The current chapter of the Gaylord Area Jaycees was chartered in April of 2000. All though no records have been made available to the current chapter, the Gaylord Area had a chapter that folded in the late 1990's because they could not maintain 21 members.
What we do know about the old chapter is that in the 1980's when women were allowed to join the Jaycees, the Gaylord chapter did not want to admit women into their chapter. After the US Junior Chamber threatened to pull the Gaylord Area's charter, one token woman was admitted for membership. Times certainly changed. By the time the chapter folded in the 90's, there were more women on the chapter's roster then men.
In 2000, Kevin Brown (Gaylord Area Jaycees President 2000) was approched by his friend, Bill Jasman of the Trenton Jaycees, about the posibility of starting a chapter again in Gaylord. Kevin and his wife Staci, worked tirelessly to sign 21 members and an extension was made. Officially the Gaylord Area Jaycees became a new chapter in April 2000.
In July 2001, the Gaylord Area Jaycees was about to fall below 21 members again. Norm Cohrs (Gaylord Area Jaycees President 2001) with the help of a few other dedicated members, stepped up to the plate and signed enough new members to keep the chapter alive.
Not only did these members keep the chapter alive, but they took the chapter to new heights. As of December 2001, the Gaylord Area Jaycees had 28 members. For the first time since the chapter had been chartered, the chapter achieved Blue Chip status. The chapter also won the parade of chapters for new and under 30 for the fourth quarter of 2001.
The Gaylord Area Jaycees continues to grow and prosper with a team of members who truely care about making their community better while making themselves better.
Past Presidents
2000 Kevin Brown
2001 Norm Cohrs
2002 Lori Dobosy
