Welcome to the internet home of the Detroit Jaycees!

Want to become a Leader in Detroit? Then the Jaycees is for you! If you haven’t done so already, it’s really easy to join the Detroit Jaycee Chapter. We invite you to come help us “lead the way” to positive changes in Detroit. We are very optimistic about the future, and we’ve got the people to get things done! Detroit Jaycees is quickly becoming the organization of choice for young adults (age 21-40) in the “Motor City”, providing direction and leadership for our communities.

The main focus of the leadership training with the Jaycee organization is achieved through running projects. Members can take on many roles within projects – from chairing a project to helping carry it out. Some of the projects the Detroit Jaycees have hosted in since forming in 2004 have been, JC Bowling party, Game Night, Wine Tasting, Pub-Crawl, Tigers-Game Event, and a “Sweet Gestures” event for Valentine’s Day. Besides hosting projects the Detroit Jaycees have been busy in other ways was well by attending city council meetings, participating in Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon, volunteering with Motor City makeover and Mayor’s Time and the chapter was able to coordinate sponsoring a family that moved to Detroit from Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina.

Jaycees gives young adults the tools and support they need to build the bridges of success in the areas of management, community and individual development with great opportunities for personal training, community service and governmental involvement. The Detroit Jaycees provides a strong organization for young people to help make a positive and lasting difference.  The leadership and managerial skills developed through participation and chairing projects enhance our members both professionally and personally.  We build leaders!

Jaycee Creed

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!

C. William Brownfield’s Interpretation of the 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 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, of 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 tenant 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. The uniqueness makes the human personality earth’s greatest treasure. It cannot be duplicated nor can it be made, Brownfield’s view on this line is: “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.”

This final tenet of the Creed is the logical culmination of the preceding lines. A person who believes in the Creed will most definitely find service to humanity to be the best work of life. Note the word humanity. Brownfield’s interpretation of this line of the 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 or she should always practice what he or she believes. Many unsuccessful attempts have been made to change the Creed, but it has prevailed through the years and continues as the covenant that holds the organization together. Many members have made the Creed their guide in life.

Brownfield aptly summarized his interpretation of the Creed when he said: “Only in the deed can the word become flesh.”