Blog

At the Board Meeting I was excited to put my ideas to the group. This being JCI I knew they would not be laughed down and that any comments would be creative and helpful. I wanted my board colleagues to buy into the idea, after all whilst I myself was committed to the plan, there were certain tasks that I could only achieve with JCI Reading's supportive team behind me.

So there it was - my idea was out there - Guide Dogs for the Blind - a national, well known and established charity, a visible charity as guide dogs are often seen out doing their important work, a charity appealing to all motivations, adults, children, disabilities and animals.

My fellow board fellows were supportive and encouraging, passing the resolution to adopt the charity for 2012, even offering forward ideas to consider and questions to ask of the charity at the now inevitable meeting that was to be arranged.

So, there it was, my goal to raise funds for Guide Dogs for the Blind was out there I had personally committed to it and told others, it was recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Knowing that I had written down my goal gave and shared it with those around me gave me an immediate sense that I would achieve it.

Now, came the exciting and challenging task of planning how I would reach that goal, the steps I would need to take and the making sense of the muddle of ideas that was jumbled inside my head - I felt like I could do anything, and my JCI Reading friends were there to back me up.

Read more

Taking the decision to step away from my role of Personal Development Director and more recently Events Co-Ordinator for JCI Reading was not an easy one. Balancing the comfort of a familiar role, doing similar things and practising recurring skills or stepping into an unknown role that has not been fulfilled in JCI Reading for some years to take on the Charity functions within the Chamber.

The move for me was my personal desire to undertake charity work and also to learn and acquire new skills.

The first challenge was to be the seemingly easy task of choosing the charity, which in practice turned out to be one of great difficulty

• Could those from outside the immediate locality be motivated to help?
• What would form a widely appealing subject to ensure maximum buy in?
• Was the charity well known enough to create and hold support?
• What would other members of the chamber think?

I did my research, mind mapped my ideas, created my proposal and went to the JCI Reading Board Meeting

What would my fellow members think and would they agree with my idea for JCI Reading's Charity of 2012?

Clare

My next post will be on Wednesday.

Read more

At last nights JCI Reading board meeting it was suggested to me (by Steve) that I write regular blogs to help me share something that I am passionate about.

Having thought about it on the train home I want to try to create 'my story' through the blogs. Describing my journey as I take on and embark upon what is for me, quite a marked change in JCI roles. From something that became second nature to me, to something that is going to challenge me in finding out new things, doing new tasks, researching, holding and organising new events and potential dealing with new and varied events.

I hope the blogs that you will read over the coming months are Okay. I haven't written many blogs as in the past, so hopefully by writing more they will get better and better. I've started the beginning of my story and I will try to encompass 'JCI themes' such as the safe environment, the support we give each other, the asking other for leads and help, the skills/contacts that come to us with the hope that it demonstrates what we're all about.

As with everything I do I want to learn to do it right so please give me feedback, comment on the blogs on the site, ask us questions. We may not answer them straight away, but we will try to answer them or ask one of our other members to answer them.

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs.

Clare

My next post will be published on Sunday.
If you are on facebook a really easy way to be notified is to 'like' the JCI Reading facebook page. ( https://www.facebook.com/JCIReading )

Read more

How long have you been a member?

1 year

What is your role this year?

No role since I am back to University and commuting a lot.

What are you hoping to achieve this year?

Gain skills, experience and training from JCI to maximise my chances to achieve my career goals

Is there anything you have done as a JCI member that you never would have thought possible before you joined?

Training my JCI fellows on public speaking and also the leadership academy was an event in which I pushed myself to increase my leadership skill-set.

What do you enjoy most about being a JCI member?

The members, the organisation, the trainings and opportunities to develop oneself, not forgetting the ability to make a difference in ones community.

Read more

How long have you been a member?

I have been a member for 3 or 4 years and was one of the original members that joined at the first meeting of the new JCI Reading chamber in it's current form.

What is your role this year?

Currently I do not hold a board role as I am studying for professional exams that are taking up my time. I have held the role of Personal Development Director for the last two years. I took on the role as I had no experience at all of running events.

What are you hoping to achieve this year

My hope for later this year when my exams are over is to return to the board, taking on a different role and challenging myself to learn new skills.

Is there anything you have done as a JCI member that you never would have thought possible before you joined?

I recently organised a charity pub quiz for the firm of solicitors that I work for. I would never have been able to achieve this if it hadn't been for the event organising experience I had got through JCI. I was able to arrange the venue, quizmaster, raffle, prizes, invitations, bookings, charity link and newspaper publicity.

What do you enjoy most about being a JCI member?

JCI has given me the opportunity to make my own networking of contacts, develop my skills in ways i would not have the chance to do in my professional career and most of all make friends.

Read more

What's your role on National Board and what does it include?
As International Director I make sure JCI UK members are aware of all the international opportunites within JCI and help them embrace these opportunities.

What are your objectives in your role for 2011?
To help get as many delegates to international events during 2011 inparticular the European Conference in Tarragona in June and the World Congress in Brussels in November.

How long have you been involved in JCI?
I've been involved since March 2009, so nearly two years.

Where are you from?
Thatcham, West Berkshire - a small town west of Reading.

Which is your local chamber?
JCI Reading.

Why did you join JCI?
To do something for myself.

Which international JCI events have you been to?
2009 JCI World Congress in Tunisia and 2010 JCI World Congress in Japan.

What do you do in your spare time?
I run a business with my partner supplying and fitting window blinds and curtains.

What's your profession?
During the day I work for an IT support company.

Little known fact about you: I'm a life member of the Newbury & District Agricultural Society.

Read more