The Kiwanis Club recently asked me to make a presentation to them about the annual 'jeep jaunt'; I got to learn more about Kiwanis and what they do!

First, you might ask "What is Kiwanis and who are Kiwanians?"  The answer is easy:  a group of volunteers in your community who are making a difference in the lives of children and having a great time while doing it!

Kiwanis International will celebrate its 100 year milestone anniversary in 2015. What started out as a few people meeting in Detroit, Michigan has grown to an organization with over 600,000 members in in over 80 nations.

At the core of every Kiwanis Club is service. Each year Kiwanis members hold over 150,000 service projects and raise over $100 million dollars to support local communities and families.

In Lafayette, there are several local clubs who are hard at work making a difference in Acadiana.  Each Kiwanis club is different, some meet for lunch and some meet at night, while other are strictly business meetings.  While these differences in club structures allow flexibility to meet potential member needs, all Kiwanis clubs share the common goal of being dedicated to improving  the world,  one child and one community at a time.

 

Kiwanis Of Acadiana Zydeco Pancake Breakfast (Submitted Photo)
Kiwanis Of Acadiana Zydeco Pancake Breakfast (Submitted Photo)
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Kiwanis members don’t just do service, they also have FUN!  Kiwanis clubs are a great way to meet new friends and business associates. Club members become an extension of your family as over time you work together toward a common goal.

Being a member of Kiwanis is something that everyone can take great pride in. If you are interested in finding out more about Kiwanis, they would love to have you.  New members help to bring fresh ideas and energy into clubs and are always welcome.

 

Kiwanis of Acadiana Members (Submitted Photo)
Kiwanis of Acadiana Members (Submitted Photo)
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As for the club with which I had lunch, Kiwanis of Acadiana, they are a group of professionals both young and old, 49% men and 51% women who meet on Thursdays for lunch.  Some members make it every week, some only once a month, but as club members will attest, they are about a lot more than a weekly meal. They are about neighborhood service, helping children and building a sense of community. There is no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping.

Your participation depends on your schedule, not theirs.  What you get out of the organization is what you put into it and more. Kiwanis does not require a certain amount of hours dedicated by its members, but they'll warn you – you might loose your heart to a particular project and end up volunteering more than you planned!

Kiwanis is about Service – not meetings.

Looking to give back to the community?  Looking to make new friends?  Looking to expand your "network"?  Look to Kiwanis.

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