What is Kiwanis? Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization of women and men who share the challenge of community and world improvement. Since its founding in Detroit, Michigan, in 1915, Kiwanis has grown to about 9,000 clubs in over 80 nations. They’re nearly one-third of a million Kiwanians.

Who are Kiwanians? Kiwanians are individuals who give a little of their time to make their communities and the world better places on which to live and work. As members of a local club, members have the opportunity to:

Make business and professional contacts.
Learn first-hand about local, national, and international issues.
Improve and use leadership skills.
Participate in the life of their community and world.
Develop lifelong friendships.

What is the organizational structure for Kiwanis (regionally, statewide, and internationally?) Kiwanis International includes clubs in over 80 countries. These clubs are divided into districts. Some districts are countries or groups of countries. Some are states or groups of states. We are in the Kansas District. Kansas is divided into 13 divisions. We are in Division II. Our division currently includes Atchison, Highland, Hiawatha, Sabetha, Basehor, Edwardsville, Lansing, Lawrence, Lawrence-Jayhawk, Leavenworth, McLouth, and Tonganoxie. Kiwanis International is headed by a President, currently Glenn Bagnell of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Kansas District is headed by a Governor, currently Bill Wygle of Council Grove. Division II is headed by a Lieutenant Governor, currently Eddie Moore of Leavenworth.

Who are the current members?

What committees are there? All of the committees are appointed by the President each year.

Who is on the board and what are their officer positions? See the attached committee assignment list. The club year officially begins on October 1^st. The previous President becomes the Past President. The First Vice President becomes the President. The Second Vice President becomes the First Vice President. Each spring the Nominating Committee selects and the club elects a new Second Vice President for the next year. The Secretary/Treasurer is appointed by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting. The Board has nine Directors. The Nominating Committee selects and the club elects three new Directors each year for a three year term. The Board approves all projects and authorizes any use of club funds.

When and where does the board meet? The board meets at 5:30 on the first Wednesday of each month at the Senior Citizen Center. Any Kiwanian is welcome to attend any meeting. In fact, such attendance may be used as a makeup for a missed regular meeting.

How are our funds handled? Funds are divided into two categories. The Administrative Fund consists of dues, fines, and other income from members. It is used for dues to International and Districts, speaker’s meals, travel to conventions, and various club administrative expenses. The Project Fund includes all income received from the general public, and must be used only for the club’s service projects that benefit others.

Who organizes the speakers each week? When will I need to find a speaker? See the attached committee assignment list. Each month members serve as the program chairpersons for the month. They are responsible for providing the programs. If you know of a good program, please feel free to suggest it to the upcoming chairpersons. One of the chairpersons normally sits at the head table and introduces the program. The club pays the meal costs of the program.

What are our membership dues? $6.00 per month, billed every month.

What is our meal payment structure? Currently we pay the $4.00 per meal. This is billed every month. What happens if I miss a meal? You are charged $2.00 even if you miss the meeting. We do have a leave of absence policy for members. Need to talk to the secretary about the procedure.

May I bring guests? Yes. You may bring family members, friends, or business associates. You may especially bring prospective members. You will be responsible for the meal expenses of your guests. The club will pay for the first meal for good prospective members.

This is the Opening Exercises:

"My Country Tis Of Thee"
"Pledge of Allegiance"
Invocation

What happens if I miss a meeting? Nothing. Attendance is always optional. If you will be gone for an extended period of time, the Board can grant you a leave of absence. Is there a makeup policy? Yes. If you want to maintain a perfect attendance record, you may make up a meeting by any of the following in the same month:

Attend a Board meeting.
Go on an interclub.
Work at a club project.

Attend the meeting of another club (even in the different countries).
Attend an International, District or Division convention or meeting.
Attend a Key Club, Circle K Club or Builders Club meeting.
Visit the International Headquarters.

An award will be presented to the Kiwanis member(s) who attended the most meetings in a year. Starting October 1^st of each year.

What is an interclub? Kiwanis encourages Kiwanians to visit other clubs. This helps to promote fellowship with others and brings new ideas to each club. Our club gets credit for an official interclub if at least 4 of our members attend the meeting of another club. We are encouraged to have at least one interclub each month. We are also encouraged to visit all of the clubs in our division at least once a year. We get banner patches for doing this. All members are encouraged to attend at least one interclub each year. You are responsible for your own meal costs.

An award will be presented to the Kiwanis member(s) who attended the most interclubs within a year.

What is Kiwanis priority goal and project? "Young Children Priority One." Kiwanis used to establish a major emphasis project each year. Several years ago this was done away with by International, and "Young Children Priority One" took its place. Any service project that we do that benefits children age 0-5 comes under this. Under "Young Children Priority One" Kiwanis is engaged in its first Worldwide Service Project. Kiwanis has teamed with UNICEF to virtually eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders by the year 2000.

What are our annual projects? We have two types of projects: fund raisers and service projects. Some projects fit both categories.

Following are our regular fund raisers:
Pancake Feed (annually in February)
July 4^th Cotton candy

Following are some of our ongoing service projects:
Adopt-A-Highway cleanup program.
Sponsor Highland Boy Scout Troop.
Sponsor Highland Girl Scout Troop.
Sponsor boy and girl to Boys State and Girls State.
Sponsor Highland 4-H Club
Sponsor Top Five 8^th Grade Academic Students
Sponsor Top Five High School Seniors Academic Students
Sponsor Thanksgiving Spouse Night
Sponsor Valentines Spouse Night
Sponsor Christmas Spouse Night
Sponsor T-shirts for the Summer Ball Program
Sponsor and Organize the Fourth of July Parade

Worldwide Service Project:
Support the Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD)