But first: WHAT IS JCI - JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL (WWW.JCI.CC)
 
 
JCI is a worldwide community of young active citizens ages 18-40 who share the belief that in order to create positive change, we must take collective action to improve ourselves and the world around us. With over 5,000 Local Organizations in more than 115 countries and territories, JCI forms a vibrant international network with nearly 200,000 members. Engaging in activities ranging from community development to international projects, members demonstrate their social responsibility and improve themselves through participation, leadership and action. The global citizens of JCI are committed to becoming better leaders to build a better future for all.
 
And for us trainers in JCI we have a guide to follow and a certification program. Maybe the only one in Europe.
 
 
For the trainers:
 
To guide trainers along the path of excellence, JCI Training has established a Certification Program – a road map to achievement in the field of training. The program provides incentives and opportunities for members to improve their technical skills through specialized training, career development programs, and active participation in training efforts in the field.
 
JCI members are encouraged to seek advanced certification after successfully completing the JCI Trainer course. 
 
 
JCI Trainer
The first step is to acquire the necessary presentation skills by attending JCI Presenter. With newly learned presentation skills, JCI Trainers are equipped to offer their local organizations a wide range of training sessions available from JCI.
 
 
A JCI Trainer seeking admission to level 1 – Certified Local Trainer (CLT) – is required to:
 
* After graduating from JCI Trainer (Prime), complete 25 hours of training in courses organized by JCI Local or National Organizations.
 
 
CLTs will continue conducting training at the local level or higher until they complete the total hours to attend a JCI Designer course.
 
 
A CLT seeking certification at level 2 – Certified National Trainer (CNT) – is required to:
 
A. After becoming a CLT, conduct 25 additional hours of training. A minimum of 20 hours must be conducted in courses organized by JCI Local or National Organizations officially affiliated to JCI and recorded in JCI database and having JCI members as participants. 5 hours of training outside JCI is accepted.
 
C. After fulfilling item A, attend and graduate from a JCI Designer course. 
 
CNTs have the opportunity to make even more meaningful contributions to JCI by providing regional and national training, and developing new training courses.
 
 
 

Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I find that people have, as it relates to the success in their life, lies in a proper understanding of what exactly it is they manage. Think about it. We have time management (in fact, I present a seminar on this very topic, some of which is excerpted below), and financial management, and relational management, weight management, career management, and many, many more.
 
The fact is, though, we don’t manage any of those things. What we do manage is ourselves and how we relate to those things. We don’t manage time. Time clicks by, second by second, whether we do anything or not. What we do manage is ourselves, and our activities, as the time passes. We make choices as to what we will do and be involved in. The problem as well as the solution lies not with time, but with us.
 
So as we live our lives and pursue success, one of the keys to grab onto is the idea that the most important thing we can manage isn’t a thing at all—it is ourselves!
 
How, then, can we manage ourselves? Here are some thoughts.
 
Make sure that the above is firmly ingrained in your thinking: I only manage myself. I can choose how I will act and react in every situation. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The history of free men is not written by chance, but by choice, their choice.”
 
Know your priorities. Do you know from top to bottom what your priorities are? Have you decided what the top 10 things are that you want to spend your time on? How about with your money? Only after you know these things can you properly manage yourself into choosing to live in line with your priorities.
 
Learn to say no with a smile on your face. Here is where most of us fail. We do not choose to say no to those things that are not a matter of priority (the reason why is another article, and probably a few counseling sessions at that). Someone calls us up and asks us to do something for them (usually because they haven’t managed themselves and would like our help picking up the pieces), and we say, “Uh, I guess so.” Then what? We usually kick ourselves for the rest of the day. “Why did I ever say yes?” Instead, practice this: “Gee, I am really sorry, but I am not going to be able to be involved this time. I am sure you will be able to find somebody, though.” Go ahead and try it right now. Weird, isn’t it? That is because we don’t say it very often.
 
Schedule your priorities into your schedule, budget or whatever structure governs that particular area of your life. For example, do you have a financial budget that you yourself set? Then do you first and foremost allocate your money in that way, say, at the beginning of the month? If you do, you will eliminate even the opportunity to blow your money on impulse decisions and expenses because your money has already been committed to the priorities of your own choosing. The same principles apply to your management of time.
 
Remember, one of the greatest gifts God gave us is the ability to choose. And we can choose to manage ourselves appropriately according to our priorities. As we do, we will find ourselves feeling less and less of the personal pain and frustration we sometimes feel when we are out of control and not managing ourselves based on our priorities.
 
by Chris Widener

 
(Part 2 of the Series)
 
In Part 1 of this series we looked at what a mentor is and does. If you have decided that a business or personal mentor could be a benefit to you, the link below will start you toward finding the right mentor.
 
Government Resources
Sometimes a government agency will offer to match entrepreneurs, or others in a Mentor Program which seeks to link those new in business with experienced business owners in a non-competing industry.
In the United States you can contact the SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) for a free business counselor. The Department of Defense (DOD) has a Mentor-Protege Program too.
 
Organizations
Sometimes you can find a mentor through a professional or trade organization to which you belong, or that you can join.

• The Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Chapter of Professional Secretaries International has a mentoring program designed to help ensure active participation of all members in Chapter activities.
• Another Australian site is Mentor Resources Of Tasmania, a mentor program sponsored by the Rotary International organization. It is designed for "keeping small businesses in business."
• The Culinary Institute of America also has its own mentor program.
• Another mentor program to assist women is the Mentor Program of the Society of Women Engineers, Baltimore-Washington Section.
• Marisol Productions has a great article that describes the types of relationships between mentors and proteges. It also talks about how to find a mentor.

 
Referals
Far and away the best place to look for a mentor, however, is right in front of you. Look around you at work. Is there an individual who you admire and respect? Someone who has always impressed you with their insight and preceptiveness?
 
Maybe your boss or your boss's boss. Maybe it's a Vice President in a different division. It could even be the older individual who isn't currently a top executive of your firm, but who you know has lots of experience.
Approach that individual and ask if they would consider being your mentor. Depending on the individual, and your current relationship, your proposal will vary in the amount of detail and how it is delivered. At the very least, let them know what why you selected them and what you hope to learn from the assocation. If appropriate for the specific individual, you can also discuss amounts of time to be commited and what you will contribute.
Don't put it off. What can you lose? Even if they decline to be your mentor, and few will, they will be flattered that you asked.
 
NEXT TIME
Do you have what it takes to be a mentor? Check the next article to find out what it takes to be a true guide and friend to another individual.