Dear JCI members, senators and friends I hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas period and enjoyed all of the festivities. New Year's Eve is almost upon us and I am sure many of you are gearing up for the next celebration to close the year. As I look through the JCI UK website at all the JCI local chamber, UK and International events that have taken place in 2017 I am immensely proud of a fantastic year of development for our members. Many have fulfilled their full potential and have stepped up to the next level professionally and personally. Please see below a list of winners from the JCI UK 2017 National Convention in Southampton: Most Outstanding Local Organisation – JCI Southampton Most Outstanding Local President – Sophie Delaport Most Outstanding Preparation by a Deputy President – Ruta Ratavitz Most Outstanding Member – James Lambert Most Outstanding New Member – Zoe Toseland Most Outstanding New Member – Certificate of Merit – Niall Eastwood   Best Trainer – Naily Makangu Best Local Community Empowerment Program – JCI Cambridge Best Long-term Local Community Program – JCI Doncaster Best Local Economic Development Program – JCI London Best Local Personal Skill Development Program – JCI London Best Local Growth & Development Program – Certificate of Merit – JCI London Best Local Growth & Development Program – JCI Cambridge Best Local Global Goals Project – JCI Southampton Best Local Peace Project – JCI Southampton Best Inter-Organisation Collaboration Project – JCI Barnsley Most Outstanding Social Project – JCI Leeds Most Outstanding Programme – JCI Leeds   Public Speaking Champion – (Mary, JCI Greenwich) Debating Champions – Hannah Woodcock (JCI Leeds), Lindsey McAteer (JCI Doncaster) & Henry Appleyard (JCI Doncaster) Best Speaker at Debating – Sophie Delaporte, JCI Southampton Extempore Champion – Lucy Collins, JCI Sheffield First Timer Award – Vicky Biggs, JCI Manchester Most Outstanding Senator – Sarah Beckwith #71411 Most Outstanding Legacy – Catriona Donnelly, JCI Derry Most Outstanding Leader – Naily Makangu, JCI Cambridge Congratulations to all the winners! This time of year is great to relax and reflect on what kind of year 2017 was for you. Did you achieve all you wanted to? New Year brings new hope and dreams and for those wanting to make positive change there is no better organisation than JCI UK. Your membership is the key to unlocking your potential. Attending events, being part of a chamber project or stepping up into a leadership position locally is the best way to get the most out of your membership. Check out your local chamber website and take the next step in your development in 2018. It has been a total honour to be your National President in 2017. Meeting so many wonderful people and seeing so much impact in our town and cities has been truly inspiring. A year truly worth celebrating. Cheers & Happy New Year! Michael Steel National President 2017