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| Who We Are
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JCI Fort Erie is part of a national organization consisting of over thirty chapters from coast to coast. We are affiliated with Junior Chamber International (JCI),
a global movement of dynamic and motivated men and women, with a presence in 110 nations and territories. Leadership training, community contribution, business networking,
fellowship, and international experience - Junior Chamber members are pursuing these opportunities and many more.
Young professionals and entrepreneurs join the Junior Chamber International - Fort Erie (known as Fort Erie Jaycees or JCI Fort Erie) through membership at our dinner meetings.
We do have specific membership criteria, the most important being that you must be between the ages of 18 and 40. Members of JCI Fort Erie are motivated individuals who have the
desire to develop ourselves while creating positive change in our community, in our businesses, ourselves and in the world around us.
Our offices, clubhouse and training center are all centered around the Leisureplex in Fort Erie, located at 3 Municipal Drive. On the 2nd Tuesday of each month we have our dinner
meeting, which consists of a formal dinner followed by an informative guest speaker. On the 4th Tuesday of each month we hold our business meeting where we discuss topics of
importance to the JCI Fort Erie members. Both meetings start at 7:30 sharp.
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The Junior Chamber Declaration of Principles
We believe...
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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.
- written in 1946
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| The Establishment of a Permanent World Peace
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The dream and purpose of Junior Chamber are most clearly expressed in the words of founder Henry "Hy" Giessenbier who said:
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"From within the walls of the soul of this organization, wherein the foundation of character and citizenship are laid, I hope a message will come forth
in the sometime of tomorrow that will stir the people toward the establishment of a permanent and everlasting world peace."
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Giessenbier had the foresight to believe that character and citizenship could contribute toward a permanent world peace. His dream and purpose for Junior
Chamber were to offer the membership opportunities that would build strong, positive characters and a sense of citizenship, not only for communities, cities and countries, but for the world.
The purpose of Junior Chamber, inspired by the Declaration of Principles, is:
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To contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the leadership skills, social responsibility,
entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change.
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The organization operates on the premise that the development of individual character and personality will result in communities that are better developed and,
eventually, in a more peaceful world.
Most educational institutions focus on the passing of an examination and the amassing of degrees rather than the development of personalities. It is said the purpose of education
is to prepare the individual for "life," not just to be able to perform a job.
Life is much more than just doing a job. Life is caring, sharing, loving, understanding and communicating. Junior Chamber strives to complete any lack in the development of its individual members.
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A People Organization
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Junior Chamber is a people organization. People resort to violence when communication, understanding, patience, tolerance, reason and love cease to exist. Junior
Chamber's plan is to offer opportunities to the members that will reinforce these positive qualities.
The idea is to bring people together. Many opportunities are created when people with various social, cultural, ethnic, religious, economic, and national backgrounds meet. At national
conventions, Area conferences and world congresses, members come face-to-face with one another to share experiences and exchange ideas which lead to better understanding and cooperation.
A bond of brotherhood and genuine friendship is established as Junior Chamber members seek the ways and means to improve themselves and the world in which they live.
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The purpose of Junior Chamber is to show the rest of the world:
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That all human beings can be developed.
That all are equal.
That the world is interdependent.
That the world does not belong to humans, but that humans belong to the world.
That every human being is a citizen of the world.
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