History of the Jaycee Creed

The Jaycee Creed was written by a young Jaycee from Columbus in 1946. C. William Brownfield had just attended the first national convention after the war and had observed enthusiasm and sincere commitment to the betterment of their home communities. Bill Brownfield concluded that some way of explaining what the Jaycees were and for what they stood – indeed a way of life. The Jaycee Creed was adopted by the U.S. Jaycees in 1947 and the Jaycee International in 1948. Bill Brownfield wrote, in explaining the meaning of the Creed, "The ideas expressed by the Creed are not claimed as original… I believe they fairly represent the faith of the Jaycees in the democratic way of life… As these young men around the world join in the thrilling experience of active Jaycee participation, we can be sure they will leave the world a better and more beautiful place than they found it."