Severna Park Jaycees History

In the beginning...
The Severna Park Jaycees were chartered on March 30, 1963, through the efforts of the Annapolis, Catonsville, and Glen Burnie  Jaycee Chapters. The Charter membership consisted of 35 young men under the leadership of Chapter President Ben Michaelson. That first year was a spectacular one that saw the chapter gaining state and national recognition as an outstanding organization with excellent community, youth, and leadership programs. The Severna Park Jaycees placed first in the state of Maryland and second nationally among first-year chapters.

Growth and Recognition
The Chapter continued to grow and win recognition. Dick Dobyns, Rob Donald, Frank Bell, Jim Hubbard, Rich Ebright, Ben Brandt, Jack Wilson, Don Smith, Rocky Conklin, Nelson Outten, Gary Bohlman, Gloria Knight, John Woelpper, Sherm Garrison, and Fred Wood were Severna Park Jaycees that also served as District 7 Directors. Ben Michaelson, Rob Donald, Jim Hubbard, Terry Murray, Ben Brandt, Newth Morris, Bob Kountz, and Sherm Garrison were Region III Directors. Jim Hubbard served as Maryland Jaycees State President in 1975-1976, Newth Morris  in 1981-1982 and Anne Mcgrath in 1998-1999. Gerry Dehm was honored by the Maryland Jaycees as one of Maryland's Five Outstanding Young Men, and in 1986, Newth Morris was selected by the Maryland Jaycees as one of Maryland's Ten Outstanding Young Marylanders. Ben Michaelson was honored as Maryland's Outstanding SPOKE in 1964, recognizing him as the outstanding first year member in the state. Bob Kountz received that honor in 1981-82.

Severna Park Jaycee Involvement in the Community
Although the chapter's plan of action varies according to the needs of the community and the abilities of the organization's members, several projects continued for more than 10 years. Resource Recovery project began in 1966 and continued monthly to serve the community while benefiting the environment until 1987 when the County assumed the project. Our participation in the 4th of July celebration began in 1975 and continues today with a pit beef stand at the festival. Severna Park Jaycees were involved in the Hike and Bike Trail starting in 1975 and we saw the completion of  the trail with the mile markers project that won national acclaim in 1990.

Severna Park Jaycee Women
In October, 1966, the Severna Park Jaycees setup an auxiliary group known asthe Jay-C-Ettes. This group offered many of the same opportunities to the women of the community that the Jaycees did and they assisted many of the projects over the years.  The group opened its membership to single women in 1981, and became known as the Severna Park Jaycee Women.  Throughout the 19 year history, the Severna Park Jaycee women's group proudly led the state organization Four members served as officer's of the Maryland Jaycee Women, and 12 members served as Program Managers. Six women were first-place winners in the State SpeakUp Program, and 2 first-place Sparkette(same as Spark Plug) winners. In 1982-1983 the Severna Park Jaycee Women led the Maryland Jaycee Women in the Parade of Chapters, taking first place honors. Two Members, Michele Kountz and Linda Sparks, both placed in U.S. Jaycee Top 10 SpeakUp and Spokette. Many sweepstakes awards were received for single project entries, as well as National recognition for these projects. In July 1985 the Severna Park Jaycee Women ended, with the combination of groups and the United States Jaycees opening membership to women.

Today
The Severna Park Jaycees continue to strive for excellence --- excellence in what it offers the community and excellence in what it can offer its members.

Past Presidents SPJC
Past Presidents SPJC Women
Severna Park Winners