The Ypsilanti Area Jaycees were organized on July 8, 1937, with 19 young men being inducted that evening. That same night saw Charles Hill elected the first President. However, it was not until February 23, 1938, that a charter was presented to the Ypsilanti group by the State and National organizations. The 19 Ypsilanti members grew to 46 by the end of that first year and have maintained a strong and active membership ever since that first year, reaching a height of 231 members in 1970.
Community projects sponsored by the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees over the years include such outstanding services as the first bond drive in the area, the first blood bank in the community, housing of the “War Workers”, muscular dystrophy drives, sickle cell clinics, recreational development, needy children’s Christmas Shopping tour, Holiday Food Baskets, Junior Miss, Project Santa, Santa’s Hotline, Books for the Library, auto safety checks, seat belt clinics, Project Concern’s Walk for Mankind, Senior Citizens programs, Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Drop, leadership roles in Ypsilanti’s spectacular Sesquicentennial in 1973, The nationally famous “Governor’s Cup” boat races and Supporting D.A.R.E. by purchasing t-shirts for the graduates.
This history of which we are very proud includes twenty-six blue chips, three gold chips, one diamond chip, two Bill Otto Awards (1966-67, 2004), eight Giessenbier Awards (1965-66, 1966-67, 1972-73, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 2001, 2004), National Howard Memorial Awards (1980-81, 2001) and numerous awards for programming.
After a national court ruling in 1984, the Ypsilanti Area Jaycee (Auxiliary) Women merged with the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees to form a group of young people who’s prime objectives are organized development, individual development and community service. By continuing this service and development we will assure that the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees will be the most outstanding and dynamic young person’s organization in our community.
The Junior Chamber movement is now 92 years old. Originally, a group of young men led by Henry Giessenbier formed a dance club in St. Louis. They believed that if young people were to improve their prospects for social and career advancement, they would first have to join forces socially. With the help and guidance of established civic and business leaders they built the organization. Membership swelled from 32 to 750 members in just five months.
In 1914, the group merged with six other dance clubs and in 1915 they formed the Young Men's Progressive Civic Organization (YMPCA). Later, they changed their name to Junior Citizens and became affiliated with the St.Louis Chamber of Commerce.
Lectures, speakers and training sessions provided the group with needed knowledge. But some method was needed for members to apply what they had learned. Service to the community provided the answer. Community service allowed members practical application of the insights they had learned. It was then the Junior Chamber movement achieved its goal - building better leaders.
Over the years, Jaycees have been involved in many local and national issues. In the 1920s, the Junior Chamber began the first national program, "Get Out the Vote", designed to encourage citizens to participate in government. Today, many Jaycee states run Model Legislatures to involve young people in the lawmaking process.
In the '40s, the Junior Chamber went on record in favor of compulsory military training. While more than 85 percent of our membership were fighting in World War II, local groups were conducting scrap drives, selling war bonds, and assisting USO chapters to help the war effort.
More recently, Jaycees have promoted other constructive activities. These include the formation of the National Wildlife Federation, backing the "Big Brother" program, support of the adoption of the Uniform Vehicle Code, and the creation of the National Center for Voluntary Action.
In September 1924, representatives form Flint, Pontiac, Jackson and Saginaw met at the Old City Club in Jackson for the purpose of establishing a Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce. Guest from Toledo, Detroit and Chicago attended at the invitation of the Jackson Junior Chamber. Kalamazoo and Bay City did not send delegates. Martin P. Luthy, Executive Secretary of the Jackson Chamber and President of the Jackson Junior Chamber, was named chairman of the By-Laws Committee. Serving with him were Clarence Smith of Pontiac, Elton Viets of Flint and Robert Frantz of Saginaw.
The 50 delegates voted to operate under the direction of a three man committee; Martin Luthy, Clarence Smith, and Elton Viets, until the first convention scheduled in the fall of 1925. Project reports on Reforestation, Civic betterment, Get out the vote and Social activities were presented to the delegation.
A tour of Michigan State Prison was conducted in the afternoon, with entertainment by the prison orchestra and a short motion picture.
