BRIEF HISTORY OF KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL

Kiwanis International was founded in Detroit, Michigan January 21, 1915. Allen S. Browne, a professional organizer, set about forming a mutual-interest club for Detroit businessmen. The first man he signed was a merchant-tailor named Joe Prance, followed in succession by Harry Cowden, Charles Young, Don Johnston, and George Haas. With over 100 others they set up the first club. Later in the year, Cleveland businessmen found the Kiwanis idea had a magic appeal. In 1916 Kiwanis became an International organization, with the founding of the Hamilton, Ontario Club and the total clubs expanded from two to thirty-two. The first convention was held in 1916 in Cleveland and George F. Hixon of Rochester, N. Y. served two years as the first International President. O. Sam Cummings, later an International President, was elected first full time International Secretary. In the years since that day in 1915 in Detroit, Kiwanis has grown from an obscure local civic club into an international institution. Kiwanians became co-ed beginning its July 7, 1987 at its annual convention in Washington, D.C. Its name and works are known to millions, its members are found in all walks of life, from all lines of endeavor, background, gender, and religious faiths. The spiritual growth of the organization has more than kept pace with the numerical growth. It has not only the original Kiwanis Clubs, but Key Clubs (Kiwanis at the High School level), and Circle K Clubs in colleges worldwide.

The significance of Kiwanis is to be found, not in the name itself, which was the first instance a coined work adapted from the Indian term "Keewanis", but in the high idealism to which the members of the organization have themselves given expression in unselfish and practical service to their respective communities and nation. In other words, Kiwanis means what Kiwanians have made it mean.

Kiwanis has adopted a phrase expressive of constructive action, namely, "We Build".

THIS, KIWANIANS BELIEVE

The free individual is a free citizen.
They are free to think, to learn, to speak, to worship, to meet with other free persons, to elect representatives and to limit their power. They may be tried only by the due and historic process of the law.

The free individual is responsible.
As they prize their own freedoms, they jealously guard them for fellow-citizens. They study the issues of their day and their community. They decide them on merit. They utter and vote these decisions. They are loyal to their country. They are loyal to the ideal of freedom for people in all countries.

The free individual has respect for others and gains respect by his actions.
They know that democratic government operates by resolving controversies within the limits of the law and mutual respect. They debate issues and not personalities. They respect the rights, customs, beliefs and institutions of others-requiring only the same of them.

The free individual is a spiritual person.
They ascribe all wisdom only to the Creator. They believe they can earn their spiritual way only by service to others. They seek blessings for all, and not credits for themselves

The free individual is one we Kiwanians pledge ourselves to try to be. That person is who, with God's help, will set the world firmly upon its spiritual axis.

The Kiwanian is the free person.

KIWANIS CODE OF ETHICS

AS A MEMBER of Kiwanis International, dedicated to the promotion of high social, business and professional standards, and, to the development, by precept and example, of a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship, I recognize the Golden Rule as a guide for everyday life.

…….application

In the application of Kiwanis principles it is my obligation-

To recognize God as the Supreme Ruler and to abide by His immutable laws.

To endeavor to perfect myself in my chosen occupation, and to use it to the best of my ability as an opportunity to serve others.

To conduct my business or profession on a high ethical plane, so that others emulating my example will help to raise the standards of the vocation in which I am engaged.

To maintain the spirit of fairness in competition, and help eradicate all forms of deception that violate the spirit of the law.

To exert my influence to provide equal opportunity for the well-being of mankind.

To promote harmony in every day contact, realizing that happiness is one of the major objectives of life, and that happiness depends more on the way we meet events of life than on the events themselves.

To improve relations between employer and employee, recognizing that tolerance, intelligence, and justice are common ground on which all disputes should be settled.

To exemplify good citizenship in appreciation of the fact that the strength of the nation depends upon the caliber of its individual citizens.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SOUTH DENVER KIWANIS CLUB

Welcome to the South Denver Kiwanis Club. We were chartered April 16, 1953 with 51 members. The Club had its Charter Night on May 7, 1953 in the Lincoln Room, Shirley Savoy Hotel, Denver, Colorado. Its meetings have been since been held at the Park Lane Hotel, Red Slipper / Cherry Creek Inn (Colorado Blvd & Cherry Cr. Dr.), currently the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, Holiday Inn (currently the Sheraton Four Points Hotel at 1475 So. Colorado Blvd.), 4444 Leetsdale Dr., and the Southeast Denver Marriott, where it now meets each Thursday at noon.

We have been an active club since 1953 supporting and actively assisting the children of the area. We are proud to be the home club of the 1989-90 Kiwanis International President, Noris Lusche. Noris continues to be an active member and an inspiring leader of our club.

Each year we have various projects in which we participate. Please feel free to see our current club activities.

Significant Programs and Sponsorships, since the Club's initiation in May, 1953.