About Us

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The Brainerd Jaycees are a membership-based nonprofit organization who empower and develop young leaders between the ages of 18 to 40 in the Brainerd Lakes Area. We are affiliated with the JCI Minnesota, United States Junior Chamber and Junior Chamber International. The Jaycees movement can be found in over 5,000 communities and more than 100 countries around the world.

The Brainerd Jaycees chapter has a strong tradition of excellence, developing leaders, and supporting the community. With 75,000+ volunteer hours, we raise over $250,000 annually to put back into our community. Each member shares the belief that in order to create lasting positive change, we must improve ourselves and the world around us.

The chapter was established in February 1937, and many state and local leaders have called the Brainerd Jaycees their home.

Leadership Structure

The day to day operations of our organization are handled by a ten person Board of Directors. All actions taken by the board are approved or rejected by the general membership at the Corporation’s monthly general membership meetings. The structure of the Board of Directors is as follows:

  • President
  • Chairman of the Board
  • Management Development Vice President
  • Community Development Vice President
  • Individual Development Vice President
  • Membership Vice President
  • Public Relations Vice President
  • State Delegate
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Vendor Director
  • Brainerd Jr Jaycees Director

Areas of Opportunity

The Brainerd Jaycees strive to offer members opportunity for personal and professional growth in the following categories:

  • Community
  • Business
  • Individual
  • International
  • Environmental
  • Public Relations
  • Fundraising

The Jaycee Creed

We believe:
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.

What We Do

The Brainerd Jaycees hold monthly general membership meetings as well as monthly
membership social/networking opportunities. In addition to the monthly socials and
meetings we put together, or help with, a variety of community events throughout the year.
The events range in size from a few people helping park cars for other non-profits to the Ice Fishing Extravaganza.

Some of the projects we run are simple “projects-in-a-box” provided by other organizations
and others are exclusively ours where we are responsible for every detail from permits to
manpower to advertising.

Our Projects

Ice Fishing Extravaganza

Brainerd Jaycees Streetfest

Brainerd Jaycees Run For The Lakes

Brainerd Jaycees Lil’ Rubber Duckie Race

Brainerd Junior Jaycees

The Adopt A Highway program is a public service program for volunteers to pick up litter
along Minnesota’s highways. It enables the state’s environmentally conscious citizens to
make a personal contribution to a cleaner environment. We adopted a two mile stretch of
Highway 371 north of Brainerd by BIR in 1991. We clean the ditches twice a year; in May
and September.

Brainerd International Raceway

Socials

We hold one or two socials every month. Typical socials would be the Super Bowl Party or
Halloween social.

PAST PRESIDENTS

2022- Melissa Willis
2021 – Shane Meyer
2020 – Cassandra Clarken
2019 – Benji Thoennes
2018 – Toni Bieser
2017 – Gabe Johnson
2016 – Natalie Potvin
2015 – Carissa Meyer
2014 – Tad Johnson
2013 – Mary Zimmerman
2012 – Clint Meyer
2011 – Bill Lowe
2010 – Sarah Sellnow
2009 – Mike Kuck
2008 – Sarah Thompson
2007 – Cori Worbel
2006 – Bob Slaybaugh
2005 – Ron Meyer
2004 – Mick Orton
2003 – Kim Reese
2002 – Mary Devine
2001 – Linda Vobejda

2000 – Iain Olness
1999 – Ed Vobejda
1998 – Ron Imgrund
1997 – Rick Cole
1996 – Judy Scherger
1995 – Gwen Imgrund
1994 – Kelly Bevans
1993 – Deb Cole
1992 – Ellen Johnson
1991 – Don Ryan
1990 – Bill Rickmeyer
1989 – Frank Vadnais
1988 – Chris Dahlbeck
1987 – Kevin Dens
1986 – Mick Zieball
1985 – Steve Isackson
1984 – Chris Kelm
1983 – Dale Bolt
1982 – John Majka
1981 – Pat Krueger
1980 – Ray Charpentier

1979 – Dave Britton
1978 – John Person
1977 – Mike Weiss
1976 – Kevin Close
1975 – Mike Brittin
1974 – Dennis Meier
1973 – Jim Webb
1972 – John Tanner
1971 – Jim Bedard
1970 – Gene Goedker
1969 – Al Schmitz
1968 – Ron Grams
1967 – Dick Raymond
1966 – Hank Hanson
1965 – Dick Solarz
1964 –
1963 – Jerry Waldow
1962 – Jerry Waldow
1961 – All Freeberg
1960 – Joe DeRosier
1959 – Jack Israelson

1958 – Clink Crosby
1957 – Dan Maxam
1956 – Cy Mitchall
1955 – Al Leighton
1954 – Andy Rosvold
1953 – Russ Ives
1952 – Bill VanEssen
1951 – Bob Alderman
1950 – Bill Hendrickson & Vern Olson
1949 – Knute Peterson
1948 – Jack Prindle
1947 – George Fischer
1946 – Dick Ebert
1945 – Len Peterson
1944 – Zane Smith
1943 – Lenny Boeder
1942 – Bill Fitzsions
1941 – Walter Martini
1940 – Jerry Falkerrock
1939 – Jerry Halvorson
1938 – John Donavan
1937 – Les Hage
1936 – Les Hage