Winston-Salem Jaycees

The Winston-Salem, NC area's organization of choice for adults 21-40 to develop personal, business and leadership skills through community service and organizational involvement.

I'm a Winston-Salem Jaycee because:

Yvette Spears

I initially joined as an opportunity to get to know Winston-Salem. What better way to do that, than through service to the community.

Yvette Spears, 2020 President

Chapter History

Thanks to Margaret Brandt (Chapter Historian, 1994-1995) for providing this information.

The Early Years

November 1929, Robert E. Lee Hotel, Winston Salem, NC – The second Jaycees’ chapter in North Carolina, the Winston-Salem Jaycees, held their inaugural meeting in downtown Winston Salem. Since then, the chapter has been an active and vital part of the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County community. The first president was Charles Norfleet.

The newly chartered group began a variety of moneymaking projects to finance their civic programs. Jaycees sold subscriptions to the Saturday Evening Post and fried hamburgers at the fair. In the community betterment area, Harold McKeithan and a committee of Jaycees led a campaign against local loan sharks. This effort forced the worst offenders either out of business or caused them to change their ways. A major project conducted annually to assist the Goodwill industries, called Bundle Day, originated in the early thirties and continued through the late 70s. A campaign to “Clean-up, Patch-up, Paint-up” in an effort to improve the community’s appearance began in the early years and continued for decades. Other projects and programs conducted included: the Winston-Salem Horse Show, the Halloween Parade, Christmas card sales, War-Time Blood Bank assistance, Fire Prevention, the Cancer Drive, the Anti-Spit Campaigns, programs encouraging more courtesy, and “Keeping Christ in Christmas”.

The Distinguished Service Award was established nationally in 1931 and was awarded by the Winston-Salem Jaycees for the first time in 1932. The recipient of this coveted honor was Charles Norfleet. In 1946, Norfleet, who later became a vice-president at Wachovia, wrote about his years as a Jaycee and how the organization helped him and other members become responsible members of the community. He noted that Robert Gorrell became President of the Chamber of Commerce, George Irvin led the community Chest campaign, George Lentz served as mayor of Winston-Salem, Harold McKeithan became active in church affairs, Gordon Gray rose to publisher of the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel, and Banks Newman was a leader in the Boy Scout organization. Each of these individuals, with the exception of McKeithan, was eventually a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Norfleet observed:

This group of young men with their new ideas, their interest and their energy have accomplished a great deal of good and most important of all, they have installed in their members the ideal of community service which will make them useful citizens for years to come.

The Winston-Salem Jaycees also presented local awards for Good Government, the Community’s Outstanding Negro Citizen, and the Young Farmer of the Year. Irving Carlyle was the first recipient of the Good Government Award.

Jaycees were active in the campaign to “get out the vote”. They sponsored radio forums for the discussion of local issues. Jaycees fought for the city manager form of government. Their influence assisted in the formation of the County Commission to be comprised of five members serving two years each, rather than three members serving six years each.

Early Jaycees were considered by some as “gadflies” in the community. At one time, Harold Ellison, the editor of the Jaycee News, spoke out about Winston-Salem being one of the final hold-outs in North Carolina on the Blue Laws. In his editorial, he wrote, “We Winston-Salemites are going to be lonesome as hell in heaven.” The Jaycees were directly responsible for the development of the local Better business Bureau and assisted with its annual membership drives. They worked closely with the Senior Chamber of Commerce to encourage new industry to the area. Charles Norfleet brought Harry Krusz to Winston-Salem for this purpose. Krusz was later replaced by Fred Linton.

The Winston-Salem group was responsible for the placement of big “City Limit” signs around town and for the automobile mailboxes at the Post Office. In fact, the idea of drive-up mailboxes was first conceived by a Winston-Salem Jaycee. J.T. Brock, whose concept is used today by postal systems world-wide, dropped the first letter in a drive-up mailbox in 1939.

That same year, the Winston-Salem Jaycees were instrumental in the extension of a Jaycee chapter in Danville, Virginia. This was one of the first of many extension chapters initiated by the Winston-Salem chapter. The group also sponsored a variety of entertainment to perform locally including the Don Cassack Choir and Spike Jones.

The 1940s and 1950s

The 40s saw the commencement of several major manpower and money making projects. The Tobacco Bowl began in 1944 as a competition between outstanding high school football teams. It later became the Piedmont Bowl, a preseason football game between professional teams played in Winston-Salem to earn money for the Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Police Pension Fund. The project netted from $7,000 to $14,000 each year and eventually, $293,000 was donated to the fund from the proceeds earned.

Jaycees collected scrap paper through drives to raise money for their projects. In 1945, they teamed with the Boy Scouts on a highly publicized paper drive. The Scouting organization accused the Jaycees of taking credit for the event without doing the work. Apparently, “the gist of the complaint was big Jaycees did the supervising while the little Boy Scouts loaded trucks”. Scout representatives complained that several Jaycees used profanity in the “presence of Scouts of tender years”. A meeting afterwards smoothed over sore feelings and it was concluded: In face of adversity each Jaycee and each Scout leader should slowly count to ten. A 1948 paper drive, without the Scouts, raised $617 for a clubhouse to be built by local Sea Scouts.

In 1948, a severe polio epidemic hit North Carolina. The Jaycees provided the manpower for a city-wide inspection of garbage cans. Every garbage can in every backyard of every neighborhood was inspected by one of the Jaycee teams. Four thousand violations of the city’s sanitary code were found after the first inspection. The violators were sent letters of notification and 95% had complied with codes upon reinspection. Eventually, only one resident failed to comply. Also that year, Jaycees conducted a thorough inspection of sanitary conditions in a slum area of Winston-Salem and recorded their findings through shocking photographs published in the newspaper. The Health Department immediately initiated corrective steps. As a result of the labors of the Jaycees, Winston-Salem was spared a sever attack of the epidemic. In addition, 12,000 new garbage cans were sold and a fund was launched to buy the city a jeep and a machine for spreading a fog of DDT.

The Jaycees continued in this vein in 1950-1951 when the group spent 2500 man-hours investigating the handling of tuberculosis cases in Forsyth County. It was discovered that the local TB rate was above state and national averages. Also, the general public was exposed to active TB cases although the sanatorium had ample space. Within the TB field, their existed a lack of coordination and failure to enforce existing TB control regulations. The announcement of their findings was made through a series of newspaper articles and radio broadcasts.

Programs for local youth continued through the decades beginning with Frank Spencer’s “Knot Hole Gang”. The Jaycees sponsored the annual Soap Box Derby with the Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel and Modern Chevrolet. Bike Patrols, Sea Scouts and Boys Choir were projects sponsored by the group, along with campaigns like “Better Books for Youth”.

During 1953-1954, the Winston-Salem chapter worked to assist the United Fund. A decline in the amount of business donations to the Fund was occurring. The Jaycees stepped in and visited individual businesses encouraging more generous gifts. In addition, the Jaycees initiated the first Air Fair project in the nation during the mid-fifties. It became a major money making project involving many members and continued for several decades. Until 1959, Jaycee activities were partially supported financially by the funds earned from an amusement train located in Reynolds Park. The train was sold that year at a price exceeding $4,000.

Joseph Carlton served as President of the Winston-Salem Jaycees in 1940. Under his leadership, the group began to enter statewide and national competitions to recognize their local activities. They were rewarded with the Henry Giessenbier Award for the outstanding chapter in North Carolina. In addition, the chapter placed fifth in competition for the Henry A. Marks award for the outstanding chapter in the nation. The Giessenbier Award was presented to the Winston-Salem chapter the following seven years and again in 1955 and 1956. The President of the chapter in 1944 was R.D. “Shank” Warwick. This year, the Winston-Salem Jaycees was the first Southern chapter to receive this recognition. The delegates present when Shank accepted the trophy advanced toward the stage and literally tore the shirt off of his back. When the group returned to Winston-Salem, the mayor and a brass band were waiting for them at the station. For the first time in Jaycee history, the Winston-Salem chapter won the Marks award again the following year. The National Clean -up and Paint-up Campaign Bureau Award was given to the Winston-Salem chapter in the years 1938, 1940 and 1942. In the 1947-1948, the Chapter was recognized by receiving the National 1st Place Fine Arts Award and the National 1st Place Community welfare Funds Award.

Nationally, the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce officially approved the term “Jaycee” as a synonym for the organization and adopted the Jaycee Creed in 1947. In 1951, the reference to “Faith in God” was added to the creed. In January of 1956, Cher Davis, a former Distinguished Service Award recipient, wrote of the Winston-Salem Jaycees: Winston-Salem is better off because of the quality of leadership this organization has been channeling into every phase of our community life.

The 1960s and 1970s

The Winston-Salem Jaycees continued to be a major contributor to the community through the next two decades. Established programs, like the Air Fair, the Goodwill Industries Bundle Day, the Scrap Paper Drives, the Piedmont Bowl, and the Soap Box Derby, were maintained. In the early 60s, the organization’s management was overseen by Officers and Directors of Standing Committees including Public Relations, Internal Affairs, Projects, Promotions, and Youth Activities.

The area of Public Relations covered a broad range of projects. The Career-O-Rama involved major manpower. It was an attempt to familiarize high school students with careers awaiting them. The Miss Winston-Salem Pageant began and continued for years. The Jaycees sponsored Outstanding High School Seniors Awards and Sister City Visitation in Bucaramanga, Columbia. The Distinguished Service Award recipient was selected annually by the Mayor’s secret committee appointed to receive nominations and select a winner.

Internal Affairs projects provided membership with a variety of sporting and social activities. A Softball Competition, a Fall Golf Classic, a Bowling League and a Pick-A-Winner Football contest appealed to Jaycee athletes. Social events including the Summer Luau, the Snow Ball and the Inaugural Banquet and Ball were held in the early 60s. Jaycees were also involved in Bosses Night, Ladies Night, and Ugly Bermuda Shorts Night. Orientation of new member, newssheet publication, Spoke and Sparkplug Awards, Speak-Up Jaycees, and activity records were all overseen by the Internal Affairs Committee.

The committee in charge of Projects conducted a wide variety of community services in the early 60s. One Key project was called Operation Coffee Break in which Jaycees provided coffee during holiday travel times. Jaycees were involved in projects including: Blood Donors, Fire Prevention Week, Freedom Bond Drive, New Hospital Fund Raising, Eye Bank, Prisoner Rehabilitation, Amos Cottage, Baptist Home for the Aging, Municipal Sign Inventory, and Operation Fast Ball for the Dominican Republic. Traffic Safety and Religious Activities also fell under this category. At Christmas, the Jaycees held a party for underprivileged children, wrote letters to Santa Claus, and conducted Project Littlejoy. They were active in the Winston-Salem Christmas Parade as well. They Jaycees initiated an End Measles vaccination program in 1967.

The Promotions Committee was primarily interested in fund raising. Jaycees earned money through the Scrap Paper Drives, an Aluminum Foil Sale, a Fair Booth, the Piedmont Bowl, Coliseum Ushering, and Greater Greensboro Open ticket sales.

Youth Projects in the early 60s included the Soap Box Derby, the Junior Fat Stock Show and Sale, the Teenage Road-E-O, a Family Bowling Day for the Youth Welfare Fund, and Boy Scout Field Day. The group also supported the Boys Home of North Carolina and awarded a sponsorship to a deserving youth to attend Boys State.

Extension chapters were initiated by the Winston-Salem group in Yadkinville, Walkertown, and Clemmons. Visitations to other clubs were held throughout the decade. Ralph Kegarise, who served as President of the organization in 1963-1964, has stated in recent correspondence that the Jaycees referred to themselves as a “club”. Evidently, in the original charter of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the group was incorporated in the State of North Carolina as a separate entity. For that reason, they always referred to themselves as a “club”, rather than a “chapter”. He stated that every year or tow the Winston-Salem Jaycees had to remind the State and National organizations of this, and even threatened to withdraw their support if they were met with objections.

The Jaycees in the early 60s occupied an office in the Chamber of Commerce building on Coliseum Drive. They also employed a full time secretary, Phyllis Wiles. Membership total was in the 180-200 men range. The Giessenbier Award for outstanding chapter in North Carolina was again awarded to Winston-Salem 1962.

President Porter Gray asserted in his Acceptance Address delivered on April 29, 1961:

Most of us join the Jaycees for many different reasons; however, as we come to know the Jaycees and the things for which it stands we soon learn that we have become a part of something much greater than we anticipated; an organization through which we as individuals realize that there is joy and satisfaction in service to others; at the same time an organization through which we might receive so much for so little. I sometimes think of the Jaycees as a group of amateurs organized for the purpose of doing a professional job.

The Winston-Salem Jaycettes, a woman’s organization, and the Junior Jaycettes were chartered in the 60s. The first black member joined the Winston-Salem Jaycees in the 60s.

A Night of Dance was a project of the Winston-Salem Jaycees that culminated in the creation of the Winston-Salem Civic Ballet. The Civic Ballet became a major contributor through the Arts Council to the community. It later became independent of the Jaycees.

The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1970. The Winston-Salem organization commemorated the event by burying a time capsule at the Winston-Salem Convention Center. The capsule is to be opened in the year 2020, the 100th anniversary of the national organization. Its contents includes information about present day (1970) activities, member rosters, histories, and letters from the Presidents of the five Jaycee groups in Forsyth County: Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville and Pfafftown. A bronze plaque is located on the corner of 5th Street and Marshall Street, which bears the date on which the capsule is to be opened.

The President of the Winston-Salem Junior Chamber of Commerce has the privilege of introducing the Clayton Frost Award to the 5 Outstanding State Presidents at the annual National Junior Chamber of Commerce Convention. The award memorializes Clayton Frost, a former Winston-Salem Jaycee, who served as President of the North Carolina Jaycees. He was killed in an automobile accident during his presidential term.

The Board of the Winston-Salem Jaycees was divided into three areas in the early 70s: Community Action, Individual Development, and Chapter Management. New projects were developed to meet the community’s needs. The Youth Opportunity Home, a “halfway” house for troubled youth, was established. Jaycees provided guidance, counseling and companionship to the youth to assist with their rehabilitation. Jaycees sponsored AAU Track and Field meets to give local youth the opportunity to compete and develop sportsmanship skills. During the holidays, the Jaycees provided a Thanksgiving dinner for law enforcement officers, collected toys for underprivileged children, handled letters to Santa Claus and delivered food to needy families.

The Jaycees sponsored a Venereal Disease Project to address community health concerns. Their program was presented to 42 civic organizations. In addition, the group assisted with the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, the March of Dimes Telethon and the March of Dimes Walk-a-thon. The Jaycees began selling jelly to earn money for the North Carolina Burn Center. In 1975, the chapter earned $11,500 for the center. Alcohol Awareness Week was sponsored by the Jaycees with public meetings, skits, banquets, concerts, seminars, exhibits and other media coverage.

A seminar was developed and conducted by the Winston-Salem Jaycees in cooperation with the Forsyth County Economic Development Corporation and the Wake Forest University Babcock School of Business to address the concerns of minority and small businesses. A $2,000 grant was awarded from Mainstream to finance the project. The Jaycees worked with the Internal Revenue Service to provide tax assistance to low income individuals.

The Jaycees held a voter registration drive in 1974 and recruited 300 citizens to vote. A Candidates Dinner was organized by the Jaycees with 42 candidates in attendance. The Distinguished Service Awards continued also honoring the Outstanding Young Educator, Fireman and Law Enforcement Officer. The Air Fair continued to be a major project drawing an estimated 40,000 spectators.

The public was made aware of Jaycee activities through monthly television talk shows, radio spots and printed new media. The 1974 Jaycees hosted the largest state convection to date called “Gusto 74”. The 1973-1974 Jaycees were awarded, once again, the Giessenbier Award as outstanding North Carolina Chapter. They also received recognition nationally for their Business Assistance Project, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Council in Drug Abuse.

The Miss Winston-Salem Pageant continued with the Winston-Salem chapter serving as hosts of the Miss North Carolina Pageant for the third year in 1978. In addition, the first annual Mr. Winston-Salem Jaycee Pageant was held that year. The pageant included competition in talent, swimsuit and eveningwear. The tradition of Mr. Winston-Salem has continued into the 90s, although the chapter is no longer affiliated with the Miss Winston-Salem/Miss North Carolina Pageants.

The Winston-Salem Jaycees assisted with the expansion of the Cherry Tree Jaycees. This was an institutional chapter within the minimum-security unit on Cherry Street. Winston-Salem members sponsored Cherry Tree members in order to allow them to become involved in and contribute to the community. The goal of the Cherry Tree chapter was to break the crime-prison cycle. The group assisted in providing manpower for Coliseum ushering and other Winston-Salem Jaycee projects.

A new plan of action was undertaken by the Executive Committee in 1978 to encourage leadership, participation and involvement. Team captains led their team members in competition in community service, leadership training, personal growth, membership recruitment and retention, as well as sports events. The Jaycees in 1978 received the coveted Clarence H. Howard Memorial Award for the chapter that has the most outstanding accomplishments in all phases of chapter activities in their population division at the National Convention.

The 1980s

In the 1980s, the North Carolina Junior Chamber of Commerce faced an unfortunate incident caused by a few individuals in leadership positions, which adversely affected local Chapters statewide. Jaycees sold jars of grape jelly in order to raise money for the North Carolina Burn Center. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised through the jelly sales over the years. Criminal charges were brought against three past state presidents and two other Jaycee officials for diverting monies raised for charity to create bogus chapters within the state. The motivation for this deceitful alteration was to enhance the reputation of the state of North Carolina in the eyes of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce organization officials. The Winston-Salem Jaycees had to overcome the damaging press coverage of this unfortunate occurrence, which came to be known as the “Jamscam”.

In the early 80s, the Winston-Salem Jaycee membership was as low as 26 men. However, after several very successful rebuilding and rejuvenating years, the number of members rose to over 250 by the late 80s.

Fund raising in the early 80s included: Jazzmatazz, Music at Sunset parking and concessions, Casino Nights, Haunted House, Barbecue Shoulder Sales, Hot Rod Show and Streetscene. The Jelly Sales continued, despite Jamscam, and for two years, the Winston-Salem Jaycees raised the most money in North Carolina for the Burn Center.

Projects in the early 80s sought to meet the needs of the community, state and nation as well. Locally, the Winston-Salem Jaycees assisted with the renovation of the Battered Women’s Home. They organized a Community Winterization project, which assisted low-income residents in preparation for cold weather. The Arrive Alive program sponsored by the Jaycees targeted drunk drivers and offered assistance in securing rides home from drinking establishments. The group also participated in the Jail-a-thon for the American Cancer Society and a Bowl-a-rama for Cystic Fibrosis. An emphasis was placed on providing personal growth programs and family programs to chapter members. In addition, the Jaycees sponsored softball and basketball teams.

Membership recruitment and retention was sought through Super Smokers, which gave guests an opportunity to learn about the organization and its activities. The Winston-Salem Jaycettes worked with the Jaycees on projects yet remained a separate organization for women. The segregation of the two groups was satisfactory to the members of each group because they were able to work in tandem on some projects yet still maintain their individuality. A Supreme Court decision on July 3, 1984, led to the admittance of women to the Jaycee organization as full members. The two groups merged in 1985-1986, however only 12 women joined that first year. Connie Thompson Miller was the first woman to serve as President of the Winston-Salem Jaycees in 1986-1987.

In the 1985-1986 year, twenty-two Individual Development Projects were presented to chapter members. These included: Communication Dynamics, Diet and Health, Legal Seminar, Financial Planning, Dress for Success, Stress Management and Spiritual Life of Family. In the Community Development area, sixteen projects raised over $26,500. Senior Citizens, needy families, Goodwill Industries, Cystic Fibrosis, American Cancer Society the North Carolina Boys Home, Muscular Dystrophy, Easter Seals and March of Dimes benefited from the efforts of the Winston-Salem Jaycees.

The late 80s were highlighted by a number of new projects for the Winston-Salem Jaycees. The group began working concession stands at the Bowman Gray Races. In the 1987, the Jaycees became involved in the Senior Professional Golfing Association tournament sponsored by R.J. Reynolds held at Tanglewood Park. This association continues today with the Jaycees coordination the On-Course Operations of the tournament, which is now called the Vantage Championship. The Winston-Salem Jaycee organized a televised public debate between the state candidates for Lieutenant Governor. Contributions were made to six major North Carolina and United States Jaycee charities including: Muscular Dystrophy Association, the North Carolina Boys Home, Cystic Fibrosis, the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, the North Carolina Burn Center and St. Judes Hospital. President Wesley Googe was presented the Linn D. Garibaldi Award for most outstanding local president in 1988. He later served as President of the North Carolina Jaycees.

The Winston-Salem Jaycees continued their efforts through the decade receiving state and national recognitions and awards. A highlighted in the Individual Development area in 1989 was hosting the Second Annual Western North Carolina I.D. College. The Community Development area that year raised $28,800 to benefit others locally and statewide. The Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament alone raised $11,000. The chapter continued to grow in number and in its impact on the Winston-Salem Community.

The 1990s and Beyond

The Jaycees faced the last decade of the twentieth century with strong programming and participation. The past president continued to serve as Chairman of the Board, along with the President, Secretary, Treasurer, State Director, and Vice-Presidents in the areas of Membership Development, Management Development, Community Development, Individual Development and Financial Management. Two or three Directors served in each area.

Membership has remained elevated through the 90s with totals ranging from 200-275 men and women. Membership was augmented and sustained through Membership Night and our Night activities. Current members were encouraged to bring a guest to any Jaycee events in order to promote the chapter. A “Degrees of Jaycees” Program was established to encourage participation and recruitment. Renewal was enhanced with a direct billing system on a monthly basis.

Management Development covered the areas of Communications, Public Relations, Personnel Management, Training and Planning. In the Communications realm, the Jaycees published a monthly newsletter, which was sent to all members. Updated rosters of members were occasionally included in the newsletter. A telephone-tree was established to automatically call all members or particular members to inform them of upcoming events. Postcard mailings and invitations were sent to encourage participation. Public Relations were enhanced by relationships with local newspaper, radio and television stations. Awards were presented on a monthly basis to the outstanding Jaycee, Director and Officer. Awards were also given quarterly and annually to deserving Jaycees. Training was offered to all members and directors to educate on Jaycee policies and procedures. A director in charge of Chairman Planning Guides (CPG’s) assisted chairpersons in the completion of these useful tools. Planning sessions were conducted for the year and on a quarterly basis to plan and monitor progress throughout the year. Management Development was also responsible for organizing athletic teams and social events. The annual Holly Ball, the Mr. Winston-Salem Pageant, the Hell of a Year Party and the Inaugural Banquet continue to be held on an annual basis.

Community Development has remained a vital component in the Jaycee organization. In this area, Community Fund Raising, Human Services, community Improvement, Governmental Involvement, and International Involvement were targeted. Community Fund raising was highlighted by successful annual campaigns including a Golf Tournament for Cystic Fibrosis and a raffle for a Bob Timberlake print to benefit the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. Other North Carolina State Jaycee Supported Programs were given substantial donations from the Winston-Salem Chapter including the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center and the North Carolina Boys and Girls Home. Local programs such as the Brenner Children’s Hospital, Big Brothers/Big sisters, the March of Dimes, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ester Seals and the Eye and Tissue Bank were also given financial support from the Jaycees. Fund raisers for these charities included Bowl-a-thons, Music at Sunset, BINGO with the Moose Lodge, Skate-a-thons, Softball Tournaments and the Holiday Parade. Human Services included Youth Assistance programs; one of the most successful programs in this area was called Christmas Cheer. In a joint venture with a local Walmart store, the Jaycees raised funds by selling raffle tickets and soliciting donations to take needy children Christmas shopping for themselves and their families. Visitations have been conducted to Senior Citizen Homes at Holidays and other times during the year. Jaycees helped feed the homeless on Thanksgiving, assisted with the Steep0lechase set up and provided manpower for the First Night Piedmont and Project Graduation, which are local alcohol and drug-free celebrations. The Jaycees participated in the Adopt-A-Highway program in which they collected trash and cleaned up an area from the North Point area on University Parkway to Coliseum Drive. These clean-ups continue to be held on a quarterly basis. The Winston-Salem Jaycees assisted with the citywide recycling program by assembling packet for residents to explain the recycling procedure. In governmental involvement, Jaycees assisted with voter registration. In 1994, Winston-Salem Jaycee rallied to support a member in his campaign for County Commissioner. Throughout the years, Jaycees attended County Commissioner, City Aldermen and Board of Education meetings to stay abreast of area governmental activities.

Individual Development has offered programs to members to enhance Leadership Development, Personal Skills, and Family Life/Spiritual Development Seminars were offered covering Stress Management, Time Management and Communication Skills. In the Personal Skills area, programs covering CPR certification, Financial Planning, Real Estate, Health and Fitness, Resonponsible Drinking, Cooking and Dance Lessons were conducted throughout the years to improve the individual. Family picnics and church visitations focused on Family Life/Spiritual Development.

Major Fund raisers in the Financial Management area included the Vantage Golf Championship, the Haunted House, the WTQR Family Reunion, the Hog Wild Barbecue Cook Off and periodic Casino Nights. A raffle for the local Crosby Gold Tournament also raised funds for the chapter.

Presently, the Winston-Salem Junior Chamber of Commerce proudly continues the tradition of its history. Times have changed and so have the organization’s activities and membership. However, the group still maintains the basic principles of the original charter members. We continue to strive to train members to become leaders in the community through development of individual skills, management skills and through community involvement. After 85 years, the Jaycees of Winston-Salem are a dynamic and thriving organization in the community, the state of North Carolina and the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. May the tradition continue in the years to come.

North Carolina Jaycee History

Click here for the history prepared by A.J. Morton, Jr. (JCI Senator 16254).

 (updated Jan 2015)