About.

Being a Jaycee is different for every member! Our organization allows members opportunities in personal, professional, and community development.  We are driven by the ideas of our members and making sustainable change in Billings.

Established in 2009

The Billings Junior Chamber (Jaycees) is the premiere leadership development organization in the area, giving young people ages 18 to 40 the tools they need to succeed for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service and international connections.

Our Mission

To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

Our Vision

To be the leading global network of active young citizens.

2018 Leadership Team

Feel free to contact any of the of the board members directly if you have any questions about our membership or any open board positions.

Kylee Gruel
​President

​"As a Legacy member I am really passionate about the Jaycees! As president I really want to see our membership grow, both in numbers and as individuals. I really want our chapter to embody the idea of the Jaycees and strive to create positive change!"

Eric Ler
​Management Development VP

OPEN POSITION
Membership VP

Kylie Gamas
​Individual Development VP

Felicia Burg
Community Development VP

OPEN POSITION
Business Development VP

OPEN POSITION
​Communications VP

Brittany Lane
Treasurer

Travis Gruel
​Chaplain

​" As part of the Billings Jaycees in 2019 I will be serving as the chaplain. Since we didn't have a chaplain last year it's my duty to make sure everyone is recognized. I'm hard working, social butterfly and dependable. Also I'm looking forward to working with a great team, having a great year in 2019. Let's do things"

Emily Weidinger
​​Chairperson of the Board

2018 Program Directors 

Program Directors allow members to take on a leadership role with our organization without stepping all the way into a board position.  These positions will often work with a board member. We have many Program Director positions available or members are encouraged to create a position of their own.

Open Director Positions

PR - Activities - Recruitment & Retention - Passport to Civic Leadership - PMG - Newsletter Editor - Sustainable Community Impact

If you are interested in a Program Director position contact Emily Weidinger at emily.weidinger@yahoo.com.

Chapters Around Montana

Central Montana Jaycees
Dillon Jaycees
Glendive Jaycees
Havre Jaycees
Miles City Jaycees
Laurel Jaycees
Sydney Jaycees

Our Parent Organizations

As a member of the Billings Jaycees you are a part of a state, national and international organization.

History of the Junior Chamber

Billings Jaycees History
Montana Jaycees History

 1915

Founding a Movement

By the age of 18, Henry Giessenbier Jr. formed the Herculaneum Dance Club, a social outlet for the community’s youth. Unknown at the time, Giessenbier was laying the foundation for what would become a global movement. On October 13, 1915, the first JCI Movement was founded when 32 men joined to form the Young Men’s Progressive Association (YMPCA) at the Mission Inn located in their hometown of St. Louis, USA.

1920

The First National Convention

In 1926, after gaining Charles A. Lindbergh, commercial aviation pioneer, as a member, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce pursued to expand aviation throughout the United States by working to establish and promote airport construction, encourage air mail usage and mark towns for easy identification from the air. That same year, the Get Out the Vote campaign was initiated in which the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce became the first national organization to conduct a systematic campaign to educate citizens of their civic duty to vote. As a result, 12 million more individuals voted in the 1928 election than in 1924.

1926

Aviation Expansion & Voter Participation

In 1926, after gaining Charles A. Lindbergh, commercial aviation pioneer, as a member, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce pursued to expand aviation throughout the United States by working to establish and promote airport construction, encourage air mail usage and mark towns for easy identification from the air. That same year, the Get Out the Vote campaign was initiated in which the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce became the first national organization to conduct a systematic campaign to educate citizens of their civic duty to vote. As a result, 12 million more individuals voted in the 1928 election than in 1924.

1946

The First JCI World Congress

In 1946, with their new international presence recognized, the first JCI World Congress took place in Panama City, and included the adoption of a provisional Constitution.

1951

JCI Creed Outlines Fundamental Values

Written by C. William Brownfield, the JCI Creed, a six-line statement of the beliefs and principles of the JCI Movement, was officially adopted in 1948 uniting individual members across the world.

1971

Opportunities for Women

Throughout the 1970's, membership growth among women soared and in 1971 the first female National President was elected in Nepal.  Women joined the US membership in 1982.

2004

JCI Adopts the Millennium Development Goals

First a resolution of the JCI-UN Leadership Summit, in 2004 JCI members committed to join leaders around the world to advance the Millennium Development Goals. Members globally continued to run national and local projects aimed to advance these eight global development goals, which ranged from eradicating extreme hunger and poverty to combating HIV/AIDS and malaria.

2009

Billing Jaycees Chapter Re-established

Founding members included: Katie Edwards (1st Chapter President), Justin Wutzke (1st Marketing VP / 2nd Chapter President), Amy Whittle, Alison LaFever (1st Membership VP) and Maisie Sulser (1st Community VP).  71st State President Misty Miner came into Billings and helped our initial 20 members to re-establish the Billings Jaycees in 2009. We kicked off our inaugural year with a Christmas Tree Pickup Service and Hot Chocolate Sales at the Downtown Billings Christmas Stroll, in addition to our annual Spring BBQ and the epic Beartooth Booze Cruise to promote responsible drinking and driving.

2010

The JCI Active Citizen Framework

To increase the quantity of projects that result in sustainable solutions, the General Assembly of the 2010 JCI World Congress adopted the JCI Active Citizen Framework, a roadmap of actionable, results-driven steps to produce sustainable impact. This framework has been a guiding force behind grassroots projects around the world, resulting in sustainable solutions such as a medical camp in Bangladesh slums for expectant mothers lacking prenatal resources, community farming in the Dutch Caribbean, apprenticeships for unemployed youth in Europe and voter awareness campaigns across African nations.

2011

Billings Jaycees Scare Up Haunted Hallows

Members Justin Wutzke and Brad Kahler brought back a Billings Jaycees tradition by creating our annual outdoor haunted trail at Two Moon Park. The funds from this support the members of our chapter to create projects and positive change for the Billings community all throughout the year. It majorly funds our Holiday Giveback Projects and supports our annual Coat Drive.

2013

The Billings Jaycees host the First Annual Tails & Trails Pet Fun Run

Members Anna Weidinger and Emily Weidinger organized the first Tails & Trails Pet Fun Run at Lake Elmo State Park.  The idea was sparked by the thought of a dog in a cape and the superhero theme was born.  The theme as changed each year as pet owners bring out their animals to walk or run the 2 mile or 5K in order to support our local pet community organizations.
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