In connection with civic and community activities, the Jaycees of the late 1970’s and primarily in the 1980’s organized City Club. City Club was designed as a public forum for monthly luncheons to permit public debate and discussion of events and topics of the day important to the community. City Club, now being an independent organization organized by the Canton Jaycees, continues to serve the vital purpose of public debate on a variety of issues, particularly in election years, giving the public an opportunity to compare various candidates for elected office, as well as to hear speakers on a variety of topics, arguing both sides of the issue.

Of course, the Jaycees have had their humorous projects as well. Who could forget the Juice Newton financial disaster, or its public relations problem of "Fiasco Beach", or that favorite project of "Santa Claus Visits the Geisen Haus"?

The Jaycees of the 1980’s had continued the long tradition of excellence in community service, leadership development, achieving continual national and state recognition for their efforts for the betterment of Canton. However, the Jaycees of the 80’s also took time to reflect upon the individual Jaycee member, and a concerted effort was made to expand upon the family participation in Jaycee activities. The Jaycees of the 80’s began to emphasize the family through the promotions of Wives Appreciation Day, Kids Day, Family Meetings, Family Picnics and a wide variety of activities to further the family support for the Jaycee movement.

A historic milestone was passed by the United States in 1984 with a change in the National By-Laws to admit women as full-fledged Jaycees. Shortly after the change in the National policy, Canton likewise amended its local policy to admit women members, with the first woman member of the Canton Jaycees officially sworn in on September 11, 1984. The opportunity for leadership training and public service by men and women of Canton in the same organization will certainly expand and increase already one of the best chapters in the nation.

The first fifty years of the Canton Jaycees is a tribute to hundreds upon thousands of man-hours and woman-hours devoted to the betterment of Canton through their charitable activities, fundraising activities and service to the community.

Although this history has discussed many significant achievements and contributions of the Canton Jaycees, the Jaycee story is much more than monuments and buildings, but it is rather a tribute to the individual growth and development of the young men, and now young women, of Canton. On the 50th anniversary of the Canton Jaycees, the Jaycees challenge themselves to expand and grow, both individually and as an organization, in the years to come. Upon accepting this challenge, the Jaycees of the 1980’s are proud to present the story of the Canton Jaycees.