The JCI Senate was formed during the 1952 JCI World Congress in Australia: Canada’s Phil Pugsley was the first JCI Senate President.
It took 20 additional years for the US JCI Senate to form, which it did at the 1972 National Jaycee Convention held in Atlanta. Jim O’Connell, Illinois, was elected our first USJCI Senate President.
MICHIGAN JCI SENATE FROM THE BEGINNING
The Michigan J.C.I. Senate, as we know it today, was officially launched on September 9, 1972, at the home of Chuck Nicholas in Eaton Rapids. Several Michigan Senators including Ray Huldin, Roger Lyons, Jim Willoughby, Dave Blakely and Chuck Nicholas were in attendance. Guests included U.S.J.C.I. President Jim O’Connell, Rep. Senators J.C.I. Bob Drdak and Chic Lantz. O’Connell informed the Michigan Senate of the newly formed national organization and requested Michigan’s support. Ideas and programs for both the national and state groups were discussed and adopted. We were now on our way, firmly established.
The Michigan Senate annual meeting is held in February during Jaycee Winter Board meeting and Raymond “Doc” Huldin was elected president of the reorganized Senate. The new By-laws and Constitution were rewritten and adopted September 19, 1974. On October 2, 1974, we officially became affiliated with the United States Jaycee Senate.
History shows that the Michigan J.C.I. first began its existence in the 1960’s and “Doc’s” dedication and perseverance that we survived and grew and we are extremely grateful to him. On December 11, 1969, a special observance banquet was held in Lansing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of J.C.I. Special guest and honored speaker was Raymond A. Wolfe who organized the first J.C.I. meeting in Mexico City on December 11, 1944. It was at this historical meeting that Junior Chamber International was founded. Brother Wolfe was a member of the Grand Haven, Michigan chapter and at the banquet was presented with Senatorship #10500 by the Grand Haven Jaycees.
The Michigan J.C.I. Senate presently has a membership of over 200 and meetings are held monthly in various parts of the state and its newsletter, “The Filibuster”, is published and mailed to all dues paid Senators quarterly. In addition to promoting its programs and furthering Jayceeism, a Speakers Bureau is provided for Jaycee chapters. Socials include bowling and golf tournaments and family picnic. Also, don’t overlook our best known member, “Peter the Great”. Presently there are over 900 proud Senators in Michigan.
The prominence of the Michigan Senate increased and we made our entry into the national scene in 1979 when Past President Glen Stone (1978-79) was elected National Vice President representing the Mid-American Institute. We were again represented when Past President Doug Hincker (1981-82) was elected in 1982 to this office in Phoenix.
We have made great strides in only a few short years and look forward to the future with great expectations. We’re proud of the Michigan J.C.I. Senate.
Hal Krekorian #9695
Historian-Michigan J.C.I. Senate
Written January 1983
Filibusters (The Official Newsletter of the Michigan JCI Senate until 2016)
Update 40th program post event (pdf,16MB)
Michigan JCI Senate History (thru 2000)
U.S. JCI Senate Elected Offices from Michigan
Filibuster and Mentors Program Info