Happy New Year, Jaycees!!
As you know, the Western Maryland Jaycees have come a loooong way in the last few years. We went from a small chapter that was struggling to attract and keep members to a chapter that has more than doubled in size, has developed outstanding events and continues the proud tradition of the Jaycees in our Tri-state area. Our service projects have improved and are expanding. Our fundraisers have increased in number and in scope. Our membership is more diverse, more visible, more active and more involved than just about any organization in Western Maryland.
We have been recognized by the Maryland Jaycees in numerous ways and – I believe it’s fair to say – that we have become a model for Junior Chamber Chapters across the Mid-Atlantic. Maryland Jaycees officers have made a habit of visiting our chapter to learn what it is, exactly, that gives us our momentum and helps us be so successful.
Our recent success is a tribute to the contributions of every one of our members. The leadership of our officers through the recent years has kept our chapter running with very little turbulence, despite the rapid growth. The contributions of individual members, from taking on projects to developing new ideas and stepping up to the plate when needed, have been the key to making our chapter recognized throughout our community and beyond.
As a young professional in Western Maryland, I cannot say enough how much I personally appreciate all that the Jaycees have done to make our community a better place for us to live. And as a member of the Western Maryland Jaycees, I want to give a huge personal thank you to each of you for your contributions to our chapter in the past and for the energy you bring to our future endeavors.
2010 promises to be an excellent year in the Western Maryland Jaycees. I am almost bursting with excitement. I am thrilled to have such an exciting, dedicated, motivated and talented group of officers with whom to work this year. Even in the e-mails that I share with the officers I can feel that their excitement matches my own.
We will be producing a budget for 2010, reworking some of our major events and adding new, exciting projects to our calendar. We need every one of our members to be an active part of this process so please make an effort to attend the meetings, be active in our committees, take a leadership role and don’t be afraid to make your voice heard!!
It’s going to be a great year, and I’m looking forward to you joining us for the ride.
Joe Harman
http://www.wsue.net