In the words of its mission statement, the Kiwanis Club is an international organization dedicated to "service" and the "advancement of individual, community, and national welfare…." It pro motes a strong spiritual life for its members, a high standard of living, and the idea of citizens' civic obligations to others. The organization was founded on January 21, 1915, in Detroit, Michigan, by Allen Simpson Browne, a Moose Lodge organizer, and Joseph Prancela, a tailor. The name drew from a Native American phrase which can be interpreted differently to mean "we have a good time," "we trade," or "we advertise." By the late 1990s the organization had 300,000 members in more than 8,000 clubs in 82 countries. Made up predominantly of business people and professional men and women, the organization gives approximately $70 million a year to charitable organizations and individuals as well as seven million hours of direct community service. Perhaps best known for...