The United States Jaycees is a non-profit, leadership development organization comprising of more than 270,000 young people in over 6,8000 chapters across America. The membership represents a variety of occupations, interests, social and economic levels.

The organization’s history since its founding in 1920 has spanned the years of service with a two-fold purpose of (1) promoting leadership training and individual development for its members, and (2) providing community service to localities.

What is the Jaycee Concept?

The areas of Community Development, Management Development, and Individual Development are combined to provide the “total Jaycee concept” offered by the U.S. Jaycees.

These functions are an integral part if any Jaycee chapter is to “develop the whole member through the whole chapter.” The beneficiaries of a cohesive combination of chapter functions that compliment each other are the individual member and the community.

Why should I be a Jaycee?

Have you ever thought of what the future will be for your family, the community, the nation if the conditions relating to such things as pollution, crime, health, and safety remain the same?

The responsibility and challenge is yours, “to lead or to follow.” Will you remain part of the problem, or will you contribute to the solution.

What do The Jaycees Offer?

First, ask yourself what you want from life. Do you want to seek success? Do you want an active role in the civic life of your community; to meet and work with new acquaintances and interesting people and to enlarge you social contact with others of similar age, economic, position, and interests? If so you should invest your time in the Jaycees.

Three Reasons Young People Join the Jaycees

1. The desire for self-improvement. To learn how to accept responsibility, to make decisions, become effective speakers, develop management techniques, to be better employers, employees, and better persons.

2. The desire for community involvement. To have a hand in identifying community ills and then planning and executing action projects to remedy those situations.

3. The desire for fellowship. To meet and associate with progressive young people of the same age bracket with similar interests and objectives. The friendships made are not confined solely to the local community, but extend nationally and internationally as well.

What the Jaycees believe in?

The Jaycee Creed©

We Believe:

That Faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations,
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth’s greatest treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the best work of life.

Who We Are

Danville Jaycees were founded in 1941. The Danville Jaycees is a non-profit, leadership development organization comprising of over 40 members. We are a community service organization focused on training tomorrows leaders.

We are currently meeting at Danville Area Community College in the Laura Lee Room every 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:30pm.

We have been actively serving the community since 1941, this year we will be celebrating our 67th year. We have a long history with Danville and the surrounding community. We are most noteably known for the Danville Jaycee Circus, Springfest and our Haunted Houses. Our members range in age of 18 – 40 and are from all walks of life.

Meet the Board

Susan Ballengee, President - Susan comes from Hoopeston Illinois and works at Danville Area Community College. She has been a member for the past 4 years and this is the second year that she has served as President.

Erin Smith, Treasurer and Secretary - Erin comes to us from Danville Illinois and she has been a part of this community her entire life. Erin is a graduate of SIUE . She is also employed at Danville Area Community College. She will also be heading the Danville Jaycees Haunted House this year. She brings her experience of working at Disney World to the table and we are excited to have her on board.

Ross Hilleary, Community Vice President - Ross is a student at Danville Area Community College with the hopes of transferring to Ball State to get a degree in Architecture. Ross has been part of the Jaycee family for many years even though he is a new member. His family has been a part of the Jaycees for many years. Ross’ main focus is the community and helping spread the word of the Danville Jaycees and help out the Community in different events. Ross also works at Sears in Danville.

Luke Ballengee, Vice President, Individual Development - Luke was a Jaycee at one point and has come back to support the Danville Jaycees. Luke is also a student at Danville Area Community College and he works full time at Walgreens Help Center. Luke’s main focus is helping the Danville Jaycees as individuals to inspire them to become the leaders that they can become. Luke lives in Hoopeston with his wife Susan and their two dogs.

Justin Davis, Management Vice President - Justin comes to us from Ambia, Indiana. He is currently studying for a degree in Radiology Technology. In his free time he works at Walmart. Justin is new to the Danville Jaycees but he is enjoying his role as Management V.P. He looks forward to helping the membership with the proper training that will make the Danville Jaycees a better chapter.

Eric Brouner, State Director - Eric is a father of 4 and works for Quaker. Eric has a long history with the Danville Jaycees even though this is his first position with the group. Eric willingly stepped up to the plate to help out our Chapter with events that take place at the state level. Eric has been a long time Jaycee “kid’. His mother was a long time member of the Danville Jaycees and we are excited to have him and his energy with the Danville Jaycees.