RETURN THE FAVOR
UNITED STATES JCI SENATE
JENNIFER E SALMON #71393
336-253-2613
History
The Return theFavor (RTF) program began under US JCI Senate President Larry Sheeler #16232 in 1987-88 as the "Yes We Can Help" program. It was developed as an offshoot of US Jaycee President Gary Wilkinson's "Yes We Can" theme. Later that same year, the program name was changed to "Return the Favor". The chairman that first year was Mike Harris #24801 of North Carolina.
In 1994, the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees), under President Matthew Shapiro #46859, began recognizing JCI Senators who did an outstanding job assisting the Jaycees. When President Shapiro started this, five or six JCI Senators were recognized on stage at the US Junior Chamber national convention.
From those beginnings, JCI Senators have been recognized for outstanding efforts they have contributed to local Jaycee chapters and state organizations. JCI Senators have returned the favor to Jaycees by serving as judges for individual award competitions, providing training for local chapters and at statewide meetings, and as a resource for new member recruitment. Many state JCI Senate organizations serve their Jaycees by hosting state meetings, providing staff for fundraisingactivities,andservingasamentorintheplanningandpresentationofotherstateJaycee programs. These activities just scratch the surface of the support that JCI Senators provide as they work to Return theFavor.
The Importance of Returning the Favor
The“RTF”program,allowsustheopportunitytomentorandassistJaycees.FrequentlySenatorswill assist Jaycees in one manner or another, but not report it. However,thereareacoupleofreasonswhyweshouldsharewhatwearedoingwiththeJayceesin our communities, states, and regions. First, Senators are given the opportunity to share programs, ideas and attitudes that may greatly benefit and strengthen other Jaycee organizations and their community. Second, as stated previously, the “RTF” program gives us an opportunity to let the Jaycee organization, on all levels, know how we care and desire to continue to build relationships with Jaycees around thecountry.
Legacy Membership Program
US JCI and the US JCI Senate have come together to form the Legacy Membership Program. Through this you can give the gift of Jaycee membership to a friend, child, grandchild or deserving active young citizen. To submit a Jaycee member through the Legacy Membership Program, go to Use the drop down menu to select "Legacy Membership" as their State and then select "LG JCI Legacy" as their Chapter. Then follow the prompts.
Submission of Paperwork
Nomination forms are available at Open the website then select, Resources/Library, Library-Reports & Forms. Then scroll down to Programs then select Return the Favor. Recognition will be taken into consideration for hours spent, however overall impact will be given a higher measure of importance. Therefore, a brief Impact Statement (no more than 150 words) will be requested on the form detailing how you have made a difference to the Jaycee chapter, state, or project to substantiate award recognition. Special consideration will be given to those nominations submitted by a Jaycee Chapter or StateOrganization.
Some Helpful Tips
Do not submit hours from current Jaycees. If the Senator is of Jaycee age their hours should not be submitted for any Return the Favorrecognition.
Travel time to and from a chapter, project, or program. Depending on the event, the level of effort for travel time can be 15 minutes to 4 hours. Your travel time is tracked separatelyfrom the time spent on the event.
Legacy Membership Program. Participation in the Legacy Membership Program should always be noted. It will also be cross referenced and verified through JCI USA so that all information of support can be captured.
Chapter Charter Sponsorship, New Chapter Extensions or Chapter Saves. Please note any participation or assistance in theChapterCharterSponsorshipProgram, a New Chapter Extensions or Chaptersave.
FOCUS IS ON MENTORSHIP and SUPPORT. Let’s AIM to be better in our role as Senators! AIM=ACTION, IMPACT, MENTORSHIP. Partnering with amember or chapter to mentor in leadership training, community service or business entrepreneur ideas is very relevant and needs to be captured for historical records for the US JCI Senate as well as an additional foundation for success for the Jaycees.
Activity Log & Nomination Forms:
RTF Senator Activity Log
RTF Outstanding JCI Senator NominationForm
RTF Outstanding JCI Senate State Nomination Form
RTF Outstanding JCI Senate Region NominationForm
Submission due dates and submission periods:
(The forms must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm EST on the duedate.)
September 1, 2018(June 1 – August 31)
December 1, 2018(September 1 – November30)
June1,2019(December 1 – May31)
Awards will be distributed in the following categories for eachtrimester:
RTF OutstandingSenator
-Top 2Senators
-OverallSenator
RTF Outstanding JCI SenateState
-Top 2States
-OverallState
RTF Outstanding JCI SenateRegion
-OverallRegion
Year end
-Senator of theYear
-State of the Year
-Region of theYear
Recognition will be awarded at the Fall Board meeting, Winter Board meeting and National Convention.Recipients must be presentto accept their award. If not, arrangements will be made to ensure the award to the recipient will be presented by the USJCI Senate President, the RTF Program Manager, or an designee appointed by the USJCI Senate President at a Regional or Stateevent.