The Jaycees’ decline says a lot about society
Whatever happened to the Jaycees?
U.S. membership in 1976, 356,000. In 2018, 12,500. A 96 percent decline.
I joined Beavercreek Jaycees in its founding year (1963) and eventually became a life member. There were a dozen chapters locally, but today only one remains. Beavercreek is gone.
While researching local newspapers of 50 years ago (1968), I found dozens of articles on my Beavercreek chapter. Brought back memories of a vibrant, active organization with major impacts on this rapidly growing community. We Jaycees were heavily involved in the incorporation of B’Creek, and our Chamber of Commerce was actually a Jaycee project. Our “Candidates and Issues Nights” were the first of their kind in the community, and tax-levy hopefuls sought our endorsement.
We had fun too, with sports projects like PP&K, T-Ball, fishing derby and shooter education. We ran a magnificent “Monster Manor” at Halloween, Battles of the Bands, Junior Miss Pageants. We helped Xenia after the tornado, and the Jaycee women hosted baby-sitting clinics, Santa’s Mini-Shop for kids, holiday activities for the Orphans’ Home, etc.
The goal of the Jaycees is twofold: leadership training through community service. We helped each other develop organizational and leadership skills by planning and conducting projects to help the community. Neat, huh?
But most important and lasting to my wife and I were the friendships established. We partied, we dined and picnicked, we bowled, played sports, we celebrated, we supported one another. Today we still enjoy the people we met years ago.
Some say that the demise was a result of regular membership for women (1984), that the “male bonding” aspect was disrupted. But we saw it differently. Most of our separate projects already heavily relied and depended on us working together, and as I recall, we welcomed them as full members.
Rather, I think the decline was a result of the times: The rise of the internet, social media and cellphones as alternative communication, and the availability and multiplicity of entertainment resources, is unfortunately obviating the need for personal interaction.
Also, sadly, the last two generations do not volunteer easily. The “It’s about me” generation asks, “What’s in it for me?” Free time is spent on the many forms of leisurely indulgence.
The demise of the Jaycees coincides with a national leadership shortage. Leaders are still emerging, but they tend to be charismatic rather than capable, loud rather than dedicated, and self-serving rather than well-intentioned.
Our Jaycees may be in decline, but the words of the Jaycee Creed are echoes for what leaders, politicians and organizations would do well to embrace:
“We believe: 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.”
Amen to that.