KIWIN'S

The History Behind KIWIN'S

Between 1973 and 1974, daughters of a past Kiwanis District Governor Sid Smith wanted to join a service organization. Key Club was the only one existing at that time, but they weren't able to join because it was an all-male club. Smith wanted his girls to have the same opportunities as men so he started a club called Keyettes. The name was changed to "Keywanattes" in the mid-70s because a women's organization on the east coast already had the rights to the name. It was through the efforts of the Cal-Nev-Ha district Kiwanis Sponsored Youth Advisors and high school principals that a program be made available to the young women of the community that provides the opportunities that young men had in Key Club. Today the two youth groups are co-educational.

In the beginning, Keywanettes was the fastest growing high school organization in the nation. There used to be four districts. However, the Texas district merged with the Key Club of Texas. There is only one club left in the Carolinas; being the area's sole club, there is no district. There is no Virginia club anymore, and all these events have left one district left - California-Nevada-Hawaii. It has been the strongest and largest with over 50 clubs (and growing) and 2,500 members.

Keywanettes became KIWIN'S when the House of Delegates convened at the 1995 Cal-Nev-Ha District Convention. KIWIN'S comes from the Otchipew language and translates to "people, men and women, working together in service." The Cal-Nev-Ha District changed their name to dispel gender specific connotations and promote growth.

Each year, KIWIN'S hold a District Convention to promote unity within KIWIN'S and meet others who are like them: service minded teenagers. Elections for District Officers also takes place at Convention and the new Lieutenant Governors are installed while the previous District Board is retired.

The Merge As a District of Key Club International : Keyettes, Keywanettes, KIWIN'S, and now the Cal-Nev-Ha KIWIN'S District of Key Club International. Yes, as of April 22, 2001, our organization took yet another step in its proud history. At this year's convention in Woodland Hills, CA, it was decided by the House of Delegates that the Cal-Nev-Ha KIWIN'S District would now be brought under the Key Club International umbrella. While this surprising change has left many bewildered and discouraged, it's now time that we set the record straight. Bottom line: same great organization, plus all the perks of Key Club International. I shall explain.

Although this new title seems to make us equivalent to Key Club, in actuality, we are still, and always will be KIWIN'S clubs. We maintain essentially the same bylaws, charter, and literature, yet have just adopted many of the standards, projects, and opportunities of International. For example, as a Key Club International district, we are entitled to representation by a Trustee, who's purpose is to inform our district of what projects and opportunities are available to us at the international level. In addition, we are entitled and fully capable of running a candidate for International Trustee, President, and/or Vice President. Our views will be represented throughout the Kiwanis International Family on a greater scale, and our opinions will be heard. Also, we are now able to participate in International projects such as raising monies for Vitamin A Deficiency, UNICEF, and other such charitable organizations. And, we are entitled to embark upon partnerships with other organizations such as the Youth Opportunities Fund, which provides funding for us to do more costly projects, and AYUSA, a foreign exchange program that works hand in hand with the Kiwanis Family. The perks don't stop there. With this new shift, we are all also eligible to apply for awards and scholarships offered at the International level that have never been available to us prior. Above all, this change allows our organization to be covered by International insurance, which was the main conflict for why we could no longer exist as a separate entity. Now, KIWIN'S can continue to perform community service with a smile, and rest assured that our financial status is no longer in question.

Sure, our bylaws and awards manuals are undergoing a bit of revision, and the cost of dues might raise by a few dollars. But, we are still the same organization in heart and in practice. We all possess the initiative, drive, and overall passion to serve. And we know that no matter what our title, we will continue to provide our communities with more service hours per person than any other group in the world. Let us all take a good look at where we now stand, and then, let us continue the tradition of excellence for years to come. After all, what's in a name?