WELCOME 100 YEARS! 1921-2021

Welcome to our Centennial Year Celebration!

Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor – Chartered on June 13, 1921

“A 100-year Legacy of Serving the Children of the World and at Home.”

Greetings!

We feel our informative, contemporary web site features a unique comprehensive look at our Century of Service – consistent, uninterrupted, and active – in the Ann Arbor community. Our members – men and women of all ages from diverse nationalities and back grounds-offer their personal reflections, verbal and written, about their service in the club. Another highlight are the informative and interesting video programs and photographs of our humanitarian service to the community.

In 1921, 71 diverse businessmen, educators, and retired working men of the community decided to form a Kiwanis Club. The Ypsilanti Kiwanis Club had debuted earlier in the year and served as Ann Arbor’s sponsor.  The newly organized Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club was Chartered on June 13, 1921.

The name “Kiwanis” was coined from an American Indian expression, “Nunc Kee-wanis” which means, “We Trade.”  In 1920, the motto of Kiwanis became “We Build.” It remained the motto until 2005, when its members voted to adopt, “Serving the Children of the World.”  It remains our motto today.

In 2021, the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Centennial observes the legacy of growth and service through the Club and the Foundation activities that is bolstered by a diverse leadership, two dedicated Boards of Officers and Directors and 22 working committees. In 2002, the 1,000th member of the club was installed.  Currently, the club’s 160 members remain focused and flourishes despite the COVID-19 virus and challenging world and local events: the Depression, World War II, the Vietnam and the Afghanistan wars and the national issues facing the country through 100 years of 17 presidential and congressional administrations.  Our Web site contents include information about:

To learn more and to see more photos and videos please go to Kiwanis Centennial 1921-2021 item on our web site Home page located in the blue menu bar.  There you will find a pull-down menu.  A list of information and lots of individual items about our 100 years of service is located there.  Thank you for your support throughout the years.

Dale R. Leslie, member Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, November 8, 2020.  Updated June 8, 2021