddenly do a lot more than ever dreamed of. Even if you feel stuck, you will get energized or inspired by another Jaycee and their amazing engagement. In JCI we do focus on doing something for our local community, but does that mean, we all have to clean the streets, or do something for charity? No, you can also do it in other ways. In Denmark we want to give the members personal development, but what does that have to do with helping our community? Developing your own skills might seem selfish, but if you gain new skills in project management, or how to become better to understand the different personality types, you will be of a bigger value in your team - actually helping your team, or your company etc - you're doing an positive impact for people around you - and indirectly helping your community! Not to forget, the people of this organisation is very important - the network you get is amazing, and many times you end up finding friends for life, that you can always count on. Though we do work hard in JCI, we do have fun while doing it. We're not here to put shame on people if they fail, we're here to support each other, and also to learn from our own and others mistake: "The greatest teacher, failure is" (Yoda). With this mindset you connect with other Jaycees in no time, and build a network that is not possible to buy for money - and all this is why I think JCI is an amazing organisation!
Looking for new opportunities
4 年As well as developing new skills, I made life long friends in JCI