As State President and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I welcome you to our newly redesigned, enhanced and user friendly website.

We are very excited to be reconstituting and breathing new life and direction into our state chapter, which is part of the United States JAYCEES. 

Historically the JAYCEES, also known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce, composed of people between the ages of 18 and 41, has been very influential in our country. As you review our website your will learn that Jaycees helped establish Airmail services in America with Jaycee Charles Lindbergh and have raised millions of dollars for organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes to name just a few. 

Our purpose was and is to give young adults the tools they need to build success in business development, management skills, individual training, community service, and networking.  In short the Jaycees teach leadership skills through service to others, and we have fun at the same time.

Eldridge Hawkins Jr.

30 years ago if an individual wanted to be successful, everyone knew part of the formula was to join the Jaycees.  After seeing how being a Jaycee has changed my world and those around me, I am certain that the organization remains an avenue to success.  With your help, we will rebuild this organization far beyond its former prominence throughout New Jersey.  We will improve communication and strengthen existing chapters while creating new ones.

Are the Jaycees still relevant in the age of Facebook, Linked In, PartnerUp, and other on-line business networking sites? My answer is emphatically YES, now more than ever! It is true that cyberspace has contributed to an explosion of interest and participation in business networking. But what cyberspace lacks is the magic and proven effectiveness of face to face contact and conversation, the richness of relationships that can only happen in a real world organization such as the JAYCEES.   

Part of our mission is to develop partnerships with other groups to better serve our communities and create leadership opportunities.  To that end we are especially pleased to announce that the NJ Jaycees has reestablished its historic relationship with the NJ Chamber of Commerce.  All local NJ Jaycee chapters are encouraged to join their local Chamber of Commerce and become true partners on a grass roots level to provide more diverse programming and opportunities for members and the community.  For more information go to the corporate partners section of our web site and navigate to the web page of this partnering institution.    

Members are the life blood of our organization and we invite you to join a local chapter.  If you are a former member who “aged out,” please come back to help and again become a participant in creating opportunities for others.

Sincerely,

Eldridge Hawkins Jr.