The Kiwanis Club in your community is the local unit of Kiwanis International, an organization of over three thousand three hundred similar clubs in as many communities in the United States, Canada and the territories of Alaska, Yukon and Hawaii. It was created in the city of Detroit, in sight of the international border line between the United States and Canada. The significance of Kiwanis is not to be found in the name itself, which was originally a coined word from the Indian term "Keewonis", but in the high idealism to which the members of the organization stand. expressing themselves in selfless and practical service to their respective communities and notions.
Each year, the incoming administration, elected at the semi-annual convention, adopts a series of goals for that year, all based on the principles of the OBJECTS, which do not change. In 1916, fifteen of the more than twenty Kiwanis clubs then in existence sent representatives to a convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where an organization, a "National Constitution," was formed. Its officers are o President, the Immediate Past President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, twelve Trustees and a District Governor for each of the 30 districts.
The Internotian Board of Trustees consists of the president, the immediate president, two vice presidents, the treasurer and twelve trustees. The secretary is appointed by the Supervisory Board, attends the meetings of the Board and acts as secretary of the Board. The Executive Committee of the Council consists of seven members of the Council, namely the President, the immediate past President and five other members of the Council appointed by the President and approved by the Council.
A Finance Committee, consisting of three members of the Executive Committee, is appointed by the Chairman, with the approval of the Board of Directors.
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Volunteering is one of Kiwanis' core principles and an important factor in its success. The entire group that makes up the Council volunteers their time and talents to the work of Kiwanis. The only reward these leaders desire is the satisfaction that comes from Kiwanis' increased success in organizing and serving the hundreds of communities where its local clubs are located.
The Council stands in impressive evidence of the strength of the Kiwanis ideals of serving to win men to active and unselfish cooperation in a challenging program of helpfulness.
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HOW THE WORK OF THE GENERAL OFFICE IS DIVIDED
Office management: responsible for the controller, responsible for the accounting work in conjunction with the finance committee of the board; also general arrangements for mailing, filing, mimeographing, hiring and training of stenographic and clerical staff, and a stock department, which includes the purchase and sale of all Kiwanis supplies. Convention: The Convention Manager conducts city inspections before finalizing preparations for the annual conventions, manages the convention office in the host city, is responsible for the advance management of the convention as directed by the International Board of Trustees and the International Secretary, maintains the necessary contacts with clubs in each city of the annual international convention, and assists to host clubs at fun district conventions. Field Service: Supervises the construction of new clubs under the direction of field service representatives or authorized representatives and provides services to existing clubs.
Special Services: Duties of this department include review of Kiwanis literature, cooperation with districts, International Committees on Achievement Reports and Programs and Music, and the Special Committee on Kiwanis History. Kiwanis Magazine: This department, under the direction of the International Board of Trustees and the International Secretary, handles the editorial publication and advertising functions of Kiwanis Magazine, with a circulation of over 205,000.
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INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
Kiwanis Magazine, the magazine of community leaders, is the official publication of IGwanis International, dedicated to the promotion of the objects and objectives of the organization. The magazine is the official source of local and district news, as well as international news and inspiration on every phase of Kiwanis organization and activity. The editorial policy plans to make this definitely a KIWANIS magazine, not just another general magazine to compete with many commercial publications.
The general articles, contributed by distinguished authors, deal with subjects related to the aims and objectives of the organization and of course cover a wide range of service and management activities, current social and governmental affairs, international relations, especially between Canada and the United States, etc. These include "Town Report ", which provides the latest developments in community affairs, the "Club Clinic," which is a question and answer section on technical matters affecting Kiwanis clubs, "To See or Not to See," a section headed by Jimmie Fidler, well-known Hollywood film reviewer who classifies pictures according to whether they promote or oppose Kiwanis ideals, and. 34;Project Problems,” which is another question and answer section, this one dealing with the mechanics of doing various club projects.
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KIWANIS DISTRICTS
HOW THE DISTRICT IS ADMINISTERED
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ORGANIZATION CONFERENCES
It is sent to the Kiwanis leaders of the district and has been dealing with the affairs of the district longer and in more detail than is possible in any other way.
DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
THE HEART OF KIWANIS- THE KIWANIS CLUB
CLUB ADMINISTRATION
The members of the Kiwanis Club were primarily expected to be active members, pay their dues promptly, and attend club meetings regularly. An unexcused absence from 40 percent of meetings in either half of the club year, or from four consecutive meetings, jeopardizes one's membership. Two representatives are allowed at the same time from one or another branch, agricultural, institutional or working life.
They must be owners or partners, executives, corporate officers or managers with administrative duties and discretionary powers, or they must be engaged in worthy and recognized professions for which they have received the recognized standard training. Each member must devote sixty percent of his professional time to the business or profession to which he falls. He must also accept the ideals of the organization and respond to the spirit of service.
The intent is that the membership of a Kiwanis club should be representative of the best that exists in the business and professional life of the community. The success of Kiwanis depends on the intelligent loyalty and faithful activity of its members.
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WHAT IT COSTS
It is the policy of Kiwanis to operate under a strict budget system in each organizational unit and, after careful auditing of the accounts, to make them available for the information of every member of Kiwanis.
ACTIVITIES
HOW NEW CLUBS ARE BUILT
A well-defined program of club building has been worked out as a result of careful study and experience. According to this plan, the president of the sponsoring club appoints a committee of three to five members who will function under his direction. He writes to the General Office and informs them of the staff of the committee and requests instructions and bail supplies.
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEES
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WHAT TO READ
These describe the functions of the various committees and provide practical suggestions regarding committee work and the action programmes. The Proceedings of each annual International Convention are published in limited editions for the use of those who purchase copies. The proceedings of each convention may be ordered from the General Office in Chicago for a nominal fee.
KIWANIS LEGION OF HONOR
NATIONAL KIDS' DAY
