JCI Awards Manual

Information for International Award Program

Version 2021.2.24

Welcome!

This awards manual will give you information necessary to submit awards for the JCI
international awards competition. These awards serve as an opportunity for JCI members and
organizations to highlight achievements, celebrate accomplishments and honor members. This
manual provides more information on how to participate in this international award program as
well as information about the specific rules, guidelines and award categories.

Rules and Guidelines for the JCI International Awards Program

All JCI National and Local Organizations may submit entries for JCI Awards subject to the
following rules and guidelines:

Guidelines for Award Entries:

• A n entry may be submitted in only ONE category. Entries submitted into more than one
category will not be considered eligible for awards.
• Entries that win Best of the Best Categories at JCI Area Conferences will automatically
be eligible for the JCI World Congress Award Program. These awards will need to be re-
submitted for consideration.

Types of Award Submissions:

• There are two types of award submissions:
Multi-entry awards: National Organizations may submit more than one award entry
per category, with a maximum of 10 entries per category.
Best of the Best Awards: National Organizations may submit only one award entry
during the JCI Area Conference Award Program. The four (4) Area Conference
Award Winners will be the only eligible entries for the World Congress Award
Program.

Language Policy:
• Eligible award entries MUST be submitted in English, Spanish or French for all Area
Conferences.
• World Congress Award entries MUST be submitted in English. If an Area Conference
winning award was submitted in Spanish or French, it must be translated prior to the
award submission deadline to be eligible for the World Congress Awards Program.
 Award Submission Eligibility and Time Frame:
• National Organizations must be in good standing financially in order to participate in the
awards programs.
• All entries must be approved by the National President by the award submission
deadline to be considered eligible.
Multi-entry Award Categories
- The JCI Area Conference Awards period extends from 45 days before the
corresponding Area Conference of the previous year to 45 days before the Area
Conference in the current year.
- The JCI World Congress Awards Program eligible time frame extends from
45 days before the World Congress of the previous year to 45 days before the
World Congress in the current year.
Best of the Best Award Categories
- The Awards entry submission period extends from January 1 to December 31
of the previous year.
- Winners of the Area Conferences Awards will be the sole entries for the
corresponding categories at the World Congress.
- The Awards entry submission period for “Most Outstanding National
President” extends from January 1 to December 31 the current year.

Award Submission Eligibility and Time Frame:

• In order to be eligible for awards, National Organizations submitting more than one
entry must provide at least one judge. Note: Volunteering judges must be an active
member to register on the JCI website.
• National Organizations may submit up to six judges.
• The deadline to register and approve judges is the same as the corresponding Award
program’s editing deadline.
• If no entry in a category scores above 65%, there shall be no winner.
• Decisions of the judging panel shall be final and binding and there will be no appeals
regarding these decisions.
• In the event of a tie, the Chairperson of the event (JCI Executive Vice President for Area
Conference and JCI President for World Congress) will make the final decision.
• The “Most Outstanding National President” award will be judged by a panel of JCI
National Presidents appointed by the JCI President. The panel will consist of at least ¼
of JCI National Presidents and each Area will be equally represented in that panel.
• If a National Organization has a judge who failed to complete their judging assignment
or replaced their judge and fails to complete the judging 3-days after the judging
deadline, all entries from that Organization may be disqualified by majority vote of the
Executive Committee.

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 JCI Awards Categories
The JCI Awards Program recognizes the projects and the people behind them that are truly
exemplary and serve to inspire others to create an impact in their own communities

Multi-entry Award Categories

Multi-entry categories are where the best local projects and programs compete in the JCI Awards
Program. National Organizations may submit more than one award entry. A maximum of 10 entries
are permitted for National Organizations per category.

Community Awards
Best Local Community Impact Program
Projects and programs run by JCI Local Organizations to improve the community, extend the JCI
Mission, enhance credibility with partners and JCI brand recognition.
• Objectives, Planning, Finance and Execution
• Added value to JCI members and stakeholders
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Long-term Impact of the Program

Best Local Growth and Development Program

Programs run by JCI Local Organizations and members that aim to grow JCI in order to create
development opportunities for more young people in their community.
• Objectives, Planning, Finance and Execution
• Added value to JCI members and stakeholders
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Long-term Impact of the Program

Best Local Global Goals Project

Projects run by JCI Local Organizations that work to advance the Global Goals for Sustainable
Development.
• Objectives, Planning, Finance and Execution
• Added value to JCI members and stakeholders
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Long-term Impact of the Program

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Business Awards
Best Local Business and Entrepreneurship Program
Programs run by JCI Local Organizations that promote developing leadership skills and encouraging
the continued efforts to build diverse skill sets.
• Objectives, Planning, Finance and Execution
• Added value to JCI members and stakeholders
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Long-term Impact of the Program

Best Local JCI RISE Project

Projects run by JCI Local Organizations that contribute to and promote the expansion of the JCI RISE
initiative (Rebuild, Invest, Sustain and Evolve) to make economies and workforces more resilient for
the future.
• Link to the JCI RISE initiative pillars (Economic recovery, Workforce motivation, Preserving mental
health)
• Rebuilding economic resilience
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances

International Awards
Best International Cooperation Project
Programs run by JCI Local Organizations that collaborate with other JCI chapters internationally
to develop strong relationships and partnerships that encourage organizations to partner across
borders.
• Objectives, Planning, Finance and Execution
• Added value to JCI members and stakeholders
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Long-term Impact of the Program

Best Inter-organization Collaboration Project

JCI Local Organizations benefit from collaborating with Organizations outside of JCI to increase their
impact by working with external partnerships, especially BNI, AIESEC, WBAF, ICC and the United
Nations.
• Objectives, Planning, Finance and Execution
• Added value to JCI members and stakeholders
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Long-term Impact of the Program

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Best of the Best Award Categories
Best of the Best Award Categories are where outstanding national projects, Local Organizations and
individual members compete in the JCI Awards Program.

JCI National Organizations may submit only one award entry during the Area Conference Award
Program. The four (4) Area Conference Award Winners will be the only eligible entries for the World
Congress Award Program.

Community Awards
Best National Flagship Program
A National Flagship Program contributes to the JCI Mission and Vision, and involves JCI members
and Local Organizations from across the National Organization.
• Strategy and Implementation
• Benefit to and Participation of Local Organizations and Members
• Impact on the Local Organization’s brand awareness
• Impact on the Local Organization’s membership growth
• Impact on the Local Organization’s finances
• Partnerships and Public Relations
• Long-term Impact of the Program

Most Outstanding Local Organization

A JCI Local Organization that does exceptional work carrying out the JCI Mission.
• Strategic Plan
• Recruitment strategy
• Individual Development Programs and Results
• Community Development Programs and Results
• International Development Programs and Results
• Economic Development Programs and Results
• Project results in brand awareness, membership growth, financial surplus

Most Outstanding New Local Organization

A JCI Local Organization that was formed within the eligible timeframe and has done exceptional
work carrying out the JCI Mission.
• Strategic Plan
• Recruitment Strategy
• Individual Development Programs and Results
• Community Development Programs and Results
• International Development Programs and Results
• Economic Development Programs and Results
• Project results in brand awareness, membership growth, financial surplus

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Best National Growth & Development Program
JCI National Organizations focus on the growth and continued development of the JCI movement
throughout the nation.
• Strategic Plan
• Involvement of National Board of Directors and Members
• Methods of implementation
• Project results in brand awareness, membership growth, financial surplus
• Long-term Impact of the Program

Individual Awards
Most Outstanding New Member
A JCI member that joined the organization during the eligible timeframe and has done exceptional
work carrying out the JCI Mission.
• Impact on Local Organization
• Participation in Training, JCI RISE projects and Business Programs
• Participation in Local and International Events
• Exemplification of JCI Values in JCI Activities
• Exemplification of JCI Values in Personal Life

Most Outstanding Member

A JCI member that does exceptional work carrying out the JCI Mission.
• Impact on Local and National Organization
• Participation in JCI Events
• Exemplification of JCI Values in JCI Activities
• Exemplification of JCI Values in Personal Life

Most Outstanding Local President

A JCI Local President that held office during the eligible timeframe that served as an exceptional
leader in the organization and their community.
• Leadership, Motivation, Inspiration of Members
• Impact on Local Organization
• Participation in JCI Events
• Exemplification of JCI Values in JCI Activities

Most Outstanding National President*

A JCI National President that held office during the current year who served as an exceptional leader
in the organization and their community.
• Administrative skills
• Leadership, Motivation, Inspiration of Members
• Scope of national projects on brand awareness, membership growth and finances
• Attendance at JCI Events

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Special Consideration Award Categories
Most Outstanding Local Project
The Most Outstanding Local Project Award winner will be awarded to the top-scoring winner of all
the Multi-entry Award Categories. This award will be given at both JCI Area Conferences and JCI
World Congress.

Additional Awards
First Timers Award
All participants of the First Timers program at a JCI Area Conference or JCI World Congress are
eligible to enter the First Timers Award raffle. During the JCI Awards Ceremony, a winner will be
announced and receive a trophy. In addition, they will be granted a complimentary registration to the
following year’s corresponding Area Conference or World Congress.

Joaquín V. González Memorial

The Joaquín V. González Memorial is given posthumously to recognize outstanding service of an
active JCI member (therefore for 2021, born after 1 January 1981) who died during the year. An
official request from the National President is required to receive the memorial. This recognition will be
given at JCI World Congresses, and will be presented to the Local President of the deceased, or the
National President if the Local President is not in attendance.

For questions or concerns about JCI Awards, please email [email protected].

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