Pennsylvania Jaycees gathered in Scranton over the weekend for training, business and charting the course for 2016.
But while the 40 members of the United States Junior Chamber, as Jaycees are formally known, connected and recharged during the two days of activities, it was under a dark cloud after the death of President-elect Carrie Reich. The York 39-year-old died of a heart attack two weeks ago.
The state board, led by outgoing president and Taylor native Jen Radzwillowicz, voted to appoint Peter Urscheler of Phoenixville, Chester County, to the post of president.
“The situation is very sad,” Ms. Radzwillowicz said. “There was a lot of reading of bylaws.”
Members of the Jaycees got a chance to reflect on their role in a changing culture and economy dramatically different from a generation ago, when U.S. membership peaked at more than 100,000 in the mid-1980s.
The Jaycees today have domestic membership of about 15,000. Internationally, the organization has in excess of 200,000 members.
The Jaycees’ mission is equal parts professional development and community service, with the motto, “Leadership training through community service.”
Amy L. Newton of Hamburg, Berks County, a Jaycees international senator, said the organization hopes to recruit young citizens and help them forge positive change in the communities through skill building and mentorships.
But the group finds itself marketing against the millennial generation’s skepticism of and impatience with formal organizations. Those in their 20s are entrenched in work and side gigs, and those in their 30s are starting families — later than past generations.
“When people start having children, they become vested in a community and look for service opportunities,” Ms. Newton said.
That means the average age of new Jaycees, however, is 35. Membership in the Jaycees is open to those from 18 to 41. Seven years of activity doesn’t allow enough time to rise in the ranks of the Jaycees into national leadership positions. She’d like the average age of a new member to be 25.
At 41, the Jaycees expect their members to move to other clubs — Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis — with the organization and leadership skills to become valued, active members. Local chapters can craft their own role in the community. Internationally, the Jaycees have adopted malaria prevention and work closely with the United Nations Foundation.
The Greater Scranton Chapter, which hosted the conference, has remained vibrant, marking its 75th year of service to the community.
The weekend concluded with a dinner at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel.
Contact the writer:
dfalchek@timesshamrock.com