History of the Maryland Jaycees
Maryland Jaycees History
"When individuals join together to attain a common goal, they usually attempt to organize their efforts in such a manner that each person may assume a tangible and identifiable portion of responsibility. Thus is born an organization." The history of the Maryland State Jaycees organizational movement began with the early stages of development of those individual chapters - the building blocks to the affiliation of a state organization.
In the Beginning?
The first roots of interest in forming a Junior Chamber of Commerce in Maryland was on April 30, 1934 when a group of individuals met in Hagerstown. By September 10, 1935, after intensive organizational developments, the first meeting was held. The Hagerstown chapter would finally become affiliated with the national organization by May 1, 1936, thus becoming one of 317 local chapters throughout the nation. Although Jaycee local organizations existed in 38 of 48 states, only 19 states had been granted state associations: California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and Wisconsin. In order to form a state association, six local chapters had to be operating within the state. By 1939, Hancock, Frederick, Cumberland, and Frostburg had formed local chapters. The Baltimore chapter, under President G. Maxwell Armor, Jr., became the sixth chapter to receive national affiliation. Its charter was presented at an affiliation banquet held October 20, 1939.
The State Association?
The beginning of the formation of a state association was well on the mind of Mr. Armor before this banquet was held. In August 1939, he had called together a meeting of each of the six chapter representatives. In discussing the need for a state affiliation, he proclaimed, "In a state where so much municipal control is vested in the state legislature, it certainly follows that if a Junior Chamber of Commerce can be effective at a municipal level, it can exert an even more powerful influence at a state-wide level."
The earliest recorded minutes of the state association were on January 14, 1940. The minutes show that on October 21, 1939, the day after the Baltimore affiliation banquet, the six chapters met. On January 14, 1940, the president of the affiliation committee was L. Leslie Helmer of Cumberland, counsel was J. Martin McDonough of Baltimore and secretary was W.A. Fraley Jr. Mr. McDonough was given the responsibility to review the constitution and by-laws of the corporation. The following state committees were approved: Aviation, Safety, Public Relations, Taxation, and Conservation. A plan was adopted whereby vice presidents of the corporation would assume responsibility as sponsors of the different committees. The members also decided the incorporated address should be 22 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland.
The next meeting was held on February 11, 1940 at the Hotel Alexander in Hagerstown, where committee members were named for each program, as well as establishing and extension committee. President Helmer called for the state dues to be paid by May 1, 1940 to treasurer Ed Storm. The next scheduled meeting would be March 31, 1940, which would have all the committee members present.
The First Officers?
On Sunday, May 12, 1940, history was made as the state organization leaped forward. A slight change in the constitution was adopted by the members, establishing the first Saturday in May as the "Annual Meeting". Max Armor announced that the state organization was now an incorporated body and that an application would be processed to the national office. The election of officers for the corporation was unanimously approved: President G. Maxwell Armor (Baltimore), Vice President - Arley Sica (Hagerstown), Treasurer Ralph France (Frostburg), and National Director - Walter Kidd (Baltimore).
The charter for the state organization, Charter #1003, was signed by the national president, Perry Pipkin, on June 22, 1940. There were two new local chapters formed by year's end: Bethesda (by July 28, 1940) and Oakland (by January 17, 1941). The state convention, held May 25, 1941, was attended by national vice president, Tom Baldrige.
How WWII Affected Our Organization?
On the national front, the Junior Chamber of Commerce began to grow rapidly, and by 1941, more than 1000 affiliated local organizations were formed. Out nation's entry into World War II in December 1941, however, put a halt to the rapid growth and progress. The drain of manpower threatened the very existence of survival of our state chapters. Paul Miller, Eastern National Vice President, who addressed the Maryland Jaycees in 1944, reported that there were 135,000 members, of which 75,000 were in the armed forces. In addition, each of the 48 states had state organizations with the exception of Rhode Island and Vermont. National President H. Bruce Palmer indicated in his annual report, "Because Jaycees are young men of action, it is happenstance to learn that this organization collectively has gathered more scrap, sold more war bonds and stamps, obtained more blood plasma, and generated more servicemen services and hospitality, than any other national organization." It was under national president Palmer that the "Exhausted Rooster" movement was originated to encourage continued interest in Jayceeism and public affairs by ex-members, although the social aspects proved to be more important.
The Jaycee Creed is Adopted?
In 1947, national dues were raised from one dollar to two dollars and the national headquarters moved from Chicago to Tulsa. Also in 1947, C. William "Bill" Brownfield wrote the phrases that would become inspirational to young men throughout the world. The "Creed", written and first adopted by the Ohio Jaycees and by September 1947 endorsed as the official creed of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, would take on deep meaning and understanding as the years progressed. It would not be until 1951 that the line "That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life" would be added to form the final shape of a statement that has shaped the ideas of the Jaycee movement. As Maryland Jaycees, we reach out, influence and lead others through strong Americanism and programs.
During the 29th Convention meeting, in June 1949 at Colorado Springs, C. William Gilchrist of Cumberland, Maryland's state president from 1945-1946, was elected as the first national vice president in the history of the state.
The National Headquarters?
The War Memorial trustees accepted a bid from the H.R. Loham CO. to construct a national headquarters building in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a memorial to the war dead. The official ground breaking tool place on July 10, 1950, and the cornerstone ceremonies were conducted on December 7, 1950, exactly nine years following the United States entry into World War II. The long awaited opening ceremony was held on August 4, 1951. The building was inscribed with the words, "May this memorial dedicated to young men of America who served the cause of freedom in time of war endure as an inspiration to young men everywhere to continue the search for peace." The Maryland chapters, over the years, contributed pledges to the construction costs of the national headquarters.
Our Membership Increases?
The ten years from 1950 to 1960 saw a steady climb in membership and chapter growth throughout the state, from about 10 chapters and 1,200 members, to 41 chapters and 2,300 members. On the national front, the trend followed, from 1,939 chapters and 124,000 members to over 3,700 chapters and over 201,000 members. On October 10, 1963, the Fleet of the Chesapeake, a recruitment incentive program, was adopted, and has been a viable tool for recruitment to this day.
Organizations Name Changes?
In 1965, during the convention held in Buffalo, New York, the name of the organization, "United States Junior Chamber of Commerce," was changed to "United States Jaycees." This was necessitated because of the misconception that the Jaycee organization was affiliated with the United States Chamber of Commerce. Maryland's president, Louis DeGrief (1965 - 1966), presented changes to the by-laws as well as other significant changes that were approved by the general membership: the name change to "Maryland Jaycees," election of vice presidents within the districts, adding a steering committee at the national conventions, and adopting standards of conduct for members at statewide meetings.
Maryland Jaycees Establishes an Office?
On Sunday, April 9, 1967, the Maryland Jaycees opened its first established office at 117 East Street in Westminster, Maryland, where United States Congressman Charles Mathias officially cut the ribbon during the dedication ceremony. Congressman Mathias, who later became a prominent senator in Maryland, served the Jaycees as state treasurer under the administration of President Jerry Hoffberger in 1950 - 1951. It was hoped that the establishment of an official office would improve the efficiency of the state organization and would serve as a permanent place for records and files, which up until this time were moved from place to place.
Maryland Hosts National Convention?
"Fun Galore in Baltimore" was the phrase coined when Maryland hosted the 47th Annual Convention, which commenced on June 26, 1967. Kentucky marched first in the Parade of States, and Maryland marched 12th. James B. Antell, from Vermont, was elected on the first ballot to become the 48th President of United States Jaycees.
Permanent State Headquarters?
Several administrations expressed their desire to build a permanent state headquarters building. This desire took hold when the Executive Board, meeting August 15, 1969, approved a motion by Skip Cary to work on the formation of a committee to construct a new headquarters. President Robert Niedomanski (1969 - 1970) announced on November 21, 1969 that a committee of 12 members would meet on November 24, 1969 at the Penn Hotel in Towson. It was at this meeting that the Maryland Jaycees Foundation was established. A site committee met on January 13, 1970 and discussed three locations. Queen Anne's County Jaycees presented an offer of one and one half acres and an existing building, circa 1700 located on the eastern shore side of the Bay Bridge. Kerry Muse, President of Westminster, stated that his chapter was working on a site, and John McCormick, President of Annapolis, stated that his chapter was investigating a site located in Annapolis. The Maryland Jaycees Foundation took on the leadership that would culminate in many hours of research and fund raising projects. The donation of $30,000 from Mrs. G. Maxwell Armor, Jr. boosted the successful realization of a state headquarters. Judge Dulany Foster donated the land for the building and the ground breaking took place in May 1975. The construction of the building was 95 percent complete by September 1979 and it was occupied by the Maryland Jaycees on September 1, 1979. The formal dedication took place on April 20, 1980, and, in memory of G. Maxwell Armor, Jr., the building was called "The G. Maxwell Armor Chapter Service Center." The mortgage note, through efforts of the local chapters, Jaycee Women, First Ladies, JCI Senators, and various corporate sponsors and patrons, was officially burned (paid off) during the winter board activities under President Newth Morris in 1982.
Maryland's First Recorded Annual Meeting?
The first recorded annual meeting in Ocean City was hosted by the Salisbury chapter on May 22, 1954 at the George Washington Hotel. In 1970, however, the Ocean City Convention Center was completed and would serve as the site for the Maryland Jaycees annual meeting each May. The yearly spirited echoes bouncing throughout this center's walls would culminate the year-end efforts of many chapters and individuals within their communities. Competitions for Speak-up, Armbruster, Brownfield, year-end programming awards, individual recognitions, the senatorships, militias, ambassadorships, the parade of chapters, the caucuses, the banquets, social celebrations, and, most important, the election of the new state officers for the coming year, highlight the activities at this meeting.
Membership Age Bracket Changed?
In 1972, the United States Jaycees voted a by-law change giving each state the right to recruit 18-year-olds to regular membership. Up until that time, regular membership was restricted to ages 21 through 35. In 1987, the current 21 through 39-age bracket was approved. Although the acceptance of younger men into regular membership did not immediately swell rolls, it did remind Jaycees of the need to provide an all-around program to its members. The state was set for formalization of an attitude long held by the Jaycees across America - a program to develop the whole man through specific emphasis on personal growth, community service, and management training. Today, that comprehensive approach is known as the "total Jaycee concept".
Maryland's Subsidiary Organizations Established?
It would be the aims and goals or three established organizations, the Maryland Militia, the JCI Senate and the Crab Corps, to involve themselves in every way by assisting the state organization in its statewide programming. The Maryland JCI Senate Association was seated in Maryland at Winter Board on January 29, 1972. Later in 1972, at its annual meeting in Atlanta, the United States Jaycees officially approved the U.S. Jaycees International Senate. However, it wouldn't be until 1979, due to increasing membership and roles, that the Maryland JCI Senate organization, under its first president, Jim Hubbard, would emerge as a strong organization. On September 10, 1972, the Maryland Militia was established as the state's highest recognition for the outstanding contribution by a Jaycee in his community and state. The first commander of the Militia would be William D. Greene. By August 11, 1985, the Maryland Crab Corps was seated by the Maryland Jaycees as viable organization after being accepted by the national corps in June 1985 at the national convention in Indianapolis.
Milestone Change in U.S. Jaycees?
Meanwhile, the U.S. Jaycees had come under some scrutiny. The Minnesota Jaycees filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Jaycees for discriminating against women in their membership policies. This case was ultimately heard in the United States Supreme Court in April 1984. On July 3, 1984, the Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Jaycees were in violation of the Minnesota State Public Accommodations laws by denying women regular membership in the organization. The U.S. Jaycees were ordered to accept women as members in the state of Minnesota. Shortly thereafter, it was determined that approximately 23 states in the country had similar Public Accommodations laws. A milestone change in the organization took place on August 16, 1984, in Tulsa, when delegates sent from each state voted, in a special meeting, to admit women into the organization for the first time in its history.
Maryland Jaycees - The History Re-Told - Author: William A. Aleshire
Appears courtesy of the Maryland Jaycees 50th Anniversary Celebration - First Edition
Annapolis Jaycees P.O. Box 248 Annapolis, MD 21404
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