Past President of the Ohio Jaycees and National Vice President of The U.S. Jaycees C. William Brownfield found out at this convention that the organization did not have a Creed. He was inspired by the devotion of the Jaycees "to the purpose of serving mankind in a thousand different ways, right down at the grass roots where freedom lives or dies".

A New World Force

He saw the Jaycees as "the potential for a new force in the world, one capable of changing the balance between victory or defeat for our chosen way of life in a time of crisis."

The actual writing of the Creed took place in July 1946 during a drive from Brownfield’s home town of Columbus, Ohio, to his coal mine in New Lexington, a journey of about 75 minutes. He started that journey with a firm conviction in his mind to work on the Creed, and it was during that trip that the following words came to his mind which he put on paper.
 

C.William Brownfield in 1947, the year  the Creed was adopted by the United States Jaycees.

It was not until 1950 that the first line - "We believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life" was added.

Since that time to this day Jaycees all over the world recite the Creed at local, national and international meetings and functions. However, there has been much discussion about the interpretation of the Creed. The author himself said: "Every Jaycee is free to interpret the Creed in the light of his own conscience." The following interpretation is based on Brownfield’s views and the common understanding and belief of what the Creed means to the organization.

We believe

Every man must believe in some ideal, principle or philosophy. To believe is 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’s own interpretation is:-

The Jaycee 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 Brotherhood of Man Transcends the Sovereignty of Nations
This line breaks down all the boundaries that have been imagined by man. 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. Brownfields puts 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." The Jaycees believe that man should be free to use his skills and ability to the limit in improving his economy. Brownfield makes the point:

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 adds further clarity with the following: But 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 man should be above the law, and that the law should be the same for all men no matter what status they may 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 the 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 Jaycee Creed crystallizes what President Lincoln was talking about so many decades ago.

Brownfield articulated the meaning of this tenet: 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 different between humans and the other things in this world. That uniqueness makes the human personality earth’s great treasure. It cannot be duplicated nor can it be made.

Brownfield’s view 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.

And That Service to Humanity is the best Work of Life , the final tenet of the Jaycee Creed, is a logical culmination to the preceding lines. A person who believes in the Creed will most definitely find service to humanity, not just friends and family.

Brownfield’s interpretation to these concluding lines of his Creed is: The life lived unselfishly grows richer, deeper and fuller. Joy is more enduring and peace of mind, more certain. The world looks at the contribution such a life has made and marks the one who lived it as a benefactor of the race; yet he knows in truth the greater benefit has been his own.

No matter what a member’s interpretation of the Creed may be, he should always practice what he believes. many unsuccessful attempts have been made to change the Creed, but it has prevailed through the years. It continues to exist as the covenant that holds the organization together. many members have made the Creed when he said: ...Only in the deed can the word become flesh!