TOWARD A CENTURY OF SERVICE

The project of the Publicity Committee was to produce a history of the Jefferson City Kiwanis Club. It recently celebrated its 89th Anniversary and is well on its way to its 90th year. However, in the first collection of the available information, it was discovered that most of the amassed notebooks, binders, journals, bound blue books, programs, and memorabilia, already contained that desired history. Therefore, a decision was made to categorize the information in a library-styled reference format that was user-friendly. The number of years lent itself to segregation into decades, further easing the brief lookups or reads. The focus on each decade will highlight committee projects, unusual events, and other areas of interest. The review will be open-ended and available for changes and additions, with the thought that members will utilize the project.

It was the beginning of a series of meetings that started in 1920 that resulted in the granting of a charter to the Jefferson City Kiwanis Club.

Little was know of the performance by the club, since there was no documentation of any activity. However, if we fast forward to the thirties, we find a letter that important work was accomplished. Especially a project that became a hallmark of Kiwanis for years to come, the funding of a medical clinic for the sole use by underprivileged children. It provided free surgery, such as tonsil removal. Also, provided were dental care, glasses, and even footwear. We can conclude that all aspects of the charter were performed. Election of officers, naming of committees, and any other items required for the completion of the infrastructure. It should be noted that the president of the club played an important role, working hand-in-hand with the vice-president and secretary. A list of all the presidents since can be found in the Appendix.

The decade of the thirties got off to a fine start with a set of documents that covered the full range of activity for the 1930 year, setting a fine example for a club of 46 members. The complete executive structure was named plus the 15 committees. A report provided reflection of the membership flow, which stayed even from 1926 at 46 with 36 additions and a like number of deletions. Once again, the top activity was the Medical Clinic.

A point of interest to be noted was the payment of dues for the International and District support of some $400.00. And it proved worthwhile, since it provided oversight which assisted in maintaining the high principles of Kiwanis. A perfect example was when International caught up with the club on a question of adherence to the bylaws. However an exchange of letters noted that Jefferson City was in full compliance when the bylaws were amended with use of the standard form.

In the 1931 the club maintained the standard of the previous year. The medical clinic project met the same success as ’30 plus the addition of children from the rural areas. The latter was due to the efforts of the Development of Better Town and County Relations committee.

A rapport with the clubs from Independence, Booneville, and Mexico provided a measure of Kiwanis fellowship.

Information was scarce for the next three years, 1932-3-4. Although a major emphasis in 1933 was launched with farm leaders to assist in co-operating with the rural work in organizing tours of the farms in the area, working with the extension agent, and furthering growth of 4-H clubs.

In1935, the efforts of the Agriculture Committee in the last several years produced 17 4-H clubs, 7 Corn Clubs, 2 Sorghum Clubs, and 2 Clothing Clubs. This being the result of 18 meetings in such venues as Centertown, Henley, Eugene, and others.

Of interest, was the work of the Publicity Committee in utilizing the two newspapers as a communication vehicle. The final report issued the results of 41 items totaling 1500 lines of publicity…well done. Also, a brief tally of the Medical Clinic…910 children cleared thru the clinic, 56 glasses fitted, and 16 tonsils removed.

The year 1936 continued the pages of yellowed newspaper clippings…Needy children received the benefits, not only from the clinic but thru free lunches at school. The reports showed lunches numbering in the thousands.

Both newspapers took the opportunity of the 15th Anniversary of the club to heap praise for the club’s good works.

An excerpt from a report presented to a meeting of the Eighth District on April 6, 1937 is offered below as the only document available for the year, except for the program of the Installation of Officers at Petit’s Café. And yes, a few yellowed news clippings.

Titled, “…Child Welfare Work in Cole County”
“…Since the work started 7500 children have been cleared through the clinic. Glasses have been fitted, tonsil operations have been made, imunizations from small pox, diphtheria, and typhoid have been administered. During the last year 987 children have received attention…”

The first Blue-bound book with gold lettering made its appearance in 1939. What a gem. Perhaps the authorization by the Board made it a classic. Clever bulletins, gentle prodings, difficult goals, and a doghouse…made 1938 a banner year for the club. It was a spelled out in a lengthy theme. “Attendance Enriches Fellowship ad Facilitates Activity”.

The DOGHOUSE listed the absentees each week. It did the job. The Goal…100% on April 14…It did the job. However, the JCPD brought in a pair of no-shows…completely shackled. And an out-of-towner used a Kiwanis make-up rule in Colorado to complete that goal for only the second time in the history of Kiwanis.

The performance of the 1938 club served as the closer to a great decade…all the more important as the 1939 club provided with three bulletins in the Blue Book and nothing more.

We are now in the fifth decade…the 1960’s…and a dilemma…an absolute absence of any information regarding club activity with the exception of correspondence from International, no less, of a lack of adherence to the changes in the bylaws. This was cleared up in the mid-years of 64-65-66 by the membership.

A souvenir program of the 1969 Installation of Officers remained to close out the decade. Perhaps the lull was in anticipation of some good works in the seventies.

The year started in October for 1973-74 with some new wrinkles, especially the Membership Development Committee. Exotic team makeup with time lines, dramatic drawings, and other ideas. The effort was not lost since eight new members were added to the rolls.

Then there was the Miss Jefferson City Pageant with the Capitol City Kiwanis Club. It should be noted that a previous project of a New Club Building Committee indoctrinated the club which utilized the Baptist Building meeting place on Tuesday evenings.

The club established a rapport with the Future Farmers of America, an organization founded in 1928 that grew to 447,000 members. The Salvation Army was the winner when $100.00 was collected by bell ringers.

Two trees to be planted at the library were a contribution to the Missouri Bi-Centennial Tree Program. The Social Committee had another fine Christmas program with 53 attendees.

The Membership Development Committee did not give up in 1975-76. Their program themed to “76 in 76”, including a song by a talented member with the tune borrowed from “76 Trombones”. There was a bonus plan initiated to enhance membership development...$5.00 for a prospective member’s lunch and the same for the member. The goal of 76 members was not reached, although 15 members were added, but resignations accounted for a loss of a half dozen.

There was a potpourri of projects:

     • A small Children’s Family Residence was established
     • $2,500 was approved for the YMCA building campaign
     • $300 was voted to CROP, an agri project

The Spirituals Aims Committee announced a special day to honor the clergy. Members were requested to bring them to the meeting, a fine gesture. 1976-77 continued to highlight other lesser-named projects that were a part, for many years, in the social activity of the club. The family picnics at Ellis Porter Park were always an event that was well-attended, as were the Community Sings at the park’s amphitheatre.

The Home for Disadvantaged Children was initiated. The only negative for the year was the 45% attendance rate.

The momentum did not slow in 1977-78. Other Committees with valuable contributions helped. Boys and Girls introduced Kiwanis Students of the Month. Farm-City Week and Brown Bag Day became familiar names.

Clergy Appreciation Day was a repeat performance. A real highlight was the invitation to the Helias German language class to be guests of the club for T & A showing of “Inside Germany”.

The Legion of Honor was presented to 10 members whose years in Kiwanis totaled 400 years, ranging from 55 years to 25 years. Included in the group were eight Past Presidents, one Past Secretary, and One Lieutenant Governor. Of course, the latter was also a Past President.

There was a food stand manned by Kiwanians on July 4 for the visit of the American Wind Symphony. The Little League received $100.00.

Another subject not mentioned for decades was the dues structure. To make it short, an increase of $10.00 made it $40.00 and you know there is always a reason. And finally to close the decade on a pleasant note, the Bulletin, colorful and laced with humor and a closing thought each week, won a third place in the District Competition.

The history is now completed thru the first seven decades. Random information form the 1980-‘s thru the 2000’s is scarce and remains to be discovered. We deem it advisable for others to complete the project.

A final comment lends itself to pay tribute to Kiwanis International for their foresight in the structure of an organization that has provided a consistency to the needs of the underprivileged children and to support of the community, leaving the local membership to continue the spirit of cooperation and creativity required.

In 1987, Kiwanis International recinded the male qualification for membership and finally offered women equal rights to membership, no longer was it necessary to follow their husbands to the dias or social events or being relegated to the sidelines. Their ingenuity and efforts were something to look forward to along with their contributions.

At long last, the Jefferson City Kiwanis Club paid heet to Kiwanis International, recognizing a talented member and elected the first woman President.

In 2009, the club embarked on a project destined to become among the noteworthy in the clubs history. A committee was named to pursue the formation of a local Court Appointed Special Advocate Organization.

In 2010, The division hosted a successful District Convention in Jefferson City. The Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Group, a show exhibition team, traveled to Jefferson City to entertain a crowd of nearly 800 as CASA's first fundraiser.