REMEMBERING PHILIP PUGSLEY

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the JCI Senate, it seems fitting to pay tribute to one of our leaders, Philip T. R. Pugsley, who was instrumental in the formation of the Senate program.

Born in Montreal, Canada, Philip T. R. Pugsley had a long association with the Jaycee movement at the local, national and international level. In 1951, at the VI JCI World Congress in Montreal, Canada, he was elected president of the international organization.

Pugsley did much to support the global growth and development of Junior Chamber International and provide members lasting means to repay the organization for all it has given them. During his travels as President, Pugsley investigated why chapters were awarding trophies and trinkets to commemorate outstanding service of members. He believed the funds could be better utilized to support expansion of the Junior Chamber movement.

Pugsley conceived the idea of the Senatorship as a distinct honor by which to recognize achievements of outstanding members, while also enabling them to retain contact with the organization for life. Through his efforts, the JCI Senate was formed in 1952 at the 7th JCI World Congress in Melbourne, Australia.

The JCI Senate Foundation was established in 1979 to provide long-term financial support for JCI. Its name was later changed to Jaycees International (JCI) Foundation, Inc., to appeal to the broadest possible donor base. The principal is invested to generate interests, which are used to support JCI programs, activities and expansion around the world. Only the interests are used; the principal remains intact.

Contributions to both the JCI Senate program and the Foundation have significantly assisted JCI’s growth and development over the years. They have also funded training schools and courses, strengthened existing NOMs, and extended the organization into new countries and to more young people around the world.

WHAT IS A JCI SENATORSHIP

A JCI Senatorship is an award that may be given to current or past members to honor them for outstanding service to the Junior Chamber International organization in the
local, national or international level. It provides unique means for recognizing the outstanding achievements of members and former members and, at the same time, provides a platform for the extension and expansion of Junior Chamber International to more and more young people.

A Senatorship confers “Life Membership” in JCI. Member organization are encourage to include a self-operative provision in their constitution that a JCI Senator shall also be a life member of the respective local and national organization (LOM and NOM). The awarding of the status does not exempt the member from paying regular membership dues to JCI, and the question of whether a Senator shall be liable for the payment of local and national dues is a matter wholly for local policy and legislation.

WHO MAY BE AWARDED A SENATORSHIP

Senatorships for current individual members are restricted to members of at least five years, standing for services rendered at any level of the organization and are subject to the written approval of the local and national presidents.

Senatorships for past members may be awarded by way of presentation subject to the written approval of the local, state (if any) and national organization presidents. Such presidents are expected to make as many inquiries with respect to the past Junior Chamber International activities of the applicant as they deem appropriate.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENROLLMENT

An application for a Senatorship must be completed, approved and signed by the president of the local organization of the applicant, the president of the national organization of the applicant, and the president of JCI. ( Consult your national headquarters for any additional requirements.., as is the case in Australia, Canada and the USA.) No other approval shall be required or permitted if the applicant is one of those whose signature is required, the next senior officer may sign for him. Senate application forms are available upon request from your national headquarters or the JCI World Headquarters.

Before (or at the same time) the application is forwarded to the JCI World Headquarters
for approval by the JCI President, a full senate membership payment must be made to JCI by the sponsoring NOM or LOM. The application is not approved or processed until it is submitted in the prescribed form bearing all necessary signatures and a full Senate membership payment has been received. Please allow three weeks for processing and mailing from the JCI World Headquarters.

After the application is approved, the applicant is assigned a number and his name is entered in of Senators. The new Senator receives a Senate membership certificate, prepared in calligraphy, a membership card and a special Senator’s pin.

PRESENTING A SENSTORSHIP

The awarding of a JCI Senatorship is an honor that can be bestowed upon a member only once in a lifetime. The actual presentation, therefore, should be conducted with appropriate dignity and, preferably, at a formal installation ceremony, awards banquet, etc.
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Jaycees International’s THE SENATE HISTORY

…..Once upon a time…….
This is the story of the birth and growth of a great idea- what developed from it- what height it has already attained. It is an account of a program which has in a significant manner enhanced the prestige of Jaycees International by retaining the interest and support of many outstanding people throughout the world.

Where the story begins…..
The first seeds of the Senate were sown with the creation of the circular, “The Elder Statement”,. Our story begins in September 1951, when two prominent Jaycees, Phil Pugsley, the JCI President, and John Ambruster, Charter member of the “first” Jaycee organization were discussing a publication called the :”Log” which John had been sending out to retired officers and directors of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Phil, aware of the fine work the “Log” was doing to keep alive friendship formed among past US Jaycees, struck upon the idea of sending a similar publication to the “alumni” of Jaycees International. Naturally, Phil asked John to take on the job. Who is better qualified to edit a publication for JCI “old timers” than John Ambruster ?

…..Old timers……
elder statesman….Senate….

Recalling the incident, John commented, ” After discussion various names we could give the little paper, we hit upon ‘THe Elder Statesman’. The JCI alumni throughout the world were becoming important citizen of their respective countries and they were, in fact, ‘elder statesmen’ to the youngest men in the Jaycees movement. So this name was adopted for the newsletter”. The Elder Statesmen has since become synonymous with “Senate” in the minds of thousands of members and past members throughout the world.

…Why…why…

A further development in the Senate story took place in New York City in January 1952 at a casual meeting between Jaycees Representatives to the United Nations, Sid Boxer, and Phil Pugsley. During away from the movement, when many of them would like to have some lifelong link with Jaycees?” “Why do local Jaycees spend thousands of dollars annually giving baules in the form of trays, briefcases, desk sets, and the like to those they wish to honor, when the same funds spent on Jaycees International could work for cause in which they all believed?” Why has an idea like Jaycee taken so long to gather enthusiasts around the world, after having been alive for nearly 40 years?”

….Over a cup of coffee…..

Searching for these answers, Phil and Sid conceived the idea that perhaps a group of “Honoured” Jaycees could be formed that would, in effect, help to spread the Jaycee concept worldwide. At the same time, they felt membership in this group could, in many ways strengthen Jaycees International.
So it was two Jaycees, over a cup of coffee, who conceived this idea-and the JCI Senatorship was born.

…..Never look back……

The idea was presented to the VII JCI World Congress in Melbourne, Australia, in September 1952 where it was approved and placed in the JCI By-Laws as a category of membership. Since then,well over 65,000 Jaycees members in more than 80 countries have been honoured.

….Continuity of contact……

AS the years passed and the Senate ranks increased, Senators ground it rewarding to keep in touch with each other around the world. As a result, many real and tangible friendships have been built through the Senate. Any Senator will today tell you how much he values this? For convenience and fellowship, many senators today are forming groups in suitable geographical areas (city, state or national). The primary function of these groups is to enable a continuity of contact between the individuals.

There is growing appreciation of the value and honor of the Senate. In granting (Honorary) Life Membership, the Senate provides a subtle link is one of continuing interest and indirect support to the Jaycees movement.