Lincoln Jaycees

Henry Giessenbier founded the Jaycees in 1920, with 3,000 members, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was Henry’s vision to provide young people with opportunities which they had little or no access to otherwise attain. He believed that young people could change the world. He was right.

His theory was simple – to offer leadership opportunities to young people, giving them hands-on experience through serving the community. That concept has never waivered.

Today, these opportunities can be broken down into four Areas of Opportunity:

• Business
• Individual
• Community
• International

Business Area
Embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “Economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise,” this area provides an opportunity for individual members to contribute to the development and enhancement of the economic infrastructure, prosperity, and well-being for their community as well as all nations.

Individual Area
Embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “Earth’s great treasure lies in human personality,” this area provides an opportunity for individual members to realize their personal potential through training programs.

Community Area
Embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “Service to humanity is the best work of life,” this area develops the sensitivity of individual members to societal problems and community dynamics by providing experience in community problem solving.

International Area
Embodying the line of the Jaycee Creed which states “That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations,” this area provides an opportunity for individual members to contribute to the development of goodwill, understanding, and cooperation among all peoples.

The U.S. Junior Chamber Bylaws states that the Junior Chamber organization is: “…A constructive action organization of young persons who devote a portion of their time to community service in the public interest, developing young persons as leaders in their communities.”

And further,

The purpose of the Junior Chamber is: “…To promote and foster the growth and development of young persons’ civic organizations in the United States, designed to inculcate (to teach and impress upon) in the individual membership of such organization a spirit of genuine Americanism and civic interest, and…to provide them with opportunity for personal development and achievement and an avenue for intelligent participation…in the affairs of the community, state, and nation, and to develop true friendship and understanding among young persons of all nations.”

Simply put, the purpose of our chapter is to become a force for good in the community, determining community needs and providing solutions by planning and facilitating community service projects.

The Lincoln Jaycees host various community and fund-raising projects such as Breakfast with Santa, Relay For Life, Easter Egg Hunt, Haunted House,  Senior Feast,  &  Angel Tree.

Through the act of serving, members receive hands-on experience, which translates to the enhancement of personal growth and the development of valuable leadership skills.