KIWANIS CLUB OF ALMADEN VALLEY
Almaden Valley, San Jose - Kiwanis International
Kiwanis International is an independent, worldwide community service organization that is unaffiliated with any political or religious organizations. Kiwanis was founded in Detroit on January 21, 1915. The first Kiwanian was a merchant tailor named Joseph Prance. The original name of the group was actually the Benevolent Order of Brothers, and its purpose was the mutual exchange of preferred treatment in professional and business dealings.
Within a year, the name had been changed to “Kiwanis.” (The apocryphal story is that “Kiwanis” comes from the Native American term “Nun Keewanis,” which roughly means “self-expression” or “we make a loud noise” or “we have a good time”.) It had also become obvious that the original purpose lacked the power to attract and hold members. The purpose of the organization was thus changed to “community service,” and remains so to this day. A little later, Kiwanis “bought itself” from organizer Allen Browne, and began a growth pattern that continues today.