In this spotlight, we spent time some with Marlee Curry from Wisconsin.
Tell us about the beginning of your leadership journey
My JCI journey began with a simple invitation from my older brother to attend a Manitowoc Jaycee Chapter meeting. I said, “Sure,” and ever since that moment, I’ve been hooked. How does one get hooked on the Jaycees? For me, it was straightforward. I was craving a community connection. As a young college graduate looking to make friends, what better way than to jump in, full speed ahead?
In just a few months, I was mentored by chapter leaders on how to effectively present information to community sponsors for local events. This led me to participating in TV presentations and radio interviews with local news stations. These experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone and significantly boosted my communication skills.
The Manitowoc Jaycees further guided me in sharpening my written and verbal communication skills by encouraging me to start and complete Program Management Guides (PMGs) for local and state events. Creating PMGs allowed me to lead committee meetings, update event flyers, engage with sponsors, and create social media posts for upcoming events. This process, coupled with continued mentorship at both local and state levels, helped me overcome my fear of communicating and delivering flyers to sponsors. While this might not seem significant to many, it was a major hurdle for me.
What skills have you developed along the way?
My communication skills have grown tremendously over the years, thanks to the support and encouragement of local, state, and national leaders. Without mentorship and the determination to develop these skills, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The Jaycees have provided me with numerous opportunities to grow, learn and even fail in a safe environment. These experiences have taught me to interview with integrity, lead with passion, fundraise with courage, organize events with skill, and above all, have fun.
Tapping into one’s potential and pushing past life’s challenges has not always been easy. From career changes and multiple moves, from Manitowoc to Green Bay and finally to the remote area of Washington Island, the Jaycees have been a constant in my life. My involvement kept me engaged with the Jaycees and opened a world of leadership opportunities despite the moves and distance.
Being a Jaycce has taught me to adapt and ask questions frequently. Over the years, my leadership skills and resilience have been tested. I led one of our chapter’s annual events, “Beer Lover’s Brewfest,” which faced countless setbacks during the planning stages. From a shortage of volunteers and unresponsive sponsors to human typo errors in booklets, I found myself in quite a predicament.
However, instead of letting these challenges overwhelm me, I used leadership development, burnout management, and resilience tactics acquired from JCI USA and JCI Wisconsin training to redirect the outcome. Without JCI USA’s in-person and online training curriculums, I wouldn’t have been able to effectively lead my team to pull off a successful event. Their offered training provided me with valuable growth opportunities and confidence boosters.
Additionally, these training sessions have significantly enhanced my personal development skills. For example, I recently attended a JCI USA virtual training on “Mastering ChatGPT,” which demonstrated the tool and made it a valuable asset. Learning to effectively use social media tools is, and will always be, an ongoing learning experience.
I continue to utilize JCI USA training and apply what I learn daily. Strengthening my personal development skills has taught me the importance of one’s words. When used correctly, they become a powerful tool that helps you grow not only as an individual but in all aspects of life.
How else have you been able to use these skills?
These acquired communication skills have expanded my networking opportunities beyond the local, state, and national levels. Through the JCI USA Twinning Program offered in Wisconsin with WJ/JCI Hessen, I’ve connected and evolved in my communication with Jaycees internationally. This program provided the opportunity to travel to Germany, exchange cultural ideas, and experience new ways to network with Jaycees from around the world.
Not only did I serve as a Twinning Delegate, but I also hosted WJ/JCI Hessen delegates when they visited Wisconsin. Planning experiences and connecting Wisconsin Jaycee chapters with our twinning delegates was always an adventure. I embraced learning about time zones, patience and the importance of delegating skills when setting up the twinning delegates’ chapter visits. To this day, social media continues to help me stay in touch with the Jaycee friends I’ve made internationally.
Finally, being a Jaycee continuously challenges me to evolve—all because I said, “Sure.” It has been one of my best decisions and most rewarding journeys. I will continue to push myself to evolve and move forward!
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
My JCI story is one of growth, challenge, and transformation. From the early days of seeking community connections to leading significant events and engaging in international networking, the journey has been nothing short of transformative. The mentorship, training, and experiences provided by the Jaycees have been invaluable, equipping me with skills and confidence that extend far beyond the organization. As I continue to grow and evolve, I am excited about the future opportunities and the new heights I can reach with the support of the Jaycees.