Imagine you have the ability to change the world. What would such a world look like? Few have the ability to change the course of history, but through a combination of courageous acts, we can all influence change. JCI members are young people who choose to influence change through identifying problems in their communities and by working with their peers, partners, civil society organizations and governments to find creative solutions to those problems. JCI has designated the month of March, a JCI Impact Month. Use this month to empower others in your community to take responsibility for the success of their hometowns and to use positive change to transform their lives and the world around them. The achievements made by young active citizens with shared values and common goals are nearly beyond belief. The history of the world is full of young active citizens who through their actions have impacted the world. On May 20, 1927, Charles Lindbergh, a member of JCI USA embarked on the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic from New York to Paris. Charles Lindbergh impacted the world. The legendary footballer Pelé of Brazil, watched his father cry as Brazil lost the World Cup to Uruguay in 1950 and told his father “Do not worry, one day I will win it.” Pelé went on to win 3 World Cups and transformed the game of football. During the civil war in Nigeria in 1969, a ceasefire was declared between warring factions because Pelé was playing a soccer game in Lagos, Nigeria. Recently, Weal Ghonim and young people in Egypt, armed with computers and the Internet, were able to take the future of their nation into their own hands and generate a wave of change that spread throughout the region. All these people were young, had a vision and were willing to invite other people to share in their passion for democracy and positive change. JCI provides development opportunities that empower young people in more than 100 countries to create positive change. These nearly 200,000 young active citizens are the heroes of our time, taking on the challenge of transforming communities and impacting lives. But it takes more than 200,000 members to create the impact we wish to see in our world. We must continue to reach out to other young people and help them embrace their ability to make an impact. What one individual cannot accomplish alone, two or more people with a shared vision can achieve together. If you believe in your ability to make a difference, if you believe in the mission of JCI, then you must ask one person today to join you in your quest to change the world. Here is a great way to guide someone to JCI today:

• Begin by asking a friend, a neighbor or a colleague aged 18 – 40 what they feel are some of the challenges your community faces?
• Ask them who is doing something about these challenges?
• What they are doing about the community challenges?
• If they had an opportunity to solve these problems would they be happy and willing to do something?
• Tell them JCI offers them the opportunity to create a positive impact.
• Invite them to JCI meeting, event or project activity and let them see the impact for themselves.

You have just given one person an opportunity to create positive change. Increasing the global impact of JCI just takes one conversation. Throughout the month of March, JCI President Kentaro Harada will challenge you to go out and impact the world, by asking one person to join JCI. In doing so, you will double our impact. Imagine what we could create if each one us understood that growth is not just a number, it is an increase in our ability to accomplish the JCI Mission. Tell us how you are taking action this month to make an impact on JCI's Facebook page . Share your actions with other JCI members through the Action Shots photo contest.
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