Pete Nowotny contacted Edwin Staats to discuss mutual community concerns. Edwin was a well-respected local businessman, who was known for his responsible efforts for the community, and a member of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce.
On December 15, 1933, Pete invited 30 young men from the community to join him at the Comal County Courthouse for a meeting, for the formation of a Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) which was composed of individuals who were interested in the progress and success of their community. Mr. Nowotny stated in the first minutes that, “as there were only older men connected with the senior organization, Chamber of Commerce, he thought it an excellent idea for the young men of the city to form an organization of this type, so that their ideas and view could be addressed in a manner more fitting to them.”
The following month on Jan. 26, 1934, the 91-member New Braunfels Junior Chamber (Jaycees) received its charter. By March 1934, there were more than 170 members. Since then, the club has had many significant civic accomplishments including saving Landa Park and restructuring our city government to its current mayor/council structure.
The Jaycees began a promotion for New Braunfels to purchase Landa Park. Pete went to Dallas to negotiate with Trinity Universal who finally settled with Pete for $80,000 if Pete agreed to give them some of his insurance business for the next three years. Pete agreed. The City Commission rejected the $80,000 purchase price for the park in a three to one vote. This did not stop the Jaycees. They organized a citizen’s petition, and their enthusiasm was infectious. The bond issue passed with a rousing three to one majority. Landa Park would be purchased.
In October 1936, the State Junior Chamber of Commerce Organization named the New Braunfels Jaycees the “Outstanding Jaycees in the State of Texas for 1936.” They were honored given the significant competition from larger metropolitan clubs.
The New Braunfels Jaycees are celebrating their 90th anniversary this year by planting more than 90 trees in Fischer Park and Prince Solms Park. The organization is inviting the community to help with this initiative from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 6 at either park. “The chosen parks were two that were damaged during recent freezes and storms,” said Dani Schmidt, vice-chair of the Jaycees’ Projects and City Beautification Committee.
The event is taking place in partnership with the city of New Braunfels, who are holes for the trees.
Volunteers are needed to place the trees into the pre-dug holes, fill the surrounding area with dirt and create a mulch ring on top. All materials will be provided, but volunteers will need to wear work shoes/boots and comfortable clothing.
“In particular, Fischer Park is a newer park that we’re really excited to be a part of,” Schmidt said. “And Prince Solms is an old favorite, but definitely needs some more shade in that area, so really just looking to celebrate 90 years of the Jaycees by investing in those two key parks in New Braunfels.”
The 90 Trees for 90 Years sub-committee chair Rykley Crowe said “Beautification of the city is an initiative deeply ingrained in the organization’s history. The Jaycees played an instrumental role in sparking the bond proposition for the acquisition of Landa Park.”
NB Jaycees President Cordell Bunch offered more insight into the goal behind planting the trees.
“The idea down the road is to provide shade for community members as we know there’s some extreme temperature in Texas,” Bunch said. “We just want the community to be able to go out and enjoy and explore Mother Nature in the summer without being susceptible to heat exhaustion.”
The NB Jaycees received a matching grant from the United States Jaycees Foundation to buy the trees. Bunch stated: “The NB Jaycees are taking national dollars and bringing them back to the local community.”
The New Braunfels Jaycees believe in fostering a strong sense of community and empowering our members to give back while growing personally and professionally. With a wide range of events happening every month, there are countless opportunities to get involved, make a difference, and connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for service and personal development.
The New Braunfels Jaycees is our community’s young professional’s organization, with more than 250 members ages 18-40 who live and/or work in New Braunfels. The Jaycees provides its members with opportunities to connect with each other, become more involved in the community, and learn from business and civic leaders. The Jaycees have monthly networking mixers, monthly leadership luncheons, quarterly volunteer days, manage booths at the Comal County Fair and Wurstfest, and host special events like the annual Rising Stars of New Braunfels Gala and the New Braunfels 0.5K Beer Run. You can find out more information on our upcoming events on Facebook or at our website at www.nbjaycees.com.
