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A "Stockings for Soldiers" collection drive will be held during the GA. Bring your donations to the GA to show the troops how much they are appreciated by the Illinois Jaycees! A "fabulous prize" will be awarded to the chapter collecting the most donations. Please see the list below for suggested donation items. Any questions about Stocking for Soldiers please contact Illinois Jaycees Program Management VP, Gretchen Bernardini.

Ever wanted to be a 10th degree Jaycee?

Ever wanted to accomplish something in Jaycees just for you?

Presidents - ever wanted to have a well rounded membership that is actively involved in the chapter?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, than the Passport to Leadership and Leaderboard programs are for you. 

The forms for both Passport to Leadership (formerly Springboard and Degrees) and Leaderboard are on the US Jaycees and IL Jaycees websites.

I would like to encourage everyone to participate in this program and Chapter Presidents to help your members participate.  For anyone who has questions or who would like any training on this program, please let me know.  I would be more than happy to help in any way I can.

Lisa Buckley
2010 Springboard & Degrees Chairperson

The Illinois Jaycees have honored their finest members past and present by presenting them with the prestigious Illinois Jaycee Ambassador honor. It recognizes those who have served the Illinois Jaycees and their community with the highest distinction and greatest contribution.

Thank that special individual for their outstanding service, involvement and commitment by nominating them as an Illinois Jaycee Ambassador.An updated version has been added to the website. Download the application in the document library.

While you're mapping out your year, please consider working with the Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation. Are there businesses in your community who would like to make a major contribution to your efforts? Write up a plan (cpg) and get the Foundation involved so we can help! We are a registered not-for-profit organization and we're an affiliate of the Illinois Junior Chamber of Commerce. Our purpose is to support the Illinois Jaycees!

Corporations and individuals want to make tax deductible gifts to the Jaycees,but most chapters aren't a 501(c)3. That's where we come into the picture!

No matter what town, general meeting or committee meeting you would visit, you will quickly come to learn that the Illinois Jaycees centers itself around its leadership training.

Many local area leaders in your home town may have participated as Members at one point in time - business leaders, political leaders, and more. The reason they went on to become leaders is certainly due to their own competencies, and part of that knowledge likely came from their experience in the Jaycees. In Jaycees, people learn many skills they might otherwise never acquire, such as budgeting, decision-making, organizational and motivational skills, to name a few.

The singular most important training program Jaycees offer is simple: How to run an effective project.

 There are also nationwide projects that chapters run annually in conjunction with chapters from coast to coast. Your chapter is encouraged to incorporate these projects into the year's activities. Visit US Jaycees website for all the latest details!

Outstanding Young Farmer

The purpose of the Outstanding Young Farmer program is to bring about a greater interest in the farmer, to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of the farmers' problems, to develop an appreciation of their contributions and achievements, and to inform the agribusiness community of the growing urban awareness of farmers' importance and impact on the American economy. More information

Support our Troops®

The Illinois Junior Chamber is proud to partner with the "Support Our Troops ® " Program. The "License Plate Project" and "Care Packages" programs are the to different ways we can show our military support. More Information.

Riley's Toys

The United States Junior Chamber began collaboration in 2009 with Riley’s Toys Foundation taking them to national recognition. The US Jaycees are promoting this as an International Area of Opportunity program dedicated to gaining financial and individual toy support. Every toy donated will be provided to Riley’s Toys Foundation which will then have the toys shipped quarterly to orphans in Africa. More Information.

Governmental Involvement

The United States Junior Chamber has a long history of impacting the nation through projects specifically directed at action and involvement with local, state, and national government agencies. Jaycees have also used the skills and contacts made through Govermental Involvement projects to run for various elected offices including President of the United States. (Bill Clinton, Arkansas Jaycee and past honoree of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans). Programs include Get out the Vote, Citizens Corps, & Social Security Reform. More Information