We're over half way through 2014! How?!! I don't know about you but the last six months seem to have flown past at lightning speed. The Council team and I have been so busy since January that it was nice to take the opportunity to spend our last meeting reviewing our position against our Plan of Action, celebrating our successes and, of course, planning how to make the next six months even better.

As always, though, it is all about you, or members. So have a read though our summary and then let me know what you've loved this year, what you want to see more or less of, and how we can help you to be better!

Better Members

We have been delighted to see new and existing members getting more involved with JCI, and our new buddy scheme seems to be a huge success. There was a great turnout at our 2014 launch and over 50 people at our joint open night with RISE in May. We are already planning our next two open nights so save the dates: Tues 2 September and Thurs 20 November.

Better Businesses

We have assigned a Director to each of patrons to keep them up to date with JCI and will be building on these relationships to work more closely with them (Irwin Mitchell's contribution to our Easter Egg project is a great example of this in practice) and to create a new Corporate Partners page on our website. As of last weekend, we are delighted to have secured Expert Leadership Training Limited as a new patron.

RISE is going from strength to strength, with five memberships being processed, joint events and a RISE liaison (Sophie) joining our team. Our partnership with RISE was being shortlisted in the JCI Europe awards last month. Business tours and talks included Gripple and Julie Kenny CBE, both of which received fantastic feedback. We are delighted to have our next talk arranged with Danny Lacey, a local filmmaker.

Better Communities

Our partnership with SAFE@LAST is going well as we work towards our "Challenge2014" to donate £1007 and 1007 volunteering hours. Members have already held raffles, manned stalls, worked in their charity shop, arranged afternoon tea and even danced for the cause! Planned events include JCI Bake Off, trekking the Sahara and sleeping rough.

We have also run our annual Easter Egg appeal for Sheffield Children's Hospital, collected sunglasses for JCI UK's ShadeAid, supported Sheffield Hallam University's Hallam Awards and assisted with a beach clean up (in Malta, not Sheffield!). Upcoming projects include working with Sheffield College, Voluntary Action Sheffield and various small charities as we distribute our beneficiary account.

Better Training

You told us what you wanted to be better at and we listened! This lead to some incredible training sessions including time management, goal setting and leadership. Our public speaking training paid off last night when Gareth took home the extempore trophy - keeping it in Sheffield for the third year in a row! We have debating training in the diary so let's get out and win that too! I have been particularly proud to see the confidence building in so many members and I can't wait to see what you'll achieve.

Better Everywhere

In the first half of this year Sheffield members have attended... regional events and competitions, Inspiration Day, JCI Ireland AGM, JCI UK Marketing Academy, JCI Scotland National Convention, JCI UK Public Speaking Academy, Presidents & Deputies day, and a twinning weekend in JCI Mayo.  Plus a record nine members were at the European Convention in Malta - where Deputy President, Mark, was recognised as the Most Outstanding Member in Europe! We have also just hosted our twins in Sheffield where even more members were able to see just how fabulous they are.

So where next? Well, we're shipping Mark off to the European Academy in Sweden in August. Then how about JCI UK AGM in Southampton? JCI Ireland National Convention in October? JCI UK National Convention in November? Or you could join another record breaking Sheffield delegation for the World Congress in Leipzig?!

Better Socials

Our Network Wednesdays have really taken off this year. At one event I felt a bit lost as there were so many new faces! Based at Henry's on the last Wednesday of each month they are a fantastic way to meet the team and find out what we're up to over a drink or two.

Plans are well underway for our Hollywood themed annual dinner on Saturday 27 September, and we are delighted to have secured our first sponsor (thanks Massarella Catering!). If you'd like to get involved just let us know - and don't forget to buy your ticket!

Better Communication

Alongside our regular newsletters (two each month), all of you should be getting personal updates from your Council team buddy to ensure everyone what's going on and to give an opportunity for feedback. Twitter and Facebook are still being used heavily with increased followers and engagement on each. We have revamped the website and, as you may have noticed, are blogging incessantly! The next few months will see further changes to the site, more emphasis on PR and running more community stalls with SAFE@LAST.

Better Finances

Finally, I am delighted to say we're in great shape financially. We review progress against budget each meeting which allows us to make decisions quickly and to ensure we are as effective as possible. I'm particularly excited that we have sponsored members to attend a wide range of events including Inspiration Day, Marketing Academy, Public Speaking Academy, LEAP, European Academy, JCI Presenter and European Conference. Places still up for grabs for JCI UK National Convention and World Congress. Don't miss out!

I think that's it from me other than to say a HUGE thank you for making this year the incredible success it has been so far. It really is all down to the passion, commitment and dedication of all of our members. Now... let's be better!!