Chapter History

Formed September 11, 1929, the Saint Paul Junior Chamber offers its’ members opportunities to serve their communities, establish rewarding friendships, and create professional contacts.  Our first President, Leslie Farrington, was elected National President of the Jaycees in 1933.

The Saint Paul Jaycees have proven to be a driving force behind many Saint Paul traditions. The School Patrol Parade and Picnic, started by the Saint Paul Jaycees, continues to be an annual event to this day, more than 70 years later. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a world-famous celebration of the snow and cold, would have languished in the history books if the Saint Paul Jaycees had not started an initiative to defrost Winter Carnival in 1936.

The drive and vision of the Saint Paul Jaycees has not gone unnoticed, or unrewarded. Starting in 1943, the Saint Paul Jaycees have been awarded:

• Giessenbier Award (four times)
• Outstanding National Chapter Award (1957)

While we are an award-winning chapter, our vision for change in the Jaycee organization has sometimes meant taking a stand for our chapter’s members. The U.S. Jaycees revoked the Saint Paul Jaycees’ charter in 1984 because we allowed women to participate as full members. We took our case to the Supreme Court, challenging that the U.S. Jaycees cannot deny any membership. On July 3, 1984 the Supreme Court ruled in our favor. By the end of August, 1984, our charter was restored.

Members are rewarded with:

• learning skills that enhance personal and professional growth
• making a difference in the lives around them
• gaining an appreciation and better understanding of the communities they live in