Happy Birthday Kiwanis!

Kiwanis International will officially be 97 years old on January 21, 2012—and still going strong! January 21, 1915, was the day that the Detroit No. 1 Club was chartered.

Two natives of Detroit, Michigan, Allen S. Browne, a professional organizer, and Joseph C. Prance, a tailor, had an idea one day in August of 1914. They gathered and conceived an organization that provides fellowship. They wanted to develop a group that was like no other organization. They wanted to provide an opportunity to experience new ideals in human relationships. Together, these two men began recruiting new members.

During a club meeting in the first week of January 1915, Kiwanis was approved as the new name for this club, which translated as, “We trade.” The club attracted nearly 200 members in only six months. The corporate charter was returned by the state of Michigan, dated January 21, 1915—and this date has been the birthday of Kiwanis ever since.

I doubt that even they could have anticipated the full extent of what their creation would become—Kiwanis International—a worldwide service organization dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. But these men had a vision and stuck to it, even though the challenges and sacrifices that had to be made were difficult then—as they still are today.

Kiwanis members have a deep passion and dedication for our mission. Kiwanis members live every day with a love for making their local communities better through service.

Now, it’s a good time to reflect on and celebrate all that’s been accomplished in our 97 years of serving the children, serving the communities around the world. Where would children in your community be without Kiwanis?

As we celebrate our 97th Anniversary, let us remember those who came before us, the sacrifices they made, and our responsibility to carry on the tradition of Kiwanis.

Happy Birthday, Kiwanis!

Greg
Greg Beard
2011-2012 Governor