A new JCI Malta board took office this year in line with Junior Chamber International’s philosophy: ‘One year to lead’.

The 2016 team will be led by Clayton Mercieca as national president, Annalisa Schembri as immediate past president, Rachel Cassar as deputy president and vice president international, Daniela Grech as secretary general, Bernard Pollacco as vice president, training, Jonathan Mifsud as vice president, memberships and growth, Christian Vella as vice president, communications, Daniel Walters as local president de La Valletta (business and networking), Emma Schembri as local president de Wignacourt (social and community), and Karl Wismayer as treasurer.

This year’s Service to Humanity motto echoes one of JCI’s values: ‘Earth’s greatest treasure lies in human personality and service to humanity is the best work of life’.

Some of the projects set to kick off in February will help interested participants face fears and take their business idea to the next level. The fear of speaking in public is one of the most common phobias found across all nations and cultures.

JCI Malta has issued two programmes, set to start in February. The Public Speaking Trials will allow participants to deliver a five- to 10- minute speech in front of a like-minded audience for peer feedback. The first public speaking trials session will take place on February 1 and will take place every first Monday of the month.

The other event, named ‘Pitch Please!’, comes with a chance for participants to win cash and other prizes for those who manage to impress judges with their business idea in under five minutes. This event will take place on February 17 at Malta Enterprise.

Those interested to attend can visit www.jci.org.mt or e-mail info@jci.org.mt.