Kelowna business group votes to allow female members

KELOWNA – Women will finally be allowed into an exclusive business group in Kelowna.

The Kelowna Jaycees, a chapter of Junior Chamber International, voted last night to allow women to join their club for the first time in decades. A release this morning says more than 75 per cent of 60 Jaycees who attended last night's meeting approved the motion.

The club has faced pressure over the years to open its doors to female membership, although club senator Jason Ranchoux has said it appears at some point in the club's history female members have been allowed. 

“I’m so excited to be leading this incredible organization and I would like to invite ALL of Kelowna’s young professionals to come see what JCI is all about," president Kevin Lavigne said.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran also acknowledged the vote on his Facebook page this morning.

"Well done, Kelowna Jaycees!! 'Because it's 2016'," he wrote.

Kelowna Jaycees is part of a worldwide federation of young leaders, between the ages of 18 and 40, to build community leadership among members.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.