JCI Senatorship

Born in Montreal, Canada, Philip T.R. Pugsley was a leader of the JCI Movement at the local, national and international levels. At the 1951 JCI World Congress in Montreal, Canada, he was elected JCI President.

During his travels, Pugsley witnessed organizations from around the world recognizing their outstanding members with trophies and other honorable awards, which lead to the idea for the JCI Senate.

In 1952 at the seventh JCI World Congress, the JCI Senate was formed to officially recognize JCI members who displayed exemplary dedication to the JCI Mission. The JCI Senate is just one more way JCI members around the world can give back and financially assist positive change around the world.

The JCI Senatorship is the highest individual recognition bestowed by Junior Chamber International. It honors exceptional members—past or present—who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership, and service to the organization.

Awarding a Senatorship is a meaningful way to celebrate a JCI member’s legacy. This lifetime honor connects recipients to the global JCI Senate network and affirms their enduring contribution to the JCI mission.

Simple Steps to Submit an Application

To nominate a deserving individual for a JCI Senatorship:

• The application* must be approved by the Local President, Region President (if applicable), and National President.

• Only applications with all required endorsements will be processed.

• A US $300 contribution is required from the sponsoring Local or National Organization before or upon approval by the JCI President.

NEDERLANDS

De JCI senatortitel is een erkenning die toegekend kan worden aan leden of oud-leden als erkenning voor uitzonderlijke bijdragen en inzet ten voordele van de beweging. De titel van senator wordt voor het leven toegekend door Junior Chamber International Inc. aan een lid dat tenminste vijf jaar actief is geweest en dat uitzonderlijke diensten heeft bewezen binnen de beweging.

Het doel van deze erkenning is het actieve lid aan te moedigen om zijn taak verder te zetten in dezelfde geest, en hem/haar uit te nodigen de beweging op alle vlakken verder te blijven steunen en te promoten eens hij/zij de veertig jaar bereikt heeft.

11.2. Criteria

11.2.1. De kandidaat (M/V) moet sinds minstens vijf* jaar actief lid zijn. Dit criterium wordt nagetrokken door middel van de inschrijvingen in het individuele ledenregister bijgehouden door JCI Belgium. Hij moet uitzonderlijke diensten geleverd hebben aan zijn Lokale Afdeling en aan de beweging gedurende ten minste drie jaar. Hij moet minstens gedurende een boekjaar Voorzitter van zijn Lokale Afdeling, of van een belangrijke commissie, geweest zijn.

11.2.2. Het dossier moet bewijzen dat de kandidaat de JCI filosofie, zowel binnen als buiten de beweging, beleefd, verdedigd en aangemoedigd heeft.

11.2.3. Men moet grote zekerheid hebben dat de kandidaat, op een positieve en opbouwende manier, een waardige vertegenwoordiger van de beweging zal blijven.

11.2.4. De kandidaat mag niet meer dan 3 maal voorgesteld worden. Het is aangeraden dezelfde kandidaat niet opnieuw voor te stellen tijdens éénzelfde boekjaar.

11.2.5. De kandidaat zal zich toegelegd hebben op de verschillende activiteitsvelden : Individu, Gemeenschap, Internationalisme en Business.

11.2.6. De kandidaat zal zijn openheid voor de verschillende vlakken van de beweging getoond hebben door zijn deelname aan regionale, nationale en internationale evenementen en vergaderingen. Zijn actieve deelname aan vormingsseminaries, werkvergaderingen, Conferenties en/of Congressen zal nagetrokken worden.

EN FRANCAIS

11.1. Le titre de sénateur JCI est une récompense qui peut être octroyée aux membres ou anciens membres en reconnaissance de services remarquables rendus au mouvement. Le titre de sénateur est attribué à vie par Junior Chamber International Inc. au membre qui a été actif dans le mouvement pendant une durée d’au moins cinq ans et qui lui a rendu des services extraordinaires.

Le but de cette reconnaissance est d’encourager le membre encore actif à poursuivre son travail dans le même esprit et lorsqu’il a atteint l’âge de quarante ans, de l’inviter à continuer de soutenir et de promouvoir le mouvement à tous les niveaux.

11.2. Critères

11.2.1. Le candidat doit être membre actif depuis au moins cinq* ans. Ce critère est vérifié par son inscription dans le registre des membres individuels tenu par JCI Belgium. Il doit avoir rendu des services exceptionnels à son section locale et au mouvement pendant au moins trois années. Il doit avoir été, au moins pendant un exercice, Président de son section locale ou avoir dirigé une commission importante.

11.2.2. Le dossier devra apporter la preuve que le candidat a vécu, défendu et propagé la philosophie JCI à la fois dans et hors du mouvement.

11.2.3. Il devra être établi que le candidat continuera à servir et représenter le mouvement de façon positive et constructive.

11.2.4. Le candidat ne pourra pas être présenté à plus de trois reprises. Il est recommandé de ne pas représenter le même candidat pendant un même exercice.

11.2.5. Le candidat aura appliqué les différentes aires d’opportunité : Individu, Communauté, Internationalisme et Business.

11.2.6. Le candidat aura montré son ouverture aux différents niveaux du mouvement par sa participation à des événements et réunions tant régionaux, nationaux et internationaux. Il sera fait état de sa participation active à des séminaires de formation, réunions de travail, Conférences et/ou Congrès.

(*) 5 jaar lid staat in het Belgische Reglement. Dit staat ter discussie, omdat dit internationaal slechts 3 jaar is. La durée d'adhésion est de 5 ans, comme le stipule le règlement Belge. Cette durée est sujette à discussion, car à l'international, elle n'est que de 3 ans.

Recognizing Outstanding Service

The title of JCI Senator is one of the highest honors that can be awarded within Junior Chamber International. It is a meaningful way to express our gratitude to members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to JCI.

Receiving the title of JCI Senator also means becoming a lifetime member of Junior Chamber International. Senators remain connected to the organization and continue to support and inspire active members for years to come.

It Is Never Too Late

A Senator nomination is not limited to current members.

Do you know a former member who made a remarkable contribution to your Local Organization, your National Organization, or JCI internationally? Even if that person left JCI 10, 20, or 30 years ago, it is never too late to recognize their impact.

Many of the strongest foundations within our organization were built by people whose contributions still resonate today. If someone deserves this distinction, now is the right time to honor them.

You can create it anyway you want it; however: 

• but we need the information structured 

• the template gives a good overview of the structure we desire

• however, you don't need to use Google docs or MS Word and tables. If you're a wizard with MarkDown, go for it. If you prefer another type of software, use it. No need to use tables, as long as the information is there and it's clear. Make sure you send in a .PDF file.  

Template document Senator Dossier: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IotXpoAjC-R_Z7b5gq08VcO8BWCfMrz5XL45Hiu-jC0/edit?usp=sharing

Submission Deadlines

Local Organizations can submit nomination files twice a year through their regional organization (JCI Vlaanderen or JCI BWB).

Deadlines:

* January 15

* July 15

Eligibility Guidelines

While each case is evaluated individually, strong candidates generally meet the following criteria:

* At least five years of JCI membership

* At least three years of exceptional contributions to JCI at local and beyond

* Service as Local President and/or leadership of a significant commission or project

* Active participation in multiple projects and activities

* Involvement at regional, national, and international levels

* Contributions across several JCI pillars:

  * Business

  * Individual Development

  * Community Impact

  * Internationalism

* Continued support and mentorship of younger members

* A reputation as a worthy ambassador for the Local Organization

What matters most is not simply participation, but the exceptional nature of the candidate’s contributions.

Examples of truly outstanding achievements include:

* Founding or revitalizing a Local Organization

* Launching a major community project

* Leading a regional, national, or international conference

* Creating a lasting impact that extends well beyond their own chapter

Preparing a Strong Nomination File

A Senator nomination can only be submitted (3) three times for the same candidate. For this reason, quality is essential.

Take the time to prepare a file that clearly demonstrates why the candidate deserves this honor. A well-prepared nomination is both:

1. The primary basis on which review committees assess the candidacy.

2. A lasting tribute that is often presented to the candidate after approval.

The final document should be something both the authors and the honoree can look back on with pride.

Practical Tips for Authors

* Start well in advance.

* Contact former and current members discreetly for information and anecdotes.

* Collect support letters from current Senators.

* Include photos, press articles, archival materials, and evidence of achievements.

* Explain the significance and lasting impact of the candidate’s contributions.

* Request feedback from regional, national, and JCI Senate Belgium leaders before the deadline.

Remember: it is far better to submit an outstanding file six months later than to submit a rushed and incomplete one.

Review Process

Nomination files are reviewed by:

* The Regional Organization

* JCI Belgium

* JCI Senate Belgium

Not every reviewer will personally know the candidate, so the file must speak for itself.

The Senator Dossier Review Matrix:

https://forms.gle/nRM6Amy7GNg8w3bF9

After Approval

Once the nomination is approved:

1. Complete the international form.

2. Arrange payment to Junior Chamber International.

3. Schedule the official ceremony in coordination with the regional, national, and Senate Presidents.

4. Invite those who wrote support letters and others who worked closely with the candidate.

5. Keep everything confidential to preserve the surprise.

Protocol for the Official Senatorship Celebration

The induction of a new JCI Senator is a prestigious and memorable occasion for both the Local Organization and the honoree. It should be one of the highlights of the chapter’s year and organized as a genuine surprise celebration whenever possible.

Order of Speakers

Each Senatorship celebration follows an established protocol. The recommended speaking order is:

1. President of JCI Senate Belgium

   * This is the first speaker and the person who officially announces the awarding of the Senatorship.

2. President of JCI Belgium

3. Regional President (JCI Vlaanderen or JCI BWB)

4. Local President

5. Additional speakers (if any)

6. The newly inducted JCI Senator

Hospitality for Official Guests

The Local Organization covers the meals and related expenses of the official guests (or their representatives):

* President of JCI Senate Belgium

* President of JCI Belgium

* Regional President

These leaders dedicate considerable time to attending Senatorship ceremonies and other official obligations, often on evenings and weekends.

Photography and Communication

Assign a dedicated photographer and make sure to capture:

* Pictures of the pinning ceremony

* An official group photo

Send these photos as soon as possible to:

 info@jcisenatebelgium.be

info@jci.be

Event Scenario and Practical Arrangements

Share the complete program, speaking order, and practical details with the JCI Office well in advance so they can coordinate with the various Presidents and representatives.

A Call to Action

Take a moment to think about the people who shaped your chapter, mentored younger members, launched impactful projects, and embodied the values of JCI.

Some are still active. Others may have moved on many years ago.

Their contributions remain part of our shared history.

If someone comes to mind, do not wait.

Prepare a Senator nomination file and give them the recognition they have truly earned.