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In January Kiwanians around the world say to Kiwanis, “Happy Birthday” or “Happy Anniversary” – your choice. We won’t repeat our history here because many know it, and it would require too much space. Our history can be found on the KiwanisOne web site in the “Member Area” by searching “Kiwanis History” and following the links. Another source for reading about our history is a book entitled Dimensions of Service; The Kiwanis Story by L.A. Larry Hapgood.
What might have happened to all those children and communities Kiwanians have served in these past 97 years if, instead of Kiwanis, BOB (Benevolent Order of Brothers) had been chartered January 21, 1915 and had prevailed? Where would you be if our clubs had become fraternal clubs designed for the betterment of businessmen and their businesses – clubs where businessmen might get health insurance and where their principal activity would be to meet, eat, and try to build their businesses?
Fortunately, that wasn’t the way our story turned out. “BOB” was changed to Kiwanis and the mission was redirected to become a mission for children and communities. The traditional Kiwanis organization of 1915 has evolved and changed, and you and I are working hard to understand those changes.
We know we must grow and retain members so we can continue providing the service that has been our mission for 97 years. We know that Kiwanis must be attractive to younger men and women if we want them to join and stay with Kiwanis. We know that Kiwanis clubs will probably disappear if new ideas and the younger generation who provide those ideas are rejected. We know that there will be growth in those Kiwanis clubs in which the old is giving way to the new and in which older members are learning the flexibility of accepting newer ways. Whatever that club looks like, we know this: The goal of providing service for children and communities must not change. That’s our mission and we must believe in it.
As I try to represent you as your governor with my background being in the old tradition I am, like you, trying to understand the newer approaches – approaches that may become the tradition for the future. My efforts center on you, the individual member of Kiwanis, your individual club, and your desire to believe in the Kiwanis mission. Important to me is your success, made evident by the fact that you will be distinguished. If Kiwanians and Kiwanis clubs all over Kentucky-Tennessee will actively accept the challenge to be distinguished, Kiwanis will grow in service and membership.
We Kiwanians love Kiwanis, and we have long realized the need to serve kids. That has been the history of this 97 year old organization and I think we are learning to live with changes that will take us to an exciting and fulfilling future. “BOB” might have been what some folks wanted, but Kiwanians like you believed in the Kiwanis mission. What will they say about Kiwanis on January 21, 2015 or January 21, 2115? It all depends on you and on me and those Kiwanians who come after us.
Don
P.S. It is not too late to register for our midyear conference February 3 and 4 where you can meet International President Alan Penn.
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