kiwanis

About Kiwanis

A local club within an international organization

The name "Kiwanis" means "we trade" or "we share our talents." It was coined from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis. Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick. They develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric research, and much more. No problem is too big or too small. Members working together achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream and succeed, great things happen!

Kiwanis members are guided by these key principles:

  • To give importance to the human and spiritual rather than the material values of life.
  • To encourage living by the Golden Rule.
  • To promote higher social, business, and professional standards.
  • To encourage and to be servant leaders.
  • To foster lasting friendships and serve and strengthen local communities.
  • To promote justice, patriotism, and goodwill.

Participation

Kiwanis members are encouraged to attend meetings as often as possible, and to participate in as many activities as they are able. However, the busy schedules and many responsibilities of members are recognized so that required involvement is very limited. Members are free to determine their particular level of involvement.

Internationally, Kiwanis currently consists of:
  • About 8,000 clubs in 96 countries
  • More than 260,000 adult members
  • Approximately 320,000 youth
The Sterling Kiwanis Club is composed of approximately 40 fun-loving, civic-minded men and women dedicated to serving the children and improving the quality of life in Sterling, and the surrounding area.

If you are interested in membership, find out more here.

The Kiwanis Mission

The primary mission of Kiwanis is to serve the children of the world. While the Sterling Club focuses on its primary mission of serving children, members realize that projects which improve the community, in general, impact the lives of the children. Therefore, the Sterling Kiwanis Club is involved in a wide range of projects and activities which make Sterling a better community for all, and welcomes all who share an interest in community improvement.