Kiwanis
Kiwanis International is a global volunteer service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities through local clubs and partnerships.[1] Founded on January 21, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan, by a group of businessmen, the organization was initially named the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers before adopting the name "Kiwanis" in 1916, derived from an American Indian (Algonquian) term meaning "we build."[2] Its motto, "Serving the children of the world," reflects a focus on child welfare that solidified in 1919, guiding activities such as health initiatives, education support, and community development projects worldwide.[1] Headquartered at 3636 Woodview Trace in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis has expanded internationally since chartering its first club outside the United States in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916, and now operates in 83 nations and geographic areas with 14,346 clubs and 448,509 total members, including 175,224 adults and 273,285 youth, as of October 2024.[3][4] The organization's mission—"Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time"—is supported by its vision of fostering positive community influences so that all children receive nurturing environments to thrive, and by six core objects emphasizing spiritual values, ethical living, professional standards, citizenship, friendships, and public goodwill.[1]History
Founding
Kiwanis International was established on January 21, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan, when a group of local businessmen, led by tailor Joseph C. Prance and professional organizer Allen S. Browne, received a charter from the State of Michigan for the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order Brothers.[5][2] This initial organization served as a fraternal group aimed at fostering business networking among merchants and professionals in the area.[2] Prance, as the first member, and Browne, who organized the effort following a conversation in August 1914, sought to create a platform for mutual support and collaboration in a rapidly industrializing city.[6] The early meetings of the Detroit club emphasized professional development, such as sharing insights on trade practices and ethical business conduct, while also addressing broader community improvement initiatives like local infrastructure and economic vitality.[7] These gatherings, held regularly at venues like the Griswold Hotel, attracted around 60 initial members from diverse professional backgrounds, including retail, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.[8] The focus remained primarily on networking and self-improvement for participants, reflecting the era's emphasis on fraternal orders that blended social fellowship with vocational advancement.[5] The first official club charter marked the formal inception of the organization, with the Detroit group serving as Club Number One.[2] Initial growth was swift, as interest spread among business communities; by October 1915, the second club was chartered in Cleveland, Ohio, bringing the total to two clubs by year's end.[9] Within the first year, the organization expanded further to six clubs across the United States, demonstrating early momentum in attracting members dedicated to professional and communal enhancement. By 1919, this foundation would evolve toward a stronger emphasis on public service.[7]Early Development
Following its founding in 1915 as a fraternal organization for business networking, Kiwanis underwent significant evolution in its early years. In 1916, the group formally changed its name from the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order Brothers to Kiwanis, a term derived from an Algonquian expression meaning "we build," which the founders interpreted as symbolizing constructive fellowship and community building; however, later etymological research suggests it derives from the Ojibwe expression "ningiiwaniz," meaning "we fool around."[2][10] This period marked the beginning of structured organizational development, with headquarters established in Detroit, Michigan, the site of the original club. The first international convention, held in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 18–19, 1916, unified the emerging clubs under a national constitution and elected initial leadership, including George Hixson as president. A subsequent convention in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1918 further solidified governance by appointing the first professional secretary and facilitating administrative growth.[2][11][12] Kiwanis experienced rapid expansion during these years, chartering its first club outside the United States in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916, which extended its reach into North America beyond the U.S. borders. By 1919, the organization had grown to 138 clubs, concentrated primarily in the U.S. Midwest—such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago—and Northeast regions, with a total membership of about 15,500. The 1919 convention in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 20–22, highlighted this momentum and saw the initial emergence of a service-oriented emphasis among members.[2][13][14][15]Shift to Child-Focused Service
At the 1919 Kiwanis International convention held in Birmingham, Alabama, delegates took decisive steps to redefine the organization's purpose, raising $17,500 to purchase independence from its founder and amending the constitution to shift the emphasis from business networking to community service, with a particular priority on aiding children.[16][2] This pivot marked a watershed moment, resolving ongoing debates about the group's direction and establishing service as its core mission. The following year, at the 1920 convention in Portland, Oregon, members adopted the motto "We Build" to symbolize this commitment to constructive community contributions.[16] In the ensuing decade, Kiwanis clubs launched initial service initiatives centered on underprivileged children, including health campaigns such as orthopedic clinics for crippled youth and nutritional support programs providing milk to needy schoolchildren.[17][18] Youth aid efforts also encompassed holiday parties for orphans and early interventions to address medical and developmental needs, reflecting the organization's growing dedication to improving children's welfare through practical, local projects.[18] This service-oriented identity fueled rapid expansion, with the number of clubs increasing from 138 in 1919 to 267 by 1920 and continuing to grow steadily throughout the decade, reaching over 100,000 members by 1927—an expansion driven by the appeal of the child-focused mission.[16][6]International Expansion
Kiwanis' international presence began with the chartering of its first club outside the United States in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on November 1, 1916, marking the organization's transition to an international entity.[19] This early expansion was modest, with growth largely confined to North America for decades, as membership eligibility remained restricted to the United States and Canada.[2] The 1919 shift toward child-focused service provided a foundational principle that would later underpin global outreach efforts.[2] Significant worldwide development accelerated following the 1961 Kiwanis International Convention in Toronto, where delegates approved expansion beyond North America, ending prior limitations.[19][14] This decision spurred the formation of clubs in diverse regions, including the first in Europe (Vienna, Austria, in 1963), Asia (Tokyo, Japan, in 1964), and subsequent establishments across Latin America, such as in Mexico and Central American countries by the early 1970s.[20][21] By the end of the decade, Kiwanis International-Europe had been established to coordinate activities in 11 European nations, facilitating coordinated service projects amid postwar recovery and community development.[22] To bolster these growing operations, Kiwanis relocated its headquarters from Chicago to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1982, a move supported by local leaders and the Lilly Endowment to enhance administrative capacity for global coordination.[23] Key milestones in this expansion included the 1987 International Convention's approval of women's admission, which broadened membership and aligned with evolving global inclusivity standards, leading to over 8,500 women joining in the first year.[24] In the 1990s, formalization of youth involvement advanced through programs like K-Kids, launched in 1993 to engage elementary students in service leadership, extending Kiwanis' child-centric mission internationally.[25]Mission and Principles
Mission Statement
Kiwanis International's mission statement defines its core purpose as a service organization: "Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time."[1] This declaration underscores the organization's commitment to volunteer-driven efforts that target both individual children and broader community welfare, guiding all activities toward tangible, localized improvements.[1] Complementing the mission, Kiwanis' vision articulates an aspirational future: "Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide—so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive."[1] This vision emphasizes creating nurturing environments for children globally, aligning volunteer initiatives with long-term societal goals of support and empowerment.[1] The organization's motto, "Serving the children of the world," was adopted in 2005 during Kiwanis' 90th anniversary convention to reinforce its longstanding emphasis on child welfare, which originated from a pivotal 1919 shift in focus from business networking to community service specifically for children.[2][1] This motto encapsulates the child-centric ethos established nearly a century earlier, serving as a rallying cry for members to prioritize youth-related efforts.[2] Guided by this mission, vision, and motto, Kiwanis directs its activities toward enhancing child health, education, and overall community support, ensuring that volunteer projects address critical needs in these areas to foster thriving young lives.[1] These guiding statements also align with core values, such as encouraging the daily application of the Golden Rule in all interactions.[1]Core Values and Objects
Kiwanis International's core values emphasize the primacy of human and spiritual values over material ones, the application of the Golden Rule in all relationships, and the promotion of elevated social, business, and professional standards among members.[1] These principles form the ethical foundation that shapes members' personal conduct and collective service efforts, ensuring decisions prioritize altruism, integrity, and community well-being. The organization outlines six permanent objects, established in 1924, which serve as its guiding tenets:- To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life.
- To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
- To promote the adoption and application of higher social, business, and professional standards.
- To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship.
- To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
- To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and goodwill.[1]