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History
In 1973, daughters of a past lieutenant governor named 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: Cal-Nev-Ha. It has been the strongest and largest with over 50 clubs (and growing) and 2400 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. KIWIN'S is a service oriented organization open to all high school students, male and female. It is sponsored by the California-Nevada-Hawaii District Kiwanis. In most cases, KIWIN'S clubs are based on a high school campus under the guidance of their Faculty Advisor(s). Some clubs may function off campus under the authority of their Kiwanis Advisor(s). 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. KIWIN'S are willing to perform service deeds with fellow members to improve their schools and communities. Local service gives KIWIN'S members the satisfaction of seeing the results of their efforts. The Merge 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? Minor and Major Emphasis All around the world, more than 100 million children face an obstacle called Vitamin A Deficiency, otherwise VAD. One out of every four youth death is caused by VAD. Every year, the deaths of virtually three million children and the loss of sight of 250,000 children are blamed on the lack of vitamin A. With each capsule, costing only 2 cents, a full year's dosage of vitamin A for one child costs 4 cents. Obtaining these supplements, a child's risk of death is reduced by 25 percent. In the 1990 World Summit for Children, the issue of preventing VAD was established. In December 1997, an assembly of development organizations and scientists proclaimed the launch of the Vitamin A Global Initiative at a conference hosted by UNICEF. Vitamin A was added to 43 of 64 countries' National Immunization Days. As the fight to eliminate VAD continues, Key Club International joins the campaign with UNICEF, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Micronutrient Initiative (MI), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to achieve this goal. A little goes a long way. 2 cents buys one vitamin A capsule. Two doses per year protect a child from vitamin A deficiency! How to Help The Special Partnership between Key Club International and "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF." "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" is Key Club International's fall Seasons of Service project. This year, all funds raised through Key Club International will be designated to combat Vitamin A deficiency. Step 1: Order your free orange collection boxes. Call 1-800-252-KIDS - ask for the special vitamin A boxes. Step 2: Organize a fundraising event or campaign. Step 3: Go around "Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF" by collecting money or you may place it at a store counter and pick it up afterwards. Count the proceeds raised by your "Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF" campaign for the Vitamin A Global Initiative. Step 4: To make sure your club gets proper credit, please write your club's name on your check or money order and make it out to: Kiwanis International Foundation. Mail to: Kiwanis International Foundation Attn: Funds Processing - TOT/UNICEF 3636 Woodview Trace Indianapolis, IN 46268 By credit card: Call 1-800-KIWANIS, x263 to make your donation. Minor Emphasis - Pediatric Trauma Established in 1992, Pediatric Trauma, our Minor Emphasis, is a main focus of KIWIN'S. It affects children from infancy to age nineteen. Pediatric Trauma includes motor vehicle accidents, physical abuse, drowning accidents, falls, and animal bites, making it the leading cause of death of children in the United States. Every year it results in sixteen million emergency visits and twenty thousand deaths in the United States. The District Projects Committee has decided to continue to divide the year in sub-emphases. In the fall, fire safety is emphasized, while winter is devoted to road safety and comfort for victims. As for the spring, it is dedicated to the preventing of drowning accidents. The Kiwanis Family has taken a part to fight Pediatric Trauma. They have started partnerships with the Children's Hospital at Fresno, Loma Linda, Oakland, and San Diego. Project BEHOLD Although other service organizations have a district project that changes from year to year, KIWIN'S is unique because our district project stays the same. Our district project is Project BEHOLD, Being Energized Helping Overcome Life's Disadvantages, which started in 1993-1994. Project BEHOLD allows flexibility, enabling individual clubs to personalize their projects to fit the needs of their own community. Through Project BEHOLD, we help people who are socially, economically, physically, mentally, politically, or educationally disadvantaged. This encompasses a large amount of service projects, which, allows clubs to focus on the type of service activities in which they would like to partake. Giving individual clubs the opportunity to select the type of service they would like to be active in allows more service to be done by KIWIN'S members and their clubs. Well what are you waiting for?? Go out and Serve your community!! =) |