The source material for the page comes from Lt. Governor Marty Behm’s presentation to our club on May 13, 2026 (Marty is also a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene).
Kiwanis is an international service organization, consisting of thousands of clubs located in over 80 different nations and geographic areas. Adult membership is over 160,000, but when the entire Kiwanis family is included – K Kids (Elementary schools), Builders Club (Middle school) Key Club (high school), Circle K (College) and Aktion clubs (adults with disabilities) – membership is between 500,000 and 550,000 worldwide.
Kiwanis was founded on January 21, 1915 by a group of businessmen in Detroit, Michigan and was initially called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers. The name “Kiwanis” was soon adopted, originating from an Algonquian expression roughly meaning “we build” or “we trade talents”. Originally focused on business networking, Kiwanis pivoted to community service—specifically for children—in 1919. Kiwanis quickly expanded across the United States, with our own Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene being established in 1922. After decades operating only in the US and Canada, worldwide expansion was approved in the 1960s. In 1987, the organization began admitting women.
Today, Kiwanis and its family of clubs focus on serving the children of the world, including scholarships, pediatric health, nutrition, and education. Internationally, Kiwanis worked to eliminate iodine deficiency (in partnership with UNICEF) and maternal neonatal tetanus, as well as providing millions of books to children. Kiwanis clubs worldwide raise more than $100 million and document over 18.5 million volunteer hours every year. With its world headquarters based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis remains a prominent service organization dedicated to community improvement and supporting children. Kiwanis International’s motto is “Serving the children of the world”.
Kiwanis International is led by a President voted in annually. The International President for 2025-2026 is Michael Mulhaul. There are 49 districts and provisional districts, led by Governors, who are elected annually. Kiwanis International holds a convention every year, with the 2026 convention being held in Manila, Philippines June 24 – 27, 2026.
Hierarchical structure of the worldwide Kiwanis Organization:
International Level
District Level
Division Level
Club Level
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene is one of six clubs in the North Idaho Division. The North Idaho Division is one of 41 divisions in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) District, and The PNW is one of 49 districts in Kiwanis International.
Pacific Northwest District
Covering 1.4 million square miles in Northern Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Western Canada, Alaska, and Northern California, the PNW is the largest geographic district in Kiwanis International and near the top in total membership. PNW has approximately 12,000 members with over 300 clubs in 41 divisions. Our District Governor for the 2025-2026 year is John Flaherty.
The PNW district convention is going to be held in Ferndale Washington September 9 – 12th.
For those who have not been to a District convention, several things happen in the convention, including:
Training sessions
Leadership training
Committee meetings
Award ceremonies
House of Delegates Session(Delegates consist of up to two Kiwanis members per club, approved by each club. The Lieutenant Governors also can be delegates. Of course, many clubs do not send delegates due to costs and other factors. However, every effort is taken so that at least the Lieutenant Governor from each division is there to represent their division.)
In the House of Delegates session, delegates vote for upcoming district officers. They also vote on proposed amendments to district bylaws and policies.
The 41 Division within the PNW are led by Lieutenant Governors, elected annually by the clubs.
Northern Idaho Division
The Northern Idaho division includes the following clubs:
Coeur d’Alene Club
Panhandle Club
Post Falls Club
Silver Valley Club
Sandpoint Club
St. Maries Club
Each club is led by a President voted in annually by the club membership.
There are several reasons why I thoroughly enjoy being a Kiwanian. I love that as an organization, we focus our mission on helping children. I also find it great that while we all belong to Kiwanis International, each club is allowed to operate how the members feel is best for their communities. Each club can decide what our community needs and what we want to be involved in. As long as we are not breaking the law and are following the overall aims of Kiwanis, we can operate independently. Kiwanis International provides resources for growth and youth protection, as well as insurance to cover liabilities. Kiwanis is truly a unique and wonderful organization.
Throughout the 1900’s, Kiwanis (along with Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Exchange Clubs) were often looked to provide local services and needs. Cities and counties (and sometimes states) did not have the revenues to care for those in need or provide amenities such as parks. In many communities you will see Kiwanis parks that were sponsored by local Kiwanis clubs. What a cool legacy!
Many people believe that over the last several years local, state, and federal agencies have been taking care of all the needs in our communities and there is no need for service clubs any longer. This is certainly not the case, and Kiwanis is needed just as much now as it was in the 1920’s. The local Kiwanis clubs have a much better handle on what really is needed in their respective communities. Kids need Kiwanis!
Overview and History of Kiwanis
The source material for the page comes from Lt. Governor Marty Behm’s presentation to our club on May 13, 2026 (Marty is also a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene).
Kiwanis is an international service organization, consisting of thousands of clubs located in over 80 different nations and geographic areas. Adult membership is over 160,000, but when the entire Kiwanis family is included – K Kids (Elementary schools), Builders Club (Middle school) Key Club (high school), Circle K (College) and Aktion clubs (adults with disabilities) – membership is between 500,000 and 550,000 worldwide.
Kiwanis was founded on January 21, 1915 by a group of businessmen in Detroit, Michigan and was initially called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers. The name “Kiwanis” was soon adopted, originating from an Algonquian expression roughly meaning “we build” or “we trade talents”. Originally focused on business networking, Kiwanis pivoted to community service—specifically for children—in 1919. Kiwanis quickly expanded across the United States, with our own Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene being established in 1922. After decades operating only in the US and Canada, worldwide expansion was approved in the 1960s. In 1987, the organization began admitting women.
Today, Kiwanis and its family of clubs focus on serving the children of the world, including scholarships, pediatric health, nutrition, and education. Internationally, Kiwanis worked to eliminate iodine deficiency (in partnership with UNICEF) and maternal neonatal tetanus, as well as providing millions of books to children. Kiwanis clubs worldwide raise more than $100 million and document over 18.5 million volunteer hours every year. With its world headquarters based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis remains a prominent service organization dedicated to community improvement and supporting children. Kiwanis International’s motto is “Serving the children of the world”.
Kiwanis International is led by a President voted in annually. The International President for 2025-2026 is Michael Mulhaul. There are 49 districts and provisional districts, led by Governors, who are elected annually. Kiwanis International holds a convention every year, with the 2026 convention being held in Manila, Philippines June 24 – 27, 2026.
Hierarchical structure of the worldwide Kiwanis Organization:
The Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene is one of six clubs in the North Idaho Division. The North Idaho Division is one of 41 divisions in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) District, and
The PNW is one of 49 districts in Kiwanis International.
Pacific Northwest District
Covering 1.4 million square miles in Northern Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Western Canada, Alaska, and Northern California, the PNW is the largest geographic district in Kiwanis International and near the top in total membership. PNW has approximately 12,000 members with over 300 clubs in 41 divisions. Our District Governor for the 2025-2026 year is John Flaherty.
The PNW district convention is going to be held in Ferndale Washington September 9 – 12th.
For those who have not been to a District convention, several things happen in the convention, including:
In the House of Delegates session, delegates vote for upcoming district officers. They also vote on proposed amendments to district bylaws and policies.
The 41 Division within the PNW are led by Lieutenant Governors, elected annually by the clubs.
Northern Idaho Division
The Northern Idaho division includes the following clubs:
Each club is led by a President voted in annually by the club membership.
There are several reasons why I thoroughly enjoy being a Kiwanian. I love that as an organization, we focus our mission on helping children. I also find it great that while we all belong to Kiwanis International, each club is allowed to operate how the members feel is best for their communities. Each club can decide what our community needs and what we want to be involved in. As long as we are not breaking the law and are following the overall aims of Kiwanis, we can operate independently. Kiwanis International provides resources for growth and youth protection, as well as insurance to cover liabilities. Kiwanis is truly a unique and wonderful organization.
Throughout the 1900’s, Kiwanis (along with Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Exchange Clubs) were often looked to provide local services and needs. Cities and counties (and sometimes states) did not have the revenues to care for those in need or provide amenities such as parks. In many communities you will see Kiwanis parks that were sponsored by local Kiwanis clubs. What a cool legacy!
Many people believe that over the last several years local, state, and federal agencies have been taking care of all the needs in our communities and there is no need for service clubs any longer. This is certainly not the case, and Kiwanis is needed just as much now as it was in the 1920’s. The local Kiwanis clubs have a much better handle on what really is needed in their respective communities. Kids need Kiwanis!
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