Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan, January 21, 1915. "Kiwanis" is an American Indian word which means "self expression" or "to make oneself heard."
The name "Kiwanis Club" was changed to "Kiwanis International" in 1924, following the first Canadian club formed in 1916. In 1961, Kiwanis began expanding into Europe, the Far East, the Pacific and Central and South America.
The original motto of Kiwanis was "We Trade", but on January 23, 1920, the motto was changed to "We Build."
The Charlotte Kiwanis Club was organized August 12, 1919, with 61 members, and the club charter was presented October 21, 1919 with 114 Charter Members. The Charlotte club is the second oldest in the Carolinas District (North and South Carolina), second only to the Asheville, NC club.
The club has several fundraisers (AutoBell Car Wash Ticket Sale, Foundation Drive, and Pancake Breakfast from which all proceeds are donated to charities, primarily young children's programs. In 2006, the Club initiated The Dictionary Project, where dictionaries are purchased and given to third-graders in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg School District.
For more club information, go to the Kiwanis International home page: www.kiwanis.org
