...changing the world one child at a time

Welcome  

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.--Kiwanis defining statement, adopted October 2004.

Founded in 1915 in Detroit and with headquarters now in Indianapolis, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service- and community-minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 600,000 Kiwanis-family members in 96 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is "Serving the Children of the World."

Guided by six permanent Objects as described below, Kiwanis clubs view their role within their respective communities with a great deal of foresight. Key aspects to operating an effective club include:

• Evaluating both children’s issues and community needs on an ongoing basis

• Conducting service projects to respond to those identified needs

• Maintaining an active membership roster of professional business people who have both the desire and the ability to serve their community
  

  The six permanent Objects of Kiwanis International were approved by Kiwanis club delegates at the 1924 Convention in Denver, Colorado. Through the succeeding decades, they have remained unchanged.

   

  • To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life.
  • To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
  • To promote the adoption and the 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 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 goodwill.