Today we get a special treat.  We get to meet and active member who is also a Senator.  Introducing Katie Ogley from JCI Doncaster...

Which chamber are you a member of?
JCI Doncaster.

How long have you been a JCI member?
Approximately 9 years.

What made you join?
I've always liked doing things for people and going that extra mile.  When I was preparing some surprises for my netball team's weekend away, my mum's friend said that her daughter was involved with 'something' and they were always looking for people who liked doing things, which turned out to be JCI.  When I went to my first event, they were such a lovely group of people, I signed up there and then.  I knew it was something I had to be involved in.

What is the most interesting JCI event you've been to and why?
I would struggle to say anything other than the International Conferences!  I've been to every European Conference since 2010 and 3 World Conferences.  They've all been amazing experiences that I could go on about for hours and it would be impossible to list the reasons why, as they have all been so different.  The best way for me to help explain why, would just be to say 'GO'!  I was a member of JCI for a number of years before I got engaged with the International side of things and I regret not doing it straight away.

Had JCI presented any unusual/interesting opportunities?
So many!  The opportunity to attend The Art of Engagement a few years ago was amazing.  Engagement is very linked to my career so people are often quite impressed that I've been.  Also, without a doubt, the public speaking opportunities.  I used to be so afraid of public speaking, but thanks to training from JCI and the opportunity to practise in a safe environment, I've now come to love it.  The fact that I enjoy it is certainly something which many people think is unusual!  I'm honoured to have represented JCI UK on the International Debating Team on more than one occasion.

What is your job/career/profession/business?
I work in HR within the glass manufacturing industry.

Has JCI had any impact on your job/career/profession/business?
Yes, yes, yes!!!  This has become over-so prevalent in 2015.  Until this year I worked within the health and fitness/leisure industry.  I took a massive step outside of my comfort zone and, after nearly 11 years, I decided to leave the company I loved and change the industry I work in.  The reason I chose manufacturing/production was down to JCI.   It isn't something I'd ever thought of before, but I've have had the opportunity to do business tours of so many fabulous companies, such as Gripple and Coca-Cola, and I fell in love with it.

As well as helping me choose my new industry, my JCI experience also helped me get the job which I have moved to.  When I started with my new company, I was given the opportunity to sit down with the Plant Director and he explained the reasons behind why they wanted to hire me.  He said that I ticked all of the HR boxes, but there will always be other people who do that too.  What made me stand out was that I ticked lots of other little boxes, which no one else did.  These were things such as my experiences with the Art of Engagement and the community work I do.  The company has a huge passion for people and has strong philanthropic roots.  They are striving towards setting best practise standards in these fields, and I'm excited that they want me to be a part of that.

Who is a leader you admire?
I admire a number of different leaders, but Richard Branson always jumps to my mind first.  He is hugely successful, but comes across as so personable.  He has made mistakes which he doesn't hide and he isn't afraid to take chances.

What's your proudest achievement?
It would have to be being chosen as one of the 2012 Olympic Torchbearers.  My nomination covered a number of things, but it was primarily for the amount of charity and community work I have undertaken with JCI.  I do community work because I love it, not because I expect to get anything in return, but being given that honour, and getting to be part of history, was the most amazing acknowledgement I could ever ask for!

I also couldn't not mention one of the very few moments which has made me speechless, being awarded with my JCI Senatorship.  JCI has given me so much and that's why I wanted to be on the National Board in 2014, to give something back.  JCI is such an amazing organisation, even when I thought I'd had every experience possible, it's still giving and giving.

If we came to your home and looked inside your refrigerator, what would we see?
A lot of fresh veg, cheese, milk and champagne

What is a good weekend to you?
I like having a mix of how I spend my weekends.  I love taking the time to do JCI activities, which at a weekend are usually my favourites; community or social!  I also like spending time with my family and always try to take a day every now and again for a bit of 'me time'.

Tell us something crazy/dangerous/inspiring/unusual you have done.
I sometimes joke that my body is dedicated to charity!  I have a large tattoo on my ribs which I had done to mark Autism Awareness Month a couple of years ago, and I also cut off 9 inches of my hair, which was donated to a children's wig charity.  I'm currently punishing my body as I'm training for a 10k run with other JCI members for the Run With Us challenge in support of the MS Trust.

Thanks Katie