1957

A young man, a concerned Jaycee, moved to Rochester. Forest Wiley noticed the need for a Jaycee chapter in Rochester and asked several young men from our area to attend a Jaycee meeting with him in Redford where he was a member. This was the beginning of the Rochester Jaycees. Because of the distance between Rochester and Redford the Pontiac Jaycees offered to help get us organized.

1958

Dwight D. Eisenhower is President and Explorer I is launched to study cosmic rays. Alaska becomes the 49th In Little Rock, Arkansas, high schools are ordered by the Supreme Court to admit Negro Students. “West Side Story” plays on Broadway, Boris Pasternack’s Dr. Zhivago is in the bookstores and the radio is plying “Volare”, “A Certain Smile”, the “Chipmunk Song” and “Flying Purple People Eater”.

In March of 1958, Rochester became an official chartered Chapter member of the U.S. Jaycees with Forest Wiley installed as charter president. That first year, numerous community projects were begun and the first annual cider sale was started. The pulse was set for the future of the Rochester Jaycees as they were presented with the Milestone Award as the Outstanding First Year Chapter in Michigan. The Rochester Jaycee Auxiliary was also formed at this time as the wives of Jaycees. Their purpose was to assist and support Jaycee projects.

In the next ten years the membership of our chapter grew from 25 to 60 members. Many dynamic community projects were undertaken such as: Debates on cityhood for Rochester, working for unification of Rochester and Avon Township, fighting for needed school millage increases, donating boards for a hockey rink and helping the youth in our area, plus building friendship with other young men of action.

1968

In the next ten years, the Jaycees come of age in Rochester. We grew to 102 members and became a leading force in our community, taking on the Christmas Parade, Haunted House and Walk for Rochester. In that span we received the Robert Dancer Award for the best youth programming in Michigan and the Governor’s Cup for outstanding work in governmental affairs. We saw member Dick Robinson elected President of the Michigan Jaycees in 1974 and Mike Robinson is elected President of Michigan in 1977. We nominate 7 JCI Senators. The auxiliary now has open membership.

1978

We continue to pursue the Jaycee philosophy as expressed in the Jaycee Creed. The Ride for Rochester has become a big project and we make additional improvements at the Jaycee Little League Ball Park on Woodward Street. There is a renewed emphasis on individual development. Bob Braglia is elected President of the Michigan Jaycees in 1983. In 1984 a dramatic change takes place when the Supreme Court rules that because of its unique leadership training qualities, the Jaycees must open their doors to women. In August of 1984 at a summer board meeting of the Michigan Jaycees in Marquette, the first three women Jaycees from Rochester are sworn in. The auxiliary ends and several projects are transferred to the Jaycee agenda.

1988

The Jaycees are still busy. The Ride for Rochester, Christmas Shopping Tour, Safety Town and Christmas Closet Craft Show keep us busy. The leadership training, fellowship and community involvement are the best around. The future of the Rochester Jaycees lies in the young men and women of today and tomorrow. New ideas and new blood remain the life line of continued success for us as one of the most respected Jaycee chapters in Michigan.

1998

The Jaycees have another successful Christmas Shopping Tour. Safety Town, Christmas Closet Craft Show, Red Wing Alumni Hockey Game, haunted House, Heritage Festival concessions and many socials continue to keep us busy. The Rochester Jaycees launch their own web site and secure an office at the Community House. The future of the Rochester Jaycees lies in the young men and women of today and tomorrow. New ideas and new blood remain the life line of continued success for us as one of the most respected Jaycee chapters in Michigan.

2008

The chapter is still cruising along. The RAJCs just finished up delivering Easter Baskets to the shut in Seniors in the community and we are in the planning process for Heritage Festival where we will have the Rock Wall and Extreme Jumpers again, as well as, running the annual Bikes, Trikes and Wagons Parade. The chapter is gearing up for convention in May which will be held at Boyne Mountain Resort. We are looking forward to our tried and true cornerstone projects including Safety Town, Haunted House and Christmas Shopping Tour.