Club History  

iwanis was founded January 21, 1915 in Detroit Michigan by a group of men who merely wanted to trade with each other. Hence their motto "We trade". They soon realized how narrow their vision was and changed to "We Build". Their motto is now "Serving the Children of the World". In 1921 the first club was formed in California which, together with Nevada and Hawaii has become the most populous district of all Kiwanis.
In 1982 Kiwanis became truly "International" with its first foreign club, Vienna. Since then it has become established in 70 nations, six continents, and a total membership of over 600,000, including the sponsored youth. In 1987, a momentous step was taken, allowing women to be members, one of whom, Teri Newman, was the Governor of the California District.

The first Key Club was formed in California in 1947. This was an organization at the high school level to give students the opportunity to gain leadership ability, community service, and good citizenship. It was followed in 1955 with "Circle K" clubs in colleges, with "Builders Clubs" in Middle Schools, and "K-Kids" in the elementary schools.
The following "Objects of Kiwanis" were adopted in 1924 and remain unchanged ever since:

• To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than 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 more 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 good-will.