Participant’s Manual
JCI Achieve
JCI Achieve The JCI Local Organization Development Course Version 2013-01
JCI Official Course JCI Achieve – General Information
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JCI Achieve JCI Vision
Course Summary
“To be the leading global network of young active citizens.”
The JCI Achieve, the JCI Local Organization Development Course uses discussions and learning activities to understand one’s own values and the values and principles of JCI, the role of all members in establishing the Local Organization’s identity, the activities needed to fulfill JCI Mission.
JCI Mission “To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.” About JCI JCI is a membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 in more than 100 countries who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. Each JCI member shares the belief that in order to create lasting positive change, we must improve ourselves and the world around us. JCI members take ownership of their communities by identifying problems and creating targeted solutions to create impact.
JCI Achieve is a half day course and should be taken by all new members who want to fully understand the principles, meaning, purpose and dynamics of a JCI Local Organization. Program JCI Achieve is a half day course divided in these modules: Module 1 – Values Module 2 – Identity Module 3 – Purpose Module 4 – Product Criteria to attend this course
JCI Official Courses are designed to facilitate the learning process by combining the new theories with practice using the previous experiences from participants as a source of learning with the focus on sharing knowledge and experiences. © Copyright by JCI: All rights reserved. This publication is for the exclusive use of the trainers conducting the JCI Official Course and can only be reproduced for this purpose. All JCI Official Courses must be organized online and all participants must individually register online to qualify for the manual and to be certified as graduated from the course.
This course can only be attended by active JCI members or past members still contributing to the Local Organization and to graduate the participant must pass the online knowledge test and fill the trainer evaluation. The course must be organized online and have all participants registered online. Criteria to become Trainer of this course •
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Be an active JCI member or past members still contributing to the Local Organization for at least one year. Have graduated from this course and JCI Impact.
This publication or parts of it may not be translated in any other language without the express permission of the JCI Secretary General. Published by Junior Chamber International (JCI), Inc. 15645 Olive Boulevard – Chesterfield, MO 63017, U.S.A. Tel: +1 (636) 449 3100 – Fax: +1 (636) 449 3107 Toll free (from USA only): 1 800 905 5499 E-Mail:
[email protected] - Website: www.jci.cc. 2
JCI Achieve – General Information
JCI Achieve JCI Achieve The JCI Declaration of Principles "We believe:
Economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise. Government should be of laws rather than of men.
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life; That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations; That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise; That government should be of laws rather than of men; That earth's great treasure lies in human personality; And that service to humanity is the best work of life." The year was 1946; the place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; the event, the United States Junior Chamber National Convention. Visitors came from Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and the Philippine Islands. It was here that the idea of a JCI Creed was born. Past President of the Ohio Junior Chamber and National Vice President of the United States Junior Chamber C. William Brownfield realized at this convention that the organization did not have a Creed. He was inspired by the devotion of Junior Chamber members "to the purpose of serving mankind in a thousand different ways, right down at the grass roots where freedom lives or dies." Brownfield saw Junior Chamber as "the potential for a new force in the world, one capable of changing the balance between victory or defeat for our chosen way of life in a time of crisis." The actual writing of the Creed took place in July 1946 during a drive from Brownfield's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to his coal mine in New Lexington, a journey of about 75 minutes. He started that journey with a firm conviction in his mind to work on the Creed. It was during that trip that the following words came to mind and were put on paper: The brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations.
Earth's great treasure lies in human personality. Service to humanity is the best work of life. In 1950 the first line, "We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life." was added. Since it was written, Junior Chamber members all over the world recite the Creed at local, national and international meetings and functions. During that time there has been much discussion of the interpretation of the Creed. The author himself said, "Every Member is free to interpret the Creed in the light of his own conscience." The following interpretation is based on Brownfield's own views and what is commonly believed and understood to be the meaning of the Creed to the organization.
Brownfield’s interpretation of the JCI Declaration of Principles "We believe..." Everyone must believe in some ideal, principle or philosophy. To believe is to practice what is believed to be true. "That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life..." "God" here does not refer to any specific religious God, but to a supreme omnipotence. It does not matter who or what your God is; the line is just saying that you must believe in something. Brownfield interpreted it in this way: "The Junior Chamber membership, drawn from many religious backgrounds, is united by a common bond of faith; that man lives by the will of (his/her) God, that God's will for man is good; and that the life worthwhile is lived in harmony with His eternal plan." "That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations..." This line breaks down all the boundaries that have been imagined by mankind. It simply means that all men and
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JCI Achieve women are equal. It respects allegiance to one's country, but, at the same time, reinforces the idea that man is a citizen of the world. Brownfield put it this way: "Man-made boundaries have been drawn and redrawn, separating the human race into many nations. But across these unnatural divisions there has been an intercourse in art, science, commerce and religion; evidence of man's universal brotherhood; proof that man himself, not his territorial divisions, is of basic worth." "That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise..." The operative words here are “...can best be won..." Junior Chamber members believe that man should be free to use his skills and abilities to the limit in improving his economy. Brownfield expressed it this way: "Where economic improvement has been greatest, man has been free to follow his dream of making a personal fortune by doing something never done before, or by doing it better." He also said, "...the system of selfdevelopment through private enterprise could be adapted with variations to suit local conditions in many parts of the world." "That government should be of laws rather than of men..."
or the length of life that gives it zest, but the quality of living, the achievement we make in terms of human progress." "And that service to humanity is the best work of life." This final tenet of the Creed is the logical culmination of the preceding lines. A person who believes in the Creed will most definitely find service to humanity to be the best work of life. Note the word humanity. Brownfield's interpretation to this line of the Creed is, "The life lived unselfishly grows richer, deeper and fuller. Joy is more enduring and peace of mind, more certain. The world looks at the contribution such a life has made and marks the one who lived it as a benefactor of the race; yet he knows in truth the greater benefit has been his own." No matter what a member's interpretation of the Creed may be, he or she should always practice what he or she believes. Many unsuccessful attempts have been made to change the Creed, but it has prevailed through the years and continues be as the covenant that holds the organization together. Many members have made the Creed their guide in life.
The Organization’s Identity
This tenet of the Creed simply means that no one should be above the law, and that the law should be the same for all people, no matter what status they hold in society. The government must be based on constitutional law, accepted and ratified by a majority of the people. The power to change laws and elect governments should remain in the hands of a majority of the people. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, spoke of a government “of the people, for the people, and by the people." This line of the Creed crystallizes what President Lincoln was talking about so many decades ago. Brownfield expressed the meaning this way: "In a free society, the fundamental law is derived from the people. It is they who hold the final authority."
An organization (or any other company) must also establish an identity. The organization already has a name and logo but this is not enough to differentiate the organization from others.
"That earth's great treasure lies in human personality..."
It is through that identity, not the name or logo, an organization builds a reputation.
Every individual has a separate and unique personality. That is the main difference between humans and other creatures of the world. That uniqueness makes the human personality earth's greatest treasure. It cannot be duplicated nor can it be made. Brownfield's views on this line are: "True treasure lies in the hearts of men. There is about us a vast field of opportunity for cultivation of the human personality. It is not the quantity 4
The identity of organization overtime goes beyond its name to a reputation that is built around that name. In the case of your Local Organization, when it was established in your community, it has just a name that was probably not recognized. Over time your organization’s Identity is not just the name, but also the reputation that the organization has built for itself. How your organization is perceived determines what identity you have in your community.
The Organization’s Purpose An organization’s purpose means more than just writing a mission statement and posting it on the website, publications and meeting place. To maximize the potential, every organization – small or
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JCI Achieve large – must have a well-defined purpose, where it wants to go and how it hopes to get there. A clear purpose brings together everyone in the organization and provides guidance over the long haul. An organizations vision must exist on every level within the organization, not just with the president, directors or leaders, but also and most importantly, every single member must know why they are members and what they are building with their efforts and work for the organization. Here are the three main levels where the purpose of the organization must necessarily exist, be clearly understood and carefully followed: •
International level means having Vision and Mission for the entire organization with clear objectives.
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Local Organization Level means having specific objectives that coexist with the values and goals of the entire organization.
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Individual level means detailed job descriptions for every position so they know exactly what is expected of them and how it relates to the overall organization’s mission.
Vision, is the dream of what we would like our organization to be; the organization’s preferred future state.
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A Mission describes what we need to do as an organization to get there.
JCI also wants its members in this network to be young and active citizens. Young people taking the lead in community solutions rather than complaining and expecting someone else, government or society to solve the challenges. By being active in JCI and learning new skills, members should be qualified to take the challenge and together, with other active forces in the community, work towards a better future for all.
JCI’s Mission
Vision and Mission •
This Vision means that the JCI wants to be a real global network, with impact in all corners of the world, in every Country where JCI is represented, not just having members, but being part of the positive changes everywhere.
Mission statements differ from vision statements in that they state more clearly the operational aspects of the organization. These are the real activities that, if carried out properly, should help fulfill the vision. The mission of an organization is the reason for its existence, a clear definition of its purpose. It is an expression of what the organization does and how it plans to do it. For this reason, everyone, at all levels in the organization must work towards the same mission:
“To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.”
The main difference between a vision and mission is that while the vision describes the preferred future state, or ultimate outcome of the activities of the non-profit, a mission statement describes exactly what we must do to get there. A Vision is what we want to accomplish as a result of the activities outlined in the Mission. A Mission is what we do as an organization to realize our Vision.
JCI’s Vision “To be the leading global network of young active citizens.”
This is the Mission every Local Organization must adopt and work towards by organizing projects and activities related to this mission. JCI's role is to lead and coordinate the efforts of its affiliates, the National Organizations, who in turn lead and motivate the Local Organizations to accomplish the result that will fulfill JCI's Mission, who in turn will empower its members to create positive change.
JCI’s Brand JCI has established a clear corporate identity and logo all over the world where JCI is established with Local Organizations. A logo or image however is not enough to establish a brand. Local Organizations need to decide and deliver activities that identify the organization and
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JCI Achieve promote the benefits of JCI to young people in the community.
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Activities must create positive change: This means that the activity conducted by the Local Organization, where the efforts, time and talents of the members (and many times, the resources of the local organization or the community) are invested, must have a positive impact on the community. It must create something better than it is now.
After JCI has already established the logo and name, Local Organizations need to establish an identity (people know them by a name and place), established a clear purpose (what they will do and concentrate efforts) and then establish a few activities for what they will be known and recognized.
JCI’s Product
Local Organizations must concentrate on getting well organized to deliver the Mission of JCI and avoid inviting every young person in the community.
It is important for a Local Organization to ensure that the community has the correct perception of what the organization is, what it does and what it stands for.
Not everyone likes to belong to organizations and not all share the same believes for JCI Creed and Mission.
Depending on what the public sees or thinks about the organization will reflect on how the public identifies the Local Organization’s activities. The Local Organization must be careful to project the image that is aligned with the Mission: “To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.” §
Activities must provide development opportunities: This means that the members must learn and develop new skills, knowledge or experience while working on projects or activities. A project that can be conducted by one single person without including any learning cannot be considered a project for a JCI Local Organization.
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Activities must empower young people: This means that the new knowledge, experience or skills must have some added value to the person’s life. They must help the member to become a better member, a better citizen, a better member of the society and of course, a better person in the family.
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JCI members are young people who believe in: Our Values – The declaration of Principles or JCI Creed. Our Vision – To be the leading global network of young active citizens Our Mission – To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change And know that each person can make a difference, become better and create positive changes. Our Results – For JCI to achieve its Mission each individual member must be committed to: Become a better person and an active citizen – By becoming a better person and active citizen, each member is helping to achieve JCI’s Mission but most importantly, each person is the biggest beneficiary. Positive change in the community – Better persons and active citizens will definitely create positive change around them. Start at home, with friends, at the club, at the company and in the entire community. Small actions combined can make a tremendous impact in a community.
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JCI Vision . “To be the leading global network of young active citizens.” JCI Mission “To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.” About JCI JCI is a membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 in more than 100 countries who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. Each JCI member shares the belief that in order to create lasting positive change, we must improve ourselves and the world around us. JCI members take ownership of their communities by identifying problems and creating targeted solutions to create impact.
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