If you've found this, you probably want to know why I'm running!

Hi everyone!

This is my first blog post on the Over the Moon 2011 Community Vice President campaign blog. This will be the official website for the campaign, and I welcome any and all questions. The next couple of posts will introduce you to the campaign, the team and our supporters. I'm very excited to begin this journey and look forward to seeing you all at events!!!

So to begin - here are my goals for the 2011 MIJC Community Team and beyond:

#1 - Keep it local and meaningful!

The Michigan Jaycees and Community Team need to be the support system for our local chapters. Our chapters should be focusing most of their energy on community projects that impact their local community and their members. MIJC projects should compliment what our chapters are doing in their local communities (i.e. Relay for Life).

#2 - Use the Community Area of Opportunity as a recruitment tool!

How do our local chapters get their names out in the community? Through the amazing community projects offered - whether it's raising money for a local charity, providing free Easter Egg Hunts for children or a candidate forum. We need to take every opportunity to help our local chapter use those events as a recruitment tool. These are the projects that provide our chapter with the most exposure to their local communities.

#3 - Broaden our scope of community and civic involvement.

Unfortunately, it's easy for chapter to get stuck in a rut. We have the opportunity to help our local chapters expand their programming to involve all 4 community areas of opportunity: community service, community fundraising, government and civic involvement and children & youth. It is the job of the Michigan Jaycees and the Community Team to ensure that our chapters have the tools to provide well rounded programming in the community area to members.

So - there you have it. Feel free to post questions or make comments. I'm happy to hear what YOU have to suggest for your chapters!