Teaching Leadership: The Junior Jaycees as an Example

Let us introduce ourselves, We are the Junior Jaycees, an inclusive organization of Divinians and Aquinians joined together by a shared commitment to nurture the potential of youth, promote healthy living and foster a sense of social responsibility. This is how  we were formed...

The Spice Girls’ song entitled “Move Over: Generation Next” was my anthem as Project Chair of the Junior Jaycees.

Generation next, generation next (Ah, generation next)

Generation next, generation next (Generation)

Generation next, generation next (Generation yeah)

Generation next, generation next

Let me tell you 'bout a thing, gotta put it to the test,

It's a celebration, motivation generation next.

In a casual conversation on our way home last April 2015, 2015 Junior Chamber International - Daraga Local Organization President Daphne Aimee N. Lotivio told me that 2013 President Gian Paolo Cheang had a dream the organization wanted to come true – the Junior Jaycees.   A month after, she officially announced in the General Membership Meeting at Balay Cena Una, Daraga Albay that I am the Project Chair of the Junior Jaycees. It was also attended by the 2015 Regional Vice President 2015 Regional Vice President Juvy Aben Abion who gave me the digits of 2015 Junior Jaycees – Iriga President Mark Laurence Balang. Our coordination was through text, call and most of the times via Facebook Chat like this:

Josh Acuña

5/8, 6:58am

Hi. Thanks for the add Mark. Josh here of JCI Daraga. RVP Jovy gave me your number. Was wondering is there any chance you can help us in forming Junior Jaycees?

Mark Laurence Balang

5/8, 7:02am

Hello sir Josh, nice meeting you, you're welcome. Yes, I can help you forming your local Junior Jaycees' chapter. I can link you up to the National Board. J

LO President Mark Laurence Balang connected me with National Secretary Mai Lin Granados. The private message became a group chat where the officers and members of Junior Chamber International Daraga participated in laying out plans. 

I coordinated immediately also with school officials by calling them up and going to their office. One office personnel at Bicol University - Office of Student Services recognized our 2015 Junior Chamber International - Daraga Local Organization President Daphne Aimee N. Lotivio which she describes as "kamukha ni Angel Locsin".

I created also a group chat for local organization officers and members. In less than a month, we were ready to create three school-based chapters of Junior Jaycees namely:

Junior Jaycees – Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL)

Junior Jaycees – Bicol University (BU)

Junior Jaycees – Aquinas University of Legazpi (AUL)

Important milestones took place. Junior Jaycees made waves. First, Junior Jaycees attended Opportunity to Succeed: New Member Orientation Seminar.  A total of seven (7) seminars were held. They were at:

1. Pacific Mall Legazpi
2. Balay Cena Una
3. Balay Cena Una
4. Divine Word College of Legazpi
5. Balay Cena Una
6. Team Albay Youth Organization (TAYO)Office
7. Aquinas University of Legazpi

            Second, Junior Jaycees accomplished the requirements for accreditation of new organization in their respective colleges and universities within the deadline. The three chapters were approved.

        Third, LO President Patricia Bichara of Junior Jaycees – AUL spearheaded the Inter-Chapter Teambuilding last July 2015 at Panarayon, Bacacay Albay. The youth members have taken much interest with each other as well as with the organization.

            Fourth, Junior Jaycees – DWCL and Junior Jaycees - BU together with their mother chapter, JCI Daraga launched a sustainable livelihood program entitled: Livelihood Education Advocacy Program (LEAP): Make Up and Hair Cutting.

Junior Jaycees- Divine Word College of Legazpi flagship project entitled L.E.A.P. which stands for Livelihood Education Advocacy Program was launched last August 22, 2015 thru a Skills Training in Haircut at Training Hall, Divine Word College of Legazpi. It was a tie-up project by Business Opportunities Class of Professor Joseph S. Acuña, MBA. Junior Chamber International - Daraga, Junior Jaycees - Divine Word College of Legazpi and Community Extension Service of Divine Word College of Legazpi.

The beneficiaries were the adopted communities of Bagong Abre and __________. The speaker was Mr. Jherwin Mataragon of Salon De Hikaru and Junior Chamber International Daraga. The following topics were discussed:

1. Parts of Hair

2. Types of Hair

3. Korean Curl

4. Cutting Procedure

5. Tools

The activity aims to cultivate the interest of the beneficiaries to Hair Cutting as a means of livelihood. It is also designed to improve the capability of students and members of the adopted communities of Divine Word College of Legazpi. It aims to provide them with skills and enhance the entrepreneurial potential of the participants. The Livelihood Education Advocacy Program will also be brought directly to the areas of the adopted communities in the coming months

            Fifth, Junior Jaycees – DWCL, BU and AUL participated in the Bags to School Project where they met the 2015 National President Brian Lim, 2015 Regional Vice President Juvy Aben Abion, officers and members of JCI Daraga.

            On August 15, the Junior Jaycees - DWCL, BU and AUL was part of Oragon Night which was hosted by our mother chapter JCI Daraga.

Sports dev- badminton

            One can tell that JCI-Daraga is growing and thriving because young ones are breaking grounds.  Ground has been broken and for this young “once”, the JCI movement feels new and brave. It is surprising and electric. It is a promise of greater things to come.

2nd Semester, SY 2015-2016

Street Outreach
Gift Bag Making
Candle Protector
Trivia Night

Mayon 360 - Joshua Eric V. Dandal
Sport dev - Badminton

To be continued....