Alexandria Jaycees : Jaycee Jargon

Alexandria Jaycees Community service, social and professional networking, and leadership development for young professionals.

Hang around with any Jaycee who has been in the Chapter longer than a few months, and you'll hear many acronyms and terms that may not make sense to you. Here's how to make sense of it all!

A | B | C | D | E | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V

AAA. Annual Achievement Award. The points-based state program that allows all chapters to compete fairly at the state level to have their efforts recognized with awards. Chapters submit paperwork each month listing their activities (also providing substantiating materials) for judging. Points are awarded for a variety of programs and actions, including conducting visitations, recruiting new members, getting written about in a newspaper, updating their website, etc.
Areas of Opportunity. The Jaycee focus areas that all our projects and goals fall under: management, individual, community, international, and business (these "areas of opportunities" are followed by all Jaycees internationally).
Associate Member. Associate memberships are offered to Alexandria Jaycee members who have turned 40 -- called "aging out" -- but still want to attend events and receive a newsletter (Note: associate members cannot chair projects, vote or run for office). Associate members pay just $25 per year.
Boards. Short for state boards, or quarterly state-wide Jaycee meetings. Contact the State Director if you are interested in attending a state function.
Book Judging. The process wherein Jaycee projects are judged, by reviewing the plan (CPG) for each activity and its related paperwork. Sometimes states trade books to judge each other's projects in a more objective way.
C.D. Community Development. This is a portfolio, or area of concentration, within the Jaycees. It concentrates on community service and fundraising for local charities. It also encompasses government and international involvement.
Camp Virginia. Camp Virginia Jaycee serves children and adults with mental retardation, providing them with fun, educational programs each summer. It is located in Roanoke, Virginia, but is supported by all Jaycee chapters across the state. Camp Work Parties are held twice a year for Jaycees to maintain the Camp through painting, cleaning, landscaping, renovations, etc.
Chairperson. The project chairperson is responsible for completing a project. This involves submitting a CPG for approval, coordinating project details, and submitting a final CPG when the project is over.
Charter. A document indicating an organization's affiliation with the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce or Junior Chamber International.
Charter Night. A special evening dedicated to remembering the night our Chapter was founded in 1940. Normally held in May, the chapter's Life Memberships are normally given out on this night.
Corps of Virginia Gentlemen. A fraternal organization that raises funds to support Camp Virginia Jaycee. Includes both male and female members who are invited for membership after at least three years in the Jaycee organization.
CPG Chairman's Planning Guide. A business plan that helps a project chairperson anticipate problems, make decisions, and project a budget before embarking on a certain project.
Creed. A statement of philosophy and beliefs adopted by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and JCI. The Creed was written by the late C. William Brownfield in 1946. See our Creed page for more details.
Degrees of Jaycees. A program designed to help individual members receive the benefits of their membership; a Junior Chamber career path outline. The program consists of three phases divided into ten degrees. See our Degrees page for more details.
Dixie Institute. Within the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, there are five geographical "Institutes." Virginia is affiliated with the Dixie Institute.
Exhausted Rooster. An affectionate title bestowed on a Jaycee upon retiring from the organization at the age of 41.
Extension. The initial organizing of a new Jaycee chapter prior to completing the affiliation process.
I.D. Individual development. This is a portfolio, or area of concentration, within the Jaycees that involves self-improvement programming aimed at teaching, developing and increasing the individual member's personal and leadership skills.
Jaycee Age. To join the Jaycees as a new member, you must be between the ages of 21-40.
Jaycee Week. The week, beginning on the third Sunday of January, marks the anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Jaycees in 1920. Local chapters try to host a series of projects during this week to showcase the various aspects of the organization and to attract potential new members.
JCI. Junior Chamber International, the worldwide Jaycee organization now operating in 90 countries.
Keyman/Life Membership. Prior to the mid-80's, the chapter's highest honor was called the Keyman Award. It is bestowed to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Alexandria Jaycees. The award is currently called the Life Membership award.
LOTS. Local Officers Training School. A one-day training opportunity to show new officers how to be effective in their roles.
M-Night. Membership Night. New member open houses or opportunities for prospective members to learn about the Jaycee organization.
Metro. The name given to Jaycee chapters in Population Division 7 and 8 and chapters with over 150 members in Population Divisions 1 - 6. (The Alexandria Jaycees are a Metro chapter).
National Convention. The annual business meeting of the U.S. Jaycees held annually in different locations.
NOVA Region. The name of the region of the state to which the Alexandria belongs along with other northern Virginia Jaycee chapters.
OYV. Outstanding Young Virginian. Each local chapter may submit nominations for this prestigious award to the Virginia Jaycees. Past recipients nominated by the Alexandria chapter include Marcia Call, Beth Fujishige, Officer Eddie Reyes, and Art Mosley. Nominees do not necessarily have to be members of the Jaycees.
Population Division. For purposes of competition and chapter activity guidelines, the local chapters are classified by the population division of their communities into 9 divisions. Alexandria is in Pop. Division 7.
Portfolio. An area of concentration within the Jaycees, such as community development, communications, etc.
Professional Skills Competitions (also called "Competitions"). Part of the Virginia Jaycees' Individual Development offerings, competitions are designed to challenge members in areas they wish to improve:
- Speak-up - A competition designed to improve an indivual's verbal communication skills.

Write-up - A competition designed to improve an individual's writing skills.
Debate - a contest designed to improve an individual's presentation and persuasion skills.
Armbruster competition - A statewide competition for Jaycees with over one year in the organization. Based on 50% resume and 50% on five Jaycee fact and opinion questions in a job interview situation. This is part of the Professional Skills Competition. The winner is considered the outstanding Jaycee member for the year, and goes on to the national contest of the US Jaycees.
Brownfield competition - The same as for the Armbruster competition, but for Jaycees with less than one year of experience. The winner is declared the outstanding new member of the year.
Jaycee Jeopardy - Trivia contest about the Jaycees' history and structure.
Judges for all categories are typically past winners and often are also experts in the field. Contact the ID Vice President if you wish to compete in any of these competitions.

QPR. Quarterly Programming Report. A form that Vice Presidents fill out and submit to the state outlining their progress during a certain quarter.
RD. Regional Director. A state officer who provides guidance and training to the local chapters in their region, as well as acts as a conduit for information between the state organization and local chapters. Alexandria, Crystal City, Arlington, and the Fairfax Jaycees are part of the "NOVA" Division, with an RD who is elected each year.
Red Line. When a chapter's membership falls under 30 and is at risk of losing its charter, it is considered a "red-line" chapter. Other stronger chapters will try to help rebuild these chapters.
State Director. Each chapter elects one State Director who serves as a liaison between the chapter's Executive Board and the state's Executive Board. This officer promotes state and regional programs and activities.
TOYA. Ten Outstanding Young Americans. Each year during the week immediately prior to Jaycee Week, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce honors 10 dynamic young Americans at an awards congress. Past recipients include Elvis and Bill Clinton.
U.S. Jaycees. United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. Offers national community service programs, training and awards, and member discounts. Founded in 1920.
Virginia Jaycees. The Virginia Jaycees were founded in Norfolk in 1924.
Visitations. When members from one chapter attend or help at another chapter's event. Chapters receive points for the number of visitations they complete.