John Baine of El Dorado was nominated for National Vice-President.  John was placed forward by Arkansas; he was nominated by South Dakota and seconded by Iowa.  John’s nomination acceptance speech was great and received resounding applause.  He was elected by acclamation at the Annual Meeting.  He is the first Arkansas Jaycee elected to national office since Chris Reese was elected National President back in 1998.

The following national officers were elected at the Annual Meeting:

President-elect Joanie Cramer, North Carolina

National Vice-Presidents elect:
Heather Austin, Ohio
John Baine, Arkansas
Kathy Crick, Illinois
Misty Miner, Montana
Amy Newton, Pennsylvania
Bob Prater, Georgia
Arwen Pritchett, Florida
Jennifer Ray, Maryland

Please continue to the Parade of Chapters page to view the full rules and submission information.

First Half, Second Half, and Year-End Awards were also presented at this meeting. Click through for a list of the winners.

Member and Chapter Awards

State Officer of the Year:

• Amber Gill, Membership Development Vice President
• Kimberly Shipley, Community Development Vice President

Outstanding Local Officers of the Year:

• Joe McFadden, El Dorado Jaycees
• David Wood, El Dorado Jaycees
• Andrea Spence, Paragould Jaycees

Local Vice Presidents of the Year:

• Membership Development: Keith Sharp, Jonesboro Jaycees
• Business Development: John Judd, Jonesboro Jaycees
• Community Development: Stacey Harvey, Jonesboro Jaycees
• Individual Development: Nick Davis, Jonesboro Jaycees

Local President of the Year:

1. Jeff Deniston, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Chad Peterson, Conway Jaycees
3. Molly Foreman, Magnolia Jaycees

Chapter of the Year:

1. Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Magnolia Jaycees
3. El Dorado Jaycees

Arkansas Junior Chamber Jaycee of the Year:

• Jeff Taylor, Jonesboro Jaycees

Book Judging

Awards were presented for each Commission in each Area of Opportunity, based on the time of year that the final report for each project was submitted to the local chapter’s Board of Directors for approval.

January – June, 2008

Business Development Area of Opportunity

Strategic Planning Commission

1. 2008 Awards & Installation Banquet – Stacey Harvey, Jonesboro Jaycees

Financial Management Commission

1. Wild Night in the Bayou – Nikki Sharp, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Christmas for Kids Motocross Race – Beverly Judd, Jonesboro Jaycees

Community Development Area of Opportunity

Community Service Commission

1. Christmas for Kids – Beverly Judd, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Goodfellows – Jeff Taylor, Jonesboro Jaycees
3. Special Olympics Basketball Skills – Terry Crosby, Jonesboro Jaycees

Community Fundraising Commission

1. March of Dimes March for Babies Kids’ Corner – Erica Swindle, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Main Street Mardi Gras – Andrea Spence, Paragould Jaycees
3. Women’s Crisis Center Casino Night – Erica Swindle, Jonesboro Jaycees

Individual Development Area of Opportunity

Chapter Activities Commission

1. New Year’s Eve Party – Shonna Laws, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Stephen Goad Rooster Party – Jeff Deniston, Jonesboro Jaycees
3. Hockey Night – Shonna Laws, Jonesboro Jaycees
4. Christmas Party – Shonna Laws, Jonesboro Jaycees

International Development Area of Opportunity

State, National and International Junior Chamber Involvement

1. 2008 Arkansas Jaycees Year-End Celebration – Amber Gill, Paragould Jaycees

July – December, 2008

Business Development Area of Opportunity

Strategic Planning Commission

1. CPG Training – John Judd, Jonesboro Jaycees

Financial Management Commission

1. 2008 Haunted House – Sam Abernathy, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. 2008 NEA District Fair Demolition Derby Concession Stand – Jeff Taylor, Jonesboro Jaycees
3. 2008 NEA District Fair Concession Stand – Nicola Gregory, Jonesboro Jaycees

Community Development Area of Opportunity

Community Fundraising Commission

1. 2008 Wicked Escape – Toby Stephens, Magnolia Jaycees

Government & Civic Involvement

1. City- and County-wide Political Forum – Molly Foreman, Magnolia Jaycees

Individual Development Area of Opportunity

Personal Development Commission

1. Guitar Lessons – Nick Davis, Jonesboro Jaycees

Membership Retention, Growth, and New Chapters

1. Dog ‘n’ Suds – Patrick Black, Jonesboro Jaycees

Year-End Awards

After judging based on commission, the top books from each commission are judged against each other and awards are handed out by Area:

Business Development Area of Opportunity

1. 2008 Haunted House – Sam Abernathy, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Wild Night in the Bayou – Nikki Sharp, Jonesboro Jaycees
3. CPG Training – John Judd, Jonesboro Jaycees

Community Development Area of Opportunity

1. Christmas for Kids – Beverly Judd, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. 2008 Wicked Escape – Toby Stephens, Magnolia Jaycees
3. March of Dimes March for Babies Kids’ Corner – Erica Swindle, Jonesboro Jaycees

Individual Development Area of Opportunity

1. New Year’s Eve Party – Shonna Laws, Jonesboro Jaycees
2. Dog ‘n’ Suds – Patrick Black, Jonesboro Jaycees
3. Guitar Lessons – Nick Davis, Jonesboro Jaycees

International Area of Opportunity

1. 2008 Arkansas Jaycees Year-End Celebration – Amber Gill, Paragould Jaycees

The 2009 Arkansas Jaycees Executive Committee was elected at the Arkansas Jaycees Annual Meeting on November 22 in Conway.

Chad Peterson of Conway was elected 72nd President of the Arkansas Jaycees. Toby Stephens of Magnolia was elected as Individual Development Vice President. Shonna Laws of Jonesboro was elected to serve as Business Development Vice President. Jeff Taylor of Jonesboro was elected to serve as the 2009 Membership Development Vice President. All officers’ terms will begin on January 1st, 2009.

Mid-Year Awards were also announced at the Annual Meeting:

Membership Development Area of Opportunity, Chapter Activities Commission:

1. Jonesboro Jaycees – 2007 New Year’s Eve Party, Shonna Laws, Chair
2. Jonesboro Jaycees – Stephen Goad Rooster Party, Jeff Deniston, Chair
3. Jonesboro Jaycees – 2007 Hockey Night, Shonna Laws, Chair
4. Jonesboro Jaycees – 2007 Christmas Party, Shonna Laws, Chair

Community Development Area of Opportunity, Community Fundraising Commission:

1. Jonesboro Jaycees – March Of Dimes WalkAmerica Kid’s Corner, Erica Swindle, Chair
2. Paragould Jaycees – Main Street Mardi Gras
3. Jonesboro Jaycees – Women’s Crisis Center Casino Night, Erica Swindle, Chair

Community Development Area of Opportunity, Community Service Commission:

1. Jonesboro Jaycess – 2007 Christmas for Kids, Beverly Judd, Chair
2. Jonesboro Jaycees – 2007 Goodfellows, Jeff Taylor, Chair
3. Jonesboro Jaycees – 2007 Special Olympics Basketball Skills, Terry Crosby, Chair

Business Development Area of Opportunity, Financial Management Commission:

1. Jonesboro Jaycees – Wild Night in the Bayou
2. Jonesboro Jaycees – Christmas for Kids Motocross Benefit Race, Beverly Judd, Chair

Business Development Area of Opportunity, Strategic Planning Commission:

1. Jonesboro Jaycees – 2008 Awards & Installation Banquet, Stacey Harvey, Chair
2. Paragould Jaycees – Arkansas Jaycees Year-End Celebration

Charlie Davis of Jonesboro won the First Timers competition.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

• The Arkansas Jaycees placed Second in the US Jaycees Parade of States
• The Paragould Jaycees placed Third in the US Jaycees Parade of Chapters
• Amber Gill of Paragould has been named an Outstanding Local Vice President
• John Baine was presented Dennis Hamilton Memorial Award, presented to up to ten Outstanding State Vice Presidents who are responsible for statewide programming.
• Bradley Phillips of Conway was awarded a Presidential Award of Merit.