What Is A Kiwanian

comlogo.gif (12518 bytes) What Is A Kiwanian?

An individual of good character who adheres to the standards of good conduct in a community and believes in and subscribes to the Objects of Kiwanis International The individual believes in giving primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than the material values of life, believes in treating other human beings as the individual would like to be treated in all human relationships; believes in promoting the adoption and application of higher social, business, and professional standards; desires to develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship; believes in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill, and the individual desires to provide through this club a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build a better community.

A Kiwanis Glossary

Active Membership - the basic kind of Kiwanis membership involving full participation and regular attendance.
Circle K Clubs - the largest collegiate organization in North America with nearly 700 clubs. It provides a means of responsible student action involvement on the college campus.
Golden K Club - Kiwanis clubs designed to provide fellowship and service opportunities to retirees and those who might not otherwise enjoy those opportunities. They function as regular Kiwanis clubs.
Honor Membership - Accorded to an individual not an active or senior member, who has rendered some distinguished public service and who the club wishes to reward in this fashion. Honorary membership must be renewed by the club from year to year.
Inter-club - A Kiwanis meeting at which at least four members from another club are in attendance, or at which two members are accompanied by Circle K or Key Club members.
Key Clubs - Key Club is a service organization for the high school student. Sponsored by a local Kiwanis club, it develops initiative, leadership ability and good citizenship practices in young people.
Leave of Absence - Local Board-approved absence from club meetings and activities of not for less than 30 days nor more than six months. Leaves of absence are granted to members who, because of special problems, are unable to participate regularly in club events.
Legion of Honor - Recognition for Kiwanians with 25 or more years of service.
Make-up - While a club has regular attendance requirements, a member whose schedule forces him to miss regularly scheduled meetings can remain "in good standing" by participating in inter-clubs, attending meetings of other clubs, attending board meetings, round tables, etc.
Official Delegate - Representatives of the club at district and international conventions. Each club is entitled to three official delegates at district conventions and to two at international conventions.
Round Table - A meeting held at a different time and/or place for the benefit of club members who are not able to attend a meeting which has had its time and location temporarily altered. Often Round Table meetings are held on a day other than a scheduled holiday to provide the same attendance opportunity.
Senior Membership - A class of membership for an individual who has been an active member in good standing in one or more Kiwanis clubs for no fewer than ten years, but who is unable to meet attendance requirements because of health, business, or other extenuating circumstances. All privileges of active membership remain with Senior Membership status.

And Now...

You know what Kiwanis is and what it does; how it can provide a sense of fulfillment and a knowledge that your effort really counts. Avail yourself of everything Kiwanis has to offer. Make your own contribution in return - AND ASK SOMEONE ELSE TO BE A KIWANIAN, TOO!

Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization for individuals desiring personal involvement in the leadership and improvement of their communities. As a group, we can achieve what individuals cannot do alone. Thus our motto and the cornerstone of Kiwanis -"We Build".

What Kiwanis Can Do For You

Provide the opportunity for lasting friendships and the fellowship often lacking in a busy, work-a-day world. Involve you in the life of the community, its social and service opportunities and also provide a better understanding of its problems. Open the door to the informal exchange of ideas on a wide range of topics. Encourage you to share your own ideas and opinions with others in your peer group. Develop your leadership skills by serving the club in positions of responsibility. Broaden your general knowledge by providing, on a regular basis, speakers on scores of interesting subjects. And, finally, make you a better citizen, provide you with a sense of fulfillment, and impart the knowledge that the effort of each individual really counts.

What You Can Do For Kiwanis

Participate regularly in meetings and club functions. Give the members a chance to know you better - to build lasting friendships with you. Strengthen Kiwanis by lending your talents and special skills where they are needed. Speak out. Share your ideas with others. Give recognition to other members for their contributions to the organization and community. Recruit new members; invite your friends to join. In short, help to keep Kiwanis the number one service organization in the world today. So For Now... You'll have the opportunity to work in concert with others for the benefit of the community and its people. You'll start to build the friendships that can last you a lifetime. Later On... You'll have the opportunity to assume greater responsibilities - committee chairmanships and elected offices in the club.

In Good Company...

Well over 325,000 Kiwanians in more than 8,500 clubs serve in 71 countries around the world. In today's high schools and colleges, Key Club International and Circle K are among the largest, if not the largest people-serving organizations designed for young people.

The Kiwanis Story

FOUNDING: Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan, January 21, 1915. The first Kiwanian was a merchant tailor named Joseph Prance. The original name was "The Benevolent Order of Brothers," and its purpose was the mutual exchange of preferred treatment in professional and business dealings.
"SHAKING DOWN": Within a year, the name had been changed to "Kiwanis" taken from an Indian term "Nun Keewanis"' which roughly means "Self Expression". It had also become obvious that the original purpose lacked the power to attract and hold members. The purpose of the organization thus became "community service," a concept from which Kiwanis has never deviated. A little later, Kiwanis. "bought itself' from organizer Allen Browne, "incorporated itself," and began following a growth pattern that continues today.

ESTABLISHING ITSELF: In 1916, Kiwanis entered Canada (Hamilton, Ontario), thus becoming "international." Kiwanis moved into Mexico in 1962, breaking with its long-standing tradition of serving only in the U.S. and Canada. International extension has continued since that time, and today, Kiwanis serves the needs of over 71 countries around the world.

REACHING MATURITY. Kiwanis is part of a twentieth-century phenomenon. The "service club movement," as it has been termed, is one of North America's most important contributions to the life of our times." Today, the service club movement is bigger, better-accepted, and more desired than ever before in its history.

What Your Club Does

Membership in your local Kiwanis club offers many benefits. Weekly club meetings provide fellowship - old-fashioned fellowship - and a welcome break from the more serious cares of the day. Just as important, active membership provides the means through which you, and individuals of similar persuasion, can do something for others:

Teach a boy how to play baseball
End isolation for a shut-in
Help a young person deal with drug related problems
Find a job for a handicapped youth
Feed and clothe an orphan
Motivate a teenager to complete his education
Unite with young people in joint community-service projects

Your club is geared to address the needs of the community through its standing committees, each of which is concerned with a different area of service. On a broader level, Kiwanis clubs all over the world share the commitment to solving problems of international concern through participation in "major emphasis programs." All of these programs enable Kiwanians to give of themselves - experience, knowledge, time and love - to all who need them.

What Kiwanis International Does

Kiwanis International, of which your club is a part, sets the policy and tone for all clubs to follow. Locally elected delegates to the annual International Convention serve as the organization's official legislative body, and they alone institute policy changes. Delegates also elect a governing body, the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees, to carry out these policies.
The Board, in turn, appoints an International Secretary, who serves as managing director of the International Office in Indianapolis. Here the records of Kiwanis are kept, a magazine and other printed literature are produced, and administrative assistance is given to local clubs. Most important of all, service programs are conceived and developed, each designed to aid clubs in meeting the needs of their communities. Program guidelines and background material are furnished to Kiwanis clubs around the world.