The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-10-08
KIWANIS CLUBS MAKE RAPID
STRIDES IN EIGHT YEARSSINCE
FORMED MOTTO I'VE BUILD"



On January 81, 1915, the first Of
fcially recorded meeting of Kiwan-
is club was held in the city Of De-
troit. Today, eight years and half
later. Kiwanis is an international
body with over 1000 clubs.
The Kiwanis club International has
spread from the territorial limits
Of one city to that Of the entire
northern half Of the western hemis-
phere. Its membership has grown
from the leading citizens of one city
to over $4,000 of the leading BUSH
ness and professional men of all
Canada and the United States.
Whence came Kiwanis? This ques-
ton has been propounded again and
again and many have been the vague
confused and loose responses to the
query. That is was founded in De-
troit il a conceded fact, but what
were the circumstances, Of its or
ganization and what IF its early
struggles?
In the late spring of 1914 Mr.. Al
len S. Browne was an organizer for
newly conceived fraternal order in
Detroit and in the course of his
work about this time made the ac-
quaintance of Mr.. J. G. France. They
failed in the first attempt at organ
ization Then Mr.. France suggest
ed to Mr.. Browne the organization
of club composed Of business and
professional men only, but without
the fraternal features. Several meet
ings were held in November, at
which its formation was discussed,
and about the first of December the
new project was hopefully launched.
The membership fee was set at $500.
The first applicants for member
ship were given receipt. A name
for the club had not been adopted.
The First Kiwanians.
At present there are FIVE members
of the Detroit Kiwanis club who hold
these receipts: Joseph G. France
dated December 8, 1910, who is
acknowledged as the first Kiwanian;
Donald A. Johnston, Governor Of the
Michigan District; Harry A., Young.
present secretary of the Detroit
club; Charles Cowdin, and James
Martinez.
The basic. principles of the new
club were the development of q close
fellowship among its members, both
in social and business activities, ana
active cooperation for civic improve
ment. The motive Of the club was
of the highest order and with the sin
certify and the spirit manifested
by the leaders, those who gathered
at the early meetings systematically
felt that their organization was des.
tined to become potent force and
factor in Detroit. Thus was spun
the first fine thread Of the organize
ton of today, thread of an enduring
texture which later wove itself into
the magnificent fabric of Kiwanis In
ternational. While born Of the spir-
it, as yet it was unnamed.
Name Selected.
The naming Of the club properly to
typify it's principles were seriously
considered. Mr.. Browne approached
Mr.. c. M. Burton, historian Of De-
troit and Michigan, with his problem.
Mr.. Burton consulted the library of
the Burton Historical collection and
among several Indians words submit
ted was "Keewanis." The word was
found in the Indian vocabulary COM
piled by Bishop Frederick Baraga,
early pioneer Of Upper Michigan, one
Of the worlds most eminent students
Of Indian literature. It is understood
that because Of the limitations Of the
Indian Vocabulary, its words had q
broad meaning and that in the use of
"Kee-wanis" in its original intent II
was taken to mean ''To make one.
self known; to impress"
The spelling was changed to Kiwan-
is with the first syllable pronounced
as "kee." Early in February, 1916
several Of the members suggested
that meetings should be held at noon
in order to keep the evenings open
for their family obligations. This
suggested was adopted and ratified
Idea Spreads.
The Kiwanis idea soon spread &
other cities and many clubs were or.
Ranized. In October Of 1915 ct Cleye.
land the matter Of the incorporation
Of a parent Kiwanis organization
with authority to issue charters Il
clubs in other cities. was first men.
toned. September Is. 1915, "a.
charter was granted by the state Of
Ohio. In April Of 1915 the organi.
sation was RAPIDLY growing and hai
attained : substantial membership
The time seemed appropriate for III
formation into cohesive whole IN
| der . permanent national ORGANISE
ton. Invitations were dispstchsd Il
the existing clubs, 70 send dalseats,
Ito : conference 80 be held II CIevs.
land, and fifteen clubs responded
The confereDes ~ delegates from tn
different clubs ssssnbled at ~ Cola
NAL hotel IN Usyslapd On NJ =
1915. IA national constt &a4aon ]. ~,
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