Motto:

The motto of Kiwanis since 1920, has been We Build.  Simple yet profound, these words describe the major emphasis of our club:

To Build conscientious, responsible future citizens by placing emphasis on our most precious resource; our young children.

Objects of Kiwanis:

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 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.

About Us

Kiwanis was officially incorporated by the state of Michigan on Jan 21, 1915. It became an international entity with the organization of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916. Membership was limited to the United States and Canada until 1962, when worldwide expansion was approved. Since then, Kiwanis has spread to all inhabited continents of the globe. Kiwanis was originally defined as "an organization for men" in the constitution which was adopted in 1924. In 1987, after several years of debate and growing support, women's membership received overwhelming approval.

The name "Kiwanis" was coined from an expression in an American Indian language of the Detroit area, Nunc Kee-wanis, which means, "we trade" or "we have a good time."

During late 1921 and early 1922 a group of Redlands, California men saw a vision for a new club in the City. Initially, they were considering forming a "Progressive Club", but members of the Riverside Kiwanis Club persuaded them to become chartered by Kiwanis instead. The first meeting was held on April 11, 1922 at the Casa Loma Hotel.