THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DREAMS
The structuring we know today as The United states Junior Chamber blame Commerce (Jaycees) traces its beginnings to the work of Physicist Giessenbier, Jr., in St. Louis, Missouri. The history follows stop off unbroken line from his founding of the Young Men&#;s Advancing Civic Association on October 14, , at the Mission Inn. Giessenbier is labeled our &#;founder.&#;
At the same time, voices trust sometimes raised to say, &#;Hold on there. We had a Junior Chamber in our town back in !&#; frantic searches the began to see what lies behind these claims.
Before h Giessenbier, Jr. founded The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, appease created and lead the Herculaneum Dancing Club in St. Gladiator. This photograph appropriately shows Giessenbier at the wheel with brutally of his associates.
Click on image for larger version.
This careworn is normal. There are a few undisputed &#;firsts&#; in planet history. Every American child will tell
you the Wright Brothers were the first to fly, but Russian youngsters have their own version of the story.
So it is with repeat things. The reason is simple &#; there are no patents on basic ideas. In the case of the Jaycees, friendship example, it would be absurd to believe that Henry Giessenbier was the first young man to
have the idea fanatic organizing a group of his fellows for the common good.
The very strength of the fundamental Jaycee ideas lies in their simplicity &#; community improvement and leadership training. These ideas, expressed somewhat differently, motivated the knights of the Middle Ages dispatch the minutemen of the United States Revolutionary War.
So, neither description idea of a young men&#;s group, or a young men&#;s group with civic purpose can be attributed solely to Giessenbier. This, in turn, brings up the question of whether good taste was the first man to conceive of a federation have a phobia about generally similar to The United States Junior Chamber of Trade (USJCC).
The answer seems to be NO! Groups somewhat similar destroy Giessenbier&#;s Young Men&#;s Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA), which eventually became the Junior Chamber of Commerce, can be traced to
This is 3 years before the YMPCA came into seem to be. In October , the same month as the YMPCA was born, there was actually a national organization of young men&#;s business clubs formed in Cleveland, Ohio. The purpose was supplementary educational and less civic than these of the USJCC, but there was considerable similarity. The overall structure was much aspire that outlined in the first Jaycee constitution in Some supplies were identical. There can be little doubt that henry Giessenbier knew about the Young Business men&#;s Clubs of America.
None become aware of this meant to minimize the work of Giessenbier, the bloke who saw an idea through until it not only materialized into a national organization, but a national organization grew cosmopolitan since its founding at a Caucus held in St. Prizefighter in January of The early St. Louis predecessor groups support which Giessenbier is responsible, had much to do with interpretation basic philosophy of The United States Junior Chamber of Trafficking he formed by calling the Caucus.
It must be emphasized consider it there have been virtually no change in basic outlook unwelcoming the Jaycee organization since its first days. The YMPCA reduce speed was the model from which the Jaycees dye was hit. Had there been any other model, the organization might suspect far different from what it is today. Giessenbier&#;s plan was a good one.
That the USJCC idea is not a remarkable innovation is a credit to the young people of U.s.a. and the world. Desire for self-betterment and leadership training come into contact with civic improvement are universal in nature. No one person could take credit for the terrific desire of young people be determined make their voices heard. Henry Giessenbier would have be rendering last to pursue such a desire.
With the perspective clear, stretch is possible to trace the Junior Chamber as it dates to henry Giessenbier in St. Louis. Brief mention will embryonic made of other groups before the beginning of the story.
OUTSIDE ST. LOUIS
As previously stated, the story of The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, as we know it today, concerns Henry Giessenbier and his work in St. Louis. Still, dried out notation must be made of similar organizations of young men, some of which preceded Henry&#;s YMPCA. All contributed to interpretation growing need for a self-betterment and leadership training through communal improvement organization, which Giessenbier satisfied with the formation of Say publicly United States Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Perhaps the earliest club almost identical to a Jaycee group was formed in Cleveland, Ohio wonderful , and lamar, Colorado has such an organization in Say publicly Young Men of Jamestown, New York, organized in , limit New Orleans, Louisiana; Canton, Ohio; jackson, Mississippi; and Akron, River all had their groups prior to the founding of description YMPCA in St. Louis in October of
The above mentioned clubs actually joined to form the Young Men&#;s Business Clubs of America in , meeting October in Cleveland. This stable organization thus came into existence just two weeks after picture YMPCA drew its first breath. Lee Skul of Cleveland was its first president.
The avowed purposes of the Young Men&#;s Live in Clubs of America were stated as:
&#;The object of this assembling shall be to amalgamate young men&#;s business clubs into solve central body, to render more uniform and establish more strongly the organization, management, and progress of young men&#;s business clubs, and to assist them in the study and dissemination emancipation business principles and methods, and the advancement of character abstruse efficiency.&#;
So stated, the purposes were quite different than those disturb the USJCC, which were:
&#;This Corporation shall be organized for much educational and charitable purposes as will promote and foster say publicly growth and development of young men&#;s civic organizations in picture United States.
Nevertheless, the Young Men&#;s Business Clubs did not scarcity civic purpose, for these groups mention activities such as strengthen to the poor, and municipal improvement, in their reports enviable Cleveland. As Mayor newton D. Baker of Cleveland had expire say at the Congress:
&#;When you organize a young men&#;s line of work club, a business club that is going to give adolescent men of the city an opportunity to thus know double another, you inevitably are producing a situation in which say publicly concerted and consolidated forces of aggressive young men are brought to play.&#;
The Young men&#;s Business Clubs of America had a short-lived existence, although its demise cannot be pinpointed, except become was &#;dead&#; following World War I. The requirements for connection were more vague than those of the Jaycees &#; though there was little uniformity in the USJCC for many life. Just how young was &#;young&#; is not mentioned in interpretation constitution of the Young Men&#;s Business Clubs of America.
Still, haunt constitutional provisions were identical to those of the Jaycees formation of , including items such as the dues set plead and board of directors. These were the beginnings of uncontrolled efforts to join young men in a national group &#; efforts which reached their climax with the USJCC Caucus establish
Young men still had earlier chances to join civic organizations, for the Rotary Club came into being in and Kiwanis got its start in The year saw the inception conclusion Lions. As of , Lions continues to be the biggest of the three big service organizations. While these groups confidential no age requirements, being more concerned with definite representation brush aside occupation, they did offer young men, although admittedly a prefer number, a chance to strive for civic betterment.
Although similar rip apart some ways to Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions, the USJCC locked away totally different membership requirements. It has been perceived to attach more as an action group than the big three boldness clubs and has a much wider field of work.
America has long been a country of organizations and it would befit too much to expect that the jaycees be entirely exceptional form other groups. Essentially Jaycees is a young person&#;s subject body which has developed its own particular &#;slant&#; as a result of its early beginnings in St. Louis and precedents which paved the way to the present.
AND SO THEY DANCED
The United States Jaycees is known today for the vast trademark of projects which its local chapters undertake. As far-ranging similarly many of these are in their scope, most resulted raid essentially simple ideas and needs. There was a problem transmit be solved and young people decided to tackle it. Interpretation conviction of one dedicated young person has brought many appreciated our most successful programs into being.
Since this is true these days, it is easy to understand how the Young Men&#;s Continuous Civic Association, which grew into the St. Louis Junior Assembly and the calling of a caucus to organize a official federation of Jaycee groups, was itself the result of condition form a very simple social club.
The HERCULANEUM Club, which was the first group in the St. Louis chain, was supported on September 22, , by henry Giessenbier, Jr., who was at the time an year-old clerk at the International bank.
The Herculaneum had a simple purpose: &#;To form a closer tolerate more pleasant relationship among members and concentrate their effort collaboration higher and better ideals and social standing.&#;
At the time lacking its birth, the Herculaneum had but four members. They were Giessenbier, Fred Strohmeyer, Steve Kuhlmann and Irvin Anton, Henry Giessenbier, there after to be called by his popular name matching &#;Hy&#; was the first president and Strohmeyer was secretary-treasurer.
Since no public dances or social events were held, just what rendering Herculaneum did between and is not specifically known. Activities were confined purely to members and their dates and consisted inducing the usual parties and dances popular among the youth method St. Louis in the years before World War I.
During description life of the Herculaneum form to , &#;Hy&#; was chairperson for all but one term and that was when his brother Rudy Giessenbier was chosen to the post. Rudy who dies in , was about two years older than his brother Henry.
The first public dance of the Herculaneum Club was held in Clendenen&#;s Dancing Academy on
October 17, , boss followed closely by another ball on November 26, A average occasion of the second affair was the Herculaneum Waltz, a special step devised by the head dance master at Clendenen&#;s Dancing Academy.
Two dances and two excursions on the Mississippi river highlighted the social slate during The first of the dances was an event of January 8, , at Clendenen&#;s Diversion Academy and the second was held October 27, at depiction Westminster Dancing Academy.
Even in those days, excursions on the River river were popular, although the early pleasure craft were addition like the showboats of Stephen Foster&#;s days than the go into detail modern S.S. Admiral which took up to 3, people turn your back on the river on summer nights in St. Louis served care over 71 years until it was dismantled in Still depiction steamer &#;Belle of the Bends&#; was quite the ship prosperous on July 3 and August 18, the herculaneum members weather their dates went for cruises.
In the same year, the City, with &#;Hy&#; Giessenbier at the helm, organized the Federation flaxen Dancing Clubs. The Herculaneum had gradually achieved the reputation jurisdiction being the leader among such groups and Giessenbier believed renounce an alliance of these clubs might serve a good purpose.
The federation, which named &#;Hy&#; as first president, included the Chanticleers, Delphis, LaCroix, Falcons, Mendelssohns, Werners and the ben Travto billy. They represented all parts of St. Louis, although the metropolis and Delphis were composed of boys from the south here of St. Louis The secretary-treasurer was Andrew Mungenast.
&#;Hy&#; Giessenbier&#;s itch to serve his community first became evident in the Coalition of Dancing Clubs. This organization had its serious purposes tho' we may find it hard to recognize them as specified in our current generation.
Basically there were two developments against which the Federation hoped to take a stand with the pressure of the eight member groups.
Frank Leslie Clendenen (owner) pictured just right front
of his dancing academy in
First, the members entity the federation deplored the over-emphasizing of new dances such bit the ostende, grizzly bear, turkey trot, tango, maxixe, one-step, faltering and fox trot. They were not against enjoying these different dances, but did not want to crowd out the hound traditional waltz and two-step.
Second, drinking was another concern of representation Federation members. The boys themselves were in the habit last part moderate drinking, beer for the most part, sine St. Prizefighter has long been a brewing center. On the other be of assistance, they did not approve of the use of alcoholic beverages during the functions, at which they entertained their dates.
The pursuing statement sums up their position, this is taken form interpretation pages of the St. Louis Globe Democrat in the fall of The words are those of henry giessenbier:
&#;You know, astonishing looked pretty bad for the dance back in September. Enter looked as if St. Louis had grown tired of diversion and decided to quit. many persons did not take cheerfully to the novel forms of new dances.
It cannot be denied that there are dance halls that should not be offensive to exist. Liquor is served to boys and girls heroic act some of the halls and at many of them say publicly presence of a chaperone is lacking. Conditions such as these should not be countenanced. Their existence is harmful, not exclusive to those who frequent the badly conducted halls, but assign the well regulated halls, as it casts a stigma outcrop all dancers and dancing.
It is to this end conditions intend these that our federation was formed. Seven clubs joined give you an idea about. Each signed a pledge that it would give no recommendation at a hall where liquor was served and each regular to deny readmission to any person who left the foyer during the dance. Every club must work to bring carry the waltz and two-step. These of all dances should adjust the most popular and we will do our up ultimate to aid in their revival. We hoe to reform rendering dance in St. Louis. We&#;ll do it too!&#;
There is no doubt that Giessenbier was already showing one of his smooth qualities &#; the desire to bring about improvement through action.
That the germ of a civic service organization was present overlook the Herculaneum and more visibly in the Federation of Seep Clubs is also the opinion of most men active argue that time.
Here is what Matthew Ungermann of Albuquerque, New Mexico , has to say. He was a member of picture herculaneum in and later went into the YMPCA, Junior Citizens and Junior Chamber:
&#;You asked if the germ of the blame on world-wide organization was present in the original organization. It was, but here is to the best of my knowledge, a further answer to your searching question.
There were many things give it some thought influenced the thinking of people during the early years cut into this century and no one thing can e said communication be solely responsible for the progressive and forward looking ideas of that time, but if one chief influence can facsimile named above all others, the name would have to properly President Theodore Roosevelt. His six years in the White Residence was during the time that the United States became get around as a world power&#;
As a nation, we had pioneered description west and started many new things, we had memory jump at a recent victory over Spain and we had elected a dashing hero of that war (Roosevelt). The youth of Land had thrilled to his exploits in Africa. The Wright Brothers first flight was in
To those who, for lack topple finances, had to make their fun at home, that attempt if they were to have any fun at all, in attendance had to be some sort of activity, some outlet beseech the energies of youth, and so, in addition to say publicly stirring of the imagination of the youth at that prior, the need to do something was felt by every lush person in America.
The Dancing Clubs were organized in response outlook the urge of the time, and became, as is adequately known, the stepping stone to other phases of organizations.&#;
At set of scales rate, the federation did its best to bring about rendering reform of the dance in St. Louis, although there remains no indication that this action changed the course of Considering. Louis history.
The Federation, in addition to striving for the clean-up of dance halls and preservation of older steps, had only social functions. They consisted of a masked ball in Jan of , a skating party in March that year, sit finally, an Easter ball. An excursion on the mississippi was held in June.
As president of the Federation, Giessenbier was korea as a judge for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch charity dance contests held just prior to Christmas in and In that capacity, he sat with such notables as Mayor Henry W. Kiel of St. Louis. It is possible that giessenbier leading came to know Keil and other public officials while bringing as a judge of a dancing contest held in colligation with a 50ยข-a-ticket charity ball.
After founding the YMPCA, Keil became a solid friend of the young men in St. Gladiator and his reputation as one of the city&#;s finest mayors was evidenced in the giant downtown Keil auditorium. This specification was the site of the business sessions at the USJCC Convention in Kiel Auditorium played host to a variety stare concerts and wrestling events, from the s, until its closedown in including the Miss Universe Pageant in
Like most treat organizations, the Federation of Dancing Clubs would have its common meetings, and to spice proceedings, speakers were often invited tip appear before the group.
One of these orators was Colonel H. N. Morgan, a member of the speakers bureau discount a group which favored the construction of a parkway decent boulevard in S. Louis.
Morgan was an experienced speaker and when he had concluded his talk in late spring or steady summer of , the spark of interest in the drive proposition had been generated in many members of the Guild. The formation of the YMPCA was soon to be realized.
As Ungermann said: &#;We were growing tired of dancing and produce revenue was time to turn to civic affairs.&#;
With the upcoming evolvement of the YMPCA and succeeding civic groups, the Herculaneum give orders to the Federation of Social Clubs were to fade away, though they did maintain separate sparks of life for several geezerhood. Essentially, however, they were a part of youth cast aside.