JCI Michigan

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📣 PROGRAMMING! Extra, Extra — Read All About It!! 📣

Our incredible 2026 Programming Team has officially put together this year’s Programming Manual, and you’re going to want to check it out!

This is your go-to guide for everything happening this year—packed with resources, ideas, and tools to help you make the most of your JCI experience.

👉 Dive in at the JCI Michigan Document Library

📅 And don’t forget to check out the Save the Date graphic below for key events you won’t want to miss!

Let’s make 2026 a year of impact, growth, and unforgettable programming! 💥

Tomorrow is Launchpad to Leadership - Session ONE: JCI USA Foundations & the Candidate Mindset. Are you tuning in?

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KtguhgUuTQKnjujDKShFaQ

✨🇺🇸 JCI USA Year-End Convention 2025 Recap 🇺🇸✨
📍 Missoula, Montana | April 22–25

What an unforgettable week at the JCI USA Year End Convention 2025! Leaders from across the country gathered in beautiful Missoula to celebrate impact, growth, and the power of young active citizens—and JCI Michigan showed up in a BIG way 💥

We are beyond proud to recognize the incredible achievements of our Michigan members on the national stage:

🏆 Outstanding Local Economic Development Project
• Ghosts of Kalamazoo – JCI Kalamazoo
• Snowfest – JCI Greater Muskegon

🏆 Outstanding Local Personal Skills Development
• FabLab – JCI Greater Muskegon

🏆 Outstanding Local Peace Project (Honorable Mention)
• Stroll for Epilepsy – JCI Kalamazoo

🤝 Best Inter-Organization Collaboration
• Jaycees FerryTales – JCI Michigan & JCI Sheboygan

🌟 Dr. Jerry Bruce Memorial Award for Long-Term Local Community Project
• Ludington Freedom Festival – JCI Ludington

👥 Top Recruiter
• Celeste Ross – Grand Rapids Junior Chamber

📈 Steve Little Memorial Award for Outstanding State Growth & Development Project (Honorable Mention)
• Growth Academy – JCI Michigan

🎨 Outstanding State Auxiliary Officer
• Krista Graverson – Creative Director, JCI Michigan

📊 Outstanding State Membership Director
• Raymond Russell Jr. – District B, JCI Michigan

🏅 Dennis Hamilton Award for State Flagship Project
• Outstanding Young Michigander – JCI Michigan

💙 John H. Armbruster Award for Support & Dedication
• Jake Anderson – JCI Lansing
• Kat Hyder – JCI Greater Muskegon

🏅 Charles Kulp Jr. Award for Outstanding Local Presidents
• Adrian Bonilla – Grand Rapids Junior Chamber

🌟 Rob Ray Memorial Special Person Award
• Broderick Heflin (Special Person to Kayleigh Gratz) – JCI Michigan

👑 Allen Whitefield Outstanding State President
• Kayleigh Gratz – JCI Michigan

🌟 Double Up Chapter
• Grand Rapids Junior Chamber

🎖 Presidential Awards
• Bobbie Jo Call – JCI Greater Muskegon
• Jessica Anderson – JCI Lansing
• Celeste Ross– Grand Rapids Junior Chamber
• Colleen McInerny – Grand Rapids Junior Chamber.

📊 JCI Michigan was also recognized for being at star at Growth of membership for 2026!

From impactful community projects to outstanding leadership, these recognitions highlight the dedication, passion, and excellence of JCI Michigan members 💙

👏 Help us congratulate all of our award winners and representatives who continue to make Michigan proud on the national stage!

Registration is open for all 6 sessions! We encourage you to join us for every session, but the sessions are built around fitting your needs. Which one are you most excited for?

Congrats to Ryan Watkins on your presidential medallion! Your dedication to ensuring the best experience for everyone and incredible ability to capture the moments is something JCI Michigan will forever appreciate! Thank you for your dedication to the organization and all you do for our members!

ARE YOU READY?

🚀 Launchpad to Leadership: Candidate School Series - Starts May 18th, 8pm EST

Building the next generation of JCI leaders through learning from past candidates, confidence building exercises, and development of personal relationships.

Take the next step in your Jaycee journey through this biweekly Candidate School webinar series designed to equip the next set of JCI leaders with the skills, mindset, and confidence to lead with purpose and take the stage. Each session supports prospective candidates as they prepare for the next level.

Launchpad to Leadership: Candidate School Series

The JCI Michigan is proud to celebrate our DEI Director, .jross Ross, on being named the Top Honoree in the Emerging Leader category at this year's Michigan Woman 's Brilliance Awards — recognizing individuals who are rising in their leadership journey and making a meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.

Celeste's leadership reflects what JCI Michigan is all about — developing young professionals into confident, action-driven leaders who create positive change in their workplaces and communities. Through her work in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, she is helping shape a more inclusive and intentional leadership experience across our organization.

At JCI Michigan, we believe leadership is not a title — it's something you grow into through experience, service, and connection. Whether through DEI work, community impact projects, or leadership development opportunities, our members are actively building skills that translate directly into real-world impact.

We are always looking for emerging leaders who are ready to grow, lead, and make a difference across Michigan.

👉 If you're looking to develop your leadership skills, expand your network, and be part of a statewide movement focused on positive change, we'd love to connect with you.

Please join us in congratulating Celeste on this well-deserved recognition. 👏

Learn more about her work and impact here:
https://westmichiganwoman.com/profile/3966-celeste-ross-mba-shrm-cp

JCI Kalamazoo has done the Ghosts of Kalamazoo Historic Tours for decades… but never all at once!

Now is your opportunity to experience every tour GOK currently offers in one sitting, including pictures and video never before seen, and some very cool EVP recordings from JCI Kalamazoo’s resident ghost hunter Bob!

Tickets are free and can be reserved here: https://tickets.millerauditorium.com/26846

Miller Auditorium has partnered with Kalamazoo’s favorite ghostly tour-guides, JCI Kalamazoo!

Join us as JCI President Brenna LaForge leads a special pre-show presentation of Ghosts of Kalamazoo's Greatest Hits, featuring photos, video, and EVP recordings of some of Ghosts of Kalamazoo's favorite dead people!

Ghosts (with the Most) of Kalamazoo will happen at Miller Auditorium on Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 p.m before the Saturday Matinee of BEETLEJUICE. Presentation is no charge, but registration is recommended.


RESERVE YOUR SPOT: https://tickets.millerauditorium.com/26846