TRAVEL & WEATHER LINKS

Hello Montana Jaycees!!! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer...the warm weather, having time off, spending time with family, picnics, family reunions, class reunions, and of course, Jaycee projects. As I said in my last article, I got the chance to visit some awesome projects in Havre and Sidney, and I have more travel planned as the summer goes on. I'll be visiting two chapters at the end of July...Lewistown on July 25-26 for their Fair and Beer Gardens, and Helena on July 27 for their Demo Derby. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make Dillon's Derby the third weekend in July as I had to work, but I promised President Chris that I would be at their Labor Day concert the last weekend in August. I also heard that I missed a great time in Havre at their Fair, Food Booth, and Derby. If I know the Havre Jaycees, I'm sure it was a blast. On July 3, I had the pleasure of visiting a chapter that we don't hear from very often...the Choteau Jaycees. I worked at the beer/food booth at their concert and I had a great time. Most importantly, I met some really, really nice and interesting Jaycees. I got to meet President Julie Barcus and her husband, Jeremy, and their newest member, April Spaulding, who works for the local paper and was taking pictures of the event, and many, many others. As I reported last month, sadly, Julie and her family are relocating to Hamilton, but hopefully, that may be an opportunity for a new chapter. Unfortunately, when I visited Choteau, I was sad to learn that there are Jaycees who don't even know that we have conventions. Can you imagine the fun they're missing out on? I'm making it a personal goal for me and my team to do a special calling list to all chapters before the next convention. Let's get some new friends to Havre...it will be a great time!!

Just a reminder to everyone, don't forget August 8-10...Montana is hosting the annual GAI (Great American Institute) meeting in Billings at the Crown Plaza Hotel. There will be some excellent training and some good times. Registration is $45.00 and rooms are $79/night. Deadline for both registration and room rate is July 24...just around the corner. I hope everyone can attend. Not only is it a great opportunity for some training, it's also a chance for those who have never been to a National Convention to see how a National event works. Please contact me or Chamene if you have any questions.

Lastly, I just want to congratulate the Montana Jaycees on a second month of growth in June...thanks to some last minute members from President Bill in Laurel and President Dave in Sidney. However, our growth and success is due to EVERYONE'S efforts and I just want to say thank you, Montana Jaycees, for all of your hard work. Also, in the month of June, I want to congratulate the Livingston Jaycees for turning in 4 new members and coming off probation. As I reported in my last article, there are some extensions in the works. Laurel will be working on a new Billings extension at the end of the summer, which is great news because there's no reason why the biggest city in Montana can't have a Jaycee chapter. Also, I recently learned that our old friend and JCI Senator, CO Wester, has relocated to the Forsyth area, so I've been in contact with President Nikki for Glendive on that prospect. And just today, I received word that the Kalispell Jaycees, which had dropped below 20 members and gone on probation, are interested in saving their chapter. That's wonderful news as we never like to lose anyone from the Family.

Montana Jaycees, continue having a fun and successful summer!! Recruiting, activation, retention, and growth equals SUCCESS and IMPACT!! No more fear, no more failure, no more fine!!!

In Jaycees,

Jeanne Rickard
70th State President Montana Jaycees 2008
"Welcome to the Family!!"