Kiwanis International

The 2003-2004 Kiwanis International President is Robert L. "Bob" Moore. He has been a member of the Venice (Florida) Kiwanis Club for 35 years.

Bob's theme for the 2003-2004 administrative year proclaims the strength of Kiwanis' familial bonds, "Kiwanis: A Family United in Service." He continues to stress three goals, set in 2002-2003 by Immediate Past President Juan F. Torres, Jr. which are "Succeed with service; Excel with membership; Educate everyone."

Since 1994, Kiwanis world-wide has been dedicated to the eradication of iodine deficiency disorder (IDD); it's the world's leading preventable cause of mental retardation. This past April, Kiwanis family and UNICEF representatives met in Indianapolis to review progress in their IDD campaign and renew their commitments. As a result, the Kiwanis family pledged an additional minimum contribution of $3 million towards eliminating IDD and its effects.

PURPOSE
Kiwanis International (KI) is the worldwide association to which each Kiwanis Club belongs. KI is responsible for approving the Club Charter to bring it into existence. KI is administered by a Board of Trustees and sponsors an International Convention where each club is entitled to send two delegates. The International Office maintains current club and membership records, publishes the Kiwanis Magazine, and provides leadership training materials. KI is responsible for the training of District Officers. KI makes available administrative supplies, committee support materials, recognition awards items and gift items. The are the protector of the Kiwanis Family logos and are the leader for identified Major Emphasis programs. You can obtain more information at their Web site.

HISTORY
In 1916, Kiwanis had grown to 32 clubs -- including the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario, "the club that made Kiwanis international." A basic constitution is adopted and George F. Hixson, Rochester, New York, is elected as the first International President. A "K" with the words "Kiwanis Club" enclosed in a double circle became the official symbol. In 1918, the first Kiwanis headquarters, a two-room office, was opened in Chicago, Illinois. A more detailed constitution was adopted in 1924, which created the International Council (composed of the International Board members and District Governors) and defined the functions of major committees. Kiwanis International became the official name.

On May 15, 1962, the Kiwanis Club of Tijuana, Baja, California, Mexico - the first Kiwanis club organized outside the United States and Canada - received its charter.

By the time of the International Convention in Los Angeles in 1964, ten countries had active Kiwanis clubs: Mexico, Switzerland, the Bahamas, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Iceland, Japan, and Jamaica. That October, the Board adopted the policies governing the organization and administration of Kiwanis clubs outside of Canada and the United States. Currently, there are over 8,200 clubs in 80 nations and geographic areas.

International Headquarters was opened in Chicago in 1918. The office began a series of moves in Chicago as more and more administrative space was needed. At the May 1979 Board meeting, the decision was made to buy property and begin the construction in Indianapolis, Indiana. Groundbreaking ceremonies were in September 1981 and the move was completed by August of 1982.

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