JCI Lower Mainland History

The first JCI chapter in the Lower Mainland was officially chartered in 1932. Since then, JCI has had a long history of community service in the Lower Mainland:

• In the spring of 1948, the Fraser Valley was devastated by a flood. JCI in Vancouver organized a ticket sale for a quiz contest that generated $35000 for the residents of the Fraser Valley.

• JCI arranged for the reception, entertainment, and departure of more than 850 competitors and team officials from 24 countries who took part in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games of Vancouver in 1954.

• Starting in 1955, JCI started to hold the Miss Grey Cup contest and Grey Cup parade.

• JCI began offering a diploma course in executive training in conjunction with UBC in the mid 1950s. Enrollment peaked at 450 students in 1962. The program provided a well-rounded business and executive training program.

• JCI financed popcorn vendors in the 1960s so they could establish their own popcorn vending business on the beach. This was a community development program for unemployed people, retirees, and people who wanted to start a side business.

• In the early 1970s JCI started the Sea Festival. This was a 10-day festival in the west end of the English Bay area. It celebrated the value of the sea to the Lower Mainland. As part of the festival, tall ships and even nuclear subs would come into English Bay. The Sea Festival also featured the Nanaimo bathtub race, during which participants would drive bathtubs outfitted with a six horsepower motor across Nanaimo Bay.

• During the 1980s, the sea festival continued but had been turned over to the city of Vancouver. JCI ran the Salmon Barbeque instead.