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Kiwanis International is an association of member Kiwanis clubs composed of men and women who are committed to volunteer community service locally and worldwide. Since the first Kiwanis Club was organized in Detroit, MI in 1915 the members of Kiwanis clubs have donated time and financial support to worthy causes in their local communities. Kiwanis International consists of approximately 325,000 members of more than 8,400 clubs in more than 70 countries. Kiwanis student organizations (Circle K Clubs in colleges and universities, Key Clubs at the high school level, and Builders Clubs on the junior high/middle school level) have 240,000 members. Annually, Kiwanis organizations donate over $70 million and more that 7 million volunteer hours to community service projects.
Our club is made up of approximately 30 members, mainly working folks or retirees with much expertise to offer to the betterment of the Club. A caring, involved and loving group, our focus is on helping youth and the elderly in our community.
· Women have been an integral part of the Club since its Charter. Women have held all the major offices within the Club.
·
There
are three married couples who are part of our membership.
We pride ourselves as being an active and visible service club in the Plainfield area. However, given the fact that many of our members are currently in the work force, time to devote to Kiwanis activities becomes a serious concern. Our total membership is small when compared to some other clubs, and our "active" membership is even smaller, so the scope of the projects we are able to become involved in is limited.
We do continue to make earnest attempts to increase our membership and
attract new members of all ages. Please
see “Activities” for information about some of our Club’s projects
The Plainfield Kiwanis Club strives to be an active and visible service club within the community. The current administrative year (2002-2003) is being regarded among members as a "building" year. Outreach activities are being explored to develop avenues that will result in membership growth. Recently a Membership Growth Committee reported that attempts will be made to contact new residents of the village, and also former members who may be interested in renewing their active membership.
As with other service clubs (in Plainfield as well as throughout the nation and the world), membership growth has become a serious concern. Plainfield Kiwanis intends to become the most active and attractive service club in this area.
Our club was founded in 1993 by a group of citizens eager to be involved in the betterment of the community. Four of the founding members are still active in Club activities. Dan Kelly served as President of the Club during its first year.
Our
current membership is 30, with approximately the same number of men and women as
members. Russ Creel, a current member of the Club, has served as
Lieutenant Governor from another division during his earlier years in
Kiwanis. Hixson Fellows in the Club include Vern Lutz.
We
are in Division 21 of the Illinois and Eastern Iowa (I-I) District.
Our Club has developed a reputation for selling popcorn and snow cones and various community functions. The Club has purchased the machines that are used for these activities.
Created April 2003. Last updated Saturday, April 19, 2003