Junior Chamber International
Worldwide Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs
The JAYCEE CREED …….. BRIEFLY EXPLAINED!
In the Constitution of Junior Chamber International, its says that the purposes of the Jaycees shall be inspired by the Creed. The Creed was adopted in 1947 to indicate to all members a set of principles that they must believe in. Hence, all members are asked to subscribe to the Creed when they are inducted so that they recognized certain principles and standards to be accepted part of their life.
Each Jaycee has the responsibility to learn the meaning of the Creed; to understand it; and above all practice its principles. Jaycee membership should not be taken lightly and our Creeds adds purposes to belonging;
This moving declaration of principles was composed by Bill Brownfield who as a new Jaycee after attending his first National Convention of us Jaycees in 1946, was so inspired by the spirit and ideals of Jaycees, that he wanted to convey what it stood for.
The Creed which seems to take deeper meaning as the years go by, is given below what it stood for.
WE BELIEVE :
THAT FAITH IN GOD GIVES MEANING AND PURPOSE TO HUMAN LIFE –
This organization shall refrain from sectarian or religious activities.
The concept of “God” in the context of the JCI Creed it to be interpreted according to one’s own religious belief.
THAT THE BROTHERHOOD OF MEN TRANSCENDS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF NATIONS –
That more can be accomplished toward world peace by the appreciation and acknowledgment of race, colors and creed of all men, than by the building of individual nations in to ones full of power to be feared by others.
THAT ECONOMIC JUSTICE CAN BEST BE WON BY FREE MEN THROUGH FREE ENTERPRISE
This association shall refrain from any partisan political activity.
The expression “Free Enterprise” is to be interpreted as:
- Expressing faith in the sanctity of freedom;
- Proclaiming belief in the basic nobility of human life;
- Protecting the right of the individual to live in dignity;
- Providing for each individual the opportunity to develop his or her maximum potential within his/her own society.
- That no man can be truly free unless he is free from economic bondage
THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE OF LAWS RATHER THAN OF MEN –
That rule of the people through the people’s representatives who govern by the people’s law is the only way for a nation to prosper.
THAT EARTH’S GREAT TREASURE LIES IN HUMAN PERSONALITY -
Jayceeism seeks as its primary objectives, the development of leaders. This is based on the firm belief that
leadership is learned through active participation in internal and external activities.
THAT SERVICE TO HUMANITY IS THE BEST WORK OF LIFE –
That by dispelling selfish thoughts from the mind and devoting life to the betterment of the community, we will
play in making this world of ours much better place in which to live.
So you can see that this is a Creed ------ and not a prayer. Most Jaycees stand up, face the Creed Banner
and recite the Creed with pride and conviction.
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New JCI Mission
"To provided development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change"
Vision (New);
"To be the leading global network of young active citizens"
“From within the walls of the soul of this organization wherein the foundation of character and good citizenship are laid, I hope a message will come in the sometime of tomorrow that will stir the people toward the establishment of a permanent and everlasting world peace”
JCI MISSION (Original Version)
“To contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people to develop the leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and fellowship necessary to create positive change” . . . . .
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MORE ABOUT JAYCEE CREED...
"We believe"
Everyone
must believe in some ideal, principle or philosophy. To believe is to practice
what is believed to be true.
"That
faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life""God"
here does not refer to any specific religious God, but to a supreme omnipotence.
It does not matter who or what your God is; the line is just saying that you
must believe in something. Brownfield interpreted it in this way: "The Junior
Chamber membership, drawn from many religious backgrounds, is united by a common
bond of faith; that man lives by the will of (his/her) God, that God's will for
man is good; and that the life worthwhile is lived in harmony with His eternal
plan."
"That
the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations"
This
line breaks down all the boundaries that have been imagined by mankind. It
simply means that all men and women are equal. It respects allegiance to one's
country, but, at the same time, reinforces the idea that man is a citizen of the
world. Brownfield put it this way: "Man?made boundaries have been drawn and
redrawn, separating the human race into many nations. But across these unnatural
divisions there has been an intercourse in art, science, commerce and religion;
evidence of man's universal brotherhood; proof that man himself, not his
territorial divisions, is of basic worth."
"That
economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise"The
operative words here are "can best be won" Junior Chamber members believe that
man should be free to use his skills and abilities to the limit in improving his
economy. Brownfield expressed it this way: "Where economic improvement has been
greatest, man has been free to follow his dream of making a personal fortune by
doing something never done before, or by doing it better." He also said, "the
system of self development through private enterprise could be adapted with
variations to suit local conditions in many parts of the world.”.
"That
government should be of laws rather than of men"This
tenet of the Creed simply means that no one should be above the law, and that
the law should be the same for all people, no matter what status they hold in
society. The government must be based on constitutional law, accepted and
ratified by a majority of the people. The power to change laws and elect
governments should remain in the hands of a majority of the people. Abraham
Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, spoke of a government "of the
people, for the people, and by the people." This line of the Creed crystallizes
what President Lincoln was talking about so many decades ago. Brownfield
expressed the meaning this way: "In a free society, the fundamental law is
derived from the people. It is
they who hold the final authority.
"That
earth's great treasure lies in human personality"Every
individual has a separate and unique personality. That is the main difference
between humans and other creatures of the world. That uniqueness makes the human
personality earth's greatest treasure. It cannot be duplicated nor can it be
made. Brownfield's views on this line are: "True treasure lies in the hearts of
men. There is about us a vast field of opportunity for cultivation of the human
personality. It is not the quantity nor the length of life that gives it zest,
but the quality of living, the achievement we make in terms of human progress.