If not for the Jaycees, there would be no 365.

It’s about that simple. To a great degree, the six-year history of Dubuque365.com and 365ink Magazine is an outgrowth from the community initiatives fostered by the Dubuque Jaycees. 365 was founded by five Jaycees and all of our under-40 employees are members of the organization. We’ve got a couple past presidents, Jaycees of the year and, of course, Chris “Wando” Wand is currently the President of the Iowa Jaycees.

Jaycees have a mission of personal growth through community service, and 365 took that mission and gave it a voice. We gave everyone a voice who didn’t previously have one, and we let them tell their story for free to the community. The funny part is, while the Jaycees use 365 to promote their events, they, or should I say “we” have done a terrible job of telling our own story. With all of the successes of the Jaycees, the group does not spend time or resources touting its success to the public. It’s time that stops.

For most people Jaycees = Beer, and the Jaycees know it. It’s not untrue. Show me a non-religious young professionals organization that doesn’t drink beer and I’ll show you one with which I don’t really want to spend my free time. For Jaycees, beer = progress. Selling beer = $125,000 for the America’s River Jaycees Trail Riverwalk. Selling beer = Toys at Christmas for underprivileged area kids. Unfortunately, for most of you, beer is all you see when you see Jaycees. But selling beer only represents about 10 days in a year. The rest of the time they do really ne’erdo-well stuff like attend professional development lunches, spend time with Hills and Dales residents, play softball and plan community events like a haunted forest and fireworks. And, of course, they’re busy networking with other young professionals while doing dull things such as golfing, having picnics and dinners, throwing holiday-themed parties and and competing in bar olympics. Well ... I guess bar olympics are a little ne’er-do-wellish, but hey, these are young adults we’re talking about here, not Boy Scouts.

Another misconception is that the Jaycees are a blue-collar group my dad belongs to. News flash, you’re not 8 anymore! Most people don’t know you can’t be a Jaycee after the age of 40. It is the nation’s premier young professionals organization. And, in Dubuque especially, the cross-section of the group is vast, which is a huge benefit to its members. Bankers, electricians, teachers, attorneys, architects, factory workers, engineers and artists create a mix of talents that give the group its strength. We’re all professionals here in our own fields. It is the single greatest place to network your business or find resources for your own needs. Need a house, a mortgage loan or a new suit? Your friends in Jaycees do that. Need a new furnace, cell phone or landscaping? Your friends in Jaycees do that too.

If you are between 21 and 40 and not connecting as well you’d like to in Dubuque, you really need to give the Jaycees a try. Take whatever preconceptions you have about what the Jaycees are and throw them away. I’ve been a Jaycee for more than 10 years and It’s been the biggest factor in my business success and the vast scope of my social circle. The current group of members, all suddenly noticeably younger than me, may be the most energetic and vibrant collection of cool young people I’ve even seen in my history with the organization, and knowing so many that have aged out, that’s a hell of a compliment.