As JCI (Junior Chamber International) Kootenay returned from the JCI National Convention in Penticton on Sunday, we wanted to share some of the great news and accolades from our Cranbrook-based chapter.

Last weekend, the JCI World President and International Vice President of the Junior Chamber International swore in JCI Kootenay member, Jonah Gowans, as National President for JCI Canada in 2026 at the Disney-themed National Convention Gala held in Penticton.

Gowans is a core member of JCI Kootenay with a passion for JCI and politics. He started with the local chapter in 2021 while working as a constituency assistant for a Cranbrook area MLA and quickly worked up the local JCI levels, becoming Local President in 2023.

He then served as Regional President and National Vice President in 2024, proving his JCI passion and building relationships nationally. This year, Jonah served as the National Executive Vice President and attended the JCI Academy in Japan to prepare for his year as National President.

What Jonah did not anticipate was the attendance of the JCI World President from Japan at the conference, nor the surprise planned by current Local President Sven Sloeserwij: the awarding of a Senatorship in recognition of his outstanding service to JCI, granting him lifetime membership.

Attended by a distinguished 10 JCI Kootenay members, the conference was one they will never forget.

In JCI we have a motto, “one year to lead,” and so awards and competitions are done annually to recognize those who have gone above and beyond. The competitions for Effective Speaking, Debate, and Creative Young Entrepreneur and national elections are done at the conference, where the awards are based on the actions and events done the previous year. The competition was with the other nine chapters in Canada.

This year, JCI Kootenay was heavily involved.

• Shandell Woods, the local Treasurer, was elected as National Vice President for 2026.
• Nic Gawletz, Bike Swap Chair and owner of Next Adventure Home Inspections, made it to the top five of the National Creative Young Entrepreneur Competition.
• Kristin Eitzenberger, current local Membership Director, EA, and author, was named New Member of the Year.
• Mike Matejka, local Senator, was awarded for 15 years of service in JCI.
• Chancellor Litke, local Past-President, won the Impromptu Effective Speaking Competition.
• Rebecca Odnokon, as Chair of the Cranbrook Santa Claus Parade, won Best Local Community Impact Program.

In addition, JCI Kootenay was recognized for the following:

• JCI Kootenay was awarded Most Outstanding Local Organization Runner-Up.
• The Crema family was named Family of the Year Runner-Up.
• Daniel Crema was awarded Most Outstanding Member Runner-Up.
• Sven Sloeserwij was awarded Executive Committee Member of the Year Runner-Up.
• JCI Kootenay’s involvement at Ed Fest won Best Inter-Organization Collaboration Project Runner-Up.
• Chancellor Litke won Prepared Effective Speaking Runner-Up.

Two debate teams represented JCI Kootenay. The Courageous Unicorns, including Kars Sloeserwij and Daniel Crema and led by captain Shandell Woods, fought valiantly. The Rockhard Rebuttals, including Shane Nickel-Thibodeau and Kristin Eitzenberger and led by captain Chancellor Litke, made it to the finals only to be bested by the opinion that AI will one day rule us all.

For more information, follow JCI Kootenay on Facebook and Instagram. @JCIKOOTENAY on Facebook.

Lead image:  Jonah Gowans, far left, swearing in the 2026 National Board including our member, Shandell Woods (fifth from the left in the light blue dress). Photos submitted

Article Share