In the summer of 1914, two men from Detroit, Michigan had an idea to develop an organization that provided not only fellowship, but insurance features as well. The original name chosen for the group was The Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order Brothers. In January 1915, "Kiwanis" (from the Indian phrase "NunKeewan-is”) was approved as the new name for the club. The corporate charter was approved by the state of Michigan on January 21, 1915. This date has been the birthday of Kiwanis ever since. In 1920 the official Kiwanis motto was changed to "We Build." Then in 2005, delegates to the International Convention voted to adopt a new motto, “Serving the Children of the World,” to emphasize the primary focus of Kiwanis service over those nine decades and make a commitment for the years to come.
In 1918, the first Kiwanis Club International offices were located in Chicago, Illinois. During the course of the next 63 years, the official headquarters was moved to new locations around the city to accomodate the growing organization. Then, in 1979 construction began for the present Kiwanis International official headquarters, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. 
Today, Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization of men and women who share the challenge of community and world improvement. Since its
founding, Kiwanis has grown to more than 8,400 clubs in 96 nations. There are over 600,000 active members, representing nearly every culture on every continent, all seeking to improve people’s lives. Kiwanians give their time to make their communities and world better places in which to live and work.
Kiwanis clubs take on humanitarian and civic projects that many public authorities are not prepared or able to perform. Kiwanis clubs plan projects focusing on the special needs of the community, such as helping the elderly, promoting literacy, or supporting youth sports. In addition to attending a club meeting, Kiwanis members volunteer about two hours each month for projects involving children or persons in need. The Kiwanis family includes organizations for young people, sponsored by local clubs and the Kiwanis International Foundation: K-Kids at the elementary level; Builders Clubs at the middle school level; Key Clubs at the high school level; Circle K Clubs at the college level; and Aktion Clubs for people who are living with a disability. These organizations provide youth the opportunity to help others, become personally involved in their community, and build a positive future for themselves.
Kiwanis has accomplished many programs and projects to help those in need. One major continuing program is the Young Children: Priority One program. This special program addresses the needs of children through projects in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills. Under this program, Kiwanis is engaged in it’s first Worldwide Service Project. Kiwanis has teamed up with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to virtually eliminate iodine deficiency disorders. These disorders cause various degrees of mental and physical impairment in the fetus and in young children. The Kiwanis International Foundation assists Kiwanis International in serving the world by funding worthy causes that are beyond the capacity of clubs.
Being a Kiwanis member can be rewarding in many ways. The greatest gift you could ever give yourself as a person is the gratification in knowing you are contributing your help, time, and efforts to people in and out of your community who are in
dire need. Raising funds to help the poor, participating in fellowship, and giving something back to your community are the highest levels of self-satisfaction you can ever encounter.
The above information was adapted from the Kiwanis International official website http://www.kiwanis.org |
