We meet at the Decatur Club. Yes it is, but what a way to start your day. The President calls the meeting to order, and then we proceed to the “Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag”, an invocation, and our Kiwanis Pledge. We announce the various activities of the Club, introduce Guests, and discuss the current events and other business matters of the Club. BREAKFAST follows with time to interact with
other Club members that usually cover a variety of topical conversations. The monthly program chairperson, after breakfast is finished, will introduce our guest speaker, which covers an array of topics concerning our Community. The meeting is usually finished at 7:45 a.m. for you to start your busy but wonderful day. WHO are our members? Well, a diversified group of community professionals. Lawyers, CPA’s, Engineers, School Administrators and Educators, Bankers, Computer Specialists, Dentists, Public Servants, Insurance Agents, Salespeople, Retired professionals and other business owners join in fellowship to develop friendships and return value back to the Community. A great atmosphere for being a part of the Community and then some. WHY you ask? Each week for one hour in the morning we have an opportunity to meet with each other and develop a lifelong friendship with other great individuals. Many long—term business relationships are created among members. Most of all, we are able to give back to the Community a needed VALUE to a variety of local organizations through our volunteer time or dollars raised from our fundraising events. A WARM feeling to each of us to help someone in need. Some say it’s a major reward for each of us to further enrich our own lives and purpose for living. Enjoying the laughter of the Club’s members, the teasing amongst each other, and the friendliness is a wonderful way to start each Thursday before the demands of each of our jobs begin. Morning meetings leave your lunches and nights to your business and families. We realize demands on each of our time have and will continue to increase. The morning is the perfect time. WHAT do we do besides have meetings? Over the past 25 years we have contributed over $100,000 to various Community Organizations including:
Decatur Family YMCA
Baby Talk
Boys & Girls Club
Decatur Area Arts Council
Easter Seals
God's Shelter of Love
Northeast Community Fund
Decatur Area High School's Post Prom
Soyland Access to Independent Living
Coaches vs. Cancer Easter Seals
Big Brothers / Big Sisters
Boy Scouts
Summer Youth Baseball Programs
Junior Achievement
Iodine Deficiency Syndrome
CASA
United Way
Webster Cantrell Hall
Spastic Paralysis Research
Those are just to name a few, but over the past 25 years we have also provided over 30,000 volunteer hours to lend a helping hand to our Community. Some of our service projects and activities include:
Adopt-A-Street Cleanup Day
Race for the Cure
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Camp Grenada
Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout
Illini Football Tailgate
Webster Cantrell Hall Paint Project
Scouting Office Paint Project
Kindergarten Readiness
COSTS you ask? Our dues are $40 per quarter, which includes a Kiwanis District bulletin, a Kiwanis monthly magazine, and a weekly Club newsletter. The Cost of breakfast is currently $9.00 for the full meal deal (a wonderful buffet). We are looking to grow. If you are interested in serving the community, join us (at a meeting, or on a project). KIWANIS is an International organization with over 300,000 members. Here in Decatur our Club is known as the EARLY BIRD KIWANIS CLUB!
