Panama becomes latest Kiwanis district 

Panama becomes latest Kiwanis district 

Mar 27, 2026 | Club building, General interest, News | 0 comments

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. 

A July 4 idea for U.S. clubs

A July 4 idea for U.S. clubs

Mar 26, 2026 | General interest, News, Service projects | 0 comments

Celebrate America’s 250th with a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

By Tony Knoderer

In the United States, July 4 will be a national milestone: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For that reason, this year’s celebration of Independence Day will be especially meaningful.  

That makes it an excellent opportunity for U.S. Kiwanis clubs to conduct a service or education project. And we have an idea: a public reading of the Declaration of Independence for the 250thhnniversary on July 4.  

It’s the kind of event that can bring people together, both as spectators and participants — from club members to community leaders and many others. And your Kiwanis club can be the guiding force of the event. Here are some steps for making it successful: 

  • Appoint a committee. See who is excited about getting involved. You’ll want members who bring the right blend of experience, capability and interest. When the club has agreed upon the committee chair, download and use this guide for selecting members. 
  • Secure an event location. What kind of venue do you envision for the reading? How many people do you expect to attend? What kind of audio/visual equipment will you need? Consider these kinds of questions when locating a venue. 
  • Find participants. Who do you want to take part in the reading? Reach out to local lawmakers, business leaders, teachers, members of the police and fire departments, and others. Don’t forget to include club members from the Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs you sponsor! 
  • Publicize the event and contact local media. Make sure people know about the event. Club flyers and personal interactions matter — but think big. Attempt to interest local media for community-wide coverage. In our “PR Tips and Tools,” you’ll find guidance for working with the media, developing key messages, “pitching” the story (including a template for a news release that you can adapt) and handling a television interview. And make sure there’s plenty of Kiwanis signage at the event. 
  • Share on social media and your club website. Include information about the event on your website and post about it frequently on social media. It will seem more exciting to the community if your club seems excited! 
  • Follow up. Don’t let the excitement end when the event ends. Post photos, videos and more on the club’s website and social media accounts so that even people who weren’t there can get a glimpse of the experience. They might think about going to your next event — or even about becoming a member.  

For Kiwanis clubs inside and outside the U.S., any major national anniversary or milestone is an opportunity to lead a local celebration of civic pride. On July 4, we hope U.S. clubs will seize that opportunity in their country — and then reflect together on both the event and the larger meaning of the day.   

Get ready for Membership Month 

Get ready for Membership Month 

Mar 23, 2026 | Club building, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Here are resources to make May a time for recruiting, orientation and more.

By Tony Knoderer

For many Kiwanis clubs, May is a great time for a club-strengthening campaign, whether it’s designed to emphasize recruiting people from the community or to strengthen the club’s value for current members. Or both! 

That’s why May is Membership Month at Kiwanis International. 

For your new members, we have resources that help build confidence and a sense of connection — and help them feel ready to lead from day one. In fact, whether members are just getting started or looking to deepen their understanding, these three learning opportunities provide a strong foundation for success: 

  • Updated member orientation resources. Get new members set for success with our updated orientation materials. Use the refreshed PowerPoint slide deck to host a structured group orientation and reference the talking points for a more informal, one-on-one conversation. These tools make it easy to introduce Kiwanis values, expectations and opportunities in a welcoming way. Click here to get the newly updated orientation slides. 
  • Kiwanis 101. Our newly recorded “Kiwanis 101” video is a quick, engaging way to help new (and seasoned!) members better understand Kiwanis’ history, organizational structure and global impact. We also have an excellent complement to the video: a helpful glossary of commonly used Kiwanis terms and acronyms, perfect for building confidence and clarity. Find links to the video and the glossary here. 
  • Kiwanis Amplify. Take new member engagement to the next level by sponsoring participation in Kiwanis Amplify. This dynamic program helps new Kiwanians build leadership skills, expand their network and connect with members from around the world. Registration is just US$50. It closes April 30, so don’t wait! Register for Kiwanis Amplify here. 

 Of course, Kiwanis International has other tools, tips and resources to help your club find and attract potential members throughout your community: 

  • Encourage clubs to plan a May open house and determine a guest list of invitees.  
  • Use the Roster Analysis Worksheet as a reminder of individuals who likely would enjoy being part of Kiwanis — and whose skills, relationships and experiences could enrich a club’s impact.  
  • Our resource on hosting potential members can help.  

Getting started
If May doesn’t work as Membership Month for your club, choose a month that does — and then take time in May to plan your event. Either way, get started now! Look at your May calendar of meetings, service projects, fundraisers and social events and invite guests to attend.