The Areas of Opportunity & Commission System

Guide
The Areas of Opportunity & Commission System

The efficacy of an organization is gauged by its ability to review and adapt its systems constantly in order to fulfill its objectives and mission. The Areas of Opportunity concept is the result of an evolutionary process that began with the birth of Junior Chamber International.

The first organized system was introduced in the late 1940s; it was called the Commission System and was composed of 10 commissions. It was quite effective, especially in large chapters of more than 50 members, but small chapters suffered because of lack of commission chairmen.

In 1974 the Long-Range Planning Committee recommended the Areas of Activity System, with the same objectives as before but basically grouping the commissions into three categories of activities: Management, Individual and Community.

In 1979 the LRPC came up with the mission of Junior Chamber and the key word in the mission was opportunity. The LRPC also realized that Internationalism should have more emphasis. Thereupon the word “Activity” was changed to “Opportunity” and a fourth Area was added: Internationalism.

Because the concept of Areas of Opportunity was too broad, in 1984 the commissions were again added to the Areas of Opportunity. In 1990 the Strategic Planning Committee recommended that more commissions be added to each Area of Opportunity to provide means for chapters to offer balanced programs to individual members.

In 1990 the number of commissions was increased to 18, and in 1994 a fifth area with two more commissions were added.

In 1999 the Strategic Planning Committee recommended that the Management Area of Opportunity be incorporated into the other four Areas. All activities provide management opportunities to the members and chapter administration should be a must, not an Area of Opportunity. More time should be spent in projects and training instead of chapter administration.


THE AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY

The learning experience of Junior Chamber members revolves around the four Areas of Opportunity, which concept, based upon the principles and mission, can be considered the cornerstone of Junior Chamber.

The key word is “Opportunity,” which advocates voluntary involvement of members within any of the Areas. The concept applies at any level, but it is at the chapter level where it produces the best results. The premise is that it is the responsibility of each national organization and chapter to provide opportunities to its members.

Following are the four Areas of Opportunity.

· INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES

To provide the opportunity for the Individual Member to realize his or her personal potential through training programs.

· COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

To develop the sensitivity of the Individual Member to societal problems and knowledge of community dynamics in solving these problems through actual experience.

· INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

To provide the opportunity for the Individual Member to contribute to the development of goodwill, understanding, and cooperation among all peoples.

· BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

To provide the opportunity for members to contribute to the development of the economic infrastructure, prosperity and well-being of all nations.
THE COMMISSION SYSTEM

It is recommended to chapters and National Organizations that, in order to organize their activities in a balanced and orderly manner, their program activities be conducted by the following commissions established under the Areas of Opportunity:

INDIVIDUAL AREA OF OPPORTUNITY

Personal Development Commission
Trainers Commission
Officers Training Commission
Membership Growth and Extensions Commission
Meetings Commission

COMMUNITY AREA OF OPPORTUNITY

JCI Major Emphasis Theme Commission
Community Development/Involvement Commission
Economic Affairs Commission
Children and Youth Commission
Governmental and Civic Affairs Commission

INTERNATIONAL AREA OF OPPORTUNITY

International Affairs and Relations Commission
Chapter Twinning Commission
JCI Meetings Commission
Awards Commission

BUSINESS AREA OF OPPORTUNITY

Finance Commission
Records Commission
Strategic Planning Commission
Marketing and Public Relations Commission
Business Affairs Commission
International Business Council
Chamber of Commerce Partnership Commission.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that chapters appoint chairmen for each of the above commissions. Each chairman will coordinate the activities of the projects and programs under his or her commission and report to the respective Area of Opportunity Vice President.

One Vice President for each Area of Opportunity should be elected, with the responsibility to supervise the activities and coordinate the efforts of the Commission Chairmen.

In large chapters, one or two Executive Vice Presidents should be elected, with the responsibility to supervise the activities and coordinate the efforts of the Vice Presidents.

In small chapters, it may be difficult to establish all commissions and elect five Vice Presidents. In this case, only some of the commissions may be established, or one person can act as chairman of more than one commission.

SUMMARY

The flexibility afforded by the Areas of Opportunity and Commission System does not restrict activities to those classifications, but instead treats them as introductory points for activities with greater relevance.

Any chapter at any time is free to establish new commissions according to the needs of the members, the chapter and the community.

Every organization needs to function effectively and needs a system that is clear and concise, understood at all levels of its operations, easily communicable, and, above all, enhances the achievement of the organization's objectives.