2008 NYS CDVP and Government Affairs

Outstanding Young New Yorkers

2008-05-18T10:08:00.003-04:00

May 3rd -5th we were introduced to 4 Outstanding Young New Yorkers. I wanted to thank Patty Benda for her hard work in taking over this project and volunteering to run it again next year. I want to thank the Chapters for finding and sponsoring these candidates.

Most importantly I want to thank and acknowledge these 4 Outstanding High School Seniors who are an inspiration to us all. We had (2) Candidates from the Batavia Area, Amanda Harding and Andrea Coffed (1) from Watertown Benjamin Peak, and (1) from Burnt Hills (Saratoga Area) Danielle Vitalo.

While all the Candidates were Outstanding we reviewed their resumes based on the criteria set forth in the application, we interviewed them and we listened to their speeches.

In 1st Place - Winning a $1500 Scholarship - Danielle Vitalo sponsored by the Saratoga Springs Junior Chamber

In 2nd Place - Winning a $1000 Scholarship - Amanda Harding sponsored by the Batavia Area Junior Chamber

In 3rd Place - Winning a $750 Scholarship - Benjamin Peak sponsored by the Watertown Junior Chamber

In 4th Place Winning a $300 Scholarship - Andrea Coffed Sponsored by Presidnet Shonda Ranson and the Rochester Junior Chamber

Employment Changes

2008-05-18T10:05:00.001-04:00

Many of you have gone through this in our state of economic unrest. A lost job, a promotion a better opportunity.

I announced it at the Excom and to several of my chapter members but here is an update for the Executive committee and to the Members of the NYS Junior Chamber.

On Thursday May 15th I accepted a position at the NYS Attorney Generals office to provide technical services, desktop support and help desk duties. As many of you know I have owned my own business since 1993 and have run it full-time for 5 ½ years. This was a difficult decision for me to make and I do plan to continue my business in a Part-time manner. This is a major life change as I will likely have to stop working in My PJ’s but it was an opportunity that long term is beneficial for me and my family.

How will this affect my position as State CDVP?

In most cases not at all – I will primarily be working M-F with an occasional Saturday – I should be able to work those out as to not conflict with State events and Chapter events around the state. I may have some travel through NYS for the job so I may find myself in NYC or Buffalo or other locations at times so I’d use those opportunities to visit. The only thing that may change is I won’t be able to answer my phone every time it rings at work for business and personal calls so leave a message and I will return your calls and e-mails at my 1st opportunity. I am scheduled to start June 2nd…

OYNY Convention Registration

2008-03-24T23:22:00.008-04:00

This is a link to pay for your OYNY 2008 Registration - - You still need to fill out a registration
form and send it in or e-mail it to Melissa George ankledolphin@hotmail.com

Leadership Academy

2008-01-15T00:18:00.001-05:00

The Leadership Academy in Tulsa was Awesome.... What was once only available to chapter presidents has been extended to all chapter and state officers.

With only 2 New Yorkers attending in 2008 I hope you will all consider applying next year. The experience is worth your time. There were attendees from across the United States and also some international guests. While I have been a Jaycee for 8 years the majority of the attendies have now become new friends

Surreal Experience

2008-01-14T23:51:00.000-05:00

This weekend I had the honor of being invited to participate in the United States Junior Chambers Leadership Academy.

I had a surreal experience as I left Tulsa. I had never been to Tulsa before and while I knew a few people there before attending most of the participants were total strangers from across the United States and other countries. I'll discuss my trainings in another blog.

When I was leaving I took the shuttle with Mel From Batavia and 2 other Jaycees I met over the weekend. As we walked through the airport we decided to get lunch. About 20 new friends were at the TGIF and the staff said they were full so we moved on. We found another place to eat and saw another 5 Jaycees that we knew. After finishing lunch and walking to my gate to return to NY I couldn't walk more than a hundred yards without hearing a hello and have a good trip home from my new friends. I then finally got on the plane and ended up sitting to a young guy who was a Jaycee who I hadn't met at the Leadership Academy.

Traveling to Tulsa I likely saw many of these same people in the airport and then walking around the hotel but they were strangers.

In this one weekend we all experienced the epitome of the Jaycees - We build more than Leaders, We build friendships.

As I walked through the Tulsa airport I saw friends in a place I'd never been.

2008 National Primary Feb 5 2008

2008-01-08T18:59:00.000-05:00

The Presidential primary is several weeks away - Do you know who you are going to vote for? Do you know where the candidates stand? Are you registered?

If you're not registered there are just a few days left to do so. More importantly, if you're not registered to vote, WHY NOT???

Registering isn't very difficult and it is the right thing to do, it also allows you to vote. You are not required to register for a specific party but you may only vote in the primary for the party in which you are registered. This means if you are registered as a Democrat you can only vote on the Democratic line in the primary, same holds true if you are registered as a Republican, you may only vote on the Republican line.

You may vote for any candidate or write in your own in general elections. Mickey Mouse and other such characters will not be counted, nor can they win even with a majority of the vote.

If you don't know who the candidates are or where they stand. Do some research, ask people you trust, watch the debates.

While the Junior Chamber is a non-partisan organization we are big time advocates of geting involved with your local Government and beyond.

If young people don't vote - Our opinions don't mean much to polititions.

Need info on how to register - Contact me - Scott Kingsley or your local town government.

Community Development and your Chapter

2008-01-07T16:38:00.000-05:00

Community Development and your Chapter

Community Involvement is a symbiotic relationship. A relationship that benefits both your Chapter members and the communities you live in. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression it’s not what you know but who you know. Well both are important but if you’re looking to recruit new members in your community and they don’t know who you are, good luck. If you want town leaders to think of the Junior Chamber to help with events and they don’t know who you are, good luck.

One of the easiest things to do is to attend Town/City Meetings. They are always open to the public and there is typically a public comment time so you can speak about events you have coming up. The more often you attend and participate the more likely you will have opportunities to find new projects. Who knows, maybe you will find the urge to join the planning or zoning board.

Business and Professional Associations: They are local and likely have members that are potential members, employers or employees. They aren’t typically free but they often have free events. Do you have a member that is a Chamber of Commerce member; see if you can go to a mixer as a guest. I offer that benefit to all our chapter members.

Local Community Organizations: Knights of Columbus, Rotary, 4H, Elks Club, etc. They are established in the community and they can be both a resource and become participants in your events and trainings. Are there projects that you can work on with them?

My challenge to you is to attend a town meeting, contact a local organization and talk about the Junior Chamber. Do potential members in your community know about the state convention this month? Do they know about projects you have planned over the next few months?

Have questions, success stories to share? Call me. E-mail me dstern@alittlehelp.net or go online to http://www.2008cdvp.blogspot.com/ and leave me a message.

Community Projects Help You

2007-11-21T12:01:00.001-05:00

Community Projects are a tool for you and your members.

Ultimately your goal as a Member of the Junior Chamber is to improve your world which starts with "You". Learning new skills, especially leadership skills are crucial to your personal development and in improving your community.

The best way to learn something is to do it. Community Projects allow you to come up with an idea, develop a plan, get your members and community involved and implement your idea into a tangible project. Projects in the Community Area of Opportunity are designed to impact your community in a positive way. This may be a fundraiser to sponsor an underprivelidged child to go to Camp or to build a playground or help other community groups in your community.

Remember the experience in running a project is just as important as the results.
To become a leader you must learn to lead others. Leaders must know how to work with others and know when to delegate, and when to let others succeed or fail on their own. We are a learning organization, we want to teach others to become better leaders, but sometimes projects that aren't as successful as expected can teach us more about ourselves then projects that succeed.

Some Projects that The Saratoga Springs Junior Chamber is involved with include:
The Annual Spelling Bee where we are judges and have been the Pronouncer for several years.
2 Annual Easter Egg Hunts in 2 communities
Adopt a Family for the Holiday Season
Joined and attend meetings with the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association
Relay For Life
Outstanding Young New Yorker Scholarship Program
MDA Lock Up - Locked up for Good - Raise Bail for the MDA to send kids to Camp
Attend City and County Meetings

Share your projects with the State to benefit all members.

Not meeting your goals is far better than not having goals...

2008 Outstanding Young New Yorker Scholarship

2007-11-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

The OYNY Scholarship Program has been an annual project that the New York Junior Chamber has run for over 30 years. High School Seniors are nominated by Jaycee chapters from across New York State to compete for several scholarships. Local Chapters will often have their own competitions for local candidates to decide which one is to be sent to the State Convention in April to via for these scholarships. Chapters are responsible for providing the registration fees for their candidate in order for them to compete. This registration fee covers convention meals, parties, activities and accommodations for the weekend.

Primary Purpose:
To provide scholarships to Outstanding High School Students to assist them in attending College. Secondly it is to help these students to learn skills that they will need to use through their life as future leaders. How to speak in front of an audience, how to present themselves in an interview, and to give them the opportunity to meet other Outstanding High School Seniors who are making a difference in their world.

It has been my priviledge to run this program for the past 2 years and have passed the torch to Patti Benda from Johnson City, NY in 2008. As CDVP the project falls under my area and I will be assisting in the project as needed. The final dates aren't set but the convention will be in May and Paperwork for candidates will be available by the January 11 - 13 Convention in Syracuse.
The CPG and other info is available at your request dstern@alittlehelp.net...

Start your search early and look for sponsors to support the project. There is a registration fee of $150 -$160 for each candidate (limit 1 Candidate per chapter) - This covers the Candidates room, meals and other expenses for the weekend. We have traditionally given a $1500. $1000, $750, $300 dollar scholarship to the competitors in order of their final ranking.

Do you have ideas, comments or suggestions for the 2008 OYNY Scholarship? Let me know here or send me an e-mail.

Government Involvement

2007-11-21T00:09:00.000-05:00

The 2008 team has a new vision for the NYS Junior Chamber. One where we will be addressing issues that affect 18 - 40 year olds. The initiative to create a true Government Affairs Leadership Seminar where our organization will bring concerns from young people around the state to our representatives in Albany.

As the NYS Community Development Vice President and Government Affairs Liason I have already started contacting Colleges to get students to participate in surveys to determine what our young people want to entice them to remain in NY State and in our communities after they graduate from College. We're tired of having 60 and 70 year olds tell us what will keep us in NY State. Will there be Social security for our generation? Will we be able to afford to buy a home and keep it with taxes escalating at an alarming rate? Will our Government represent our needs?

Government awareness and involvement is essential to our generations, If we don't speak our minds and we don't vote we won't be represented.

What are your Concerns?
Post them here.........