Canton Jaycees' "We Believe"

Every classic story begins with the age-old adage "Once upon a time …". So, too, with the history of The Canton Jaycees in which once upon a time there were four friends who gathered on a Sunday morning to exchange good cheer and conversation as to the events of the day. That soon to be immortal foursome of Zeno Staudt, John Jacob, Bud Correll and Roger Clark gathered one Sunday morning at John Jacob’s apartment to drink John’s home brew and roll cigarettes on John’s cigarette machine.

What was different about this particular meeting was that Zeno had noticed in the paper that a group of men in Seattle, Washington had organized a group under the name The Junior Chamber of Commerce of Seattle and engaged in a home renovation project for the benefit of the community. After discussing the possibilities of persons in the far northwest, this group concluded that, whatever could be done in Seattle, could be done even better in Canton, Ohio

After some discussion, and after drinking more of John’s beer, the decision was unanimous that the Canton Junior Chamber of Commerce would be formed. In the true spirit of democratic elections, Zeno Staudt was unanimously elected as the first President of the Junior Chamber of Canton, primarily because he had brought the article to the meeting; John Jacob was elected Vice President because he had furnished the beer; and because no other positions apparently appeared necessary, Bud Correll and Roger Clark were elected as the two Directors.

From these very humble beginnings grew the largest Jaycee Chapter in the State of Ohio and the fourth largest Chapter in the United States. This new organization ran into some difficulties in recruiting members given the rather steep original dues of $.50 per year.

Perhaps in the first demonstration of the creativity and enthusiasm that would be exhibited throughout the history of the Jaycees, certain members volunteered to approach the famous entertainer, Sally Rand, who happened to be scheduled for an appearance in the old Canton Opera House. Drawing upon great reserves of courage, a young Jaycee approached Miss Rand to speak to an organizational meeting of prospective members. Due to his persuasiveness, Miss Rand graciously agreed to speak at the meeting, and her offer to be present was circulated throughout the Canton community for a noon luncheon at the newly opened Bender’s Restaurant.

Much to the amazement of the organizers of the event, sixty-two able-bodied Jaycees attended the luncheon; and after an hour of encouragement and support by Sally Rand, fifty members signed as new members of The Canton Jaycees, and the chapter was born.