Kiwanis International History

Kiwanis is a coined word taken from the language of the Otchipew Indian tribe, who lived in the area around Detroit, Michigan, where Kiwanis was founded. The original phrase, “Nunc Keewanis”, meant “Self-Expression”.

Go to Kiwanis International web site at www.kiwanis.org

Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District

At the 1918 Kiwanis International Convention in Providence, the voting delegates approved the formation of districts to promote better communication, interclub relations, and harmony. On January 9, 1920, the five Kiwanis Clubs in Louisiana and Mississippi, meeting in New Orleans, organized the Louisiana-Mississippi District of Kiwanis International. Those five clubs were: New Orleans, organized on March 29, 1919; Jackson, MS, April 21, 1919; Baton Rouge, April 24, 1919; Alexandria, June 25, 1919; and Lake Charles, October 11, 1919.

On November 24, 1938, the West Tennessee territory was added to form the Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District of Kiwanis International. The oldest club in the current District was added at that time: Memphis, the 97th club organized in Kiwanis, on June 20, 1918. The Memphis Club is currently the largest club in the District.

Major T. J. Bartlett, from the New Orleans Club, was elected as the first Governor of the Louisiana-Mississippi District. He was followed by: W. H. Frazier, Jackson, MS; the Reverend Charles W. Crisler, Brookhaven; and A. T. Prescott, Baton Rouge.

A. T. Prescott also had the distinction of serving as the first Lieutenant Governor of the District in 1921. He was succeeded by H. L. Whitfield of Columbus, MS and R. L. Tullis of Baton Rouge, in 1922. The numbering of divisions, as done today, did not begin until 1948, when the District had eight divisions.

The District is now composed of twenty-two divisions, including 12 in Louisiana, 7 in Mississippi, and 3 in West Tennessee. The District membership currently numbers approximately 7,000 members in some 175 clubs.

Leadership on the International level has produced two International Presidents: John T. Roberts, Audubon, Baton Rouge, LA, 1982-83, and L. Nettles Brown, a member of the Natchitoches, LA Club, is currently representing the district as International President during the 1999-2000 administrative year. Two other members rose to the office of Vice President: Steve A. Alford, Baton Rouge, LA, 1969-70, and Albert V. Zimmerman, Alexandria, LA, 1952-53. The District was well-represented by members who served as International Trustees: W. D. Cotton, Rayville, LA, 1941-42, and again in 1946-48; Armand J. Rodehorst, Sr., Mid-City, New Orleans, LA, 1956-57, and Robert E. Wales, Capital City, Baton Rouge, LA in 1989-91. Wales also served as President of the Kiwanis International Foundation in 1996-97.

Our current Governor is Mark G. Simmons (2005-2006). Charlie Ford is the executive secretary and may be contacted by email at charlie@lamisstenn.org  or by phone at 225-769-9233.  There is also a toll-free fax number, 866-669-9215.  The mailing address is: Kiwanis District Office, P. O. Box 14026, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4026.

Club History

 The Kiwanis Club of Union City was chartered September 28, 1939, under the sponsorship of the Dyersburg, Tennessee club.  The first president was Milton Hamilton, Sr., County Superintendent of Schools.  Robert Ashton Everett, Circuit Court Clerk (later our congressman), was elected as vice-president.  H. P. Moss was named secretary and Clint Adams treasurer.   The meetings were held Tuesday nights at 6:30. 

Our club is a part of Division 1-A of the Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District of Kiwanis International.  There are 22 Lieutenant Governors in our district, one for each division.  Division 1-A includes Dyersburg, Martin, McKenzie, South Fulton, Trenton, Tiptonville and Union City.  Our present Lieutenant Governor is Debbie Urban of the Dyersburg Club.  Past Lieutenant Governors from our club include Brown Kendall, Robert Gibson, Myrtle Harton, Francis Lin and Bob Nichols. 

     We are proud of our rich Kiwanis heritage and the service we provide to our community.  We celebrated our 65th anniversary on September 28, 2004 with a special anniversary banquet.    One of our members, Robert Wood, has been an active member for over 50 years.

Club Projects

Our annual projects include Pancake Day (our biggest fund raiser),  Senior Citizens Day and Spring Chicken BBQ.

Our on-going projects include Kans for Kids, sponsorship of Builders Clubs, Key Clubs, Circle K Club and Aktion Club.   Also, our Student of the Month program honors students in each grade of high school at Union City High School and Obion Central High School, Troy, TN.  These students are honored each month at our club meeting.  We also select a student of the year and honor that student at our annual banquet.

Our club also gives several scholarships each year to local college students.