Grand Rapids Jaycees records
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the material is newsletters, minutes and correspondence. It features newsletters that date back to 1938. The more significant newsletters are Action and Junior, which outline Jaycee activities and events, such as the State Convention, or the Haunted House.
The collection also includes correspondence, planning guides, reports, organizational material, membership information, photos, scrapbooks, promotional fliers and news releases and an array of published material. All of this information details the impact that events and developments in Grand Rapids had on the Jaycees and how they responded.
The Women's Association section include minutes, newsletters, financial reports, planning guides, etc. This material gives an inside look at how the women ran their organization by providing information on how they spent their funds, what their goals for a certain year were and what took place at their meetings.
Dates
- 1912-1989
Creator
- Grand Rapids Jaycees (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
The Grand Rapids Jaycees was founded in 1912 by area young businessmen, who hoped to improve themselves while also improving the community. The general membership and board meetings gave these young businessmen the opportunity to plan fund raisers and community events such as the Santa Claus Parade, Michigan Special Olympics and the Grand Rapids Open Golf Tournament.
During the Great Depression dues were reduced. Membership dropped during the two world wars, as men went into the armed forces. Also, during World War II, the Jaycees became involved in bond drives and victory gardening.
The Women's Association (previously known as the Jaycettes and the Women's Auxiliary) began in 1951 to provide a place for women in the previously all-male organization. Not until around 1960 were women able to obtain more open membership in the larger Jaycee organization. During the 1980s the male and female branches of the movement were merged into a single Jaycees organization. The organization continues to be active today.
Extent
38.2 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection provides an in depth look at the Grand Rapids Jaycees (Grand Rapids, Michigan), founded in 1912. The bulk of the material dates from 1929 through 1989. The minutes and newsletters offer a look at how the Jaycees functioned, their motivations as they related to community ideals and values that changed over time. Over the years, the Jaycees have supported projects such as the Santa Claus Parade, Michigan Special Olympics and the Grand Rapids Open Golf Tournament. The Jaycees' planning guides, 1959-1989, show how the group organized fund raisers and community events. Also included are details of the development of the Woman's Association, an offshoot of the larger Jaycees, which provided women a more active roll in the organization.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Grand Rapids Jaycees, accession number 1994.020
- Title
- Finding aid for the Grand Rapids Jaycees records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Original processors: Aaron Harraman, Katherine Gould, Lisa Beyer, Rachel Meiste, Brandon Wilson and Richard Harms
- Date
- 1995-1996
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org