2015 My LAST ADDRESS
by RIA SERRANO

To JCI North Jersey,

It's been a great journey to have served as your charter president for half of 2014 and as your chapter president in 2015. It has truly been an amazing time for me to have had the opportunity to lead this chapter from scratch, to have coordinated efforts on dream projects that have become a reality, to have succeeded in launching programs to serve the community, to meet like minded people whom you have endorsed to grow this chapter and organization, to have met your circles of family and friends and celebrate yours and your family's personal milestones, and definitely countless items to mention.

For those who have reached out to me to personally commit some of your very valuable time to chair a project, or to be part of the committee, to learn how to create a PMG, or to ask on how else you can help... THANK YOU for your commitment; and THANK YOU for the opportunity to have been able to work with you. Juggling schedules are already difficult by itself and I am glad to have seen the efforts each of you have placed to be within the Jaycees realm. I am sorry to those who did not get the chance to chair their projects, and I hope you continue to work with the new team 2016 and push for your projects to happen.

It is not an easy task to be a Jaycee and not everyone is meant to be a Jaycee. But as you go along and learn about its history on how a dance club in the middle of the World War became a leadership organization who is celebrating more than 100 years now, you will learn that there's more to it than just the name, Jaycees.

Come Jan 1, 2016, a new set of board members spearheaded by 2016 President-elect Joyce Andes-David will start to test the best of their abilities and help lead and grow the chapter.

EVP, Shine Wann
IDVP, Don Balanzat
CDVP, Christine Rapada
IAVP, Emil Rapada
MSVP, Bernard Cortes
Directors, Kay Habana, Andy Fernandez, Angel Ram
Assistant Directors Joliza Pucci, Baian Rasheed
Secretary Audrey Santos
Treasurer Kelly Porr
Social Media Manager Jazmine Andes
Webmaster James Tagorda

But don't leave them to do all the work, take your share and lead one simple project with a small goal or be bold and find out how other chapters make a $600k project. All these project information are shareable within our organization.

But before I bid farewell, I want to make my special thanks to the team that made 2015 brighter. Thank you...

EVP Bernard Cortes
IDVP Shine Wann
CDVP Emiljun Rapada
IAVP Joyce Andes-David
MSVP Christian Angeles
Directors James Tagorda, Patrick Lee, Christine Rapada, Mylz Tolentino
Assistant Directors, Don Balanzat, Baian Rasheed, Remi Velasco
Secretary Joliza Pucci
Treasurer Armira Ferrer
Webmaster James Tagorda
Social Media Manager Jazmine Andes
Board Adviser Loren Sandiego
Presidential Adviser Richard Rillera, Jesse Arteche

And tonight as I step down from my post, this is the challenge I leave to all of you, Jaycees of North Jersey. If you haven't found the value of the Junior Chamber International organization, read more, ask more, step up, and find out why aren't you as involved as the others.

And with good hopes, I will look forward in  celebrating our milestone in 2024.

Happy New Year to everyone!!

Sincerely

Ria

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Ria Serrano

2015 Chapter President