A Passion-for-Action Leader: JCI Vice President Graham Hanlon

JCI President Fernando Sanchez-Arias honors JCI Vice President Graham Hanlon as a Passion-for-Action Leader.

Born on December 14, 1968, in Dublin, Ireland, Graham Hanlon graduated from University College, Dublin, in 1989. Majoring in sociology and politics, he received an honors degree in Social Sciences, following a thesis on the effects of exit polling in US Presidential Elections. Graham undertook post-graduate studies in law and was admitted to the Law Society's Law School in November 1990 and to the High Court Roll of Solicitors in July 1994.

Graham has his own practice in Dublin with Jeremy Doyle, employing seven full-time staff. He is actively involved in politics, having been elected for various positions within the government party, Fianna Fail. He has also been asked to stand in the upcoming local government elections in June 2004 but has declined, choosing to concentrate on JCI.

He has served JCI as Local President in 1992, National Treasurer in 2000, National President for JCI Ireland in 2002, and Growth Commissioner for Area D and European Development Council (EDC) Chairman in 2003. He is JCI Senator 57120. As JCI Vice President in 2004, Graham has been assigned to the national organization members of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

Besides JCI activities, Graham has a column in Ireland's premier business magazine, Business and Finance, in which he writes on Family Law matters and areas requiring social reform.

Graham and his wife, Lynne Jehoul, whom he met through JCI at a multi-twinning conference in 1993, reside in Dublin. He enjoys a round of golf and both are keen skiers.

-- Why did you join JCI?

I joined JCI in 1990 straight after university. I was very active in university, particularly in debating societies and political party organizations. I knew I would miss the buzz and excitement of college life and, in particular, the international experiences I had there.

University College Dublin is an extremely vibrant place, with almost 20,000 students on one campus; it is a town in itself. So upon graduating, I remembered JCI from a school's debating competition I had won years before. I looked them up and here I am, 14 years later.

-- What have you gained from your membership?

Most obviously, my beautiful wife, who is a great source of strength to me. We met in 1993 through European Multi Twinning, to which both our chapters belonged. The relationship really took off from the start although we tried to remain just good friends for the first few years. In addition to Lynne, the big gain from JCI must be the friendships.

After 14 years, it is fair to say I have JCI friends not only in every part of Ireland but also on all four corners of the world. That is something unique to this organization.

-- What are your main JCI goals this year?

Naturally I want to promote the World President's Plan of Action. In particular, I want to see 60% of our national organizations grow. It is not really a difficult target at all. With a bit of determination and effort from every member, 100% could be the result. In addition to that, I suppose if I was to be remembered as a VP in 2004, I think I would like to be remembered as the VP who opened peoples' eyes to see what a rare treasure it is to be a member of this wonderful organization.

-- What advice would you have for new members so that they may fully benefit from the organization?

Good question. I believe JCI is a GIVERS-GAIN organization. The more you give the more you will undoubtedly gain. As a new member, you must try and avail of every opportunity that comes your way. If you do, you can only benefit; if you don't, you will regret it at some stage in the future.

-- Do you have a lifelong dream you would like to share with other members?

For me, my only desire is to look back on life and be able to say I have no regrets. I have no intention of becoming old and bitter. Of course, I can't rule out politics, in which I have always remained involved.

For JCI, I would like it to be, once more, the undisputed NGO that governments and others look to when they want a representative view on the thoughts and aspirations of young people between 18 and 40. If we achieve this goal, we will undoubtedly become a household name.

-- Has there been a turning point in your life? Would you like to share it?

There have been one or two turning points. Undoubtedly the one that sees me here today was on a July evening in 1999. I was getting off a plane in Dublin Airport, when the then candidate for National President of JCI Ireland telephoned me to ask if I would consider serving on his National Board in 2000. Had Joe Toner not made the call, I think I would probably be now involved in politics in Ireland as a public representative. Fortunately for me, I said yes and have put off politics for some time to come.

-- What is your most memorable JCI moment? Why is it memorable?

Again, there have been so many! Becoming Chapter President or National President were both very memorable. Japan Academy was also very special as have been all my Multi-Twinning experiences. If one was to stand out, it would be the night that my chapter made me a Senator in 1997 at our Spring Conference, which we were hosting. That was truly very special and touched me deeply. Incidentally, none other than Kevin Cullinane, current Chief Executive Assistant to the JCI President, was the man who officiated that night as National President.

-- If you have an interesting JCI anecdote, please relate it.

Well, I am sure those that know me well know I like a drink and a bit of a sing song. I don't think I'll ever forget the first time I met Tracy Des Laurier, 2001 National President of Canada and a good friend. We attended the same Japan Academy. Prior to arriving, we emailed each other and agreed to meet in Tokyo Airport. We both arrived within an hour of each other and hit it off straight away. Our Japanese hosts were also delighted to see us and felt we should go straight to the hotel in Tokyo to rest for the onward journey the next day to Yamagata

We had other ideas. After explaining the thirst-producing effects long-haul flying has on the Irish and Canadians, we convinced our hosts to take us to the nearest pub, which we discovered was straight up the escalator in the Airport. Our hosts were sure one drink was all we were going to have, until we started the third-round system. First I bought a drink for everyone and I insisted it was beer. Then Tracy bought the next one. Naturally the Japanese insisted on being the perfect hosts and three more rounds duly followed.

Three hours later we decided to head for Tokyo, feeling all the better for the refreshment and swearing our undying love and affection for one another. We all boarded the train and approximately 45 minutes later arrived in Tokyo central to be greeted by a very patient-looking member of the host committee holding a banner "WELCOME JAPAN ACADEMY DELEGATES." It appeared he had been standing there all that time as we had been nourishing our souls!

Well, it thought me two things:

1. Don't interfere with someone else's timetable.
2. There is no one as dedicated and patient as the Japanese.

Additional details regarding his family and preferences:

Your parents: My mother, Maura Hanlon. My father, James Hanlon, died in 1995.
Your children: None
Your mentor: My mother
Your favorite speaker: John F Kennedy
Your dream: Eradication of Third-World hunger and famine
Favorite food: French or Italian
Favorite sport: To play: Skiing, golf and horse riding. I enjoy watching rugby and horse racing.
Favorite hobby: Reading. I'm in the middle of an interesting book on the American Civil War.
Favorite music: Classical: Beethoven, Handel. Rock: U2, REM, Coldplay.
Favorite cartoon: Tom and Jerry
Favorite artist: William Butler Yeats, a poet
Favorite leader: Eamon de Valera, Irish revolutionary and founder of my
Political Party
Favorite movie: Mississippi Burning
Favorite book: Lord of the Rings. I read it at the age of 13 and still can't put it down.
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite fruit: Pear
Favorite project: School debates
If you collect anything in particular, what do you collect? CD's and books on history and politics.

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