Kiwanis chartering club in Maricopa

“We Build” is the motto of Kiwanis International, and they are building a chapter right here in Maricopa. The kick-off meeting, held last week, introduced interested residents to the organization, its goals and its focus on the children of the community.

Don Redwine, local organizer, introduced Dick Caley, past Governor of the Southwest District; Caley told attendees, “You decide what your need is. You need to find out what you can do in your community to help children.”

Kiwanis International believes in “improving the world one child and one community at a time.” The Kiwanis Kids program helps develop self-esteem, leadership skills and respects for others among elementary school children (K-Kids), junior high and middle school students (Builders Clubs), high schoolers (Key Clubs) and college students (Circle K Clubs). The international service project is the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders, which are a preventable cause of mental retardation.

The local club, according to the organization, is “the heart of Kiwanis.” Club members conduct business, but they are also able to grow as individuals. Kiwanis means self-expression, ways to serve others. Founded in 1915, there are currently over 600,000 Kiwanis members worldwide with 93 nations represented. Women have been members since 1987.

Explaining the benefits of being a Kiwanis member were (from left) Don Redwine, Pam Hilliard, and past district governors Jim Galbraith and Dick Caley.

Jim Galbraith, another past governor and club builder, explained that the Southwest District is composed of 132 chapters and 3,800 members in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas-El Paso and eastern California. “Everyone of us is a volunteer,” noted Galbraith. “We have a commitment to serve the children of the world.”

The Maricopa Kiwanis Club already has 22 charter members; it needs just three more to found the first local club. Two of the new members are Maricopa Police Chief Patrick Melvin and his wife, who moved their family to town last week.

Maricopa Police Chief Patrick Melvin, responding to questions about the new police department.

Melvin, the meeting’s guest speaker, told the group that the new police department’s goal was to be service-oriented. “We will hire the best for the department,” explained Melvin, “and we’ve had over 100 inquiries. I’m excited, very excited, and I’m looking forward to being part of this community.”

Melvin and his new Deputy Chief Kirk Fitch will be recruiting officers next June and July, when the department is officially in place. According to the Chief, traffic issues and traffic safety programs will be a major focus for his department.

Kiwanis will be meeting in one of the Central Arizona College classrooms, located south of Bank of America, and will soon have their own Web site. If you are interested in being a charter member of this club, contact Don Redwine via email or at (520) 509-4471.