Running for Jaycee Office is a Step to a Career

As written in the LOM President's Column of the Volume II Issue 9, August 2003 issue of The General-the LOM's Official Publication

Running for Jaycee Office is a Step to a Career

By: 2003 LOM President Ellie Acuesta, Jr

In my past columns, I often emphasized the importance of knowing your organization before committing to its programs and activities. In the Jaycees, it is highly recommended that we should not just memorize the tenets of our Jaycee Creed but to put the meaning of these in our hearts. In doing so, no matter what happens, the Jaycee spirit will always be in us even we’re no longer a part of the organization.

Being a LOM officer is not an easy task. It requires more than just understanding of our organization. It is a must that he values Jayceeism as a career – not just a pastime. An officer of the LOM is expected to train leaders who are in turn expected to take the cudgels in training other future leaders. That idealism of the youth must be harnessed to transform our dreams and visions into reality. This means that there must be a unified and conscientious effort towards at achieving a set goal.

The Jaycees believe in “learning by doing”. It is then very crucial that we value the big difference of “doing it right the first time”. Gone were the days when we just say, “I’ll cross the bridge when I get there”. Rather, knowing first what’s across the bridge is becoming imperative. More so in these trying times. We have our own formula. We sacrifice painstakingly in following it. After all, running for Jaycee office is a step to a career – not a mere circus.

Are we ready for the elections?

Changing of Organizational Culture

as published in The General-The LOMs official publication Volume II Issue 9 Aug. 2003

Opinion:

Changing of Organizational Culture: A Challenge to the New Leadership

by: LOM President Ellie Acuesta, Jr.- PP Ellie is the Charter President of The General Santos "Twin Star" Junior Jaycees & the 2003 Lom President (March-Sept) of the JCI General Santos "Twin Star".

Culture is defined as the entire range of customs, beliefs, social forms and material traits of a religious, social or racial group. Organizational culture therefore mirrors what we are as an organization - a vivid description of our LOM in the Jaycees mirror.

What is considered as the only thing permanent in this world is CHANGE. As the saying goes, “Change before change will change you”. Truly, the primary purpose of change is for the betterment or an enhancement of what’s already in place. Leaders and would-be founders of an organization regardless of its size should learn how to conceptualize the type of culture it wants to adopt and develop in the organization. Policies and procedures (policy manual in our case) therefore should be tailored-fit towards that culture.

Public Relations vis-à-vis Fund Raising Campaigns

We have to admit that public relations has a parallel magnitude with any fund raising project when we talk of goodwill created and promoting the Jaycees as credible, responsible and stable organization. For example, how can our sales force sell raffle tickets when the previous year’s winners have not received their prizes yet? Whatever the underlying cause of the problems may be, be it internal friction or otherwise, it should not outweigh the interest of the organization. The name and integrity of the organization must always be of paramount consideration in any official Jaycee act that we do in its behalf.

The Rise and Fall of LOMs

Local Organization Members or LOMs do experience having a rollercoaster ride in terms of membership growth, stability, and the like. But let us not take these circumstances as mere part of history but rather as real-life organizational survival lessons. The organizational status of LOMs in the countryside reflects that of the national leadership. We have to be brave in admitting that there is indeed a crisis in our midst. We ourselves are short of leaders not because we fail to sustain the manpower requirement of the LOM but we fail to recognize potential leaders who are completely equipped with the right attitudes and outlook towards their duties and responsibilities. Blame it on our ailing economy, but that would just be too easy a scapegoat. Let us dig deeper.

The turnover of administration is sometimes most disturbing. There are a lot of good and able leaders yet too hesitant to run because of the tremendous expenses involved once they are sworn into office and running it. If this is happening to your LOM, then you’re not alone in saying that there’s something wrong. What could be its cause? I believe, it is rooted in our culture. The LOMs who have enough fund is not so susceptible with this so long as transparency is in place. But for those who have insufficient fund, the officer (in most cases the President if he allows himself to) becomes the shock absorber of funds deficit the LOM entails. LOM elections comes, no one would run. But if there’s fund, it’s the other way around.

Other issues that beset LOM downfalls are also rooted in politics. For some LOMs, the political conflict of the elders is being passed on to the present generation. The losers in the election just simply slip away and form their own new LOM. Others are just too personal to tackle but still, the bottom line is our organizational culture.

Any Remedial Measures?

There is. The leaders should first and foremost see to it that they truly believe in Jayceeism, and have this belief and commitment transferred on to all members to the lowest level (Jaycee family – baby, Jaycee belles, Jaycee kids/teens, Jr. Jaycees, etc.). The policies and procedures should be clear. Most importantly, the financial matters should be transparent. Prior to election time, the members of the incumbent Board should hold a candidates forum where from the questions raised, the voting members could know the extent of understanding these candidates have about the organization. From there, the platforms could be assessed.

We are disheartened to know that there were maiden projects that were shelved or put on hold due to lack of funding. With our vast networking (Jaycees is worldwide, remember), it is best recommended that we have twinning with other LOMs preferably in the first world countries. There are wide arrays of foundations found in the Internet. They too are potential sponsors to our projects.

Finally, it has to be emphasized that the Jaycees is just a catalyst for change. That way, we just channel the available resources to where it is needed most. We are not supposed to spend our own money, but the money of the moneyed people in our community. Most of all, we should do projects as a team. Maximum participation of the beneficiary community is also desired. We are leaders and therefore we must be vanguards of our communities. We are not politicians so we don’t encourage politicians to play around with us. This is our culture.

New JCI Senators

Our New JCI Slogan

Tell me...

The Jaycee Prophet


One fine day, as I as wandering in the fields, the skies took on a peculiar coppery hue as small clouds of dusts kept rising above the swells and ridges that marked the horizon. As I watch this curious display of color and formation, I suddenly saw a funnel-shaped cloud separate itself from the dusty mass and in its own volition moved rapidly in my direction. It came so close that I was momentarily obscured by the image of a prophet that had frequently appeared in my dreams.

He told me that he came to reveal to me certain things about life.

“Tell me about integrity,” I asked.

“He is a proud eagle ho soars higher than any bird. He is swift, and has huge talons by which he crushes smaller birds that he despises because of their weakness. He abhors darkness, and enjoys gliding in a sunlit-filled morning. He is known and envied for his soaring flights. His eyes are very sharp, and he easily reaches his destination with a single flap of his powerful wings. He has a reputation for indomitable determination, decisiveness, strength and fortitude.

“Tell me about credibility.”

“He is a lion. His roar is a commandment by which others bow and yield to. He has a very imposing image and personality, and is reputedly known for his sublime courage, wisdom, and fairness.”

“Tell me about legitimacy.”

“He is a winged lion, a jealous and vicious beast. He, just like the Cerberus in mythology, is a ruthless guardian of the all illuminating light, naked truth, and moral authority. He is night-blind and hates slithering serpents. He enjoys going out everyday to witness the captivating radiance of a rising sun.”

“Why are you telling me all these things, my Prophet?”

“Verily I say unto you, happy are these animals for they have virtues men thought to have possessed. These beasts truly understand these virtues because they live them. They are in their fiery breath, in all their deliberate and well-thought of actions.”

“Life is indeed full of contradictions. Virtues which are supposed to be the very essence of man becomes a rare quality already found in animals.”

“I will be coming back to tell you more about life - and the propensities of man.”

“Read a very enlightening tale of a man dictated by his own creation – his vanity.”

“The title of the tale is “The Emperor and His New Clothes.”

“Until then, my Son.”

Leadership Profile 1988 LOM Executive Vice President Ricardo Obligado Yap

The General Santos Jaycees was by chance fortunate with the entry to its roster of Membership in 1983 of JC Ricardo “Ric” Yap. He was inducted as a Baby Jaycee by 1983 JCP National President Oscar Nazareno. Then LOM President Larry Sevilla assigned JC Ric to various projects of the LOM either as project committee member, project vice-chairman, or project chairman.

In his desire to learn from and ultimately serve the organization, he traveled to different parts of Mindanao representing the chapter in inductions, area conferences, national conventions and other JC functions. One highlight of his Jaycee career was his attendance to the 1983 World Congress in Taiwan. True to his active and consistent support to the chapter that year, he was awarded “Most Promising JC of the Year Award”, one of the most coveted local awards of the chapter for a newbie.

In 1988, was elected as the Chapter’s Executive Vice-President in what the membership then believed to be a part of his preparation for the Chapter Presidency the following year. As the chapter was hosting the 8^th Mindanao Area Conference, he chaired the Areacon Finance Committee, and easily raised the necessary funds needed for the Conference. As a result, the Chapter was able to award five (5) JCI Senatorship to five distinguished past presidents of the chapter, which allotment was taken from the proceeds of the Areacon.

The year 1989 saw one of the most hotly contested elections in the history of General Santos “Twin Star” Jaycees, with JC Ric Yap losing the presidency by one vote. It was an election that completely divided the general membership, and greatly affected the chapter’s activities in the succeeding years. Due to his commitment to the JC movement, he again vied though again lost the presidency the following year. Politics was rife and had become a by-word of sorts in the chapter during those years. Because of all these circumstances, JC Ric was touted as the best Jaycee President this chapter never had.

As a professional, JC Ric is an active member of the General Santos Chamber of Commerce, and the President and CEO of Majetic Shopping Center, Inc. in General Santos City.

Now serving as a Past President of the General Santos Eagles Club, he continues to help the Jaycee chapter in its projects, either as a sponsor or in partnership with other organizations were he is a member.

The LOM approved his nomination for JCI Senatorship in the year 2002.

His long years of service to the Jaycee movement will now be given due recognition upon the presentation of this life time membership to the Junior Chamber International, The JCI Senatorship Award.

Leadership Profile 1974 LOM President Domingo Obenza Chi

Domingo Chi, joined the Jaycees upon the invitation of Judge Orlando “Orly” Oco, who was also serving as LOM President in 1970. He was a very active member of the General Santos Jaycees having served as a chairman in a number of LOM projects, and an active participant of various Jaycee functions in Bacolod, Ilo-ilo, and most parts of Mindanao.

Doming as he is fondly called by friends became a LOM President in 1974 after surviving a well fought LOM elections. An activist, educator, accountant, and a business consultant, he was a member of the JCI Constitutional Convention, and almost became the first national officer of the chapter after having been invited to be the Auditor-General of then Philippine Jaycees National President Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, He however, had to let go of this opportunity as he was by that time working as Manager of General Milling Corporation, a prominent yet very demanding of time multi-national company.

As an educator, he was one of the most respected practicing CPA-lecturer in the city. He became a member of the college faculty of Notre Dame of Dadiangas College and Mindanao State University, and Founder-Director of the first CPA review center in the city in the early eighties.

In 1990 he became the Human Resource Manager of Foremost Farms Inc., a post he held until his retirement at the age of 70. After his retirement, he was called back to duty, this time as a consultant of Progressive Farms Inc. in Tupi, South Cotabato.

All these years, the Jaycee has always been in the heart of JC Doming. He attends any local Jaycee function, and has appreciated all these years for continuously helping the LOM in its various endeavors.

For all his achievements and support to the LOM, he was ultimately nominated for JCI Senatorship in the year 2001.

He will be finally conferred with this JCI Lifetime Membership Award this year.

JC leaders International chartered in Gensan

Members of the JC leaders International General Santos headed by JCL Larry Sevilla was formally inducted by JCL National President JCI Sen. Douglas Nazareno in a simple yet formal ceremony held at Ludwinas Driving range General Santos City on October 23, 2006.

AN OPEN LETTER

The integrity and stability of our Jaycee chapter is anchored on and can be credited to the winning ways of our chapter, either in bidbook competitions and successful fielding of candidates to national positions; on the respect that our chapter has earned because of its consistency and probity; on the worthwhile projects and activities our LOM has implemented; on the soundness of action of its officers even on most ticklish and contentious issues; and on our high regard and reliance to established standards and processes.

Most recent events however, seem to become a major source of concern as they tend not to bode well on our chapter’s image and its immediate future.

It is in this regard, that we wish to manifest our deepest concern as we continue to hope that all these matters be immediately resolved pursuant to our established Constitution and By-laws, and respect to duly instituted regulations and procedures.

Let our Jaycee Creed be the guiding light in all our actions.

Let us rise above all personal considerations and resolve all these issues with the best interest of our chapter in mind.

Let us show the JCI and the world that we are indeed an exemplar of a true and respectable leadership development organization.

Let us leave a legacy of leadership that our members, either past or current, and the next generations Jaycees can cherish and be proud of.

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(Original Signed)

JCI Mem. Ellie Acuesta Jr.

2003 Lom President

1987 Charter President-General Santos "Twin Star Junior" Jaycees

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(Original signed)

JCI Mem. Allan M. Licera

2000 LOM President

2000 Prime Graduate

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(Original Signed)

JCI Mem. Jose Lasalita Jr.

2002 LOM President

2001 Secretary General-Southern Mindanao

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(Original Signed)

JCI Sen. Hans P Chu

1997 LOM President

2001 NVP Southern Mindanao

2002 National Treasurer

2004 National Sr. Executive Vice President

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(Orginal Signed)

Past JCI Mem. Nestor Nolasco (CPA)

1999 LOM President

2000 Prime Graduate

2003 NVP Southern Mindanao

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(Original Signed)

JCI Mem. Joan Salazar-Haresco

Lom President-Oct-2005-March 2006

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(Original Signed)

Past JCI Mem. Richard Dem Ladublan

1993 LOM President

All set for the "S Party"

Join the fun as the JCI General Santos "Twin Star", San Miguel Beer and Fortune Tobacco gives you a sunset to sunrise disco party dubbed as the "S PARTY" on October 7, 2006 3:00pm to 3:00am the next day at the parking lot, East Asia Royal Hotel, General Santos City.

This event is also sponsored by Sun Cellular, Mita General Santos, Inasal de Cebu, Progressive Farmas, Wild FM, Killer Bee, Thunder Energy Drink. . . .

"Twin Star" wins 2006 JCI-Philippines Area V e-awards competition

Three of the four project entries of the JCI General Santos "Twin Star" in the JCI Philippines electronic awards (Bidbook) competition garnered the top honors in the recently concluded 2006 JCI Philippines 26th Mindanao Area Conference held on September 1-3, 2006 at Pacific Heights Hotel, Cotabato City.

The three projects, Operation LIMP-CARE (Lame Integration and Management Program thru Crutches Assistance and Rehabilitation Enhancement), Bayanihan Sa Bakawan, a Mangrove Rehabilitation Project at Brgy. Minanga, and www.twinstarjcsonline.tk, the chapter website, romped away with major awards in the Assistance to the Handicapped Project, Best Environmental Program and Best LOM Website, respectively. The other LOM entry, 2006 Jaycee Week, ended as a runner up in the Best Jaycee Week program category all over Mindanao.

The formal yet emotional JCI Philippines Mindanao e-awards nights, which was graced by Mayor JV Ejercito, 1998 JCIP National President, is a prelude to the Philippine Jaycees National Convention which will be held on October 12-15, 2006 at Ubic, Olongapo City.

JCI General Santos "Twin Star", a 59-year old multi-awarded chapter has been known for the conduct of worthwhile projects in the city and in nearby provinces.

“Twin Star” reaps awards in Jaycees Tagaytay Natcon

The General-October 2003 news article. After the LOM won Major Awards in the Tgaytay national Convention

Ends 15-year national awards drought

After three relentless years, three of the four scrapbook-entries of the General Santos “Twin Star” Jaycees won two Major Awards and an Award of Merit in the Bidbook Competitions in the recently concluded Philippine Jaycees National Convention in Tagaytay City on October 9-12, 2003.

“The General”, the LOM’s monthly publication was awarded as the Most Outstanding LOM Publication, while the “PRO-Dog”, a monthly anti-rabies vaccination drive of the LOM with the Rotary Club of Midtown Dadiangas and the City Veterinary Office was adjudged as the winner in the Public Safety Award Category. Meantime, “BATMAN (Be A Total Man) Returns”, a mass circumcision joint project of the General Santos “Twin Star” Jaycees with the Bombo Radyo Phils., Councilor Odjok Acharon, Antonino Foundation, and Mahintana Foundation snatched the runner-up honors in the Future of the Children Award by garnering an Award of Merit.

The awarding ceremonies held in the plush and newly built Tagaytay International Convention Center which is located in a sprawling and landscaped complex owned by the Local Government of Tagaytay became more meaningful and nostalgic as the “Twin Star” Jaycees ended an almost 15-year national awards drought in the Jaycees Bidbook Competitions. The last national award garnered by the LOM previous to these was the Most Outstanding Seminar Speaker which was won in 1986 by the then LOM Secretary-General, “Twin Star” Jaycee Historian and now JCI Senator Larry Sevilla.

JC Sonny Sagalongos, the LOM’s Incoming President, and Past Presidents JC Jose Lasalita, Jr. and NVP Nestor Nolasco received the awards amidst the cheery adulations and ovations of more than a thousand Jaycee delegates all over the Philippines, as the “Twin Star” Jaycees becomes the only LOM in Mindanao to join the Manila Jaycees and Perlas Pasay Jaycees in the elite circle of winners of the Most Outstanding LOM Publication of the Philippine Jaycees.

More or less fifty (50) chapters submitted a record-breaking two hundred twenty (220) bidbbook pre-entry bids, of which one hundred twenty-eight were finished and submitted by at least thirty-eight (38) chapters beating the NatCon’s Opening Ceremony deadline set for the said competitions.

Past President JC Allan Licera, the Bidbook Committee Chairman was not able to join in the receiving of the award as he was appointed as one of the Bidbook Competition jurors by the Records and Recognition Commission of the Philippine Jaycees, Inc.

The other entry which got badly beaten by more than ten other Chapter Bidbooks was the The National Jaycee Week bidbook, which ironically garnered the Most Outstanding Jaycee Week Award in the Iligan Mindanao Area Conference last September 6-8, 2003.

IF WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING…

September 2003 Editorial of The General-The LOM's official Publication- After the LOM won 4 awards in the 2003 Mindanao Area Conference Bidbook Competition in Iligan City.

Ad astra per aspera (to the stars through hardships.)

The name of our chapter has never become more meaningful to us than today. General Santos “Twin Star” Jaycees bespeaks of a chapter that has been for years considered one of the best not only in Southern Mindanao but as well as in the whole Philippine Jaycee firmament. The chapter’s winning ways and long tradition of leadership distinction always would leave any LOM President (who knows his Jaycee history) in awe at the high expectations the chapter’s highest position entails and brings.

Not too long ago, three of the four scrapbooks of the LOM garnered major awards in the bidbook competitions in the recently concluded 2003 Philippine Jaycees Mindanao Area Conference held in Iligan City. This winning may be aptly described as the culmination of the sacrifices and concerted efforts of several past presidents through these years – sacrifices to make a big difference; concerted efforts to bring back the glory days of the chapter.

It is also a manifestation of a chapter’s membership maturing slowly, of a chapter overcoming growing pains, of a chapter trying to expand its horizons, of a chapter trying to sail the uncharted seas.

However, winning is not the be all and end all of everything. It is just a punctuation mark to a long saga of leadership excellence and commitment to community development.

It is the heritage of our past presidents.

It is realizing that going the extra mile is going to where there’s never a lot of traffic.

Please read related Article published in the Sept. 2003 issue of the General

“Twin Star” Jaycees cops three awards in area conference 2003

Three of the four scrapbooks submitted by the General Santos “Twin Star” Jaycees in the Bidbook Competitions of the 2003 Philippine Jaycees Mindanao Area Conference held in Iligan City last September 5-7, 2003, garnered the major awards, while the other was conferred with a certificate of merit.

The projects that earned the major awards were “BATMAN Returns!”(a free circumcision drive of the Jaycees which benefited more than four hundred kids) in the Future of the Children Award Category, PRO-Dog (a monthly anti-rabies vaccination of the LOM with the Office of the City Veterinarian and the Rotary Club of Midtown Dadiangas) in the Safety Award Category, and the 2003 National Jaycee Week Celebration under the National Jaycee Week Award Category. The other which garnered a Certificate of Merit was “The General”, the chapter’s monthly publication.

There to receive the awards in behalf of the LOM were Incoming President JC Sonny Sagalongos, Out-going President, JC Ellie Acuesta, Jr., PP’s JC Allan Licera, Mary Antonette Baltazar, Jose Lasalita Jr, Past NT JCI Senator Hans Chu, NVP JC Nhes Nolasco, SecGen Cecille Salangsangand JC Arthur Temeña.

LOSING SIGHT, BEING RIGHT

July 2003 Editorial of The General-The LOM's Official Publication

A famous poet once observed that we are all manufacturers in a way – making good, making trouble or making excuses. This is quite true as we take a look at the usual state of affairs of every Jaycee chapter, or of the Philippine Jaycees itself.

We see projects bungled because either of poor planning, or lack of it. We see good relationships turning sour. We see friendships disintegrating in the face of controversies and clashing interests. We see good organizations or chapters turning into shambles after a “healthy” and well-contested election. We see our members and officers seeming to lose sight of the very purpose and intent of the Jaycee Movement, we see our very leaders losing their idealism and forgetting their values in the face of the complexities of realities and the challenges of the times. The irony here is that…

All these circumstances have a fundamental and common denominator-Good Intentions. All of these started with the desire to make a good difference. All of these started with the noble purpose of “establishing a permanent world peace”.

If only we give importance to experience and the lessons it will give us; if only we try to see things in another man’s view point, not just our own; if only we can listen more instead of being too engrossed with sharing our good ideas and opinions to others; if only we can share a single minute of our busy time for a worthwhile endeavor or project; if only we put our personal interest as always the last and the least consideration; if only we can see project not as an object to attain and accomplish but rather, as people moving towards a goal; if only we step back from the drudgery of the rat race and try to reflect on our true missions as men and Jaycees; if only we can recreate the Jaycee vision that has lighted the path of our former great leaders; if only we practice a little more introspection and decide on changing ourselves first before taking on that enormous task of changing the world; if only we care more for others…

Only then we can say, we truly are Jaycees.

“That government should be of laws rather of men…”

August 2003 Editorial of The General-The LOMs Official Publication. The editorial touches on the oakwood seiged by the Magdalo Soldiers on July 2003.

Time and again, we have seen Philippines, our beloved country and the only truly democratic state in Asia wracked by coups and destabilization efforts led by influential people of our society, and the military. This phenomenon seems to indicate that our political system is indeed so weak and flawed that the messianic leaders of these efforts have reasons to believe that any attempt to grab power pays or is worth the risk. That may be so since no coup plotter or “destabilizer” has been significantly punished for his so called “crime against the state”.

Granting that the sentiments of these coup plotters are true, there is no enough reason for any well-meaning and responsible Filipino to jeopardize our country’s ailing economy just for this “noble” pursuit of purging our government of corrupt and inept officials, or booting out the “illegal president” from Malacañang.

What makes the latest military caper very depressing is that it was led(or were they led?), by the young officers of our Armed Forces. These gun-toting people seem to believe that any change in the system would require the use of force, understandably so since they are graduates of a military academy. However, they should have borne in mind that their primary duty as soldiers of the republic is to defend the state, uphold the law and protect the duly constituted authority. Their “armed demonstration” in Oakwood Hotel is a wayward interpretation of this vow, to say the least. In fact, it is a complete departure to the principle of civilian supremacy over the military. We must put a stop to this military adventurism and deal all these misguided military elements, idealistic they may be, with appropriate education at democracy and appreciation of the rule of law.

Let justice be done though heavens may fall.

To be or not to be….

January 2003 Editorial of The General-The LOm's Official Publication

When the LOM decided to publish “The GENERAL”, it was for the sole reason of providing the “Twin Star” Jaycees information and updates of the goings-on in the Philippines Jaycees and Junior Chamber International.

The then LOM President, JC Ceasar Capili told his Jaycees peers, “If we have to do it, let's shoot for the moon.” Loud and clear, his message reverberated in that small room where the LOM Boardwas having a meeting. The challenged was thrown, and ultimately it was accepted.

The rest is history as his words turned into a very wonderful reality – The GENERAL won as the Most Outstanding LOM Publication of the Philippine Jaycees. Little did we expect that in shooting for the moon, we'll eventually land among the stars!!

This experience has taught us a lot of lessons. We now know that nothing worthwhile and fulfilling is achieved if we do not go the extra mile. We now know t h a t prro b l e m s a re j u s t opportunities in disguise. We now know that every notable accomplishment starts with that bold decision to try. We now know that in THE JAYCEES, as well, as in LIFE, things do not just happen. As another portentous Jaycee Year unfolds before our eyes, we are expected to do better, to try harder.

Are we up to the challenge?

PUTTING AN UNCOMMON EFFORT INTO A COMMON TASK

February 2004 editorial of the General-The LOMs Official Publication

“Who is my neighbor?”

One of the most common problems faced by any LOM is sustaining a certain number of Jaycees as its Chapter membership base. Time and again, most LOMs get caught in a vicious cycle of recruiting young professionals and entrepreneurs, screening them, letting them undergo the OTS as well as other basic Jaycee seminars, letting them handle small projects, and presto!, the LOM has a new batch of Jaycees. But usually because of a very tight Chapter calendar, most of these new Jaycees are left on their own to discover and appreciate the organization and its promise of opportunities.

However, most LOM officers tend to forget that running an organization that is voluntary in nature requires a deeper understanding of human nature and behavior, and the dynamics of the organization, as well. Or maybe on hindsight, it is just that most of the officers and even us, members, get too engrossed with the various chapter activities, more so with the fellowship that every Jaycee function brings. The more serious Jaycees, on the other hand, are too pre-occupied with monitoring their respective pet projects to ensure that come Area Conference, National Convention, ASPAC, or even World Congress, such projects would garner recognition in the bidbook competitions. Or maybe, we animatedly get caught up by the exciting world of Jaycee politics.

Many would say though, that any member’s active participation and intense involvement in the LOM affairs largely depend on the LOM President’s charisma, his vision for the chapter, and his relentless drive to achieve something for himself, in particular, and for the LOM, in general.

We have to be reminded that the President is not the Organization. While he may lead the chapter, direct every officer to do a certain task, provide motivation to every member, any president can only do so much. We must remind ourselves that it is the general membership and not the president that determines any LOM’s organizational culture and atmosphere. It is the general membership that can make or break any chapter because it is the one that ultimately decides on crucial issues

Devil in Details

March 2005 Issue of The General Magazine-The LOMs Official Publication

Just like a very common yet extremely excruciating torture where water is allowed to continuously dropped onto one’s forehead, one of the most distressing challenges to any LOM management is the administrative gridlock that may consequently happen when everybody seems busy pursuing one’s big project. More often than not, LOMs get too catatonically engrossed in this kind of pursuit that they end up implementing even the simplest of projects haphazardly. And at day’s end, we would ask ourselves, have we done something significant?

It is often told among successful managers and leaders that in situations like this, the secret of success lies not in doing work, but in recognizing the right man to do it”. As managers and leaders, we subconsciously select or pick somebody who could fill in our simple incompetence. Put it in milder words, we seek people who could complement us.

Translating visions into realities requires not only identifying specific goals and setting directions, but also creating a plan of action, and converting them into a comprehensive program of either single-thrust plans or standing projects that are easily implementable.

What comes next is the projects legwork’s daily grind. Here lies the importance of a well-oiled machinery, of having the right people for every job, of effective communication, of charisma, of dogged persistence and of the will to make a real difference.

It is here that any manager or leader would realize that having a great aim is not enough. There must be strong determination to attain the set objectives.

Between the great things we cannot do and the small things we can do, the danger is that we shall do nothing.

Twin Star host grand recruitment night

JCI GenSan “Twin Star” champions coastal community cause

GSC - Advocacy gets a novel and a more profound meaning in the Jaycees as the Junior Chamber International General Santos “Twin Star” launches its coastal community management program with Minanga Urban Poor Settlers Association, Inc. (MUPSAI), a people’s organization entrusted with the rehabilitation and development of at least five hectares of Sarangani Bay’s coast beside the Buayan estuary.

The joint undertaking which was formally inked in a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing during the 41st Annual Installation of Officers and Induction of New Members at Ecopark, this city, and duly witnessed by Jaycee delegates all over Mindanao bespoke of the social responsibility of the Jaycees towards its environment and the local community.

Newly elected “Twin Star” LOM President JCI Member Julius Q. Trinidad and MUPSAI President Dan Arroyo were both pleased with the joint venture as they promised to closely coordinate with each other to ensure the program’s success.

Though the survey is yet to be fully concluded, part of the initial plans for the program are the conduct of a mangrove rehabilitation program, conduct of health and social awareness projects, and leadership development, capability-building and self-reliance trainings and seminars, among others.

Assigned as the Interim Committee Chairman tasked to oversee the survey for the said program is JCI Member Edwin Ravelo.

As part of the confidence and goodwill building measure, the JCI General Santos “Twin Star” had already conducted a mangrove tree planting and medical mission last April 17 and April 20, 2006, respectively.