About Us
History of The Tulsa Jaycees
The History of the Tulsa Jaycees
In 1915, in St. Louis, Missouri, Henry Giessenbier organized a group of
32 young men and formed the 'Young Men's Progressive Civic Association.'
Hy was elected president. The name later became Junior Citizens, then
the Junior Chamber of Commerce, then in 1965 the United States Jaycees
and now, again, the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
A national organization meeting was held in 1919. From Hy's keynote
speech
"...may I say that in your hands lies the destiny of a great
organization. Let us build it to national recognition. Let us organize
in it the interest of young men for a greater America. Let us not fail
in this task."
The following year E. Fred Johnson, from Tulsa, organized a slate of
officers to run against Geissenbier and his slate. Much to Johnson's
surprise, his slate was elected. This established the tradition that no
officer could succeed himself. Thus giving a new person the chance to
learn valuable skills each year.
In 1924, E. Fred Johnson became the Jaycees' fourth president. The 1925
National Convention was held at the Mayo Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tulsa
has since produced 5 national vice-presidents.
1944 saw Charles Kothe, Oklahoma state president and a Tulsa Jaycee,
invite the U.S. Jaycees to make their headquarters in Tulsa. The
Oklahoma City chapter thought it should be in the City. The two chapters
were deadlocked for state support until the State Convention. The Enid
delegation, having lost their shirts playing poker with the Oklahoma
City delegation voted for Tulsa. This gave Tulsa the support they
needed.
Tulsa Jaycee Dick Gode raised a guarantee of $100,000 and a promise of
free office space until headquarters was built. He sold the national
executive committee on the Tulsa bid. The War Memorial was complete in
1951.
From these early days the Jaycees have given their members an
opportunity for leadership. It is on this one objective that the
organization stands or falls. But leaders learn to pay the price. They
don't look back with frustrations, but go forward with experience. And
the best place of all to get that experience is the Jaycees' College of
Experience.
Our Creed
THAT FAITH IN GOD GIVES MEANING AND PURPOSE TO
HUMAN LIFE; THAT THE BROTHERHOOD OF MEN TRANSCENDS THE SOVEREIGNTY
OF NATIONS; THAT ECONOMIC JUSTICE CAN BEST BE WON BY FREE MEN
THROUGH FREE ENTERPRISE; THAT EARTH’S GREAT TREASURE LIES IN HUMAN
PERSONALITY; THAT SERVICE TO HUMANITY IS THE BEST WORK OF LIFE.
Fun Facts
Musician Elvis "The King" Presley was awarded the TOYA award by the US Jaycees in
his younger days. It was his most prized possession. He carried it
everywhere; on tour, vacations, and more. Still today it stands in
Graceland for all to see.
Tom Monaghan, the entrepreneur who owns Domino's Pizza Inc., is a former
Jaycee.
The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (USJCC) was formed in St.
Louis, Missouri, with 3,000 members in 1920.