Blog

My first month as member!

The JCI is all about pushing your comfort zone to develop your self personally or professionally and in my first month as a member I have done just that! I have meet loads of new people, stood up to speak in front of an audience and have had crazy ideas that turned into real plans.

One main thing I have noticed this month is the willingness and trust the members of JCI Barnsley have towards a new member and their desire to get involved. After being a member for only a couple of weeks I have been able to take the lead on organising a soon to be amazing event without anyone having doubts (well none they have voiced!).

I think this shows just what an opportunity being a member of JCI Barnsley is. There are loads of different roles from local to national and I can't wait to try as many of them as possible and who knows what I'll learn along the way.

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Meet JCI Barnsley Finance Director Debbie Tills who has been a member for 7 years!

What made you join JCI?

I joined JCI Barnsley in 2005 when I started working in Barnsley. It was my first ‘proper job' after leaving university and I wanted to improve my confidence, business skills and social network. My membership has delivered all these things, an much more!

How has JCI helped your finance skills?

I'm not a big fan of numbers, but I do like a good spreadsheet, so being Finance Director allows me to keep our income and expenditure on track against our budget and ensure that we use our funds to ensure our members get the most out of belonging to our Chamber.

You have attended many international events, what do you get from an international event that is different from simply being a local member?

JCI helps you to build your network, by attending events outside Barnsley you get to meet more people, which open up many more opportunities. So far my involvement in JCI has taken me up and down the country and beyond to Scotland, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Latvia and Cataluña.

What is your favourite JCI memory?

One day at the European Conference sums up everything great that JCI has to offer - in the space of 24 hours I had made it through the European Debating final with fellow Yorkshire President's Emma and Lisa; welcomed UK National President, Charlie Best's husband Andrew to the city after his epic cycle ride from Doncaster, raising funds for Nothing But Nets on the way; been sightseeing with friends; and finally had an amazing time at the German night party held in one of the famous baths. How will I ever top that?

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Meet JCI Barnsley's Immediate Past President, Vicky Savage:

What made you join JCI?

The Vice Principle of Barnsley College encouraged me to contact the then President Debbie Tills to arrange a meeting and find out all about JCI and the rest is history. 

Personal development is a key area of JCI, what sort of development opportunities have you been involved with during your time as a member?

During my time I've had the privilege to attend a variety of training sessions across the UK. The thing about JCI is if you suggest or voice a particular interest to your Chamber you can arrange and organise that training.

What is your favourite area of JCI opportunity?

The best thing about JCI is meeting people who you would never normally meet in your day to day life as your paths would never cross. 

What is your favourite JCI memory?

I have far too many but a memorable trip to Edinburgh, for the JCI Edinburgh Burns Supper, with falling down tights springs to mind.

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I was born in Birmingham but moved to Yorkshire in 2005. I'm currently a Premisand Facilities Manager for Business Link Yorkshire, based in Barnsley. My role involves looking after all aspects to do with our 13 offices including heating, lighting, contracts, budgets, managing a team and health and safety.

In the past 12 months I have also been a voluntary director of a local charity, and have now taken up the challenge set by this year's President Vicky Savage to be the Admin Director for JCI Barnsley for 2011. It means I get to be all organised and organise other people, one of my favourite things!!

I am a Birmingham City Football Club supporter and have been for about 15 years, I even met my husband there! It's definitely a challenge following Birmingham City but I find it a good stress reliever being able to take my week's frustrations out on the football players although not sure those who sit around me would agree.

I joined JCI as a couple of my work colleagues were members and kept telling me how good it was. After moving to Yorkshire with my husband and only having friends through our jobs, it has been nice to make friends with other people and enjoy many laughs.

In my spare time I like to chill out, eat my husband's cooking as I am a terrible cook, go to nice restaurants and yes, Doncaster does have some! My husband likes to cook adventurous foods so I have eaten wild boar and pigs cheeks but draw the line at goat!

I also like to watch tv, I'm a big fan of Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Private Practice, Sex and the City, Hollyoaks, Come Dine with Me, Question of Sport.

My favourite films are Sex and the City, Dirty Dancing, Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Mary Poppins, Willy Wonka, Finding Nemo!

Quick fire Questions

What is your favourite TV show? Brothers and Sisters or Grey's Anatomy.

What do you usually have for breakfast? It has to be pain au chocolat or croissants at the weekend, boring cereals in the week.

What food do you dislike? Anything spicy! Being from Birmingham and not liking curry is odd I know!

What is your favourite CD at this moment? Plan B- The Defamation of Strickland Banks. I'm seeing him in March at the Doncaster Dome.

What characteristics do you despise? Lying and cheating.

Favourite item of clothing? PJs, I spend a lot of time in them!

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you go? New York is on my wish list at the moment

What was your most recent memorable birthday? My 30th last year.

Favourite sport to watch? Football and boxing, being married to a Sports Journalist means you need to like sport!!

What did you want to be when you were little? A florist, an air stewardess and a teacher.

What is your favourite sweet/chocolate? Anything by Cadburys, a Birmingham delight and the source of my biggest addiction!!

What was the last thing you ate? BBQ pulled pork fajitas cooked by my husband.

Favourite drink? Britvic 55 Orange or a good cuppa tea.

Favourite restaurant? Santinis in Doncaster or Red Peppers in Birmingham.

What are you afraid of? Being alone.

How many years at your current job? Five

Favourite day of the week? The weekend, surely they are not 1 day!!??

How many cities/towns have you lived in? Birmingham, Midhurst (West Sussex) and Doncaster.

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I joined JCI Barnsley in 2005 and have been an active member of the chamber ever since. I joined JCI after finishing my MSc and found I needed business skills quickly! It was also an unexpected and fantastic way to meet people in a new town and found I had an instant social life! That was in 2005 and I have been an active member ever since. I still can't believe the number of opportunities that have been on offer in that time.

This is my second year as National Admin Director, not the most exciting title but it's a very exciting role... honestly! At the start of the year I get to find out who will be taking on local roles and make sure everyone is kept up to date with changes and can keep in touch with each other. I also order things like business cards, chains of office, pins and name badges. Throughout the year I communicate with presidents and members, answer queries and ensure everyone is informed about National Council meetings etc.

My favourite part of the role is as Awards Manager, I love collating the entries, organising the judging and being a part of a process that recognises the great things that our chambers achieve each year.

Since I joined JCI Barnsley I have been to European Conferences in Finland and Hungary, attended the European Academy in Sweden, the TOYP Academy in Turkey and the European Presidents meeting in Latvia. International JCI events are an amazing way to see the World and immerse you in different cultures.

In the small amount of free time that is not filled with JCI I enjoy getting fresh air in the Peak District, entertaining friends (and being entertained!) and switching off with a good book!

Quick fire Questions

What is your favourite TV show? Greys Anatomy & repeats of the Crystal Maze (for the 80's hair!), Sons of Anarchy.

What do you usually have for breakfast? Fruit or a cinnamon bagel

What food do you dislike? I like cheese but it dislikes me

What is your favourite CD at this moment? Any of the mix CD's the boy does for me

What characteristics do you despise? Dishonesty and bigotry

Favourite item of clothing? Jeans!

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you go? Can I give you a list?

What was your most recent memorable birthday? 30th spent in Puglia, Italy

Favourite sport to watch? Downhill Skiing or Extreme Bull Riding

What did you want to be when you were little? A ballet dancing car mechanic

What is your favourite sweet/chocolate? White chocolate orange

What was the last thing you ate? A piece of sponge cake baked my next door neighbour, yum!

Favourite drink? Tea!

Favourite restaurant? Prezzo when we're out and about, Pinocchio's or Chilli when we're in Barnsley

What are you afraid of? Dolphins

How many years at your current job? 4 months

Favourite day of the week?Friday

How many cities/towns have you lived in? Six

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