Making The Best Work For The Common Man

WENDELL GLENN P. CAGAPE May 13, 2009

COLUMN FOR JCI

Making the best work for the common man

Practically, being a Jaycee who is currently striving to achieve my place in the milieu of human-centered development that stems from the grassroots, making the best work for the common man is of my primordial considerations in all my engagements, may it be in many chapter’s facets of management, community projects and trainings. Our brand of service to humanity must be attuned to what is for the greater good and what strengthens democracy and freedom, the hallmark of our beloved JCI throughout the world and through the years. We not only train young men to become responsible members of the community but also invest in their capacities to make positive change work in many communities. This crucially defines the modern Jaycee. Our role in community transformation is far more demanding and challenging than during the years of those brave men and women who made a difference in JCI many years ago. Our time has come to make positive change work for ordinary men and women, making sure that they too, shall partake of development that is sustainable. Replicating positive change has been daunting however; the crucial role of each new member is paramount. Positive change can only occur when we are aware of what is going on in our community and environment. Our decisions that made a difference in the lives of ordinary men and women demands our committed service to ensure that these are all taken for the common good. Being a member of the Junior Chamber International provided me the kind of vehicle to make a difference in the lives of ordinary men around me. As a young academician, my involvement in community transformation can best be gleaned on the quality graduates we produce each year and the community transformed because they have contributed to its advancement as active and dynamic citizens who cared. The nearest I saw were events like graduation and tribute to parents where our graduates commend their mentors and parents for the kind of education that empowers them. As a Jaycee and from JCI Greater Pagadian, the nearest I saw were the community projects we have had in the past that made a difference in our communities. When we had our environment-oriented projects, we were thrusts into the greener commitment that ensuring the sustainable management of our environment will reap for us rewards much loftier. Our Jaycee year may be too short for we lead one year only, but the chance to make a difference is varied and expansive. We made a difference in the lives of those in the community where we had made our presence felt. Our commitment as the new Jaycee transforms civic activity to the modern-time civic activism that empowers men and women to made positive change work in their communities.

When we make positive change, it portends great opportunities to improve ourselves and the chapter we are currently serving. We have had the best chance now and the challenge will always be great to make positive change work for the best and that best should work for the common man. This is the definitive moment of JCI in our community. Essentially, one JCI, one community.