PLANT A SEED AND WATCH IT GROW!

We believe:
That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;
That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;
That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;
That government should be of laws rather than of men;
That earth's great treasure lies in human personality;
And that service to humanity is the Best work of life!

Since it was written, Junior Chamber members all over the world recite the Creed at local, national and international meetings and functions. During that time there has been much discussion of the interpretation of the Creed. The author himself said, "Every Member is free to interpret the Creed in the light of his own conscience."

Brownfield aptly summarized his interpretation of the Creed when he said: "Only in the deed can the world become flesh."

JAYCEE HISTORY

It all began when a 22-year-old St. Louis bank clerk and Herculaneum Dance Club president set out to attack such wild new dances as the grizzly beat, tango, and fox trot.

From this modest beginning, Henry Giessenbier's dance clubs moved forward and on October 13, 1915, 32 young men formed the Young Men's Progressive Civic Association, turning its attention to civic affairs. In 1916, the Y.M.P.C.A. changed its name to Junior Citizens, from which came the nickname JC, or when spelled out, Jaycees.

The JCs were quickly noted by various civic-minded businessmen and in 1918 became affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and changed its name from Junior Citizens to the St. Louis Junior Chamber of Commerce, after which the fame of its civic work began to spread.

The idea was contagious and, in January 1920, chapters in 12 cities met to form the National JC organization with Henry Giessenbier as its first president. After battling for its existence during World War II, the U.S.J.C.C. boomed and today there are more than 6000 clubs and nearly 300,000 young people across the country.

A world alliance of JCs was formed in 1944 in Mexico City, with the founding of the Junior Chamber International with the avowed purpose and one obligation of a "way toward world peace." The J.C.I now consists of a network of 107 free world nations with more than 350,000 members on its rolls.




History of Charleston Jaycees