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US Jaycees History -
Henry "Hy" Giessenbier wanted to develop the business skills and the
reputation of young men... History of the Jaycees Creed - The year was 1946; the place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; the event, the United States Junior Chamber National Convention... BATESVILLE JAYCEES HISTORY The Batesville Jaycees were established in 1939, and are currently the sixth oldest Jaycee chapter in Indiana. While the chapter was officially "chartered" on October 20, 1939, the process of establishing the organization in Batesville began earlier.  Wilford Greeman, a local president of the Seymour, Indiana Jaycees, began
speaking with his Batesville cousin William Greeman about forming a chapter
in the community. "He got the talk started, Greeman said, and I could
think of 15 or 20 young people right off the bat that might be interested."
Greeman and Pat Patterson, who served the organization as it's second president, took that suggestion around the community to find out just how serious any interest might be. "Until the Jaycees came along there just wasn't any organization in Batesville for people our age." said Greeman, who was then 25 years old. On October 20, 1939, then president of the Indiana Jaycees, Indianapolis attorney Harry Ice, swore in the new officers and members of the then newest chapter in Indiana. Present at that first gathering were: William Greeman as President, Theodore Lehman as Vice President, F. Thalheimer as secretary, Albert Deiwer as treasurer and directors Paul Lindemeyer, M.J. "Doc" Pfeiffer, and Edward Blank. The members in attendance on that date included George Baas, Stanley Biltz, Albert Green, Henry Holloway, Robert Huneke, J.J. Hunderman, O.S. "Pat" Patterson, Harold Steinkamp, Robert Terry, R.E. Timmerman, Howard Walsman, Clem Wenning, and Paul Voegele. Membership in 1939 was comprised of young men between the ages of 18-35. Meetings in the early years were held in a room at the Sherman House, and later at a building on George Street. Activities that first year were limited by a number of factors, not the least of which was the absence of income, or anything to comprise a budget. Only two major fund raisers were conducted: the "Yokel Follies" and a street fair. The street fair would continue until well after World War II and become more of a city wide carnival. In that first year, the club also sent members to attend Batesville City Council meetings to offer any help the club might lend. In 1948, from September 15th - 18th, the chapter again held the "Batesville Fall Festival". Officers at that time included: President A. Green, Vice President R. Blank, Treasurer Wm. Barnhorst, and Secretary P. Lindenmeyer. A page in the program book that was printed for the festival included this greeting, "The Batesville Junior Chamber of Commerce wishes to express its appreciation for the splendid cooperation given to the organization by Batesville business men, professional men, manufacturers and all others who made the revival of the Fall Festival possible through financial support and aid of every kind. While the 1948 edition of the Fall Festival may not be perfect in every detail, it is the wish of the organization that the event will be held every year and improve to the point where it will be the outstanding activity of the community. The Junior Chamber of Commerce feels that with the same cooperation for future years that has been given presently, it will be able to provide a Fall Festival of which the entire community will be proud. Albert Green, Pres." In 1964, the then 25 year old chapter celebrated it's Silver Anniversary. At that time, club president James Hortemiller stated that the Jaycees busied themselves preparing for their anniversary and raising money to purchase lights for the Batesville Youth League baseball diamond near Westwood Elementary School. The organizations major fundraiser in the mid-60's was an annual quarterhorse show then held at John Schumacher's Six Pine Ranch. The actual 25th anniversary event was celebrated by bringing together a 100 person strong membership along with ten of the original 20 charter members. The event was held at the Sherman House. Charter members were called upon to be recognized during the ceremonies and share a little of their personal remembrances of that first year. As a part of the tribute, each of the original members was presented with a framed print of the original charter. In 1980, a second Jaycee chapter was formed in Batesville. The structure of the Jaycee organization up to that time, had been an exclusively male club. This would change later in 1984, but in 1980, Jaycee chapter president Tom Coomes and Batesville resident Deb Griffith chartered the newly formed Batesville Jaycee Women. Griffith, who served the Jaycee Women as president in 1980-82, stated that, "We believed in everything that the Jaycees were doing. We liked the ways that they were helping their community, especially the kids." Deb Schaefer served the Jaycee Women as president in 1983-84, and later was the first female president of the Batesville Jaycees 1986-87 following the merger of the two organizations on December 1, 1984. In 1989, the Batesville Jaycees celebrated their Golden Anniversary. Like the 25th Anniversary, a banquet was held that saw the current membership mix with members from the previous 50 years. Over 100 people gathered at the St. Louis gymnasium for the event. The head table featured then president Tim Stirn and the current board of directors along with past members representing each of the previous four decades. Pat Patterson, the second chapter president, represented the decade of the 1930's. Since 2000, the Batesville Jaycees have enjoyed a wave of success. The chapter has grown in membership and the size and scope of projects has risen as well. Recognition to the chapter from the state organization has followed with the chapter having been recognized as a top five chapter in the state every year beginning with 2001. Also in 2001, a Batesville member, Mark Stenger, served the Indiana Jaycees as it's 71st State President. This was the first time in the chapters history that a local member held the highest office. Past Chapter Presidents of the Batesville Jaycees have included: 1939 Bill Greeman, 1940 Pat Patterson, 1941 Ted Lehman, 1942 Ed Blank, 1943 Al Green, 1944 Jim Lightner, 1945 Jim Lightner, 1946 Herman Artmire, 1947 Paul Lindemeyer, 1948 Unknown, 1949 Bil Dillon, 1950 Dick Moorman, 1951 Paul Stein, 1952 Unknown, 1953 Neal Laugle, 1954 John Bigham, 1955 Bill Drew, 1956 John Strange, 1957 Denny Gehring, 1958 Ralph Blanken, 1959 Gene Becker, 1960 Bill Fisher, 1961 Galen Harley, 1962 Rodney Brandes, 1963 Herman Struewing, 1964 James Hortemiller, 1965 Lowell Yorn, 1966 Dick Meyer, 1967 Bill Bockstahler, 1968 John Sharer, 1969 Marlin Siebert, 1970 John Forman, 1971 Milt Stock, 1972 Frank Fusco, 1973 Dick Koenig, 1974 Dave Walsman, 1975 Dick Martin, 1976 Dennis Harmeyer, 1977 Bart Bartling, 1978 John Amberger, 1979 John Harvey, 1980 Tom Coomes 1981 Ed Bartlow, 1982 John Amberger, 1983 Tim Gannon, 1984 Kevin Macke, 1985 Hoagy Wright, 1986 Deb Schaefer, 1987 Kirk Yorn, 1988 Hoagy Wright, 1989 Tim Stirn, 1990 Deb Weber, 1991 Kevin Macke, 1992 John Irrgang, 1993 Bobbie Branson, 1994 Kirk Yorn, 1995 Dale Fischmer, 1996 Kim Powell, 1997-98 Steve Macke*, 1998-99 Janicee Miller*, 2000 Steve Miller, 2001 Luke Prickel, 2002 Steve Miller, 2003 Jill Nobbe, 2004 Ginny Yorn, 2005 Taaron Meyers, 2006 Julie Schutte, 2007 Stacey Cornn, 2008 Brandy Lacey *Steve Macke and Janicee Miller served 16 month terms Batesville Jaycee Women presidents 1980 Deb Griffith, 1981 Deb Griffith, 1982 Carol Dobson, 1983 Deb Schaefer, 1984 Rose Ann Scalf The highest honor that an individual member can receive is a Junior Chamber International Senatorship. In the 64+ years of the chapters existence, thousands of Batesville residents have been members of the chapter. However, very few have been designated with this honor. Local members receiving Senator status are: John Forman, Milt Stock, John Amberger, Ed Bartlow, Hoagy Wright, Deb Schaefer Wright, Tim Stirn, Kevin Macke, Kirk Yorn, Dale Fischmer, Deb Prickel, Mark Stenger, and John Irrgang. |