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Jaycee Journal – September 2008

admin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:46:07 +0000

There’s still plenty to do

It’s been an amazing eight months for the Ames Jaycees. We’ve had alot of successes and we have a lot to be proud of. And in a few weeks, we’ll find out the final numbers from Ames on the Half Shell.

If you gave your time to Ames on the Half Shell this year, you’re invited to a appreciation party — to be held Sept. 12 at the Quality Inn and Suites. Shannon will be sending out more information soon, but plan to be there Friday night. From what I hear from Shannon, it’s going to be a good time.

Yes, Ames Jaycees. We really are No. 1!!! I’d like to give a huge thanks to Shannon Bardole, who stepped up at the last minute to chair Ames on the Half Shell. She’s done an amazing job and has a great night planned for an appreciation party. I hope to see you all there. Thanks for everything, Shannon!

As we wrap up our summer, it’s time to look to our fall and winter projects. We have Run, Punt, Pass, September food drive, Crush Party, new member orientation, Holiday Food Baskets, Holiday Tour of Lights and a potential poker tournament. It’s time now to step up to be part of these committees — as most of the project chairs have been identified. These are some of the community service projects that the Ames Jaycees are most known for. Did you know this is our 77th year running Holiday Food Baskets? With the planning that went into last year’s project, this year is set up to be even a greater success.

On top of these projects, we’ll be holding our meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month, and we’ll be scheduling Friday After Work socials on the Fridays of off meeting weeks. The last meeting had an awesome turnout. It was great to see you all there! I encourage you to submit meeting topic ideas to Charby — whether its special guests and speakers or other ideas for individual development. We’re here to plan meetings that you’re interested in. Please feel free to share your thoughts with Charby and I.

It’s important to start looking ahead — beginning to consider what your level of commitment will be next year to the Ames Jaycees. Nominations will be opening soon for elections to the board of directors. If you know now that you don’t have time for that commitment, consider holding a director position. Directors are not required to attend board meetings, but are essential members of the Ames Jaycees leadership. We’ll also be organizing the 2009 Ames on the Half Shell leadership soon. Remember — it’s so much easier if you plan sooner rather than later!
I truly believe that service to humanity is the best work of life. And this year has helped me to be a better leader. I know I have a lot to learn, but I thank each of you for the opportunity to lead this chapter.

I’d like to encourage each of you to attend October’s Iowa Jaycees convention. It’s Oct. 3 and 4 in Des Moines (it’s nice and close!). All State conventions offer a great opportunity to meet Jaycees from around the state and learn from top trainers. You’ll find more information about this on page three. Take advantage of what the Iowa Jaycees has to offer and join us in Des Moines.

The October convention will also highlight the 2008 Outstanding Young Iowans and we will vote for our 2009 officers of the Iowa Jaycees. Fall convention is always my favorite — and those who attended last year will back me up. Right, Ben?

Proud to be an Ames Jaycee,

Peggy Nitchals

77th President

Ames Jaycees

Ames Jaycees It’s time to celebrate!

Half Shell is done! 10 weeks,and only a little rain. A pretty successful season, I must say! Want to know how successful?

Come to the Ames on the Half Shell Appreciation Party for the announcement of the total that the project raised this year.

The party will be held on Friday, Sept. 12 at the Quality Inn & Suites in place of the FAW.

We have our own hospitality suite right across from the swimming pool. The night will include good food, good drinks, good prizes, recognition of our great committee, and a celebration of what our chapter accomplished this summer.

Be watching for more information to come soon.

Shannon Bardole
2008 AOTHS chair

FROM YOUR INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT VP

Happy September Ames Jaycees!

With all the summer activities winding down, that can only mean one thing, FAW’s are back on the schedule. What is an FAW? It an acronym for Friday After Work. We schedule one on the Friday nights opposite the weeks we have a membership meeting. Make sure to pay attention to your weekly email announcements from President Peggy on where the location will be next. If there is an establishment in particular in the Ames area that you would like to have an FAW please don’t hesitate to let anyone on the board know.

It has been a successful summer, AOTHS once again made a substantial profit, fireworks went off without a hitch and the float trip was fun for all those who attended.

Looking forward to the month of October, both meetings will have some time dedicated to local candidates running for public office. This will be your chance to ask questions to the candidates. One night will be Democrat candidates while the other will be Republican candidates.

For all you new members out there, in the next month or so we will also be having a new member orientation so you can become better acquainted with the all that goes on in the Jaycees.

Charby
2008 Individual Development VP

FROM YOUR STATE DIRECTOR

What’s Going on Ames?

All-States are a great way to get to know other Jaycees from around the state. They are currently held each quarter and individual awards are given at each all-state. The July All-State was held in Toledo and there were over 100 attendees for the weekend. We had some great training in emergency preparedness including the citizen corps. We also had some training in the areas of CPR and the central Iowa drug task force. Below is a list of awards that the Ames Jaycees came home with following the July All-State!

Here is a listing of the Ames award winners from the July All- State:

10th Degree Jaycee Recognition: Peggy Nitchals
10th Degree Jaycee Recognition: Shannon Bardole
New Member of the Quarter: Kelly Junge
New Member of the Quarter: Chris Bennett
Local Member of the Quarter: Todd Hugen
Individual Development VP of the Quarter: Charby
Local President of the Quarter: Peggy Nitchals
State Program Manager of the Quarter: Shannon Bardole

The Ames Jaycees were also awarded with the following:

6th Place in the Parade of Chapters – Programming
6th Place in the Parade of Chapters – Overall

We are looking forward to another great all-state on Oct. 4- 5. There is some great training lined up as well as some fun social activities. There will also be a chance to help give direction to the Iowa Jaycees in the future by way of elections for the 2009 Iowa Jaycee Cabinet and with other voting opportunities. If you have any questions please let me know. The All-State will be held in Des Moines and the cost is just $55 for the conference. The Ames chapter helps cover the cost of the room so the cost to you is just $5/night for the hotel room. Please also see the fl yer that is included with the newsletter.

Thanks and see you soon!

Scott Long

2008 State Director

Ames Junior Chamber Weekly Update – Sept. 8

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:12:21 +0000

Hello Ames Jaycees!

Hope you’re staying warm today! I’m looking for a new member who would be interested in giving feedback about our Web site. Chris Bennett has put together a prototype for a new site and we’re looking for a newcomer’s opinion. If you’re willing to give your input, please e-mail me at pres@amesjayceescom.

Here is your update for the week of Sept. 8.

This week:
Food Drive
Beginning Monday, Sept. 1 – Details to be released soon. Our county-wide local food pantries are being hit hard this year — with flooding and high gas prices, people are using the services more than ever. We’re going to make an effort to coordinate food drives around town and help with the need NOW — not just during the winter months. If you would like to step up to help this project, contact Damien or Amber at cdvp@amesjaycees.com.

Ames on the Half Shell Appreciation Party
Friday, Sept. 12 – We’ll have good drinks, good food, good prizes and (of course) good company! More details to follow. For information, contact Shannon Bardole at imabassplayer@hotmail.com.

Upcoming events:
Crush Party
Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Details to be released soon. A crush party is an informal social even with the purpose of recruiting members. Invitations are sent out to potential members. If you know someone who would make a great Jaycee, please let Terra Jenson (tjenson22@yahoo.com) know.

Membership meeting
Thursday, Sept. 18 – 7 p.m. at Buford’s at the Quality Inn and Suites, 2601 E 13th
Membership meetings are a great way to learn about upcoming events, meet new people and socialize. For more info, contact Peggy at pres@amesjaycees.com.

Age-Out Party
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Time TBA at Whisky River on Main Street. Molly Redenbaugh will be aging out of the Jaycees and we’re throwing her a party! Molly has been an essential piece of the Ames Jaycees — as well as the Iowa Jaycees and US Jaycees — and we want to thank her for all of her dedication and work. Please plan to stop by and tell stories and have a good time … oh, the stories.

In other news…
STEP UP AND LEAD!
With our larger projects concluded, we’re looking to finish the year strong.

Project chairs and committees are being sought for the following projects:
Poker Tournament

The chapter is also in need of people to fill the following to committees:
By-law Revisions

If you’d like more information about the above list, please contact Peggy at pres@amesjaycees.com.

Ames Chamber news

As a member of the Ames Jaycees, you are also a member of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Therefore, please take advantage of the following activities!

GET OUT THE VOTE! School Board Elections: Tuesday, September 9
FOUR candidates for Ames Community School Board. TWO open School Board seats. YOUR vote is essential … and it will only take minutes of your time! Tuesday, Sept. 9 polls are open from 7a.m. – 8 p.m.

Business After Hours: Wednesday, September 10
Come one, come all! Ames Chamber members are all invited to join us at Becker Underwood’s Colorbiotics facility this Wednesday evening from 5 – 7. Come early and join us for the ribbon cutting at 4:30 celebrating Becker Underwood’s newest addition: Colorbiotics. Take a tour of the new state-of-the-art facility while making new friends, connecting with colleagues, and enjoying great FREE food and beverages. Bring the whole office! Colorbiotics is located at 1725 Dayton Avenue.

Young Professionals of Iowa Conference
October 10, 2008 |9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |Muscatine Holiday Inn
This year’s conference provides the connection, direction and education to challenge young professionals to be active leaders in their community and state. Make sure to bring your business cards along to network with other young professionals. Register today at www.ypiowa.com.
Visit www.ypames.com or call 232-2310 for more information!

Business Improvement Forum: Arousing Interest
Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 a.m.
Somerset Clubhouse ( 2400 Aspen Rd )
Sponsored by Ames365.com
Employees of Ames Chamber businesses are invited to attend the next Forum on “Arousing Interest.” This program is designed to increase your ability to generate interest in your business’s services – in short, how to generate more sales! The Forum will be presented by Mike Day, General Manager of Dale Carnegie Training. Continental breakfast is provided. Please register by Wednesday, September 17 by calling 515-232-2310.

Business at Breakfast
Thursday, September 25 at 7:30 a.m.
First National Bank | 405 5th Street
Join us on the 25th for an opportunity to give a two-minute “shameless plug” about your organization while handing out business cards, brochures and/or any other promotional materials that describe your business or organization. If you’ve never attended before, make August’s Breakfast your first!
We purposely keep this event small to insure great one-on-one interaction with fellow Chamber members, so your RSVP is very important. Please contact the Chamber no later than noon on Wednesday, September 24 to attend (232-2310). The continental breakfast is free to all attendees, but we need your RSVP to participate. See you at Breakfast

Ames Community Grant Program Wants to Fund Your Great Ideas
The Ames Community Grant Program was established by the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau to support a wide range of local projects to attract visitors to Ames and enhance community life for its residents. Be creative with your event! Projects can be cultural, educational, environmental, athletic or artistic! This spring, the ISU Textiles and Clothing Department received a grant to host an apparel contest for high school students, in conjunction with their Spring Fashion Show. Community organizations are encouraged to apply for the grant program to help develop new projects and events or to enhance current ones! Applications are available now and must be submitted by October 10, 2008.
To learn more about the Program, application criteria, or to apply online, please visit http://www.visitames.com/members/grant_program.aspx

Want to learn how to become a “celebrity” inside your sphere of interest?
Then GET NOTICED AND GET RESULTS!
Registrations are now being accepted for the 2008 Business Improvement Annual Conference: GET NOTICED AND GET RESULTS! This exciting event will be held Thursday, October 16, 2008
at the Quality Inn & Suites and features Jeff Beals, author of Self Marketing Power: Branding Yourself as a Business of One and host of the radio talk show Grow Omaha. Sponsorship opportunities are still available – contact the Chamber at 232-2310 for more information.

Quotable.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do. – Confucius

Peggy Nitchals
77th president
Ames Junior Chamber
Better yourself. Better your community.