Approaching the 100th Anniversary of JCI's First Local Organization

In 2015, we’ll celebrate the 100th Anniversary of JCI's First Local Organization, originally established under the name of "Young Men's Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA)."

Almost a century ago, Henry "Hy" Giessenbier, Jr., and a group of young people decided to take responsibility for their personal and professional development as well as for the progress and welfare of their community by helping tackle difficult problems around them. Together with other 32 young men,  Giessenbier established the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association (YMPCA), JCI's First Local Organization, at the Mission Inn in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 13, 1915.

Since 1915, countless dedicated young leaders like Giessenbier have ensured the organization's progress while contributing to the development of JCI members and the advancement of their communities. Their efforts and achievements must not be forgotten.

The historic information presented here is an effort to honor those leaders. Thanks to contributions from former JCI officers, staff members, members in general and collaborators, we have gathered significant historic details. JCI publications have also been used as reference. We hope JCI's history will serve to inspire future generations of JCI members to emulate their predecessors and take the organization to higher and higher levels of accomplishment.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT JCI HISTORY WEBSITE