The Kiwanis Impact

Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service-minded men and women who respond to the unique needs of their communities and address worldwide issues by "Serving the Children of the World."

Today, the entire Kiwanis family has more than 600,000 members in more than 13,000 clubs. Kiwanis clubs serve in 79 countries around the world and achieve what individuals cannot do alone.

The purpose of this organization is to increase the popularity of our common interests. We hope to add new members so we will be able to grow and expand. We also want to have fun while when we are together and working on projects. By developing relationships and friendships, the organization will become even stronger.

Kiwanis clubs sponsor Kiwanis-family organizations.

K-Kids clubs in elementary schools, Builders Club in junior high and middle schools, Key Clubs in high schools, Circle K clubs at the college level, Kiwanis Junior clubs for young adults in Europe, and Aktion Clubs for adults living with disabilities reach out to those in need and develop future generations of leaders.

Young Children: Priority One is a continuous service program supported by thousands of Kiwanis clubs that focus on the needs of young children.

A Kiwanis-family initiative -- in partnership with UNICEF -- will virtually eliminate the world's leading cause of preventative mental retardation, iodine deficiency disorders.

The Motto: We Build

Throughout its history, the Kiwanis name has been synonymous with endeavors that build character, knowledge, commerce, communities, and through genuine concern for others -- hope. We build in Kiwanis.

The Name

The name Kiwanis stems from a North American Indian phrase, which had a variety of meanings, including; "We have a good time" or "We make a noise."