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Some time
during the year 1919, thirty men from the town of Decatur and thirty men
from the town of Albany met together for the avowed purpose of achieving
the consolidation of those two warring and divisive municipalities. These
were leaders with foresight dedicated to building a better community for
themselves and for those to come after them. They cast about for an organization
to serve as a vehicle for their efforts and after reviewing a number of
forms of organizations and clubs, decided that Kiwanis International,
with its motto "We Build" was the organization most likely to
be effective in their endeavor.
Membership
was originally limited to sixty men, thirty from Decatur and thirty from
Albany. At times there was a waiting list for membership. When Kiwanis
International discovered the sixty member limitation, some fifteen or
twenty years later, they required the Decatur club to eliminate that requirement.
Eventually
in 1927, after tireless effort and Kiwanis influence in the state legislature,
Decatur and Albany were united into the existing community of Decatur.
It is safe to say that the consolidation was brought about by the Kiwanis
Club of Decatur.
The Club
continues to abide by the motto "We Build". Many other activities
have been engaged in by the Club with significant and beneficial results
for the community. Kiwanis was the first of the service clubs to be organized
in Decatur and continues to furnish leadership in all worthwhile community
undertakings. It continues to be active today with its commitment to the
Morgan County Youth Ranch and other youth projects.
There is
plenty of fun and fellowship, but service to humanity and building a better
community are still our goals and aims.
The Kiwanis
Club of Decatur, Alabama is an organization committed
to having
fun serving the youth of our community.
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