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Blog
Meet Robert Illidge Marketing Director for JCI Manchester
by Sofie Sandell on January 31, 2011 17:31
I had the chance to interview Rob Illidge from JCI Manchester. The Manchester branch has been growing a lot over the last year and Rob has been a key member of the team.
You are a member of JCI Manchester. What's your role in the chamber?
As Marketing Director my role is central to the ambitious growth plans of JCI Manchester. I utilise my expertise in marketing, social media and other online strategies. I am responsible for web content, event promotion and PR, working closely with our external design agency - Rhino. I also ensure that the JCI message of growth, dynamism and change is spread far and wide.
What do you hope to get out of your membership?
Developing personally in a wide number of areas, as well as improving my public speaking skills. I also aim to grow the JCI Manchester brand, and improve on the already outstanding number of new members. 
Which is your best JCI memory?
The 2010 Manchester Talent Awards. Following the election of a new board in April it was our aim to revitalise the brand, bring in new members, and corporate partners. In November of that year 100 of the city's most outstanding young individuals were recognised, receiving awards ranging from philanthropy to international impact. The night was a great success, and we are all looking forward to recognising more talent in 2011.
What are you most proud of that you have achieved in life?
Graduating was very proud moment; after all those years of education it was great to gain a sense of achievement, and take my first step onto the career ladder. I am also extremely proud of becoming Marketing Director for JCI Manchester.
Who do you admire?
A business idol would have to be Richard Branson for his entrepreneurial spirit, passion, and overall success. Personally, I also admire Sir Alex Ferguson for his commitment to the job and achievements.
What attribute of your personality are you most proud of?
I am extremely ambitious, always striving to achieve more, and learn from mistakes. I would certainly say that I am passionate about my role as Marketing Director for JCI Manchester.
What is your hidden talent?
In the office this would have to be my typing speed, and outside of the office, ice skating!
If you could change anything in the world what would that be?
The current unrest in Egypt, working on a long term strategy for world peace.
If you can invite any speaker to a JCI event who would that be?
Barack Obama, a man who changed over 200 years of history using innovative ways of reaching voters, for example his YouTube and Twitter campaigns during the 2008 election campaign.
Are you planning to go to any international JCI events 2011?
I am looking to attend the JCI Global Partnership Summit in New York, or the JCI European Conference in Catalonia.
Can JCI help you with anything? Contacts? Ideas?
It would be great to speak to others in my role across the country. This way we could exchange marketing ideas and strategies strengthening the JCI UK brand.
She's a winner before she started - JCI Sheffield in the news
by Solveig Malvik on January 31, 2011 12:50
Meet Georgina Abbott- JCI Leeds Community Director 2011
by Gemma Fletcher on January 30, 2011 14:55
How did you get involved with JCI?
I first heard about JCI when I met the 2010 president of JCI Leeds ‘Claire Dempster’ at a bus stop. Claire was so enthusiastic about the organisation and the opportunities that it provided for volunteering and personal development that I was inspired to get involved. I am also very passionate about the work of the United Nations and since they have a strong historical link with JCI I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to get involved in some of their campaigns.
What does your role involve?
I am the Community Director for JCI Leeds, which involves organising community events to help support local and international charities.
What are your plans for community events in JCI Leeds in 2011?
This year we will continue to raise awareness and funds for the United Nations Foundation's 'Nothing But Net's' campaign, which aims to help eradicate malaria. In particular, we are planning to organise a charity fashion.
We will also be continuing our work with Leeds Community Foundation and hope to arrange some volunteering days where members can give their time to local community projects.
What JCI community projects have you been involved in so far in your JCI career?
The first JCI community project I attended was to help a local charity in Leeds. We helped the charity, known as BARCA, to renovate its’ youth centre in the Lake District, which was very successful and helped with their marketing objectives. I am also involved in the JCI Leeds ‘Nothing But Nets’ calendar project, which so far has raised over £4,000.
What is your favourite JCI memory so far?
Attending the JCI Global Partnership Summit in New York, touring the United Nations headquarters and listening to the keynote address by Ban Ki Moon!
Past JCI London Presidents awarded 'Freemen of London'
by Sofie Sandell on January 28, 2011 10:54
It used to be a tradition that the Presidents of JCI London received the Freedom of the City of London for service to the City. It's a tradition we took up again this year and we hope to catch up with some of the presidents that got skipped over the years. Marco, Solveig and I got awarded in the City of London yesterday. To be a Freeman means that we can finally bring our sheep over London Bridge without paying toll (think the traffic police would be very unhappy though).It's a formal ceremony and you promise this:
"I do solemnly declare that I will be good and true to the our Sovereign Lady QUEEN ELIZABETH ll; that I will be obedient to the Mayor of the City:
that I will maintain the Franchises and Custom thereof, and will keep this city harmless in that which in me is: that i will also keep the Queen's peace in my own person;
that I will know no Gathering nor Conspiracies made against the the Queen's Peace, but I will warn the Mayor thereof, or hinder it to my power :
and that all these point and articles I will well and truly keep, according to the Laws and Customs of this City, to my Power."
After the ceremony, from the left Chris Edge, Marco van den Heuvel, Sofie Sandell, Sören Johansson, Marita Sandell, Solveig Malvik, Merete Askim, Corinna Edge, Bill Fraser (JCI London President 1969) and Sarah Beckwith.
JCI Edinburgh Burns Supper 2011
by Gemma Fletcher on January 26, 2011 17:37
When I agreed to attend JCI Edinburgh's Burns Supper back in July 2010 I never thought it would come around so quickly!
Having suffered a slightly traumatic journey involving a car, 2 trains and a bus, myself and my party finally made it to Edinburgh. We were lucky enough to be staying in a beautiful hotel, there was even a phone in the bathroom!
After a quick turnaround I, along with members of JCI Barnsley, Leeds and Doncaster made our way to the Champagne reception. Here we had the opportunity to catch up with old friends from JCI Scotland, including 2010 JCI Scotland National President, Karen Manson and the event project manager, Mhairi McCallum.
With 12 members of JCI UK in attendance we were lucky enough to fill a whole table and show our support for our closest JCI neighbours. JCI Barnsley, Doncaster, Leeds and London were represented and they did their country proud.
JCI London President, Sarah Beckwith gave the Selkirk Grace with a very convincing Scottish accent and then we were treated to some traditional Burns fun!
With the address to the (slightly late arriving) Haggis serenaded by bagpipes, the toast to the Lassies, followed by an entertaining reply by the lassies! I think it is fairly safe to say that we were all tittering at the rules for living with women.
After the formalities were over we moved onto some traditional Scottish dancing in the form of a Ceilidh. I was then lucky enough to have the opportunity to dance with my fellow European Academy graduates before popping off to my bed.
The JCI Burns Supper is definitely one of those JCI experiences not to be missed!
A JCI Museum! Visit to the US Jaycee National Archives
by Solveig Malvik on January 21, 2011 16:09
JCI has a rich and long history going back all the way to 1915. As a part of the USJC Leadership Academy, I got to visit the USJC National Service Center (USJCNSC) and the US Jaycee archives were much of the history of not only the US Jaycees is preserved but also the history of the JCIs.
Here's some pictures from my visit. Jaycee Travis Ahlquist showed me around. Travis is Membership Director on the USJC national executive board.
Posing in front of the USJC National Service Centre with JCI Calgary President Bethany Wall
Each state member has a plaque in the entrance to the centre
US JCI National President Joanie Cramer in her office
Pictures of past US JC National Presidents
JCI and the US Presidents
Gold plated plates and cups with the JCI logo. The US President got one of these and so do the UK Prime Minister!
JCI Creed. Find three faults! (two are spelling mistakes, one is grammar)
JCI opera!
The room the museum is in.
And of course, pictures of Hy - Henry Giessebier, the founder of JCI...
US Jaycee Leadership Academy - reflections and learnings
by Solveig Malvik on January 21, 2011 12:06
Its 4 days since I got back to the UK from the US Jaycee Leadership Academy in Tulsa, 12th-16th of January. I've had some
time to digest all the experiences and learnings I made. And I made a lot! I had a great experience, I met brilliant people and learned how they do things in the US.
There were about 170 participants, and I was the only one not from Area C (the Americas). I'm the only one not from Area C to every had participated, so it was a great honour to be invited. When I arrived I was told by Anthony Colletti, a great JC and Treasurer for USJCs, that my job there was to inspire people. I am not sure if I managed, but at the very least I got inspired myself and learn a lot!
First of all - the US Jaycees is a big organisation! With 23,500 members its the second largest JCI NOM (National Organisation of Members) in the world, tailed by Korea with 23,000 members while Japan is the largest with 47,500 members.
Its not only big in terms of members, but also in terms of layers. Above chapters you have areas, then regions, then states with their own Presidents, Vice Presidents and boards. Above the state level there's two different types of structures - Institutes (which are like political blocks, largely organised geographically) and secondly teams of 6-7 states led by a National Vice President. On top of this you have the national organisation with Vice Presidents, Executive Board, staff and National President. It helps me when I compare US Jaycees with JCI in Europe - states are like European NOMs - about the same size and ways its being managed.
The USJC Leadership Academy is nothing like European Academy or Japan Academy for those of you who are familiar with those. Its more a weekend to learn how to run a JCI organisation. We learned about membership booths, how to establish a new chamber (or "extensions" as USJC calls it, I had to learn a whole new set of English!), how to follow up with members, and a bunch of things specific to USJC (membership database systems, national programs etc). We also had some training sessions in leadership with the fabulous Suzette Plaisted (IFT #85) that I want to take back to the UK and give to *everyone* here at home, but while European Academy and Japan Academy focus on developing leadership skills - taking the participants through individual development journeys - that is not at all what USJC Leadership Academy is about. Which I understand. With such a large organisation its the best way of getting information out there. And rest assured that I will take inspiration from this and do what I can with it in the UK.
For me JCI is first and foremost people, and as always at these sort of things you meet amazing people. Outside of the USJC National Board I knew no-one from before, but everybody seemed to know me so I was made to feel extremely welcome and taken care of. I had breakfast with Ohio (motto 2011: "Eye of the tiger - continuing the fight!") and Texas, lunches with Canada and Kentucky, bus trip with Illinois, and shared room with the Secretary of the only chamber left in Mississippi - Hattiesburg.
I can only say thank you so much US Jaycees! I hope you also next year will extend an invitation to someone from outside your area. The more we learn about each other, the stronger we get, and despite the differences, we are all facing the same problems on the ground.
Global Malaria Day 2011
by Gemma Fletcher on January 20, 2011 17:47
JCI UK will this year be supporting the fight against malaria on Global malaria day!
On the 24th April 2011 JCI UK will be helping raise awareness and funds for Nothing But Nets a global malaria charity. We hope that Chambers across the UK will organise a variety of events that will get the community involved and show support for the JCI UK community fund raising target for 2011.
So what will you be doing on April 24th?
For further information email Gemma Fletcher, National Community Director 2011 at gemma.fletcher@jciuk.org.uk
Do one thing
by Debbie Tills on January 16, 2011 16:55
A wise man once said 'Do one thing every day that scares you'. Well in the name of JCI UK, today I have done two things!
Firstly, I have got to grips with the cumbersome Google Apps and set up our new JCI UK directors with emails that re-direct to their personal accounts - something that terrified the life out of me, but was actually pretty straight forward!
Secondly, I'm posting this on the JCI UK blog... another thing I've been putting off, after all, who really wants to hear the musings of the Admin bird?
So, what have you done that scares you today?
Is there anything you've been putting off?
And remember, wear sunscreen.
Do you know a future TOPY winner?
by Sofie Sandell on January 14, 2011 00:00
JCI UK nominated two young outstanding people 2010. Both won the TOYP award! You can watch the videos that was showed at the TOYP Award ceremony in Osaka in November here in the blog!
Did you know that your chamber can run your own TOYP award? it's a fantastic project and there are outstanding people in every corner in the world that we shall award!
