Blog

At JCI UK Presidents & Deputies Day in Southampton on Saturday 28th May, Emma Eastwood was confirmed as Deputy National President for 2012. This means Emma is now National President-elect for 2013.

Congratulations Emma!

On a personal note, I've known Emma for a number of years - and feel hugely positive about 2013. If you've ever met Emma, you'll know that she has energy a go-go! Really exciting...

Emma said a few words by way of acceptance at the weekend event - which you can view by clicking here...!

Onwards and upwards!

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As you may or may not be aware, everyone involved in JCI at local chamber and at national level is a volunteer.

It's something we do in addition to our 'day-jobs'. The organisation provides fabulous opportunities, both work and non-work related, but as you might imagine, you get out what you put in.

Last week, we had a really good council meeting - our third of the year - where we brought together the members of the team. Reviewed progress, took some decisions, approved a budget and, ooh, had some fun along the way. Cracking marzipan, by the way, Anke!

One of the key challenges we face - like any voluntary membership organisation - is maintaining visibility. Particularly in a city like London where there is SO much going on, just getting events and initiatives onto people's radar can be a challenge!

For this reason, one of the key topics discussed at our meeting last week concerned marketing - or in other words, 'getting the word out'. Personally, I've lost count over the past three years of the number of times I've been asked "So what other events are coming up?" I guess I can only conclude that we can't always rely on the website!

So, as a Council, we'll be working harder to get the word out on our event - so that you know what's going on, when it's happening, and how to book. Because in the end, it's all about members and guests coming along, participating and as a result helping to make our events happen!

We're of course sensitive to the danger of over-kill. The last thing we'd want is for you to get TOO much from us - and we won't always get the balance right. But we'll do our best and, I'll be honest: in the end, I'd rather you heard too much than too little!

So, be gentle with us - we're doing our best. And of course, feedback welcome...

See you at an event soon.

Simon Bucknall

2012 President, JCI London

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Last week I was called into a meeting at short notice with the CEO of my company and one of the top executives in our European group. The reason; a plan of action I had put together following a department meeting I had run using techniques learned through JCI.

How did I cope with being asked to present this at short notice? I was fine! The courses I've attended and experience I've gained in JCI mean that I am comfortable presenting a wide range of topics to different types of audience. The skills I've learned give me the confidence to know that I can handle unexpected challenges and think on my feet.

That to me is the difference that JCI makes. I'm pretty sure that not everyone (including myself in my pre-JCI days) would have been able to handle that situation. Thanks to JCI I could. And what's even better is that my boss had the confidence in me to know I would. He'd even told the people in the meeting about JCI!

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Blogging is something I've really grown to love this year.  From having next to no experience of it and being a pretty non-technical person, I'm very proud of my blogs and new-found blogging ability.

Blog posts are a great way to share information and experiences and it's not just writing blogs, but also reading them that I love.  Have you read any of the other local JCI chambers' blogs?  You'll find information about events they've hosted, projects being run and future plans for the chamber.  I enjoy hearing about what other chambers are up to and take inspiration from their ideas and members' experiences.  For example:

JCI Cambridge - Speed Networking

JCI Boston - JCI Boston Day

JCI Reading - Planning for 2012

Want to tell other JCI members about something?  Why not write a blog?  You do not have to be on the council to do so.  We love to get contributions from any member.  You can write about an event you've attended, an experience you've had, a book you've read or just general thoughts you'd like to share.  It does not have to be JCI specific, as long as it fits in with JCI values.

Get in touch with me and you may well see your name up in lights on the JCI London website soon!

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I have just returned from the Young Enterprise Central London finals and boy am I impressed!  Six teams of school students, who have set up their own companies, designed products and sold them to their designated market ,made presentations about their entrepreneurial journeys.

The products were all innovative, well-researched and some have even been bought by high street chains.  They ranged from solar-powered mobile phone chargers, to baby (or handbag) minders, to a fashion brand.  The winning team, The Readables, designed, manufactured and sold a totem pole bookmark aimed at getting children excited about reading.

Each of the businesses made a profit, some producing returns on investment up to 200%.  Many of the teams donated some or all of their profits to charity.

I was blown away by the quality of the presentations made by the teenagers.  At that age I would have been terrified to give a presentation in front of an audience of around 70 business people and peers.  The presenters were professional, knowledgeable and humorous and a large proportion spoke without notes.  They could teach a thing or two to many adults I know (JCI members who've been on one of our public speaking training sessions excepted of course!).

Each team member had obviously invested a lot of time, effort and passion into their project and there was great nervous excitement as prizes were handed out for best presentation, stand, project report and company overall.  Congratulations to all the participants and winners.  There are clearly many future entrepreneurs (and hopefully JCI members) in London!

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My aim this year is for every JCI London member to experience/achieve/do something they never would have thought possible before joining JCI.  So here, as inspiration, are my personal top ten things I never dreamed I would ever do before I joined JCI:

1.       Put on a Santa hat and collect gifts from the public in a shopping centre for disadvantaged children (Gift of Christmas 2006)

2.       Dance and sing made up words to the tune of queen's ˝Don't Stop Me Now˝ (Scottish Leadership Academy 2007)

3.       Help to organise the informal international event the European Capitals Meeting, where venues included the top floor of City Hall and the Clink Prison Museum (ECM, London, 2008)

4.       Go to a party in a pool with 2000 other Jaycees (European Conference, Budapest, 2009)

5.       Graduate as a JCI Trainer and give training to other Jaycees (JCI Presenter & Trainer 2009)

6.       Take part in an academy where I only slept about 3 hours per night, did some crazy things (including painting my face blue and handing out cheese!) and have never laughed so much in my life (COC Academy, Austria, 2010)

7.       Walked blindfolded in the pouring rain through a frog-infested forest in Sweden (European Academy 2010)

8.       Organise a 3 day conference for nearly 150 people (JCI UK National Convention, London, 2010)

9.     Travel to Japan and do karaoke in a Union Jack dress (World Congress, Osaka ,2010)

10.   Give a speech in the House of Lords in front of nearly 100 people (Presidential Inauguration 2011)

Every year I discover more and more of these incredible opportunities only available to JCI members.  What will your never dreamed of experience be?  The only way to find out is to get involved!

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