Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of JCI's First Local Organization

2004 marked the 60th Anniversary of JCI (Junior Chamber International) as an international organization. In 2005, we are celebrating the 90th Anniversary of JCI's First Local Organization, which was originally established under the name of "Young Men's Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA)."

In order to tackle difficult civic problems while helping young people develop their business skills and effectiveness, Henry "Hy" Giessenbier, Jr., gathered 32 young men and established the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA), JCI's First Local Organization, at the Mission Inn in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 13, 1915.

Kevin Cullinane, 2005 JCI President, is encouraging JCI Local Organizations around the globe to celebrate this 90th anniversary by conducting membership drives and special meetings. Since 1915, countless dedicated young leaders like Giessenbier have ensured the organization's progress. Their contributions must not be forgotten.

The historic information presented here is an effort to honor those leaders. Thanks to contributions from former JCI Presidents, Board Members, Staff Members, Members in general and collaborators, we have gathered significant historic details. JCI publications have also been used as reference. We hope JCI's history will also serve to inspire future generations of JCI Members to emulate their predecessors and take the organization to higher and higher levels of accomplishment.

JCI History

An establishment of JCI Ukraine goes back to the 2002 when the first local JCI chapter was established in Zhytomyr (north of Ukraine). An initiative group comprised three people: Ola Zatterstrom - member of JCI Sweden and two Ukrainians: Artem Misyura and Tetyana Babenko. Several month upon the first presentation held under the support of Zhytomyr Women's Information Consulting Center the local chapter had 15 members.

The second chapter was established in April 2002 again with the support of the member JCI Sweden - Daniel Marksteadt. Later, in June 2002 with the financial support from SIDA, a team consisting of 5 people (Marta Pryimak, Valentyna Nalapko, Andriy Dontsov, Tetyana Babenko and Ola Zatterstrom) joined the first for JCI Ukraine international event - JCI European Conference which that year was held in Istanbul (Turkey).

Upon return from the Conference an initiative group of Zhytomyr and Kyiv organized the first international JCI visit. August 29, 2002, JCI Executive Vice President Kevin Cullinane responsible for JCI in Europe came to Ukraine to consult on the strategic development of the organization in Ukraine and held the Marketing Leadership training course for current and potential members.

October 2002, Ukrainian organization submitted an application for potential membership (the first level of affiliation) in JCI. At the World Congress in Las-Vegas (USA) at the General Assembly, Ukraine was voted into the organization.

In the fall 2003 at the National Convention Tetyana Babenko was elected as the first National President of JCI Ukraine. And in May 2004 an organization expanded by one more chapter that was founded in Chernivtsy.

In the strategic vision an organization will exist in every city of Ukraine, in short-term plans there will be one chapter in every region of Ukraine.

If you are interested to initiate an organization in your city, please let us know.