What is Kiwanis?

Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service- and community-minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world.   More than 600,000 Kiwanis-family members in more than 70 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues.   Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is "Serving the Children of the World."

Guided by six permanent Objects Kiwanis clubs view their role within their respective communities with a great deal of foresight. Key aspects to operating an effective club include:

Club meetings traditionally are conducted once a week and offer an atmosphere of fun, learning, and fellowship. In addition to attending the meetings, the typical Kiwanian volunteers each month to assist with club service projects.

Service projects often are linked to the Kiwanis program, “Young Children: Priority One.” This initiative places continuing focus on the needs of children in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills.

Service projects also can address other needs within the community, such as working to stop substance abuse, helping the elderly, promoting literacy, supporting youth sports and recreation, responding to disasters, and supporting specific persons in need.

Kiwanis also plays a special role in developing future generations of leaders. K-Kids clubs at the elementary school level, Builders Clubs in middle school and junior highs, Key Clubs in high schools, and Circle K clubs at the collegiate level all are Kiwanis organizations that teach community service and leadership skills to young people. In addition, Aktion Clubs are made up of adults with mental and physical disabilities who enthusiastically perform service to help others.

Worldwide, the entire Kiwanis family is committed to eliminating the devastating effects of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the world’s leading preventable cause of mental retardation. More than 1.5 billion people are at risk of suffering IDD because they do not receive enough iodine in their diet. But, because of Kiwanis’ efforts, many parents who have been affected by IDD are able to watch their children grow up healthy and reach their full physical and mental potential. The results of the IDD program will benefit every future generation.

A typical Kiwanis club is a snapshot of its community, with members from all walks of life and at every step of the career ladder. They are unified in their belief that children and their communities benefit from the efforts of a proficient group of caring and involved volunteers. In a typical year, Kiwanis clubs invest more than 5.7 million hours and US$135 million in communities around the world. Through these efforts, the Kiwanis organization truly leaves a lasting impression on future generations.

Click here to view "Sixty Years Together", a history of the Bayside Kiwanis Club.

Objects of Kiwanis

The six permanent Objects of Kiwanis International were approved by Kiwanis club delegates at the 1924 Convention in Denver, Colorado. Through the succeeding decades, they have remained unchanged.

What does the name "Kiwanis" mean?

The name "Kiwanis" was adapted from the expression "Nunc Kee-wanis" in the Otchipew (Native American) language, meaning "We have a good time," "We make a noise," or, under another construction, "We trade or advertise." A popular translation is "We Meet".

During the organization's founding in 1915, members belonged to the "Benevolent Order Brothers." The name, however, was unsatisfactory from the first.

"It seems to me," said member Harry A. Young, "that Benevolent Order Brothers is a might peculiar name for an organization of businessmen. Who wants to be a BOB? Well, I don't for one. The name sounds downright silly, and I think we'd be getting off to a better start if we changed it right now before we go any further."

A committee of members sought the assistance of Clarence M. Burton, then historian for the City of Detroit, Michigan. Burton found the expression "Nunc Kee-wanis" in Bishop Baraga's dictionary of the Otchipew language.

The name was perfect. It satisfied founder Allen Simpson Browne, because one variation of its meaning, "We trade," corresponded with his conception of the new organization. He believed that better business      opportunities among the members--adding up to a sort of reciprocal trade arrangement--constituted its prime purpose.

Other members, however, believed that the group should "make a noise"--a noticeable difference--through community service.- Adapted from Dimensions of Service-The Kiwanis Story.

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Last modified: 09/25/07