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JCI Sheffield is excited to announce that they have launched the first interactive mobile app for a local chamber! The free app enables users to access all of the latest JCI Sheffield events and news wherever they are...not only that, but they can book directly onto events and also navigate their way to the venue! The app is available for iphone and android. A demo of the JCI Sheffield app can be viewed on YouTube.

This project has been led by JCI Sheffield Business Development Director Glyn Jones who stunned former Business Link Chairman at a JCI Sheffield event about investing in regeneration. Glyn saw his opportunity to outline the plans that he had developed that were being held back by funding and suggested that funding could be delivered via the Business Link reserves that were held by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce to form a collaborative sponsor approach. Needless to say, Glyn's pitch did the job and he secured funding to set up the app and support it for the next two years.

Glyn said: "JCI Sheffield thought that an app would be a fantastic way to connect with our busy members who are always on the go, juggling careers, families and a social life! We hope that this will drive engagement and also highlight to those individuals who are yet to join, that we are a professional, modern organisation that can provide them with opportunities that empower them to create a positive change."

The JCI Sheffield team is keen that an app in this format is accessible to chambers around the world and so the team is working on a referral offering to secure the best rates for other chambers who may want to take advantage of this resource. If you would like to find out more about the app and how your chamber might be able to replicate the model please contact jcisheffield@googlemail.com

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!

Apple Store 

Android 

Ps. you can read an interview with Glyn Jones here! 

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It’s an exciting time for JCI UK;  Never have our mission and values been more relevant and it is clear that with a growth in membership of over 30% our members agree. The national magazine released this month was appropriately entitled “Excelling in 2011” and it makes for an inspiring read. It gives an overview of what is happening on a local level within JCI UK and offers many highlights from around the country; a fantastic endorsement for the organisation.

The National Convention is the flagship national event and hosts the National Award Ceremony as part of the programme (included in the conference fee). And with so much going on at a local level we can absolutely guarantee you a phenomenal evening at the awards ceremony. Join us in celebrating at the national level the success of JCI powered by you the members and the local chambers.

In addition, you can add to your own list of highlights for 2011 through attending our fantastic speaker and training sessions and dancing the night away with new friends during the social events.

We are proud to be offering you the following training programme;

Could any of these be relevant to you, your CV or your business?  Check out our website for the full details and speaker profiles.  JCI UK National Convention 2011 is going to be an event to remember….don’t miss out – book your place now at http://www.eventelephant.com/thejciuknationalconvention2011.  We look forward to welcoming you to the JCI UK National Convention 2011.

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Friday the 23rd of September JCI Bradford celebrated their annual dinner at the fabulous Midland Hotel in Bradford. Though I love annual dinners for the opportunity to catch up with friends, enjoy some good food and wine and dress up in pretty dresses (yes, I am that superficial), its nice when someone rethinks the concept and does something different.

The JCI Bradford dinner started out like most annual dinners do; with reception drinks, speeches and food. JCI Bradford President and long time supporter of JCI Phillip Cavalier-Lumley was awarded a well deserved Senatorship  from National President Allison Cowell.

Then the entertainment started. President Phil was challenged to face his fears in the shape of an angry scorpion (of the Emperor type; Pandinus imperator), then a big phyton and finally a hairy tarantula. Phil did well, kept his pants clean, and came out of the experience in one piece.

After the dinner, the other guests got to play with the animals and creatures as well. My favourite was a little meerkat called Alfie. You can see more pictures from the dinner after the video.

Congratulations to President Phil for a great experience I will remember!

Check out the video of Phil facing his fears.

President Phil receives his Senatorship

Phil facing his fear being challenged to kiss the phyton.

Phil's wife Pamela with one of the cute animals, a very friendly owl

JCI Leeds member Tim Metcalfe get some unusual head decoration

Me with Alfie the Meerkat.

The animal were provided and cared for by the Morley Exotic Pet Rescue.

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Written by Jo Evans, JCI Cambridge

JCI Cambridge were thrilled to hear the news their award submission for "Best Membership Recruitment" and "Best Marketing and PR" is being put forward for an award at the European Conference at the beginning of June in Catalonia.

Cambridge marketing consultants and JCI committee members, Emerald Frog Marketing have been regularly promoting the group through marketing and PR activities such as email campaigns, press releases, finding speakers and, most recently, writing the content and optimising the new JCI Cambridge website.

Membership of the Cambridge Chamber in that time has grown from a handful of members to now around forty. This is thanks, not only to Emerald Frog Marketing, but also the hard work and dedication of ALL the JCI Cambridge committee members who work so hard to make JCI Cambridge a success.

Back in December, at the UK conference for JCI Chambers nationally, JCI Cambridge won the UK award for "Best Marketing and PR" and "Best Membership Recruitment" among others (including "Best Leader" for JCI Cambridge President, Jen Little) - so we are pretty chuffed with that!
We can but hope; but know we are up against some VERY strong competition internationally. But even so, to be European Award Nominated is a huge achievement! Wish us luck! The next JCI Cambridge seminar is on June 14th at 6:30pm at Eversheds, Kett House, Station Road, Cambridge - Kevin Bullock presenting "Leadership and Emotional Intelligence"

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JCI Cambridge's first 'Business Skills Day' at the Crown Plaza Hotel was a big success. 

http://www.cambridgefirst.co.uk/news/business_skills_day_takes_off_1_861336

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Business networking group JCI Cambridge (Junior Chamber International) are hosting their first annual 'Business Skills Day' on April 9th for members and non-members at the Crowne Plaza on Downing Street, Cambridge. 

The day will be a fantastic opportunity to learn new business skills, brush up on some old ones and network with young professionals from Cambridge and further afield. During this interactive and informative day attendees will have the opportunity to attend two full two and a half hour interactive workshops. Topics include “Presenting with confidence”, “Psychometric testing”, “Communication skills” and “How to build your business network”. Speakers include international business speaker Kate Atkin and renowned Business Mentor, Ann Hawkin.

Choose from two of the following sessions…

Morning Sessions:

Kate Atkin – ” Present Yourself with Confidence”

• How do you ensure your message is clear?
• Would a few tips make your communication even more effective?
• Could your confidence do with an occasional boost?

This interactive workshop will provide you with tips, tools and techniques to help you present yourself, and your message, with confidence. Whether talking to senior management, colleagues or prospective clients… or indeed others outside the workplace. Kate will ensure there is an element of networking during the workshop, so come prepared to move around and meet your fellow JCI members.

www.aspire-2.com

Twitter: @Kateatkin

Garin Rouch and Mark Fearnley – “Understand yourself and your impact on others” (Introducing the Psychometric Tool: DiSC®)

This session is designed to introduce each individual to their behavioural “style” and develop greater personal awareness. Experienced by over 40 million people worldwide, DiSC® is a powerful personal growth tool. It enables individuals to understand themselves and their impact on others. Participants who take part in the session will achieve the following outcomes:

• Discover your DiSC behavioural style
• Enhance your interpersonal skills
• Understand how others interpret your behaviour
• Learn how you can adapt your style to get the best results

The session will be participative, fun and engaging.

www.outstand.org

Afternoon Sessions:

Aaron Garner – “Subtle Communication in a Business Context”

Whether we realise it or not we are always communicating. With every syllable spoken or twitch of an eyebrow, multiple messages are being conveyed. This workshop is designed to assist attendees in beginning to tune their behavioural radars in preparation for that next meeting, networking event, interview or staff 1-to-1. During the session, Aaron will touch on:

• Why businesses can’t afford NOT to pay attention to Subtle Communication
• “Know Thyself” – How to prevent hampering your own ability to people watch
• Calibrating the meeting room
• Widening your observational radar sweeps
• Observing the room “Gestalt Style”

www.semita-veritas.co.uk

Ann Hawkins – “How to discover your own acre of diamonds. Building a valuable personal and professional network”

Tim Sanders, keynote speaker and ex-Yahoo CIO said “One day this will be true of all of us that our network will equal our net worth” . This workshop is a modern day look at ‘Its not what you know but who you know that matters” and involves practical, fun exercises that will give you a structure for building and maintaining your networks.

www.theinspiredgroup.com

Twitter: AnnHawkins

Please indicate your preferred workshops and we will confirm these on the day. Read more and book here: http://jcicambridge.eventbrite.com

Lunch will be provided complete with breaks for coffee during the day. If you are in Cambridge for the weekend – why not join JCI Cambridge on a social event in the evening?

We hope you’ll join us for a fantastic day!

-ends- 

For more information about JCI Cambridge: www.jcicambridge.com

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Clive Gott was not just an "Inspirational Speaker", he was an inspiring man who has been a huge influence in my life and, I'm sure, in those of other Jaycees. Sadly, Clive passed away a few days ago.
 
Many of us aspire to leave a legacy - or, to use his words, vapour trails. Well, Clive has done just that. Every time I had contact with him, he reminded me - in interesting, amusing and often controversial ways - about how I want to live my life. Here's a summary of his insights that have inspired me most:

• Life's an adventure. Take life by the throat and live it with gusto. He certainly did!
• Live with integrity. Get to know yourself, understand your values - and then live by them.
• Take responsibility. If something's not as you'd like it to be, then change it - or change your attitude to it. You can take responsibility for your own destiny.
• Abundance. There's plenty of good stuff to go around. Share, give and enjoy.
• Pay it forward. Clive was always happy to speak to JCI audiences free of charge, and ran a variety of open workshops at no charge. If a client like a school couldn't afford to pay him, he would work for them anyway. He believed in giving - not in expectation of a reward - just because it'll make the world a better place. And he has made the world a better place for a lot of people.

Let's all do something today to ‘pay it forward', to celebrate the life of Clive Gott and strengthen the vapour trails he has left behind. What can you do?
 
Julia Goodfellow-Smith
2008 President of JCI Leeds

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Yesterday I attended an excellent workshop in London about 'cold calling'. Who doesn't find it daunting to call hundreds of new people every month. If you are starting your new business or working in business development this is be your reality most of the time. From our excellent trainer Jeremy Jacobs we learned that you need:

• Entusiasm
• Disiplin
• Ability to build rapport

Even if you know a lot about a topic it's always refreshing to go and listen to a new speaker you never heard before, I always pick up something new.

JCI London thanked Jermey with a Bed Net. In the photo you see Diana Lowe and Jeremy Jacobs.

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I attended JCI Inpiration Day in Reading this weekend, it was a fantastic event. When I got there on Saturday morning I saw some people hiding something in a plastic bag. Hm, what can that be? Vicky Savage from JCI Barnsley was protecting the plastic bag very well and not even a nosy person such as myself could get a glimpse.

Before lunch the secret was revealed; it was seven t-shirts. JCI Yorkshire is bidding to host JCI UK's National Convention from 25-27 November 2011. From their t-shirts you can read that we will be served Yorkshire puddings every day.

JCI Yorkshire is bidding to host JCI National Convention in November 2011.

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Lord Karan Bilimoria of Cobra Beer spoke warmly about his experience in JC India as a teenager at the JCI London Annual dinner at the House of Lords the 28th of January 2011. 

Admitting that he probably joined the Jaycees unconstitutionally early, at the age of 17, Lord Bilimoria remembers his time with JCI India with great warmth. 

A celebrated public speaker, Lord Bilimoria attended his first course in Public Speaking with the Jaycees.

The Lord confirmed his pleasure with both being able to host JCI London in the House of Lords, and reconnecting with the organisation. 

Speaking about his philosophy when doing business, Lord Bilimoria quoted Cobra Beer mission statement "to inspire and achieve" as his own personal vision. 

Other notable speakers at the JCI London annual dinner included VP Ismail Haznedar (Turkey) and JCI UK National President Allison Cowell. The dinner also included the awarding of a Senatorship to Past JCI London President Marco van den Heuvel (#70324), speeches by 2010 President Solveig Malvik, 2011 President Sarah Beckwith, Chamber Awards and the inauguration and transfer of chain from 2010 President Solveig to 2011 President Sarah. 

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