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 About the Jaycees

The Jaycees, officially called the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, is a nationwide group of local chapters whose beliefs are stated in the Jaycees Creed.

The Jaycees organization was founded in 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri by Henry "Hy" Giessenbier. Giessenbier saw the need for a group to provide opportunities for young people to get business skills and to build personal connections with professionals. The Jaycees still work on that basis today. Its first community action was its Get Out the Vote campaign in 1923. Since then, the Jaycees have striven to be active in local communities to promote civic responsibility and business skills in young people.

The Jaycees are organized into nearly 500 local chapters across the United States. These are in turn grouped into state organizations. Each chapter has an elected group of officers who represent and direct the chapter; the chapters also elect the officers of the state and national chapters.

Each chapter must have at least 20 members between the ages of 21 and 39 years. Chapters must also act to promote civic and business activity in their area and provide a positive atmosphere for its members. Above all, the chapter must work to be a positive influence for its members and its community.

You can find out more about the Jaycees on the links page that we've assembled for you.

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