To Trinidad and Tobago, from Edmonton

I have been blessed to be a member of JCI Canada for 17 years.... seriously! And every year has brought me new friends, new skills and new experiences. It is hard to think of a single story of impact, as I have so many.

This story is well known to a few but was a great example to me of the reach you may not expect your JCI experience to have.

I was the regional president of BC Yukon in 2003. Edmonton was hosting the area C convention and we were all very excited to host JCI members from all over the Americas. On the evening showcasing the regions of Canada I was hosting the BC/Yukon table. We had smoked salmon, dried fruits, wine and a variety of bars, and juices from Sunripe. I enjoyed sitting at the table chatting with the people wandering by, when a tall, imposing older man came to the table. He was very serious, he glanced over the table before picking up a Sunripe fruit leather and studying the package intently. I did what I often do when nervous, babbled. I chatted one sidedly at this man, who was obviously a JCI senator from central or South America when he interrupted my drivel with a series of questions about the symbols on the packaging. He was intently interested in the diabetic exchange picture legend. He took one of every Sunripe product, and my business card, and explained that besides being a JCI senator, he was the surgeon general for Tobago and educating their diabetic population was one of his pet projects.

From left to right, Nicola Dent, Kathleen Dubois and Tehara Bertram.

At the 2014 JCI Hospital Gala,

Many months later I received a letter from Sunripe thanking me, and the JCI region, for showcasing their project at an international event, as this man had contacted them for more information when he got home. I received a letter near Christmas time from this man (time and age have erased his name from my memory) thanking me for the time and product and letting me know they were implementing a picture based diabetics exchange listing on products on Tobago and Trinidad in 2004 very similar to the Canadian set up.  I was amazed that one little product table at an event in Edmonton, Alberta, could have impact so far away.

That is the power of JCI.

Kathleen Dubois
JCI senator 70264.

Kathleen Dubois (middle) receives her 15 year certificate.
With (left) Jason Ranchoux and (right) Nicola Dent.