Perhaps the most distinctive benefit of JCI membership is the opportunity to build a national and an international network. Attending events (especially conferences) outside your local chamber is a great way to develop that network. As they say in Lonely Planet travel guides, "all you have to do is go!"

In support of this, we have already awarded a series of travel bursaries in 2012 to support the cost of travel for active members to travel to conventions outside of London. In addition, the winner of the JCI London Public Speaking Competition next week will receive a £150 bursary to support the cost of travelling to Belfast in late November to represent the Chamber.

I am delighted to announce that we can now make a small number of additional bursaries available (for the sum of £100) to support the cost of attending JCI UK National Convention to be held in Belfast on 30th November - 2nd December.

Since we don't know the number of people who will apply, we cannot guarantee that your application will be successful - but we shall do our best! Be assured, convention attendance is already very strong with more than 140 members booked from across the country. The JCI London delegation is also HUGE - don't have the final numbers, but we'll be there in force!

Bursary application criteria:

• you must be a JCI London member in good standing (i.e. have paid your dues!)
• you are an active member, contributing to projects and events during the course of 2012
• you will be attending your first ever JCI UK Convention
• you are willing to write a short article on your experience afterwards (or give a brief presentation)

For full details (including an application form), please email our Honorary Secretary, Nahas Abdul:

nahas.abdul@jcilondon.org.uk

Good luck and see you in Belfast if not before!