I joined JCI because the events we organise are very good for learning new things, especially if you are keen on personal and career development. JCI is also great for networking, which helps with job searching. JCI boosts my confidence and provides me with the skills and attributes to be a better leader. I am passionate about helping others, and JCI provides opportunities to take on projects that help individuals and the community.

I joined JCI to meet, collaborate, and network with people from different backgrounds. In 2021, I attended an event organised by JCI Aberdeen and loved it, so I decided to join. The best JCI event I’ve attended so far was the 2022 JCI Scotland National Conference in Dundee because I haven’t been to many face-to-face JCI events yet. When I joined in 2021, all events were virtual. The National Conference was absolutely wonderful; I met amazing people, learned a lot, and had a lot of fun!

I joined JCI to improve my communication skills, build my network and for professional development. JCI also provides me with the opportunity to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.

I joined JCI about 1 year after graduating with my undergraduate degree and was looking for ways to learn and develop skills that I couldn’t get through work and to gain enough experience to eventually hold a Board Director position. Little did I know that after only 6 months, I would sit on the JCI Edinburgh board as Social Director!

My involvement just grew like mad from there! It’s true, you get out what you put in. And I was all in. I’ve now held several local and national positions, including 2021 National President. I’ve travelled to so many beautiful locations and made friends all across the world.

To think back to what I was like only a few years ago…I can see the changes for myself. I’ve learned so much in terms of new knowledge and ways of working, as well as a lot about myself! I’m a lot more confident now, particularly when it comes to speaking in public and leading a team. In fact, I’ve even Captained a winning debate team in a Europe-wide competition. Plus, I’m President of JCI Scotland…who’d have thought! It’s an honour, a privilege and a unique way to make a difference.

I joined JCI at a time when I was stuck in a rut with my job and social life. I was looking to meet new people, have new experiences and a way to engage with the community. I attended a couple of social events, and everyone was so warm and welcoming and great fun…I joined up!

I’ve got a lot more from JCI than I initially expected. I joined the Local Board, organised events and the training has been fantastic. Doing work in the community and engaging with social enterprises has been a great experience and rewarding. I have travelled to new countries, made friends across the world and learnt about so many different cultures.

I was introduced to JCI through a wine tasting event which was organised by JCI Antwerp/Belgium. After talking for a few hours with JCI members, I was completely sold and attended the National Conference the week after.

After joining, I realised JCI was the platform to develop myself and grow my network with like-minded people. JCI has surprised me with the never-ending list of development opportunities, international events and the chance to organise impactful projects. Most importantly, it has given me the confidence in speaking, the ability to think better on my feet and a huge network of JCI friends from my travels around the world.

**JCI Scotland would like to give a special shout out to Judy who ranked within the worldwide top 3 Local Presidents during the 2021 JCI World Congress, having won Most Outstanding Local President at the 2021 European Conference.

I joined JCI when I was running my own company. At the time I was looking for a network group to grow my business, but what I got was even better! JCI has provided me with excellent training courses, new skills that helped me run a business, and improved my confidence when speaking to clients. Best of all, I have met new friends both locally and globally. It really has changed my life!

The more that I have put into JCI, the more I have gotten out of it! I was extremely honoured to be elected as Local President of JCI Edinburgh and then National President of JCI Scotland. Now, as a Scottish Senator (lifelong member), I enjoy supporting JCI members through their own learning journeys and helping out with projects where I can.

“I have been a member of JCI for 5 years and I keep renewing every year because of the amazing opportunities that JCI provides me with. The community work that we do is the very core of what this organisation is about. Being an Active Citizen to me is essential – if you see something wrong in the world then you can take action to fix this.  JCI gives you the tools to make an impact locally and globally and I don’t believe any other organisation provides these opportunities.”

“I didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first JCI international conference but going abroad, meeting lovely, like minded people from all over the world and constantly being pushed out of my comfort zone in a friendly environment has immensely boosted my self-confidence. Traveling to amazing locations across the globe, catching up with JCI friends and making new ones, exchanging experiences from other JCI chapters is simply a great experience all together.”