Online 2020 JCI Conference of America Celebrates Outstanding Members, Organizations

JCI members from across the world gathered together – remotely – for the first ever online JCI Area Conference, the 2020 JCI Conference of America. The event was supposed to take place in Panama City, Panama, but despite the setbacks, the JCI America Board of Directors and team managed to capture the heart and energy of an in-person JCI event through Zoom and Facebook Live.

On 23 May, the Board of Directors hosted a lively Awards Ceremony to celebrate the hard work and dedication of JCI members. Salud! A Gala Celebration of Impact and Innovation recognized the outstanding JCI members, organizations and projects that have made a positive impact in local communities and the world.

In case you missed it, we have listed all of the award winners here.

Members

Most Outstanding Local President
Gonzalo Romero
JCI Salta, Argentina

Described as the “engine that motivated the work of JCI to jump into action, Gonzalo Romero strives to create partnerships with the public sector, private companies and universities in his community. His dedication to being an active participant in each project, program and event for JCI Salta has helped positively impact all members, displaying what true leadership and passion looks like in JCI. A lifelong contributor to positive change in his community, Gonzalo is a wonderful example of enthusiastic leadership for his fellow man.

Most Outstanding New Member
Shakira Payne
JCI Barbados, West Indies

Shakira did not wait long to jump right into a leadership role with JCI Barbados! As a new member, she took on the role of co-chairperson for the 2019 Safe & Sober Project, helping to promote safe driving habit, safe sex practices and self defense for women. In her role she was able to secure significant sponsorships and display her intense passion for leadership, volunteer outreach and active engagement in her daily community.

Most Outstanding Member
Heidi Eastman
JCI Tobago, West Indies

A dedicated member of JCI Tobago, Heidi has been working hard in a variety of leadership roles over the years as a member of JCI. Her significant contributions to projects like Safe and Sober Zone, chairing the first Mental Health Forum and organizing and Executive Women Introductory Golf Training. Heidi truly embodies the term “service before self” and dedicates herself to being virtuous, selfless, honest and representing the passion of JCI in all her interactions.

Organizations

Most Outstanding New Local Organization
JCI Antioquia
JCI Colombia

As a new organization, JCI Antioquia has developed an action plan that includes internal growth, community impact and staying connected with different sectors of society. They have focused on projects highlighting women entrepreneurs, environmental impact, world cleaning day and training for soft skills in school. This year they had 18 new members join and are continuing to grow in numbers and community engagement!

Most Outstanding Local Organization
JCI Salta
JCI Argentina

With a passion for following the strategic plans set forth by JCI Argentina, JCI Salta strives to position itself as the leading youth organization which fosters collaborative culture and unites all sectors of society. One of their main projects is the Empowering Leadership program which provides educational training and hands on experiences in project management. Together with the support of the community, JCI Salta has managed to offer almost 118 leadership opportunities!

Projects

Best Local Economic Development Program
Escuela de Emprendedores 2.0
JCI Salta, Argentina

Working with other organizations, like this partnership between JCI Manta and JCI Quito Metropolitano, can help to advance the mission and values of JCI by creating stronger programs for members. The purpose of the University Leadership Academy helps to promote development of new skills for young participants by helping them adapt to new changes, inspire, motivate and participate in their community. The academy encourages the creation of university clubs, which helps young people stay active in the community and become interested in joining JCI. JCI Manta was awarded Best Inter-Organization Collaboration Project and Most Outstanding Local Project at the 2020 JCI Conference of America for their efforts.

Best Local Corporate Responsibility Program
UN LAZO QUE NOS UNE
JCI Femenino Cochabamba, Bolivia

Members of JCI Femenino Cochabama came together to raise awareness about the early prevention of breast cancer by incentivizing sports and collecting funds for free mammograms and ultrasound scans. This innovative program has partnered with community businesses who make these programs possible through corporate social responsibility by sponsoring mammograms through the purchase of symbolic ‘pink ribbons’. One objective of this program is to highlight that “To Prevent, Is to Live.” This project was named Best Local Corporate Responsibility Program at the 2020 JCI Conference of America!

Best Local Peace Project
SEMILLERO DE LIDERES
JCI Chone, Equador

Inspired to share the message of “peace is possible” with children in their area, members of JCI Chone created this project to teach peace and leadership to these young future leaders. Children were encouraged to be peace ambassadors in their communities, through multimedia campaigns and social media outreach. Through this program, children were encouraged to meet with leaders in the community, be advocates for peace and learn about being responsible citizens. “Semillero de Lideres” won Best Local Peace Project at the 2020 JCI Conference of America.

Best National Growth and Development Program
National Leadership Academy
JCI Xanxere, Brazil

In an effort to encourage more members to actively participate in JCI leadership positions, JCI Xanxere created the National Leadership Academy to promote the training and integration of leaders from local organizations. Three days of leadership training, career planning and even conversations with past National Presidents helped to promote the ability to lead, form teams and work in groups. Using instructors with past leadership positions allowed members to better understand how to become leaders in JCI Brazil in the future! This project won Brazil the Best National Growth and Development Program at the 2020 JCI Conference of America. 

Best Local Growth and Development Program
Generando Lideres con Valores
JCI Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Members of JCI Santa Cruz noticed the need for more development and training opportunities for women and young people in their community. As an organization, they put together a number of workshops that taught things like knowledge of law, motivational talks for university students, SDG workshops and even techniques to overcome self-doubt. The training has helped provide unique development opportunities for youth in the community while allowing local JCI leadership to gain experience in facilitation. Generado Lideres con Valores received Best Local Growth and Development Program at the 2020 Conference of America.

Best Local Community Empowerment Program
CAZANDO LIDERES – ESCUELA DE ORATORIA Y LIDERAZGO
JCI Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Noticing a need for more community programs in areas of Santa Cruz, members of JCI Santa Cruz developed the project “hunting leaders” as a way to partner with Unicen University and Palitos del Sur to provide scholarships for young people to participate in intercollegiate competitions. Schools were invited to register for the project, which allowed young people to train and learn about public speaking and leadership. This project had great success, reaching over 1,500 people.

Best Long-term Community Program
ABUSE OF DIALOGUE – JCI Chapecó
JCI Chapecó, Brazil

Talking about sexual abuse against children can be difficult, so JCI Chapecó developed this program to help encourage society to talk about these intense issues and raise awareness fo the Child and Adolscent Protection Network. This network empowers individuals with information and encourages the practice of reporting. This ongoing project has impacted lives and continues to make progress on outreach and education through social media and training in schools and private companies. Talking about sexual abuse against children can be difficult, so JCI Chapecó developed this program to help encourage society to talk about these intense issues and raise awareness fo the Child and Adolscent Protection Network. This network empowers individuals with information and encourages the practice of reporting. This ongoing project has impacted lives and continues to make progress on outreach and education through social media and training in schools and private companies. . 

Best Local Personal Skills Development Program
DIPLOMADO EN LIDERAZGO PARA LA GESTIÓN
JCI Quindío, Colombia

Developing great leaders for the future is one main mission that JCI Quindío believes comes with great skills development programs like Diploma in Leadership for Management. This program was developed as an opportunity for community members to learn how to work with partners in the community, like government agencies and universities, to learn specific skills in leadership, speaking and communication. The 20 week program involved presentations and workshops guided by expert facilitators and given to community members interested in learning, five new members joined JCI Quindío after attending! This project won Best Local Personal Skill Development Program at the 2020 JCI Conference of America.

Best Inter-Organization Collaboration Project
ACADEMIA DE LIDERAZGO UNIVERSITARIO JCI MANTA
JCI Manta, Ecuador

Working with other organizations, like this partnership between JCI Manta and JCI Quito Metropolitano, can help to advance the mission and values of JCI by creating stronger programs for members. The purpose of the University Leadership Academy helps to promote development of new skills for young participants by helping them adapt to new changes, inspire, motivate and participate in their community. The academy encourages the creation of university clubs, which helps young people stay active in the community and become interested in joining JCI. JCI Manta was awarded Best Inter-Organization Collaboration Project and Most Outstanding Local Project at the 2020 JCI Conference of America for their efforts.

Best Local Global Goals Project
Pequeños Superhéroes
JCI Unión, Bolivia

For children that need to spend time in the hospital, it can be incredibly hard to still learn, grow and have fun as kids. JCI Unión noticed the need for more resources to improve the quality of life for children in the hospital and they created training for volunteers, worked with doctors to help understand the needs and connected patients with specialized doctors. Focusing on goals 3, good health and well being as well as goal 4, quality education, the members of JCI Unión helped to make meaningful connections to families and children in hospital settings. JCI Unión was awarded Best Local Global Goals project for Paqueños Superhéroes at the 2020 JCI Conference of America.

Most Outstanding Local Project
ACADEMIA DE LIDERAZGO UNIVERSITARIO JCI MANTAJCI
Manta, Equador

JCI Manta and JCI Quito worked together to create a program that encourages young leaders to be active in their communities and develop their skills.

Best National Flagship Program
HeforShe JCI Brasil
JCI São Bento do Sul, Brazil

Aligning with the SDG’s, JCI São Bento do Sul created this program to promote a united approach to gender equality while providing partnerships with local organizations, encouraging the ACF to address root issues and even hosting workshops. Many members took aspects of the campaign into their own companies, serving as ambassadors to promote gender equality and helping to raise awareness to end violence against women. Changing the way communities and cultures view gender equality and creating public policies to advance change is the main goal of this program. JCI Brazil was awarded Most Oustanding National Flagship Project at the 2020 JCI Conference of America.