It gives me great pride to share with you that I will be running for Raleigh Jaycees President for 2010. My life has been forever changed and touched by so many people since joining the Jaycees in 2002.  This is a very exciting time for me! This is not a decision I take lightly and I have given it a lot of time and consideration. Of course, I cannot do it without the love and support of my friends and family and so I ask you to stand behind me as I announce my candidacy to the chapter.

 It is an exciting time to be a Raleigh Jaycee!  Our chapter is the largest and arguably the most successful chapter in the state, our membership is growing and we are finding new and innovative ways to give back to our members. For these and so many other reasons, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Raleigh Jaycees President in 2010.

For as long as I can remember I have dreamed about serving as the Raleigh Jaycees President. I truly see it as my opportunity to give back to a chapter that has given me so much. I joined the Raleigh Jaycees in 2002 and immediately embarked on one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys one could ever imagine. My experience in the chapter runs the gamut. Beyond chairing numerous projects and serving on countless committees, I have served the chapter as Ways and Means Director (2004), Community Service/Community Fundraising VP (2005), Membership VP (2006), Goodfellows Project Chair (2007), Ways and Means VP (2008) and Business VP and Secretary (2009).  I would truly be honored to serve as your President in 2010.

Membership Matters! I am so proud to be a Raleigh Jaycee and I want to celebrate that everyday.  I believe that we can share that same pride with every member of this chapter by getting back to the basics.  My focus will be on celebrating the benefits of membership. It is my hope to give back to our members, retain our members and continue bringing in new members by emphasizing the benefits of membership and most importantly by having FUN!

We need to get back to the basics and just make it fun.  The first step in accomplishing this is building a team that will bring enthusiasm and passion to the chapter. I know as well as anyone that a leader is only as good as his/her team so I am already recruiting talented members of the Raleigh Jaycees to serve on my “Dream Team”.

Next, I want to know what you, our members, want. I want to make new history!  I want members to come to us with project ideas and personal passions, rather than us going out to recruit project chairs for the projects we think we should run.  I want board members and chapter members to go to projects because they are excited about them, not because they feel obligated to go.

If you elect me as your President I will do everything I can to make it all about our members! I truly believe that if we can build upon the spirit and the pride that already exists within the chapter, other people will want to come and be a part of it too! Together we can accomplish anything.  Be sure to come out on October 6^th and support me, Melissa Taylor, as the 2010 Raleigh Jaycees President.