About Us

For Des Moines area professionals between the ages of 18 and 40, JCI Des Moines offers leadership training through community development.  By running a variety of programs and projects for the benefit of Des Moines, our members learn leadership and management skills.  If you live in the Metro area, JCI is an excellent way to meet new people, improve your personal skills, and work to improve Greater Des Moines.

The Jaycees is unique among other organizations because our emphasis is on creating opportunities for personal growth, developing business and leadership skills, and having a positive impact on the community in which we live. 

Junior Chamber International

"Leadership Training through Community Service"

Henry "Hy" Giessenbier, Jr. (1892-1935) wanted to develop the business skills and the reputation of young men. This approach was a bit unusual, as his era was one in which most young men were out of school and working by the age of 15, and their first jobs were the jobs they died in. If they were lucky, they might work their way into an executive position by the time they were in their 40’s. But Hy knew that twelve signers of the Declaration of Independence were under 35; Thomas Jefferson was only 33 when he wrote the original draft of the document! 

 Hy decided to do something positive for the young men of St. Louis. On October 13, 1915 , at the Mission Inn in St. Louis, Missouri, Hy gathered 32 young men to form the Young Men’s Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA), developing their skills as leaders by tackling difficult civic problems. The YMPCA became the forerunner of the modern Junior Chamber.

JCI (Junior Chamber International) was officially founded as an international organization in December of 1944, on the premise that young people working for mutual understanding, could prevent another holocaust from developing in the future.

Today, JCI chapters exist across the nation and throughout the world. Young men and women of all walks of life are working to better themselves through serving their communities. Many individuals have taken the experiences they have gained in Jaycees and used them in their respective careers. Both Subway and Domino’s Pizza began as Jaycee projects! The Des Moines Jaycees have produced leaders such as Gen. George Olmsted (our founder), Gov. Robert D. Ray, and the late Mayor Arthur Davis.

Jaycee projects and programs are oriented around three different areas: Community Development, Management Development, and Individual Development. These areas reflect the balance between the member, chapter, and community that allows us to be effective in our work. Individual Development is about improving the individual skill level of the members, Management Development focuses on improving our leadership skills, operating our chapter, and promoting its goals, Community Development is the end result of all of our efforts- to help others and improve Des Moines.

History

1920’s

Founded in 1924 by George W. Olmsted, the Des Moines Jaycees were the first chapter organized in Iowa and the 15th chartered in the United States. The Des Moines chapter is sometimes called "Iowa’s Pioneer Chapter".

1930’s

Emphasis was placed on community service. Des Moines had the privilege of hosting the National Convention in 1931. George Olmsted elected president of the U.S. Jaycees in the ‘31-’32 year. Allen Whitfield, another Des Moines Jaycee, elected president of the U.S. Jaycees in the ‘35-’36 year.

1940’s

At the outbreak of WWII the Junior Chamber became the first organization to back selective service. 85% of the membership entered military service. In 1946, William Brownfield wrote the Jaycee Creed the National Convention in Milwaukee.

1950’s

The organization continued to grow, more than doubling its membership during the 50’s. Robert Clark, a Des Moines Jaycee, serves as president of the U.S. Jaycees in the ‘59-’60 year.

1960’s

Des Moines grew from 200 to over 900 members during the 60’s Corporate sponsorship reached an all-time high, as over 50% of the members had dues paid by employers. Des Moines was the second largest chapter in the United States in 1968. During the 60’s Des Moines extended most of the suburban chapters that now exist.

1970’s

Membership fell sharply in the 1970’s due to the extensions of the 60’s and a loss of corporate sponsorships. Des Moines became the first Iowa chapter to sponsor a Haunted House in 1973. In 1977 the chapter voted to allow female members.

1980’s

During the first two years of the 1980’s, the chapter continued it’s decline in membership, but was able to double its membership to over 200 members by the end of 1985. Much of this growth was attributed to the financial strength of the chapter brought about by the Seniom Sed project. In 1984, the US Supreme Court ruled that the Jaycees must allow female members and may no longer exist as separate, segregated organizations.

1990’s

Membership and enthusiasm continued to grow. During the 1990-91 Jaycee year, the Des Moines Jaycees were recognized as the number one chapter in Iowa. This excitement carried on into the next year and the chapter was recognized as the number one chapter for the year in Iowa in 1991-92 and also was awarded the Howard A. Marks Memorial award for being the best chapter in the United States! In 1997, the National Convention was held in Des Moines. In 1999, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Chapter.