The 2025-26 governor discusses the road to district status. 

By Tony Knoderer

Kiwanis International is pleased to welcome Panama as the 49th district in the organization.

Panama has been a part of the Kiwanis family since 1967, when the first club was formed there. Today, the district has over 1,000 members — and continues to grow. In 2025-26 alone, Panama has added 13 new Kiwanis clubs (nine of which are Kiwanis Voices clubs for members ages 18-26).

Panama’s previous Kiwanis affiliation had been with the Andean-Central American District (DACA), which was established in August 1975. Discussions regarding Panama’s potential for becoming its own district started more than 20 years ago, says Alfredo Luciani, Panama’s 2025-26 governor. Representatives from Panamanian clubs gathered in 2002 with then Kiwanis International President Brian Cunat to propose the idea.

“However, given the existence of only six clubs and a membership base of approximately 170 individuals, such a creation was not yet deemed viable,” Luciani says.

The effort was eventually revived, he adds, led particularly by Kiwanis member Eda de Wong.

“The creation of additional clubs was essential,” Luciani says. “In 2013, Eda de Wong established six new clubs, bringing our total membership to just over 300.”

In 2016, Panama’s Kiwanis clubs left DACA to position itself for the effort to become a district.

“A new chapter in our history began under the leadership of Vianka de Keene, who served as the first director of the Kiwanis Panama Pre-formation District,” Luciani says. “All subsequent district directors engaged in a vigorous campaign to strengthen our organization and transition us into a provisional district — a status contingent upon the commitment to create new clubs and achieve a substantial increase in membership.”

Luciani also credits Panamanians who had served as governors of DACA, calling them “worthy examples of Kiwanis leadership and our source of inspiration.”

For Luciani and his fellow leaders, those examples stand as motivation to support Kiwanis clubs and members as Panama’s new era begins.

“The task now falls to all of us to support their growth and retention, upholding the highest standards of quality and Kiwanis commitment,” he says. 

For most platforms, you need three simple elements. 

By Tony Knoderer

Pretend you know nothing about Kiwanis or your club. Now look at the three most recent posts on your club’s social media account. Ask yourself:  

• Is it clear that we’re a group of volunteers?  
• Is it clear that we help kids?  
• Is our community impact easy to see? 

You can say all these things, of course, but it’s important to show it. (Oh, and you have about three seconds — the average time someone looks at a social media post before deciding whether to interact or scroll past.) 

So, how can you convey what you do and the impact you make in a few seconds? 

Include these elements
You don’t need fancy software or a degree in design to make a good social media post. For most platforms, all you need is: 

• A visual element. Photos and illustrations draw people in. When you talk about a service project, for example, include photos — particularly active shots of the service being performed, not just members lined up for the camera. 
• A clear, conversational tone. Give people the feeling that a real person is “talking” to them. 
• A call to action. What do you want people to do after seeing your post? 

These elements help people focus on the value of your club — to kids in your community and to club members — and the fact that you want others to be a part of it.  

If the topic of a post is especially important to a particular member, you might even ask them to write it! Here’s an example: 

As a mom of two kids who graduated from the Pleasant Hills School District, I know how dedicated our teachers are, sometimes even paying for extra classroom supplies out of their own pockets. 👩‍🏫 My Kiwanis club and I are ready to help them — and you’re welcome to assist! 

Join me at Southview Elementary School next Tuesday, July 8, as we fill backpacks full of school supplies for students to lessen the burden on our teachers. Let me know if you’d like to sign up! ❤️ 

Remember: People join people. Make sure that anyone who sees your post understands that Kiwanis volunteers are folks like them. 

Other resources
From social media to websites and more, Kiwanis International has tools for your club’s needs. Go to our branding and marketing webpage for resources such as:  

• Kiwanis logos  
• Social media images  
• Our “Tips and Tools” booklet  
• Free club websites  
• Custom club logos  

And when your club is celebrating an anniversary, make it an event that gets the community’s attention. Go to our dedicated webpage for: 

• Celebration ideas 
• Custom anniversary logos 
• Tips to get media coverage