NEW JAYCEE PROGRAMME

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 8

NEW JAYCEE PROGRAMME

“Whether conditions today are easier or tougher for young people, they certainly are different,” the director of development of Junior Chamber International (Mr G. Cantrell) said in Christchurch on Thursday.

Speaking at a Jaycee luncheon, he outlined a new Jaycee community programme called “Accent on Youth.” The new programme, with a sponsorship of $69,900 from the Pepsi Cola company in the United States, was adopted by the J.C.I. congress in Dublin in November, Mr Cantrell said. The New Zealand body had adopted it at a national level, and it was now up to the individual chapters to take it up and adapt it locally. The first step was to set up a “youth council,” with representatives from as many youth groups as possible. The councils would survey community needs, then create and put into action a plan to meet those needs. Jaycees were in a unique position to carry out the programme because they were able to win the respect of youth and of businessmen who could support it, Mr Cantrell said. Various cash awards would be offered internationally including one of $2500 for the best-balanced programme of activity by a chapter, Mr Cantrell said. Formerly of Dunedin, Mr Cantrell works at the J.C.I. headquarters in Miami, Florida.