Staff Writer
Before members of JCCI Forward look ahead to the organization’s 10th year, they’ll take a look back at the accomplishments of a year of forums.
The group will meet 5:30-7 p.m. today at Theatre Jacksonville at 2032 San Marco Blvd.
JCCI Forward was established by Jacksonville Community Council Inc. in 2000 to engage future leaders ages 25-45 in civic involvement.
JCCI Forward organized three economy-themed forums dealing with financial planning, going green and social media, in addition to several education-themed luncheons and introduction of JAXFacts, an additional learning opportunity for members.
“The year went really well,” said Michelle Simkulet, JCCI Forward program director. “I’m overwhelmed by the willingness of people who take time to step up.”
Topics for the year’s three issue forums were selected by the organization’s more than 300 members:
• The first, “Dollars and Sense: Investing in Your Financial Future,” in October focused on the shifting attitudes of the Forward generation in regard to savings, risk tolerance, budgeting and retirement planning. Members created a list of tips and tricks to assist in each of the areas and they plan to reconvene for an update next year.
• From January through March, the organization’s “Going Green $ave$ Green” forum allowed members to explore the myths and realities of how making green choices saves both money and the environment. Findings included the need and commitment for green lifestyle changes, the need to re-examine green misconceptions and the need to engage others in the practices through education, incentives and disincentives.
In the resulting action plan, members chose to participate in Earth Day activities and the Jacksonville Green Expo, produce editorials and lead by example.
• The final forum, “Community Engagement Thru Social Media,” delved into the rapidly changing aspects of social media, including issues regarding privacy and a discussion between devotion to online versus personal interactions in networking. The second portion of the forum focused on the numerous websites and tools commonly used for social networking. Many have been put into practice by both Forward and JCCI members.
More than 100 members are expected tonight for the year-in-review and will also celebrate a JCCI Forward Champion, a first-time honor to a volunteer within the organization.
This year’s honoree is Carla Marlier, a longtime JCCI member and former public relations consultant who has served in numerous roles for JCCI Forward, including the initial “Leadership: Meeting Community Needs” study in 1996 that identified the need for an organization such as Forward.
Simkulet calls Marlier a “walking, breathing, talking role model” of everything Forward tries to accomplish.
“She embodies all the things we try to do,” said Simkulet. “She brings them all to life.
356-2466