About Kiwanis International

Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service-minded men and women who respond to the unique needs of their communities and address worldwide issues by “Serving the Children of the World.”

Kiwanians are ordinary people who perform extraordinary “hands-on” work.   In fact, Kiwanians provide more service hours yearly that the next four civic or services organizations -- combined!

The Kiwanis family dedicates more than 19 million volunteer hours in 150,000 projects, and invests more than $100 million annually in projects that strengthen communities and serve children. Since its organization, Historic Roswell Kiwanis has invested hundreds of thousands dollars and tens of thousands of volunteer hours to our local community.

Most recently, Kiwanis International has been a key partner in the fight to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders, the world’s leading preventable cause of mental retardation. To date, Kiwanis has raised $110 million in cash contributions exceeding its $75 million goal. We are protecting 90 million children in 98 countries from being born with iodine deficiency disorders or mental retardation. Currently. Kiwanis International is conducting the Eliminate Project which will rid the world of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus. Kiwanis is currently raising $125 million for the Eliminate Project.

Through Kiwanis membership, communities are improved, friendships are built, leadership skills are developed, and business contacts are made. More importantly, the lives of children around the world are changed for the better. 

Awards and Recognition

  • 2020-2021 Georgia District Distinguished Club
    • Governor's Cup Division 14
  • 2019-2020 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2018-2019 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2017-2018 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2016-2017 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2015 Civic Shining Star from Child Development Association
  • 2014 Partnership of the Year with Crabapple Middle School from North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
  • 2011-2012 Georgia District Most Outstanding Web Site
  • 2010-2011 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2009-2010 Kiwanis Club of The Year, Division 14
  • 2010 Georgia Kiwanis Web Site Award Winner
  • 2010 Georgia Kiwanis Club Bulletin, First Place
  • 2008-2009 Georgia District of Kiwanis Web Site Award winner
  • 2008-2009 Georgia District Distinguished Club
    • 2nd Place Unit, 58th Annual Youth Day Parade, 2008
  • 2006-2007 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2005-2006 Georgia District Distinguished Club
  • 2005-2006 Georgia District of Kiwanis Web Site Competition, 1st place
  • 2005-2006 Georgia District of Kiwanis Interclub Award
  • 2005 Prestigious Partner Award from Fulton County Schools
    • Kiwanis International Foundation Honor Club, Designated in 2005
  • Community Volunteers of the Year, selected by Keep Roswell Beautiful 2002

Milestones

  • 1915 - First Kiwanis club, Detroit #1, receives its charter from state of Michigan on Jan. 21, making this the birth date of Kiwanis.
  • 1916 - First Kiwanis club formed outside the U.S. is founded in Hamilton, Ont., Canada, in November.
  • 1920 - Roe Fulkerson, first editor of Kiwanis Magazine, originates motto "We Build," which was adopted the same year.
  • 1924 - Kiwanians adopt the name Kiwanis International and six Objectives at 1924 Convention, held in Denver.
  • 1963 - First European club is formed in February in Vienna, Austria.
  • 1964 - First Asia-Pacific club is established in Manila, Philippines.
  • 1976 - First African club is established in Kano, Nigeria, in May.
  • 1980 - Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell is formed on August 7
  • 1984 - The Key Club of Roswell High School is chartered by Historic Roswell Kiwanis
  • 1986 - Kiwanis Club of Sweat Mountain merged with the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell on July 28.
  • 1987 - Delegates to 1987 Kiwanis International Convention vote to admit women to membership.
  • 1988 - Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell wins Georgia District Interclub competition
  • 1990
    • Kiwanis marks its 75th anniversary on January 21
    • Donna Withers becomes the first woman President of the Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell on October 1
  • 1996 - Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell member Ron Jackson elected to the Fulton County Board of Education
  • 1997
    • Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell Charter Member Jere Wood elected mayor of Roswell, the first for Historic Roswell Kiwanis
    • Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell organizes the Kiwanis Club of North Fulton Golden K
  • 1999
    • Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell Member Ron Jackson elected 81st Georgia Kiwanis District Governor, the first for Historic Roswell Kiwanis
    • Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell organizes the Kiwanis Club of Alpharetta
  • 2000 - Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell member Ron Jackson re-elected to the Fulton County Board of Education
  • 2001 - Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell Charter Member Jere Wood re-elected mayor of Roswell
  • 2002 - Kiwanis International Key Club becomes the largest world-wide, high school-aged, service organization.
  • 2005 - Kiwanis marks its 90th anniversary on January 21.
    • Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell celebrates 25th anniversary on August 7.
    • Kiwanis Club of Historic Roswell Charter Member Jere Wood re-elected mayor of Roswell
  • 2006 - Two-time KCHR President Bo Whitley is elected as Lt. Governor for Division 14 for the 2007-2008 Kiwanis Administrative year
    • Historic Roswell Kiwanis sponsors the Key Club of Blessed Trinity High School with 79 charter members
    • KCHR wins Georgia District of Kiwanis Web Site Competition
    • KCHR wins Georgia District of Kiwanis Interclub Award
    • KCHR named Distinguished Club for 2005-2006
  • 2007 - KCHR co-sponsors Kiwanis Club of Doraville
  • 2008
    • KCHR charters the Builders Club of Crabapple Middle School
    • KCHR wins Georgia District of Kiwanis Web Site Competition
    • KCHR named Distinguished Club for 2008-2009
  • 2009 - KCHR co-sponsors Kiwanis Club of Chamblee
  • 2011 - KCHR sponsors Key Club of Centennial High School