Interview with 1990 Greensboro Jaycee President Mary Schott Speaker

I recently had a chance to send 1990 Greensboro Jaycee President Mary Schott Speaker a few questions about her year as president. Here is what she had to say.

ggoblogger: Which was harder, being Greensboro Jaycee President or being the North Carolina State President?

Mary Schott Speaker: They each had their own degree of difficulty, but I would say that being Greensboro's President was somewhat more challenging. The main reason being, was that it was my first time serving in this capacity and that in some ways, many were keeping close tabs on me to see how I would perform, simply because I was a women. I had a tremendous amount of support from both the board and membership.

ggoblogger:What did you learn in Greensboro that you could use on the state level?

Mary Schott Speaker: The most crucial thing I learned was the importance of activating our members. If there was a strong concentration put into this, our retention remained high and it was easier to recruit members to replace the few we lost. As a result, I tried to concentrate on this at the state level as well.

While there is always the need to introduce the organization to new individuals, having a strong retention/activation plan, made recruiting easier because there were more people to get others involved. Greensboro and North Carolina had one of the highest retention levels in the nation, but unfortunately, as hard as I tried to make activation/retention an even more important element to a chapters/states plan, the US Jaycees didn't agree.

ggoblogger: You were the first female president of the Greensboro Jaycees. What was it like being the only "girl" in an all "boys" club?

Mary Schott Speaker: By the time I was elected President, women had been an integral part of the organization for several years. And, before the US Jaycees mandated that women be allowed into the Jaycees, the Greensboro Jaycettes had worked side by side with the Jaycees for decades before.

So, I really didn't feel like the only girl in the boys club. Yes, I was the first female President, but I don't believe that is why I was elected. I believe that I was qualified and had earned the privilege to run for the office.

ggoblogger: Were you accepted or did you face any tension?

Mary Schott Speaker: As in any elected position there is always tension or opposition. You're not going to please everyone, so I didn't try. My goal was to do the best that I could do for the organization.

ggoblogger: What was it like having Keith Holliday as your general chairman?

Mary Schott Speaker: It was a tremendous honor. Keith did a great job as General Chairman and I learned a great deal serving along side him.

ggoblogger: Everytime the Green Coat Club gets together with the Old Timers you ask when the Old Timers are going to let women join? What is your take on that? Should they let women join?

Mary Schott Speaker: Truthfully speaking, I don't know. I know that there are past Jaycee women who would like to have the opportunity, but I'm not even sure I'd join. I ask the question because I have others who won't and ask me to.

There is a tremendous amount of tradition in the Old Timers and perhaps keeping it the way it is the right course of action. On the other hand, many of us "women" miss the interaction with so many that we grew up with through the Jaycees.

I know that there was a movement from previous women members to form our own "Old Timers", but it never really got off the ground. I respect the Old Timers and would be honored to be a part of that group, but at the same time I respect them for wanting to keep it just the boys.

ggoblogger: Do you have a favorite story about being 1990 Greensboro Jaycee President that you would like to share?

Mary Schott Speaker:Off the top of my head, I can't think of one story in particular that stands out. My year as President had its challenges, but overall, I wouldn't trade the experience and the knowledge I gained for anything.

ggoblogger:Who should I interview next?

Mary Schott Speaker:The sky's the limit. So many to chose from.