Kiwanis is an international service club organisation that originated in Detroit, USA. The first club was chartered in Detroit on January 21, 1915. The name Kiwanis was developed from an Indian expression in the Otchipew dialect Nun-Kee-wan-is, and is variously interpreted as "we trade, we share our talents, we express ourselves". Kiwanis was introduced into New Zealand in 1967. The Kiwanis Club of Matamata was chartered on 7 September 1975. Our club belongs to the New Zealand-South Pacific Kiwanis District which also includes clubs from Vanuatu, Fiji, Noumea and Tahiti. This district has approximately 60 clubs. Within each district are divisions of clubs. We belong to Division 2 along with Kiwanis clubs from Morrinsville, Te Awamutu, and Westside (Hamilton) and Oceanside (Mt Maunganui). Our club is dedicated to contributing our resources to assist community, national and international issues. WHAT DO KIWANIS DO? The Matamata Kiwanis Club exists to serve the Matamata community and district with particular emphasis on assisting youth, the disadvantaged and the elderly. The club also participates in national and international projects. Check out our projects page. HOW CAN KIWANIS HELP? If you have a community service project in the Matamata area which you think the Kiwanis might be able to help with, we want to hear from you. As a general rule, we do not sponsor individuals unless there are exceptional circumstances. Check out our projects page to see who we have helped in recent years. Click here for contact details. WHY JOIN? Being a member of the Kiwanis Club of Matamata gives you the opportunity to put something back in to the local community through helping others. All members have the opportunity to develop leadership and public speaking skills, participate in a wide range of projects, and also have the chance to make new friends, not only within the club and the Matamata community, but with Kiwanians from other clubs in New Zealand and overseas. The Matamata Kiwanis Club always recognises that family and work commitments come first. In view of this, the club ensures that membership of Kiwanis does not become an onerous commitment. Membership is open to all individuals over 18 years of age of good character and community standing. Members need to have a willingness to serve the community, attend meetings and pay annual dues - although the first year's subscription is considerably discounted. New members (male and female) are always welcome. Click here to go to our "About Our Club" page which has all of our contact details. |
