I always said one of the best things about the Jaycees was that it was an all-volunteer organization. That being said, it was one of its biggest challenges as well. When you are caught up in the day-to-day operations of the chapter, growing the chapter tends to fall along the wayside. Also, it is dependent on the current set of people to help it grow. For example, over the years we were on the board of directors we had some extremely effective membership directors, and some extremely lame ones.

I do believe that today the challenge is greater in finding new members as organizations are competing against people’s jobs, getting an MBA or just sitting on the couch playing video games. Plus there are activity-based groups like Boston Cares (and in other cities) which are about getting people to participate in an event here and there, and on occasion a few people bubble-up to leadership. That requires a team of people to work even harder to find people, like Todd who commented here.

I also put some of the blame on the national Jaycees organization. They own the brand of the Jaycees, and what are they doing to sell it? Only recently have they strongly-suggested chapters use a common logo. But are there national campaigns or marketing efforts to sell the organization? No. If anything, they are more self-serving, but that is a topic for another time, and to be accompanied by a beverage in hand.

The contrast of there being no Boston chapter and a thriving one in Chicago is interesting for me. Sure, there are 3.5 million people here as compared to about a third of that in the greater Boston area, but there has been a consistent effort through the years to keep the chapter going and recruit new leaders. They have their challenges too, but they face them head on.

So to Todd and others who are looking to get some deep roots in the community, make a difference in others lives or just to find a mate – there are groups out there, and with a little elbow grease you may find the right one!

mp/m

I think there are three things being lost with the demise of these groups:
1. The ability to socialize, face-to-face, with peers. The events from mixers to galas teach you how to behave and work a room in a safe environment. The company holiday party is not the place to practice this stuff. You also have the benefit of going to meetings when you travel to other towns on business.

2. Another social benefit is that it beats the bars looking for dates. Chicago Mike met his wife through the Jaycees, and I can think of many members that have gone on to marry.

3. Getting an opportunity to serve on a working board in a safe environment is a huge benefit. Understanding things like Robert’s Rules of Order, and learning how the political machine works are invaluable if you aspire to the executive boardroom.

Unfortunately I think these organizations try to be too many things, to too many people and will have to adapt to survive.

I’m 38, have been employed in a major metro area most of my adult life, and never had any inkling of the purpose of organizations like the Lions, Elks, Rotary, or Jaycees.

Occasionally I’d see some white-haired gent riding in some parade in an old Buick convertible with a logo on the door. (I hate parades, so I haven’t even seen that many of these examples.)

No one at any workplace has ever mentioned any such group. I’ve never encountered a TV, radio or print ad explaining what they’re about. I’ve never seen an ad on a website. Never seen a flyer on a lunch table. Never come across an article about something such a group did, or a blog entry from a member discussing some activity.

I drive by an Elk’s lodge several times a week but as near as I can tell from the sign in the lawn all they do there is play bingo.

Your article here is the first thing of any kind that I’ve ever seen that even began to give me an idea of what these groups are for. And I’m not some sheltered, untraveled, unread, small-town shut-in.

On one hand, I suppose it’s too bad I never had a chance to participate in and learn from one of these groups. On the other hand, I’m not sure there’s much to learn from groups with this apparent total lack of adaptive business survival skills.