Cheryl Pellici moved to the Clarkston area four and a half years ago because she thought it was a great community. Eventually she wanted to add to the efforts of those who make it great.
Pellici launched efforts to bring back the Clarkston Jaycees, an international organization devoted to ‘leadership training through community service.?
When she first came to town, she was busy with a school-age son, work and some home renovation.
‘I didn’t have the time,? she said, but eventually found time after hearing a co-worker talk of his work with the Sterling Heights Jaycees.
‘He used to come in and tell me what they’ve done with all their community projects. I thought that was great.?
After visiting one of their events and hearing their ‘heart-touching stories,? she learned of Jaycees chapters in Rochester and Waterford, but none in Clarkston.
‘If I was going to get back involved with the community, I wanted it to be my own,? she said, so she got in touch with the state Jaycees and received the encouragement to become the organizer.
The group’s name came from the initials J.C., an abbreviation for ‘junior chamber,? and Pellici found great allies in the Clarkston Chamber of Commerce.
‘By far the best thing I did was join the chamber,? she said. A booth at last fall’s Chamber Expo led to good exposure for the fledgling group, and by December there were 20 members and a new official Clarkston chapter.
The ‘junior? comes from the group’s strict age requirements. Members must be between 21 and 39 years old, with a good focus on personal leadership training.
‘The Jaycees focus on developing the individual, while the chamber focuses on developing the business,? she said. ‘Hopefully the leaders of today are the business leaders of tomorrow.?
As current president of the Clarkston Jaycees, Pellici has the ball rolling with community service activities. They did a food drive at Kroger in April, collecting more than $2,000 in goods to benefit Lighthouse Emergency Services.
‘We’re looking for things to do that will enhance the community,? she said. ‘We want to let Clarkston know we’re here.?
Clarkston will definitely know the Jaycees are in town come July 4, as the group has taken on the responsibility of coordinating the community’s Independence Day parade.
The Independence Township Fire Department has handled that burden for years, and was seeking someone to take it over. Pellici said she heard about that possibility at last year’s Business Expo.
‘What a great challenge for us as a new chapter. I love a good challenge,? she said. ‘They’ve created an awesome event. We’ll just build on what they’ve built. They’ve done a very good job, and we’ll just continue that.?
The current 27 members represent a wide range of career fields and experience, representing business owners, consultants, law and law enforcement, financial professions and more.
‘You name it, we have it. It brings a wide range of opinions, thoughts and results,? she said. ‘We’re learning from each other, and that’s important, too.?
While Pellici may be considered the founder of the group, she emphasizes the team effort as crucial to their success.
‘I’ve got a great group of people who have really come forward. We wouldn’t be running these projects or coming up with these ideas without the members.?
While there is some fear the group could grow too quickly, more members are welcome. Call Pellici at (248) 623-2419 or e-mail to clarkstonjc@yahoo.com for more information.
‘No special skills are required, just a willingness to donate some time,? Pellici said, hoping for a group of about 40 by year’s end. ‘I want to focus on slow and steady.?
Because of the group’s age limit, there is a need for constant recruiting. While Pellici isn’t close to ‘retirement? age, she is already looking for a new president next year. There are some still-open board positions as well.
‘I hope the Clarkston Jaycees stick around after I’m aged out,? she said. ‘I’ve learned so much. I’ve come a long way in my personal and professional development. I’m living what the Jaycees are promoting.?
Her professional life is full, as well, working as a tooling engineer for Ann Arbor-based Ewie Company, a firm supplying cutting tools and abrasives for the automotive industry (she is based at the Ford engine plant in Romeo).
In addition, her home improvement work continues. She’s done a good deal of painting (and some ‘repainting?) and is proud that she is almost finished with a full renovation of her kitchen.
Most of it was by herself, but she had some help with some tasks.
‘I figured, ‘How hard could it be to tear a kitchen down and put it back together?? Tearing it down was not that hard. Putting it back up, now I know why there are plumbers.?
Pellici also enjoys golf, and is in her third season in a league.
‘I’m improving,? she said. ‘It’s relaxing and unwinding. After a hard day at work, it’s nice to get out on the golf course.?
She enjoys occasional trips to northern Michigan, and looks forward to quarterly Jaycees state conferences. Those trips have both recreational and training benefits.
The Clarkston Jaycees meet at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month, currently meeting at North Sashabaw Elementary School but seeking a permanent meeting place.
Membership dues are currently at $40 for the first year, but after May 26 it will increase to $60, so Pellici believes this is a good time for potential members to visit a meeting.
‘It’s a small contribution for a great reward.?