MONROE - The Monroe Jaycees are no longer.
After searching fruitlessly for new members for more than four months, the Monroe chapter of the Jaycees will cease to exist by the end of January.
"It's a sad thing to do, but it's what needs to be done," said Tonya Mulrooney, Monroe Jaycees co-president. "There's no future for the group, but maybe someday ..."
The Jaycees, established nationally in 1920, conduct service and support programs in thousands of communities. In Monroe, Mulrooney said, the Jaycees have become a social club for 21- to 40-year-olds.
The chapter's membership was at 10 in September, and Mulrooney said no new members joined. The 10 members were the organization's smallest group in the four years Mulrooney has been with the Jaycees.
The state Jaycees office informed Mulrooney last July that it had to add two new members or have two members renew each month to stay afloat. Neither happened.
"We just couldn't get any new members," Mulrooney said. "I had a lot of former members saying, 'Oh, that's too bad,' but no one wanted to join."
Mulrooney and the local Jaycees board decided in November to disband. The group met Jan. 12 to determine how its remaining funds of $8,600 were going to be distributed.
The Jaycees wanted to give the money to local groups. The Monroe Parks and Recreation Department was the biggest benefactor of the Jaycees' demise, receiving $4,000 for its after-school programs.
Other organizations receiving money were Sexual Assault Recovery Program, $1,500; Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Green County, $1,000; and Monroe Public Library, $500 (for children's programs and materials).
Mulrooney said whatever money is left when the group makes its ending official will be donated to the United Way.
Two Jaycees events, the brat stand at Cheese Days and a food stand at the balloon rally, have been taken over by Rebel Soccer and MASE, respectively.
Two other Jaycees events, Sand Box Day in May and the Punt, Pass and Kick competition in the fall, do not have sponsors. Anyone interested in taking over those events can contact Mulrooney at 325-2100.
As far as the current Jaycees members, Mulrooney said she believes the end of the Jaycees won't be the end of community service.
"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," Mulrooney said. "We're going to be able to get involved in other things to help the community as individuals."
After searching fruitlessly for new members for more than four months, the Monroe chapter of the Jaycees will cease to exist by the end of January.
"It's a sad thing to do, but it's what needs to be done," said Tonya Mulrooney, Monroe Jaycees co-president. "There's no future for the group, but maybe someday ..."
The Jaycees, established nationally in 1920, conduct service and support programs in thousands of communities. In Monroe, Mulrooney said, the Jaycees have become a social club for 21- to 40-year-olds.
The chapter's membership was at 10 in September, and Mulrooney said no new members joined. The 10 members were the organization's smallest group in the four years Mulrooney has been with the Jaycees.
The state Jaycees office informed Mulrooney last July that it had to add two new members or have two members renew each month to stay afloat. Neither happened.
"We just couldn't get any new members," Mulrooney said. "I had a lot of former members saying, 'Oh, that's too bad,' but no one wanted to join."
Mulrooney and the local Jaycees board decided in November to disband. The group met Jan. 12 to determine how its remaining funds of $8,600 were going to be distributed.
The Jaycees wanted to give the money to local groups. The Monroe Parks and Recreation Department was the biggest benefactor of the Jaycees' demise, receiving $4,000 for its after-school programs.
Other organizations receiving money were Sexual Assault Recovery Program, $1,500; Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Green County, $1,000; and Monroe Public Library, $500 (for children's programs and materials).
Mulrooney said whatever money is left when the group makes its ending official will be donated to the United Way.
Two Jaycees events, the brat stand at Cheese Days and a food stand at the balloon rally, have been taken over by Rebel Soccer and MASE, respectively.
Two other Jaycees events, Sand Box Day in May and the Punt, Pass and Kick competition in the fall, do not have sponsors. Anyone interested in taking over those events can contact Mulrooney at 325-2100.
As far as the current Jaycees members, Mulrooney said she believes the end of the Jaycees won't be the end of community service.
"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," Mulrooney said. "We're going to be able to get involved in other things to help the community as individuals."