Founded in 1980, the Statesman organization is an honors program that enables a local chapter to recognize the outstanding efforts of a Jaycee for extraordinary dedication to the organization. Dedication and service are two of the most important criteria for this award. This is the highest award bestowed by the Minnesota Jaycees.
Minnesota Jaycees Statesman
“The Original History in Review”
The Minnesota Jaycees have been serving the needs of its communities throughout Minnesota since 1929. Part of this rich history has been the Minnesota Jaycees Statesman Program. The Statesman Program was designed to promote fellowship amongst MN Jaycees, give experienced Jaycees the chance to exchange ideas, to offer a means of retaining friendships, to foster a better understanding and good will through Jaycee programs and projects, and to honor those Jaycees that go the extra mile. The original “Founders” of this program were MN Jaycee President Jim Jurek and MN Jaycee EVP Randy C. Hemstad.
How did it all get started? During the 1979 – 1980 MN Jaycee years, the State President, Jim Jurek, wanted a program developed that would offer a means for the MN Jaycees to honor their best with a State Award similar to the US Jaycees Ambassador and the Jaycee Senators International Programs. Also, part of President Jurek’s original idea was to gain funds through this program to put towards a possible MN Jaycee Headquarters Building. To this end he directed the MN Jaycees Executive Vice-President, Randy C. Hemstad (1979 – 1982), to develop and maintain such a program. EVP Hemstad took Jurek’s original idea and developed the program that has been in existence for over 30 years. With help from the state office staff and membership throughout MN, and under Hemstad’s guidance and efforts, the program guidelines, the presentation certificate, award pin, presentation letter, and all phases of the MN Jaycee Statesman were created during the 1979 – 1980 Jaycee year. The program was quickly approved by President Jurek and the MN Board. Hemstad was directed to start and maintain the Statesman Program. He did so for the next three years.
The original leadership of the Statesman Program consisted of:
1980 Jim Jurek #1, Honorary President
1980 – 1984 Randy C. Hemstad #2, EVP & Statesman Program Supervisor
1984 – 1985 Terry Wade #279, first appointed President
1985 – 1986 James Mueller #295, first elected President
1986 – 1987 Dick Jones #218, Constitution and By Laws created, and incorporation
1987 – 1988 DJ Leppla #100, President
All of the other great leaders are shown on the Past Presidents Page on the MN Statesman website, as well as the current board members for the Statesmen.
President Jurek was honored with Statesman #1 at the Annual Convention Blue Chip Luncheon in 1980 by EVP Hemstad, Statesman #2. He was caught off guard by Hemstad and was very pleased with this, the official beginning of the Statesman Program. The first 60 Statesman numbers were reserved for the past MN Jaycee State Presidents and for other special honorees. The first regular MN Jaycee member to receive the Statesman Award was David Hall #61, of the Nisswa Jaycees. Current membership is in the 1,500’s! Let’s continue to serve our MN communities and honor our members for their great work in their communities through this great program, and always remember “that service to humanity is the best work of life!”.
How did it all get started? During the 1979 – 1980 MN Jaycee years, the State President, Jim Jurek, wanted a program developed that would offer a means for the MN Jaycees to honor their best with a State Award similar to the US Jaycees Ambassador and the Jaycee Senators International Programs. Also, part of President Jurek’s original idea was to gain funds through this program to put towards a possible MN Jaycee Headquarters Building. To this end he directed the MN Jaycees Executive Vice-President, Randy C. Hemstad (1979 – 1982), to develop and maintain such a program. EVP Hemstad took Jurek’s original idea and developed the program that has been in existence for over 30 years. With help from the state office staff and membership throughout MN, and under Hemstad’s guidance and efforts, the program guidelines, the presentation certificate, award pin, presentation letter, and all phases of the MN Jaycee Statesman were created during the 1979 – 1980 Jaycee year. The program was quickly approved by President Jurek and the MN Board. Hemstad was directed to start and maintain the Statesman Program. He did so for the next three years.
The original leadership of the Statesman Program consisted of:
1980 Jim Jurek #1, Honorary President
1980 – 1984 Randy C. Hemstad #2, EVP & Statesman Program Supervisor
1984 – 1985 Terry Wade #279, first appointed President
1985 – 1986 James Mueller #295, first elected President
1986 – 1987 Dick Jones #218, Constitution and By Laws created, and incorporation
1987 – 1988 DJ Leppla #100, President
All of the other great leaders are shown on the Past Presidents Page on the MN Statesman website, as well as the current board members for the Statesmen.
President Jurek was honored with Statesman #1 at the Annual Convention Blue Chip Luncheon in 1980 by EVP Hemstad, Statesman #2. He was caught off guard by Hemstad and was very pleased with this, the official beginning of the Statesman Program. The first 60 Statesman numbers were reserved for the past MN Jaycee State Presidents and for other special honorees. The first regular MN Jaycee member to receive the Statesman Award was David Hall #61, of the Nisswa Jaycees. Current membership is in the 1,500’s! Let’s continue to serve our MN communities and honor our members for their great work in their communities through this great program, and always remember “that service to humanity is the best work of life!”.